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BACKGROUND: The prevalence of neoplastic polyps in gallbladder polyps (GPs) increases sharply with age and is associated with gallbladder carcinoma (GBC). This study aims to predict neoplastic polyps and provide appropriate treatment strategies based on preoperative ultrasound features in patients with different age level. METHODS: According to the age classification of WHO, 1523 patients with GPs who underwent cholecystectomy from January 2015 to December 2019 at 11 tertiary hospitals in China were divided into young adults group (n=622), middle-aged group (n=665) and elderly group (n=236). Linear scoring models were established based on independent risk variables screened by the Logistic regression model in different age groups. The area under ROC (AUC) to evaluate the predictive ability of linear scoring models, long- and short- diameter of GPs. RESULTS: Independent risk factors for neoplastic polyps included the number of polyps, polyp size (long diameter), and fundus in the young adults and elderly groups, while the number of polyps, polyp size (long diameter), and polyp size (short diameter) in the middle-aged groups. In different age groups, the AUCs of its linear scoring model were higher than the AUCs of the long- and short- diameter of GPs for differentiating neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps (all P<0.05), and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test showed that the prediction accuracy of the linear scoring models was higher than the long- and short- diameter of GPs (all P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The linear scoring models of the young adults, middle-aged and elderly groups can effectively distinguish neoplastic polyps from non-neoplastic polyps based on preoperative ultrasound features.
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Neoplasias de la Vesícula Biliar , Pólipos , Ultrasonografía , Humanos , Persona de Mediana Edad , Neoplasias de la Vesícula Biliar/diagnóstico por imagen , Neoplasias de la Vesícula Biliar/patología , Femenino , Masculino , Estudios Retrospectivos , Adulto , Pólipos/diagnóstico por imagen , Pólipos/patología , Factores de Edad , Anciano , Factores de Riesgo , Colecistectomía , China/epidemiología , Periodo Preoperatorio , Adulto Joven , Cuidados PreoperatoriosRESUMEN
Health of an ecosystem is very much important as we depend on its goods and services for our existence. Because of this, we need to continuously monitor its health for human benefit and for identifying areas for improvement of our natural systems. The present study tries to assess the condition of a coastal ecosystem within the Vembanad Lake, Kerala, India, using key water quality parameters at micro-level. Principal component analysis identified the minimum required water quality dataset for further analysis and was scored using linear scoring functions. The weighted additive method was used to integrate the individual scores to arrive at a final score representing the ecosystem health. Spline interpolation was applied to develop the ecosystem health map of the study area. Using this method, 35.8% area of the aquatic ecosystem studied was characterized as good, 32.2% as moderate, 26.2% as fair and 5.8% as poor. The assessment results can help the policymakers/managers to make appropriate decisions for the better management of the coastal ecosystems studied. Moreover, this methodology can be replicated for the assessment of coastal regions with similar ecosystem characteristics.
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Ecosistema , Lagos , Humanos , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Calidad del Agua , IndiaRESUMEN
Estimating the reliability of cognitive task datasets is commonly done via split-half methods. We review four methods that differ in how the trials are split into parts: a first-second half split, an odd-even trial split, a permutated split, and a Monte Carlo-based split. Additionally, each splitting method could be combined with stratification by task design. These methods are reviewed in terms of the degree to which they are confounded with four effects that may occur in cognitive tasks: effects of time, task design, trial sampling, and non-linear scoring. Based on the theoretical review, we recommend Monte Carlo splitting (possibly in combination with stratification by task design) as being the most robust method with respect to the four confounds considered. Next, we estimated the reliabilities of the main outcome variables from four cognitive task datasets, each (typically) scored with a different non-linear algorithm, by systematically applying each splitting method. Differences between methods were interpreted in terms of confounding effects inflating or attenuating reliability estimates. For three task datasets, our findings were consistent with our model of confounding effects. Evidence for confounding effects was strong for time and task design and weak for non-linear scoring. When confounding effects occurred, they attenuated reliability estimates. For one task dataset, findings were inconsistent with our model but they may offer indicators for assessing whether a split-half reliability estimate is appropriate. Additionally, we make suggestions on further research of reliability estimation, supported by a compendium R package that implements each of the splitting methods reviewed here.
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Algoritmos , Cognición , Humanos , Método de Montecarlo , Reproducibilidad de los ResultadosRESUMEN
The study compared results of the traditional horse judging system (T) using subjective grades with those of a novel system of linear scoring (LS) using an application ("Breed Show App"). The horse's quality in relation to the total breeding aim was evaluated based on weighting factors for 57 individual traits commonly regarded in T, thus allowing immediate ranking of the horses. Results were stated as total grade in percent for both systems. One thousand nine hundred nine American Quarter horses were judged at regular breed shows with either T (n = 883), LS (n = 1,026), or both systems (n = 17). In addition, suitable traits for personality evaluation using LS were selected (n = 559 horses). Mixed-model analysis (F-test throughout) and Pearson correlations were used to assess agreement between systems and to identify highly correlated personality traits. Mean total grade was slightly greater in T (83.3 ± 0.2%) than LS (81.7 ± 0.3, P < .0001). Overall grades showed a wider range with LS, thus likely better reflecting phenotypic variance and improving comparability between horses without affecting overall horse ranking (r = 0.95, P < .00001) and thresholds for licensing minimum standards. Most personality traits deviated from a normal distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov: P < .01), potentially indicating that genetic or phenotypic preselection took place in the participating horses. Foals that were perceived as more "bright" by the observers kept a larger distance from their dam (r = 0.4) and showed more exploration of the environment (r = 0.2, all P < .01). Especially with more complex traits, including personality traits, variation of results and thus possibilities for differentiating between horses seem to be increased in horse judging using LS.
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Cruzamiento , Marcha , Animales , Caballos , Personalidad , Fenotipo , Proyectos Piloto , Estados UnidosRESUMEN
Making a morphological pre-selection of Pura Raza Español horses (PRE) for dressage is a challenging task within its current breeding program. The aim of our research was to design an early genetic selection morphological linear traits index to improve dressage performance, using 26 morphological linear traits and six dressage traits (walk, trot, canter, submission, general impression - partial scores - and total score) as selection criteria. The data set included morphological linear traits of 10 127 PRE (4159 males and 5968 females) collected between 2008 and 2013 (one record per horse) and 19 095 dressage traits of 1545 PRE (1476 males and 69 females; 12.4 records of average) collected between 2004 and 2014. A univariate animal model was applied to predict the breeding values (PBV). A partial least squares regression analysis was used to select the most predictive morphological linear traits PBV on the dressage traits PBV. According to the Wold Criterion, the 13 morphological linear traits (width of head, head-neck junction, upper neck line, neck-body junction, width of chest, angle of shoulder, lateral angle of knee, frontal angle of knee, cannon bone perimeter, length of croup, angle of croup, ischium-stifle distance and lateral hock angle) most closely related to total score PBV, partial scores PBV and gait scores PBV (walk, trot and canter) were selected. A multivariate genetic analysis was performed among the 13 morphological linear traits selected and the six dressage traits to estimate the genetic parameters. After it, the selection index theory was used to compute the expected genetic response using different strategies. The expected genetic response of total score PBV (0.76), partial scores PBV (0.04) and gait scores PBV (0.03) as selection objectives using morphological linear traits PBV as criteria selection were positive, but lower than that obtained using dressage traits PBV (1.80, 0.16 and 0.14 for total score PBV, partial scores PBV and gait scores PBV) or dressage traits PBV and morphological linear traits PBV (2.97, 0.16 and 0.15 for total score PBV, partial scores PBV and gait scores PBV), as selection criteria. This suggests that it is possible to preselect the PRE without dressage traits PBV using as selection criteria the morphological linear traits PBV, but the expected genetic response will be lower.
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Caballos/genética , Selección Genética , Animales , Cruzamiento , Femenino , Marcha/genética , Marcha/fisiología , Caballos/anatomía & histología , Caballos/fisiología , Masculino , Fenotipo , Condicionamiento Físico AnimalRESUMEN
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. INTRODUCTION: Southampton Hand Assessment Procedure (SHAP) provides function scores for hand grips (prehensile patterns) and an overall score, the index of function (IOF). The underlying equations of SHAP are not publicly available, which induces opacity. Furthermore, SHAP has been scarcely tested in prosthetic users. METHODS: Issues with SHAP-IOF are discussed; an alternative scoring system, that is, linear index of function (LIF) and a weighted version (W-LIF) are presented. In LIF, task times are transformed linearly, relative to SHAP norms, and are computed into LIF-prehensile patterns (LIFPP). LIF and IOF were compared using data of 27 experienced prosthetic users. RESULTS: High correlation and agreement between LIF and IOF was found: LIFPP vs IOFPP ranged from r = 0.880 to r = 0.988, and W-LIF vs IOF had a correlation coefficient of r = 0.984. DISCUSSION: SHAP data of prosthetic users are valuable benchmarks for health care professionals. LIF calculations are a good and cost free alternative for IOF scores. CONCLUSION(S): Measurements with LIF and IOF may be considered similar, but LIF is transparent and easier to use than IOF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Clinical measurement and cross-sectional.
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Amputados , Miembros Artificiales , Evaluación de la Discapacidad , Actividades Cotidianas , Adulto , Brazo , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Modelos EstadísticosRESUMEN
Docility is very important for cattle production, and many behavioural tests to measure this trait have been developed. However, very few objective behavioural tests to measure the opposite approach 'aggressive behaviour' have been described. Therefore, the aim of this work was to validate in the Lidia cattle breed a behavioural linear standardized scoring system that measure the aggressiveness and enable genetic analysis of behavioural traits expressing fearless and fighting ability. Reproducibility and repeatability measures were calculated for the 12 linear traits of this scoring system to assess its accuracy, and ranged from 85.3 and 94.2%, and from 66.7 to 97.9%, respectively. Genetic parameters were estimated using an animal model with a Bayesian approach. A total of 1202 behavioural records were used. The pedigree matrix contained 5001 individuals. Heritability values (with standard deviations) ranged between 0.13 (0.04) (Falls of the bull) and 0.41 (0.08) (Speed of approach to horse). Genetic correlations varied from 0.01 (0.07) to 0.90 (0.13). Finally, an exploratory factor analysis using the genetic correlation matrix was calculated. Three main factors were retained to describe the traditional genetic indexes aggressiveness, strength and mobility.