定量纵向数据缺失值处理方法的模拟比较研究

目的比较末次观测结转法(LOCF)、重复测量的混合效应模型法(MMRM)、多重填补法(MI)在处理纵向缺失数据中的统计性能。方法以双臂设计、4次访视、3种访视间相关程度为应用背景,采用Monte Carlo模拟技术,产生模拟完整纵向数据后考虑两种缺失比例和三种缺失机制,即完全随机缺失(MCAR)、随机缺失(MAR)和非随机缺失(MNAR)的缺失数据集。以完整纵向数据的分析结果为基准,评价不同处理方法的统计性能,包括Ⅰ类错误、检验效能、组间疗效差的估计误差及其95%置信区间(95%CI)宽度。结果所有情况下,MMRM和MI均可控制Ⅰ类错误,检验效能略低于完整数据;LOCF大多难以控制Ⅰ类错误,检验效能变异较大。多数情况下MMRM和MI的点估计误差较低,LOCF则表现不稳定。所有情况下,MI的95%CI最宽,MMRM次之,LOCF最窄。结论 MCAR和MAR缺失机制下,MMRM与MI的统计性能相当,受各种因素影响较有规律,可根据实际情况选择其中一个作为主要分析。LOCF因填补方法的特殊性使得变异较小,精度较高,但其最大的缺陷是不够稳健且不能有效控制I类错误,需谨慎使用。基于MNAR缺失机制对缺失数据进行敏感性分析以考察试验结果的稳健性是必要的。     

基于内部预试验方差及组间差值的样本量调整模拟

目的 通过盲态下内部预试验IPS样本量调整的模拟分析,探索协变量存在前提下有效控制Ⅰ型错误、保证检验效能的合理统计方法.方法 利用蒙特-卡罗法模拟存在协变量时的两阶段自适应设计过程,分别采用协方差分析法和方差分析法分析两阶段数据,采用合并P值法确定检验的最终结果,比较两种方法对Ⅰ型错误、检验效能值的影响.结果 采用方差分析的Ⅰ型错误膨胀较协方差分析要大,检验效能也较协方差分析略低,但是Ⅰ型错误的增大更明显.结论 根据第一阶段的方差和组间均值差调整样本量时,如果存在协变量,应采用协方差分析方法分别分析第一、二阶段的数据,然后采用合并P值法做出统计推断.     

三臂非劣效性设计生存时间数据的半参数统计推断方法

目的 推荐并改进一种用于新药临床试验中生存分析三臂非劣效性设计的半参数统计推断方法.方法 采用Cox比例风险模型建立用于生存时间数据的三臂非劣效检验方法,通过模拟试验验证该方法的有效性,并给出样本含量估计的R语言程序.结果 模拟试验结果证实,在样本删失风险率维持在一定水平时,三臂Cox模型能有效地控制Ⅰ类错误发生概率,并保证较高的检验效能,实际应用简单有效.结论 本文推荐的方法,可以有效地应用于三臂生存时间数据的非劣效性研究.     

meta分析预测法在二分类终点临床试验中的应用

目的 探讨meta分析预测(meta analytic predictive, MAP)法在二分类终点临床试验中借用历史对照组数据的信息。方法 通过模拟试验评价历史试验数据的异质性及先验数据冲突对于研究的Ⅰ类错误及检验效能的影响，并对Secukinumab治疗强直性脊柱炎的实际案例进行分析。结果 当先验数据冲突不存在时，MAP方法能较好地控制Ⅰ类错误并提高检验效能。随着历史试验间异质性增加，Ⅰ类错误会略有膨胀而检验效能略有降低。当先验数据冲突时，会造成Ⅰ类错误膨胀，若历史试验利于试验组优于对照组的结论时检验效能会增加，反之检验效能会降低。Secukinumab治疗强直性脊柱炎的案例显示，MAP方法能够在新试验对照组样本量较少的情况下，借用历史试验信息，可以识别出试验药与对照药的差异。结论 本文对临床试验中信息借用的MAP方法提供了方法学和案例研究支持，评估了先验数据冲突及异质性对信息借用的影响，具有较强的实用价值。     

一种临床试验中的适应性样本量调整方法

目的介绍一种临床试验中的适应性样本量调整方法,并探讨样本量调整后统计分析方法的第Ⅰ类错误率及检验效能。方法通过montecarlo模拟的方法研究n1大小对最终样本量Nf的影响,并估计最终方差偏移大小;同时模拟研究样本量调整后统计分析方法的第Ⅰ类错误率及检验效能大小。结果(1)模拟结果显示运用该样本量调整方法所得到的最终样本量Nf非常接近其真实值N0,尤其在π=0.4时进行样本量调整。(2)同时模拟结果显示所介绍的样本量调整后的校正t检验方法不仅能有效控制第Ⅰ类错误率α并且能充分满足试验检验效能(1-β)。结论该样本量调整方法研究结果是在一般两样本单侧t检验条件下得到也可应用于优效或非劣效设计的临床试验中。     

多个连续性共同终点非劣效临床试验的样本量估计

目的针对多个以连续性正态分布变量作为共同终点的非劣效临床试验,探讨保护全局把握度的样本量估计方法。方法在阐明优效性临床试验多个连续性共同终点样本量估计的理论基础上,扩展提出了关于非劣效临床试验多个连续分布共同终点的样本量估计方法。结合临床麻醉学中一个重复测量终点非劣效临床试验的实际案例,基于其预试验的相关结果,在不同的I类错误水平、各重复测量间不同的相关系数、不同的非劣效界值设定下,估计了满足一定的全局把握度(例如80%)的样本量,并借助Monte-Carlo模拟方法对估计结果进行验证。结果本文介绍的非劣效临床试验多个连续性正态分布共同终点的样本量估计方法具有严密的统计理论基础,表明能较好的保护全局把握度,结合实际案例进行的样本量估计结果模拟研究验证了方法的正确性。结论本文为非劣效临床试验多个连续分布共同终点的样本量估计提供了方法学支持,具有较强的实用价值。     

小样本内部预试验自适应设计中Ⅰ型错误和检验效能的控制及模拟

目的 通过盲态下内部预试验IPS( internal pilot study)样本量调整的模拟分析,探索小样本下有效控制Ⅰ型错误、保证检验效能的合理统计方法.方法 利用蒙特-卡罗( Monte Carlo)模拟不断改变两总体间的均值差,固定方差,在盲态下采用随机化检验进行统计分析,计算Ⅰ型错误和检验效能随均值差的变化情况.结果 盲态下Ⅰ型错误未超过检验水准,检验效能略有降低.结论 盲态小样本下调整样本量时,采用随机化检验可有效控制Ⅰ型错误.     

安慰剂和阳性药对照的三臂非劣效临床试验的样本含量估计和统计推断

目的 介绍一种基于非劣效界值为标准对照药效应一部分的三臂非劣效临床试验的样本含量估计和统计检验的方法.方法 在介绍Pigeot法的基础上,实例探讨了如何计算样本含量及确定非劣效界值,并用模拟的方法比较了Pigeot法与传统检验方法的检验效能.结果 相同样本含量时Pigeot法的检验效能更高.结论 Pigeot法充分利用了所有样本量的信息,提高了检验效率,降低了临床试验的成本.     

率的非劣效试验中样本含量的估计——SAS和PASS实现

目的 提供二分类定性资料平行设计非劣效临床试验样本含量最常用的计算公式及其 SAS和PASS过程,并为相关参数的设置提供参考。方法 基于二项分布的正态近似理论推导样本含量的估计公式,通过SAS程序和PASS过程探讨各重要参数（样本率、非劣效界值）变化时样本含量及检验效能的变化情况。结果 对率的非劣效试验样本含量的计算,公式、SAS程序和PASS过程能得到一致结果;当检验水准和对照组样本率确定时,试验组样本率越大、检验效能越小、界值越大,所需样本含量越小。结论 利用本文提供的公式、SAS程序和PASS过程,可以帮助研究者系统快速得到二分类资料2组平行非劣效设计时的样本含量。试验组样本率、检验效能和非劣效界值是非劣效临床试验估计样本含量必须认真考虑的参数。     

多种缺失机制共存的定量纵向缺失数据处理方法的模拟比较研究

目的 比较在处理多种缺失机制共存的定量纵向缺失数据时,基于对照的模式混合模型（PMM）、重复测量的混合效应模型（MMRM）以及多重填补法(MI)的统计性能。方法 采用Monte Carlo技术模拟产生包含完全随机缺失、随机缺失和非随机缺失中两种或三种缺失机制的定量纵向缺失数据集,评价三类处理方法的统计性能。结果 基于对照的PMM控制Ⅰ类错误率在较低水平,检验效能最低。MMRM和MI的Ⅰ类错误率可控,检验效能高于基于对照的PMM。两组疗效无差异的情况下,所有方法的估计误差相当,基于对照的PMM方法的95%置信区间覆盖率最高;有差异的情况下,各方法受符合其缺失机制假设的缺失比例大小影响。含有非随机缺失数据时,基于对照的PMM基本不高估疗效差异,95%置信区间覆盖率最高,MMRM和MI高估疗效差异,95%置信区间覆盖率较低。所有方法的95%置信区间宽度相当。结论 分析多种缺失机制共存,特别是含有非随机缺失的纵向缺失数据时,MMRM和MI的统计性能有所降低,可采用基于对照的PMM进行敏感性分析,但需要注意其具体假设,防止估计过于保守。     

Calcium intake in the elderly: validation of a dietary questionnaire

Epidemiological studies of calcium and osteoporosis have been hampered by the lack of a suitable tool for assessing calcium intake. This report describes a new frequency and amount questionnaire for measuring present and past calcium intake in the elderly. The validity of the questionnaire was tested against two commonly used standards of dietary assessment, five-day duplicate diets and seven-day weighed dietary inventories. The resulting correlation coefficients were, respectively, r = 0.76 and r = 0.69, while that for repeatability was r = 0.84. Furthermore, the questionnaire categorized subjects into thirds of the distribution of intake with almost no gross misclassification. It is suggested that the present findings may be extended to the majority of normal, healthy elderly subjects, implying wide application for the questionnaire in the assessment of calcium intake in the elderly.     

Self-reported health problems among Swedish miners one year after unemployment

Unemployment is considered to be a public health concern sincedeterioration in the health of the unemployed is often anticipated.However, for some groups, such as miners, unemployment mightimprove health due to a cessation of potentially harmful occupationalexposures. This study evaluates the health of 79 miners in oneSwedish iron-ore mine, and 226 age-matched controls from thegeneral population, during one year after the closure of themine. The participants received a questionnaire regarding medicalhistory and subjective symptoms at the beginning of the studyperiod, and after one year. Statistically significant negativeeffects on self-reported health attributable to unemploymentwere not found, although neuropsychiatric symptoms were morecommon among the unemployed miners. The miners reported a statisticallysignificant improvement in grip force (p=0.031). They had asignificantly higher prevalence of symptoms associated withmining related exposures when compared with the population controls;pain in the upper extremities [relative risk (RR)=2.27, 95%confidence interval (Cl)=1.44–3.59), back pain (RR=1.84;Cl=1.237–2.75), vasospastic disease of the fingers (RR=2.05;Cl=1.18–3.57) and obstructive respiratory symptoms (attacksof dyspnea and wheezing: RR=3.67; Cl=1.167–11.6).     

Excès de cas humains et animaux de tularémie en France au cours de l’hiver 2007–2008 : émergence ou phénomène isolé ?

Context

Tularemia is a zoonosis affecting humans and hares in France. We describe the results of surveillance in both species, in 2007 and 2008.

Methods

Human tularemia cases are mandatorily notifiable in France since 2003. In hares, surveillance relies on volunteer hunter associations in all districts of the country. Data from mandatory reports and volunteer surveillance in 2007/2008 were analyzed and compared with previous results.

Results

In 2007/2008, 144 cases were reported in humans and 117 cases in hares. This was a 100% increase compared to previous years. Human cases differed from those of previous years only by the frequency of contact with breeding animals. Human cases without any documented risk exposure were also more frequent.

Conclusion

An increase of tularemia cases occurred in 2007/2008 in both species. Complementary studies are needed to identify the species reservoir in France to understand the causes of this peak of cases.     

Occupational health hazards in mining: an overview

This review article outlines the physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic and psychosocial occupational health hazards of mining and associated metallurgical processes. Mining remains an important industrial sector in many parts of the world and although substantial progress has been made in the control of occupational health hazards, there remains room for further risk reduction. This applies particularly to traumatic injury hazards, ergonomic hazards and noise. Vigilance is also required to ensure exposures to coal dust and crystalline silica remain effectively controlled.     

Manufacture and use of nanomaterials: current status in the UK and global trends

This paper provides an overview of the production and use of nanomaterials (NMs), particularly in the UK. Currently, relatively few companies in the UK are identifiable as NM manufacturers, the main emphasis being the bulk markets in metals and metal oxides, and some niche markets such as carbon nanotubes and quantum dots. NM manufacturing in the UK does not reflect the global emphasis on fullerenes, nanotubes and fibres. Some assumptions have been made about the types of NM that are likely to be imported into the UK, which currently include fullerenes, modified fullerenes and other carbon-based NMs including nanotubes. Many university departments, spin-offs and private companies have developed processes for the manufacture of NMs but may only be producing small quantities for research and development (R&D) purposes. However, some have the potential to scale up to produce large quantities. The nanotechnology industry in the UK has strong R&D backup from universities and related institutions. This review has covered R&D trends at such institutions, and appropriate information has been added to a searchable database. While several companies are including NMs in their products, only a few (e.g. manufacturers of paints, coatings, cosmetics, catalysts, polymer composites) are using nanoparticles (NPs) in any significant quantities. However, this situation is likely to change rapidly. There is a need to collect more information about exposure to NPs in both manufacturing and user scenarios. As the market grows, and as manufacturers switch from the micro- to the nanoscale, the potential for exposure will increase. More research is required to quantify any risks to workers and consumers.     

深圳公立医院管理体制改革制度设计

深圳公立医院管理体制改革实行政事分开、管办分开,在理事会架构下按法定机构模式组建市医管中心,落实公立医院运营管理自主权.作者从当前公立医院管理体制的弊端入手,介绍了深圳市进行公立医院管理体制改革的基本思路及改革方案设计的主要举措,深入剖析了的改革方案的特点,并对改革效果进行了预测.     

Effects of nitrogen dioxide on red blood cells of rats: Changes in components of red cell membranes during in vivo exposure to NO2

Red cell membranes, prepared from red blood cells of rats exposed to 4, 10, or 20 ppm nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) for 1 to 10 days, were examined for evidence of changes in membrane components. Appreciable changes were not found in contents of phospholipid and cholesterol during exposure to 10 ppm NO₂. By contrast, protein content altered with the time of exposure. Moreover, changes in protein composition were observed by employing sodium dodecyl sulfate — polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Twenty-four-hour exposure to NO₂ at the concentration above 10 ppm resulted in a marked increase in the percentage of lysophosphatidylethanolamine (LysoPE) to the total phospholipids. The prolonged exposure to 10 ppm NO₂ gave rise to a further increase in LysoPE, whereas the percentage of phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) showed a gradual decrease. A 1-day exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂ also caused an increase in sialic acid content and decreases in those of PE and hexose. In addition to contents of these components the percentage of LysoPE increased 5 days after exposure and the elevated values were maintained up to the end of exposure period. These results demonstrate that red blood cells in circulation exhibit different membrane properties in terms of lipid and carbohydrate composition during 10 days of exposure to 4.0 ppm NO₂.     

Investigating clusters in the workplace and beyond

Clusters of disease are common and occur in the workplace and in the general community. They often arouse considerable concern among the population. Investigations have sometimes lead to exciting new knowledge, but in general the investigation of clusters is difficult and often unrewarding, especially for community clusters. In the workplace, investigations are more likely to find associations and even new causes, but still many clusters remain enigmatic. Despite this, there are many reasons for investigating clusters, including allaying community concern and identifying uncontrolled exposures. A structure for investigating clusters in the workplace is suggested.