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Results for “multiple linear regression”

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PubMed1994

Transvaginal ultrasonographic characterization of ovarian masses with an improved, weighted scoring system.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to modify a previously devised morphologic scoring system with the use of transvaginal ultrasonography in the hope of improving discrimination of benign from malignant ovarian and adnexal masses. STUDY DESIGN: Transvaginal ultrasonographic images of 312 patients for a total of 350 ovarian and adnexal masses were obtained over a 3-year period. The derived morphologic data were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis to select the best performance of the previously described scoring system by Sassone et al. in 1991. This system was thus modified in several ways including weighted point value assignments, fewer point values per variable studied, the deletion of one variable found not to be significant (wall thickness), and the inclusion of a new variable called shadowing. RESULTS: At surgery, 308 benign masses, 31 malignant masses, and 11 tumors of low malignant potential were found. The mean point value obtained was 1.8 for the benign masses, 3.9 for the tumors of low malignant potential, and 5.6 for the malignant tumors (p < 0.0005). With a cutoff of > or = 3 used as the best discriminator, the sensitivity was 96.8% and the specificity 77%. The positive and negative predictive values were 29.4% and 99.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Limitations of the previously devised scoring system included the arbitrary point assignments of each variable, the multiple (4 or 5) point choices for each variable, and the poor positive predictive value. This new scoring system performs well in the differentiation of benign from malignant masses, while assigning scientifically derived, therefore more valid, point values and simplifying the system overall. That the positive predictive value was not improved proves that ultrasonographically, to date we are still hampered by complex and malignant-appearing benign ovarian masses.

Adnexal Diseases↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Impact of aerobic training upon left ventricular morphology and function in pre-pubescent children.

Current knowledge of the impact of training on left ventricular (LV) morphology and function in pre-pubescent children is limited. After ethical approval, 59 pre-pubescent children (mean +/- SD age 10.5 +/- 0.7 years) volunteered for the study. Twenty-five (11 girls) participated in a 12-week progressive, cycle-based aerobic exercise training programme (ET) of three 30-min sessions per week at 80% maximum heart rate (HR) and 34 (15 girls) as matched controls (CON). Pre- and post-training echocardiograms assessed LV structures and function such as LV internal dimension in diastole (LVIDd), LV mass, stroke volume (SV) and early to late LV filling velocity ratio (E:A). Peak VO2 was determined via a modified McMaster protocol. Mixed, two-way ANOVA and multiple linear regression were used to analyse peak VO2 and LV structural/functional data that had been allometrically scaled. A significant interaction for peak VO2 was observed (54 +/- 7 to 55 +/- 6 and 57 +/- 6 to 56 +/- 7 ml/lean body mass (LBM) per min in ET and CON, respectively). A small, but significant, main effect for time was observed for LVIDd over the intervention period (13.9 +/- 1.0 to 14.2 +/- 1.1 and 13.5 +/- 0.9 to 13.8 +/- 1.0 cm.LBM(-0.33) in ET and CON, respectively) that could be attributed to normal growth and development. Similar changes in SV (2.12 +/- 0.45 to 2.24 +/- 0.45 and 1.95 +/- 0.42 to 2.08 +/- 0.44 ml/LBM) and LV mass (2.59 +/- 0.55 to 2.79 +/- 0.69 and 2.45 +/- 0.60 to 2.61 +/- 0.65 g/LBM) were evident (main effect for time p < 0.05). The E:A ratio did not alter in either group. A decrease in resting HR in ET (p < 0.05) suggested a training effect. Multiple regression revealed that post-training resting HR was the only significant predictor of peak VO2 (R2 = 18.2% and 16.9% CON and ET respectively). These data suggest that training in pre-pubescent children does not influence LV morphology and function within the current population. Moreover, the association between LV structure/function and peak VO2 was small. Future work may wish to impose a greater training volume and assess cardiovascular responses in pre-pubescent children.

Anthropometry↗

PubMed2004

Evaluation and determinants of airborne bacterial concentrations in school classrooms.

A survey of 39 elementary schools was undertaken to determine indoor air concentrations of bioaerosols within a coastal, temperate climatic zone in British Columbia, Canada. This article reports the results for airborne bacteria. Determinants of exposure were grouped into environmental (outdoor temperature, relative humidity, season, weather), ventilation and comfort parameter (indoor relative humidity, temperature, indoor CO2 concentration, indoor fungal concentration), and occupancy (number of occupants, activity levels, occupancy patterns) variables. Regression modeling was used to evaluate the association between these factors and measured concentrations of indoor mesophilic bacteria. Naturally ventilated rooms (47% of the total rooms surveyed) had higher bacterial counts than mechanically ventilated rooms (geometric mean 325 vs. 166 CFU/m3, respectively, p < 0.001). In univariate analyses, bacterial counts were negatively correlated with supply and exhaust flow rates, air exchange rates, and the percentage of the day that occupants spent quietly sitting at their desks. Analysis of bacterial groups indicated various sources of the bacterial aerosol, with micrococci and staphylococci closely associated with occupancy variables, Bacillus with site and occupancy, and coryneform bacteria with site variables only. Approximately 60% of the variance in the outcome measurement of total bacteria was accountedfor by indoor CO2, lower air exchange rate, the age of the building, signs of current or old moisture stains, room volume, indoor relative humidity, and occupant activity level in a multiple linear regression model, with ventilation factors accounting for 40% of the variance.

Aerosols↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Systematic bias in measuring of the utilization of ambulatory medical services].

The results of utilization studies on ambulatory medical care are usually disappointing. Since these studies have used the regression linear model with cross-sectional data, they have rarely considered the utilization of medical services as a dynamic process unfolding over a certain period of time. The utilization of medical services was observed during three consecutive two-week periods with the help of a sample, drawn from the files of the RAMQ, of 41,811 individuals living in Laval and in the Metropolitan region of Quebec. Transition rates towards user or non-user status between each period are predicted, rather than volumes of utilization. Results show that the variables which predict the volume of utilization are not those which predict the transition towards non-user status, though volume of utilization arises from the cumulation over time periods of the using status. Differences appear between the utilization processes of persons aged 65 and over and other adults. Consequently, studies on the utilization of medical services should no longer use multiple linear regression. Thus, the conclusions which these studies draw about the impact of policies of accessibility to health care are also biased.

Adult↗

PubMed1994

High resolution of quantitative traits into multiple loci via interval mapping.

A very general method is described for multiple linear regression of a quantitative phenotype on genotype [putative quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and markers] in segregating generations obtained from line crosses. The method exploits two features, (a) the use of additional parental and F1 data, which fixes the joint QTL effects and the environmental error, and (b) the use of markers as cofactors, which reduces the genetic background noise. As a result, a significant increase of QTL detection power is achieved in comparison with conventional QTL mapping. The core of the method is the completion of any missing genotypic (QTL and marker) observations, which is embedded in a general and simple expectation maximization (EM) algorithm to obtain maximum likelihood estimates of the model parameters. The method is described in detail for the analysis of an F2 generation. Because of the generality of the approach, it is easily applicable to other generations, such as backcross progenies and recombinant inbred lines. An example is presented in which multiple QTLs for plant height in tomato are mapped in an F2 progeny, using additional data from the parents and their F1 progeny.

Chromosome Mapping↗

PubMed1994

DNA repair related to multiple skin cancers and drug use.

Defective repair of sunlight-induced DNA photodamage, coupled with an unusually high occurrence of multiple primary basal cell carcinomas (BCCs), is the major characteristic of xeroderma pigmentosum. Our recent work has indicated that this etiological paradigm may apply to skin cancer patients without an apparent hereditary disease. The present study reports on an investigation of whether medications such as photosensitizing drugs (antibiotics, corticosteroids, and aspirin) modulate skin cancer risk through alterations in DNA repair capacity (DRC). Using a new DNA repair (host cell reactivation) assay with peripheral T-lymphocytes, we tested DRCs of 88 Caucasian BCC patients and 135 cancer-free controls. Subjects were between 20 and 60 years of age and free of known hereditary skin diseases. The age-adjusted means of DRC were calculated to compare repair levels associated with the use of specific drugs and hormones. Multiple linear regression models were used to correlate DRC with the number of skin cancers. The estimated odds ratio was used to describe the risk of BCCs. The distribution of DRCs of subjects was approximately normal, with a 5-fold variation between individuals. DRCs below the upper 30th percentile of controls were associated with an estimated 2.3-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.17-4.54-fold) increased risk for the occurrence of BCCs. The lower the DRC was, the greater the number of skin tumors in individuals (P < 0.05), after adjustment for age. Although supplemental vitamin use was associated with reduced risk of skin cancer, it was not associated with differences in subjects' DRCs. However, individuals who reported taking either tetracycline or estrogen, two photosensitizing drugs, had higher DRCs, compared with those who had not used these drugs. Low DRC or a family history of skin cancer increased the probability that patients who were overexposed to sunlight would have multiple BCCs. DNA repair levels may be influenced by the use of selected photosensitizing drugs and estrogen.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Assessing quality of life in people with multiple sclerosis.

PURPOSE: The quality of life of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients was assessed using two MS specific quality of life measures (FAMS and SF-54) and a short generic measure (EuroQol) in order to make recommendations for routine assessment. Factors contributing to quality of life within this population were also considered. METHOD: Questionnaires were either sent by post or completed at interview. Ninety-six MS patients known to a consultant in rehabilitation medicine completed the questionnaires. RESULTS: Patients scored very low on subscales related to physical health. Correlations were high between the FAMS and SF-54 but low with the EuroQoL. Stepwise multiple linear regressions showed mood measures to account for the most variance on all quality of life composite scores. The MS patients within the study had much lower SF-36 quality of life scores than the general population and other illness groups. CONCLUSIONS: The EuroQol did not measure the same aspects of quality of life as the FAMS and SF-54 and was not found to be a sensitive measure within this sample. The SF-54 suffered from floor effects on physical health subscales and therefore the FAMS was recommended.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1993

Impact of conceptus mass on glucose disposal rate in pregnant women.

The impact of an increasing fetal and placental mass on maternal glucose disposal rate (GDR) was studied in 17 pregnant women. Eleven pregnancies were singleton pregnancies, five were twin and one was a triplet pregnancy. Both the maternal fasting glucose concentration [Glc] and the total fetal and placental weight (W) were significantly correlated with an increased maternal GDR. Glucose concentration and conceptus weight were interdependent. The multiple linear regression of glucose disposal rate on glucose concentration and total weight is given by GDR = -1.573 + 0.176W + 0.932[Glc] +/- 0.24, r2 = 0.52, P < 0.01. These data are utilized to estimate the glucose utilization rate of the human conceptus at a fasting glucose concentration of 3.9 mM with a range of 10-15 mg.kg-1.min-1. Maternal GDR increases with increasing glucose concentration at a rate similar to that reported for newborn infants, consistent with a high glucose utilization by the uterus.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Enzootic pneumonia: comparison of cough and lung lesions as predictors of weight gain in swine.

A prospective cohort study was undertaken in a commercial swine herd to determine the relationship between weight gain and the occurrence of enzootic pneumonia (EP). Estimates of the association between EP and weight gain were obtained from multiple linear regression models, using coughing episodes or slaughter checks as indicators of EP status. Models were estimated for pigs in 2 different age groups: roasters (n = 1084, sold at 32 to 50 kg) and market hogs (n = 1162, sold at 100 to 110 kg). The relationship between presence of lung lesions at slaughter and previous coughing episodes was also investigated. Throughout the study period, clinical evaluations were performed weekly, and coughing episodes recorded for each pig. Lungs were inspected at slaughter, and scores were expressed as the percentage of the lung with gross pneumonic lesions. Coughing and lung scores were significantly correlated, after adjusting for other covariates (R = 0.32 and 0.59, respectively, for market hogs and roasters). However, the agreement beyond chance between coughing history and lung lesions at slaughter was poor among both roasters and market hogs (kappa = 0.17 and 0.07, respectively). Although very specific, weekly assessment of coughing was not a sensitive indicator of lung lesions at slaughter. In multiple regression, lung score was a highly significant predictor of lower final weight in pigs of both age groups (P < 0.001 in the selected regression models).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Age Factors↗

PubMed2003

Evaluating trihalomethane content in drinking water on the basis of common monitoring parameters: regression models.

The presence of trihalomethanes (THMs) in potable-water sources is an issue of great interest because of the negative impact THMs have on human health. The objective of this study was to correlate the presence of trihalomethanes with more routinely monitored parameters of water quality, in order to facilitate THM control. Water samples taken at various stages of treatment from a water treatment plant were analyzed for the presence of trihalomethanes with the Fujiwara method. The data collected from these determinations were compared with the values obtained for free-residual-chlorine and combined-residual-chlorine levels as well as standard physico-chemical and microbiological indicators such as chemical oxygen demand (by the KMnO4 method), total chlorophyll, conductivity, pH, alkalinity, turbidity, chlorides, sulfates, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, ammonia, calcium, magnesium, heterotrophic bacteria count, Pseudomonas spp., total and fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci. The data from these determinations were compiled, and statistical analysis was performed to determine which variables correlate best with the presence and quantity of trihalomethanes in the samples. Levels of THMs in water seem to correlate directly with levels of combined residual chlorine and nitrates, and inversely with the level of free residual chlorine. Statistical analysis with multiple linear regression was conducted to determine the best-fitting models. The models chosen incorporate between two and four independent variables and include chemical oxygen demand, nitrites, and ammonia. These indicators, which are commonly determined during the water treatment process, demonstrate the strongest correlation with the levels of trihalomethanes in water and offer great utility as an accessible method for THM detection and control.

Environmental Monitoring↗

PubMed2002

Determinants of patient satisfaction in chronic illness.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether primary care provided by generalists versus subspecialists resulted in different levels of patient satisfaction among persons with chronic illness. METHODS: A survey containing the Primary Care Provider Questionnaire and the Health Status Questionnaire (HSQ) was mailed to 2 population-based cohorts of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or diabetes mellitus (DM). All subjects were at least 35 years old and Rochester, Minnesota residents. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation coefficients, and multiple regression models were used to describe and compare the determinants of patient satisfaction. RESULTS: A total of 86 people (74% female) with RA and 208 people (56% male) with DM responded to the survey. Age range was 41-95 years and median disease duration was 8.7 years (RA) and 13.0 years (DM). Most patients described their health as fair or good. After adjusting for sex differences, RA patients were more likely than DM patients to report having a specialist as their primary care doctor. RA patients, whether reporting seeing a specialist or a generalist, had comparable HSQ physical health, mental health, social functioning, vitality, and bodily pain scores. DM patients seeing a specialist had more bodily pain and poorer physical functioning than those seeing a generalist. Across both chronic illnesses and physician specialties, median scores for patient satisfaction ranged from 17-18 for overall satisfaction (maximum 20); 30-33 for interpersonal skills (maximum 35); 23-26 for technical quality (maximum 30); and 20 for access to care (maximum 25). Multiple linear regression models revealed that 6.8-7.3% of the variation in satisfaction could be explained by HSQ scores, patient demographics, and physician specialty. CONCLUSION: Both RA and DM patients were highly satisfied with their care, regardless of the specialty of the provider. Physician specialty, patient demographics, and HSQ scores explained only a small proportion in the variation in satisfaction. These findings point to the need for additional research to further elucidate the determinants of patient satisfaction.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

The longitudinal relation between brain lesion load and atrophy in multiple sclerosis: a 14 year follow up study.

BACKGROUND: Studies have suggested that T2 lesion activity is prominent in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, whereas brain atrophy, while seen early, appears more evident in later progressive disease. The temporal relation between these processes remains unclear. OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between changing brain lesion loads and subsequent tissue atrophy in multiple sclerosis. METHODS: 28 subjects with clinically probable or definite multiple sclerosis (mean age 46.0 years; 17 female and 11 male) were followed for 14 years after first onset of symptoms. T2 lesion loads were estimated soon after symptom onset and at around five, 10, and 14 years later. Disease related atrophy was estimated at the 14 year follow up by comparing brain tissue volumes (proportional to total intracranial volumes) determined in the multiple sclerosis group with data from 29 normal control subjects (mean age 36.7 years; 16 female, 13 male) using multiple linear regression analyses to allow for differences in age and sex distributions. RESULTS: Change in lesion load in the first five years was more closely correlated to disease related brain atrophy at 14 years than later changes in lesion load, although the correlation was only moderate (Spearman correlation = -0.528, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: From this, it appears that early rather than later focal lesion accumulation relates to subsequent brain atrophy, but factors unconnected directly with lesion formation probably also play a significant role in determining such atrophy.

Adult↗

PubMed2006

Acute phase protein levels, T. trichiura, and maternal education are predictors of serum zinc in a cross-sectional study in Bangladeshi children.

Zinc deficiency is a public health issue in Bangladesh. The objectives were to identify predictors of serum zinc concentration and to assess the prevalence of low serum zinc, in both the whole population, after correcting for the effect of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) (using multiple categories), and the healthy subgroup. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 579 apparently healthy 3-7 y old children from a Dhaka slum, Bangladesh. Using multiple linear regression, the effects of age, gender, serum CRP and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, reported morbidity, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections, parental education as well as stunting, underweight, and wasting on serum zinc were estimated. Serum zinc (mean +/- SD) was 9.7 +/- 1.1 micromol/L. Elevated serum CRP levels, T. trichiura infection, and stunting were negative predictors of serum zinc, whereas maternal education was a positive predictor. Compared with serum CRP <1 mg/L, CRP levels of 2 to <5, 5 to <10 and > or =10 mg/L were associated with 0.33, 0.73, and 0.89 micromol/L lower serum zinc, respectively. The prevalence of low serum zinc (<9.9 micromol/L) fell from 59.3 to 49.7% in the whole population, after correcting for the effect of CRP and was 50.0% in the healthy subgroup (CRP <2 mg/L). The prevalence of low serum zinc was high but overestimated due to the effect of the acute phase response. Interventions to address low serum zinc in Bangladesh are warranted. Controlling T. trichiura infection and improving maternal education may be important interventions. The use of multiple categories of acute phase proteins and cut-off values that indicate elevated levels warrant further research.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

PubMed2003

Using measurement error models to assess effects of prenatal and postnatal methylmercury exposure in the Seychelles Child Development Study.

Studies of the effects of environmental exposures on human health typically require estimation of both exposure and outcome. Standard methods for the assessment of the association between exposure and outcome include multiple linear regression analysis, which assumes that the outcome variable is observed with error, while the levels of exposure and other explanatory variables are measured with complete accuracy, so that there is no deviation of the measured from the actual value. The term measurement error in this discussion refers to the difference between the actual or true level and the value that is actually observed. In the investigations of the effects of prenatal methylmercury (MeHg) exposure from fish consumption on child development, the only way to obtain a true exposure level (producing the toxic effect) is to ascertain the concentration in fetal brain, which is not possible. As is often the case in studies of environmental exposures, the measured exposure level is a biomarker, such as the average maternal hair level during gestation. Measurement of hair mercury is widely used as a biological indicator for exposure to MeHg and is the only indicator that has been calibrated against the target tissue, the developing brain. Variability between the measured and the true values in explanatory variables in a multiple regression analysis can produce bias, leading to either over or underestimation of regression parameters (slopes). Fortunately, statistical methods known as measurement error models (MEM) are available to account for measurement errors in explanatory variables in multiple regression analysis, and these methods can provide an (either "unbiased" or "bias-corrected") estimate of the unknown outcome/exposure relationship. In this paper, we illustrate MEM analysis by reanalyzing data from the 5.5-year test battery in the Seychelles Child Development Study, a longitudinal study of prenatal exposure to MeHg from maternal consumption of a diet high in fish. The use of the MEM approach was made possible by the existence of independent, calibration data on the magnitude of the variability of the measurement error deviations for the biomarker of prenatal exposure used in this study, the maternal hair level. Our reanalysis indicated that adjustment for measurement errors in explanatory variables had no appreciable effect on the original results.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Predicting the therapeutic alliance in alcoholism treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Prediction of the therapeutic alliance in alcoholism treatment (as rated by the client and by the therapist) was examined in light of a range of potentially relevant factors, including client demographics, drinking history, current drinking, current psychosocial functioning and therapist demographics. METHOD: The data were gathered in Project MATCH. The present analyses were based on data from 707 outpatients and 480 aftercare clients assigned to one of the three Project MATCH treatments. Potential predictor variables were evaluated by first examining bivariate linear relationships between the variables and ratings of the alliance, and then entering blocks of these predictors into multiple linear regression equations with alliance ratings as the dependent variables. All analysis incorporated adjustments for the nonindependence of ratings pertaining to clients seen by the same therapist. RESULTS: In simple regressions evaluating bivariate relationships, outpatients' ratings of the alliance were positively predicted by client age, motivational readiness to change, socialization, level of perceived social support and therapist age, and were negatively predicted by client educational level, level of depression, and meaning seeking. Therapist ratings in the outpatient sample were positively predicted by the client being female and by level of overall alcohol involvement, severity of alcohol dependence, negative consequences of alcohol use, and readiness to change. Among aftercare clients, ratings of the alliance were positively predicted by readiness to change, socialization and social support, and were negatively predicted by level of depression. Therapist ratings of the alliance in the aftercare sample were positively predicted by the client being female and therapist educational level, and were negatively predicted by pretreatment drinks per drinking day. Of the variables having significant bivariate relationships with alliance scores, only a few were identified as significant predictors in multiple regression equations. Among outpatients, client age and motivational readiness to change remained positive predictors and client education a negative predictor of client ratings of the alliance, while client gender remained a significant predictor of therapist ratings. Among aftercare clients, readiness to change and level of depression remained significant predictors of client ratings, while none of the variables remained a significant predictor of therapist ratings. CONCLUSIONS: While the data indicate that several client variables predict the nature of both the client's and therapist's perception of the therapeutic alliance, the significant relationships are of modest magnitude, and few variables remain predictive after controlling for causally prior variables. The strongest relationship identified in both the outpatient and aftercare samples is that between clients' motivational readiness to change and their ratings of the alliance.

Adult↗

PubMed1989

The effects of propranolol, phentolamine, and atropine on canine coronary vascular gradients.

The objective of this study was to measure pressure gradients in the coronary circulation following the administration of three receptor-blocking drugs, propranolol, phentolamine, and atropine when administered singly and in sequence. As well, we examined the responses of these gradients to eight interventions: left stellate ganglion or left vagosympathetic trunk stimulation, administration of isoproterenol, acetylcholine, noradrenaline, adenosine, phenylephrine, or adrenaline. Using a multiple linear regression model we examined the actions and interactions of the receptor-blocking agents on hemodynamic variables and vascular gradients. Propranolol reduced heart rate as expected and blocked the responses to isoproterenol administration. As well, it abolished the epicardial coronary artery diastolic gradient. The gradient was restored when propranolol was the second receptor blocker administered but was abolished when it was the third. Phentolamine induced vasodilation with a decrease in coronary small vessel gradients. This effect persisted without regard to the sequence of administration. When it was the second or third agent it decreased the microcirculation and small vein gradients, an action it did not manifest when given singly. Atropine singly did not alter pressures or gradients; but as the second agent it altered the transmural, outflow tract, epicardial diastolic, and microcirculation and small vein diastolic gradients; and as the third agent the changes were in the transmural, epicardial systolic and diastolic, and small artery systolic and diastolic gradients. The pattern of responses was not predictable and that indicates that unique changes occur in the responses of the coronary circulation when multiple receptor-blocking agents are employed. Adrenergic control tends to dominate in the coronary arterial circulation, and muscarinic control in the coronary microcirculation and veins with considerable overlap.

Adenosine↗

PubMed2006

Utilization of rehabilitation therapies by nursing home residents with MS at admission.

OBJECTIVE: To identify factors associated with the utilization of physical and occupational therapies by nursing home residents with multiple sclerosis (MS) at admission to the facility. DESIGN: The study analyzed 27,264 admission assessments for residents with MS recorded in the national Minimum Data Set (MDS) between June, 1998 and June, 2003. A multiple linear regression model was employed to analyze the MDS data. The total number of minutes of physical and occupational therapies provided are the dependent variables. Independent variables are demographic characteristics, payment source, behavioral symptoms, and a range of health-related characteristics. RESULTS: The use of physical and occupational therapies by residents with MS at admission to the nursing facility was significantly associated with payment source, controlling for other independent variables. CONCLUSIONS: When reimbursement is available these therapies are more likely to be prescribed or requested. Since provision of these rehabilitative services diminishes disability and handicap, expanded Medicaid coverage may reduce long term health care costs and also improve the quality of life.

Activities of Daily Living↗

PubMed1999

Artificial neural networks as versatile tools for prediction of MDR-modulatory activity.

Following our ongoing studies on structure-activity relationship studies of propafenone-type modulators of multidrug resistance, we performed both a Free-Wilson analysis and a combined Hansch/Free-Wilson analysis on a set of 48 compounds using artificial neural networks (ANN). In comparison to classical multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis, the ANN showed equal or even slightly better predictive power in leave one out cross validation procedures and was remarkably superior when performing a leave 8 out cross validation. Additionally, it was possible to train a network using only 14 compounds and to properly predict the MDR-modulating activity of the remaining 34 compounds. In this case, the MLR analysis completely failed due to insufficient number of cases. Attempts to extract informations on which input descriptors are important using a genetic input selection algorithm failed. Best results were obtained using those descriptors which showed highest statistical significance in MLR analyses.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗