scholarly journals Follow-up questions influence the measured number knowledge in the Give a number task

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Krajcsi
Keyword(s):  
Potential Effect ◽  
Specific Potential ◽  
Specific Number ◽  
Number Knowledge

The Give a number task is one of the most frequently used tests to measure the number knowledge of preschoolers at the time when they acquire the meaning of symbolic numbers. In the task, the experimenter asks for a specific number of objects from the child. While the literature utilizes several versions of the task, and usually it is presumed that the different versions are equivalent and they do not have an effect on the measured number knowledge. In the present study the specific potential effect of the follow-up questions after a trial on the measured number knowledge is investigated. Three versions of the follow-up questions are compared. The results demonstrate that different versions have an effect on the measured number knowledge of the children. These results highlight that the follow-up questions should be considered in the works utilizing the Give a number task, and more generally, various versions of the Give a Number task may have an essential effect on the measured number knowledge, partly accounting for conflicting findings in the literature.

scholarly journals Evaluation of changes in shoulder balance and prediction of final shoulder imbalance during growing-rod treatment for early-onset scoliosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ziyang Liu ◽  
Tie Liu ◽  
Yong Hai ◽  
Lingyun Wu ◽  
Junrui Jonathan Hai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Early Onset ◽  
Demographic Data ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Early Onset Scoliosis ◽  
Shoulder Balance ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Growing Rod ◽  
Shoulder Imbalance ◽  
Entire Treatment

Abstract Background Obtaining and maintaining final shoulder balance after the entire treatment course is essential for early-onset scoliosis (EOS) patients. The relatively small number of growing-rod (GR) graduates who complete final fusion has resulted in an overall paucity of research on the GR treatment of EOS and a lack of research on the shoulder balance of EOS patients during GR treatment. Methods Twenty-four consecutive patients who underwent GR treatment until final fusion were included. Radiographic shoulder balance parameters, including the radiographic shoulder height (RSH), clavicle angle (CA), and T1 tilt angle (T1T), before and after each step of the entire treatment were measured. Shoulder balance changes from GR implantation to the last follow-up after final fusion were depicted and analysed. Demographic data, surgical-related factors, and radiographic parameters were analysed to identify risk factors for final shoulder imbalance. The shoulder balance of patients at different time points was further analysed to explore the potential effect of the series of GR treatment steps on shoulder balance. Results The RSH showed substantial improvement after GR implantation (P = 0.036), during the follow-up period after final fusion (P = 0.021) and throughout the entire treatment (P = 0.011). The trend of change in the CA was similar to that of the RSH, and the T1T improved immediately after GR implantation (P = 0.037). Further analysis indicated that patients with shoulder imbalance before final fusion showed significantly improved shoulder balance after fusion (P = 0.045), and their RSH values at early postfusion and the final follow-up did not show statistically significant differences from those in the prefusion shoulder balance group (P > 0.05). Early postfusion shoulder imbalance (odds ratio (OR): 19.500; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.777–213.949; P = 0.015) was identified as an independent risk factor for final shoulder imbalance. Conclusions Shoulder balance could be improved by GR implantation but often changes during the multistep lengthening process, and the final result is relatively unpredictable. Final fusion could further adjust the prefusion shoulder imbalance. Focusing on the prefusion shoulder balance of GR graduates and providing patients with early shoulder balance after fusion might be necessary.

Dealing with Treatment-confounder Feedback and Sparse Follow-up in Longitudinal studies - Application of a Marginal Structural Model in a Multiple Sclerosis Cohort

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Ehsanul Karim ◽  
Helen Tremlett ◽  
Feng Zhu ◽  
John Petkau ◽  
Elaine Kingwell
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Disease Progression ◽  
Multiple Imputation ◽  
Structural Model ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Hazard Ratio ◽  
Survival Advantage ◽  
Marginal Structural Model ◽  
Beta Interferon

Abstract The beta-interferons are widely prescribed platform therapies for patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). We accessed a cohort of patients with relapsing onset MS from British Columbia, Canada (1995-2013) to examine the potential survival advantage associated with beta-interferon exposure using a marginal structural model. Accounting for potential treatment-confounder feedback between comorbidity, MS disease progression and beta-interferon exposure, we found an association between beta-interferon exposure of at least 6 contiguous months and improved survival (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.63, 95% confidence interval 0.47-0.86). We also assessed potential effect modifications by sex, baseline age or baseline disease duration, and found these factors to be important effect modifiers. Sparse follow-up due to variability in patient contact with the health system is one of the biggest challenges in longitudinal analyses. We considered several single-level and multi-level multiple imputation approaches to deal with sparse follow-up and disease progression information; both types of approach produced similar estimates. Compared to ad hoc imputation approaches, such as linear interpolation (HR: 0.63), and last observation carried forward (HR: 0.65), all multiple imputation approaches produced a smaller hazard ratio (HR: 0.53), although the direction of effect and conclusions drawn concerning the survival advantage remained the same.

scholarly journals Association between the intake of α-linolenic acid and the risk of CHD

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (5) ◽  
pp. 735-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mia Sadowa Vedtofte ◽  
Marianne U. Jakobsen ◽  
Lotte Lauritzen ◽  
Eilis J. O'Reilly ◽  
Jarmo Virtamo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Linolenic Acid ◽  
Lower Risk ◽  
Outcome Measure ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Effect Modification ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Prospective Cohort Studies ◽  
Hazard Ratios ◽  
Long Chain

The intake of the mainly plant-derived n-3 PUFA α-linolenic acid (ALA) has been reported to be associated with a lower risk of CHD. However, the results have been inconsistent. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to examine the association between the intake of ALA and the risk of CHD. Potential effect modification by the intake of long-chain n-3 PUFA (n-3 LCPUFA) was also investigated. Data from eight American and European prospective cohort studies including 148 675 women and 80 368 men were used. The outcome measure was incident CHD (CHD event and death). During 4–10 years of follow-up, 4493 CHD events and 1751 CHD deaths occurred. Among men, an inverse association (not significant) between the intake of ALA and the risk of CHD events and deaths was observed. For each additional gram of ALA consumed, a 15 % lower risk of CHD events (hazard ratios (HR) 0·85, 95 % CI 0·72, 1·01) and a 23 % lower risk of CHD deaths (HR 0·77, 95 % CI 0·58, 1·01) were observed. No consistent association was observed among women. No effect modification by the intake of n-3 LCPUFA was observed.

scholarly journals The Development of Theory-Informed Participant-Centred Interventions to Maximise Participant Retention in Randomised Controlled Trials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rumana Newlands ◽  
Eilidh Duncan ◽  
Shaun D Treweek ◽  
Jim Elliott ◽  
Justin Presseau ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Change ◽  
Theoretical Domains Framework ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Ethics Committee ◽  
Behaviour Change Techniques ◽  
Clinic Attendance ◽  
Behaviour Change Interventions ◽  
Randomised Controlled ◽  
Trial Participants

Abstract BackgroundA failure of clinical trials to retain participants can influence the trial findings and significantly impact the potential of the trial to influence clinical practice. Retention of participants involves people, often the trial participants themselves, performing a behaviour (e.g. returning a questionnaire or attending a follow-up clinic as part of the research). Most existing interventions that aim to improve the retention of trial participants fail to describe any theoretical basis for the potential effect (on behaviour) and also whether there was any patient and/or participant input during development. The aim of this study was to address these two problems by developing theory- informed, participant-centred, interventions to improve trial retention. MethodsThis study used a multi-phase sequential mixed methods approach informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework and Behaviour Change Techniques Taxonomy to match participant reported determinants of trial retention to theoretically informed behaviour change strategies. The prototype interventions based on participant accounts were described and developed in a co-design workshop with trial participants. We then assessed acceptability and feasibility of two of the prioritised retention interventions during a focus group, which also included a questionnaire, involving a range of trial stakeholders (e.g. trial participants, trial managers, research nurses, trialists, research ethics committee members). ResultsEight trial participants contributed to the co-design of the retention interventions. Four behaviour change interventions were designed based on suggestions provided by trial participants: 1. Incentives and rewards for follow-up clinic attendance; 2. Goal setting for improving questionnaire return; 3. Self-monitoring to improve questionnaire return and/or clinic attendance; and 4. Motivational information to improve questionnaire return and clinic attendance. Seventeen trial stakeholders (participants, trialists, ethics committee members) contributed to the evaluation of acceptability and feasibility of the retention interventions, which were generally positive with some areas for consideration highlighted. ConclusionsThis is the first study to develop interventions to improve trial retention that are based on the accounts of trial participants and also conceptualised and developed as behaviour change interventions (to encourage attendance at trial research visit or return a trial questionnaire). Further testing of these interventions is required to assess their effectiveness and assess resource implications.

scholarly journals Clinical outcome after bioprosthetic aortic root replacement: A Meta-Analysis and Microsimulation model

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bardia Arabkhani ◽  
Jonathan Etnel ◽  
Michiel Vriesendorp ◽  
Richard van Valen ◽  
Emmanuel Lansac ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Life Expectancy ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Aortic Root ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Aortic Root Replacement ◽  
Microsimulation Model ◽  
Event Risk ◽  
Significant Difference

Background and aim of the study This study aims to provide an overview of clinical outcome after bioprosthetic aortic root replacement and lifetime event-risk estimates of mortality and valve-related events, and the potential effect of type of prosthesis used. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted between January 2000 and August 2019. Inclusion criteria: aortic root replacement in adults. Data were pooled by inverse-variance weighting and entered a microsimulation model to calculate lifetime event-risk and (event-free) life expectancy. Results Of 2.106 publications, 31 were included (N = 5.227 patients, 74% stentless valves). Mean age was 65.4 years (74% male). Pooled early mortality was 5.5% (95% CI: 4.3-7.2%). During follow-up (mean 4.1 years, total 22.706 patient-years), late mortality was 4.8%/patient-year and reoperation 0.9%/patient-year. Linearized-occurrence-rates for thromboembolism, endocarditis, and hemorrhagic events:1.2; 0.9 and 0.5 %/patient-year; no significant difference between stented and stentless prosthesis. Translating into a 60-year-old patient, an estimated life expectancy of 14 years (general population: 22 years) and lifetime risks of thromboembolism, endocarditis and reintervention of 21%, 13%, and 8%, respectively is expected. Conclusions The study shows impaired survival and a notable lifetime risk of valve-related events after bioprosthetic aortic root replacement. The risk of thromboembolism is prominent, especially during earlier follow-up, suggesting higher risk of thromboembolism early after operation. Type of prosthesis, stented or stentless, is not associated with higher valve-related events. Moreover, this study could be used as a benchmark to compare outcome with other aortic root replacement procedures.

scholarly journals Serial Monitoring and Hyperimmunoglobulin versus Standard of Care to Prevent Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: A Phase III Randomized Trial

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Roland Devlieger ◽  
Horst Buxmann ◽  
Giovanni Nigro ◽  
Martin Enders ◽  
Julia Jückstock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Time Frame ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Preventive Strategy ◽  
Ethical Challenges ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Cmv Disease ◽  
Congenital Cmv

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Nonrandomized studies support the potential of cytomegalovirus hyperimmunoglobulin (CMV-HyperIg) in preventing maternofetal CMV transmission, but prospective interventional studies show equivocal results. We pre­sent a prospective phase-III international randomized open-label trial on the potential effect of CMV-HyperIg following serial monitoring of CMV serostatus. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> CMV-seronegative pregnant women (gestational age [GA] &#x3c;14 weeks) were 1:1 randomized to monthly CMV-serostatus monitoring and CMV-HyperIg upon seroconversion (treatment), or routine prenatal care with CMV-serostatus testing at end of pregnancy (control). Ethical considerations required that control subjects with confirmed seroconversion be offered Cytotect®. The primary endpoint was the proportion of fetuses/newborns with congenital CMV infection. Secondary endpoints included neonatal CMV disease and safety during the 24-month follow-up. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The treatment arm counted 4,800 randomized subjects: 52 seroconverted (median GA 24 [11–35] weeks), of which 45 completed follow-up. The control arm counted 4,735 randomized subjects: 42 seroconverted, of which 34 completed follow-up (evaluable data for 28 newborns) and 8 subjects chose off-label Cytotect®. Congenital CMV rates were 13/28 newborns (46.4% [CI 27.51; 66.13]) vs. 16/45 newborns (35.6% [CI 21.87; 51.22]) in control and treated arms, respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.46). Newborn CMV disease was mostly mild and spontaneously resolving. There were no major safety concerns. The target sample was not reached within an acceptable time frame. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Serial monitoring of CMV serostatus with CMV-HyperIg treatment was associated with a mild nonsignificant reduction in the vertical CMV transmission rate. Studies on the optimal preventive strategy are hampered by epidemiological and ethical challenges and should focus on GA-dependent transmission rates and accurate dating of infection.

scholarly journals Nickel allergy is associated with wheezing and asthma in a cohort of young German adults: results from the SOLAR study

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 00178-2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Kolberg ◽  
Felix Forster ◽  
Jessica Gerlich ◽  
Gudrun Weinmayr ◽  
Jon Genuneit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Allergy ◽  
International Study ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Type I ◽  
Nickel Allergy ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Type Iv ◽  
Incident Asthma

BackgroundNickel allergy is the most prevalent contact allergy. It belongs to a different hypersensitivity type to asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis. The aim of this analysis was to assess whether self-reported nickel allergy is associated with incident wheezing, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis in young German adults, taking into account potential effect modification by sex.MethodsIn total, 2051 (70.6%) participants aged 19–24 years took part in the second phase of SOLAR (Study on Occupational Allergy Risks), a follow-up study of ISAAC II (the second phase of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood) in Germany. Self-reported nickel allergy, as well as having pierced ears, and the three outcomes incident wheezing, asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis, were analysed stratified for sex. Logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders was performed.ResultsAn association between self-reported nickel allergy and incident wheezing was observed for men and women, while only in males did pierced ears show a significant association with the outcome (adjusted OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.10–4.62). Also only in males, self-reported nickel allergy was associated with elevated odds for incident asthma (adjusted OR 4.34, 95% CI 1.22–15.41). Neither in men nor in women was a significant association observed for incident rhinoconjunctivitis.ConclusionOur results suggest that self-reported nickel allergy is associated with incident wheezing. Whether this association is due to environmental or genetic predisposition, or due to an overlap of the mechanisms of type I and type IV hypersensitivity, needs to be elucidated.

Smartphone app as a follow-up tool after cardiac rehabilitation: Single-arm feasibility study (Preprint)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pernille Lunde ◽  
Birgitta Blakstad Nilsson ◽  
Astrid Bergland ◽  
Asta Bye
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Cardiac Rehabilitation ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Goal Achievement ◽  
Recruitment Rate ◽  
Floor Effect

BACKGROUND Long-term maintenance of preventive activities is fundamental for achieving improved outcomes of cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Despite this, it is shown to be a major challenge for many patients to follow recommendations and thereby adhere to a heart-friendly lifestyle. Smartphone applications (apps) have been emphasized as potential tools to promote preventive activities after attendance in a CR program. Before commencing a trial to assess the potential effect of using an app for long-term adherence to preventive activities after attendance in CR, a study to assess the feasibility of the intervention is warranted. OBJECTIVE To assess the feasibility of an intervention where an app is used as a tool enabling individualized and monitored follow-up for patients after attendance in a CR program. METHODS Experimental, pre-post single arm trial, lasting for 12 weeks. All patients received access to an app aimed to guide people to change or to maintain a heart friendly lifestyle. During the study period, they got weekly, individualized follow-up through the app, based on their own goalsetting. Feasibility outcome assessed were adherence to the intervention, recruitment rate, resource requirements and efficacy regarding capability to detect a difference on quality of life (QoL), health status and perceived goal achievement as well as evaluating ceiling and floor effect in these outcomes. Criteria’s for success were preset to be able to evaluate whether the intervention were feasible in a potential future RCT. RESULTS All 14 patients included in the study used the app to promote preventive activities throughout the study. Satisfaction with the technology were high and the patients found the technology based follow-up intervention both useful and motivational. In total, 71% of the patients completed CR were eligible for a potential RCT as well as for the present study. Ceiling effect was achieved in more than 50% of the patients in questionnaires evaluating quality of life (SF-36 and COOP/WONCA) and health status (EQ-5D). Overall self-rated health status (EQ VAS) and perceived goal achievement were found to be able to detect a difference through the study. CONCLUSIONS Individual follow-up intervention through an app after attendance in CR is feasible. All patients used the app for preventive activities and found the follow-up intervention through an app as both useful and motivating for adherence to a heart-friendly lifestyle. Several points of guidance from the patients in the current study has been taken along and have contributed to the final design of the RCT now in the field.

Integrating Self-Rated Health and Social Involvement for the Examination of Mortality among Older Persons

1994 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Rakowski ◽  
Victoria Wilcox
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Older Persons ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Potential Effect ◽  
Social Involvement ◽  
Multiple Logistic Regression ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Time Periods

Self-rated health status and social network variables have each been shown to independently predict mortality among older persons. However, the potential effect of these two variables when combined into a single index has not been studied. Therefore, this investigation integrated ratings of global health status and reports of social involvements into a single, combined variable. This variable was then used to predict mortality over three time periods (1984–1986, 1984–1988, 1984–1990). Data were drawn from the Longitudinal Study of Aging, and were based on 6053 self-respondents aged seventy and older at baseline in 1984. Multiple logistic regression analysis, using several health status and demographic controls, showed that the combined variable produced substantial effects on mortality, particularly for the 1984–86 and 1984–88 follow-up time periods. Results suggested that integrating these two constructs may be a helpful step in research on the psychosocial epidemiology of aging.

scholarly journals Atypical Repetition in Daily Conversation on Different Days for Detecting Alzheimer Disease: Evaluation of Phone-Call Data From Regular Monitoring Service

10.2196/16790 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. e16790
Author(s):  
Yasunori Yamada ◽  
Kaoru Shinkawa ◽  
Keita Shimmei
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer Disease ◽  
Neuropsychological Tests ◽  
Phone Call ◽  
Linguistic Features ◽  
Regular Monitoring ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Speech Data ◽  
Monitoring Service ◽  
Specific Number

Background Identifying signs of Alzheimer disease (AD) through longitudinal and passive monitoring techniques has become increasingly important. Previous studies have succeeded in quantifying language dysfunctions and identifying AD from speech data collected during neuropsychological tests. However, whether and how we can quantify language dysfunction in daily conversation remains unexplored. Objective The objective of this study was to explore the linguistic features that can be used for differentiating AD patients from daily conversations. Methods We analyzed daily conversational data of seniors with and without AD obtained from longitudinal follow-up in a regular monitoring service (from n=15 individuals including 2 AD patients at an average follow-up period of 16.1 months; 1032 conversational data items obtained during phone calls and approximately 221 person-hours). In addition to the standard linguistic features used in previous studies on connected speech data during neuropsychological tests, we extracted novel features related to atypical repetition of words and topics reported by previous observational and descriptive studies as one of the prominent characteristics in everyday conversations of AD patients. Results When we compared the discriminative power for AD, we found that atypical repetition in two conversations on different days outperformed other linguistic features used in previous studies on speech data during neuropsychological tests. It was also a better indicator than atypical repetition in single conversations as well as that in two conversations separated by a specific number of conversations. Conclusions Our results show how linguistic features related to atypical repetition across days could be used for detecting AD from daily conversations in a passive manner by taking advantage of longitudinal data.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document