Inclusion In Data Analysis Research Articles

A Novel Approach to Integrative Concussion Rehabilitation: A Pragmatic Study

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of the novel Ziaks Integrative Neurological Concussion (ZINC) Protocol in evaluating and treating persistent post-concussion symptoms. Methods: Individuals with concussion were systematically evaluated for neurological impairments and subsequently received six modules of integrative and progressive therapies. Treatment addressed motor function impairment, oculomotor and binocular vision deficits, and central vestibular deficits while incorporating postural stability, dual task and cognitive loading skills and providing instruction in cardiovascular exercise to promote autonomic stability. Results: Of 30 patients, 15 completed all 6 protocol modules for inclusion in data analysis. Mean treatment duration was 6.6 (SD±.99) visits over 69.53 days (SD±21.92). The Post-Concussion Symptom Scale and Dizziness Handicap Inventory outcomes from pre- to post-treatment achieved clinical and statistical significance. Statistical significance was achieved for the Brain Injury Vision Symptom Survey, Brock String near point of convergence, King Devick and the novel binocular vision screening tool. Conclusions: A structured, integrative, and progressive rehabilitation program addressing the vestibulo-oculomotor and motor function domains of concussion may be effective in the management of persistent post-concussion symptoms. Impact Statement: This study details one potential comprehensive and sequential method to integrate the neurological domains of concussion rehabilitation while screening for impairments in the physical domains. There is a gap in knowledge regarding the most effective timing, sequencing, and implementation of intervention methods across the 4 concussion domains. This study provides the groundwork for future research to establish treatment protocols aimed to efficiently reduce symptoms associated with persistent post-concussion symptoms.

Historical Wisdom: Data Analysis and Reimagining in Anti-Oppressive Research Methodologies

Using anti-oppressive methodologies, the Chihuum Piiuywmk Inach/Gathering of Good Minds (CPI/GoGM) project reimagined inclusive pathways for data analysis in health equity Community Engaged Research (CER). Transformations in CER methodologies that decenter colonial and institutional systems of oppression and center Indigenous epistemologies are on the rise. There is, however, a paucity of guidance on data analysis in CER. The CPI/GoGM’s historical trauma project is a grounded demonstration of inclusion and building relational research spaces that support Indigenous epistemologies. Community inclusion in data analysis is an intervention and next step for equity in CER and a call for epistemic justice. 

What are the treatment remission, response and extent of improvement rates after up to four trials of antidepressant therapies in real-world depressed patients? A reanalysis of the STAR*D study’s patient-level data with fidelity to the original research protocol

ObjectiveReanalyse the patient-level data set of the Sequenced Treatment Alternatives to Relieve Depression (STAR*D) study with fidelity to the original research protocol and related publications.DesignThe study was open label and...

Optimization of the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) for characterizing land plants from soil.

Molecular-based taxonomy, specifically DNA barcoding, has streamlined organism identification. For land plants, the recommended 2-locus barcode of rbcL and matK is not suitable for all groups, thus the second subunit of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) has received attention as a possible alternative. To date, evaluations of ITS2 have mostly been limited in scope to specific plant orders/families and single source material. Prior to using ITS2 to routinely characterize land plants present in environmental samples (i.e., DNA metabarcoding), a wet lab protocol optimized for bulk sample types is needed. To address this gap, in this study we determined the broad recoverability across land plants when using published ITS2 primer pairs, and subsequently optimized the PCR reaction constituents and cycling conditions for the best two performing primer pairs (ITS2F/ITSp4 and ITSp3/ITSu4). Using these conditions, both primer pairs were used to characterize land plants present in 17 diverse soils collected from across the US. The resulting PCR amplicons were prepared into libraries and pooled for sequencing on an Illumina® MiniSeq. Our existing bioinformatics workflow was used to process raw sequencing data and taxonomically assign unique ITS2 plant sequences by comparison to GenBank. Given strict quality criteria were imposed on sequences for inclusion in data analysis, only 43.6% and 7.5% of sequences from ITS2F/ITSp4 and ITSp3/ITSu4 respectively remained for taxonomic comparisons; ~7–11% of sequences originated from fungal co-amplification. The number of orders and families recovered did differ between primer pairs, with ITS2F/ITSp4 consistently outperforming ITSp3/ITSu4 by >15%. Primer pair bias was observed in the recovery of certain taxonomic groups; ITS2F/ITSp4 preferentially recovered flowering plants and grasses, whereas ITSp3/ITSu4 recovered more moss taxa. To maximize data recovery and reduce potential bias, we advocate that studies using ITS2 to characterize land plants from environmental samples such as soil use a multiple primer pair approach.

Prospective Randomized Clinical and Radiographic Evaluation of a Novel Bioabsorbable Biocomposite Tibial Tuberosity Advancement Cage Implant.

To evaluate the suitability of a novel bioabsorbable biocomposite cage (BC) implant for use in tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) surgery in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) disease and to compare radiographic osteotomy healing scores and complications between groups that received either a BC or stainless steel cage (SSC). Prospective randomized clinical study. Dogs with unilateral CrCL rupture (n=56). TTA was performed in 60 consecutive dogs using either a BC (30 dogs) or SSC (30 dogs). Patient parameters, 6 week and 6 month postoperative radiographic osteotomy healing scores, time elapsed to postoperative rechecks, and complications were compared between groups. Osteotomy healing was graded using a 5-point (0-4) scale. Data were analyzed using Wilcoxon Rank Sum tests and χ(2) tests with significance set at P<.05. Fifty-six dogs (30 BC, 26 SSC) had complete medical and radiographic records at 6 months for inclusion in data analysis. Three complications occurred in the BC group (1 major, 2 minor) and 2 occurred in the SSC group (2 minor). There was no statistical difference in patient parameters, 6 week healing scores, or complications between BC and SSC groups. Healing scores at 6 months were significantly higher in the BC group (3.3 ± 0.52) compared to the SSC group (2.9 ± 0.69; P=.04). Based on improved BC osteotomy healing scores 6 months after surgery with no significant differences in complications compared to SSC, BC TTA cages are a viable alternative to SSC.

Factors Affecting the Reliability and Validity of Behavioural Datasets: Assessing the Impact of Observers’ Experience and Native Language on Studies of Wild Animals

In animal behaviour studies, particularly those involving wild animals, the reliability and valid-ity of behavioural data collected by observers are not often examined. It is rarer still to see an assessment of the factors that may influence data collection. Variation in the reliability (the con-sistency of measurements) and the validity (the accuracy of measurements) by different observers may occur. This variability in data collection may have a significant impact on the accuracy of the results of a study. While the impact of observers' experience on reliability has been demonstrated in some studies, the influence of factors such as observers' native language is unknown. Herein, we used pre-recorded digital footage of migrating humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) to examine the effects of observers' experience and native language on the reliability and validity of their data collection. We found that neither factor (experience nor native language) had a signifi-cant effect overall. However, within the dataset, specific behavioural types were found to be more accurately and consistently recorded than others. The results of this study help identify behav-ioural types that may require redefinition in the ethogram as well as those that were not reliably recorded and that should be excluded from further analysis. This information enables future research to optimise the reliability and validity of behav-ioural data collected at the site and to help identify robust variables for inclusion in data analysis.