Using Two-Step Cluster Analysis and Latent Class Cluster Analysis to Classify the Cognitive Heterogeneity of Cross-Diagnostic Psychiatric Inpatients

Intersecting dimensions: advanced analytical approach to school climate and injury prevention in health policy

BACKGROUND

Child safety in schools is paramount for decision-makers globally, with a focus on ensuring children return home safely. However, the prevalent issue of injuries across educational systems demands a comprehensive investigation into their causes, incorporating interdisciplinary perspectives and social dynamics, to develop effective prevention strategies. The objective of this study is to comprehensively analyze the factors contributing to school-related injuries and examine the impact of school climate on student safety. By employing advanced data analysis techniques, the research aims to develop targeted, effective strategies to enhance child safety in educational settings. This research aims to develop a multidimensional taxonomy to understand child injuries in elementary schools better, enhancing precision in decision-making.

METHODS

Data from 363 Israeli primary schools and 10,855 school injuries attended to by MDA, the principal EMS provider, were analyzed. The study utilized a two-level taxonomy, employing clustering methodology to classify schools into distinct climate "patterns," with each pattern further delineating school injury characteristics into sub-patterns. The chosen method proved effective in revealing nuanced relationships between school injuries and climate characteristics.

RESULTS

Analysis revealed five school climate clusters, ranging from "good" to "bad," each exhibiting two homogeneous sub-clusters of school injuries. Schools with a "positive" climate witnessed boys predominantly experiencing head injuries during breaks, while girls often sustained limb injuries from playing in corridors. Conversely, within the "negative" climate cluster, subgroups emerged based on injury nature, whether linked to playing or falling from a height.

CONCLUSION

The research delineates a nuanced association between school climate and injury rates, emphasizing the necessity for sophisticated analytical techniques beyond conventional methodologies. Utilizing a diverse dataset from various disciplines, the study highlights the multidimensional aspects of school health. The developed taxonomy reveals the complex dynamics within school environments, advocating for customized health policies to mitigate injuries. Critical findings prompt a reevaluation of established assumptions about the school climate-injury relationship, informing strategic policymaking. For example, it suggests collaboration to enhance school safety through targeted, gender-sensitive interventions and improvements. Integrating different data sources offers a holistic understanding crucial for effective health policy formulation in educational contexts.

A biopsychosocial approach to phenotyping people with knee osteoarthritis awaiting total knee arthroplasty: A secondary cohort analysis

BACKGROUND

Previous research showed chronic post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) pain in 20% of people with knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Various preoperative biopsychosocial-related factors have been described, but phenotyping people with KOA awaiting TKA based on these factors is still lacking. This could be relevant to understanding differences in TKA surgery responses.

OBJECTIVE

To identify phenotypes in people with KOA awaiting TKA and differences in post-TKA pain based on preoperative biopsychosocial factors.

METHODS

People with KOA awaiting TKA in 4 hospitals in Belgium and the Netherlands were included. A cross-sectional latent profile analysis was conducted on structural, metabolic, functional, pain-related, psychological and social variables. Concurrent validity was tested using 3-step multinomial logistic regression. The difference in one-year post-TKA pain was examined with linear mixed model analysis.

RESULTS

Two hundred and seventeen participants were included in the latent profile analysis with a mean (SD) age of 65.5 (7.7) years, including 109 women. A model with 2 phenotypes differed in 14 out of 21 variables. Participants with phenotype 2 (28%) had a higher body mass index (BMI), higher chance of having less structural damage (KOA grade), lower mean quadriceps strength and physical function (Knee Society Scoring System functional and 30-second chair stand test), higher pain intensity, number of pain locations, and indices of central sensitisation (temporal summation, central sensitisation inventory score, and lower pressure pain thresholds), higher pain catastrophising, anxiety and depression, and higher post-TKA pain intensity compared to phenotype 1 (72%). Concurrent validity was confirmed in 3 out of 4 variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Phenotype 2 (28%) with nociplastic pain characteristics in combination with worse psychological factors, BMI, functional and structural factors, and phenotype 1 (72%) not representing these characteristics were identified. Phenotype 2 had worse pain intensity scores after TKA compared to phenotype 1. Attention to the characteristics of phenotype 2 is warranted concerning post-TKA pain.

DATABASE REGISTRATION

The protocol is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05380648).

Associations between family factors and physical activity clustering in preschool children: a cross-sectional study

Objective

This study aimed to examine the association between family factors and physical activity (PA) clustering in preschool children.

Methods

Preschoolers' PA and sedentary behavior (SB) were assessed consecutively for 7 days using ActiGraph accelerometers based on the cutoff counts developed by Pate et al. Information about children, their parents, and their families was collected using questionnaires. We developed a two-step approach to clustering PA both inside and outside of kindergarten. The Euclidean distance metric was utilized to distinguish between groups, while the Schwarz-Bayesian criterion was applied to identify the most optimal sub-group model. A one-way ANOVA was used to assess the clustering effect, and logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of different clustering.

Results

We collected data from 291 preschool children aged 3 to 6 years and divided them into three clusters-Inactive (50.2%), Active in kindergarten (26.8%), and Active outside kindergarten (23.0%)-with significant differences in PA and SB, revealing distinct temporal and spatial clustering patterns (silhouette coefficient = 0.3, p < 0.05). Furthermore, preschooler activity levels correlated significantly with factors including gender (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19-0.66), age (OR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.10), birth weight (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.16-2.76), paternal age (OR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.00-1.02), and maternal income (OR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.96).

Conclusion

This study shows that the family environment or parents significantly influence the PA of preschool children. Older fathers may promote preschool children's PA through greater educational focus and financial stability, while higher maternal income can provide more opportunities and resources for preschool children to engage in active lifestyles. Thus, it is suggested that families providing more attention and exercise opportunities for preschool children's education can help improve their PA levels in the future.

Clinical subtypes of schizophrenia based on the discrepancies between objective performance on social cognition tasks and subjective difficulties in social cognition

Intervention for social cognition could be key to improving social functioning in patients with schizophrenia. A first step towards its clinical implementation involves interviewing patients about their subjective difficulties with social cognition as they experience them in the real world. The present study focused on the clinical subtypes classified by the discrepancies between the subjective difficulties in social cognition and actual cognitive impairment. A total of 131 outpatients with schizophrenia and 68 healthy controls were included. Objective measurement of social cognition was performed using a test battery covering four representative domains, and subjective difficulties were determined by a questionnaire covering the same domains. A two-step cluster analysis explored the potential classification of social cognition in patients with schizophrenia. There was little correlation between the objective performance on social cognition tasks and subjective difficulties in social cognition. The analysis yielded three clusters: the low-impact group (low objective impairment and low subjective difficulties), the unaware group (high objective impairment but low subjective difficulties), and the perceptive group (moderate objective impairment and high subjective difficulties). Positive, negative, and general symptoms were more severe in the two groups that showed impaired performance on the social cognition tasks (i.e., the unaware and perceptive groups) than those in the low-impact group. Neurocognition and functional capacity were the lowest in the unaware group, and social functioning was the lowest in the perceptive group. Awareness about the clinical subtypes of social cognition could serve as a guidepost for providing individualized, targeted interventions.

Cardiometabolic Morbidity (Obesity and Hypertension) in PTSD: A Preliminary Investigation of the Validity of Two Structures of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and/or specific PTSD symptoms may evoke maladaptive behaviors (e.g., compulsive buying, disordered eating, and an unhealthy lifestyle), resulting in adverse cardiometabolic events (e.g., hypertension and obesity), which may implicate the treatment of this complex condition. The diagnostic criteria for PTSD have lately expanded beyond the three common symptoms (intrusion, avoidance, and hyperarousal). Including additional symptoms such as emotional numbing, sleep disturbance, and irritability strengthens the representation of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), suggesting that models with four, five, or six dimensions better capture its structure compared to the original three-dimensional model. Methods: Using a convenience sample of 58 Russian dental healthcare workers (HCWs: mean age = 44.1 ± 12.2 years, 82.8% females), this instrumental study examined the convergent, concurrent, and criterion validity of two IES-R structures: IES-R3 and IES-R6. Results: Exploratory factor analysis uncovered five factors, which explained 76.0% of the variance in the IES-R. Subscales of the IES-R3 and the IES-R6 expressed good internal consistency (coefficient alpha range = 0.69-0.88), high convergent validity (item total correlations r range = 0.39-0.81, and correlations with the IES-R's total score r range = 0.62-0.92), excellent concurrent validity through strong correlations with the PTSD Symptom Scale-Self Report (PSS-SR: r range = 0.42-0.69), while their criterion validity was indicated by moderate-to-low correlations with high body mass index (BMI: r range = 0.12-0.39) and the diagnosis of hypertension (r range = 0.12-0.30). In the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, all IES-R models were perfectly associated with the PSS-SR (all areas under the curve (AUCs) > 0.9, p values < 0.001). The IES-R, both hyperarousal subscales, and the IES-R3 intrusion subscale were significantly associated with high BMI. Both avoidance subscales and the IES-R3 intrusion subscale, not the IES-R, were significantly associated with hypertension. In the two-step cluster analysis, five sets of all trauma variables (IES-R3/IES-R6, PSS-SR) classified the participants into two clusters according to their BMI (normal weight/low BMI vs. overweight/obese). Meanwhile, only the IES-R, PSS-SR, and IES-R3 dimensions successfully classified participants as having either normal blood pressure or hypertension. Participants in the overweight/obese and hypertensive clusters displayed considerably higher levels of most trauma symptoms. Input variables with the highest predictor importance in the cluster analysis were those variables expressing significant associations in correlations and ROC analyses. However, neither IES-R3 nor IES-R6 contributed to BMI or hypertension either directly or indirectly in the path analysis. Meanwhile, age significantly predicted both health conditions and current smoking. Irritability and numbing were the only IES-R dimensions that significantly contributed to current smoking. Conclusions: The findings emphasize the need for assessing the way through which various PTSD symptoms may implicate cardiometabolic dysfunctions and their risk factors (e.g., smoking and the intake of unhealthy foods) as well as the application of targeted dietary and exercise interventions to lower physical morbidity in PTSD patients. However, the internal and external validity of our tests may be questionable due to the low power of our sample size. Replicating the study in larger samples, which comprise different physical and mental conditions from heterogenous cultural contexts, is pivotal to validate the results (e.g., in specific groups, such as those with confirmed traumatic exposure and comorbid mood dysfunction).

Rage against the machine? Framing societal threat and efficacy in YouTube videos about artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a part of the mainstream public discourse beyond expert communities about its risks, benefits, and need for regulation. In particular, since 2014, the news media have intensified their coverage of this emerging technology and its potential impact on most domains of society. Although many studies have analyzed traditional media coverage of AI, analyses of social media, especially video-sharing platforms, are rare. In addition, research from a risk communication perspective remains scarce, despite the widely recognized potential threats to society from many AI applications. This study aims to detect recurring patterns of societal threat/efficacy in YouTube videos, analyze their main sources, and compare detected frames in terms of reach and response. Using a theoretical framework combining framing and risk communication, the study analyzed the societal threat/efficacy attributed to AI in easily accessible YouTube videos published in a year when public attention to AI temporarily peaked (2018). Four dominant AI frames were identified: the balanced frame, the high-efficacy frame, the high-threat frame, and the no-threat frame. The balanced and no-threat frames were the most prevalent, with predominantly positive and neutral AI narratives that neither adequately address the risks nor the necessary societal response from a normative risk communication perspective. The results revealed the specific risks and benefits of AI that are most frequently addressed. Video views and user engagement with AI videos were analyzed. Recommendations for effective AI risk communication and implications for risk governance were derived from the results.

Geographic patterns of dental service use in the Child Dental Benefits Schedule: 6 years of claims in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children

ISSUE ADDRESSED

This article explores the geographic patterns of claims within the Australian Government's Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS).

BACKGROUND

The CDBS is a means-tested schedule implemented in 2014 to improve access to dental services for children. Under the schedule, eligible children receive funding to subsidise dental services.

METHODS

This study used data from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children and linked data from the Medicare universal healthcare system, to examine dental service use amongst a subset of children aged 10 and 14 years. Dental service items were classified using Two-step Cluster Analysis, and appointments were analysed using multinomial logistic regression. Geographic characteristics were included as predictor variables.

RESULTS

The study found that the majority of dental appointments were non-operative (70.7%, n = 5808), with diagnostic, radiographic, and preventive items being the most common. There were slightly higher proportions of operative appointments (fillings and extractions) compared with non-operative appointments in remote and very remote areas, low socio-economic areas, and Queensland and Northern Territory. Cluster analysis identified eight groups of non-operative appointments and four groups of operative appointments. New South Wales had a higher proportion of 'prophylactic IV' appointments than any other State and Territory, which included debridement and topical fluoride services.

CONCLUSION

Cluster analysis identified distinct groups of non-operative and operative appointments, each with unique characteristics. The distribution of appointments varied by State/Territory and region.

SO WHAT

Further research and interventions are needed to ensure equitable access to services and a shift to preventive care for disadvantaged populations of Australian children. Exploring alternative funding models that support clinically relevant claims, rather than maximising financial benefits such as time-based renumeration models should be explored.

Nocturnal sleep phenotypes in idiopathic hypersomnia - A data-driven cluster analysis

INTRODUCTION

The diagnostic process for idiopathic hypersomnia (IH) is complex due to the diverse aetiologies of daytime somnolence, ambiguous pathophysiological understanding, and symptom variability. Current diagnostic instruments, such as the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), are limited in their ability to fully represent IH's diverse nature. This study endeavours to delineate subgroups among IH patients via cluster analysis of polysomnographic data and to examine the temporal evolution of their symptomatology, aiming to enhance the granularity of understanding and individualized treatment approaches for IH.

METHODS

This study included individuals referred to the Uppsala Centre for Sleep Disorders from 2010 to 2019, who were diagnosed with IH based on the International Classification of Sleep Disorders-3 (ICSD-3) criteria, following a thorough diagnostic evaluation. The final cohort, after excluding participants with incomplete data or significant comorbid sleep-related respiratory conditions, comprised 69 subjects, including 49 females and 20 males, with an average age of 40 years. Data were collected through polysomnography (PSG), MSLT, and standardized questionnaires. A two-step cluster analysis was employed to navigate the heterogeneity within IH, focusing on objective time allocation across different sleep stages and sleep efficiency derived from PSG. The study also aimed to track subgroup-specific changes in symptomatology over time, with follow-ups ranging from 21 to 179 months post-diagnosis.

RESULTS

The two-step cluster analysis yielded two distinct groups with a satisfactory silhouette coefficient: Cluster 1 (n = 29; 42 %) and Cluster 2 (n = 40; 58 %). Cluster 1 exhibited increased deep sleep duration, reduced stage 2 sleep, and higher sleep maintenance efficiency compared to Cluster 2. Further analyses of non-clustering variables indicated shorter wake after sleep onset in Cluster 1, but no significant differences in other sleep parameters, MSLT outcomes, body mass index, age, or self-reported measures of sleep inertia or medication usage. Long-term follow-up assessments showed an overall improvement in excessive daytime sleepiness, with no significant inter-cluster differences.

CONCLUSION

This exploratory two-step cluster analysis of IH-diagnosed patients discerned two subgroups with distinct nocturnal sleep characteristics, aligning with prior findings and endorsing the notion that IH may encompass several phenotypes, each potentially requiring tailored therapeutic strategies. Further research is imperative to substantiate these findings.

Computing advertising intelligent computing and push based on artificial intelligence in the big data era

In the era of big data, intelligent computation and precise targeting of advertisements rely on artificial intelligence (AI) technology to enhance advertising effectiveness and user experience. As advertising media shift from traditional outlets to the internet and mobile devices, manually filtering and targeting advertisements has become increasingly ineffective due to the vast amount of information and user groups. Consequently, AI-based advertisement computation and targeting technologies have emerged. This paper explores how modern technologies and AI applications can be used to achieve intelligent computation, filtering, and targeting of advertisements, thereby improving ad effectiveness and profitability. The study optimizes ad targeting effectiveness and increases return on investment (ROI) by comparing ad campaigns between Group A, which did not use ad targeting algorithms, and Group B, which employed AI-based targeting algorithms. The experimental results show that the average ROI for tourism, shopping, and rental ads in Group A were 153.03 %, 232.32 %, and 192.57 %, respectively, while Group B's average ROI were 173.96 %, 288.74 %, and 216.12 %. These results indicate that AI-based ad targeting algorithms can significantly improve the ROI of ad campaigns compared to non-algorithmic approaches, suggesting that ad targeting algorithms can help advertisers achieve higher profits.

Prediction of depressive symptoms at high age (80+) by psychological, biological and functional factors

BACKGROUND

Late-life depression (LLD) is highly prevalent, especially in people aged 80 years and older. We aimed to investigate predictors and their influence on depressive symptoms in LLD.

METHODS

We analysed data from the NRW80+ study, a population-based cross-sectional study of individuals aged 80 years and older. Data from n = 926 cognitively unimpaired participants were included. We reduced 95 variables to 21 predictors of depressive symptoms by using a two-step cluster analysis (TSCA), which were assigned to one of four factors (function, values and lifestyle, autonomy and contentment, biological-somatic) according to a principal component analysis. A second TSCA with complete data sets (n = 879) was used to define clusters of participants. Using weighted mean composite scores (CS) for each factor group, binary logistic regression analyses were performed to predict depressive symptoms for each cluster and the total population.

RESULTS

The second TSCA yielded two clusters (cluster 1 (n = 688), cluster 2 (n = 191)). The proportion of participants with depressive symptoms was significantly higher in cluster 2 compared to cluster 1 (39 % vs. 15 %; OR = 3.6; 95 % CI 2.5-5.1; p < .001). Participants in cluster 2 were significantly older (mean age 88 vs. 85 years; p < .001), with a higher proportion of women (56 % vs. 46 %; OR = 1.5; 95 % CI 1.1-2.0; p = .016), had a higher BMI (p = .017), lower financial resources (OR = 2.3; 95 % CI 1.6-3.5; p < .001), lower educational level (OR = 1.8; 95 % CI 1.2-2.5; p = .002), higher proportion of single, separated or widowed participants (OR = 1.9; 95 % CI 1.3-2.6; p < .001) and a smaller mean social network (p = .044) compared to cluster 1. Binary logistic regression analyses showed that the weighted mean CS including the autonomy and contentment predictors explained the largest proportion of variance (22.8 %) for depressive symptoms in the total population (Nagelkerke's R2 = 0.228, p < .001) and in both clusters (cluster 1: Nagelkerke's R2 = 0.171, p < .001; cluster 2: Nagelkerke's R2 = 0.213, p < .001), respectively.

LIMITATIONS

The main limitations are the restriction to cognitively unimpaired individuals and the use of a self-rated questionnaire to assess depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Psychological factors such as autonomy and contentment are critical for the occurrence of depressive symptoms at higher age, independent of the functional and somatic status and may serve as specific targets for psychotherapy.

Cognitive subtypes in youth at clinical high risk for psychosis

Introduction

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that severely impacts well-being. Cognitive impairment is among its core features, often presenting well before the onset of overt psychosis, underscoring a critical need to study it in the psychosis proneness (clinical high risk; CHR) stage, to maximize the benefits of interventions and to improve clinical outcomes. However, given the heterogeneity of cognitive impairment in this population, a one-size-fits-all approach to therapeutic interventions would likely be insufficient. Thus, identifying cognitive subtypes in this population is crucial for tailored and successful therapeutic interventions. Here we identify, validate, and characterize cognitive subtypes in large CHR samples and delineate their baseline and longitudinal cognitive and functional trajectories.

Methods

Using machine learning, we performed cluster analysis on cognitive measures in a large sample of CHR youth (n = 764), and demographically comparable controls (HC; n = 280) from the North American Prodrome Longitudinal Study (NAPLS) 2, and independently validated our findings with an equally large sample (NAPLS 3; n = 628 CHR, 84 HC). By utilizing several statistical approaches, we compared the clusters on cognition and functioning at baseline, and over 24 months of followup. We further delineate the conversion status within those clusters.

Results

Two main cognitive clusters were identified, "impaired" and "intact" across all cognitive domains in CHR compared to HC. Baseline differences between the cognitively intact cluster and HC were found in the verbal abilities and attention and working memory domains. Longitudinally, those in the cognitively impaired cluster group demonstrated an overall floor effect and did not deteriorate further over time. However, a "catch up" trajectory was observed in the attention and working memory domain. This group had higher instances of conversion overall, with these converters having significantly more non-affective psychotic disorder diagnosis versus bipolar disorder, than those with intact cognition. In the cognitively intact group, we observed differences in trajectory based on conversion status, where those who start with intact cognition and later convert demonstrate a sharp decline in attention and functioning. Functioning was significantly better in the cognitively intact than in the impaired group at baseline. Most of the cognitive trajectories demonstrate a positive relationship with functional ones.

Conclusion

Our findings provide evidence for intact and impaired cognitive subtypes in youth at CHR, independent of conversion status. They further indicate that attention and working memory are important to distinguish between the CHR with intact cognition and controls. The cognitively intact CHR group becomes less attentive after conversion, while the cognitively impaired one demonstrates a catch up trajectory on both attention and working memory. Overall, early evaluation, covering several cognitive domains, is crucial for identifying trajectories of improvement and deterioration for the purpose of tailoring intervention for improving outcomes in individuals at CHR for psychosis.

Exploring driving behavioral characteristics in pre-, in-, and post-conflict stages based on car-following trajectory data

This study investigates driving behaviour in different stages of rear-end conflicts using vehicle trajectory data. Three conflict stages (pre-, in-, and post-conflict) are defined based on time-to-collision (TTC) indicator. Four indexes are selected to capture within-group and between-group characteristics of the stages. Besides, this study also examines the prediction performance of conflict stage identification using specific driving behaviour characteristics associated with each stage. Results reveal variations in dominant driving characteristics and predictive importance across stages. Heterogeneity exists within stages, with differences among clusters. Drivers slow down during in-conflict, with decreasing speed reduction as stages progress. Reaction time increases in post-conflict. Insufficient space gaps contribute to rear-end conflicts in the in-conflict stage. Furthermore, the prediction performance of conflict stage identification, based on the specific driving behaviour characteristics associated with each stage, is commendable. This study enhances understanding and prediction of conflict stage identification in rear-end conflicts.Practitioner summary: This study explores driving behaviour in rear-end conflict stages using trajectory data. It identifies pre-, in-, and post-conflict stages via time-to-collision indicator and assesses within-group and between-group characteristics. Besides, prediction performance for conflict stage identification based on these characteristics is commendable. This research enhances understanding and prediction of rear-end conflicts.

Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric dental care in two epicenters: Italy and Brazil

The study aimed to compare the adherence of Brazilian and Italian pediatric dentists to the biosafety measures and operative protocols recommended by the health authorities during COVID-19 pandemic and to classify the participants according to their risk of infection. An online questionnaire with 34 questions about sociodemographic and occupational data, dental practice organization, biological risk management, and clinical operative protocols was sent to Brazilian and Italian pediatric dentists using a convenience sampling strategy. Chi-square test and multivariate analysis (two-step cluster) were performed (α = 5%). Of 641 respondents (377 Brazilians and 264 Italians), most were female (94% and 70%, respectively), aged 20-39 years (63%), with over 10 years of professional experience (58% and 49%, respectively). Based on adherence to recommended biosafety measures, participants were classified as "safer" (n = 219) or "less safe" (n = 422). Adherence to recommended protocols by the majority of participants resulted in low contagion rates (Brazilians = 5%; Italians = 12.5%). Participants with extensive professional experience in the dental setting exhibited a greater tendency to implement multiple adaptations (three or more) in their practice. Most participants (Brazilians = 92%; Italians = 80.7%) adopted the recommended minimal intervention dentistry approaches, with the use of fissure sealants and the use of non-rotary instruments for caries removal the most frequently techniques used among Brazilians (36%) and Italians (66%), respectively. Two different profiles of pediatric dentists were identified based on the biosafety protocols adopted during the pandemic. In addition, changes were implemented in the dental care provided to children, with focus on the minimal intervention dentistry.

Using Two-Step Cluster Analysis and Latent Class Analysis to Construct a Typology of Internet Users Among Community-Dwelling Older People

This study utilizes data, spanning 2016-2021, from the Belgian Ageing Studies and presents a typology of older internet users based on nine internet activities. Two-step Cluster Analysis and Latent Class Analysis revealed three groups: (1) "Basic users" primarily engage in information search and mailing, (2) "Allrounders" participate in nearly all internet activities and (3) "Selective users" are intermediary, predominantly using the internet for information search, mailing, e-banking and communication with (grand)children. These clusters varied in sociodemographic characteristics, with "Allrounders" being younger, more educated, wealthier and predominantly male, compared to "Selective users" and "Basic users," respectively.

The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8: investigating its cutoff scores in relevance to loneliness and burnout among dementia family caregivers

The global trend of advanced aging comes at the cost of amplified onset of age-related diseases. Dementia is a common multifactorial age-related neurodegenerative disorder, which manifests with progressive declines in cognitive functioning and ability to perform activities of daily living. As polices discourage institutionalized care, family members act as primary caregivers and endure increased vulnerability to physical and mental health problems secondary to care-related changes in life routine and relationships. Targeting clinically significant distress at earlier stages through valid brief measures may promote caregivers' wellbeing and dementia care continuity/quality. This study aimed to determine the optimal cutoff score of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8-items (DASS-8) in a convenience sample of 571 European caregivers (Mean age = 53 ± 12 years, Italian = 74.4%, Swiss = 25.6%) through three methods. K-means clustering classified the sample into high- and low-distress clusters based on DASS-8 score of 19. Receiver operator curve (ROC) analysis using 48 and 7 cutoffs of the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Three-Item University of California, Los Angeles, Loneliness Scale-version 3 (UCLALS3), revealed two DASS-8 cutoffs (12.5 and 14.5, area under the curve (AUC) = 0.85 and 0.92, p values < .001, 95% CI 0.82-0.88 and 0.89 to 0.94, sensitivity = 0.81 and 0.78, specificity = 0.76 and 0.89, Youden index = 0.57 and 0.67, respectively). Decision modeling produced two DASS-8 cutoffs (9.5 and 14.5) for predicting low and high caregiving burden and loneliness, respectively. According to the median of all DASS-8 cutoffs (14.5) the prevalence of mental distress was 50.8%. Distress correlated with key mental problems such as burnout and loneliness-in path analysis, DASS-8 scores were predicted by the ZBI, UCLALS3, care dependency, and receiving help with care, especially among older, female, and spouse caregivers. Further diagnostic workup should follow to confirm psycho-pathogenicity among caregivers with DASS-8 scores above 14.5. Investigations of the DASS-8 in other countries/populations may confirm the validity of this cutoff score.

Priorities for health outcomes in glaucoma in an ethnically diverse UK cohort: an observational study

OBJECTIVES

To assess whether patients from minority ethnic groups have different perceptions about the quality-of-life outcomes that matter most to them.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional observational study.

SETTING

High volume eye centres serving the most ethnically diverse region in the UK, recruiting from July 2021 to February 2022.

PARTICIPANTS

511 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and the predisease state of ocular hypertension.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The main outcome was participants' self-reported priorities for health outcomes.

RESULTS

Participants fell into one of four clusters with differing priorities for health outcomes, namely: (1) vision, (2) drop freedom, (3) intraocular pressure and (4) one-time treatment. Ethnicity was the strongest determinant of cluster membership after adjusting for potential confounders. Compared with white patients prioritising vision alone, the OR for black/black British patients was 7.31 (95% CI 3.43 to 15.57, p<0.001) for prioritising drop freedom; 5.95 (2.91 to 12.16, p<0.001) for intraocular pressure; and 2.99 (1.44 to 6.18, p=0.003) for one-time treatment. For Asian/Asian British patients, the OR was 3.17 (1.12 to 8.96, p=0.030) for prioritising intraocular pressure as highly as vision. Other ethnic minority groups also had higher ORs for prioritising health outcomes other than vision alone: 4.50 (1.03 to 19.63, p=0.045) for drop freedom and 5.37 (1.47 to 19.60, p=0.011) for intraocular pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

Ethnicity is strongly associated with differing perceptions about the health outcomes that matter. An individualised and ethnically inclusive approach is needed when selecting and evaluating treatments in clinical and research settings.

Sociodemographic factor associations with maternal and placental outcomes: A cluster and partial least squares regression analysis

INTRODUCTION

Maternal social disadvantage adversely affects maternal and offspring health, with limited research on placental outcomes. Therefore, we examined maternal sociodemographic factor associations with placental and birth outcomes in general (Lifeways Cross-Generation Cohort) and at-risk (PEARS Study of mothers with overweight or obesity) populations of pregnant women.

METHODS

TwoStep cluster analysis profiled Lifeways mothers (n = 250) based on their age, parity, marital status, household income, private healthcare insurance, homeowner status, and education. Differences in placental and birth outcomes (untrimmed placental weight (PW), birthweight (BW) and BW:PW ratio) between clusters were assessed using one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests. Partial least squares regression analysed individual effects of sociodemographic factors on placental and birth outcomes in Lifeways and PEARS mothers (n = 461).

RESULTS

Clusters were classified as "Married Homeowners" (n = 140, 56 %), "Highest Income" (n = 58, 23.2 %) and "Renters" (n = 52, 20.8 %) in the Lifeways Cohort. Renters were younger, more likely to smoke, have a means-tested medical card and more pro-inflammatory diets compared to other clusters (p < 0.01). Compared to Married Homeowners, renters' offspring had lower BW (-259.26 g, p < 0.01), shorter birth length (-1.31 cm, p < 0.01) and smaller head circumference (-0.59 cm, p = 0.02). PLS regression analyses identified nulliparity as having the greatest negative effect on PW (Lifeways and PEARS) while being a homeowner had the greatest positive effect on PW (Lifeways).

CONCLUSION

Certain combinations of sociodemographic factors (particularly homeownership) were associated with less favourable lifestyle factors, and with birth, but not placental outcomes. When explored individually, parity contributed to the prediction of placental and birth outcomes in both cohorts of pregnant women.

Cancer-related fatigue: Towards a more targeted approach based on classification by biomarkers and psychological factors

Cancer-related fatigue is a frequent, burdensome and often insufficiently treated symptom. A more targeted treatment of fatigue is urgently needed. Therefore, we examined biomarkers and clinical factors to identify fatigue subtypes with potentially different pathophysiologies. The study population comprised disease-free breast cancer survivors of a German population-based case-control study who were re-assessed on average 6 (FU1, n = 1871) and 11 years (FU2, n = 1295) after diagnosis. At FU1 and FU2, we assessed fatigue with the 20-item multidimensional Fatigue Assessment Questionnaire and further factors by structured telephone-interviews. Serum samples collected at FU1 were analyzed for IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-a, GM-CSF, IL-5, VEGF-A, SAA, CRP, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, leptin, adiponectin and resistin. Exploratory cluster analyses among survivors with fatigue at FU1 and no history of depression yielded three clusters (CL1, CL2 and CL3). CL1 (n = 195) on average had high levels of TNF-α, IL1-β, IL-6, resistin, VEGF-A and GM-CSF, and showed high BMI and pain levels. Fatigue in CL1 manifested rather in physical dimensions. Contrarily, CL2 (n = 78) was characterized by high leptin level and had highest cognitive fatigue. CL3 (n = 318) did not show any prominent characteristics. Fatigued survivors with a history of depression (n = 214) had significantly higher physical, emotional and cognitive fatigue and showed significantly less amelioration of fatigue from FU1 to FU2 than survivors without depression. In conclusion, from the broad phenotype "cancer-related fatigue" we were able to delineate subgroups characterized by biomarkers or history of depression. Future investigations may take these subtypes into account, ultimately enabling a better targeted therapy of fatigue.

Characterisation of the normal human ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer using widefield optical coherence tomography

PURPOSE

To describe variations in ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness in a healthy cohort from widefield optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans.

METHODS

Widefield OCT scans spanning 55° × 45° were acquired from 470 healthy eyes. The GCIPL was automatically segmented using deep learning methods. Thickness measurements were extracted after correction for warpage and retinal tilt. Multiple linear regression analysis was applied to discern trends between global GCIPL thickness and age, axial length and sex. To further characterise age-related change, hierarchical and two-step cluster algorithms were applied to identify locations sharing similar ageing properties, and rates of change were quantified using regression analyses with data pooled by cluster analysis outcomes.

RESULTS

Declines in widefield GCIPL thickness with age, increasing axial length and female sex were observed (parameter estimates -0.053, -0.436 and -0.464, p-values <0.001, <0.001 and 0.02, respectively). Cluster analyses revealed concentric, slightly nasally displaced, horseshoe patterns of age-related change in the GCIPL, with up to four statistically distinct clusters outside the macula. Linear regression analyses revealed significant ageing decline in GCIPL thickness across all clusters, with faster rates of change observed at central locations when expressed as absolute (slope = -0.19 centrally vs. -0.04 to -0.12 peripherally) and percentage rates of change (slope = -0.001 centrally vs. -0.0005 peripherally).

CONCLUSIONS

Normative variations in GCIPL thickness from widefield OCT with age, axial length and sex were noted, highlighting factors worth considering in further developments. Widefield OCT has promising potential to facilitate quantitative detection of abnormal GCIPL outside standard fields of view.

Success rates, near-response patterns, and learning trends with free-fusion stereograms

Free-fusion stereograms are routinely used for demonstrating various stereoscopic effects. Yet, untrained observers find it challenging to perform this task. This study showed that only less than 1/3rd of sixty-one pre-presbyopic adults with normal binocular vision could successfully free-fuse random-dot image pairs and identify the stereoscopic shapes embedded in these patterns. Another one-third of participants performed the task with poor success rates, while the remaining could not perform the task. There was a clear dissociation of vergence and accommodative responses in participants who were successful with free-fusion, as recorded using a dynamic infrared eye tracker and photorefractor. Those in the unsuccessful cluster either showed strong vergence and accommodation or weak vergence and strong accommodation during the task. These response patterns, however, were specific to the free-fusion task because all these participants generated good convergence/accommodation to real-world targets and to conflicting vergence and accommodative demands stimulated with prisms or lenses. Task performance of the unsuccessful cluster also improved significantly following pharmacological paralysis of accommodation and reached the performance levels of the successful cluster. A minority of participants also appeared to progressively learn to dissociate one of the two directions of their vergence and accommodation crosslinks with repeated free-fusion trials. These results suggest that successful free-fusion might depend upon how well participants generate a combination of volitional and reflex vergence responses to large differences in disparity with conflicting static accommodative demands. Such responses would require that only one direction of the vergence-accommodation crosslinks be active at any given time. The sequence of near-responses could also be learnt through repeated trials to optimize task performance.

HLA-A23/HLA-A24 serotypes and dementia interaction in the elderly: Association with increased soluble HLA class I molecules in plasma

MHC class I molecules regulate brain development and plasticity in mice and HLA class I molecules are associated with brain disorders in humans. We investigated the relationship between plasma-derived soluble human HLA class I molecules (sHLA class I), HLA class I serotypes and dementia. A cohort of HLA class I serotyped elderly subjects with no dementia/pre-dementia (NpD, n = 28), or with dementia (D, n = 28) was studied. Multivariate analysis was used to examine the influence of dementia and HLA class I serotype on sHLA class I levels, and to compare sHLA class I within four groups according to the presence or absence of HLA-A23/A24 and dementia. HLA-A23/A24 and dementia, but not age, significantly influenced the level of sHLA class I. Importantly, the concurrent presence of HLA-A23/A24 and dementia was associated with higher levels of sHLA class I (p < 0.001). This study has shown that the simultaneous presence of HLA-A23/HLA-A24 and dementia is associated with high levels of serum sHLA class I molecules. Thus, sHLA class I could be considered a biomarker of neurodegeneration in certain HLA class I carriers.

Descriptive analysis and a proposal for a predictive model of fatal occupational accidents in Spain

Accidents at work are a problem in today's economic structures, but if they result in the loss of human lives, the economic and social cost is even higher. The development of prevention policies, both at governmental and sectoral level, has led to a progressive reduction of occupational accidents, but number of fatal accidents remain high. The aim of this study is to explore the evolution of fatal accidents at work in Spain for the period 2009-2021, analyse the relationship between the main variables, and propose a predictive model of fatal occupational accidents in Spain. Data for this study are collected from occupational accident reports via the Delt@ (Electronic declaration of injured workers) IT system. The study variables were classified into five groups: temporal, personal, business, circumstances, and consequences. Fatal accidents at work are more common in males and in older workers, especially in workers between 40 and 59 years old. Companies with less than five workers have the highest percentage of fatal accidents, and the transport subsector and that the worker is carrying out his/her usual work have a strong correlation in the fatal accidents. Results can help to the agents involved in the health and safety management to develop preventive measures, and action plans.

Identifying Muscle Function-based Phenotypes Associated With Radiographic Progression of Secondary Hip Osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVE

The purposes of our study were to (1) identify muscle function-based clinical phenotypes in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA) and (2) determine the association between those phenotypes and radiographic progression of hip OA.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SETTING

Clinical biomechanics laboratory of a university.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty women patients with mild-to-moderate secondary hip OA (N=50) were recruited from the orthopedic department of a single institution.

INTERVENTIONS

Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Two-step cluster analyses were performed to classify the patients, using hip flexion, extension, abduction, and external/internal rotation muscle strength (cluster analysis 1); relative hip muscle strength to total hip strength (ie, hip muscle strength balance; cluster analysis 2); and both hip muscle strength and muscle strength balance (cluster analysis 3) as variables. The association between the phenotype and hip OA progression over 12 months (indicated by joint space width [JSW] >0.5 mm) was investigated by logistic regression analyses. Hip joint morphology, hip pain, gait speed, physical activity, Harris hip score, and SF-36 scores were compared between the phenotypes.

RESULTS

Radiographic progression of hip OA was observed in 42% of the patients. The patients were classified into 2 phenotypes in each of the 3 cluster analyses. The solution in cluster analyses 1 and 3 was similar, and high-function and low-function phenotypes were identified; however, no association was found between the phenotypes and hip OA progression. The phenotype 2-1 (high-risk phenotype) extracted in cluster analysis 2, which had relative muscle weakness in hip flexion and internal rotation, was associated with subsequent hip OA progression, even after adjusting for age and minimum JSW at baseline (adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 3.60 [1.07-12.05]; P=.039).

CONCLUSION

As preliminary findings, the phenotype based on hip muscle strength balance, rather than hip muscle strength, may be associated with hip OA progression.

Differing Perceptions of Criminal Justice and Views of Law Enforcement: A Cluster-Analytic Approach to Racial-Ethnic Identities

Race and ethnicity within psycholegal research have often been treated as nominal variables which ignores their rich within-cultural diversity and can sometimes lead to sweeping pejorative conclusions (e.g., higher prevalence of arrests). The development of several salient measures of racial-ethnic attitudes-such as the CERIS-A and MEIM-has sparked a refocusing on dimensional perspectives of race and ethnicity. This refocus becomes especially important when examining views of law enforcement and criminal justice in light of unwarranted deaths of minoritized groups while in police custody. The current study recruited a juror-eligible, online community sample (i.e., MTurk) to study their views of justice and police. Using the seven subscales of the CERIS-A, four cluster groups were identified that spanned participants' race and ethnicity. Unique patterns emerged when comparing the four groups. For example, the cluster high on both multiculturalism and their own racial-ethnic identity had far more negative views of police conduct regarding its lawfulness and fairness. Further differences emerged for views of criminal justice including the death penalty. The research implications of these findings were discussed.

Computational psychiatry approach to stigma subtyping in patients with mental disorders: explicit and implicit internalized stigma

BACKGROUND

Psychiatric stigma has potentially controversial effects on patients health-related behaviors. It appears that both stigmatization and motivation in psychiatric patients are heterogeneous and multi-dimensional, and that the relationship between stigma and treatment motivation may be more complex than previously believed.

AIM

To determine psychiatric stigma subtypes as they relate to treatment motivation among inpatients with various mental disorders.

METHODS

Sixy-three psychiatric inpatients were examined by the Treatment Motivation Assessment Questionnaire (TMAQ) and the Russian version of Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness scale (ISMI). K-Means cluster and dispersion analysis were conducted.

RESULTS

Cluster 3 (25 subjects) was the least stigmatized. Cluster 1 (18 subjects) showed an explicit stigma. Cluster 2 (20 subjects) showed an implicit stigma that took the form of the lowest treatment motivation compared to other clusters. Implicitly stigmatized patients, in contrast to explicitly stigmatized individuals, showed a decline in 3 out of 4 TMAQ factors (Mean dif.=1.051.67).

CONCLUSION

Cooperation with doctors, together with reliance on ones own knowledge and skills to cope with the disorder, might be the way to overcome an internalized stigma for patients with mental disorders.

Overconfidence effects and learning motivation refreshing BLS: An observational questionnaire study

Aim of the study

Regular refresher skill courses are necessary to maintain competence in basic life support. The utilization of these training programs strongly depends on the motivation to learn. Learning motivation may be affected by overconfidence and clinical tribalism, as they both imply a higher competence compared to others, and therefore, a lower demand for training. This study aimed to assess how overconfidence in basic life support competencies affects learning motivation.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, multicenter, anonymous online questionnaire survey using validated psychometric tests for healthcare professionals in Germany. Further, we tested participants' knowledge and attitude regarding international basic life support guidelines. The study was conducted between March and April 2022, and healthcare providers from 22 German emergency medical services and hospitals at all levels were assessed.

Results

Of 2,000 healthcare professionals assessed, 407 completed the assessment (response rate, 20.4%). We confirmed the presence of overconfidence and clinical tribalism (identity differentiation between social groups) among the 407 physicians, nurses, and emergency medical service providers who completed the survey. Three different learning-motivation groups emerged from cluster analysis: "experts" (confident and motivated), "recruitables" (overconfident and motivated), and "unawares" (overconfident and unmotivated). The three groups were present in all professional groups, independent of the frequency of exposure to cardiac arrest and educational level.

Conclusions

These findings showed the presence of overconfidence effects and different learning motivation types in individuals learning basic life support, even in instructors.

Cardiovascular risk profiles clusters among children and adolescents with disabilities

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are a precursor for disabilities and death worldwide. Being overweight or obese in combination with physical inactivity and smoking habits may increase the risk for CVD and other health problems such as lower limb osteoarthritis, diabetes, stroke, and various cancer types among children and adolescents. The literature emphasizes the need to follow such groups and evaluate the risk of individuals developing CVD diseases. Therefore, the current study explores the variety of cardiovascular risks in children and adolescents' profiles clusters with and without disabilities.

METHODS

Data from 42 countries including Israel, was collected with the support of the world health organization (WHO, Europe) through a questionnaire from 11-19 years old school-aged.

RESULTS

The study finding shows that children and adolescents with disabilities demonstrated a higher prevalence of overweight than those who completed the HBSC youth behavior survey. Moreover, the prevalence of tobacco smoking and alcohol use was statisticaly significantly higher among the disabled group than the non-disabled group. In addition, socioeconomic status of responders who presented a very high CVD risk was found as significantly lower than those from the first and second low risk groups.

CONCLUSION

This led to the conclusion that children and adolescents with disability were at a higher risk of developing CVDs than their non-disabled peers. In addition, intervention programs tailored to the needs of adolescents with disability should consider lifestyle habit change and promoting healthy living thus improving their quality of life as well as reducing their risk of being exposed to severe CVD diseases.

Enhanced putamen functional connectivity underlies altered risky decision-making in age-related cognitive decline

Risky decision-making is critical to survival and development, which has been compromised in elderly populations. However, the neural substrates of altered financial risk-taking behavior in aging are still under-investigated. Here we examined the intrinsic putamen network in modulating risk-taking behaviors of Balloon Analogue Risk Task in healthy young and older adults using resting-state fMRI. Compared with the young group, the elderly group showed significantly different task performance. Based on the task performance, older adults were further subdivided into two subgroups, showing young-like and over-conservative risk behaviors, regardless of cognitive decline. Compared with young adults, the intrinsic pattern of putamen connectivity was significantly different in over-conservative older adults, but not in young-like older adults. Notably, age-effects on risk behaviors were mediated via the putamen functional connectivity. In addition, the putamen gray matter volume showed significantly different relationships with risk behaviors and functional connectivity in over-conservative older adults. Our findings suggest that reward-based risky behaviors might be a sensitive indicator of brain aging, highlighting the critical role of the putamen network in maintaining optimal risky decision-making in age-related cognitive decline.

Sexual self-concept, functioning, and practices of women with binge eating episodes

PURPOSE

Positive sexuality has received little empirical attention in relation to eating disorders. Two tendencies related to sexuality have been identified among women with anorexia nervosa (avoidance) and bulimia nervosa (disinhibition), but it is unclear if they also apply to women with binge eating episodes without compensatory behaviors. This study aimed at (1) exploring the sexual self-concept, functioning, and practices of women with binge eating episodes with or without comorbid restrictive and/or compensatory behaviors, considering past experiences of violence, and (2) verifying the presence of distinct profiles of sexual dispositions among this population.

METHODS

In total, 253 women reporting recurrent episodes of loss of control related to food intake in the past 5 years, completed a web-based questionnaire. Descriptive and correlational analyses were conducted to outline participants' sexual self-concept, functioning, and practices and to examine the relationship between these factors. A two-step cluster analysis was also performed to determine whether participants presented distinct profiles of sexual dispositions.

RESULTS

Participants were generally characterized by a negative sexual self-concept and poor sexual functioning. While a first subgroup of participants displayed a pattern of sexual difficulties and avoidance, a second subgroup had a positive sexual self-concept, better sexual functioning and a wider range of sexual practices. Subgroups did not differ relative to binge eating.

CONCLUSIONS

Sexuality offers a platform for positive embodiment, which can lead to the improvement of body image and mind-body connection and may thus constitute an essential clinical target to improve treatment related to binge eating episodes.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level II: The experimental study is a non-randomized controlled trial.

Who uses what food retailers? A cluster analysis of food retail usage in the Netherlands

The aim of this study is to describe how individuals use different food retailers and how food retail usage varies according to socio-demographic and diet-related characteristics. A cross-sectional survey among Dutch adults (N = 1784) was used. Results from the Two-step cluster analysis indicated that there were five clusters of food retail users. Use of discount supermarkets, organic supermarkets, fast-food outlets, and restaurants contributed to clustering, but use of regular supermarkets, local food shops and whether food retailers were close to home or further from home did not. The clusters included mixed food outlet users, discount supermarket and restaurant users, fast-food and restaurant users, predominant discount supermarket users and supermarkets, fast-food and restaurant users. Participants in each cluster had their own characteristics especially in terms of socio-economic position and diet quality. Future studies need to consider further how food retail selection links physical exposure to the food environment and diet.

Autonomy in the context of cognitive demands-is the resource becoming a stressor?

OBJECTIVE

Autonomy is often associated with positive linear effects on health whereas non-linear correlations have received only sporadic attention. Assuming that the use of autonomy also represents a cognitive demand, this study examines whether health effects of autonomy change depending on further cognitive demands and whether curvilinear relationships can be identified.

METHODS

A survey was carried out in three SMEs with established work analysis questionnaires. 197 Employees were classified into groups with high and with low cognitive demands by means of a two-step cluster analysis. This was modeled as moderator together with curvilinear effects of autonomy in regression analyses.

RESULTS

Curvilinear associations were found for emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and anxiety. They were strongest for anxiety. No moderating effects of cognitive demands and no consistently significant modeled relations were found.

CONCLUSION

The results confirm that autonomy has a positive influence on the health of employees. However, autonomy should not be seen as an isolated resource but embedded in the organizational and societal context.

Individual differences in the effects of midazolam on anxiety-like behavior, learning, reward, and choice behavior in male mice

Introduction

The aim of the present study was to investigate the behavioral effects of the benzodiazepine midazolam in male mice, in models of anxiolysis, learning, and abuse-related effects.

Methods

In a first set of experiments, male Swiss mice were submitted to the training session of a discriminative avoidance (DA) task on the elevated plus maze to evaluate anxiety-like behavior and learning after vehicle or midazolam (1, 2 or 5 mg/kg, i.g.) administration. The same animals were submitted to a conditioned place preference (CPP) protocol with midazolam (1, 2 or 5 mg/kg, i.g.). In a second experiment, outbred (Swiss) and inbred (C57BL/6) male mice were submitted to a two-bottle choice (TBC) oral midazolam drinking procedure. Animals were exposed to one sucrose bottle and one midazolam (0.008, 0.016 or 0.032 mg/ml) plus sucrose bottle.

Results

Midazolam (1 and 2 mg/kg) induced anxiolytic-like effects, and all doses of midazolam prevented animals from learning to avoid the aversive closed arm during the DA training session. Assessment of midazolam reward via the CPP procedure and choice via the TBC procedure showed notable variability. A 2-step cluster analysis for the CPP data showed that midazolam data were well-fitted to 2 separate clusters (preference vs. aversion), albeit with the majority of mice showing preference (75%). Correlational and regression analyses showed no relationship between midazolam reward and anxiolytic-like effects (time spent in the open arms in the DA test) or learning/memory. Two-step cluster analysis of the TBC data also demonstrated that, regardless of strain, mice overall fell into two clusters identified as midazolam-preferring or midazolam-avoiding groups. Both midazolam preference and avoidance were concentration-dependent in a subset of mice.

Discussion

Our findings show that midazolam preference is a multifactorial behavior, and is not dependent solely on the emergence of therapeutic (anxiolytic-like) effects, learning impairments, or on genetic factors (inbred vs. outbred animals).

Cluster analysis of a large dataset of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: Predicting response to treatment

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the current study was to apply Two-step cluster analysis on a large dataset of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). We hypothesized that there are distinct subgroups of patients with similar clinical characteristics. We also hypothesized that the seizure outcome is different between these clusters.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of a prospectively developed database. All patients with a diagnosis of JME were studied at the epilepsy center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2022. The Two-Step cluster analysis (Schwarz's Bayesian Criterion) was applied to the whole dataset. In the next step, the seizure outcome was compared between the clusters of patients.

RESULTS

Two hundred and ninety-five patients were included. Two-Step cluster analysis showed that there were two distinct clusters of homogeneous subgroups of patients with JME, presenting with more or less similar clinical characteristics, with a fair (0.4) silhouette measure of cohesion and separation. One hundred and eighty-one patients had a follow up duration of 12 months or longer at our center. Response to treatment at 12 months of follow-up was different between the clusters (as a trend): 43 patients (39.1%) from cluster 1 and 18 people (25.4%) from cluster 2 were free of all seizure types (p = 0.076).

CONCLUSION

The Two-Step cluster analysis identified two distinct clusters of patients with JME. Individuals with JME, who also have absence seizures, are less likely to enjoy a seizure free state with ASMs.

Primary and secondary callous-unemotional traits in adolescence are associated with distinct maladaptive and adaptive outcomes in adulthood

While phenotypically indistinguishable with respect to callousness, individuals with primary and secondary callous-unemotional (CU) traits may show different developmental outcomes. This research predominantly comprised cross-sectional studies of male participants with a focus on maladaptive correlates. Thus, the present study examined whether youth with primary and secondary CU traits identified in Grade 7 reported distinct maladaptive outcomes (internalizing, externalizing, and substance use problems; criminal offenses; and sexual and partner experiences) and adaptive outcomes (health and wellbeing, education, and employment) in adulthood at age 25. We also examined sex differences. Participants included the high-risk control and normative samples from the Fast Track project (N = 754, male = 58%, Black = 46%). Youth with secondary CU traits reported higher levels of adult internalizing and externalizing psychopathology, a greater number of sexual partners and risky sexual behavior, and a greater number of violent offenses, compared with individuals with primary CU traits and those with low CU and anxiety symptoms. Conversely, youth with primary CU traits and low symptoms had higher wellbeing and happiness scores than those with secondary CU traits. Finally, there was differentiation on outcomes between female primary and secondary CU variants and male primary and secondary CU variants.

Prognostic analysis of breast cancer in Xinjiang based on Cox proportional hazards model and two-step cluster method

Objective

To examine the factors that affect the prognosis and survival of breast cancer patients who were diagnosed at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University between 2015 and 2021, forecast the overall survival (OS), and assess the clinicopathological traits and risk level of prognosis of patients in various subgroups.

Method

First, nomogram model was constructed using the Cox proportional hazards models to identify the independent prognostic factors of breast cancer patients. In order to assess the discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility of the model, additional tools such as the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA) were used. Finally, using two-step cluster analysis (TCA), the patients were grouped in accordance with the independent prognostic factors. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was employed to compare prognostic risk among various subgroups.

Result

T-stage, N-stage, M-stage, molecular subtyping, type of operation, and involvement in postoperative chemotherapy were identified as the independent prognostic factors. The nomogram was subsequently constructed and confirmed. The area under the ROC curve used to predict 1-, 3-, 5- and 7-year OS were 0.848, 0.820, 0.813, and 0.791 in the training group and 0.970, 0.898, 0.863, and 0.798 in the validation group, respectively. The calibration curves of both groups were relatively near to the 45° reference line. And the DCA curve further demonstrated that the nomogram has a higher clinical utility. Furthermore, using the TCA, the patients were divided into two subgroups. Additionally, the two groups' survival curves were substantially different. In particular, in the group with the worse prognosis (the majority of patients did not undergo surgical therapy or postoperative chemotherapy treatment), the T-, N-, and M-stage were more prevalent in the advanced, and the total points were likewise distributed in the high score side.

Conclusion

For the survival and prognosis of breast cancer patients in Xinjiang, the nomogram constructed in this paper has a good prediction value, and the clustering results further demonstrated that the selected factors were important. This conclusion can give a scientific basis for tailored treatment and is conducive to the formulation of focused treatment regimens for patients in practical practice.

The "affected" pharmacist and the "business as usual" pharmacist: Exploring the experiences of pharmacists during COVID-19 through cluster analysis

BACKGROUND

The global coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated considerable changes in the delivery of pharmacy services, with pharmacists experiencing increasing demands and a high rate of burnout. The ability to categorize pharmacists based on their burnout risk and associated factors could be used to tailor burnout interventions.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify subgroups (profiles) of pharmacists and use these profiles to describe interventions tailored to improve pharmacist's well-being.

METHODS

A survey was disseminated to pharmacists working in Australia during April and June 2020. The survey measured demographics, burnout, and psychosocial factors associated with working during COVID-19. A two-step cluster analysis was used to categorize pharmacists based on burnout and other variables.

RESULTS

A total of 647 survey responses contained data that were used for analysis. Participants were mostly female (75.7%) and working full time (65.2%). The final cluster analysis yielded an acceptable two-cluster model describing 2 very different pharmacist experiences, using 10 variables. Cluster 2 (representing 53.1% of participants) describes the "affected" pharmacist, who has a high degree of burnout, works in community pharmacy, experiences incivility, is less likely to report sufficient precautionary measures in their workplace, and has had an increase in workload and overtime. In contrast, cluster 1 (representing 46.9% of participants) describes the profile of a "business as usual" hospital pharmacist with the opposite experiences. Interventions focused on the "affected" pharmacist such as financial support to employ specialized staff and equitable access to personal protective equipment should be available to community pharmacists, to reduce the risk to these frontline workers.

CONCLUSION

The use of cluster analysis has identified 2 distinct profiles of pharmacists working during COVID-19. The "affected" pharmacist warrants targeted interventions to address the high burnout experienced in this group.

Workplace mistreatment and insomnia: a prospective study of child welfare workers

OBJECTIVE

This study examines how workplace mistreatment relates to insomnia among child welfare workers. The main aim was to determine the impact of three different forms of mistreatment, namely client perpetrated violence, cyber harassment, and colleague perpetrated bullying, on changes in levels of insomnia over time. A secondary aim was to examine whether these three forms of mistreatment represent overlapping or distinct and unique phenomena.

METHODS

The study was based on a probability sampled prospective survey of 424 Norwegian child welfare workers. Time lag between baseline and follow-up was six months. A confirmatory factor analysis determined the dimensionality of the indicators of mistreatment. TwoStep cluster analysis was used to examine patterns of exposure. Between and within group changes in insomnia was determined with linear regression analyses and repeated measures ANOVA. Dominance analysis was used to investigate the relative impact the predictor variables had on insomnia.

RESULTS

Client perpetrated violence and colleague perpetrated bullying were associated with increased levels of insomnia over time. Exposure to bullying was established as the most prominent predictor. Client perpetrated violence, cyber harassment, and colleague perpetrated bullying represent unique and distinct constructs. Child welfare workers mainly report exposure to one form of mistreatment rather than a combination of different types.

CONCLUSIONS

Client perpetrated violence and colleague perpetrated bullying were established as risk factors for insomnia among child welfare workers. Employers and human resource personnel should prioritize developing effective primary, secondary, and tertiary strategies to prevent and handle these hazards and thereby reduce the risk of insomnia among workers.

Characterizing Sleep Phenotypes in Children With Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy

BACKGROUND

Children with epilepsy frequently have sleep, behavior, and cognitive problems at the time of or before the epilepsy diagnosis. The primary goal of this study was to determine if specific sleep disturbance phenotypes exist in a large cohort of children with new-onset epilepsy and if these phenotypes are associated with specific cognitive and behavioral signatures.

METHODS

A total of354 children with new-onset epilepsy, aged six to 16 years, were recruited within six weeks of initial seizure onset. Each child underwent evaluation of their sleep along with self, parent, and teacher ratings of emotional-behavioral status. Two-step clustering using sleep disturbance (Sleep Behavior Questionnaire), naps, and sleep latency was employed to determine phenotype clusters.

RESULTS

Analysis showed three distinct sleep disturbance phenotypes-minimal sleep disturbance, moderate sleep disturbance, and severe sleep disturbance phenotypes. Children who fell into the minimal sleep disturbance phenotype had an older age of onset with the best cognitive performance compared with the other phenotypes and the lowest levels of emotional-behavioral problems. In contrast, children who fell into the severe sleep disturbance phenotype had the youngest age of onset of epilepsy with poor cognitive performance and highest levels of emotional-behavioral problems.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that there are indeed specific sleep disturbance phenotypes that are apparent in children with newly diagnosed epilepsy and are associated with specific comorbidities. Future research should determine if these phenotypic groups persist over time and are predictive of long-term difficulties, as these subgroups may benefit from targeted therapy and intervention.

Psychometric evaluation of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8 among women with chronic non-cancer pelvic pain

Psychiatric comorbidity and abusive experiences in chronic pelvic pain (CPP) conditions may prolong disease course. This study investigated the psychometrics of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 8 (DASS-8) among women with CPP (N = 214, mean age = 33.3 ± 12.4 years). The DASS-8 expressed excellent fit, invariance across age groups and menopausal status, good know-group validity (differentiating women with psychiatric comorbidity from those without comorbidity: U = 2018.0, p = 0.001), discriminant validity (HTMT ratios < 0.85), excellent reliability (alpha = 0.90), adequate predictive and convergent validity indicated by strong correlation with the DASS-21 (r = 0.94) and high values of item-total correlations (r = 0.884 to 0.893). In two-step cluster analysis, the DASS-8 classified women into low- and high-distress clusters (n = 141 and 73), with significantly higher levels of distress, pain severity and duration, and physical symptoms in cluster 2. The DASS-8 positively correlated with pain severity/duration, subjective symptoms of depression/anxiety, experiences of sexual assault, fatigue, headache severity, and collateral physical symptoms (e.g., dizziness, bloating, fatigue etc.) at the same level expressed by the parent scale and the DASS-12, or even greater. Accordingly, distress may represent a target for early identification of psychiatric comorbidity, CPP severity, experiences of sexual assault, and collateral physical complaints. Therefore, the DASS-8 is a useful brief measure, which may detect mental distress symptoms among women with CPP.

Assessment of neuropsychological function in brain tumor treatment: a comparison of traditional neuropsychological assessment with app-based cognitive screening

BACKGROUND

Gliomas are typically considered to cause relatively few neurological impairments. However, cognitive difficulties can arise, for example during treatment, with potential detrimental effects on quality of life. Accurate, reproducible, and accessible cognitive assessment is therefore vital in understanding the effects of both tumor and treatments. Our aim is to compare traditional neuropsychological assessment with an app-based cognitive screening tool in patients with glioma before and after surgical resection. Our hypotheses were that cognitive impairments would be apparent, even in a young and high functioning cohort, and that app-based cognitive screening would complement traditional neuropsychological assessment.

METHODS

Seventeen patients with diffuse gliomas completed a traditional neuropsychological assessment and an app-based touchscreen tablet assessment pre- and post-operatively. The app assessment was also conducted at 3- and 12-month follow-up. Impairment rates, mean performance, and pre- and post-operative changes were compared using standardized Z-scores.

RESULTS

Approximately 2-3 h of traditional assessment indicated an average of 2.88 cognitive impairments per patient, while the 30-min screen indicated 1.18. As might be expected, traditional assessment using multiple items across the difficulty range proved more sensitive than brief screening measures in areas such as memory and attention. However, the capacity of the screening app to capture reaction times enhanced its sensitivity, relative to traditional assessment, in the area of non-verbal function. Where there was overlap between the two assessments, for example digit span tasks, the results were broadly equivalent.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive impairments were common in this sample and app-based screening complemented traditional neuropsychological assessment. Implications for clinical assessment and follow-up are discussed.

Associations Between Achievement Goal Orientations, Preferred Learning Practices, and Motivational Evaluations of Learning Environment Among Finnish Military Reservists

In this study, it was examined whether individuals' self-efficacy, preferred forms in learning, and evaluations of the learning environment vary as a function of their goal orientation profiles. It was also explored whether the preferred forms in learning played a role in this association. The participants were 177 reservists of Finnish Defense Forces participating in rehearsal training exercises. Four homogeneous groups based on goal orientation profiles were found: mastery oriented (n = 47, 26.5%), success-performance oriented (n = 49, 27.7%), indifferent (n = 43, 24.3%), and avoidance oriented (n = 38, 21.5%). The mastery-oriented group and the success-performance-oriented group reported higher levels in self-efficacy, legislative form in learning, and mastery goal structure when compared to the avoidance-oriented group or to the indifferent group. The avoidance-oriented group reported elevated levels of perceived strain and performance goal structure in comparison to the mastery-oriented group. Controlling the learners' preferences for different forms in learning revealed some slight differences in the observed pattern of between-group differences regarding perceptions of performance goal structure and self-efficacy. Controlling for the legislative form of learning diminished the difference between the mastery-oriented and the avoidance-oriented groups in perceptions of performance goal structure, and controlling for the executive form of learning revealed differences between success-performance oriented and the indifferent and the avoidance oriented. The role of the learning environment in highlighting certain types of activities in learners' choices and the relevance of this regarding their goal preferences are discussed.

The End of Animal Welfare Labelling as We Know It? Persisting Problems at the Consumer Level and PLF-Based Solutions

Over the last few decades, animal welfare (AW) labels have become permanent factors in consumer markets for animal-based food products across Europe. During this time, scholarly thinking about consumer perspectives on AW labelling has identified problems that hinder the effectiveness of labels, pertaining to (i) consumers’ trust in labels, (ii) the number of labels present in the market, (iii) confusion about the meaning of labels, (iv) trade-offs between AW labels and price, (v) consistency between the AW standards and consumers’ individual opinions about AW and (vi) the ability of animal-based sectors to innovate in AW labelling. Based on these insights, this study explores the current state of these problems by questioning 2.433 consumers from four countries in the European Union (Finland, the Netherlands, Spain, and Italy) about these issues. The results show that, while opinions differ between countries and cross-border consumer segments, these issues persist for many consumers. These results cast doubt on the idea that AW labels in their traditional form can substantially increase their effect on the market. The study therefore explores potential data-based solutions to persistent consumer problems by drawing on precision livestock and e-commerce technologies. It extends current data use, which is often limited to farms and value chain actors but rarely reaches consumers. We argue that innovative technologies create opportunities to influence consumers in the often neglected pre- and post-purchase stages, through a selection system where consumers can indicate their AW preferences, receive feedback, and transparently provide insight into their preferences to other value chain actors.

The Associations between Depression, Acculturation, and Cardiovascular Health among African Immigrants in the United States

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death both globally and in the United States (U.S.). Racial health disparities in cardiovascular health (CVH) persist with non-Hispanic Black adults having a higher burden of CVD morbidity and mortality compared to other racial groups. African immigrants represent an increasingly growing sub-population of the overall U.S. non-Hispanic Black adult population, however little is known about how specific psychological and social factors (i.e., depression and acculturation) influence the CVH of U.S. African immigrants. We sought to examine the association between severity of depression symptomology and CVH among African immigrants, and whether acculturation moderated the relationship between severity of depression symptoms and CVH. Study participants were those in the African Immigrant Health Study conducted in the Baltimore-Washington D.C. area. Severity of depression symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8). CVH was assessed using the American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 metrics and categorized as poor, intermediate, and ideal CVH. Acculturation measured as length of stay and acculturation strategy was examined as a moderator variable. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between depression and CVH and the moderating effect of acculturation adjusting for known confounders. In total 317 African immigrants participated in the study. The mean (±SD) age of study participants was 46.9 (±11.1) and a majority (60%) identified as female. Overall, 8.8% of study participants endorsed moderate-to-severe symptoms of depression. African immigrants endorsing moderate-to-severe levels of depression were less likely to have ideal CVH compared to those with minimal-to-mild symptoms of depression (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]: 0.42, 95% CI: 0.17-0.99). Acculturation measured either as length of stay or acculturation strategy did not moderate the relationship between depression and CVH among study participants. Study participants exhibited elevated levels of symptoms of depression. Greater severity of depression symptoms was associated with worse CVH. Efforts to treat and prevent CVD among African immigrants should also include a focus on addressing symptoms of depression within this population.

Medulla oblongata volume as a promising predictor of survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

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Brainstem volumes reflect the disease severity expressed as ALSFRS-r (total score and its bulbar and spinal subscores).

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Medulla oblongata volume demonstrated a significant accuracy to discriminate long and short survivors ALS patients.

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Brainstem volumes may reflect the impairment of corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts as well as lower bulbar motor neurons. Furthermore, medulla oblongata could be used as an early predictor of survival in ALS patients.

Background

Unconventional magnetic resonance imaging studies of the brainstem have recently acquired a growing interest in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology since they provide a unique opportunity to evaluate motor tract degeneration and bulbar lower motor neuron involvement. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of brainstem structures as accurate biomarkers of disease severity and predictors of survival.

Materials and Methods

A total of 60 ALS patients and 30 healthy controls subjects (CS) were recruited in this study. Patients were divided in two subgroups according to the onset of the disease: 42 spinal (S-ALS) and 18 bulbar (B-ALS). All subjects underwent 3D-structural MRI. Brainstem volume both of the entire cohort of ALS patients and S-ALS and B-ALS onset were compared with those of CS. In addition the two ALS subgroups were tested for differences in brainstem volumes.

Volumetric, vertex-wise, and voxel-based approaches were implemented to assess correlations between MR structural features and clinical characteristics expressed as ALSFRS-r and its bulbar (ALSFSR-r-B) and spinal subscores (ALSFSR-r-S). ROC curves were performed to test the accuracy of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata volumes able to discriminate patients dichotomized into long and short survivors by using Two-Steps cluster analysis. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were carried out to test the prognostic role of brainstem structures’ volume, trichotomized by applying a k-means clustering algorithm.

Results

Both the entire cohort of ALS patients and B-ALS and S-ALS showed significant lower volumes of both medulla oblongata and pons compared to CS. Furthermore, B-ALS showed a significant lower volume of medulla oblongata, compared to S-ALS. Lower score of ALSFRS-r correlated to atrophy in the anterior compartment of midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata, as well as in the posterior portion of only this latter region. ALSFSR-r-S positively correlated with shape deformation and density reduction of the anterior portion of the entire brainstem, along the corticospinal tracts. ALSFSR-r-B instead showed a positive correlation with shape deformation of the floor of the fourth ventricle in the medulla oblongata and the crus cerebri in the midbrain. Only medulla oblongata volume demonstrated a significant accuracy to discriminate long and short survivors ALS patients (ROC AUC 0.76, p < 0.001). Univariate and multivariate analysis confirmed the survival predictive role of the medulla oblongata (log rank test p: 0.003).

Discussions

Our findings suggest that brainstem volume may reflect the impairment of corticospinal and corticobulbar tracts as well as lower bulbar motor neurons. Furthermore, medulla oblongata could be used as an early predictor of survival in ALS patients.

FCM Clustering Approach Optimization Using Parallel High-Speed Intel FPGA Technology

Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) is a widely used clustering algorithm that performs well in various scientific applications. Implementing FCM involves a massive number of computations, and many parallelization techniques based on GPUs and multicore systems have been suggested. In this study, we present a method for optimizing the FCM algorithm for high-speed field-programmable gate technology (FPGA) using a high-level C-like programming language called open computing language (OpenCL). The method was designed to enable the high-level compiler/synthesis tool to manipulate a task-parallelism model and create an efficient design. Our experimental results (based on several datasets) show that the proposed method makes the FCM execution time more than 186 times faster than the conventional design running on a single-core CPU platform. Also, its processing power reached 89 giga floating points operations per second (GFLOPs).

Profiles of Stress and Coping Associated With Mental, Behavioral, and Internet Use Problems Among Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Stratified Random Sampling and Cluster Analysis

Background

Adolescents are vulnerable to behavioral and mental health problems, which might be further exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored how participants with different profiles of stressful life events, coping resources (i.e., self-esteem and perceived social support) and coping strategies (i.e., maladaptive and adaptive coping) varied in the prevalence of mental, behavioral, and Internet use problems.

Methods

Data were collected from a large and representative sample of Chinese secondary school students in Hong Kong (n = 3,136) from September to November 2020 (48.1% males; mean age = 13.6 years old). Cluster analysis and logistic regression models were used for analysis.

Results

The prevalence of suicidal ideation and sleep disturbance was 29.8 and 55.4%, respectively. Behavioral problems were most frequently reported in excessive social media use (53.5%), followed by excessive Internet gaming (43.6%), obesity (34.1%), damaging properties (14.6%), and alcohol or substance abuse (5.1%). The results of cluster analysis yielded three distinctive stress and coping profiles: severe profile (High Risk/Low Protective; 17.0%), moderate profile (Moderate Risk/Moderate Protective; 35.8%), and mild profile (Low Risk/High Protective; 47.2%). Participants with severe and moderate profiles displayed significantly higher levels of mental (range for AOR: 2.08–15.06; all p < 0.001) and behavioral health problems (range for AOR: 1.22–11.22; all p < 0.05) compared to the mild profile cluster.

Conclusions

Adolescents' mental and behavioral health may be shaped by a combination of stressful life events and variations in coping resources as well as strategies. Transdiagnostic and multimodal interventions on these factors are warranted to reduce mental, behavioral, and Internet use problems among adolescents.

COVID-19 Phenotypes and Comorbidity: A Data-Driven, Pattern Recognition Approach Using National Representative Data from the United States

The aim of our study was to determine COVID-19 syndromic phenotypes in a data-driven manner using the survey results based on survey results from Carnegie Mellon University’s Delphi Group. Monthly survey results (>1 million responders per month; 320,326 responders with a certain COVID-19 test status and disease duration <30 days were included in this study) were used sequentially in identifying and validating COVID-19 syndromic phenotypes. Logistic Regression-weighted multiple correspondence analysis (LRW-MCA) was used as a preprocessing procedure, in order to weigh and transform symptoms recorded by the survey to eigenspace coordinates, capturing a total variance of >75%. These scores, along with symptom duration, were subsequently used by the Two Step Clustering algorithm to produce symptom clusters. Post-hoc logistic regression models adjusting for age, gender, and comorbidities and confirmatory linear principal components analyses were used to further explore the data. Model creation, based on August’s 66,165 included responders, was subsequently validated in data from March−December 2020. Five validated COVID-19 syndromes were identified in August: 1. Afebrile (0%), Non-Coughing (0%), Oligosymptomatic (ANCOS); 2. Febrile (100%) Multisymptomatic (FMS); 3. Afebrile (0%) Coughing (100%) Oligosymptomatic (ACOS); 4. Oligosymptomatic with additional self-described symptoms (100%; OSDS); 5. Olfaction/Gustatory Impairment Predominant (100%; OGIP). Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 spectrum may be undetectable when applying current disease definitions focusing on respiratory symptoms alone.

Characterising cognitive heterogeneity in individuals at clinical high-risk for psychosis: a cluster analysis with clinical and functional outcome prediction

Schizophrenia is characterised by cognitive impairments that are already present during early stages, including in the clinical high-risk for psychosis (CHR-P) state and first-episode psychosis (FEP). Moreover, data suggest the presence of distinct cognitive subtypes during early-stage psychosis, with evidence for spared vs. impaired cognitive profiles that may be differentially associated with symptomatic and functional outcomes. Using cluster analysis, we sought to determine whether cognitive subgroups were associated with clinical and functional outcomes in CHR-P individuals. Data were available for 146 CHR-P participants of whom 122 completed a 6- and/or 12-month follow-up; 15 FEP participants; 47 participants not fulfilling CHR-P criteria (CHR-Ns); and 53 healthy controls (HCs). We performed hierarchical cluster analysis on principal components derived from neurocognitive and social cognitive measures. Within the CHR-P group, clusters were compared on clinical and functional variables and examined for associations with global functioning, persistent attenuated psychotic symptoms and transition to psychosis. Two discrete cognitive subgroups emerged across all participants: 45.9% of CHR-P individuals were cognitively impaired compared to 93.3% of FEP, 29.8% of CHR-N and 30.2% of HC participants. Cognitively impaired CHR-P participants also had significantly poorer functioning at baseline and follow-up than their cognitively spared counterparts. Specifically, cluster membership predicted functional but not clinical outcome. Our findings support the existence of distinct cognitive subgroups in CHR-P individuals that are associated with functional outcomes, with implications for early intervention and the understanding of underlying developmental processes.

Do conspiracy theory and mistrust undermine people's intention to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Austria?

Conspiracy theories flourish during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic especially regarding vaccinations. As the vaccination reluctancy in Austria is high, it is important to understand the antecedents of vaccination intention at the preapproval stage of the vaccination process. An online survey was conducted in August 2020 in Austria with 217 primarily younger, female, educated participants. A two-step cluster analysis resulted in a sceptics cluster with a clear antivaccination tendency along with a right-wing political position, lower trust in general vaccines and lower education levels and the reference cluster. A considerable percentage of participants reported their reluctancy to have a COVID-19 vaccine. Although vaccination intention can be explained by attitude and subjective norm, this decision-making process is undermined by underlying factors such as conspiracy ideation and political position. Policy makers and health interventionists should take political background into consideration in efforts to increase vaccine compliance.

Electroclinical Features and Long-term Seizure Outcome in Patients With Eyelid Myoclonia With Absences

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Eyelid myoclonia with absences (EMA) is a generalized epilepsy syndrome whose prognosis and clinical characteristics are still partially undefined. We investigated electroclinical endophenotypes and long-term seizure outcome in a large cohort of EMA patients.

METHODS

In this multicenter retrospective study, EMA patients with ≥5 years of follow-up were included. We investigated prognostic patterns and sustained terminal remission (STR), along with their prognostic factors. Moreover, a two-step cluster analysis was used to investigate the presence of distinct EMA endophenotypes.

RESULTS

We included 172 patients, with a median age at onset of 7 years (interquartile range (IQR) 5-10) and a median follow-up duration of 14 years (IQR 8.25-23.75). Sixty-six patients (38.4%) displayed a non-remission pattern, whereas remission and relapse patterns were encountered in 56 (32.6%) and 50 (29.1%) subjects. Early epilepsy onset, history of febrile seizures (FS) and eyelid myoclonia (EM) status epilepticus significantly predicted a non-remission pattern according to multinomial logistic regression analysis. STR was achieved by 68 (39.5%) patients with a mean latency of 14.05 years (SD ± 12.47). Early epilepsy onset, psychiatric comorbidities, and a history of FS and generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) were associated with a lower probability of achieving STR according to a Cox regression proportional hazards model. Antiseizure medication (ASM) withdrawal was attempted in 62/172 patients, and seizures relapsed in 74.2%. Cluster analysis revealed two distinct clusters with 86 patients each. Cluster 2, which we defined as "EMA-plus", was characterized by an earlier age at epilepsy onset, higher rate of intellectual disability, EM status epilepticus, generalized paroxysmal fast activity, self-induced seizures, FS, and poor ASM response, whereas Cluster 1, the "EMA-only" cluster, was characterized by a higher rate of seizure remission and more favorable neuropsychiatric outcome.

DISCUSSION

Early epilepsy onset was the most relevant prognostic factor for poor treatment response. A long latency between epilepsy onset and ASM response was observed, suggesting the impact of age-related brain changes in EMA remission. Finally, our cluster analysis showed a clear-cut distinction of EMA patients into an EMA-plus insidious subphenotype and an EMA-only benign cluster that strongly differed in terms of remission rates and cognitive outcomes.