Category: Statistics

Eur J Nutr. 2026 Jul 3;65(5):192. doi: 10.1007/s00394-026-04043-2.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The association between non-sugar-sweetened beverages (NSSB), as a suitable alternative for sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), and the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between the intake of SSB and NSSB, their substitutions with each other, and T2D risk.

METHODS: We used a sub-sample of adults aged 18-70 years from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study. Dietary data was assessed using ethnic-specific food frequency questionnaires. Multivariable-adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for T2D risk for SSB and NSSB and their substitutions of one serving (250 ml)/day were estimated using Poisson models.

RESULTS: Among the 2612 participants included, 141 incident cases of T2D were identified. After multivariable adjustment, higher NSSB intake was associated with an increased risk of T2D in the overall population (IRR_{high vs low}: 2.26; 95% CI: 1.14, 4.46) and among participants with non-Dutch ethnicity (IRR_{high vs low}: 3.04; 95% CI: 1.59, 5.81). No overall association was observed between SSB intake and T2D risk, although a positive association was found among Dutch participants. In substitution analyses, replacing one serving/day of SSB with NSSB was associated with a higher T2D risk among younger participants (IRR_{model 3}: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.75), although this association was not observed in the overall population.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that replacing SSBs with NSSBs may not confer a metabolic benefit and may be associated with a higher risk of T2D in specific subgroups. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms and subgroup-specific factors underlying these associations.

PMID:42397572 | DOI:10.1007/s00394-026-04043-2

Arch Womens Ment Health. 2026 Jul 3;29(4):103. doi: 10.1007/s00737-026-01723-0.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Antenatal depression (AD) is a mental health condition estimated to affect close to 30% of pregnant people globally. The importance of treating depression in pregnancy is underscored by its downstream impact on both maternal and infant biopsychosocial outcomes, such as preterm birth, low birthweight, and postnatal depression. Despite these outcomes, only 20% of women experiencing AD receive appropriate and timely support and treatment. This meta-analysis is a comprehensive synthesis of RCTs evaluating psychological and non-psychological interventions to treat antenatal depression, conducted as part of the HappyMums project.

METHODS: Studies were sourced from PubMed, Embase Medline and MIDIRS (via OVID), and were included if they were (a) randomized controlled trials, (b) with pregnant people with, or at risk for depression, (c) consisted of an intervention, and (d) published in English. To estimate efficacy, Standardized Mean Differences (SMDS) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals using the post- intervention Ms and SDs of both the intervention and control groups. The I² statistic was used as an indicator of variation between studies. Analyses were conducted using the software R Studio.

RESULTS: In total, 115 studies were included in the analysis. The pooled effect size of all interventions, compared with all pooled control arms, showed a clear therapeutic effect (SMD = 0.65, 95% CI 0.48; 0.83), although the between-study heterogeneity variance was high (τ² = 0.78, 95% CI 0.7;1.3). After accounting for outliers, the pooled effect size across 94 treatment arms was still SMD = 0.5 (95% CI, 0.42, 0.56). No significant subgroup differences were found by intervention type and format, or measure used.

CONCLUSION: There are numerous interventions that, on average, are moderately effective in reducing depressive symptomology in pregnancy. Future research should be aimed at addressing how to personalise the choice of treatment and improve treatment outcomes for the individual pregnant person.

PMID:42397557 | DOI:10.1007/s00737-026-01723-0

Mol Biol Rep. 2026 Jul 3;53(1):1087. doi: 10.1007/s11033-026-12266-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Human parvovirus B19 (HB19V) infection poses significant clinical challenges in resource-limited settings, particularly regarding blood safety surveillance and diagnosis of associated syndromes. Limited access to validated diagnostic assays restricts clinical management and transfusion safety protocols. The objective is to develop and validate an in-house duplex real-time PCR assay for HB19V detection and evaluate its clinical utility in a resource-limited setting.

METHODS AND RESULTS: A duplex real-time PCR assay targeting the conserved NS1 gene of HB19V with RNase P as endogenous control was developed. Analytical validation assessed amplification efficiency, limit of detection (LOD), precision (intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation), and cross-reactivity. Clinical validation compared qualitative agreement with a CE-certified commercial kit using Cohen’s kappa statistic. Positive samples underwent Sanger sequencing for genotype characterization. Clinical specimens from suspected HB19V infections were tested and results correlated with patient presentations. The assay demonstrated 98.82% amplification efficiency with LOD of 6 copies/µL. Precision metrics showed excellent reproducibility (CoV < 1% intra-assay, < 5% inter-assay) with no cross-reactivity. Qualitative agreement with the commercial reference was 100% (Cohen’s kappa > 0.95). Clinical application identified three significant cases: post-transfusion HB19V in neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy, HB19V consideration in severe anaemia with ventriculitis, and active infection in paediatric Ewing sarcoma with chemotherapy-induced cytopenias requiring IVIG therapy. Genotyping revealed genotypes 1a and 3, confirming regional viral diversity.

CONCLUSION: This validated in-house duplex real-time PCR assay provides a cost-effective, locally sustainable diagnostic tool for HB19V detection. It addresses critical gaps in blood safety surveillance and expands diagnostic capacity for HB19V-associated syndromes in resource-limited settings, while highlighting the necessity of contextual clinical interpretation for optimal patient management.

PMID:42397555 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-026-12266-z

Support Care Cancer. 2026 Jul 3;34(7):725. doi: 10.1007/s00520-026-10969-4.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to address the relationship between social determinants of health (both individual and neighborhood levels) to understand more fully how social conditions are associated with physical functioning among breast cancer survivors (BCS).

METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of a national sample of breast cancer survivors recruited via Institutional Review Board-approved social media (i.e., Facebook) and online cancer-affiliated resource sites (e.g., Pink Ribbon Connection, Dr. Susan Love Foundation). BCS provided their address and demographic factors and completed the physical functioning survey (PF-10). Neighborhood social determinants of health (SDOH) included Yost National Rank Index and neighborhood factors (walkability and rural vs. urban status) using Geocoding. Descriptive statistics and linear regression models were used.

RESULTS: BCS who were older (p = 0.038) and single (p = 0.008) had poor physical functioning. Socioeconomic factors including higher education (p = 0.001), higher income (p = 0.034), and higher neighborhood socioeconomic status (Yost Index, p = 0.016) were associated with greater physical functioning. Neighborhood factors (walkability and rural vs. urban) were not associated with physical functioning in BCS.

CONCLUSION: Physical functioning of BCS was linked to age, social network (marital status), and socioeconomic status. Future interventional research is needed that accounts for individual and socioeconomic factors to mitigate their effects on the physical functioning of BCS.

PMID:42397554 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-026-10969-4

Support Care Cancer. 2026 Jul 3;34(7):729. doi: 10.1007/s00520-026-10955-w.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Individuals undergoing chemotherapy experience a range of symptoms that can significantly impact their quality of life and treatment outcomes; the prevalence and severity of which can change across their treatment journey. This study aimed to identify and describe the longitudinal symptom experience during the first four months of chemotherapy administration across a range of cancer diagnoses.

METHODS: A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted at a cancer centre in Queensland, Australia. Monthly surveys assessed symptoms, distress, and quality of life across 4 months of chemotherapy.

RESULTS: A total of 252 participants completed baseline surveys (mean age 61 ± 12.3 years; 65% female; 40% breast cancer). Participants reported a mean of 22.5 ± 9.0 symptoms at baseline, with a statistically significant reduction in symptoms throughout the study period 21.9 ± 9.2 symptoms (p = 0.002). Fatigue (93%), insomnia (80%), and pain (72%) were most common at baseline and remained highly prevalent throughout the time period. Severe fatigue (25%), pain (15%), and constipation (15%) reduced over time, while peripheral neuropathy and decreased sexual interest increased.

CONCLUSION: This study has produced insights into the high number of symptoms experienced during the initial four months of chemotherapy. Given the impact of symptoms on treatment outcomes, there is a critical need for the development of appropriate assessment tools capable of capturing this broad range of patient symptom experiences.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Understanding symptom patterns over time can support early identification of high-risk patients, guide personalised supportive care strategies and optimise treatment tolerance and quality of life during and beyond chemotherapy.

PMID:42397550 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-026-10955-w

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2026 Jul 3. doi: 10.1007/s12011-026-05221-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study presents a comparative analysis of rare earth element (REE) distribution in 24 organs and tissues of four Manchurian wapiti (Cervus canadensis xanthopygus) and four wild boar (Sus scrofa) harvested near the borders of five protected natural areas in Primorsky Krai, Russian Far East. A total of 192 biological samples (96 per species) were analyzed using ICP-MS. At the level of all analyzed organ and tissue samples, statistically significant interspecific differences (p = 0.004) were observed only for europium (Eu), with wapiti showing the most pronounced Eu anomaly in bone tissue (δEu = 190 compared to 52 in wild boar). Analysis of REE concentrations among individual organs and tissues revealed species-specific accumulation patterns: in Manchurian wapiti, REE are deposited primarily in hair and intestine, whereas in wild boar, the liver serves as an additional major depot alongside hair. Elevated concentrations of heavy REE were detected in wild boar lung tissue. The presence of REE in the central nervous system of both species suggests that these elements can reach neural tissues, raising questions about their potential neurotoxicity. These results indicate that interspecific differences in REE accumulation and distribution may be related to behavioral and physiological factors, including dietary habits, digestive system type, and species-specific target organs. This study provides data and potential insights for understanding REE behavior in the body of terrestrial mammals.

PMID:42397511 | DOI:10.1007/s12011-026-05221-3

Behav Brain Sci. 2026 Jul 3;49:e262. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X25104160.

ABSTRACT

As developmental science expands globally, its theories and methods must rise to the challenge. Children worldwide develop within caregiving ecologies that often differ from traditional family models. Understanding how infants adapt within these contexts reveals general principles of human development. Achieving this requires structural change: consensus-building, open methods, and theories grounded in the environments where most children actually grow up.

PMID:42396681 | DOI:10.1017/S0140525X25104160

Behav Brain Sci. 2026 Jul 3;49:e259. doi: 10.1017/S0140525X25104147.

ABSTRACT

To illustrate the potential risks of overlooking WILD (i.e., Worldwide, Insitu, Local and Diverse) approaches in developmental psychology, we examined possible cultural biases in child protection interventions across WEIRD (i.e., Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic) countries. Analyses of national statistics revealed that children from minority cultural backgrounds are consistently overrepresented in care systems. We argue that equitable policies must adopt WILD-informed frameworks that respect cultural diversity while ensuring children’s safety and well-being.

PMID:42396671 | DOI:10.1017/S0140525X25104147

Int J Artif Organs. 2026 Jul 3:3913988261455770. doi: 10.1177/03913988261455770. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine foot care behaviors, perceived benefits and barriers to exercise, and the relationships between these factors among diabetic patients undergoing hemodialysis.

MAJOR FINDINGS: This study included 151 adults with type 2 diabetes receiving hemodialysis in Istanbul. Data were collected using the Foot Care Behavior Scale, the Diabetic Foot Care Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Exercise Benefits/Barriers Scale for Dialysis Patients. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, correlation analyses, and linear regression were conducted. Higher education and health literacy were associated with improved foot care behaviors and greater perceived benefits of exercise. Fatigue, comorbidities, and lack of knowledge were identified as major barriers to exercise. Regression analysis showed that gender, age, albumin level, and exercise status significantly influenced perceived benefits and barriers.

CONCLUSIONS: Nursing interventions should focus on patient education, strengthening self-efficacy, and providing individualized exercise guidance to improve outcomes among diabetic hemodialysis patients. These findings highlight the critical role of nurses in promoting self-care behaviors and physical activity among diabetic hemodialysis patients.

PMID:42396656 | DOI:10.1177/03913988261455770

Int J Artif Organs. 2026 Jul 3:3913988261455788. doi: 10.1177/03913988261455788. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hypercapnic respiratory failure is a frequent and life-threatening condition in intensive care. While lung-protective ventilation is essential to limit ventilator-induced lung injury, it may aggravate hypercapnia, particularly in severely ill patients. Low-flow extracorporeal CO₂ removal (ECCO₂R) has therefore been proposed as an adjunct to facilitate CO₂ clearance and support protective ventilation. When integrated into continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) platforms, ECCO₂R offers a less invasive alternative to high-flow extracorporeal support. However, the effectiveness of CRRT-based ECCO₂R operated at very low blood flows, particularly under regional citrate anticoagulation, remains insufficiently characterized.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of invasively ventilated ICU patients with severe hypercapnic respiratory failure treated with low-flow ECCO₂R integrated into a citrate-anticoagulated CRRT system. Arterial blood gas parameters and ventilatory settings were retrospectively extracted at baseline and 2, 12, and 48 h after ECCO₂R initiation.

RESULTS: In 11 patients, median PaCO₂ decreased from 83.1 to 52.9 mmHg at 48 h, with a corresponding rise in pH from 7.21 to 7.33 (both p = 0.008). Tidal volume showed early pairwise changes, whereas overall ventilator settings and oxygenation remained unchanged. The system was feasible, required no systemic anticoagulation, and caused no coagulation-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS: In invasively ventilated patients with severe hypercapnic respiratory failure, low-flow ECCO₂R integrated into citrate-anticoagulated CRRT reduced PaCO₂ and improved acidosis, without significant overall changes in ventilator settings. This first report of exclusive regional citrate anticoagulation in CRRT-based ECCO₂R demonstrated feasibility and safety without coagulation complications. Despite a blood-flow limit of 200 ml/min, a statistically significant and clinically detectable reduction in PaCO₂ was achieved.

PMID:42396637 | DOI:10.1177/03913988261455788