Category: Statistics

Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet. 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.b.70017. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Major depression and suicide are critical public health concerns, particularly in underrepresented populations with unique genetic and sociocultural contexts. The Maya-mestizo population presents the highest suicide rates in the country but remains understudied in psychiatric genetics. This study evaluated the association between three genetic variants, rs7305115 (TPH2), rs6265 (BDNF), and rs2428707 (HTR2C), and the presence of major depression, melancholic subtype, and suicide risk in Maya-mestizo adults. A total of 598 participants were recruited from urban and rural areas. Psychiatric evaluations were performed using the MINI 5.0 (DSM-IV), and functional status was assessed with the Karnofsky scale. Genotyping was performed with TaqMan assays, and ancestry was confirmed with ancestry-informative markers. Analyses included Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium testing and logistic regression models adjusted for sex and included age, body mass index, Karnofsky performance scale score, and sociodemographic variables as covariates. The prevalence of major depression was 38.9%, while suicide risk reached 24.7%. The rs2428707 variant of HTR2C was significantly associated with major depression (OR 2.31, 95% CI 1.03-5.18, p = 0.041). Variants in TPH2 and BDNF were associated with the melancholic subtype. No statistically significant associations were found with suicide risk, though overlap with depressive phenotypes suggests shared vulnerability. This first report of psychiatric genetics in the Maya-mestizo population highlights the need for culturally and genetically tailored interventions.

PMID:41968289 | DOI:10.1002/ajmg.b.70017

Hum Brain Mapp. 2026 Apr 1;47(5):e70527. doi: 10.1002/hbm.70527.

ABSTRACT

Pregnancy induces neuroanatomical changes in the human brain. Previous studies detected both traces of motherhood decades after childbirth and adaptations in fathers. It is unclear which effects can be attributed to persisting traces of pregnancy and which are effects of parenthood. We investigated effects of past birth and of pregnancy loss in women, and effects of fatherhood in men, using univariate and machine learning analyses on 205 regional brain volumes. A group of mothers and an age-matched sample of nulliparous women (N = 4357 per group, mean age 63 years) from the UK Biobank, with no past pregnancy losses, showed significant volumetric group differences in 14 regions at Bonferroni-adjusted α = 0.05. Likewise, we identified 18 significant group differences between age-matched samples of fathers and non-fathers of the same size (mean age 63.4), with 9 regions overlapping between sexes. Brain-wide association statistics for past live birth in mothers and those for fatherhood correlated (r = 0.55). XGBoost machine learning models trained to classify parenthood status separately in both datasets showed performance that was low, but significantly above chance (10-fold cross validation: AUC = 0.56, p < 1e-5 Motherhood classifier, AUC = 0.54, p < 1e-5, Fatherhood classifier, 10 k permutations). We tested the motherhood classification model on an independent test sample comprising four age-matched groups: 1. women who have never been pregnant, 2. women with past pregnancy loss but no live births, 3. women with live births but no pregnancy loss, and 4. women who experienced both. Class probability was significantly associated with live births, but not past loss. These findings may suggest that neuroanatomical patterns of past childbirth partly also reflect traces of parenthood and not solely persisting traces of past pregnancy, although a more detailed characterization of pregnancy loss data would be needed for full confirmation of this interpretation. Therefore, further research is needed to quantify the extent and understand the nature of these changes, particularly considering the known vulnerability for mental disorders associated with reproductive events.

PMID:41968278 | DOI:10.1002/hbm.70527

J Hum Nutr Diet. 2026 Apr;39(2):e70238. doi: 10.1111/jhn.70238.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Dietary risk factors significantly contribute to the global and national burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Over recent decades, Iran has experienced a nutritional transition, shifting from traditional diets to increased consumption of processed foods, salt, and sugar-sweetened beverages. While some data suggest improvements in certain dietary risk factors, overall trends remain inconsistent. With rising NCD prevalence, continuous monitoring of their determinants, particularly dietary risk factors are crucial for informing effective public health interventions.

METHODS: We analysed data from eight nationally representative STEPS surveys conducted in Iran between 2005 and 2021. Using the WHO Stepwise approach to NCD surveillance, standardised, locally adapted questionnaires assessed dietary intake and sociodemographic variables among adults aged 18-65 years. Dietary risk factors included consumption of fish, fruits, vegetables, processed meats, salt, and sugar-sweetened beverages. Trends were modelled using a smoothing spline method with 1000 simulations, generating annual prevalence estimates with 95% uncertainty intervals.

RESULTS: From 2005 to 2025, significant dietary changes emerged: prevalence of adequate fish consumption halved (41.6% [95% UI: 36.8-46.4] to 20.0% [12.8-27.2]), while appropriate fruit intake increased modestly (22.8% [14.9-30.7] to 28.0% [11.2-44.5]). Adequate vegetable consumption followed a bell-shaped curve, peaking at 55.5% [45.8-65.2] in 2014 before declining to 50.9% [26.7-75.1]. Appropriate processed meat consumption improved substantially (48.8% to 95.8%), as well as appropriate salt intake (29.3% to 65.0%). Appropriate Sweetened beverage consumption demonstrated a U-shaped pattern, decreasing initially before rebounding to 85.9% (85.6-85.9) by 2025. These trends remained consistent across all age strata in stratified analyses.

CONCLUSION: Despite some improvements, overall adherence to dietary recommendations remains suboptimal. The reversal of early vegetable intake gains and low combined fruit and vegetable consumption highlight the urgent need for sustained, nationwide dietary interventions.

PMID:41968271 | DOI:10.1111/jhn.70238

Egypt Heart J. 2026 Apr 12;78(1):23. doi: 10.1186/s43044-026-00736-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a cardiomyopathy characterized by temporary ventricular dysfunction, often resembling myocardial infarction. The association between ischemic stroke and TC remains unclear, with unknown true incidence. The objective of this study is to assess the incidence of ischemic stroke in TC patients and its risk factors.

METHODS: We carried out a comprehensive search of PUBMED, Google Scholar, PROQUEST, and ScienceDirect databases from their inception to February 2026. Studies reporting the incidence of ischemic stroke in TC patients were included. The quality of studies was evaluated utilizing the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Statistical analyses were performed using Review Manager and RStudio.

RESULTS: This study included six studies with 35,573 participants (841 had ischemic stroke and 34,732 did not). The pooled incidence of ischemic stroke was 4% (95% CI 0.01-0.06; I² = 91%). The incidence of all-cause mortality was 36% (95% I 0.02-0.71, I² = 81%) in TC patients with ischemic stroke, significantly higher than the 3.12% (95%CI:0.01-0.05, I² = 37%) observed in TC patients without stroke. The mortality risk was higher in TC patients with ischemic stroke (OR7.57; 95% CI 2.70-21.22). Age (MD: 3.04; 95% CI 0.74-5.34), sex (OR0.64; 95% CI 0.53-0.77), diabetes (OR1.73; 95% CI 1.00-3.00), and atrial fibrillation (OR1.87; 95% CI 1.28-2.72) were significantly related to the incidence of ischemic stroke. However, smoking and hypertension showed no significant association with ischemic stroke.

CONCLUSIONS: Ischemic stroke in TC patients correlates with an increased mortality rate and is associated with age, sex, and comorbidities, including diabetes and atrial fibrillation. Additional research is necessary to evaluate the possible advantages of anticoagulant therapy in TC patients.

PMID:41968267 | DOI:10.1186/s43044-026-00736-5

Int J Dent Hyg. 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1111/idh.70051. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Investigate whether depressive symptoms are linked to a higher likelihood of reporting poorer oral health conditions in older adults.

THE BACKGROUND DATA DISCUSSING THE PRESENT STATUS OF THE FIELD: Understanding the potential negative effects of depressive symptoms on the perception of oral health in older adults is crucial for implementing tailored interventions and improving overall well-being in this demographic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study using data from the 2019 Brazilian National Health Survey (PNS), conducted between 2019 and 2020. A total of 22,728 Brazilian older adults were analysed. A Poisson regression model was employed to examine the relationship between depressive symptoms and self-reported oral health. The selection of independent variables for statistical modelling was guided by a conceptual framework of social determinants. All analyses were performed using Stata 14.0.

RESULTS: The unadjusted findings suggest that individuals with 9 or more depressive symptoms had a 68% higher prevalence (PR: 1.68 [95% CI: 1.67-1.69]) of reporting poor self-perceived oral health compared to those with fewer depressive symptoms. After adjusting for confounding factors, it was observed that individuals with 9 or more depressive symptoms had an 11% higher prevalence (PR: 1.11 [95% CI: 1.08-1.13]) compared to individuals with fewer depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION: Even after adjusting for factors, those with nine or more depressive symptoms were more likely to report poor oral health. This highlights the role of mental health in older adults’ oral health, emphasising integrated approaches for overall well-being and addressing emotional and physical aspects.

PMID:41968239 | DOI:10.1111/idh.70051

Prev Sci. 2026 Apr 13. doi: 10.1007/s11121-026-01913-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Group-based trajectory modeling (GBTM) is commonly used to identify longitudinal patterns in health outcomes among older adults, with determining the optimal number of groups being a crucial step. While statistically grounded criteria are primarily relied upon, clinical relevance is gradually emphasized in medicine to ensure that the identified trajectory heterogeneity appropriately reflects changes in a disease or symptom over time. However, such considerations are often judged through visual comparisons, without concrete approaches for their application. To address this, the area between trajectories (ABT) was introduced as insights for quantifying trajectory group differences. Using a simulated sleep quality dataset, GBTM was applied to build and compare models. Subsequently, ABT was demonstrated to show how it works, while also highlighting its limitations and potential applications.

PMID:41968190 | DOI:10.1007/s11121-026-01913-3

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-46057-0. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41968162 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-46057-0

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-48579-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing prevalence of e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults has raised concerns about its potential association with cognitive and behavioral functions. While nicotine exposure is known to affect brain development, its associations with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, emotional intelligence (EQ), and dementia risk remain unclear. This study primarily examined the association between e-cigarette use and cognitive impairment assessed by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Secondary analyses explored associations with ADHD symptom tendencies and emotional intelligence. A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in Lat Krabang District, Bangkok, Thailand, with 232 participants aged 18-25 years, equally divided into e-cigarette users (n = 116) and non-smokers (n = 116). Data were collected using the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1, 18 items), the Emotional Quotient Test, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Statistical analyses compared cognitive function, EQ levels, and dementia risk between the two groups. No significant differences were found in ADHD symptom tendencies and EQ levels between e-cigarette users and non-smokers. However, e-cigarette users exhibited a significantly higher proportion of dementia risk compared to non-smokers. Notably, individuals with no intention to quit within one month had a sixfold increased dementia risk, while those without plans to quit within six months had a fourfold increased risk. No other personal factors significantly influenced dementia risk. While e-cigarette use was not significantly associated with ADHD symptom tendencies or EQ levels, it was associated with a higher likelihood of dementia risk. These findings suggest potential neurocognitive concerns related to e-cigarette use; however, causal inferences cannot be made due to the cross-sectional design. Further longitudinal studies are warranted to clarify these relationships.

PMID:41968155 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-48579-z

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-46677-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

It is challenging to reduce time to optimal antimicrobial therapy in patients with sepsis for microbiology laboratories in low to middle-income countries. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy and impact of a diagnostic stewardship bundle titled “Sepsis-24” to reduce turnaround time (TAT) of provisional blood culture reports (pBCR) ≤ 24 h in patients with gram-negative bacteraemia. During the preintervention period (January-May 23), the key preanalytical and analytical parameters of automated blood culture diagnostics were optimized in a multiphasic manner. Early microbial identification and susceptibility testing were performed by direct inoculation of VITEK-2 identification cards from flagged blood culture bottles (+ BCs) and EUCAST RAST method, read at 8-hour. During the intervention period (June-December 2023), Sepsis-24 was implemented in adult ICUs to provide pBCR for four RAST reportable gram-negatives (RRGNs). The agreements of direct microbial identification and RAST for tested drug-bug combinations were 94% [95%CI: 90-98] and 93% [95%CI: 91-94], respectively during both periods. There was a statistically significant reduction in BC loading, unloading and performance of direct VITEK/RAST from + BC during intervention period [median (minutes): 32 versus 25, 12 versus 2, and 181 versus 70, p ≤ 0.001, respectively]. Of 49 pBCRs released, 48 (98%) were concordant in species-level microbial identification with a median TAT of 1473 min [IQR: 1635 – 1321], from sample receiving. Sepsis-24 facilitated early review of antimicrobial regimen in 71% (34/48) patients leading to therapy change in 64.7% (22/34) patients. Sepsis-24 was found to be diagnostically accurate and facilitated early review of antimicrobial therapy in our resource-limited setting.

PMID:41968153 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-46677-6

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-45399-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Heterogeneous three-dimensional (3D) wireless sensor network (WSN) deployment requires balancing sensing coverage, communication connectivity, and deployment cost under coupled K-coverage and C-connectivity constraints. This setting yields a constrained mixed discrete optimization landscape where many conventional multi-objective methods lose diversity or handle feasibility inconsistently. We formulate heterogeneous 3D WSN deployment as a constrained multi-objective problem and propose the Enhanced Multi-Objective Genghis Khan Shark Optimizer (EnMOGKSO). The core novelty is the integration of leader-pursuit dynamics with (i) dual archive-guided selection (elite and neighborhood memories), (ii) bounded external archive diversity control, and (iii) feasibility-first environmental selection for fragmented feasible regions. On the Congress on Evolutionary Computation (CEC) 2020 suite, EnMOGKSO obtains the best Friedman mean ranks in hypervolume (HV) (2.04) and inverted generational distance (IGD) (2.38), with statistically significant differences against most competitors ([Formula: see text], Wilcoxon/Friedman). In heterogeneous 3D WSN deployment, EnMOGKSO yields higher coverage/connectivity values (typically coverage means around 11-12 and connectivity around 7) than weaker baselines (often coverage 5-7 and connectivity 4-5), with higher but stable deployment cost. Overall, the results indicate a stronger convergence-diversity balance and more reliable feasibility-aware search under tight constraints, with practical applicability to 3D monitoring tasks such as industrial facilities, smart buildings, and environmental sensing.

PMID:41968147 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-45399-z