Category: Statistics

Int J Soc Psychiatry. 2025 Oct 13:207640251378601. doi: 10.1177/00207640251378601. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Eco-anxiety has become a prominent emotional response to the global climate crisis, yet there is a lack of empirical research examining its prevalence and correlates across diverse cultural and national contexts.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate levels of eco-anxiety and its associations with age, perceived knowledge, climate risk perception, and beliefs about governmental climate action across participants from six countries.

RESULTS: Data were collected from 2,206 participants across India, Italy, the Philippines, Türkiye, Trinidad and Tobago, and Hungary. Statistically significant cross-national differences were found in eco-anxiety, perceived knowledge, climate risk perception, and beliefs about government action. Italian participants reported the highest levels of eco-anxiety, while Hungarian participants reported the lowest. Correlational analyses showed that eco-anxiety was positively associated with climate risk perception and perceived knowledge, but negatively associated with age and beliefs in government action.

DISCUSSION: The findings reveal that eco-anxiety is shaped by both cognitive and sociopolitical factors. Risk perception and climate knowledge appear to intensify emotional responses, while belief in government action may serve as a mitigating factor. Age-related differences suggest that younger individuals are more emotionally impacted by climate concerns.

CONCLUSION: This study underscores the need for culturally sensitive public policy and mental health interventions to address the psychological dimensions of the climate crisis.

PMID:41185966 | DOI:10.1177/00207640251378601

Microbiologyopen. 2025 Dec;14(6):e70109. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.70109.

ABSTRACT

Asthma, a chronic bronchial disorder prevalent in children/adolescents, is exacerbated under environmental conditions like dust storms. The current study investigated heavy metal levels, airborne bacteria, and serum IL-4/IL-8 in asthmatics during before/after dust storms in Iraq’s Al-Anbar, Baghdad, and Kirkuk provinces. Airborne heavy metals were quantified by ICP-MS, serum cytokines by ELISA, and bacterial communities via metagenomics. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism (p < 0.05 significant). ICP-MS revealed considerably elevated post-storm concentrations of As, Ag, B, Ba, Co, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Sn, S, Ti, and V. Asthmatic subjects presented with considerably elevated IL-4 and IL-8 post-storm (p < 0.05) compared to controls (p > 0.05). Metagenomics revealed storm-induced bacterial alterations: Al-Anbar contained elevated Burkholderiaceae, Methylophilaceae, and Rhodobacteraceae; Kirkuk contained elevated Ilumatobacteraceae, Microbacteriaceae, Burkholderiaceae, and Rhodobacteraceae. Baghdad’s most prevalent species included Rhodocyclaceae (50%), Burkholderiaceae (17%), and Arcobacteraceae (4.5%). Al-Anbar was significantly richer in microbes (Chao1) and more diverse (Shannon) than other regions following the dust storm (p < 0.0001). These findings indicate that dust storms raise heavy metals, alter airborne bacteria, and increase inflammatory cytokines in asthma sufferers, and these emphasize their role in exacerbating asthma in Iraq.

PMID:41185941 | DOI:10.1002/mbo3.70109

Biomater Sci. 2025 Nov 4. doi: 10.1039/d5bm00763a. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nanostructured surfaces are increasingly used for cell applications due to their enhanced interactions with numerous cell types; yet, their effects on tissues remain unexplored. To address this limitation, we designed vertical silicon nanopillar (Si-NP) arrays with high density, high aspect ratio and submicrometer diameter, as an optimized geometry based on previous cell-nanostructure studies. Using state-of-the-art in vitro and ex vivo assays, we examined adhesion and biocompatibility of biological samples of different origin and level of complexity -human epithelial-like cell lines, Drosophila imaginal discs and patient-derived lung cancer biopsies-laid on Si-NP arrays or unpatterned flat Si surfaces. Our results demonstrated that Si-NP arrays significantly improved cell and tissue adhesion while preventing oxidative damage and early apoptosis. Consistently, focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy imaging of cells and tissues showed extended horizontal protrusions and limited vertical wrapping around Si-NP, revealing enhanced cell-NP interactions without cell/tissue penetration. In contrast, flat Si surfaces showed poor adhesion, increased apoptosis, and failed to support tumor biopsy attachment. Interaction with Si-NP arrays upregulated reactive oxygen species (ROS), yet mitochondria-associated ROS remained unchanged, and consequently apoptosis was not induced, indicating that the increased ROS arose from non-mitochondrial compartments and did not compromise viability. Notably, Si-NP arrays matched or outperformed biological responses on tissue culture plastic and Transwell-based assays, which are common in vitro and ex vivo substrates, respectively. These findings provide the first demonstration of the biological suitability of Si-NP arrays for tissue applications in research and clinical translation.

PMID:41185938 | DOI:10.1039/d5bm00763a

Int J Artif Organs. 2025 Nov 4:3913988251385454. doi: 10.1177/03913988251385454. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the clinical and demographic factors influencing the restoration of sinus rhythm and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing bipolar radiofrequency ablation (RFA) concomitant with mitral valve surgery. By analyzing the associations between rhythm outcomes, mortality, and patient characteristics, this study seeks to identify predictors of ablation success and provide valuable insights into optimizing treatment strategies for atrial fibrillation in this high-risk patient population.

METHODS: Demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were analyzed. Postoperative electrocardiography (ECG) findings during the first year after surgery were used to classify patients into two groups: those who achieved sinus rhythm (SR) and those who remained in atrial fibrillation (AF). Additionally, patients were categorized into survivors and non-survivors within the first postoperative year for statistical comparisons.

RESULTS: The overall rate of sinus rhythm (SR) restoration within the first year after radiofrequency (RF) ablation was 70.2% (n = 85). When comparing patients who achieved SR with those who remained in atrial fibrillation (AF) postoperatively, the AF group exhibited significantly larger preoperative ascending aortic diameters, left atrial diameters, and interventricular septal thicknesses, along with lower ejection fractions on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) (p = <0.001, 0.015, 0.012, and 0.024, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Radiofrequency ablation is a safe and effective method for maintaining long-term sinus rhythm, with no additional complications. It is associated with a low risk of morbidity and thromboembolic complications.

PMID:41185932 | DOI:10.1177/03913988251385454

J Exp Biol. 2025 Nov 4:jeb.251474. doi: 10.1242/jeb.251474. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Digestion elevates metabolism through the heat increment of feeding (HIF)-the energy expended on mechanical and biochemical processes after eating. Quantifying this cost is essential for bioenergetic models that predict energy flow and prey requirements in populations. Using breath-by-breath respirometry, we measured oxygen consumption (V˙O₂) in eight common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) before and after feeding standardized meals (1,659-2,658 kcal of capelin and herring). Metabolic rate rose by ∼37% above resting levels, peaking 60 minutes after feeding before returning to baseline within two hours. When scaled across the day, digestion increased daily metabolic needs by ∼8.2% of basal metabolism, was similar to values reported for Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) and harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), where HIF contributes 4-10% of daily energy expenditure. This study provides the first multi-individual estimate of HIF in dolphins and suggests that the energetic cost of digestion is a minor contribution to overall daily metabolism, refining energetic models and improving prey requirement estimates for cetaceans in the wild.

PMID:41185930 | DOI:10.1242/jeb.251474

Int Wound J. 2025 Nov;22(11):e70771. doi: 10.1111/iwj.70771.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to gain clinician consensus on which signs/symptoms reported to be indicative of biofilm in chronic wounds are likely to be so. An international, two-round eDelphi process including wound care clinicians ran from December 2023 to February 2024. Participants rated 26 items on a 9-point Likert scale. Consensus to include: ≥ 70% of respondents rate an item 7-9, ≤ 15% rate it 1-3. Consensus to exclude: ≥ 70% of respondents rate an item 1-3, ≤ 15% rate it 7-9. Eleven items (visual indicators [a shiny, slimy, persistent layer, easily removed, returns quickly without frequent intervention]; failure to respond to antimicrobials; infection > 30 days duration; poor quality granulation tissue; stalled wound despite optimal management; persistent/prolonged inflammation; wound > 6 weeks duration; soft tissue deterioration despite antimicrobials/debridement; signs of local infection; tunnelling/undermining; presence of slough) achieved consensus to include status. To our knowledge, consensus work on this topic has not previously been performed on such a wide scale. When examined alongside similar work, clinical opinion on the matter lacks coherence. We hope that these findings will help direct us toward greater cohesiveness. The work supports a need for research to quantify the predictive abilities of signs and symptoms reported to be indicative of biofilm in chronic wounds.

PMID:41185925 | DOI:10.1111/iwj.70771

Ann Pharmacother. 2025 Nov 4:10600280251380939. doi: 10.1177/10600280251380939. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of ketamine or ketorolac compared to opioids in painful vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC).

DATA RESOURCES: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria and used Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Central to obtain data that evaluated the efficacy and safety of ketamine or ketorolac compared to opioids in acute painful VOC in July of 2025.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: The primary endpoints were meaningful reduction of pain on pain scales, reduction in opioid requirements, and the incidence of adverse effects reported in the studies. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant, and heterogeneity among the studies was reported as the I² value.

DATA SYNTHESIS: Eight randomized controlled trials were included. Ketorolac showed a statistically significant pain reduction compared to opioids (standard mean difference [SMD]: 0.58 [95% CI: 0.31-0.85, P < 0.0001]), whereas ketamine showed no statistically significant difference in pain reduction (MD: -0.17 [95% CI: -0.53 to 0.18, P = 0.34]). A statistically significant reduction in opioid requirements was demonstrated in both intervention groups (MD: 3.23 [95% CI: -4.40 to -2.06, P < 0.0001]). Regarding safety, ketorolac showed a lower risk of adverse effects compared to opioids (risk ratio [RR]: 0.54 [95% CI: 0.36-0.79, P = 0.0019]), while ketamine demonstrated a higher risk of adverse effects (RR: 9.90 [95% CI: 4.30-22.82, P < 0.0001]).

RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: Ketamine or ketorolac demonstrated effective reduction in pain and opioid requirements, with ketorolac showing a greater pain relief and a favorable safety profile compared to ketamine. These findings demonstrate their use as either nonopioid analgesics or opioid-sparing agents.

CONCLUSION: Ketamine or ketorolac may not only reduce opioid requirements but may also serve as nonopioid treatment options, supporting safer and individualized pain-management strategies in painful VOC.

PMID:41185920 | DOI:10.1177/10600280251380939

S Afr J Commun Disord. 2025 Oct 21;72(1):e1-e8. doi: 10.4102/sajcd.v72i1.1132.

ABSTRACT

Despite advancements in recognising the importance of early child language development and linguistic diversity in South Africa, culturally and linguistically appropriate assessment tools remain unevenly distributed across the official languages, posing considerable challenges for researchers and speech-language therapists. This study critically reviews the psychometric status of child language assessment tools in South Africa’s official languages. The current state of tool development is analysed, evaluating language assessment tools available for clinical and research purposes in each language. Tools that assess speech sounds, phonological processing and (pre)literacy skills were excluded, as were untraceable tools reported in previous publications, and tools that do not assess language only but form part of larger developmental assessments. Considering each language version of a tool, 37 traceable language assessment tools (at least 1 per official language), in various states of readiness, are available for use with South Africans aged 0-12 years. Out of these 37 tools, 5 tools, with collectively 7 language versions, have been validated and the statistical results of the validation study published: 4 for isiZulu, 2 for English and 1 for Siswati. Despite advances in tool development, there is still a severe lack of validated standardised child language measurement tools in all official languages of South Africa.Contribution: This is the most recent critical review of the psychometric properties of tools developed for assessing South African children’s language skills, and it highlights that past and current efforts in tool development are still insufficient.

PMID:41185918 | DOI:10.4102/sajcd.v72i1.1132

Curationis. 2025 Oct 24;48(1):e1-e10. doi: 10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2762.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The shortage of healthcare workers is a global phenomenon with many regions experiencing difficulties in providing a healthcare workforce to meet their demand for healthcare. This situation has led to developed countries recruiting staff from developing countries, thereby causing a shortage in the source country, referred to as a brain drain. Given the negative impact of the turnover of healthcare staff on patient safety, service delivery, healthcare cost and staff morale within healthcare facilities, this research study investigates the current composition of nurses in South Africa versus the World Health Organization (WHO) standard.

OBJECTIVES: The study aims to enhance the retention of healthcare workers.

METHOD: Secondary data collection was utilised to assess how the composition of nurses in South Africa compares against the WHO standard. Non-probability sampling was adopted to draw the study sample to collect data in the original study from nurses registered with the South African Nursing Council (SANC), employing a mixed-method approach to data collection and analysis.

RESULTS: The results indicate that South Africa’s nurses-to-population ratio exceeds the WHO standard.

CONCLUSION: Although South Africa’s nurse-to-population ratio exceeds the WHO standard, these figures do not accurately reflect the nursing situation in the country.Contribution: Recommendations are presented which, when effectively implemented, have the potential to enhance the retention of professional nurses and improve healthcare service delivery in South Africa.

PMID:41185909 | DOI:10.4102/curationis.v48i1.2762

Urologia. 2025 Nov 4:3915603251388202. doi: 10.1177/03915603251388202. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Lower calyceal stones are more challenging to treat due to their anatomical position and consequences. Therapies such as Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy often offer limited efficacy or involve significant complications. This study aimed to assess the safety and effectiveness of advanced Flexible Ureteroscopy using six specific techniques compared to conventional in situ laser lithotripsy for large lower calyceal stones 10-25 mm.

METHODOLOGY: Prospective Randomized Controlled Study Design, in which 104 patients were divided into two groups. Group A underwent FURS with six specific (tips & tricks) including Modified T-tilt position (45° Trendelenburg position, 45° lateral tilt opposit the stone side ), bendable access sheaths with suction, modern laser techniques (combination of dusting & pop-corn) using dormia basket to move the stone to renal pelvis or to align the stone with the laser if it was too large to remain in the calyx plus using thin flexible ureteroscopy 7 FR for easy maneuverability and constant irrigation to maintain visibility. Conventional in situ laser lithotripsy was performed for Group B. The primary measure was the stone-free status with analysis of operative time, complications, hospital stay, and further treatments needed and recovery.

RESULTS: The stone-free rate was found to be better in Group A 90.38% compared to Group B 71.15% with p-value 0.025. The median operative time for Group A was longer than Group B, with a median operative time of 78 min. which statistically significant (p < 0.001). Study reports better overall outcomes for Group A, including higher stone-free rate and lower need for additional interventions.

CONCLUSION: Analysis of the techniques shows that their application significantly improves stone clearance rates increases the efficiency of stone removal without increasing risk of complications. These findings support integrating innovative strategies into routine clinical practice.

PMID:41185904 | DOI:10.1177/03915603251388202