Cognitive domain harmonization and cocalibration in studies of older adults

OBJECTIVE

Studies use different instruments to measure cognitirating cognitive tests permit direct comparisons of individuals across studies and pooling data for joint analyses.

METHOD

We began our legacy item bank with data from the Adult Changes in Thought study (n = 5,546), the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (n = 3,016), the Rush Memory and Aging Project (n = 2,163), and the Religious on such as the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale, the Wechsler Memory Scale, and the Boston Naming Test. CocalibOrders Study (n = 1,456). Our workflow begins with categorizing items administered in each study as indicators of memory, executive functioning, language, visuospatial functioning, or none of these domains. We use confirmatory factor analysis models with data from the most recent visit on the pooled sample across these four studies for cocalibration and derive item parameters for all items. Using these item parameters, we then estimate factor scores along with corresponding standard errors for each domain for each study. We added additional studies to our pipeline as available and focused on thorough consideration of candidate anchor items with identical content and administration methods across studies.

RESULTS

Prestatistical harmonization steps such qualitative and quantitative assessment of granular cognitive items and evaluating factor structure are important steps when trying to cocalibrate cognitive scores across studies. We have cocalibrated cognitive data and derived scores for four domains for 76,723 individuals across 10 studies.

CONCLUSIONS

We have implemented a large-scale effort to harmonize and cocalibrate cognitive domain scores across multiple studies of cognitive aging. Scores on the same metric facilitate meta-analyses of cognitive outcomes across studies or the joint analysis of individual data across studies. Our systematic approach allows for cocalibration of additional studies as they become available and our growing item bank enables robust investigation of cognition in the context of aging and dementia. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Venous Reflux Localization: Comparative Study of Venography and Duplex Scanning

Objective:

To compare the results obtained by duplex ultrasound imaging and ascending and descending phlebography in patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Design:

Prospective comparison between venography and duplex ultrasound imaging in a single patient group with chronic venous insufficiency.

Setting:

Private vascular clinic in Puerto Rico.

Patients:

Twenty-one patients presenting with clinical evidence of venous disease of the lower limb.

Main outcome measures:

Presence of valvular incompetence in deep and superficial veins as indicated by duplex ultrasound imaging and ascending and descending phlebography.

Results:

Duplex ultrasound imaging showed twice as many patients with popliteal vein incompetence (eight veins compared with four veins) and twice as many incompetent long saphenous veins (14 detected by duplex, eight detected by venography). In the proximal venous system, 13 common femoral veins were thought incompetent on venography, but only seven on duplex scanning; in the superficial femoral vein, 11 were incompetent on venography and three on duplex scanning.

Conclusion:

Duplex ultrasound scanning provides greater sensitivity for detection of valvular incompetence in distal veins compared with venography. Descending phlebography is poor in demonstrating distal venous valvular incompetence.

Smoking cessation in Texas-Mexico border communities: a quasi-experimental panel study

BACKGROUDd. Smoking-related disease and injury is prominent among the numerous health problems on the U.S.-Mexico border, but little is known about the methods that might help promote smoking cessation among the low-income populations in this region.

METHOD

Media campaigns were combined with different forms of intensive and community-wide interpersonal communication to encourage smoking cessation in a border U.S. city and in a Mexican city. Panels of moderate to heavy smokers were followed in four groups to allow quasi-experimental comparison of smoking cessation rates.

RESULTS

Over a five-year study period smoking cessation rates of 17% (self-reported) and 8% (verified) were observed in panels in the program community (N = 160). In the comparison community (N = 135) corresponding rates of smoking cessation were 7% (self-reported) and 1.5% (verified). Within the program community, no differences were observed in smoking cessation among smokers exposed to a community-wide program and those assigned to receive personal counseling.

DISCUSSION

Although the observed changes in smoking were unexpectedly small in the treatment and comparison groups, the approximately 8% effect size for the community-wide program was close to what was predicted. Results indicate that such programs may yield effects similar to those of more intensive approaches, but further research with greater statistical power will be necessary to confirm that point.

The double puncture: an effective percutaneous technique for removing complex, multiple renal calculi

Percutaneous nephrostolithotomy, which can require a double puncture, is presently the method of choice in our institution for the removal of renal stones. Patients that underwent this procedure were evaluated to identify the possible reasons for the double puncture. Of 200 patients evaluated, 14 needed a second tract. The three variables that determined whether a second puncture was needed, in order of importance, were number and size of the stones, with second tracts needed in patients with multiple stones and staghorn calculi; anatomical variations of the renal collecting system itself, with bifid systems the most significant anatomic variation; and the dexterity of the radiologist in performing the puncture and the ability of the urologist to extract the stone. Second tracts were needed more frequently in patients who presented with stones in both the lower and middle poles of the collecting systems.

Electrolysis for recanalization of urinary collecting system obstructions: a percutaneous approach

Nine recent endourologic cases are presented that evidence percutaneous electrolysis and electrocautery as new and safe techniques for incising the urothelium. Electrolysis with balloon dilation was employed to remove stones sequestered behind infundibular and/or diverticular neck stenoses, to correct uretero-pelvic junction (UPJ) stenoses and strictures, and to recanalize a totally obstructed fibrotic UPJ.

Percutaneous extraction of urinary calculi: use of the intercostal approach

The authors achieved successful percutaneous extraction of urinary calculi via an intercostal approach in 24 patients. In one patient, a large hydrothorax developed and thoracentesis was required; 2 patients had moderate and 6 minimal pleural fluid collections which did not require treatment. No patient had pneumothorax. Intercostal puncture provides direct access to the upper and middle poles of the kidney when they lie above the twelfth rib and subcostal angulation is not feasible. Such an approach is advantageous for stones in the ureter, as well as renal stones which are inaccessible from the lower pole. Fluoroscopy should be performed when planning the puncture in order to avoid the lung, and a working sheath is recommended.

Thrombosed synthetic hemodialysis access fistulas: failure of fibrinolytic therapy

Seven episodes of acute thrombosis occurring in five patients with polytetrafluoroethylene dialysis fistulas were treated with local infusions of low-dose streptokinase. Bleeding from previous dialysis puncture sites necessitated stopping the infusion in six out of seven patients, although in one of these six, the graft reopened. The seventh patient had never been dialyzed through the graft and thrombolysis was achieved without incident. Surgery was avoided in only one patient. The authors contend that in these patients the risks of fibrinolytic therapy outweigh the benefits. Surgical thrombectomy, coupled with intraoperative angiography and possible angioplasty, is the preferred method of treating these patients. Venography prior to the creation of the fistula helps the surgeon avoid diseased vessels and may avert early failure of the fistula.

The CO2 flush: a new technique for percutaneous extraction of ureteral calculi

A new technique for the percutaneous extraction of ureteral calculi is described. A jet of CO2 is injected through a retrograde ureteral catheter to dislodge ureteral stones. This safe and simple technique has been successfully used in ten patients.

Failing arteriovenous dialysis fistulas: evaluation and treatment

A total of 31 patients with 45 episodes of failing arteriovenous dialysis fistulas was studied. Fistula failure was usually due to venous and/or anastomotic stenosis, often in conjunction with thrombosis. Abnormalities were treated by percutaneous dilation and occasionally streptokinase infusion. Most complications and failures occurred either in patients with recently created fistulas or in those with multiple or long segment stenosis associated with thrombosis. Patients with a single nonobstructing stenosis were very successfully treated with percutaneous techniques, which are the treatment of choice for this condition.

Carbon dioxide as a lighter-than-urine contrast medium for percutaneous nephrostomy

Carbon dioxide was used either alone or in combination with standard triiodinated contrast media in 32 patients who underwent percutaneous nephrostomy. Carbon dioxide was used to opacify the posterior calyces, which are the uppermost structures in the kidney of the prone or prone-oblique patient. Carbon dioxide is usually injected in small amounts (20-40 cm3), although clinical and laboratory data indicate that it can be used as the only medium in large amounts with complete safety. There were no complications.