Category: Statistics

Prev Vet Med. 2025 May 4;241:106556. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2025.106556. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study evaluates the performance of a computer vision system (CVS) for measuring pig carcass contamination using latent class modelling, a statistical approach that does not depend on a gold standard. Developed by the Danish Technological Institute, the CVS integrates output from various cameras to inspect pig carcasses for presence of faecal contamination. Data from a 16-day period involving 69,215 carcasses were analysed, comparing CVS results with those from official auxiliaries. Descriptive analyses identified four meat inspection findings that were statistically associated with an increased relative risk of positives from the CVS, particularly oil contamination (RR = 4.1, P < 0.001), which the CVS could not differentiate from faecal contamination. Agreement between the CVS and official auxiliary was assessed using Cohen’s kappa and prevalence- and bias-adjusted kappa (PABAK), with Cohen’s Kappa indicating minimal agreement (κ = 0.17) and PABAK indicating moderate agreement (κ = 0.79). Sensitivity and specificity were estimated using a latent class model fit within a Bayesian framework, without assuming that either the CVS or official auxiliaries were perfect tests. The latent class model showed that the CVS had a median sensitivity of 31.6 % (95 % CI: 27.6 %-39.1 %) and specificity of 97.9 % (95 % CI: 96.1-99.9 %), compared to 22 % (95 % CI: 17.6 %-28.9 %) sensitivity and 99 % (95 % CI: 98.2 %-100 %) specificity for the official auxiliaries. These findings underscore the CVS’s strength in detecting true contaminations and official auxiliaries’ ability to rule out non-contaminations. This study demonstrates the applicability of latent class modelling for evaluating CVS, offering a flexible and reliable framework that addresses the limitations of traditional gold standard methods. The findings support the use CVS technology alongside traditional inspections to enhance food safety, paving the way for future integration of CVS in meat inspection, pending legislative adjustments.

PMID:40359587 | DOI:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2025.106556

JMIR Ment Health. 2025 May 13;12:e67210. doi: 10.2196/67210.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Shame and stigma often prevent individuals with social anxiety disorder (SAD) from seeking and attending costly and time-intensive psychotherapies, highlighting the importance of brief, low-cost, and scalable treatments. Creating prescriptive outcome prediction models is thus crucial for identifying which clients with SAD might gain the most from a unique scalable treatment option. Nevertheless, widely used classical regression methods might not optimally capture complex nonlinear associations and interactions.

OBJECTIVE: Precision medicine approaches were thus harnessed to examine prescriptive predictors of optimization to a 14-day fully self-guided mindfulness ecological momentary intervention (MEMI) over a self-monitoring app (SM).

METHODS: This study involved 191 participants who had probable SAD. Participants were randomly assigned to MEMI (n=96) or SM (n=95). They completed self-reports of symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and sociodemographics at baseline, posttreatment, and 1-month follow-up (1MFU). Machine learning (ML) models with 17 predictors of optimization to MEMI over SM, defined as a higher probability of SAD remission from MEMI at posttreatment and 1MFU, were evaluated. The Social Phobia Diagnostic Questionnaire, structurally equivalent to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual SAD criteria, was used to define remission. These ML models included random forest and support vector machines (radial basis function kernel) and 10-fold nested cross-validation that separated model training, minimal tuning in inner folds, and model testing in outer folds.

RESULTS: ML models outperformed logistic regression. The multivariable ML models using the 10 most important predictors achieved good performance, with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AU-ROC) values ranging from .71 to .72 at posttreatment and 1MFU. These prerandomization and early-stage prescriptive predictors consistently identified which participants had the highest probability of optimization of MEMI over SM after 14 days and 6 weeks from baseline. Significant predictors included 4 strengths (higher trait mindfulness, lower SAD severity, presence of university education, no current psychotropic medication use), 2 weaknesses (higher generalized anxiety severity and clinician-diagnosed depression or anxiety disorder), and 1 sociodemographic variable (Chinese ethnicity). Emotion dysregulation and current psychotherapy predicted remission with inconsistent signs across time points.

CONCLUSIONS: The AU-ROC values indicated moderately meaningful effect sizes in identifying prescriptive predictors within multivariable models for clients with SAD. Focusing on the identified notable client strengths, weaknesses, and Chinese ethnicity may enhance our ability to predict future responses to scalable treatments. Estimating the likelihood of SAD remission with a “prescriptive predictor calculator” for each client may help clinicians and policymakers allocate scarce treatment resources effectively. Clients with high remission probability may benefit from receiving the MEMI as a vigilant waitlist strategy before intensive therapist-led psychotherapy. These efforts may aid in creating actionable treatment selection tools to optimize care for clients with SAD in routine health care settings that use stratified care principles.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: OSF Registries 10.17605/OSF.IO/M3KXZ; https://osf.io/m3kxz.

PMID:40359509 | DOI:10.2196/67210

Retina. 2025 May 7. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000004520. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To present a modification of the ILM peeling technique, transposing a non-inverted autologous ILM patch to resurface the macula for the treatment of ERM.

METHODS: This retrospective case series included eight eyes from eight patients with ERM. All patients underwent vitrectomy with ILM peeling and a single-layer, non-inverted autologous ILM patch transposing assisted by Sub-Perfluorocarbon liquid injection and ophthalmic viscoelastic device. The anatomical and functional outcomes were evaluated based on the examination of optical coherence tomography and best-corrected visual acuities (BCVAs).

RESULTS: In total, eight eyes with ERM underwent ILM patch transposition technique. The mean age was 69.4±9.8 years. All patients were followed up over 5 months, with the mean duration of 8.3±2.0 months. The surgery significantly improved the BCVAs from a mean of 0.8±0.2 logMAR (20/63±32) to 0.2±0.1 logMAR (20/32±25) (P<0.001). The reduction in central macular thickness (CMT) was not statistically significant (P=0.21). No cases showed ERM recurrence during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION: The non-inverted autologous ILM patch transposition technique is feasible for the treatment of ERM and has potential to improve the postoperative BCVA early. However, its effect on reducing CMT may require further investigation with larger cohorts and extended follow-up.

PMID:40359462 | DOI:10.1097/IAE.0000000000004520

Retina. 2025 May 7. doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000004519. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate temporal retinal vessel angles (TVA) measured from colour fundus photographs as a biomarker for assessing clinical outcomes in familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR). The primary objectives were to establish correlations between TVA and key clinical parameters, evaluate the predictive power of TVA for poor visual acuity and foveal hypoplasia, and determine optimal threshold angles for risk stratification.

METHODS: This retrospective case series included 65 patients (117 eyes) at Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taiwan. Ophthalmic examinations, imaging, and TVA measurements were conducted. Statistical analyses included correlation coefficients, logistic regressions, and receiver-operating-characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS: TVA exhibited negative correlations with key clinical outcomes including best-corrected visual acuity. Logistic regression analysis revealed associations between narrower TVA and key outcomes such as poor best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and foveal hypoplasia. ROC curves demonstrated area-under-curve (AUC) values for predicting poor BCVA (0.80, 0.86) and foveal hypoplasia (0.83, 0.82) for temporal retinal artery and vein angle (TRAA and TRVA), respectively. Optimal thresholds were determined (TRAA: 65.02˚, TRVA: 72.87˚).

CONCLUSION: TVAs emerged as sensitive predictors of FEVR outcomes, showcasing robust correlations with disease severity and functional outcomes. It highlights TVA as a potential non-invasive biomarker for prognosis in FEVR, aiding in early detection and facilitating timely interventions. Future research with larger cohorts and longitudinal follow-up is warranted to validate the utility of TVA in clinical practice.

PMID:40359454 | DOI:10.1097/IAE.0000000000004519

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2025 May 14:1-9. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20250506-01. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of illness uncertainty on discharge readiness and explore whether hope mediates this relationship in individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 218 patients with MDD at a hospital in China. Data were collected using self-reported questionnaires, including demographic and clinical information, the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale, Herth Hope Index, and Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and path analysis were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS: Illness uncertainty was negatively associated with hope (r = -0.14, p < 0.05) and discharge readiness (r = -0.207, p < 0.01). Conversely, hope was positively associated with discharge readiness (r = 0.445, p < 0.01). Hope partially mediated the relationship between illness uncertainty and discharge readiness, accounting for 28.5% of the total effect.

CONCLUSION: Illness uncertainty directly impacted discharge readiness in patients with MDD and exerted an indirect effect through the mediating role of hope. Findings highlight the importance of psychosocial interventions aimed at enhancing hope and reducing illness uncertainty to improve discharge readiness and support post-hospital recovery. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

PMID:40359446 | DOI:10.3928/02793695-20250506-01

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2025 May 14:1-8. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20250506-03. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the mediating role of resilience and predictive variables in posttraumatic growth (PTG) among health care professionals working during disasters.

METHOD: This descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational study was conducted with 151 health care professionals who worked in disaster environments. Data for this study were collected using a researcher-prepared sociodemographic questionnaire, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), and Brief Resilience Scale (BRS).

RESULTS: Statistically significant relationships were found between occupation, the unit in which participants worked, whether participants were trained in disaster management, whether participants thought about the need for psychological support for health workers working in a disaster area, and PTGI total score (p < 0.05). In addition, there was a statistically significant relationship between the time it took to start working in the region after the disaster occurred and BRS total score (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Results showed that BRS scores significantly predicted PTG. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

PMID:40359443 | DOI:10.3928/02793695-20250506-03

J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv. 2025 May 14:1-9. doi: 10.3928/02793695-20250507-01. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of education provided to pregnant women with fear of childbirth according to Travelbee’s Human-to-Human Relationship Model on fear of birth, prenatal attachment, and anxiety.

METHOD: This prospective, randomized controlled study was conducted between June and August 2023. Participants included 62 pregnant women divided into intervention and control groups. Pregnant primiparous women who had fear of childbirth were selected for the intervention group, receiving an eight-session educational program based on Travelbee’s model.

RESULTS: At the end of the educational program, decreased fear of childbirth, lower anxiety, and higher prenatal attachment were detected in the intervention group. Results showed a statistically significant difference in the intervention group compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION: Birth preparation education prepared according to Travelbee’s model is an effective method for reducing pregnant women’s fear of childbirth and anxiety and increasing prenatal attachment level. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, xx(xx), xx-xx.].

PMID:40359440 | DOI:10.3928/02793695-20250507-01

PLoS One. 2025 May 13;20(5):e0323229. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323229. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Herpes zoster (HZ) infection is a significant concern among seniors and immunosuppressed patients including those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to compare healthcare utilization (HCU) and mortality in RA patients with and without HZ.

METHODS: Patients from the Ontario Best Practices Research Initiative (OBRI) a clinical cohort (2008-2020) were linked to the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), a population health database. Each HZ patient was matched to four non-HZ patients based on sex, age, and HZ diagnosis date. The incidence of primary (HCU including hospitalization, Emergency Department (ED) visits, physician visits) and secondary (mortality and chronic clinical conditions) outcomes was calculated for each cohort, along with the impact of disease activity, patient-reported outcomes, and RA medication on these outcomes.

RESULTS: The study included 269 RA patients with and 1072 without HZ. At index date (HZ diagnosis) patients with HZ were less likely to have private health insurance (45.7% vs. 56.5%) and more prone to use biologics (30.9% vs. 26.8%) and JAK inhibitors (3.7% vs. 2.6%). Hospitalization/ED visits and mortality were higher in HZ patients, but these differences were not statistically significant after adjusting for other factors. HZ patients had significantly more physician visits (adj IRR: 1.17; 95% CI: 1.03-1.33). Female sex and lower CDAI were associated with fewer physician visits. JAK inhibitor use was associated with increased mortality (adj HR: 4.73, 95% CI: 1.68, 13.4).

CONCLUSION: HCU was higher in RA patients with HZ, particularly in physician visits. Disease activity, patient reported outcomes and RA medication used did not have an impact on HCU and mortality.

PMID:40359432 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0323229

PLoS Comput Biol. 2025 May 13;21(5):e1013067. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013067. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Quantal parameters of synapses are fundamental for the temporal dynamics of neurotransmitter release, which is the basis of interneuronal communication. We formulate a general class of models that capture the stochastic dynamics of quantal content (QC), defined as the number of SV fusion events triggered by a single action potential (AP). Considering the probabilistic and time-varying nature of SV docking, undocking, and AP-triggered fusion, we derive an exact statistical distribution for the QC over time. Analyzing this distribution at steady-state and its associated autocorrelation function, we show that QC fluctuation statistics can be leveraged for inferring key presynaptic parameters, such as the probability of SV fusion (release probability) and SV replenishment at empty docking sites (refilling probability). Our model predictions are tested with electrophysiological data obtained from 50-Hz stimulation of auditory MNTB-LSO synapses in brainstem slices from juvenile mice. Our results show that while synaptic depression can be explained by low and constant refilling/release probabilities, this scenario is inconsistent with the statistics of the electrophysiological data, which show a low QC Fano factor and almost uncorrelated successive QCs. Our systematic analysis yields a model that couples a high release probability to a time-varying refilling probability to explain both the synaptic depression and its associated statistical fluctuations. In summary, we provide a general approach that exploits stochastic signatures in QCs to infer neurotransmission regulating processes that cannot be distinguished from simple analysis of averaged synaptic responses.

PMID:40359429 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1013067

PLoS One. 2025 May 13;20(5):e0322986. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322986. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A decreasing age of menarche has been reported across the Western world. Early menarche is associated with unfavorable health outcomes.

AIM: The aims of this study were to describe the age at menarche in a general population sample in Norway and the associations between body mass index (BMI) categories at preschool (approximately 6 years of age) and age at menarche.

METHODS: We used self-reported age at menarche among girls who participated in the population-based study Fit Futures 1 (FF 2010-2011), mostly born in 1994, to calculate age at menarche. The preschool BMI from health records was divided into BMI categories according to validated cutoffs on the basis of age and sex from the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). We estimated the effect of preschool BMI on age at menarche via a linear regression model adjusted for socioeconomic status (SES).

RESULTS: Among 500 girls with a mean age of 16.5 years (standard deviation (SD) ± 1.4), 497 (99%) had completed menarche. The mean age at menarche was 13.0 years (SD ± 1.2). According to the fitted linear regression model, preschool obesity was a statistically significant predictor of age at menarche and was associated with menarche 9.5 months earlier than a normal preschool BMI was. R2 estimated that preschool BMI could explain 3% of the variance in age at menarche.

CONCLUSION: The mean age at menarche in Northern Norway was 13.0 (SD ± 1.2) years, similar to previous Norwegian studies. Childhood obesity was associated with earlier age at menarche.

PMID:40359425 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0322986