Angela Y. Lee

Background Health care providers and health-related researchers face significant challenges when applying sentiment analysis tools to health-related free-text survey data. Most state-of-the-art applications were developed in domains such as social media, and their performance in the health care context remains relatively unknown. Moreover, existing studies indicate that these tools often lack accuracy and produce inconsistent results. Objective This study aims to address the lack of comparative analysis on sentiment analysis tools applied to health-related free-text survey data in the context of COVID-19. The objective was to automatically predict sentence sentiment for 2 independent COVID-19 survey data sets from the National Institutes of Health and Stanford University. Methods Gold standard labels were created for a subset of each data set using a panel of human raters. We compared 8 state-of-the-art sentiment analysis tools on both data sets to evaluate variability and disagreement across tools. In addition, few-shot learning was explored by fine-tuning Open Pre-Trained Transformers (OPT; a large language model [LLM] with publicly available weights) using a small annotated subset and zero-shot learning using ChatGPT (an LLM without available weights). Results The comparison of sentiment analysis tools revealed high variability and disagreement across the evaluated tools when applied to health-related survey data. OPT and ChatGPT demonstrated superior performance, outperforming all other sentiment analysis tools. Moreover, ChatGPT outperformed …

Interventions to build resilience to misinformation should consider the needs of communities of color, who experience (mis)information in unique ways. We evaluated digital media literacy interventions to improve misinformation resilience among four communities of color in the United States (Black, Latino, Asian American/Pacific Islander, Native American), which were designed by the nonprofit PEN America and community partner organizations. We assessed intervention efficacy in two studies: (1) a quasi-experimental field study among diverse participants recruited via community outreach and (2) a randomized controlled trial among Latinos recruited via a survey company (total N = 370). Results indicated that participants in both studies improved their comprehension of digital media literacy skills after taking the intervention. However, only those recruited via community outreach improved their ability to …

Introduction Breast implants, including textured variants, have been widely used in aesthetic and reconstructive mammoplasty. However, the textured type, which is one of the shell types of breast implants, has been identified as a possible carcinogenic factor for lymphoma, specifically breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). Identifying the texture type of the implant is critical to the diagnosis of BIA-ALCL. However, distinguishing the shell type can be difficult due to human memory or loss of medical history. An alternative approach is to use ultrasonography, but this method also has limitations in quantitative assessment. Objective The objective of this study is to determine the feasibility of using a deep learning model to classify the textured shell type of breast implants and make robust predictions from ultrasonography images from heterogeneous sources. Methods A total of 19,502 breast implant images were retrospectively collected from heterogeneous sources, including images from both Canon (D1) and GE (D2), images of ruptured implants (D3), and images without implants (D4), as well as publicly available images (D5). The Canon (D1) images were trained using Resnet-50. The performance of the model on D1 was evaluated using stratified 5-fold cross-validation. Additionally, external validation was conducted using D2 and D5. The AUROC and PRAUC were calculated based on the contribution of the pixels with Grad-CAM. To identify the significant pixels for classification, we masked the pixels that contributed less than 10%, up to a maximum of 100%. To assess model robustness to uncertainty, Shannon …

Frozen shoulder is a spontaneously self-resolving chronic inflammatory fibrotic human disease, which distinguishes the condition from most fibrotic diseases that are progressive and irreversible. Using single-cell analysis, we identify pro-inflammatory MERTKlowCD48+ macrophages and MERTK + LYVE1 + MRC1+ macrophages enriched for negative regulators of inflammation which co-exist in frozen shoulder capsule tissues. Micro-cultures of patient-derived cells identify integrin-mediated cell-matrix interactions between MERTK+ macrophages and pro-resolving DKK3+ and POSTN+ fibroblasts, suggesting that matrix remodelling plays a role in frozen shoulder resolution. Cross-tissue analysis reveals a shared gene expression cassette between shoulder capsule MERTK+ macrophages and a respective population enriched in synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis patients in disease remission, supporting …

BackgroundFCSK-CDG, also known as fucokinase/fucose kinase deficiency, is an ultrarare inborn error of metabolism caused by bi-allelic pathogenic variants in FCSK (alias: FUK) leading to an impairment in recycling of L-fucose derived from lysosomal glycan degradation. FCSK deficiency results in decrease of its downstream metabolite (GDP-fucose), a crucial glycosylation precursor. When FCSK is not functional, GDP-fucose synthesis becomes dependent on de novo synthesis from GDP-mannose. To date, 5 individuals have been reported with FCSK-CDG in the literature, with a phenotype consisting of global developmental delay, hypotonia, seizures, white matter abnormalities, feeding difficulties, recurrent infections, and chronic diarrhea. No treatment for FCSK-CDG has been described so far. Here we tested whether supplementation with D-mannose or L-fucose would rescue the glycosylation defect in …

Social media mindsets are the core beliefs that orient individuals’ expectations, behaviors, attributions, and goals about social media’s role in their lives. In four survey studies (N = 2,179), we show people hold distinct mindsets about the amount of agency they have over their social media use (“in control” vs. “out of control”) and the valence of its effects (“enhancing” vs. “harmful”) that are meaningfully related to psychological well-being. We develop and apply the Social Media Mindsets scale, revealing that agentic, positive mindsets are associated with better well-being and low-agency, and negative mindsets are associated with worse well-being (Studies 1, 2a, and 2b). Notably, these mindsets explained more variance in relational well-being and psychological distress than other measures (Study 3) and were related to differences in how people used social media and interpreted the time they spent on …

Background and Objectives: The surge in breast-related surgeries in Korea underscores the critical need for an accurate early diagnosis of silicone breast implant-related issues. Complications such as BIA-ALCL and BIA-SCC add complexity to breast health concerns, necessitating vigilant monitoring. Despite advancements, discrepancies persist between ultrasonographic and pathologic classifications of silicone implant ruptures, highlighting a need for enhanced diagnostic tools. This study explores the reliability of ultrasonography in diagnosing silicone breast implant ruptures and determining the extent of silicone migration, specifically with a focus on guiding potential capsulectomy based on pathology. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review of medical records encompassing 5557 breast implants across 2790 patients who underwent ultrasound-assisted examinations was conducted. Among the screened implants, 8.9% (249 cases) were diagnosed with silicone breast implant rupture through ultrasonography. Subsequently, 89 women underwent revisional surgery, involving capsulectomy. The pathological analysis of 111 periprosthetic capsules from these cases aimed to assess the extent of silicone migration, and the findings were juxtaposed with the existing ultrasonographic rupture classification. Results: The diagnostic agreement between preoperative sonography and postoperative findings reached 100% for silicone breast implant ruptures. All eighty prosthetic capsules exhibiting a snowstorm sign in ultrasonography demonstrated silicone migration to capsules upon pathologic findings. Conclusions: High-resolution …

BackgroundThe screening mammogram could be a “teachable moment” to improve lung cancer screening (LCS) uptake. The aim of our project was to combine patient self-referral with eligibility identification by providers as a two-pronged approach to increase rates of LCS among eligible women.MethodsLCS education materials were created to stimulate patient education and encourage self-referral. Chart review of patients scheduled for screening mammography was performed to identify patients who met LCS criteria. The primary outcome was rate of acceptance of targeted interventions as measured by qualitative survey material and rate of LCS uptake.ResultsBetween August 2022 and August 2023, 116 patients were identified by providers for potential eligibility for LCS and 34 (29.3%) deemed eligible based on the United States Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) 2021 guidelines. 19 (56%) patients …

Mutations in the orphan transporter MFSD7c (also known as Flvcr2), are linked to Fowler syndrome. Here, we used Mfsd7c knockout (Mfsd7c–/–) mice and cell-based assays to reveal that MFSD7c is a choline transporter at the blood–brain barrier (BBB). We performed comprehensive metabolomics analysis and detected differential changes of metabolites in the brains and livers of Mfsd7c–/–embryos. Particularly, we found that choline-related metabolites were altered in the brains but not in the livers of Mfsd7c–/– embryos. Thus, we hypothesized that MFSD7c regulates the level of choline in the brain. Indeed, expression of human MFSD7c in cells significantly increased choline uptake. Interestingly, we showed that choline uptake by MFSD7c is greatly increased by choline-metabolizing enzymes, leading us to demonstrate that MFSD7c is a facilitative transporter of choline. Furthermore, single-cell patch clamp …

ObjectiveSpinal cord ischemia (SCI) with paraplegia or paraparesis is a devastating complication of complex aortic repair (CAR). Treatment includes cerebrospinal fluid drainage, maintenance of hemoglobin concentration (>10 g/L), and elevating mean arterial blood pressure. Animal and human case series have reported improvements in SCI outcomes with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). We reviewed our center’s experience with HBOT as a rescue treatment for spinal cord ischemia post-CAR in addition to standard treatment.MethodsA retrospective review of the University Health Network’s Hyperbaric Medicine Unit treatment database identified HBOT sessions for patients with SCI post-CAR between January 2013 and June 2021. Mean estimates of overall motor function scores were determined for postoperative, pre-HBOT, post-HBOT (within 4 hours of the final HBOT session), and at the final assessment …

We developed an efficient CRISPR prime editing protocol and generated isogenic-induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines carrying heterozygous or homozygous alleles for putatively causal single nucleotide variants at six type 2 diabetes loci (ABCC8, MTNR1B, TCF7L2, HNF4A, CAMK1D, and GCK). Our two-step sequence-based approach to first identify transfected cell pools with the highest fraction of edited cells significantly reduced the downstream efforts to isolate single clones of edited cells. We found that prime editing can make targeted genetic changes in iPSC and optimization of system components and guide RNA designs that were critical to achieve acceptable efficiency. Systems utilizing PEmax, epegRNA modifications, and MLH1dn provided significant benefit, producing editing efficiencies of 36–73%. Editing success and pegRNA design optimization required for each variant differed depending on …

Our study explores how the political composition of small groups influences the group’s ability to collectively recognize and respond to online misinformation. We aim to conduct a 5 (Liberal Groups vs. Conservative Groups vs. Heterogeneous Groups vs. Liberal Individuals vs. Conservative Individuals) between-subjects design online experiment (N= 450) via online crowdsourcing platforms.

The widespread adoption of video-conferencing has not only transformed communication at scale, but also increased feelings of Zoom fatigue among workers around the world. Although Zoom fatigue is well-documented, it is still unclear what aspects of video-conferencing contribute to this sense of exhaustion. This paper leveraged theory on computer-mediated communication (CMC) to investigate the causes of Zoom fatigue in an online convenience sample of 9787 participants. We provide empirical evidence that Zoom fatigue is influenced by the dynamics of individuals' video-conferencing usage and their psychological experience of the meeting. Specifically, our results support Bailenson's theory of nonverbal overload (2021) that video-conferences are exhausting because maintaining the nonverbal communication cues required in video-based calls (e.g., making eye contact with many people at once) can be …

Given widespread concerns about the unprecedented scale and speed at which misinformation can spread online, our study explores whether group discussions can improve individuals’ ability to identify false information on social media. We aim to conduct a 2 (group size: individual vs. group) factorial between-subjects design experiment (N= 240) in laboratory settings.

This online study will investigate whether participants overestimate the percentage of accounts that create toxic comments on Reddit. We will examine how participants’ lay definitions of comments as" severely toxic" align with the definition of" severely toxic" used by widely-used classifiers.

Criterion measures vary greatly in terms of their psychometric quality and ease of use. This paper serves two purposes. First, it provides a general summary of different approaches to criterion measurement in a military context. Second, it provides an extensive review of 16 specific types of criterion measurement methods (e.g., job performance rating scales, self-report questionnaires, job knowledge tests) on nine psychometric and ease-of-use evaluation factors. Eight criterion measurement experts read a summary of extant research and made ratings to evaluate each measurement method on the evaluation factors. Rater intra-class correlations (ICCs) were high, ranging from .75 to .95 across the evaluation dimensions with a median of .91. Data showed a quality-feasibility tradeoff, where criterion data that are easy to obtain often have technical flaws. Recommendations for military services and future directions in …

Background:PRPS1 deficiency spectrum is an X-linked condition caused by pathogenic variants in PRPS1, which encodes for the PRPP enzyme involved in the purine synthesis pathway, among other metabolic pathways. Severely affected individuals, also known as Arts syndrome, have congenital sensorineural hearing loss, optic atrophy, developmental delays, ataxia, hypotonia, and recurrent infections. Infections often precipitate worsening of symptoms and many individuals pass away in childhood. Mildly to moderately affected individuals can have isolated hearing loss, also known as DFNX1, or hearing loss with later onset ataxia and optic neuropathy concerns, also known as CMTX5. Given the importance of PRPP in the role of purine synthesis as well as other cellular processes, including formation of NAD (P), supplementation of these pathways is a logical approach for these patients. 2 Arts syndrome patients were previously supplemented with S-adenosylmethionine, starting in mid-childhood, with improvement in infection severity and frequency, as well as stabilization of other symptoms. Recently another Arts syndrome patient was supplemented with S-adenosylmethionine and nicotinamide riboside, starting in early childhood, with improvement in infection frequency and developmental gains. Here we present a now 23 month old male patient with severe PRPS1 deficiency spectrum symptoms, who was started on S-adenosylmethionine and nicotinamide riboside supplementation. Result (s) This is a 23 month old male with developmental delay, retinal dystrophy, congenital bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, and hypotonia with a …

ImportanceCurrent data identifying COVID-19 risk factors lack standardized outcomes and insufficiently control for confounders.ObjectiveTo identify risk factors associated with COVID-19, severe COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 infection.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis secondary cross-protocol analysis included 4 multicenter, international, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, COVID-19 vaccine efficacy trials with harmonized protocols established by the COVID-19 Prevention Network. Individual-level data from participants randomized to receive placebo within each trial were combined and analyzed. Enrollment began July 2020 and the last data cutoff was in July 2021. Participants included adults in stable health, at risk for SARS-CoV-2, and assigned to the placebo group within each vaccine trial. Data were analyzed from April 2022 to February 2023.ExposuresComorbid conditions, demographic factors …

This paper examines strategies for making misinformation interventions responsive to four communities of color. Using qualitative focus groups with members of four non-profit organizations, we worked with community leaders to identify misinformation narratives, sources of exposure, and effective intervention strategies in the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Black, Latino, and Native American communities. Analyzing the findings from those focus groups, we identified several pathways through which misinformation prevention efforts can be more equitable and effective. Building from our findings, we propose steps practitioners, academics, and policymakers can take to better address the misinformation crisis within communities of color. We illustrate how these recommendations can be put into practice through examples from workshops co-designed with a non-profit working on disinformation and media literacy.

Genetic studies have identified numerous loci associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), but the functional roles of many loci remain unexplored. Here, we engineered isogenic knockout human embryonic stem cell lines for 20 genes associated with T2D risk. We examined the impacts of each knockout on β cell differentiation, functions, and survival. We generated gene expression and chromatin accessibility profiles on β cells derived from each knockout line. Analyses of T2D-association signals overlapping HNF4A-dependent ATAC peaks identified a likely causal variant at the FAIM2 T2D-association signal. Additionally, the integrative association analyses identified four genes (CP, RNASE1, PCSK1N, and GSTA2) associated with insulin production, and two genes (TAGLN3 and DHRS2) associated with β cell sensitivity to lipotoxicity. Finally, we leveraged deep ATAC-seq read coverage to assess allele-specific …