Category: Statistics

Front Public Health. 2024 Oct 10;12:1398980. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1398980. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In the contemporary landscape, college students have emerged as a demographic increasingly vulnerable to AIDS. Recognizing that heightened awareness and progressive attitudes toward HIV are pivotal in its prevention, this study was conceived with the intent to meticulously evaluate the level of HIV understanding amongst college students, gauge their sentiments toward people living with HIV (PLHIV), and scrutinize factors influencing these perceptions.

METHOD: This study used an anonymous online questionnaire to collect data through a cross-sectional survey. The sample size for the survey was 4,193 students from four colleges and universities in Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China, covering a variety of demographic characteristics. The survey focused on students’ level of knowledge related to HIV and their attitudes toward PLHIV. The study used descriptive statistics to describe the demographic characteristics of the sample, chi-square tests to examine differences within categorical variables, and logistic regression to investigate the associations between knowledge levels and attitudes.

RESULTS: A total of 4,193 university students were surveyed, among whom the majority (96.85%) demonstrated a high level of knowledge related to AIDS. Moreover, 55.52% of the participants reported positive attitudes toward individuals with AIDS. The multiple regression analysis revealed that female students (OR = 0.49, p < 0.001), those enrolled in medical programs (OR = 1.56, p = 0.014), students of Han Chinese ethnicity (OR = 2.46, p = 0.009), and individuals with fewer romantic involvements (OR = 1.57, p < 0.001) possess greater HIV/AIDS awareness. Moreover, lower grade levels (OR = 1.12, p < 0.001), reduced monthly living costs (OR = 1.14, p = 0.014), lack of sexual experience (OR = 0.75, p = 0.015), and a higher degree of HIV/AIDS knowledge (OR = 1.617, p = 0.007) were positively correlated with supportive attitudes toward PLHIV.

CONCLUSION: Overall, the awareness rate of college students in Xuzhou City about HIV/AIDS infection awareness is high. However, only about half of the university students have positive attitudes toward PLHIV. In order to ensure that a thorough understanding of HIV/AIDS is matched by positive attitudes, it is important to implement targeted educational measures aimed at bridging the gap between knowledge and attitudes toward HIV/AIDS in order to develop a more informed and empathetic student body.

PMID:39450388 | PMC:PMC11500070 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1398980

Front Public Health. 2024 Oct 10;12:1431001. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1431001. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Research on the correlation between exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs)/heavy metals and bone health during childhood and adolescence is limited. Considering their role as endocrine disruptors, we examined relationships of six PFASs and three heavy metals with bone mineral density (BMD) in children and adolescents using representative samples from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

METHODS: The study included 622 participants aged 12-19. The relationship between single pollutant and lumbar spine and total BMD was studied using linear regression analyses. Additionally, Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR) models were applied to assess the joint effects of multiple PFASs and heavy metals exposure on the lumbar spine and total BMD.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were noted in the serum concentrations of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), blood lead (Pb), and blood manganese (Mn) between male and female participants (all p < 0.05). Single-exposure studies have shown that Mn was negatively correlated with lumbar spine BMD and total BMD. Multivariate linear regression models revealed that, in the male group, total bone density decreased as the blood PFOA levels [95% CI = (-0.031, -0.001), p = 0.040] and blood manganese levels [95% CI = (-0.009, -0.002), p = 0.004] increased. Similarly, lumbar spine bone density decreased as the blood manganese levels [95% CI = (-0.011, -0.002), p = 0.009] increased. In the female group, total bone density decreased as the serum PFNA levels [95% CI = (-0.039, 0.000), p = 0.048] increased. As shown in the BKMR model, the joint effects of pollutant mixtures, including Mn, were negatively associated with both the lumbar spine and total BMD. Among the pollutants analyzed, Mn appeared to be the primary contributor to this negative association.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that exposure to certain PFASs and heavy metals may be associated with poor bone health. Childhood and adolescence are crucial stages for bone development, and improper exposure to PFASs and heavy metals during these stages could potentially jeopardize future bone health, consequently raising the risk of osteoporosis in adulthood.

PMID:39450387 | PMC:PMC11499139 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1431001

Front Public Health. 2024 Oct 10;12:1414979. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1414979. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Few studies have focused on the region-specific relationship between cardiovascular disease (CVD) and low temperature worldwide.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to provide an overview of trends in mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for CVD and its subtypes attributable to low temperature over the past 30 years in 204 countries and regions, along with the associations of these trends with age, period, and birth cohorts.

METHODS: Data on the estimated burden of CVDs (including ischemic heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and stroke) attributable to low temperature were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. We utilized an age-period-cohort model to estimate overall annual percentage changes in mortality (net drifts), annual percentage changes from 15 ~ 19 to 81 ~ 85 years (local drifts), and period and cohort relative risk (period/cohort effects) between 1990 and 2019.

RESULTS: Among noncommunicable diseases, CVDs had the highest mortality rate and DALY loss attributable to low temperature worldwide and has increased from 65.7 to 67.3%, which is mainly attributed to the increase in East Asia and Pacific region. In terms of the level of economic and social development, an inverted U-shape was found in the age-standardized mortality rates (ASMR) due to low-temperature across different sociodemographic indices (SDI) regions. Both high CVD mortality (19.45, 95% CI [14.54, 24.17%]) and a decreasing mortality rate related to low temperature (from 1990 to 2019, net drift, -3.25% [-3.76, 2.73%] per year) was found in high SDI countries or territories, with opposite outcome found in low SDIs regions. The older adults (70+) and men share the highest rate of CVD ASMR and DALY attributed to low temperature across all regions, especially in North America and Europe and Central Asia.

CONCLUSION: Mortality and DALY loss from CVD attributable to low temperature showed an overall decreasing trend globally except for East Asia and Pacific region. SDI, sex, age and geographic location contributed to the diversity of the CVD disease burden associated with low temperature worldwide. More attention should be given to the older adults, men, and low SDI regions.

PMID:39450386 | PMC:PMC11500463 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1414979

Front Public Health. 2024 Oct 10;12:1399027. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1399027. eCollection 2024.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The limitation of carry out everyday activities independently is a common experience for older adults with functional disabilities, which can hurt their overall well-being. Unfortunately, there is still a dearth of evidence about how common it is among older adults, especially in low-and middle-income countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of functional disability among older adults living in Bahir Dar city, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2023.

METHOD: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among older adults (≥60 years) living in Bahir Dar city, Northwest, Ethiopia. A total of 598 study participants were included using a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Barthel Index (BI) was used to assess the functional capacity of older adults which comprises 10 items. The total score ranges from 0 to 100. Variables significant in bivariable analysis were entered into multivariable logistic regression analysis. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant in the final logistic regression model.

RESULTS: Among the 598 participants studied, the overall prevalence of functional disability was 29.6 (95% CI: 26.0-33.4). Older age (≥70 years) {adjusted odds ratio(AOR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.03-4.88)}, comorbidity (AOR: 2.96; 95% CI: 1.47-5.94), physically inactive (AOR: 2.42; 95% CI: 1.18-4.96), one and more drug users (AOR: 3.61; 95% CI: 2.12-6.15), cognitive impairment (AOR: 3.66; 95% CI: 2.26-4.93) and depression (AOR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.08-2.68) were found significant associated factors of functional disabilities among older adults.

CONCLUSION: This study found that nearly one-third of older adults had functional disabilities. Functional disability was significantly associated with factors such as increasing age, presence of comorbidities, being physically inactive, one and more drug users, who developed cognitive impairment, and having depression symptoms. Proactive measures need to be initiated to ensure proper care and support of functionally disabled individuals, especially targeting vulnerable groups identified in this study.

PMID:39450385 | PMC:PMC11499910 | DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1399027

Acta Paediatr. 2024 Oct 24. doi: 10.1111/apa.17475. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The purpose of this study was to evaluate irisin, myonectin and high-sensitivity interleukin-6 (hs IL-6) levels in obese children and adolescents and to determine the association of these parameters with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in children.

METHODS: Sixty-one overweight/obese children with suspected liver disease and seventeen healthy controls were included in the study. MASLD was diagnosed according to the latest consensus. Circulating irisin, myonectin and hs IL-6 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS: The study group included 38 children meeting MASLD criteria and 23 children without diagnosed hepatic steatosis. The concentrations of the analysed myokines were comparable in the MASLD and non-MASLD groups. Patients with MASLD were further divided according to the severity of hepatic steatosis. Significantly higher levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyltransferase, uric acid and irisin were observed in patients with severe hepatic steatosis compared to mild hepatic steatosis. There were borderline statistically significant positive correlations of irisin with ALT and AST.

CONCLUSION: We revealed that elevated irisin levels were associated with the degree of hepatic steatosis in MASLD. We also found a borderline significant positive association of irisin with liver enzymes.

PMID:39448554 | DOI:10.1111/apa.17475

J Exp Anal Behav. 2024 Oct 24. doi: 10.1002/jeab.4222. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

One of the most common treatments for severe challenging behavior involves placing the challenging behavior on extinction and differentially reinforcing an alternative response (DRA). However, extinction is not always feasible and may be unsafe or impractical to implement in some circumstances. Thus, implementing a DRA without extinction intervention may be necessary for some cases. Currently, the extent to which DRA without extinction produces durable treatment outcomes, particularly as it relates to the resurgence of challenging behavior, is unclear. The present study investigated resurgence following DRA with and without extinction using a three-phase resurgence evaluation in a translational human operant model with college students as participants. All participants demonstrated resurgence across both experimental groups. Although there were no statistically significant differences in the prevalence, magnitude, or persistence of resurgence between groups, levels of resurgence magnitude were relatively higher in the DRA-without-extinction group than in the DRA-with-extinction group. Clinical implications of these findings and directions for future human operant investigations of resurgence are discussed.

PMID:39448553 | DOI:10.1002/jeab.4222

Natl Med J India. 2024 Jul-Aug;37(4):181-190. doi: 10.25259/NMJI_241_2023.

ABSTRACT

Background About 35% of the global child deaths and 11% of the total disease burden are due to inadequate nutrition. While in India, 1 in 3 children are underweight and stunted, and 1 in 5 children are wasted. Methods Using multivariate and descriptive statistical analysis, we examined the prevalence, determinants of minimum diet diversity failure (MDDF) and trends of MDDF across different regions of India among children aged 6-23 months. Dietary pattern in 8 food groups was also examined using the National Family and Health Survey (NFHS) data from 2005-06 to 2019-21. Results Overall, MDDF in India has decreased from 87.4% (2005-06) to 77.1% (2019-21). The central region (84.6%) reported the highest prevalence of MDDF in 2019-21. Children of illiterate and rural residing mothers with no mass media exposure, children of the first birth order and children not exposed to counselling and health check-ups at Anganwadi/Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres, children with low birth weight and anaemic, and who belonged to a large family had greater likelihood for MDDF. Conclusion To tackle the high prevalence of MDDF, a holistic action is needed from the government, i.e. improved public distribution system (PDS), intensified Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) programme, use of social media, and nutrition counselling through local self-governance.

PMID:39448534 | DOI:10.25259/NMJI_241_2023

Natl Med J India. 2024 Jul-Aug;37(4):209-214. doi: 10.25259/NMJI_852_2022.

ABSTRACT

Background The challenge faced by an undergraduate medical student to draw factually correct histology diagrams needs to be addressed by the use of innovative teaching strategies. We introduced a new method to teach drawing of histology diagrams and compared its outcome with two preexisting methods. We obtained feedback from the students and faculty. Methods We introduced an innovation (method 3): A validated hand-drawn pencil sketch of a histology diagram was provided to the students. Students drew on the pencil sketch with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) pencils and coloured it. They then drew the same diagram afresh. Three diagrams of systemic histology were chosen and the evaluation criteria shared with students. The students drew all three diagrams once, each by a different method. The scores of method 3 were compared with the other two methods, copying from standard atlas (method 1) and from hand-drawn colour chart made by teacher (method 2). Feedback was sought from students and faculty by means of a google form. Results A total of 112 students (of 167 who volunteered) completed the study. The mean (SD) score obtained by method 3 (4.83 [0.298]) was higher than the mean score by method 1 (3.91 [0.95]) and method 2 (4.82 [0.27]). There was a statistically significant difference between method 3 and method 1 (p<0.01), and method 2 and method 1 (p<0.01). However, the difference in scores between methods 3 and 2 was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion We found method 3 (the innovation) to be better than one of the pre-existing methods (method 1) but not better than method 2. The quality of diagrams produced by methods 2 and 3 were better than those by method 1, and equally so. The ease of drawing and time taken to draw were the best for method 2. Hence, overall, method 2 may be adjudged the best method.

PMID:39448530 | DOI:10.25259/NMJI_852_2022

Psychon Bull Rev. 2024 Oct 24. doi: 10.3758/s13423-024-02601-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Recent developments in artificial intelligence (AI) have led to changes in healthcare. Government and regulatory bodies have advocated the need for transparency in AI systems with recommendations to provide users with more details about AI accuracy and how AI systems work. However, increased transparency could lead to negative outcomes if humans become overreliant on the technology. This study investigated how changes in AI transparency affected human decision-making in a medical-screening visual search task. Transparency was manipulated by either giving or withholding knowledge about the accuracy of an ‘AI system’. We tested performance in seven simulated lab mammography tasks, in which observers searched for a cancer which could be correctly or incorrectly flagged by computer-aided detection (CAD) ‘AI prompts’. Across tasks, the CAD systems varied in accuracy. In the ‘transparent’ condition, participants were told the accuracy of the CAD system, in the ‘not transparent’ condition, they were not. The results showed that increasing CAD transparency impaired task performance, producing an increase in false alarms, decreased sensitivity, an increase in recall rate, and a decrease in positive predictive value. Along with increasing investment in AI, this research shows that it is important to investigate how transparency of AI systems affect human decision-making. Increased transparency may lead to overtrust in AI systems, which can impact clinical outcomes.

PMID:39448515 | DOI:10.3758/s13423-024-02601-5

Planta. 2024 Oct 24;260(6):125. doi: 10.1007/s00425-024-04548-2.

ABSTRACT

In the present review, we discussed the detailed signaling cascades via membrane transporters that confer plant tolerance to abiotic stresses and possible significant use in plant development for climate-resilient crops. Plant transporters play significant roles in nutrient uptake, cellular balance, and stress responses. They facilitate the exchange of chemicals and signals across the plant’s membrane by signal transduction, osmotic adjustment, and ion homeostasis. Therefore, research into plant transporters is crucial for understanding the mechanics of plant stress tolerance. Transporters have potential applications in crop breeding for increased stress resistance. We discuss new results about various transporter families (ABC, MATE, NRAMP, NRT, PHT, ZIP), including their functions in abiotic stress tolerance and plant development. Furthermore, we emphasize the importance of transporters in plant responses to abiotic stresses such as drought, cold, salt, and heavy metal toxicity, low light, flooding, and nutrient deficiencies. We discuss the transporter pathways and processes involved in diverse plant stress responses. This review discusses recent advances in the role of membrane transporters in abiotic stress tolerance in Arabidopsis and other crops. The review contains the genes discovered in recent years and associated molecular mechanisms that improve plants’ ability to survive abiotic stress and their possible future applications by integrating membrane transporters with other technologies.

PMID:39448443 | DOI:10.1007/s00425-024-04548-2