Category: Statistics

Porcine Health Manag. 2025 Jan 9;11(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s40813-024-00417-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Digestive disorders are one of the main health problems in suckling piglets. The correct visual identification of feces in suckling piglets is an important tool for the diagnosis of enteric diseases. The aim of the present observational study was to analyze different physicochemical parameters of the feces of suckling piglets aged 0 to 21 days: visual appearance (color and consistency), fecal dry matter (FDM) content and pH. A total of 482 fecal samples were collected and visually classified into six categories: meconium, colostrum stage feces and 4 further scores according to the degree of consistency: 0 = form; 1 = pasty; 2 = liquid; and 3 = watery feces. The percentage of FDM was estimated by two drying methods, oven and microwave, doing duplicates in each one to evaluate methods, and both were compared.

RESULTS: The most frequent colors of each feces category were dark green or dark brown for meconium; orange for colostrum; formed feces were mostly ocher and for the rest of the feces, the colors varied predominantly cream and ocher. Regarding FDM, liquid and watery categories had no statistically significant differences between them; meconium and colostrum feces FDM were not statistically different from pasty feces. The correlation coefficient between the FDM values of the duplicate analyses of the samples by both methods (oven and microwave) was very high (> 0.988). Importantly, no differences were found while comparing the results between both methods (p = 0.078), and the correlation coefficient between all samples analyzed with both methods was very high (> 0.98). Meconium was the only one that differed significantly from the rest in terms of pH.

CONCLUSION: The physicochemical study of the feces of suckling piglets including color, FDM and pH allowed the establishment of an objective fecal score to characterize the stools in this age group.

PMID:39789643 | DOI:10.1186/s40813-024-00417-2

Breast Cancer Res. 2025 Jan 9;27(1):5. doi: 10.1186/s13058-024-01940-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alcohol intake is associated with a higher risk of estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (BC), presumably through its confirmed ability to increase sex hormone levels. Whether consuming alcohol within the recommended limit of one serving per day increases sex hormone levels among postmenopausal women taking aromatase inhibitors (AI) to inhibit estrogen production remains unknown. Therefore, we compared sex hormone levels following white wine to levels following white grape juice among ER + BC survivors taking AIs.

METHODS: In this 10-week randomized controlled two-period crossover trial conducted from September 2022 to July 2023 among 20 postmenopausal women on AIs, we examined within-person changes in sex hormone levels following 3 weeks of 5 ounces of white wine daily versus 3 weeks of 6 ounces of white grape juice daily, with each drinking period preceded by two-week washouts and drinking period sequence allocated by randomization.

RESULTS: All 20 participants completed the trial. Compared to daily grape juice, daily wine led to decreases in total estradiol (11.1%, 95%confidence interval[CI] -49.8%,57.2%), free estradiol index (0.7%, 95%CI -2%,0.7%), and free estradiol concentration (7.7%, 95%CI -48%, 63.9%) but increases in estrone (13.8%, 95%CI -9.5%,43.1%), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS; 11.4%, 95%CI -3.3%,28.4%), and testosterone (12.6%, 95%CI -0.8%,27.7%) and decreased sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG; -2.7%, 95%CI -21.9%,21.2%).

CONCLUSIONS: Five ounces of white wine daily did not lead to statistically significant increases in estradiol, but it led to changes in other sex hormones suggesting higher BC risk. Whether this level of alcohol intake diminishes AI effectiveness warrants further investigation.

TRIALS REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT05423730 registered June 14, 2022.

PMID:39789640 | DOI:10.1186/s13058-024-01940-4

Int J Retina Vitreous. 2025 Jan 9;11(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s40942-025-00629-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study evaluates the efficacy of intravitreal Faricimab in reducing pigment epithelium detachment (PED) and fluid volumes in both treatment-naïve eyes and eyes unresponsive to anti-VEGF mono-therapies, all diagnosed with type 1 macular neovascularization (T1 MNV) over a period of 12-month.

METHODS: A retrospective, single-center cohort study was conducted at the Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland. Clinical records of treatment-naïve and non-responder switch patients presenting T1 MNV secondary to neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) from September 2022 to March 2023 were reviewed. Patients received a loading dose of three monthly Faricimab injections followed by a treat-and-extend (T&E) regimen. Multimodal imaging, including structural OCT and AI-assisted analysis, was used to quantify PED volumes and related fluid biomarkers at baseline, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month follow-up. Statistical analyses included linear mixed models to evaluate differences and trends in intraretinal (IRF), subretinal fluid (SRF) and PED volumes.

RESULTS: 65 eyes of 65 patients were enrolled (female: 70.7%; mean age = 80.7yrs, SD = 6.9yrs). 80% had received anti-VEGF treatment (Switch group) and 20% were treatment-Naïve at baseline. At 12 months, intravitreal treatments were more frequent in the Switch group (mean number = 8.3 vs. 6.0; p = 0.009). BCVA improved at the 12-month follow-up in Naïve eyes (+ 6.9 ETDRS letters from baseline, p = 0.053) and was maintained in Switch eyes. No cases of intraocular inflammation were observed. Significant reduction in SRF and IRF volumes were noted in both groups. A significant reduction in PED volume was observed over the follow-up period in both groups (mean slope = -206 nL, 95%CL = -273/-138; p-value < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Intravitreal Faricimab significantly reduced PED volumes in both treatment-Naïve and non-responder Switch patients over 12 months. The study highlights Faricimab’s potential as an effective treatment option for T1 MNV in nAMD, offering significant improvements in PED volume and related fluid biomarkers.

PMID:39789631 | DOI:10.1186/s40942-025-00629-w

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Jan 9;26(1):33. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-08238-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) often leads to pain and functional limitations, impacting work and daily life. Physical activity (PA) is an important part of the treatment. Wearable activity trackers (WATs) offer a novel approach to promote PA but could also aid in finding a sustainable PA level over time. The aim of this secondary analysis was to examine the effects of self-monitoring PA with a WAT on perceived joint function and health-related quality of life in people with hip and knee OA.

METHOD: A two-armed cluster-randomized controlled trial (C-RCT) was conducted in southern Sweden including 160 individuals with hip or knee OA. The participants were cluster-randomized to a Supported Osteoarthritis Self-management Program (SOASP) with the addition of self-monitoring PA using a commercial WAT for 12 weeks (n = 86), or only the SOASP (n = 74). The outcomes include perceived joint function measured with HOOS/KOOS and health-related quality of Life (HRQoL) measured with EQ-5D-3L index and EQ VAS. Participants responded to the questionnaires at baseline and at follow-up after 3, 6 and 12 months. Statistical analyses involved linear mixed models, ANCOVA and paired t-test.

RESULTS: Participants with data from baseline and at least one follow-up were included in the analyses (n = 124). The analyses showed no statistically significant differences in changes between the groups in perceived joint function or HRQoL throughout the study period. Both groups improved in pain and symptoms, but the changes were small.

CONCLUSION: The addition of WAT-use did not have any effect on perceived joint function or HRQoL. The participants’ relatively high baseline scores might have influenced the outcomes of this study. We suggest that future WAT-interventions target inactive people with OA and use devices that also captures other activities such as cycling or aquatic exercise.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03354091. Registered 15/11/2017.

PMID:39789623 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-024-08238-8

Porcine Health Manag. 2025 Jan 9;11(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s40813-024-00411-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Umbilical outpouchings (UOs) in pigs are a multifactorial disease and little is known about effective prevention strategies and risk factors for UO development. UOs are common in Danish pigs and legislation complicates and increases the cost of keeping and raising pigs with UO. Recommendations for preventive measures exist but the scientific evidence behind the recommendations is often lacking. This study´s purpose was to investigate veterinarians’ perspectives on UO pigs´ fitness for transport, the welfare of UO pigs, the significance of UO, risk factors for the development of UO, and the management of pigs with UO. This study´s purpose was to investigate veterinarians’ perspectives on UO pigs´ fitness for transport, the welfare of UO pigs, the significance of UO, risk factors for the development of UO, and the management of pigs with UO.

RESULTS: The survey received 93 complete responses from veterinarians working within porcine health management. Because of the large proportion of replies from Danish veterinarians, all reporting of results was divided among Danish and non-Danish veterinarians. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the assessment of fitness for transport. Both groups mainly agreed to a series of statements regarding the significance of UO and risk factors for UO development. The management of UO was also similar across the groups except for the use of neonatal antibiotics which was used considerably more in Danish herds.

CONCLUSIONS: Umbilical outpouchings seem to be perceived as a challenge across pork production; affecting the welfare of the individual pig as well as the management of the entire production. There were no significant differences between Danish and non-Danish veterinarians’ assessments of fitness for transport, and almost all the veterinarians agreed that some UO pigs might need special attention and care. Most would also recommend preventive measures. Despite most respondents in this survey working under the laws of the European Union, some were unaware of legislation regarding UO pigs.

PMID:39789622 | DOI:10.1186/s40813-024-00411-8

Biol Direct. 2025 Jan 9;20(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s13062-025-00593-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite the increasing body of evidence that mitochondrial activities implicate in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we are still far from a causal-logical and mechanistic understanding of the mitochondrial malfunctions in COPD pathogenesis.

RESULTS: Differential expression genes (DEGs) from six publicly available bulk human lung tissue transcriptomic datasets of COPD patients were intersected with the known mitochondria-related genes from MitoCarta3.0 to obtain mitochondria-related DEGs associated with COPD (MitoDEGs). The 32 hub MitoDEGs identified from protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks demonstrated superior overall diagnostic efficacy to non-hub MitoDEGs. Random forest (RF) analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis of hub MitoDEGs further nominated NDUFS2, CAT, and MRPL2 as causal MitoDEGs for COPD, whose predominate expressions in pulmonary macrophages were revealed by an independent single-cell transcriptomic dataset of COPD human lungs. Finally, NDUFS2 was evaluated as the top-ranked contributor to COPD in the nomogram model and its downregulation in pulmonary macrophages could result in pro-inflammatory secretion, enhanced intercellular communications, whereas depressed phagocytosis of macrophages as revealed by gene set variation analysis (GSVA) and cell-cell interaction (CCI) analysis of single-cell transcriptomic dataset of COPD human lungs, which was later confirmed in COPD mouse model and macrophage cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study established the causal linkage between mitochondrial malfunctions and COPD, providing a potential therapeutic avenue to alleviate pulmonary inflammation accounting for COPD by targeting mitochondria-related genes. NDUFS2, a canonical component of mitochondrial electron respiratory chain, was highlighted instrumental for the susceptibility of risk-exposed individuals to COPD.

PMID:39789601 | DOI:10.1186/s13062-025-00593-3

Nutr J. 2025 Jan 10;24(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s12937-025-01073-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease (GSD) is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder, few studies have examined the combined effects of dietary and lifestyle factors on GSD. This study aims to investigate the relationship between oxidative balance score (OBS) and GSD, and explores the potential mediating role of oxidative stress.

METHODS: Cross-sectional data from 6,196 participants in the NHANES 2017-2020 were analyzed. OBS, encompassing 16 dietary and 4 lifestyle factors, was assessed alongside GSD prevalence. Weighted multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis were used to explore the relationship between OBS and GSD and mediation analysis was used to test the indirect effect of oxidative stress indicators. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were used to determine the stability of results.

RESULTS: A higher OBS was significantly associated with a reduced risk of GSD (OR: 0.701, 95% CI: 0.492-0.999, P < 0.05). RCS analysis revealed a linear association between OBS and GSD risk. Mediation analysis indicated significant mediating effects of albumin and uric acid, with a combined mediation proportion of 19.540% (P < 0.05). Subgroup analysis revealed differences and interrelationships based on education level, providing additional insights into the relationship between OBS and GSD and sensitivity analysis confirmed the stability of these associations.

CONCLUSIONS: A higher OBS is associated with a reduced risk of GSD, especially among higher education levels groups, and albumin, uric acid may act as mediators of this association. These findings underscore the potential role of oxidative stress in GSD and the significance of maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle to decrease GSD risk.

PMID:39789597 | DOI:10.1186/s12937-025-01073-0

BMC Oral Health. 2025 Jan 9;25(1):51. doi: 10.1186/s12903-024-05388-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diabetes with its highly prevalence has become a major contributor to the burden of health care costs worldwide. Recent unequivocal evidence has revealed a bidirectional link between oral health and diabetes. In this study, the effects of the Oral Health Promotion Program (OHPP) on oral hygiene, oral health-related quality of life and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels in diabetic elderly were examined. Moreover, microbial changes in the saliva microbiota community were also emphatically investigated.

METHODS: A quasi-experiment was conducted in regionally representative communities to assess oral health and oral microbiota of the elderly diabetic participants. The participants in the intervention group (n = 26) received OHPP including three phases of cognition, intensification and consolidation during the program, when those in the control group (n = 26) received routine oral care. Clinical parameters were recorded at two different time points as before the study (T0), and 3 months after intervention onset (T1). Oral health was measured via the oral health impact profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire, dental plaque index, HbA1c and mastery of oral health knowledge, and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene from saliva samples was used to analyze the oral microbiota.

RESULTS: The average age of the final sample was 71.77 years (SD = 6.06), 53.8% (28/52) of whom were male. A reduction in the plaque index and improvements in oral health-related quality of life and mastery of oral health knowledge were observed in the intervention group. Meanwhile, the α-diversity of the microbiota increased in both groups, but more significant in the intervention group. PCoA analyses showed significant differences in microbial community structure in both groups, and LEfSe analyses revealed a decrease of g_Streptococcus and g_Rothia after the implementation of OHPP and a decrease of g_Streptococcusa, g_Porphyromonas, g_Gemella after the routine oral care. There was no statistically significant difference in the HbA1c level between two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: OHPP superiorly contributes to the improvement of oral health and oral microbiota in elderly diabetic patients. The overarching goal is to introduce attention to the importance of good oral health as a crucial point in preventing and managing diabetes mellitus and thereby make it a meaningful contribution to public health and geriatric care.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively registered in Chinese Clinical Trial on October 9, 2022 (ID ChiCTR2200064453).

PMID:39789594 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-024-05388-y

Arch Public Health. 2025 Jan 10;83(1):7. doi: 10.1186/s13690-024-01495-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In India, approximately 3.5 million children are affected by Developmental Delay (DD), often stemming from preterm births. These delays contribute to neurological and motor development delays, placing a significant financial burden on families. Maternal unemployment rates are also elevated in such cases. Delayed Developmental Milestones identification, often due to a lack of parental awareness, further compounds these challenges. This study introduces a multiphasic approach aimed at educating antenatal women on monitoring neurological maturation, with the overarching objective of assessing the effectiveness of a targeted multi-method parental education intervention in improving parents’ knowledge and early detection of developmental disorders in early childhood.

METHODS: Antenatal women will be assigned to intervention or control groups. The intervention group will undergo specialized training in a multiphasic study, while the control group will receive routine care. A meticulously developed intervention module for early detection of neurodevelopmental disorders will empower mothers to monitor their newborns for potential deficits. Outcomes will be assessed through questionnaires, analyzing knowledge improvement and early identification of DD using statistical methods such as chi-square tests. The study involves three phases: preparatory, implementation, and evaluation, aiming to empower mothers to detect developmental concerns early and improve maternal awareness of child development. The study was approved by the SRM Institutional Ethical Committee with the reference number 8688/IEC/2023.

DISCUSSION: This study will identify DD and improve parental awareness by providing tools for early detection thereby empowers parents to identify developmental concerns early. The study supports policy goals to reduce the burden of DD, enhance early intervention, and improve long-term outcomes for children. It is anticipated that this intervention will complement existing health policies, contributing to better child health and developmental outcomes in India.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trail is registered under Clinical Trails Registry – India (CTRI/2024/04/065008) registered on 01 April 2024.

PMID:39789580 | DOI:10.1186/s13690-024-01495-y

BMC Nurs. 2025 Jan 9;24(1):33. doi: 10.1186/s12912-024-02648-8.

ABSTRACT

This study explored the role of technology systems in influencing nurses’ intentions to adopt medical applications that enhance their performance and how technology contributes to improvements in hospital systems. The study examines the intention to use technology through the mediating effects of perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use, with technology sophistication. A random sampling method was employed to gather 687 responses from nurses. The statistical analysis was conducted using AMOS version 25.0 and SPSS. The findings indicate a significant association between technology sophistication (TS), perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEU), and intention to use (IU). Additionally, PU and PEU positively mediate the relationship between TS and IU. This research will benefit policymakers aiming to enhance nurses’ performance by adopting modern technology. Authorities should consider introducing advanced technology systems to meet the goals of hospital administration and support nurses effectively.

PMID:39789568 | DOI:10.1186/s12912-024-02648-8