Category: Statistics

Fish Physiol Biochem. 2025 Jan 6;51(1):4. doi: 10.1007/s10695-024-01438-y.

ABSTRACT

Hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives are a class of phenolic acid compounds, including sinapic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid, which are widely found in plants. This experiment was conducted to study the effects of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives (sinapic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid) on the growth performance, muscle physical parameters, and intestinal morphology of tilapia. A total of 320 tilapia fingerlings (9.99 ± 0.12 g) were randomly divided into 4 groups with 4 replicates per group and 20 tilapia per replicate. Each group was fed a basal diet (control group), and the experimental diet supplemented with 0.52 mmol/kg sinapic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid, respectively. After 8 weeks of feeding, the growth indexes and serum indexes of tilapia were measured, and the body, muscle composition, and muscle physical parameters, as well as the intestinal morphology were analyzed. The results showed that the addition of hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives to the diets significantly increased the weight gain rate (WGR) compared with the control (p < 0.05), with improvements of approximately 14.93%, 27.27%, and 28.06% for sinapic acid, ferulic acid, and caffeic acid, respectively. In the caffeic acid and ferulic acid groups, the final mean weight (FBW) was significantly increased and the feed coefficient (FCR) was significantly decreased compared with the control (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives group had significantly lower levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), glucose (GLU), triglyceride (TG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (p < 0.05), but had significantly higher levels of albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and total cholesterol (TCHO) among all groups (p > 0.05). Besides, moisture, crude protein, crude fat, and ash in whole fish and muscle among all groups showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). In addition, hardness, gumminess, adhesiveness, and resilience of muscle in tilapia fed the hydroxycinnamic acid derivative were significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Chewiness, springiness, stringiness, and cohesiveness showed no statistically significant differences among the treatments (p > 0.05). The analysis of intestinal morphology showed that the villus height and muscle thickness of the foregut and hindgut in the fish fed hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives were significantly higher than those in the control fish (p < 0.05), but the villus width of the foregut and hindgut did not differ significantly among the treatment groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, dietary hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives can improve the growth, muscle physical parameters, and intestinal morphology of tilapia. Ferulic acid and caffeic acid had stronger beneficial effects on tilapia than sinapic acid.

PMID:39760933 | DOI:10.1007/s10695-024-01438-y

Skeletal Radiol. 2025 Jan 6. doi: 10.1007/s00256-024-04861-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the Neuropathy Score-Reporting and Data System (NS-RADS) MRI grading system in conjunction with electrodiagnostic (EDx) testing for radial neuropathy at the elbow.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients presenting between 2010 and 2023 with suspected radial neuropathy who underwent both EDx testing in the form of electromyography and nerve conduction studies and MRI within a 12-month period were evaluated. Three blinded radiologists used the NS-RADS grading system to evaluate nerve entrapment (E grades), muscle denervation (M grades) proximally within the supinator/extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB), and more distally within the forearm extensor muscles. These grades and the presence of lateral epicondylitis were then correlated with EDx abnormalities.

RESULTS: Forty-nine participants were included. Inter-reader reliability for M grades in the forearm extensor muscles was good (ICC = 0.90 [95% CI = 0.83 – 0.94], p < 0.001), as was reliability for the supinator/ECRB muscles (ICC = 0.91 [95% CI = 0.86-0.95], p < 0.001). Inter-reader reliability for E grades was moderate (ICC = 0.83 [95% CI = 0.69-0.90], p < 0.001). Patients with positive EDx studies had a significantly different distribution of M grades for the forearm extensors and supinator/ECRB than those with negative studies (all p values < 0.001). However, overall consensus reads showed no significant difference in the distribution of E grades between patients with positive and negative EDx studies.

CONCLUSION: Muscle grading strongly correlated with EDx positivity, with a high level of inter-reader agreement for muscle denervation-related alterations. Nerve grading, however, did not show a statistical correlation.

PMID:39760931 | DOI:10.1007/s00256-024-04861-7

Environ Geochem Health. 2025 Jan 6;47(2):41. doi: 10.1007/s10653-024-02354-z.

ABSTRACT

It remains unclear whether phthalates are associated with gallstones and whether the associations of phthalate alternatives with gallstones are different from traditional phthalates. In this study, 1735 participants from the NHANES 2017-2018 were included and their urine was used to detect phthalate metabolites. We used logistic and restricted cubic spline regressions to assess individual associations and dose-response relationships between phthalate metabolites and gallstones, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression to assess mixed associations of phthalate metabolites with gallstones, and subgroup analyses to explore potential effect modifiers. We observed that individual associations of cyclohexane-1,2-dicarboxylic acid-mono(carboxyoctyl) ester phthalate (MCOCHP) (OR: 1.423, 95% CI: 1.098-1.844) and cyclohexane 1,2-dicarboxylic acid monohydroxy isononyl ester (MHNCH) (OR: 1.380, 95% CI: 1.080-1.763) with gallstones were linearly positive, mixed association of phthalate metabolites (OR: 2.453, 95% CI: 1.054-5.708) with gallstones was also positive, and MCOCHP and MHNCH had positive weights. The associations of phthalate metabolites with gallstones were higher in the males and participants with age ≥ 60 years, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m², hypertension, and diabetes. MCOCHP and MHNCH had the highest groupPIP (groupPIP: 0.941), mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) terephthalate (MECPTP) had the highest condPIP (condPIP: 0.721), and mono(2-ethyl-5-carboxypentyl) phthalate (MECPP), MCOCHP, and mono-isobutyl phthalate (MiBP) also had high condPIPs (condPIP > 0.5). The trend in mixed associations of phthalate metabolites with gallstones was positive. Our study suggests that traditional phthalates and phthalate alternatives are associated with gallstones, especially in the elderly, men, obese, hypertensive populations, and diabetic populations, and phthalate alternatives are associated with a higher risk of gallstones.

PMID:39760927 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-024-02354-z

J Infus Nurs. 2025 Jan-Feb 01;48(1):53-69. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000571. Epub 2024 Dec 26.

ABSTRACT

The aims of this study were to develop a questionnaire on peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) maintenance, evaluate its content validity, and assess factors influencing the level of knowledge of nursing professionals regarding best practices.The study was conducted in 3 stages: (1) development of a questionnaire on PIVC maintenance; (2) content validity assessment by experts with assessment of comprehensiveness, relevance, and clarity; and (3) application of the questionnaire to 1493 nursing professionals. Relationships between personal characteristics and knowledge levels were evaluated. The questionnaire score ranged from 0 to 26. The participants obtained a mean score of 13.7 (SD, 2.4). Factors associated with a higher knowledge level included higher educational level, training on PIVC maintenance upon admission, and employment in an institution with recurrent PIVC maintenance training. Gaps in knowledge included the recommended technique for active disinfection, how catheter stabilization should be performed, recommended technique for flushing and minimizing blood reflux into the catheter, appropriate frequency for assessing the insertion site of the catheter, and signs of catheter complications. A questionnaire for assessing knowledge of best practices in PIVC maintenance was developed and had adequate evidence of content validity. Aspects related to greater education were associated with a higher knowledge level. Knowledge gaps were identified.

PMID:39760879 | DOI:10.1097/NAN.0000000000000571

J Infus Nurs. 2025 Jan-Feb 01;48(1):25-31. doi: 10.1097/NAN.0000000000000564. Epub 2024 Dec 26.

ABSTRACT

Age-related physiological changes affect various aspects of peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) cannulation. However, the characteristics of PIVCs, especially in older patients, have been poorly investigated. In the current cross-sectional observational study, PIVC sizes, PIVC sites, the number of attempts until successful insertion, and the degree of venodilation upon insertion among hospital inpatients aged ≥65 years were investigated, along with measurements of the vessel diameter and depth using ultrasound. In total, 91 PIVC insertions were analyzed. The vessel diameter was estimated to be smaller than that in domestic adult inpatients. Most of the catheters were placed at the ideal site on the first attempt. However, considering the optimal vein-to-catheter ratio, most of the cannulations were oversized and would be oversized even when using a 24-gauge catheter. In addition, obvious differences were found in the vessel diameter, catheter size, and catheter site compared with previous studies conducted outside of Asia. The current study indicates the need for further research on the identification of appropriate veins, and the definition of “appropriate” approaches might vary among countries.

PMID:39760875 | DOI:10.1097/NAN.0000000000000564

Epidemiology. 2024 Dec 31. doi: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000001826. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) from socioeconomically deprived areas have poorer growth, worse lung function, and shorter life expectancy than their less-deprived peers. While early growth is associated with lung function around age 6, it is unclear whether improving early growth in the most deprived children reduces inequalities in lung function.

METHODS: We used data from the UK CF Registry, tracking children born 2000-2010 up to 2016. We extended the interventional disparity effects approach to the setting of a longitudinally measured mediator. Applying this approach, we estimated the association between socio-economic deprivation (children in the least versus most deprived population quintile; exposure) and lung function at first measurement (ages 6-8, outcome), and the role of early weight trajectories (ages 0-6) as mediators of this relationship. We adjusted for baseline confounding by sex, birthyear, and genotype and time-varying intermediate confounding by lung infection.

RESULTS: The study included 853 children, with 165 children from the least and 172 from the most deprived quintiles. The average lung function difference between the least and most deprived quintiles was 4.5% of predicted forced expiratory volume in 1 second (95% CI: 1.1 – 7.9). If the distribution of early weight trajectories in the most deprived children matched that in the least deprived children, this difference would reduce to 4% (95% CI: 0.57 – 7.4).

CONCLUSION: Socio-economic deprivation has a strong negative association with lung function for children with CF. We estimate that improving early weight trajectories in the most deprived children would only marginally reduce these inequalities.

PMID:39760864 | DOI:10.1097/EDE.0000000000001826

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025 Jan 6. doi: 10.1007/s00787-024-02628-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We investigated gene-environment interaction in ADHD traits, focusing on environmental variables related to personality traits, school environment, satisfaction with life, and callousness. Using data from 2170 16-year-old twins and state-of-the-art methodology to prevent spurious findings due to measurement scale artifacts, gene-environment interaction models were estimated separately for the two core ADHD dimensions, hyperactivity-impulsivity, and inattentiveness. Based on scores on the SWAN questionnaire, where high scores are reflective of low ADHD traits, results showed that additive genetic influences were more important in explaining individual differences in the degree of hyperactivity-impulsivity in twins with a high score on the trait conscientiousness than in twins with a moderate or low score (e.g., a positive gene-environment interaction). Similarly, additive genetic influences were relatively more important in explaining individual differences in the degree of inattentiveness in twins with a high score on conscientiousness or satisfaction with oneself. Lastly, a negative gene-environment interaction was found: For twins with a high score on the trait callousness, additive genetic influences were less important in explaining differences in the degree of inattentiveness than in twins with an average or low score on the trait. The finding of these specific gene-environment interactions is important for a deeper understanding of the etiology of ADHD traits and may assist in developing targeted interventions for genetically vulnerable individuals.

PMID:39760858 | DOI:10.1007/s00787-024-02628-y

Arch Dermatol Res. 2025 Jan 6;317(1):170. doi: 10.1007/s00403-024-03687-6.

ABSTRACT

Pathological scars are classified into hypertrophic scars and keloids, and currently have poor treatment outcomes and high recurrence rates. Bleomycin has received widespread attention in scar treatment in recent years, but there is currently no exploration on its real-world data. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched, and eight retrospective studies on the use of bleomycin for treatment were included, covering a total of 562 patients with keloids and hypertrophic scars. The meta-analysis results revealed that 90% of patients had significant flattening of scars after treatment with bleomycin, 5% had moderate flattening, and 4% had mild flattening. The recurrence rate after treatment was only 3%. The major adverse reaction was hyperpigmentation, with an incidence rate of 8%, and no significant ulcers or skin atrophy were reported. Subgroup analysis showed that the significant flattening rate treated with bleomycin alone was 91%, which was significantly different from the 79% treated with bleomycin in combined with triamcinolone acetonide, but the difference was not statistically significant. In addition, the significant flattening rate was 99% in Western patients and 57% in Asian patients, reflecting the impact of racial differences on treatment outcomes. There was no statistically significant difference in curative effects between males and females (RR: 0.95; P = 0.77). Overall, bleomycin has good curative effect in treating scars and has high safety, especially showing more significant effects in Western populations. However, racial differences, treatment plans, and other factors may affect the therapeutic effect of bleomycin. Future research can further explore the mechanisms of these factors and provide more personalized treatment plans for patients with scar.

PMID:39760851 | DOI:10.1007/s00403-024-03687-6

Theor Appl Genet. 2025 Jan 6;138(1):17. doi: 10.1007/s00122-024-04773-z.

ABSTRACT

A major locus SC9.1 was identified and finely mapped into a 92.68 Kb region, and longmi004412 was identified as the casual gene regulating brown seed color in broomcorn millet. Broomcorn millet is a cereal crop with abundant genetic variations in morphology, agronomy, and yield-related traits. The diversity of seed color is among the most distinctive morphological characteristics. However, genetic determinants governing seed coloration have rarely been reported. Here, the F₂ and F₃ populations from a cross between Longmi12 and Zhang778 were employed to elucidate the genetic basis of seed color. Statistical analysis conducted on the seed color in F₁, F_2, and F₃ progeny conclusively demonstrated that brown seed color was controlled by a single dominant locus in broomcorn millet. The genetic control locus, SC9.1, was preliminarily located on chromosome 9 in the 32,175,878-44,281,406 bp region through bulked segregant analysis sequencing (BSA-seq). Furthermore, SC9.1 was narrowed down to a 92.68 kb interval harboring 11 genes using fine mapping with 260 recessive individual genotypes. Combined with gene structural variation, the transcriptome profile, and functional comparison, longmi004412 was identified as the causal gene resulting in brown seed color formation in broomcorn millet. In addition, haplotype analysis of the longmi004412 gene in 516 accessions was performed to clarify the types for broomcorn millet seed color. These findings lay the foundation for precise identification of germplasm at the molecular level, molecular-assisted selection breeding, and the application of gene editing technology in broomcorn millet.

PMID:39760849 | DOI:10.1007/s00122-024-04773-z

Eur J Epidemiol. 2025 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s10654-024-01192-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Stockholm Early Detection of Cancer Study (STEADY-CAN) cohort was established to investigate strategies for early cancer detection in a population-based context within Stockholm County, the capital region of Sweden. Utilising real-world data to explore cancer-related healthcare patterns and outcomes, the cohort links extensive clinical and laboratory data from both inpatient and outpatient care in the region. The dataset includes demographic information, detailed diagnostic codes, laboratory results, prescribed medications, and healthcare utilisation data. Since its inception, STEADY-CAN has collected longitudinal data on 2,732,005 individuals aged ≥ 18 years old living in or having access to health care in Stockholm County during the years 2011-2021. Focusing on cancer, the cohort includes 140,042 (5.1%) individuals with incident cancer and a control group of 2,591,963 (94.9%) cancer-free individuals. The cohort’s diverse adult population enables robust analyses of early symptom detection, incidental findings, and the impact of comorbidities on cancer diagnoses. Utilizing the wide range of available laboratory data and clinical variables allow for advanced statistical analyses and adjustments for important confounding factors. The cohort’s primary focus is to improve understanding of the early diagnostic phase of cancer, offering a crucial resource for studying cancer detection in clinical practice. Its comprehensive data collection provides unique opportunities for research into comorbidities and cancer outcomes, making the cohort a useful resource for ongoing cancer surveillance and public health strategies. The present study gives a detailed description of the rationale for creating the STEADY-CAN cohort, its design, the data collection procedure, and baseline characteristics of collected data.

PMID:39755982 | DOI:10.1007/s10654-024-01192-8