Category: Statistics

BMC Vet Res. 2025 May 30;21(1):392. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04799-5.

ABSTRACT

Food security and employment prospects are significantly influenced by the fish industry. A cross-sectional study was conducted from February 2023 to March 2024 to determine the pathological lesions, prevalence, and associated risk factors of L. intestinalis infection in Labeobarbus fish species in Lake Tana, Ethiopia. A total of 384 Labeobarbus fish were randomly selected from local fishermen and their associations. Pathological lesions were examined using proper evisceration and post-mortem techniques. Various visceral organs including the gonads, liver, and spleen were collected from infected fish for histopathological examination. Gross pathological findings revealed abdominal distension, anal hemorrhage, and gonadal atrophy, displacement of internal organs, body emaciation, and visceral fibrosis accompanied by discoloration. Histopathological alterations were observed in multiple organs. In the ovaries, the main changes included fibrosis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, destruction, and atrophy of oocytes. Testicular tissues exhibited hyperemia, necrosis, fibrosis, and degeneration. The liver showed vacuolar degeneration, biliary duct hyperplasia, infiltration of inflammatory cells, fibrosis, and necrosis. In the spleen, exudation, hemorrhage, congestion, and fibrosis were the primary pathological findings. Out of the 384 Labeobarbus fish examined, 62 tested positive for L. intestinalis, indicating an overall prevalence of 16.2% in Lake Tana. Statistical analysis revealed that fish standard length (χ² = 76.919, P = 0.001), fish weight (χ² = 50.087, P = 0.001), sampling points (χ² = 16.947, P = 0.009), and fish species (χ² = 27.73, P = 0.034) were significantly associated with L. intestinalis infection. The pathological effects of L. intestinalis on vital organs, combined with its high prevalence, suggest a significant negative impact on fish production and reproductive performance in Lake Tana. Therefore, regular monitoring and surveillance, public awareness campaigns, ecological studies, and appropriate policy interventions should be implemented to protect livelihoods and mitigate the effects of this parasite.

PMID:40442723 | DOI:10.1186/s12917-025-04799-5

J Pediatr Nurs. 2025 May 28;84:114-123. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2025.05.017. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic introduced significant challenges for healthcare systems, particularly affecting young people living with HIV (YPLHIV). This study examines the experiences of YPLHIV in Kampala, Uganda, during the pandemic.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study involving 154 YPLHIV aged 15-20. Participants completed surveys during their HIV health appointments. Descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests assessed differences by sex and age (15-17 vs. 18-20 years old) regarding perceived risks, emotional impacts, and coping strategies.

RESULTS: The sample was 52 % female, with a mean age of 17.9. Almost all (90 %) of the sample acquired HIV perinatally. Medication adherence was varied, with half missing doses in the past thirty days. Older participants experienced more anxiety about COVID-19 and greater concern for loved ones compared to younger participants. Despite challenges, a majority of participants leveraged their experience of coping with HIV to manage the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants expressed increased gratitude for family and life.

CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights age-related differences and psychosocial challenges for YPLHIV during the pandemic, emphasizing the need for targeted research and supportive interventions. Findings may guide future nursing, midwifery, and healthcare interventions to enhance strategies that clinically bolster coping factors to support YPLHIV during routine and unexpected healthcare changes. Addressing these needs requires a targeted focus that consider this population’s unique challenges.

PMID:40441122 | DOI:10.1016/j.pedn.2025.05.017

Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2025 May 28;267:114585. doi: 10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114585. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Inorganic arsenic (iA) exposure is associated with increased risk of lung, bladder, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. C-reactive protein (CRP), a measurement of inflammation, has been associated with these conditions. As the relationship between urinary arsenic and CRP remains unclear, we aim to determine if there is an association and to examine effect modification by dietary and lifestyle factors.

METHODS: The study includes 5761 adults, ages 25+, over four survey cycles (2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2015-2016), surveyed as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and included in the laboratory subsample. Survey-weighted multivariable linear regression was used to determine the association between log-transformed arsenic concentrations (∑As, monomethylarsonate [MMA], and dimethylarsinate [DMA], and primary and secondary methylation indices [PMI, SMI]) and log-transformed CRP. Models were stratified by gender, body mass index (BMI), folic acid supplement use, and dietary folate intake.

RESULTS: Three forms of urinary arsenic were associated with statistically significant lower levels of CRP (∑As: -3.06 %, MMA: -2.34 %, DMA: -2.10 %, per 25 % increase in arsenic concentration). The association between SMI and CRP varied by gender (p-interaction: <0.01) and dietary folate intake (p-interaction: 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: The inverse association between urinary arsenic concentrations and CRP was unexpected, highlighting a need to better characterize effects of iAs at low levels of exposure. Effect modification by dietary folate intake suggests that folate may affect the secondary methylation pathway, however, more research is needed to understand the role that folic acid plays in arsenic methylation.

PMID:40441120 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijheh.2025.114585

Water Res. 2025 May 22;283:123886. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123886. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In marine environments, the sources of organophosphate esters (OPEs), particularly emerging OPEs (eOPEs) remain primarily unclear and present significant challenges for accurate source tracing. Here, we developed an unsupervised machine learning framework termed a multi-factorial multimodal high-dimensional clustering (MFM-clustering) algorithm to efficiently attribute source tracing of these pollutants. Our approach integrates physicochemical properties auch as log K_ow and log BCF, along with geographical data, to comprehensively represent the environmental behavior of these compounds beyond traditional concentration data. The robustness of the MFM-clustering algorithm was validated, offering enhanced pollutant classification accuracy compared to conventional statistical methods by focusing on pollutant-specific features. We used a systematic framework comprising field investigations, target screening, risk assessment, and MFM-clustering-based source analysis. The methodology was applied to the Bohai Sea, China, as a case study, where 29 OPEs, including 15 eOPEs, were quantified in sediment samples. This application refined the clustering analysis and enabled detailed ecological risk assessments. Industries associated with OPEs production, sewage treatment plants, industrial discharges, surface runoff from automotive activities, atmospheric transport of volatile OPEs, and petroleum-related operations for most eOPEs have been identified as key contributors to OPE pollution in various regions of the Bohai Sea. Our results highlight the necessity of tracing upstream production processes and identifying environmentally safer alternatives as effective strategies for mitigating OPE emissions.

PMID:40441093 | DOI:10.1016/j.watres.2025.123886

J Infect. 2025 May 28;91(1):106522. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106522. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40441063 | DOI:10.1016/j.jinf.2025.106522

Int J Obstet Anesth. 2025 May 10;63:104683. doi: 10.1016/j.ijoa.2025.104683. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Maternal sepsis can lead to poor outcomes for the mother and neonate, and early diagnosis and treatment of infection is important to prevent sepsis. Current guidance to recognise maternal sepsis includes assessment of physiological markers, however normal physiological changes of pregnancy can hinder the diagnosis of sepsis. This study investigated the utility of routine clinical variables, including laboratory tests, in screening for maternal sepsis.

METHODS: Patients considered at risk of obstetric sepsis were recruited into a single centre cohort study. Microbiological, histological and clinical data categorised patients into three diagnostic groups: ‘infection confirmed’, ‘infection unknown’ and ‘infection unlikely’. Differences in physiological and routine laboratory variables were investigated.

RESULTS: Between November 2020 and December 2022, 154 pregnant patients were recruited. Comparison between ‘infection confirmed’ (n=58) and ‘infection unlikely’ (n=17) showed statistical differences in temperature (P <0.001), neutrophil count (P =0.003) and leukocyte count (P =0.004) at the time of recruitment. Temperature was the best discriminator with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.82 (95% CI 0.70 to 0.94, P <0.0001) with an optimal threshold of ≥37.5°C.

CONCLUSION: This observational cohort study demonstrated that maternal temperature ≥37.5°C (rather than the threshold of 38°C found in most screening tools) may be important in screening patients at risk of developing maternal sepsis. When temperature ≥37.5°C persists, medical care should be expedited and maternal infection considered.

PMID:40441038 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijoa.2025.104683

Public Health. 2025 May 28;244:105767. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2025.105767. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Rapid economic growth in South Korea provides a valuable context for investigating how socioeconomic status (SES) impacts mortality and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in an emerging high-income Asian country. The objective of this study was to examine these associations in a general population and a subgroup with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS: Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) linked to mortality records was used. A total of 48,190 participants including 6,382 patients with T2DM from the 2011-2020 KNHANES cohort were included and followed until death, a cardiovascular event (myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke), or the study endpoint.

RESULTS: Participants in the lowest income quintile had higher risks of mortality (Hazard ratio [HR]: 1.44, 95 % CI: 1.19-1.76) and CVD (HR: 1.35, 95 % CI: 1.05-1.74) compared to the highest quintile. Unemployed individuals had a higher mortality risk (HR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.19-1.51) than employed ones. Non-homeowners also had a higher mortality risk (HR: 1.46, 95 % CI: 1.20-1.77) than multi-homeowners. Participants with elementary school education or less had higher risks of mortality (HR: 1.59, 95 % CI: 1.32-1.93) and CVD (HR: 1.71, 95 % CI: 1.31-2.24) compared to college graduates. Among those with T2DM, unemployment (HR: 1.43, 95 % CI: 1.16-1.77) and low education (HR: 1.53, 95 % CI: 1.07-2.17) were associated with higher mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: This analysis revealed significant associations of low SES with increased risks of mortality and CVD. Similar associations were observed in T2DM population for mortality outcomes.

PMID:40441035 | DOI:10.1016/j.puhe.2025.105767

Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2025 May 28;91 Suppl 1:101607. doi: 10.1016/j.bjorl.2025.101607. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To describe the findings of US examinations performed by Head and Neck Surgery (HNS) resident physicians in patients in the preoperative period immediately before parathyroidectomy, and to compare these results with those of examinations performed preoperatively (ultrasonography and/ or scintigraphy) and with the findings of surgical procedures.

METHODS: Patients in the preoperative period of parathyroidectomy underwent US examinations performed by HNS resident physicians after induction of anesthesia. The findings were registered and later compared with those of preoperative and intraoperative examinations using descriptive statistical analysis and calculation of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.

RESULTS: At least one gland was identified in 81% of the patients, most commonly the left inferior parathyroid. There was 63% agreement between the examinations performed in the operating room and the preoperative examinations. Sensitivity of 76%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 81.25% were evidenced in identifying parathyroids > 5 mm in patients with hyperparathyroidism associated with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), and sensitivity of 33% was found in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism.

CONCLUSION: US examinations performed by HNS resident physicians in patients preoperatively to parathyroidectomy are accurate (81.25%) in identifying parathyroids compared with intraoperative findings in patients with hyperparathyroidism associated with CKD.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

PMID:40441023 | DOI:10.1016/j.bjorl.2025.101607

Phys Ther Sport. 2025 May 21;74:75-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.05.009. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of linear periodization (LP) resistance training after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

SETTING: Physiotherapy clinic.

PARTICIPANTS: Male recreational athletes who underwent ACLR.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Knee extensor and flexor isometric strength, hop tests performance, patient-reported function (International Knee Documentation Committee, IKDC), and psychological readiness (Anterior Cruciate Ligament – Return to Sport after Injury, ACL-RSI).

RESULTS: Twenty-two participants (mean age 27 ± 6 years) were randomized to either a LP program or the traditional ‘3×10 reps protocol’. The LP group demonstrated greater knee extensor strength gains compared to the 3×10 group (p = 0.03): 51 % (95 %CI, 28 to 73) vs. 26 % (95 %CI, 11 to 40). No statistically significant difference (p = 0.11) in knee flexor strength gains was observed between the LP group (45 %; 95 % CI, 18 to 71) and the 3×10 group (23 %; 95 % CI, 7 to 39). Six months after ACLR, the LP group exhibited a greater knee extensor limb symmetry index (97 ± 10 % vs. 85 ± 11 %, p < 0.01) and higher ACL-RSI scores (68 ± 18 vs. 53 ± 14, p = 0.04). No significant between-group differences were found in hop performance or IKDC scores (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: A resistance training program incorporating block-structured LP is more effective than the traditional ‘3×10 reps protocol’ in enhancing knee extensor strength and psychological readiness during ACLR rehabilitation.

PMID:40441018 | DOI:10.1016/j.ptsp.2025.05.009

Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc. 2025 May 26;341:126389. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2025.126389. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Simultaneous measurement of drugs used to treat cancer and medications prescribed to overcome resistance to these drugs is important in pharmaceutical formulations and biological samples. In this study, a spectrophotometric method with a hybrid of discrete wavelet transform (DWT), principal component analysis (PCA), fuzzy inference system (FIS), and adaptive Neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) was used to predict concentrations of erlotinib (ERL) and niclosamide (NCM) in binary mixtures and biological samples simultaneously. In DWT, three wavelet families named Daubechies 4 (db4), Symlet 2 (sym2), and Demeyer (DM) were utilized to decompose the absorption of mixtures at five levels, and the resulting matrixes were separately reduced through PCA. The reduced dimensionality outputs were considered as inputs to the FIS and ANFIS models. The performance of DWT-FIS and DWT-ANFIS models were surveyed in terms of the statistical indices, such as coefficient of determination (R²), root mean square error (RMSE), average testing error, and mean recovery percentage. The wavelet family of db4 with R² of > 0.96 and equal to 1 was selected as the best family for FIS and ANFIS, respectively. In the DWT-FIS model, RMSE values were 0.3081 and 1.113 for ERL and NCM, respectively, while in the DWT-ANFIS model, average testing error values of 5.46 × 10^-6 and 5.16 × 10^-5 were obtained for ERL and NCM, respectively. In the selected wavelet, the mean recovery values for both components were > 97.5 % and > 99.8 % in the DWT-FIS and DWT-ANFIS, respectively. The analysis of the spiked biological samples containing ERL and NCM using the DWT-FIS and DWT-ANFIS indicated relative standard deviation (RSD) < 2.3 % and < 1.9 %, respectively. Compared with the DWT-FIS model, the DWT-ANFIS model revealed a better prediction. The recovery averages from the analysis of urine samples related to the proposed methods and the HPLC technique were compared using the ANOVA method. It can be concluded that proposed chemometric-assisted UV-spectrophotometric methods are efficient, reliable, economical, fast, and easy as alternative methods to chromatographic techniques.

PMID:40441001 | DOI:10.1016/j.saa.2025.126389