Category: Statistics

J Occup Rehabil. 2025 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s10926-025-10302-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The importance, value, and benefits of fostering mentally healthy workplaces are well established. The Indicators of a Thriving Workplace (ITW) questionnaire measures a range of individual psychological and organisational factors as lead indicators of workplace mental health. The current study aimed to develop a valid summary set of indicators or domains of workplace mental health to enable comparisons across industries and sectors nationally.

METHODS: Exploratory factor analysis and principal components analysis were sequentially performed on survey data from two independent samples selected from a nationally representative and large (n = 9,947) cohort of Australian workers.

RESULTS: Five domains of workplace mental health aligning with the integrated approach to workplace mental health emerged and were confirmed: Leadership, Connectedness, Safety, Work Design, and Capability. When average domain scores were compared across industry, small but statistically significant differences were identified.

CONCLUSION: The validation of these domains positions the ITW questionnaire as the first comprehensive measure of workplace mental health and well-being that focuses on thriving as a positive construct for Australian workers. Further, industry-based Domain profiling could provide a basis for the prioritisation of efforts to improve workplace mental health, with successful initiatives and practices perhaps adaptable to other industries. Interventions addressing workplace mental health are likely to be more successful when they are industry specific, although interventions responding to mental health challenges in the workplace, such as those tackling mental health-related stigma, may require less cross-industry tailoring.

PMID:40411687 | DOI:10.1007/s10926-025-10302-6

Mol Neurobiol. 2025 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s12035-025-05074-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma worldwide and one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. Current therapies focus on intraocular pressure control despite substantial evidence on the importance of additional pathogenic mechanisms involved in neuronal repair and regeneration. Some of these mechanisms may be shared with and across other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Joint analyses that address this pathogenic overlap can be leveraged to identify suspected neurodegenerative and neuroprotective pathways. In this study, we derived gene-level summary statistics from available genome-wide association studies for primary open-angle glaucoma and Alzheimer’s Disease and employed a multivariate analysis to identify genes with an effect on both neurodegenerative diseases. We assessed the influence of the prioritized genes using Mendelian randomization to obtain the effect of retina- and brain cortex-specific gene expression on primary open-angle glaucoma risk. We identified ten genes with evidence of a pleiotropic effect on primary open-angle glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease: TMCO1, ANXA11, ARHGAP27, PLEKHM1, CRHR1, KANSL1, LRRC37A, ARL17A, LRRC37A2, and CBY1. Additionally, gene expression in either the retina or brain cortex of TMCO1, ANXA11, ARHGAP27, PLEKHM1, KANSL1, LRRC37A, ARL17A, LRRC37A2, and CBY1 influenced POAG risk. These genes have known roles in neurodegeneration-associated pathways. Our analysis uncovered evidence of pleiotropy and gene expression as a mechanism impacting disease risk. Further investigation into these genes may yield valuable insights into their involvement in neurodegenerative pathways potentially informing new approaches for early detection, classification, and treatment strategies.

PMID:40411683 | DOI:10.1007/s12035-025-05074-2

MAGMA. 2025 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s10334-025-01253-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: AI-based MRI reconstruction techniques improve efficiency by reducing acquisition times whilst maintaining or improving image quality. Recent recommendations from professional bodies suggest centres should perform quality assessments on AI tools. However, monitoring long-term performance presents challenges, due to model drift or system updates. Radiologist-based assessments are resource-intensive and may be subjective, highlighting the need for efficient quality control (QC) measures. This study explores using image quality metrics (IQMs) to assess AI-based reconstructions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 58 patients undergoing standard-of-care rectal MRI were imaged using AI-based and conventional T2-weighted sequences. Paired and unpaired IQMs were calculated. Sensitivity of IQMs to detect retrospective perturbations in AI-based reconstructions was assessed using control charts, and statistical comparisons between the four MR systems in the evaluation were performed. Two radiologists evaluated the image quality of the perturbed images, giving an indication of their clinical relevance.

RESULTS: Paired IQMs demonstrated sensitivity to changes in AI-reconstruction settings, identifying deviations outside ± 2 standard deviations of the reference dataset. Unpaired metrics showed less sensitivity. Paired IQMs showed no difference in performance between 1.5 T and 3 T systems (p > 0.99), whilst minor but significant (p < 0.0379) differences were noted for unpaired IQMs.

DISCUSSION: IQMs are effective for QC of AI-based MR reconstructions, offering resource-efficient alternatives to repeated radiologist evaluations. Future work should expand this to other imaging applications and assess additional measures.

PMID:40411676 | DOI:10.1007/s10334-025-01253-3

Eat Weight Disord. 2025 May 24;30(1):43. doi: 10.1007/s40519-025-01752-1.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Food addiction involves excessive consumption of highly processed foods rich in salt, sugar, and fats driven by hedonic eating behaviors. Increased food addiction, especially among young adults, could potentially lead to eating disorders. Hence, the current study aimed to assess the magnitude and lifestyle determinants of food addiction in young adults from Mumbai, India METHODS: Healthy young adults (n = 354) aged 18-25 years were recruited using convenience sampling. Utilizing web-based platforms, the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 was administered. Statistical analysis was performed with significance at a p value of ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was (20.99 ± 1.94) years, and the magnitude of food addiction was 11.3%. Sociodemographic determinants such as age (p = 0.000), socio-economic status (p = 0.000), and education (p = 0.000), and lifestyle determinants such as BMI (p = 0.012), dietary habits (p = 0.000), sleep (p = 0.001), physical activity (p = 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.001), and depression (p = 0.000) were significantly associated with food addiction. However, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, the relationship between lifestyle factors and food addiction became evident. The frequent consumption of specific unhealthy foods increased the risk (OR ≥ 1.0, p value ≤ 0.05), while the consumption of healthy foods reduced the risk (OR<1.0, p value ≤ 0.05) of food addiction.

CONCLUSION: The present study revealed a rising magnitude of food addiction and its determinants among Indian youth, highlighting the urgency of sensitization and designing targeted nutrition interventions to combat food-related addiction and hence reducing the risk of eating disorders.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, Descriptive Study.

PMID:40411674 | DOI:10.1007/s40519-025-01752-1

J Robot Surg. 2025 May 24;19(1):232. doi: 10.1007/s11701-025-02379-1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This analysis aims to compare the outcomes of robotic cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer who are under 80 years of age versus those who are 80 years or older.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A thorough search was conducted across key databases, including Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science, with the most recent search conducted in July 2024. Data analysis was performed using Stata 18, applying a random-effects meta-analysis model. Weighted mean differences were calculated for continuous data, and odds ratios for categorical variables, accompanied by 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS: Four studies were included in the meta-analysis. The baseline data revealed significant differences in age, sex distribution, BMI, ASA scores (≥ 3), and cT2 staging between the two age groups. Patients aged 80 and above had significantly longer surgical durations and a greater number of lymph nodes removed compared to those under 80. Marked heterogeneity was observed in the younger cohort, which showed higher rates of urinary diversion to the neobladder and pelvic lymph node dissection. Blood loss, hospitalization duration, total complications, minor complications, and major complications did not differ notably between the age groups.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) is a viable and safe procedure for carefully selected elderly patients when performed in high-volume specialized centers. However, the small sample size, intermediate follow-up period, and potential for selection bias warrant caution in interpreting long-term outcomes. Future multi-center studies with longer follow-ups are needed to confirm these findings and establish standardized criteria for patient selection.

PMID:40411671 | DOI:10.1007/s11701-025-02379-1

Appl Health Econ Health Policy. 2025 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s40258-025-00977-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite the decreased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) with statins, there remains an unfulfilled clinical need to prevent CVD events and premature mortality through further cholesterol-modifying interventions. In people with established CVD taking a statin, lipid therapy escalation to reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) levels may lower the risk of CVD hospital admissions and improve survival. However, the cost-effectiveness of different cholesterol treatment escalation thresholds is uncertain.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the most cost-effective cholesterol threshold for escalating lipid therapy in people with established CVD who are taking a statin, to support the 2023 update of the NICE guideline on CVD in England.

METHODS: A cohort Markov model with a yearly cycle length was developed to compare the lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of various LDL-C treatment escalation thresholds (0-4.0 mmol/L), using a combination of treatment effects from an original network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), real-world data for estimating baseline cholesterol levels and CVD event rates from a published meta-analysis of statin RCTs. The model used the following CVD events: ischaemic stroke; transient ischaemic attack; peripheral artery disease; myocardial infarction; unstable angina; coronary revascularisation; and mortality. The model also used evidence-based estimates of resource use and costs, and published quality of life data. Baseline LDL-C levels and CVD hospital admission rates were estimated through a bespoke analysis of the English primary care data from Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), linked to Hospital Episode Statistics Admitted Patient Care (HES) and Office for National Statistics (ONS) death registrations.

RESULTS: Data from 590,917 adult individuals (61.7% men) with CVD on a statin in primary care between 1 January 2013 and 28 February 2020 were included in the CPRD-HES-ONS analysis. The most cost-effective threshold for lipid therapy escalation was an LDL-C of 2.2 mmol/L (or equivalent non-HDL-C of 2.9 mmol/L) at NICE’s lower cost per QALY of £20,000. An LDL-C of 2.0 mmol/L (or equivalent non-HDL-C of 2.6 mmol/L) was the most cost-effective treatment escalation threshold in a significant proportion (38%) of probabilistic simulations and produced more health. At this threshold, the model predicted that 42% of people with CVD would require combination therapy with ezetimibe while 19% would require an injectable drug such as inclisiran. At NICE’s upper cost per QALY of £30,000, the most cost-effective LDL-C treatment escalation threshold was 1.7 mmol/L (or equivalent non-HDL-C of 2.2 mmol/L).

CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the importance of establishing evidence of cost-effectiveness for cholesterol treatment escalation thresholds. The study’s findings support the updated NICE guideline recommending a threshold of 2.0 mmol/L LDL-C (or equivalent non-HDL-C of 2.6 mmol/L) for secondary prevention of CVD.

PMID:40411656 | DOI:10.1007/s40258-025-00977-6

Clin Oral Investig. 2025 May 24;29(6):309. doi: 10.1007/s00784-025-06387-1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the cleaning efficacy of different irrigation activation techniques in removing smear layers from root canals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety lower premolars with straight root canals were assigned to six experimental groups (n = 15 each): control group, conventional irrigation, passive ultrasonic activation (PUI), distilled water laser-activated irrigation (LAI), PulpSucker irrigation, and iVac irrigation. Each canal was shaped to size 30/04 and irrigated with 5% NaOCl. The final rinse was performed according to the experimental group. After chemo-mechanical procedures, the teeth were split longitudinally and subjected to scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis for each root canal third (coronal, middle, and apical). The presence of smear layer was evaluated using a 5-grade scoring system at 500× and 1000× magnification. Following the Shapiro-Wilk test, data were statistically analyzed using the nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by the post-hoc Dunn test with Bonferroni correction (α = 5%), to compare the effectiveness of smear layer removal. The Friedman test and post-hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank test with Bonferroni correction (α = 5%) were performed to assess significant differences in smear layer removal among the different tooth thirds.

RESULTS: Activated irrigation techniques significantly outperformed conventional irrigation (p <.05), with the iVac technique demonstrating the best results in smear layer removal in the apical third. LAI and PUI showed comparable results across all tooth thirds. Significant differences in cleaning efficacy were observed among the different tooth thirds within each experimental group, with the apical third exhibiting the highest presence of smear layer.

CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of the study, irrigant activation demonstrated higher efficiency in smear layer removal from root canal systems compared to conventional irrigation techniques. iVac showed the best cleaning performance in each third, particularly in the apical third.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: iVac technology offers significant potential for improving clinical outcomes.

PMID:40411649 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-025-06387-1

Arch Public Health. 2025 May 23;83(1):135. doi: 10.1186/s13690-025-01629-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In Tanzania, cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths and the foremost type of cancer affecting women of reproductive age (15-49 years) and beyond. Cervical cancer is preventable and treatable, which underscores the importance of early screening. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of cervical cancer screening(CCS) among women of reproductive age (15-49) in Tanzania.

METHODS: In this study we analysed secondary data of 15,254 women drawn from the 2022 Tanzanian Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS). Data were weighted using the individual weight for women (v005/1,000,000) according to DHS guidelines. The dependent variable was CCS status, while independent variables included demographic characteristics, socio-economic factors, and health system factors. Descriptive analysis was used to show the distribution of respondents in terms of frequency and percentage. Weighted binary logistic regression model was used to determine associations between the variables. In addition, multivariable logistic model was used to control confounders and assess possibility of interaction. A significance threshold of p-value < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval(CI) was applied to assess the significance of each variable.

RESULTS: The prevalence of women aged 15-49 years who have ever undergone CCS in Tanzania was 7% (95% CI: 6.58, 7.93). Despite the low proportion of women who have ever received screening, cervical screening was significantly more common among women aged 30-49 years (adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 3.56, 95% CI = 2.75, 4.60), married (aOR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.11, 1.87), separated individuals (aOR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.20, 2.24), smokers (aOR = 11.75, 95% CI = 1.93, 71.60), living with HIV (aOR = 5.72, 95% CI = 4.33, 7.56), and those who listened to the radio at least once a week (aOR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.20, 1.78). Conversely, women who were less likely to be screened for CCS were typically characterised by residing in rural areas (aOR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.53, 0.82), having informal education (aOR = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.30, 0.60), from low economic backgrounds (aOR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.37, 0.66), unemployed (aOR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.65, 0.952), never using contraception (aOR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.70, 0.97), never covered by health insurance (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI = 0.45, 0.74). These factors were significantly associated with the uptake of CCS services among women aged 15-49 years in Tanzania.

CONCLUSION: The study highlight that women aged 15-49 years who have ever undergone CCS in Tanzania is generally low at 7%, compared to the WHO recommendation of 70%. Women with no formal education or primary education, belonging to the poor wealth quintile, and having no access of listening to the radio at least once per week; had lower possibility of undergoing CCS compared to their counterparts. Tailored programs aimed at increasing cervical cancer screening should target all women in order to attain the WHO recommendation. Additionally, there is a need to enhance education and health insurance coverage among community members to increase women’s accessibility to CCS services.

PMID:40410900 | DOI:10.1186/s13690-025-01629-w

J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 May 24;20(1):512. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05941-7.

ABSTRACT

Objective Enhanced recovery after surgery protocols have been increasingly adopted to optimize postoperative functional restoration. This propensity score-matched cohort study quantified the impact of the direct anterior approach during THA on ERAS efficacy in patients with femoral neck fractures and analyzed outcomes such as functional recovery acceleration and perioperative complications. Methods The consecutive cohort comprised 231 patients who underwent primary arthroplasty for femoral neck fractures and were stratified by surgical approach: direct anterior (DAA, n = 59) versus posterolateral (PLA, n = 172). The clinical outcomes, such as patient statistics, details of perioperative management, length of stay, pain, Harris hip score, and in-hospital complications, were recorded. This retrospective observational study mitigated the risk of confounding bias by applying propensity score matching. Results With PSM, 51 pairs of well-matched patients were generated for comparison between the DAA group and the PLA group. The incision length decreased to 10.7 ± 1.4 cm in the DAA group, whereas it was 13.1 ± 1.3 cm in the PLA group. Compared with the PLA cohort, the DAA cohort had a significantly shorter postoperative length of stay (P = 0.001) but superior limb-length discrepancy control (P < 0.001). Compared with the PLA group, the DAA group demonstrated superior early pain control (VAS score reduction: 3/7/14 days, P < 0.05) and accelerated functional gains (HHS improvement: 7/14 days/1 month, P < 0.05), although the 6-month outcomes were similar between groups (P = 0.675). The DAA group exhibited superior 1-month outcomes in terms of pain control, device independence, and ambulation (P < 0.05), but there were similar complication profiles between the groups. Conclusions Compared with the posterolateral approach, DAA enhances early recovery outcomes in THA among elderly patients with femoral neck fractures undergoing ERAS protocols. DAA demonstrated superior short-term functional gains and similar long-term outcomes compared with the posterolateral approach. These findings support the strategic use of DAA for optimizing early recovery for this patient population.

PMID:40410877 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-025-05941-7

Microbiome. 2025 May 23;13(1):134. doi: 10.1186/s40168-025-02119-5.

ABSTRACT

One Health seeks to integrate and balance the health of humans, animals, and environmental systems, which are intricately linked through microbiomes. These microbial communities exchange microbes and genes, influencing not only human and animal health but also key environmental, agricultural, and biotechnological processes. Preventing the emergence of pathogens as well as monitoring and controlling the composition of microbiomes through microbial effectors including virulence factors, toxins, antibiotics, non-ribosomal peptides, and viruses holds transformative potential. However, the mechanisms by which these microbial effectors shape microbiomes and their broader functional consequences for host and ecosystem health remain poorly understood. Metaproteomics offers a novel methodological framework as it provides insights into microbial dynamics by quantifying microbial biomass composition, metabolic functions, and detecting effectors like viruses, antimicrobial resistance proteins, and non-ribosomal peptides. Here, we highlight the potential of metaproteomics in elucidating microbial effectors and their impact on microbiomes and discuss their potential for modulating microbiomes to foster desired functions.

PMID:40410872 | DOI:10.1186/s40168-025-02119-5