Category: Statistics

Int J Lang Commun Disord. 2025 Mar-Apr;60(2):e70002. doi: 10.1111/1460-6984.70002.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSES: Investigating the contribution of each component of the Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) to the aphasia quotient (AQ) helps better understand the mechanisms of change in the AQ. Previous studies on patients with English-speaking aphasia have shown that spontaneous speech contributes the most to the AQ. However, the same conclusion may not be applicable to Chinese-speaking patients with aphasia because of the differences between Chinese and English languages. The primary objective of this study was to investigate differences between Chinese and English people with aphasia in the contribution of WAB components to the AQ. The second objective was to explore the effect of aphasia severity to the AQ.

METHODS: A total of 94 patients with Mandarin aphasia participated in this study. The Lmg and Pmvd algorithms based on relative weight analysis were conducted to calculate the contributions of the four main components and 10 subtests of the WAB to the AQ. Lmg measures the relative importance of each variable by allocating the explanatory power of the model, while Pmvd analyses through a decomposition method based on statistical explanatory quantities. In addition, the same method was applied to the severe, moderate and mild aphasia groups.

RESULTS: Of the four main components, naming contributed the most to the AQ, followed by spontaneous speech, listening comprehension and repetition. Object naming contributed the most among the 10 subtests. Among the different severity groups, naming contributed the most to the severe and moderate groups, while spontaneous speech contributed the most to the mild group.

CONCLUSIONS: There were significant differences between Chinese and English patients with aphasia in terms of the contribution of each component of the WAB to the AQ. In Chinese, the largest contributor is naming, as opposed to spontaneous speech in English. Therefore, in a cross-linguistic context, it is important to carefully consider the impact of language differences, as this may help explain and understand the severity of Chinese aphasia.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject Among native English-speaking patients with mild aphasia, Spontaneous Speech test contributed most to the aphasia quotient of the Western Aphasia Battery. However, it is not known whether this finding applies to Chinese-speaking patients with aphasia as well as those with moderate-to-severe aphasia. What this study adds to the existing knowledge The subjects of our study were native speakers of Chinese with aphasia, and the results showed that the scores of the Naming test contributed the most to the total score. Further studies found that when grouped by severity, the Spontaneous Speech test contributed the most to the total score in the mild group, and the Naming test contributed the most to the total score in the moderate and severe groups. What are the clinical implications of this work? Patients with Chinese aphasia of different severity effectively improve their aphasia quotient in different ways. Mild patients correspond to spontaneous speech while moderate to severe patients correspond to naming. This may provide suggestions for the rehabilitation of patients.

PMID:39970393 | DOI:10.1111/1460-6984.70002

Integr Environ Assess Manag. 2025 Mar 1;21(2):326-334. doi: 10.1093/inteam/vjae010.

ABSTRACT

The water system in the Gaza Strip is deteriorating as the agricultural sector consumes more than 50% of the available water. There is an urgent need for effective tools that rationalize agricultural water consumption. The concept of the blue and green water footprint (WF) was applied to determine the actual water consumption of all crops in the Gaza Strip and evaluate the sustainability of the agricultural water footprint. The CROPWAT 8.0 model was used to calculate the crop water requirements (CWR) and estimate evapotranspiration (ET) according to the Hoekstra manual. The results show that the blue water footprint of crops was 82.15 mm3 distributed among 59.4 mm3 of horticulture trees, 3.65 mm3 of field crops, and 19.2 mm3 of vegetables whereas the green water footprint was 33.82 mm3. The main insight is that the water footprint’s sustainability reflects a serious indicator of the depletion of blue water in the Gaza Strip and if WF is applied, 40 mm3 of water can be saved annually, which constitutes 33% less than the current usage. It is promising to use the water footprint concept as a distinct tool in supporting the decision-maker to reduce water consumption and enhance water resource sustainability.

PMID:39970381 | DOI:10.1093/inteam/vjae010

Integr Environ Assess Manag. 2025 Mar 1;21(2):442-454. doi: 10.1093/inteam/vjae033.

ABSTRACT

Elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in children still represent a major public health problem worldwide. In China, children’s lead (Pb) exposure assessment constitutes a priority issue for research, also due to the scarce availability of human biomonitoring data and limited detailed exposure assessments outside urban areas. This work aims to analyze children’s health impact by exploiting exposure modeling approaches to identify the most relevant Pb sources and exposure routes for 0-7-year-old children in a historical Pb-Zn smelter site in Yunnan province (southwestern China), characterized by heavy environmental pollution conditions. For this purpose, two exposure modeling tools, the Integrated Exposure Uptake Bio-Kinetic and MERLIN-Expo, were applied, using measured Pb concentrations in environmental media and food items from a local field campaign as input data. Simulated BLLs, including probabilistic estimates, were obtained and verified against real biomonitoring data from the literature. Model results for the simulated exposure scenario indicate significantly high children’s BLLs (>10 µg/dl), which reflect the elevated Pb concentrations measured in environmental matrices and are mostly in agreement with previous biomonitoring data from the region. Moreover, soil and dust ingestion resulted to be the dominant exposure pathway, contributing more than 70% to the overall Pb exposure in children in all investigated scenarios. This work showed how tools for internal exposure modeling can contribute to Pb exposure assessment as complementary tools to demanding and invasive biomonitoring studies and can help identify priority exposure routes for improving risk management.

PMID:39970377 | DOI:10.1093/inteam/vjae033

JMIR Ment Health. 2025 Feb 19;12:e64716. doi: 10.2196/64716.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The early detection of mild cognitive impairment is crucial for providing treatment before further decline. Cognitive challenge tests such as the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI-L) can identify individuals at highest risk for cognitive deterioration. Performance on elements of the LASSI-L, particularly proactive interference, correlate with the presence of critical Alzheimer disease biomarkers. However, in-person paper tests require skilled testers and are not practical in many community settings or for large-scale screening in prevention.

OBJECTIVE: This study reports on the development and initial validation of a self-administered computerized version of the Loewenstein-Acevedo Scales for Semantic Interference (LASSI), the digital LASSI (LASSI-D). A self-administered digital version, with an artificial intelligence-generated avatar assistant, was the migrated assessment.

METHODS: Cloud-based software was developed, using voice recognition technology, for English and Spanish versions of the LASSI-D. Participants were assessed with either the LASSI-L or LASSI-D first, in a sequential assessment study. Participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI; n=54) or normal cognition (NC; n=58) were also tested with traditional measures such as the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale-Cognition. We examined group differences in performance across the legacy and digital versions of the LASSI, as well as correlations between LASSI performance and other measures across the versions.

RESULTS: Differences on recall and intrusion variables between aMCI and NC samples on both versions were all statistically significant (all P<.001), with at least medium effect sizes (d>0.68). There were no statistically significant performance differences in these variables between legacy and digital administration in either sample (all P<.13). There were no language differences in any variables (P>.10), and correlations between LASSI variables and other cognitive variables were statistically significant (all P<.01). The most predictive legacy variables, proactive interference and failure to recover from proactive interference, were identical across legacy and migrated versions within groups and were identical to results of previous studies with the legacy LASSI-L. Classification accuracy was 88% for NC and 78% for aMCI participants.

CONCLUSIONS: The results for the digital migration of the LASSI-D were highly convergent with the legacy LASSI-L. Across all indices of similarity, including sensitivity, criterion validity, classification accuracy, and performance, the versions converged across languages. Future studies will present additional validation data, including correlations with blood-based Alzheimer disease biomarkers and alternative forms. The current data provide convincing evidence of the use of a fully self-administered digitally migrated cognitive challenge test.

PMID:39970376 | DOI:10.2196/64716

Folia Med Cracov. 2024 Dec 26;64(3):155-163. doi: 10.24425/fmc.2024.152176.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphism of IL-6-174G/C and the disease course in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD).

METHODS: 105 patients (aged 18-75 years) with diagnosed inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), 50 with CD, and 55 with UC, were involved in the study. The controls consisted of 124 healthy individuals. In all patients, the following parameters were evaluated: disease duration, location, presence of complications, and past surgical procedures. Morphology, biochemical parameters, fibrinogen, interleukin 6 (IL-6) level, and IL-6 single nucleotide (174 G/C) polymorphism were assessed in all subjects. Associations of those markers with disease activity, location, complications, and inflammatory markers were evaluated.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences in IL-6 single nucleotide (174 G/C) polymorphism were observed between patients with UC, CD, and controls. In IBD patients with the GG genotype, a higher mean IL-6 level was noticed than in patients with other genotypes (4.685 ± 5.9 vs. 2.715 ± 5.1 in GC and 3.186 ± 3.6 in CC). A positive correlation was found between IL-6 and fibrinogen levels and CRP in UC and CD patients with GG and GC genotypes. In IBD patients with CC genotype, no correlation between IL-6 and fibrinogen was found (p = 0.48).

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of developing IBD appears not connected with IL-6 polymorphism. However, IL-6 variation might influence the course of the disease in UC patients.

PMID:39970364 | DOI:10.24425/fmc.2024.152176

Folia Med Cracov. 2024 Dec 26;64(3):119-127. doi: 10.24425/fmc.2024.152172.

ABSTRACT

Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a descriptive term for a complex of symptoms and signs, including pain, swelling and vasomotor disturbances. The disease causes also functional impairment of the affected extremity and limitation in daily activities. Even after effective treatment, the condition frequently leaves residual symptoms and impairment of the limb. The objective of this study was assessment of the level of functional impairment in patients who got over CRPS. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients, 45 women (86%) and 7 men (14%) in a mean age of 57 years who were got over CRPS were asked to fill 2 questionnaires for assessment of function of their upper limbs in daily living. The questionnaires included the Raadboud Skills Questionnaire (the RASQ) and the Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (the DASH). Results of this study show statistically significant differences in functional impairment of the limbs between the groups with different recovery status and duration of CRPS: the patients with longer lasting disease and those, who did not feel recovered showed greater functional impairment of their limbs than remaining patients. Conclusion: These results suggest that, in spite of a satisfactory outcome of treatment, significant long- term sequelae of the disease impair function of the affected limbs and reduce quality of life in a proportion of patients.

PMID:39970360 | DOI:10.24425/fmc.2024.152172

Folia Med Cracov. 2024 Dec 26;64(3):81-90. doi: 10.24425/fmc.2024.152168.

ABSTRACT

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD), occurring in the form of articular disc displacement with- out reduction is one of the most serious and common forms of dysfunction. The aim of this article was to present a complete sequence of procedures and intervention that consequently led to the resolution of symptoms in most patients, associated with disc displacement without reduction and the resolution of joint’s pain, as well as favorable results of treatment of disc displacement with reduction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 128 patients (86 females, 42 males) aged 20 to 42 years old, diagnosed with disc displacement without reduction undertook treatment at the Prosthodontics Clinic of the University Dental Clinic in Krakow, in period January 2020 – June 2024. Diagnosis of the condition was made on the basis of the DC/TMD (Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders) questionnaire axis I (reduction in mouth opening <35 mm, oblique lowering path of mandibular motion, pain of the joint) and the results of ultrasonography (USG) of the temporomandibular joints. 121 patients reported experiencing intrinsic pain and 7 patients presented for treatment without feeling pain.

RESULT: Analysis of the results of the carried-out tests (maximal mouth opening, mandibular lowering trajectory deviation and pain intensity VAS + VNRS scale indicate that the displaced articular disc was unblocked and a statistically significant improvement in the clinical condition of the temporomandibular joints was achieved.

CONCLUSION: The proposed sequence of procedures carried out is an effective treatment for displacement of the articular disc with no reduction.

PMID:39970356 | DOI:10.24425/fmc.2024.152168

J Med Internet Res. 2025 Feb 19;27:e69109. doi: 10.2196/69109.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is an important public health challenge among older adults, particularly in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), where prevalence is higher due to staffing shortages, limited resources, and difficulty maintaining structured exercise programs. Furthermore, older adults often lose interest in repetitive interventions. The exergame “WarioWare: Move It!” (Nintendo) offers a novel solution by combining aerobic exercise, motor coordination, balance training, and cognitive engagement into an immersive experience.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of an exergame-based training program delivered via “WarioWare: Move It!” in improving physical flexibility, joint range of motion, motor coordination, hand dexterity, and cognitive function in older adults living in LTCFs.

METHODS: The training program was conducted across multiple rural LTCFs in Shanxi Province, China. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The intervention protocol encompassed two 60-minute sessions per week over 12 weeks, using motion-sensing exercises such as waving, jumping, arm swinging, rotational movements, and object-mimicking postures with Joy-Con controllers. Primary outcome measures were derived through clinical tests, including the sit and reach test, shoulder flexibility test, trunk rotation flexibility test, shoulder and elbow range of motion, figure-of-8 walk test, standing balance test, hand dexterity test, and cognitive function tests. Statistical analysis was performed using mixed ANOVA, with time as the within-participant factor and intervention group as the between-participant factor, to assess the training effects on the various outcome measures.

RESULTS: A total of 232 participants were recruited, including 32 (13.8%) patients with mild dementia, 18 (7.8%) with moderate dementia, and 182 (78.4%) with mild cognitive impairment, all of whom completed the study. The mixed ANOVA revealed significant group × time interactions across multiple physical flexibility assessments, including the remaining distance between the hands and toes during the forward bend (F_2,156=8.484; P<.001; η²=0.098), the distance between the hands clasped behind the back (F_2,156=3.666; P=.04; η²=0.045), and the angle formed by trunk rotation to the left and right (F_2,156=17.353; P<.001; η²=0.182). Significant group × time interactions also emerged for shoulder joint forward flexion (F_2,156=17.655; P<.001; η²=0.185), abduction (F_2,156=6.281; P=.004; η²=0.075), and elbow flexion (F_2,156=3.298; P=.049; η²=0.041). In addition, the time to complete the figure-of-8 walk test (F_2,156=11.846; P<.001; η²=0.132) and the number of blocks moved within 1 minute (F_2,156=4.016; P=.02; η²=0.049) showed significant interactions. Finally, all scale-based measures exhibited statistically significant group × time interactions (all P values <.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The “WarioWare: Move It!” intervention significantly improved physical flexibility, joint range of motion, motor coordination, hand dexterity, and cognitive function among older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia residing in rural LTCFs. The intervention offers an innovative and feasible approach for promoting the health of older adults in resource-limited settings, demonstrating its potential for widespread application in diverse low-resource environments.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06717971; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06717971.

PMID:39969990 | DOI:10.2196/69109

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2025 Feb 19:ezaf049. doi: 10.1093/ejcts/ezaf049. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of aortic valve repair techniques using cusp patch-plasty with CardioCel.

METHODS: Between September 2014 and June 2021, a total of 167 patients underwent aortic valve reconstruction using cusp repair. In all patients CardioCel patch was used exclusively. An isolated cusp repair was performed in 117 patients (70%), while 50 patients with concomitant aortopathy needed a combined valve and root repair. Seventy-two patients (43%) presented with tricuspid valve. The mean age of the entire cohort was 54.3 ± 12.3 years , 143 patients being males.

RESULTS: Early (30-day/in-hospital) mortality was 0.6%. The survival at 2, 4, and 6 years was 98.8%, 96.8%, and 95.7%, respectively. During the mean follow-up of 4.2 ± 1.7 years (resulting in 697 patient-years), a relevant aortic insufficiency occurred in 10 patients (8 of them presenting with bicuspid valve). All the patients underwent a valve replacement, resulting in a 7.8 ± 2.5% cumulative risk of aortic valve reoperation and/or insufficiency ≥3+ at 6 years. The causes of reoperation were cusp tear at the suture line, progressive valve pathology, endocarditis, and unknown in 4, 4, 1, and 1, respectively. Degeneration and/or calcification of the CardioCel has not been observed.

CONCLUSIONS: The intermediate results of aortic cusp repair using CardioCel are good. Anatomo-pathology of the aortic valve and quality of the cusps seem to be main reason of repair failure. Further investigations are needed to assess the long-term durability of CardioCel patch-plasty as an alternative to biological valve replacement in specific aortic valve pathologies.

PMID:39969987 | DOI:10.1093/ejcts/ezaf049

JMIR Form Res. 2025 Feb 19;9:e57512. doi: 10.2196/57512.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Smartphones have become an indispensable part of people’s lives, and the fear of being without them, what has been termed “no mobile phone phobia” (nomophobia), is a growing phenomenon. The rise of problematic smartphone use highlights the urgent need to explore the intricate relationship between smartphones and human behavior. However, the connections between nomophobia, mental health indicators, smartphone use patterns, and daily activities remain largely underexplored.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the relationship between young adults with depression and smartphones and investigate nomophobia by analyzing data obtained from a pilot study of depression in a youth cohort. Exploring nomophobia can enhance our understanding of the dynamics between young adults and smartphone use, potentially empowering them to manage and regulate their smartphone use more effectively.

METHODS: During an 8-week period, data collected via smartphone sensors, such as locations and screen status, were gathered from a cohort of 41 individuals diagnosed with major depressive disorder. In addition to passive-sensing smartphone data, the study collected ecological momentary assessments and psychometric measures, including the Nomophobia Questionnaire, which formed the basis of our investigation. We explored statistical associations among smartphone-derived behavioral features, psychometric indicators, and nomophobia. In addition, we used behavioral and psychometric data to develop regression models demonstrating the prediction of nomophobia levels.

RESULTS: Our findings revealed that the level of nomophobia was positively associated with depression and negative affect, lower geolocation movements, and higher comfort with smartphone sensing. The exploratory predictive linear regression models demonstrated the feasibility of predicting an individual’s Nomophobia Questionnaire score based on their smartphone sensing data. These models effectively used input features derived from both a combination of smartphone sensing data and psychometric measures and from smartphone sensing data alone.

CONCLUSIONS: Our work is the first to explore the relationship between nomophobia and smartphone sensor data. It provides valuable insights into the predictors of nomophobia level, contributing to the understanding of the relationship between smartphones and human behavior and paving the way for future studies.

PMID:39969982 | DOI:10.2196/57512