Psychol Sci. 2014 Oct 6. pii: 0956797614545132. [Epub ahead of print]

Replicability and Robustness of Genome-Wide-Association Studies for Behavioral Traits.

Rietveld CA1, Conley D2, Eriksson N3, Esko T4, Medland SE5, Vinkhuyzen AA6, Yang J6, Boardman JD7, Chabris CF8, Dawes CT9, Domingue BW10, Hinds DA3, Johannesson M11, Kiefer AK3, Laibson D12, Magnusson PK13, Mountain JL3, Oskarsson S14, Rostapshova O12, Teumer A15, Tung JY3, Visscher PM16,Benjamin DJ17, Cesarini D18, Koellinger PD19; the Social Science Genetics Association Consortium; the Social Science Genetics Association Consortium.

Collaborators (31)

Author information

• 1Department of Applied Economics, Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
• 2Department of Sociology, New York University.
• 323andMe, Inc., Mountain View, California.
• 4Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu.
• 5Queensland Institute of Medical Research Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
• 6Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
• 7Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, Boulder Department of Sociology, University of Colorado, Denver.
• 8Department of Psychology, Union College.
• 9Wilf Family Department of Politics, New York University.
• 10Institute of Behavioral Science, University of Colorado, Boulder.
• 11Department of Economics, Stockholm School of Economics.
• 12Department of Economics, Harvard University.
• 13Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet.
• 14Department of Government, Uppsala University.
• 15Interfaculty Institute for Genetics and Functional Genomics, Department of Functional Genomics, Greifswald Medical School.
• 16Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, The University of Queensland, Brisbane.
• 17Department of Economics, Cornell University.
• 18Center for Experimental Social Science, Department of Economics, New York University Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of Decision Making, New York University.
• 19Department of Applied Economics, Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Amsterdam p.d.koellinger@uva.nl.

Abstract

A recent genome-wide-association study of educational attainment identified three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) whose associations, despite their small effect sizes (each R2 ≈ 0.02%), reached genome-wide significance (p < 5 × 10-8) in a large discovery sample and were replicated in an independent sample (p < .05). The study also reported associations between educational attainment and indices of SNPs called "polygenic scores." In three studies, we evaluated the robustness of these findings. Study 1 showed that the associations with all three SNPs were replicated in another large (N = 34,428) independent sample. We also found that the scores remained predictive (R2 ≈ 2%) in regressions with stringent controls for stratification (Study 2) and in new within-family analyses (Study 3). Our results show that large and therefore well-powered genome-wide-association studies can identify replicable genetic associations with behavioral traits. The small effect sizes of individual SNPs are likely to be a major contributing factor explaining the striking contrast between our results and the disappointing replication record of most candidate-gene studies.

How Do Mobile Phone Diabetes Programs Drive Behavior Change?

Diabetes Educ. 2014 Oct 2. pii: 0145721714551992. [Epub ahead of print]

How Do Mobile Phone Diabetes Programs Drive Behavior Change? Evidence From a Mixed Methods Observational Cohort Study.

Nundy S1, Mishra A1, Hogan P1, Lee SM1, Solomon MC1, Peek ME2.

Author information

• 1Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Nundy, Ms Mishra, Mr Hogan, Dr Peek)Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Nundy, Dr Peek)Department of Health Studies, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Lee)Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Ms Solomon)Center for Health and Social Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Peek)Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Peek).
• 2Department of Medicine, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Nundy, Ms Mishra, Mr Hogan, Dr Peek)Chicago Center for Diabetes Translation Research, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Nundy, Dr Peek)Department of Health Studies, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Lee)Department of Pediatrics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Ms Solomon)Center for Health and Social Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Peek)Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois (Dr Peek) mpeek@medicine.bsd.uchicago.edu.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the behavioral effects of a theory-driven, mobile phone-based intervention that combines automated text messaging and remote nursing, using an automated, interactive text messaging system.

METHODS:

This was a mixed methods observational cohort study. Study participants were members of the University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP) who largely reside in a working-class, urban African American community. Surveys were conducted at baseline, 3 months (mid-intervention), and 6 months (postintervention) to test the hypothesis that the intervention would be associated with improvements in self-efficacy, social support, health beliefs, and self-care. In addition, in-depth individual interviews were conducted with 14 participants and then analyzed using the constant comparative method to identify new behavioral constructs affected by the intervention.

RESULTS:

The intervention was associated with improvements in 5 of 6 domains of self-care (medication taking, glucose monitoring, foot care, exercise, and healthy eating) and improvements in 1 or more measures of self-efficacy, social support, and health beliefs (perceived control). Qualitatively, participants reported that knowledge, attitudes, and ownership were also affected by the program. Together these findings were used to construct a new behavioral model.

CONCLUSIONS:

This study's findings challenge the prevailing assumption that mobile phones largely affect behavior change through reminders and support the idea that behaviorally driven mobile health interventions can address multiple behavioral pathways associated with sustained behavior change.

Pers Soc Psychol Bull. 2014 Oct 6. pii: 0146167214551152. [Epub ahead of print]

Shifting Liberal and Conservative Attitudes Using Moral Foundations Theory.

Day MV1, Fiske ST2, Downing EL3, Trail TE4.

Author information

• 1Princeton University, NJ, USA mday@fas.harvard.edu.
• 2Princeton University, NJ, USA.
• 3Microsoft, Seattle, WA, USA.
• 4RAND Corporation, Arlington, VA, USA.

Abstract

People's social and political opinions are grounded in their moral concerns about right and wrong. We examine whether five moral foundations-harm, fairness, ingroup, authority, and purity-can influence political attitudes of liberals and conservatives across a variety of issues. Framing issues using moral foundations may change political attitudes in at least two possible ways: (a) Entrenching: Relevant moral foundations will strengthen existing political attitudes when framing pro-attitudinal issues (e.g., conservatives exposed to a free-market economic stance) and (b) Persuasion: Mere presence of relevant moral foundations may also alter political attitudes in counter-attitudinal directions (e.g., conservatives exposed to an economic regulation stance). Studies 1 and 2 support the entrenching hypothesis. Relevant moral foundation-based frames bolstered political attitudes for conservatives (Study 1) and liberals (Study 2). Only Study 2 partially supports the persuasion hypothesis. Conservative-relevant moral frames of liberal issues increased conservatives' liberal attitudes.

From Oxford: Toleration and the Design of Norms

Sci Eng Ethics. 2014 Oct 7. [Epub ahead of print]

Toleration and the Design of Norms.

Floridi L.

Author information

• Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, 1 St Giles, Oxford, OX1 3JS, UK, luciano.floridi@oii.ox.ac.uk.

Abstract

One of the pressing challenges we face today-in a post-Westphalian order (emergence of the state as the modern, political information agent) and post-Bretton Woods world (emergence of non-state multiagent systems or MASs as "hyperhistorical" players in the global economy and politics)-is how to design the right kind of MAS that can take full advantage of the socio-economic and political progress made so far, while dealing successfully with the new global challenges that are undermining the best legacy of that very progress. This is the topic of the article. In it, I argue that (i) in order to design the right kind of MAS, we need to design the right kind of norms that constitute them; (ii) in order to design the right kind of constitutive norms, we need to identify and adopt the right kind of principles of normative design; (iii) toleration is one of those principles; (iv) unfortunately, its role as a foundation for the design of norms has been undermined by the "paradox of toleration"; (v) however, the paradox can be solved; (vi) so toleration can be re-instated as the right kind of foundational principle for the design of the right kind of norms that can constitute the right kind of MAS that can operate across cultures, societies and states, to help us to tackle the new global challenges facing us.

BMC Pulm Med. 2014 Oct 6;14(1):159. [Epub ahead of print]

Self-reported exercise and longitudinal outcomes in cystic fibrosis: a retrospective cohort study.

Collaco JM, Blackman SM, Raraigh KS, Morrow CB, Cutting GR, Paranjape SM.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is characterized by recurrent respiratory infections and progressive lung disease. Whereas exercise may contribute to preserving lung function, its benefit is difficult to ascertain given the selection bias of healthier patients being more predisposed to exercise. Our objective was to examine the role of self-reported exercise with longitudinal lung function and body mass index (BMI) measures in CF.

METHODS:

A total of 1038 subjects with CF were recruited through the U.S. CF Twin-Sibling Study. Questionnaires were used to determine exercise habits. Questionnaires, chart review, and U.S. CF Foundation Patient Registry data were used to track outcomes.

RESULTS:

Within the study sample 75% of subjects self-reported regular exercise. Exercise was associated with an older age of diagnosis (p = 0.002), older age at the time of ascertainment (p < 0.001), and higher baseline FEV1 (p = 0.001), but not CFTR genotype (p = 0.64) or exocrine pancreatic function (p = 0.19). In adjusted mixed models, exercise was associated with both a reduced decline in FEV1 (p < 0.001) and BMI Z-score (p = 0.001) for adults, but not children aged 10-17 years old.

CONCLUSIONS:

In our retrospective study, self-reported exercise was associated with improved longitudinal nutritional and pulmonary outcomes incystic fibrosis for adults. Although prospective studies are needed to confirm these associations, programs to promote regular exercise among individuals with cystic fibrosis would be beneficial.

J Autoimmun. 2014 Sep 23. pii: S0896-8411(14)00130-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaut.2014.09.001. [Epub ahead of print]

Clinical features and pathobiology of Ebolavirus infection.

Ansari AA.

Author information

• Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Electronic address: pathaaa@emory.edu.

Abstract

There has clearly been a deluge of international press coverage of the recent outbreak of Ebolavirus in Africa and is partly related to the "fear factor" that comes across when one is confronted with the fact that once infected, not only is the speed of death in a majority of cases rapid but also the images of the cause of death such as bleeding from various orifices gruesome and frightening. The fact that it leads to infection and death of health care providers (10% during the current epidemic) and the visualization of protective gear worn by these individuals to contain such infection adds to this "fear factor". Finally, there is a clear perceived notion that such an agent can be utilized as a bioterrorism agent that adds to the apprehension. Thus, in efforts to gain an objective view of the growing threat Ebolavirus poses to the general public, it is important to provide some basic understanding for the lethality of Ebolavirus infection that is highlighted in Fig. 1. This virus infection first appears to disable the immune system (the very system needed to fight the infection) and subsequently disables the vascular system that leads to blood leakage (hemorrhage), hypotension, drop in blood pressure, followed by shock and death. The virus appears to sequentially infect dendritic cells disabling the interferon system (one of the major host anti-viral immune systems) then macrophages (that trigger the formation of blood clots, release of inflammatory proteins and nitric oxide damaging the lining of blood vessels leading to blood leakage) and finally endothelial cells that contribute to blood leakage. The virus also affects organs such as the liver (that dysregulates the formation of coagulation proteins), the adrenal gland (that destroys the ability of the patient to synthesize steroids and leads to circulation failure and disabling of regulators of blood pressure) and the gastro-intestinal tract (leading to diarrhea). The ability of the virus to disable such major mechanisms in the body facilitates the ability of the virus to replicate in an uncontrolled fashion leading to the rapidity by which the virus can cause lethality. Various laboratories have been working on defining such mechanisms utilizing in vitro culture systems, a variety of animal models including inbred strains of normal and select gene knock out mice, guinea pigs and nonhuman primates that have led to a better understanding of the potential mechanisms involved. There have also been some major advances made in the identification of therapies from the very simple (major supportive type of therapy), to the identification of a number of highly effective chemotherapeutic agents, a variety of highly effective preventive (demonstrating 100% effectiveness in nonhuman primate models) recombinant formulations (adenovirus based, VSV-based, rabies virus based), therapeutic candidate vaccines (cocktail of monoclonal antibodies such as ZMAPP) and alternate approaches (RNAi-based such as TKM-Ebola and antisense based such as AVI-7537) that show great promise and at an unprecedented rate of discovery that speaks well for the scientific research community at large.

Family of Dallas Ebola Patient Who Died Upset Over 'Unfair' Treatment

Duncan’s nephew Joe Weeks told ABC News he felt Duncan had “unfair” medical treatment. Weeks suggested that Duncan did not get the same treatment being given to Ebola patient Ashoka Mukpo in a Nebraska hospital, although he did not detail that alleged difference.

He said the family questioned why Duncan was not moved to Emory University Hospital, where two American health workers were successfully treated after becoming infected with Ebola in Liberia.

“No one has died of Ebola in the U.S. before. This is the first time,” Weeks told ABC News. “We need all the help we can get.”

From UTMB: Marburg and Ebola--arming ourselves against the deadly filoviruses

N Engl J Med. 2005 Jun 23;352(25):2571-3.

Marburg and Ebola--arming ourselves against the deadly filoviruses.

Peters CJ.

Author information

• Center for Biodefense and Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA.

From UTMB: Prospects for immunization against Marburg and Ebola viruses

Rev Med Virol. 2010 Nov;20(6):344-57. doi: 10.1002/rmv.661.

Prospects for immunisation against Marburg and Ebola viruses.

Geisbert TW1, Bausch DG, Feldmann H.

Author information

• 1Galveston National Laboratory1 and Department of Microbiology and Immunology2, University of Texas Medical Branch, 301 University Blvd.,Galveston, TX, USA. twgeisbe@utmb.edu

Abstract

For more than 30 years the filoviruses, Marburg virus and Ebola virus, have been associated with periodic outbreaks of hemorrhagic fever that produce severe and often fatal disease. The filoviruses are endemic primarily in resource-poor regions in Central Africa and are also potential agents of bioterrorism. Although no vaccines or antiviral drugs for Marburg or Ebola are currently available, remarkable progress has been made over the last decade in developing candidate preventive vaccines against filoviruses in nonhuman primate models. Due to the generally remote locations of filovirus outbreaks, a single-injection vaccine is desirable. Among the prospective vaccines that have shown efficacy in nonhuman primate models of filoviral hemorrhagic fever, two candidates, one based on a replication-defective adenovirus serotype 5 and the other on a recombinant VSV (rVSV), were shown to provide complete protection to nonhuman primates when administered as a single injection. The rVSV-based vaccine has also shown utility when administered for postexposure prophylaxis against filovirus infections. A VSV-based Ebola vaccine was recently used to manage a potential laboratory exposure.

From UTMB: Pathogenesis of the viral hemorrhagic fevers

Annu Rev Pathol. 2013 Jan 24;8:411-40. doi: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-020712-164041. Epub 2012 Nov 1.

Pathogenesis of the viral hemorrhagic fevers.

Paessler S1, Walker DH.

Author information

• 1Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555, USA. slpaessl@utmb.edu

Abstract

Four families of enveloped RNA viruses, filoviruses, flaviviruses, arenaviruses, and bunyaviruses, cause hemorrhagic fevers. These viruses are maintained in specific natural cycles involving nonhuman primates, bats, rodents, domestic ruminants, humans, mosquitoes, and ticks. Vascular instability varies from mild to fatal shock, and hemorrhage ranges from none to life threatening. The pathogenic mechanisms are extremely diverse and include deficiency of hepatic synthesis of coagulation factors owing to hepatocellular necrosis, cytokine storm, increased permeability by vascular endothelial growth factor, complement activation, and disseminated intravascular coagulation in one or more hemorrhagic fevers. The severity of disease caused by these agents varies tremendously; there are extremely high fatality rates in Ebola and Marburg hemorrhagic fevers, and asymptomatic infection predominates in yellow fever and dengue viral infections. Although ineffective immunity and high viral loads are characteristic of several viral hemorrhagic fevers, severe plasma leakage occurs at the time of viral clearance and defervescence in dengue hemorrhagic fever.

From UTMB: Medical research: Ebola therapy protects severely ill monkeys

Nature. 2014 Oct 2;514(7520):41-3. doi: 10.1038/nature13746. Epub 2014 Aug 29.

Medical research: Ebola therapy protects severely ill monkeys.

Geisbert TW.

Author information

• University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston National Laboratory, Galveston, Texas 77550-0610, USA.

Comment on

• Reversion of advanced Ebola virus disease in nonhuman primates with ZMapp. [Nature. 2014]

Will Airport Ebola Screenings Be Effective? (false positives...)

Will Airport Ebola Screenings Be Effective?

Five U.S. airports will screen for the disease by taking travelers' temperatures.

Larry Gostin, a global health law professor at Georgetown University, is also skeptical.  "Fever screening can be unobtrusive, but let's not have the false impression that this is a tried-and-true method and it's going to keep Ebola out of the United States," he said. The practice could ultimately wasting the airport staff's time. Gostin said that a passenger with vertigo drew attention to airport authorities for hours, only to find that the emergency was a false positive. To Gostin, cases like that are a testament to a waste of efforts to appease a panicked public. "There's a lot of pressure to do something [to] make the public feel reassured, even if it really doesn't make them safer," he said.

Airborne Ebola "a remote possibility"

Could an Ebola virus mutation make it airborne? It's a remote possibility

Anthony Banbury, the secretary general’s special representative, said aid workers are racing to bring the epidemic under control, in case the Ebola virus mutates in a way that it could be transmitted through the air.

“The longer it moves around in human hosts in the virulent melting pot that is West Africa, the more chances increase that it could mutate,” Banbury was quoted as saying in media reports. “It is a nightmare scenario (that it could become airborne], and unlikely, but it can’t be ruled out.”

Is Diabetes Color-Blind?

Popul Health Manag. 2014 Oct 7. [Epub ahead of print]

Is Diabetes Color-Blind? Growth of Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes in Children Through 2030.

Adepoju OE1, Bolin JN, Booth EA, Zhao H, Lin SH, Phillips CD, Ohsfeldt RL.

Author information

• 11 School of Public Health, Texas A&M Health Science Center , College Station, Texas; Accountable Care/Health Homes Program, United Health Group, Sugar Land, Texas.

Abstract

Abstract Diabetes knows no age and affects millions of individuals. Preventing diabetes in children is increasingly becoming a major health policyconcern and focus. The objective of this study is to project the number of children, aged 0-17 years, with diagnosed diabetes in the United States through 2030, accounting for changing demography, and diabetes and obesity prevalence rates. The study team combined historic diabetes and obesity prevalence data with US child population estimates and projections. A times-series regression model was used to forecast future diabetes prevalence and to account for the relationship between the forecasted diabetes prevalence and the lagged prevalence of childhood obesity. Overall, the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes is projected to increase 67% from 0.22% in 2010 to 0.36% in 2030. Lagged obesity prevalence in Hispanic boys and non-Hispanic black girls was significantly associated with increasing future diabetes prevalence. The study results showed that a 1% increase in obesity prevalence among Hispanic boys from the previous year was significantly associated with a 0.005% increase in future prevalence of diagnosed diabetes in children (P≤0.01). Likewise, a unit increase in obesity prevalence among non-Hispanic black girls was associated with a 0.003% increase in future diabetes prevalence (P<0.05). Obesity rates for other race/ethnicity combinations were not associated with increasing future diabetes prevalence. To mitigate the continued threat posed by diabetes, serious discussions need to focus on the pediatric population, particularly non-Hispanic black girls and Hispanic boys whose obesity trends show the strongest associations with future diabetes prevalence in children. 

Nurs Ethics. 2014 Oct 6. pii: 0969733014547972. [Epub ahead of print]

Strategies for handling ethical problems in end of life care: obstacles and possibilities.

Rejnö A1, Berg L2.

Author information

• 1Skaraborg Hospital Skövde, Sweden; University West, Sweden asa.rejno@vgregion.se.
• 2University of Gothenburg, Sweden.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In end of life care, ethical problems often come to the fore. Little research is performed on ways or strategies for handling those problems and even less on obstacles to and possibilities of using such strategies. A previous study illuminated stroke team members' experiences ofethical problems and how the teams managed the situation when caring for patients faced with sudden and unexpected death from stroke. These findings have been further explored in this study.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the study was to illuminate obstacles and possibilities perceived by stroke team members in using strategies for handlingethical problems when caring for patients afflicted by sudden and unexpected death caused by stroke.

RESEARCH DESIGN:

A qualitative method with combined deductive and inductive content analysis was utilized.

PARTICIPANTS AND RESEARCH CONTEXT:

Data were collected through individual interviews with 15 stroke team members working in stroke units of two associated county hospitals in western Sweden.

ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS:

The study was approved by the Regional Ethics Review Board, Gothenburg, Sweden. Permission was also obtained from the director of each stroke unit.

FINDINGS:

All the studied strategies for handling of ethical problems were found to have both obstacles and possibilities. Uncertainty is shown as a major obstacle and unanimity as a possibility in the use of the strategies. The findings also illuminate the value of the concept "the patient's best interests" as a starting point for the carers' ethical reasoning.

CONCLUSION:

The concept "the patient's best interests" used as a starting point for ethical reasoning among the carers is not explicitly defined yet, which might make this value difficult to use both as a universal concept and as an argument for decisions. Carers therefore need to strengthen their argumentation and reflect on and use ethically grounded arguments and defined ethical values like dignity in their clinical work and decisions.

Altern Lab Anim. 2014 Sep;42(4):245-259.

The Three Rs - Opportunities for Improving Animal Welfare and the Quality of Scientific Research.

Combes RD1, Balls M2.

Author information

• 1Independent Consultant, Norwich, UK.
• 2c/o FRAME, Russell and Burch House, Nottingham, UK.

Abstract

In 2013, an undercover investigation by the BUAV raised serious concerns about the use, treatment and care of laboratory animals involved in regulated procedures at Imperial College, London. This led to an inquiry, set up by the college, which found deficiencies in the local ethical review process and a general lack of focus on the implementation of the Three Rs (Replacement, Refinement and Reduction). The Three Rs concept is the foundation of UK and EU legislation, but surveys of the published literature show that lack of its adoption is widespread. In spite of numerous guidelines, publications and publicity material extolling the benefits of the Three Rs to both animals and science, as well as substantial advances in the development, validation, and deployment of mechanistically-based non-animal methods, many scientists prefer to use traditional animal-based approaches. In addition, such scientists tend to pay less attention than they should to strategic planning, experimental design and the choice of appropriate statistical procedures. They are often unaware of the existence of replacement test methods to address all or some of their objectives, and are reluctant to develop and use new replacement methods. We explore some possible reasons for these shortcomings. We summarise the welfare and scientific effects of each of the Three Rs, and argue that: a) there is an urgent need for evidence to be made readily accessible to prospective licensees, which directly demonstrates the beneficial effects on animal welfare of the implementation of the Three Rs, separately and in combination, and the direct link this has with the quality of the scientific data obtained; b) a detailed systematic review of this evidence should be undertaken to augment the inadequate content of the prescribed Module 5 licensee training offered currently in the UK; c) such training (including that suggested in new EU-wide proposals) should be much more comprehensive, with stronger emphasis on the Three Rs, all parts of the syllabus should be fully examined, and there should be no exemptions from Module 5 training; and d) as the responsible Government department in the UK, the Home Office should take measures to tighten up its guidance for local ethical review, and its system of inspection of designated establishments, to obviate the justification for future undercover investigations.

Account Res. 2015;22(1):22-40. doi: 10.1080/08989621.2014.899909.

Problems with traditional science publishing and finding a wider niche for post-publication peer review.

Teixeira da Silva JA1, Dobránszki J.

Author information

• 1a P. O. Box 7, Miki-cho post office, Ikenobe 3011-2 , Kagawa-ken , 761-0799 , Japan.

Abstract

Science affects multiple basic sectors of society. Therefore, the findings made in science impact what takes place at a commercial level. More specifically, errors in the literature, incorrect findings, fraudulent data, poorly written scientific reports, or studies that cannot be reproduced not only serve as a burden on tax-payers' money, but they also serve to diminish public trust in science and its findings. Therefore, there is every need to fortify the validity of data that exists in the science literature, not only to build trust among peers, and to sustain that trust, but to reestablish trust in the public and private academic sectors that are witnessing a veritable battle-ground in the world of science publishing, in some ways spurred by the rapid evolution of the open access (OA) movement. Even though many science journals, traditional and OA, claim to be peer reviewed, the truth is that different levels of peer review occur, and in some cases no, insufficient, or pseudo-peer review takes place. This ultimately leads to the erosion of quality and importance of science, allowing essentially anything to become published, provided that an outlet can be found. In some cases, predatory OA journals serve this purpose, allowing papers to be published, often without any peer review or quality control. In the light of an explosion of such cases in predatory OA publishing, and in severe inefficiencies and possible bias in the peer review of even respectable science journals, as evidenced by the increasing attention given to retractions, there is an urgent need to reform the way in which authors, editors, and publishers conduct the first line of quality control, the peer review. One way to address the problem is through post-publication peer review (PPPR), an efficient complement to traditional peer-review that allows for the continuous improvement and strengthening of the quality of science publishing. PPPR may also serve as a way to renew trust in scientific findings by correcting the literature. This article explores what is broadly being said about PPPR in the literature, so as to establish awareness and a possible first-tier prototype for the sciences for which such a system is undeveloped or weak.

From U Oxford: The evaluability bias in charitable giving: Saving administration costs or saving lives?

Judgm Decis Mak. 2014 Jul 1;9(4):303-316.

The evaluability bias in charitable giving: Saving administration costs or saving lives?

Caviola L1, Faulmüller N2, Everett JA3, Savulescu J4, Kahane G5.

Author information

• 1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, 9 South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3UD, U.K.
• 2†Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford ; Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford ; Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford.
• 3†Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford ; Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford.
• 4Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford ; Oxford Martin School, University of Oxford.
• 5Oxford Uehiro Centre for Practical Ethics, University of Oxford.

Abstract

We describe the "evaluability bias": the tendency to weight the importance of an attribute in proportion to its ease of evaluation. We propose that the evaluability bias influences decision making in the context of charitable giving: people tend to have a strong preference for charities with low overhead ratios (lower administrative expenses) but not for charities with high cost-effectiveness (greater number of saved lives per dollar), because the former attribute is easier to evaluate than the latter. In line with this hypothesis, we report the results of four studies showing that, when presented with a single charity, people are willing to donate more to a charity with low overhead ratio, regardless of cost-effectiveness. However, when people are presented with two charities simultaneously-thereby enabling comparative evaluation-they base their donation behavior on cost-effectiveness (Study 1). This suggests that people primarily value cost-effectiveness but manifest the evaluability bias in cases where they find it difficult to evaluate. However, people seem also to value a low overhead ratio for its own sake (Study 2). The evaluability bias effect applies to charities of different domains (Study 3). We also show that overhead ratio is easier to evaluate when its presentation format is a ratio, suggesting an inherent reference point that allows meaningful interpretation (Study 4).

Am J Med Sci. 2014 Oct 2. [Epub ahead of print]

Weighing Projections of Physical Decline in Lung Cancer Surgery Decisions.

Cykert S1, Walker PR, Edwards LJ, McGuire FR, Dilworth-Anderson P.

Author information

• 1Division of General Internal Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology (SC), North Carolina Area Health Education Centers Program, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Thoracic Oncology Program (PRW), Leo Jenkins Cancer Center, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina; Department of Biostatistics (LJE), Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine (FRM), The University of South Carolina School of Medicine; and Department of Health Policy and Management (PD-A), Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Abstract

BACKGROUND::

Patients with early-stage lung cancer often have comorbid illnesses and fear debility and death when contemplating surgery. However, data that compare physical function of patients who receive surgery with similar patients who do not are sparse. The authors report 1-year outcome results for surgical and nonsurgical patients in a prospective lung cancer cohort to address this gap.

METHODS::

The authors enrolled 386 patients with early-stage lung cancer. A 106-item survey was completed at the time of enrollment including the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) Health Survey to assess functional status. Patients were followed for a year. Chart abstractions were obtained to determine comorbid illnesses and surgical status. Death was ascertained through vital records. The SF-12 was repeated 1 year after the enrollment. Regression models were constructed to identify predictors of 1-year mortality and decline in physical function.

RESULTS::

Fifty-nine patients (15.3%) died before 1-year follow-up. Mortality in the surgical group was 10.8% compared with 22.8% in the nonsurgical group (P < 0.001). In regression analysis controlling for age and comorbidities, surgical treatment was associated with a reduction in 1-year mortality (odds ratio: 0.5 and 95% confidence interval: 0.3-1.0) but did not worsen physical function relative to the untreated group (average decrease in physical component score of SF-12 = 1.9 for surgery group and 2.5 for no surgery group, P = 0.66).

CONCLUSIONS::

Functional decline between surgically treated and untreated patients did not differ. This result casts doubt on its value as a treatment determinant. Cancer mortality seems to be a more essential issue in treatment decisions.