Category: Statistics

Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Dec;21(12):e70979. doi: 10.1002/alz.70979.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Functional impairment across degenerative dementias remains understudied in Latin American contexts. We aimed to assess total and item-level functional performance, determine specific instrumental activities, and identify differences in functional profiles between groups.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 1445 participants were classified according to the Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire (PFAQ). Statistical comparisons were adjusted for age, sex, and education using linear regression residuals and corrected for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS: Functional impairment increased progressively from normal cognition to dementia. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) groups showed significantly greater total PFAQ scores compared to controls and mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Distinct profiles of impairment emerged: AD was more associated with memory-dependent tasks, while FTD showed disproportionate deficits in executive and social activities.

DISCUSSION: Functional abilities are differentially impacted in AD and FTD within the Peruvian population. Our findings highlight the importance of item-level functional evaluation to support early detection and subtype differentiation of dementia in underserved regions.

HIGHLIGHTS: We characterized and compared functional abilities among Peruvian older adults with normal cognition and neurodegenerative disease in different stages. PFAQ scores were analyzed across dementia stages in a Peruvian population. Functional abilities were differentially impacted in Peruvian participants with AD compared to FTD. AD was more associated with memory-dependent tasks, while FTD showed disproportional deficits in executive and social activities.

PMID:41400005 | DOI:10.1002/alz.70979

Med Lav. 2025 Dec 16;116(6):16988. doi: 10.23749/mdl.v116i6.16988.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This cross-sectional study aims to assess cumulative loads affecting the lower back, shoulders, and distal upper extremities among automotive mechanics.

METHODS: The survey was conducted in automotive repair workshops in Shiraz, involving 157 independent mechanics selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a multiple-questionnaire including the Persian Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire (P-CMDQ), the Lifting Fatigue Failure Tool (LiFFT), the Shoulder Work Assessment Tool (SWAT), and the Distal Upper Extremity Tool (DUET). Descriptive statistics were used to assess musculoskeletal discomfort, and Partial correlation analyses, adjusted for age and Body Mass Index (BMI), examined the relationships between risk levels from LiFFT, SWAT, and DUET and discomfort reported in the P-CMDQ.

RESULTS: The results showed a high level of musculoskeletal discomfort, especially in the lower back, shoulders, and hands. Risk assessments indicated that the cumulative loads are in the high range for the lower back in 42.7% of cases, the shoulders in 40.8%, and the distal upper extremities in 36.3%. A strong correlation was observed between cumulative load on the lower back and perceived discomfort in this region (r = 0.730), whereas the correlations for the shoulders (r = 0.611) and distal upper extremities (r = 0.537) were moderate.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the significant influence of workplace factors on the musculoskeletal health of automotive mechanics, emphasizing the importance of preventive measures and ergonomic solutions to enhance their health and productivity.

PMID:41400003 | DOI:10.23749/mdl.v116i6.16988

Med Lav. 2025 Dec 16;116(6):17196. doi: 10.23749/mdl.v116i6.17196.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The present study aims to investigate neural synchrony, as measured by Auditory Steady State Response (ASSR), in individuals with normal hearing who are exposed and not exposed to occupational noise, thereby providing insights into hidden hearing loss within the central auditory nervous system, and justifying the importance of exploring auditory neural function in populations at risk.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study involved 30 noise-exposed individuals in the Study Group and 30 unexposed individuals in the Control Group, all paired by an average age of 35 years. The following procedures were performed on all individuals: clinical and occupational history, meatoscopy, immitanciometry, pure tone audiometry, speech audiometry, and ASSR (40Hz). We analyzed the audiometric hearing thresholds at frequencies of 1 kHz and 4 kHz, the electrophysiological thresholds estimated by ASSR, and the comparison of the differences between them: the thresholds estimated by ASSR and the audiometry thresholds. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. P-values ≤ 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS: When comparing hearing thresholds at 1 kHz and 4 kHz between groups, we found significant differences, with the SG showing higher hearing thresholds than the CG bilaterally. No significant differences were seen in the electrophysiological thresholds estimated by ASSR, nor in the comparison between the ASSR-estimated threshold and the psychoacoustic hearing threshold groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that workers exposed to occupational noise did not show detectable changes in neural synchrony in the midbrain, thalamus, or primary auditory cortex when compared to individuals without occupational noise exposure.

PMID:41400001 | DOI:10.23749/mdl.v116i6.17196

Med Lav. 2025 Dec 16;116(6):17437. doi: 10.23749/mdl.v116i6.17437.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to determine whether occupational exposure to high sound levels, typical of an opera orchestra, can cause hearing loss.

METHODS: The orchestra professors at Teatro alla Scala in Milan underwent ear examinations, pure-tone audiometry, and other audiological tests. The hearing thresholds of these musicians were compared with those of populations not exposed to occupational noise and with populations exposed to industrial noise. Noise exposure levels were estimated through a phonometric survey conducted at our theater in 2011, which largely confirmed the exposure levels outlined in European guidelines.

RESULTS: The average audiometric thresholds of the orchestra musicians were slightly worse than the median thresholds of a healthy, non-noise-exposed population. In three subjects (2.8%), bilateral hearing impairment (PTA 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 kHz > 25 dB HL) was observed; in four violinists (3.7%) left unilateral hearing impairment was found. This rate is lower than the expected risk from similar industrial noise exposures. Comparing these audiometries with those from about ten years earlier shows that the hearing threshold decline in the study group is comparable to that caused by presbycusis.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of noise-induced hearing loss among professional orchestra musicians appears lower than predicted by the UNI ISO 1999:2015 standard. A few cases of hearing loss due to chronic acoustic trauma were noted, particularly among violinists who demonstrated a higher incidence of left unilateral hearing loss. The high levels of sound exposure and the presence of some hearing loss cases highlight the need for targeted preventative measures in this work activity.

PMID:41400000 | DOI:10.23749/mdl.v116i6.17437

Food Funct. 2025 Dec 16. doi: 10.1039/d5fo03778f. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hot beverage consumption has been hypothesized to increase the risk of esophageal cancer; however, its impact on gastric cancer (GC) is still inconclusive. This study aimed to investigate the prospective associations between hot beverage intake and the risk of GC. We examined the association between daily consumption and preferred temperature of hot beverages (tea and coffee) and the incidence of GC in 328 752 UK Biobank participants. The consumption of beverages and preferred temperature were collected using a food frequency questionnaire. We applied Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate the multivariable hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for the association of hot beverage intake and GC risk and further stratified the analysis by anatomical subsites. During a follow-up period of 11.6 years, 523 incident GC cases were identified. Compared with non-drinkers and warm temperature drinkers, drinking over 8 cups per day (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.08-2.21) of hot beverages was associated with a higher risk of GC. The risk was further elevated among participants who preferred very hot beverages, the HRs (95% CI) comparing reference were 1.69 (1.06-2.68) for 6-8 cups per day and 2.03 (1.26-3.27) for >8 cups per day. These results remained consistent in subgroups and sensitivity analyses. Our findings provide new evidence that drinking hot or very hot beverages is a risk factor for GC in the UK where drinking hot tea and coffee is common.

PMID:41399987 | DOI:10.1039/d5fo03778f

J Invest Surg. 2026 Dec;39(1):2594559. doi: 10.1080/08941939.2025.2594559. Epub 2025 Dec 16.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The advantages of postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (ACT) for gastric cancer patients with pT1N + M0 staging have been a subject of debate. This study aims to assess whether ACT can enhance the overall survival (OS) of postoperative pT1N + M0 gastric cancer patients when compared to surgery alone.

METHODS: A total of 329 postoperative patients with pT1N + M0 gastric cancer were identified from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database (2004-2015). Patients were stratified into surgery-alone and surgery-plus-chemotherapy groups. Multivariate Cox regression identified prognostic factors, followed by subgroup analyses stratified by clinical characteristics.

RESULTS: This study included 329 patients, of whom 80 received postoperative ACT and 249 underwent surgery alone. Multivariate analysis revealed that race, tumor primary site, differentiation grade, clinical stage, N stage, and ACT were independent prognostic factors for OS. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the survival benefit of ACT was more pronounced in Asian/Pacific Islander (API) patients (hazard ratio [HR], 0.320; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.140-0.732; P for interaction = 0.028) and in those with N1 stage (HR, 0.447; 95% CI, 0.272-0.737; P for interaction = 0.022).

CONCLUSION: ACT was associated with a survival benefit versus surgery-alone in pT1N + M0 gastric cancer, especially among API patients or those with N1 stage.

PMID:41399955 | DOI:10.1080/08941939.2025.2594559

J Anim Breed Genet. 2025 Dec 16. doi: 10.1111/jbg.70034. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In autochthonous livestock breeds with small populations, such as the Rubia Galega from Galicia (Spain), mating between relatives is common and can lead to inbreeding depression. Genomic inbreeding coefficients were estimated for 4984 animals using ~63,000 SNPs to assess inbreeding depression in four key traits: age at first calving (AFC) with 3503 records, calving interval (CI) with 3315 records, birth weight (BW) with 4878 records and weight at 210 days (W210) with 3285 records. Runs of homozygosity were sorted by length ([1,2], (2,4], (4,8], (8,16], > 16 Mb), and the corresponding inbreeding coefficients (F_ROH>1, F_ROH>2, F_ROH>4, F_ROH>8, F_ROH>16) were calculated using the consecutiveRUNs R package. A Genomic BLUP (GBLUP) was conducted for each F_ROH estimate using the BLUPF90+ programs. The results revealed significant inbreeding depression for AFC and CI, whereas W210 and BW exhibited similar inbreeding trends, but the effects of inbreeding on these traits were not statistically significant. To further explore the genetic basis of inbreeding depression, SNPs located within ROHs were tested, though a t-test, for their association with phenotypic traits. Genes located in significant regions (-log(p-value) > 3 from t-test) were annotated using Ensembl BioMart within a ± 0.5 Mb window. Recent inbreeding (ROH > 8 Mb) showed significant negative effects on reproductive traits, and key genomic regions-particularly on chromosome 2 involving MSTN, NAB1, and COL5A2-were linked to increased AFC and reduced BW and W210; ROH-based inbreeding estimates proved effective in detecting inbreeding depression in this native breed. Overall, ROH-based analyses revealed genomic regions and candidate genes, notably MSTN, contributing to inbreeding depression and key production traits in Rubia Galega cattle.

PMID:41399947 | DOI:10.1111/jbg.70034

Zhongguo Yi Xue Ke Xue Yuan Xue Bao. 2025 Dec 16. doi: 10.3881/j.issn.1000-503X.16975. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the effect of pressure-controlled ventilation-volume guaranteed(PCV-VG)on the perioperative pulmonary oxygenation function of the patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting(OPCABG). Methods Forty patients aged 40-65 years,of both sexes,with the American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅲ or Ⅳ,preoperative cardiac function(NYHA)class Ⅱ or Ⅲ,scheduled for elective OPCABG were assigned via the random number table method into two groups(n=20):a volume-controlled ventilation(VCV)group(Group V)and a PCV-VG group(Group P). Other respiratory parameters of the anesthesia machine were set consistently in both groups. At the time of sawing the sternum(T₀),when left internal mammary artery harvesting with the operating table tilted 10° to the left(T₁),when left anterior descending coronary artery bypass grafting with the operating table tilted 10° to the right(T₂),when right coronary artery bypass grafting with the operating table in a 30° head-down and tilted 10° to the right(T₃),when circumflex coronary artery bypass grafting with the operating table in a 20° head-down and tilted 15° to the right(T₄),and at the end of the surgery(T₅),the peak airway pressure(Ppeak),mean airway pressure(Pmean),plateau airway pressure(Pplat),and pulmonary dynamic compliance(Cdyn)were recorded. The alveolar-arterial partial pressure difference of oxygen(PA-aDO₂),oxygenation index(OI),and respiratory index(RI)were recorded at the aforementioned time points as well as on postoperative day 1(T₆),day 3(T₇),and day 7(T₈). The dosages of intraoperative drugs(sufentanil,remifentanil,and rocuronium bromide),postoperative endotracheal tube indwelling time,the stay time in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit,and the occurrence of pulmonary complications within 7 days after the surgery were also recorded. Results Compared with Group V,Group P showed significant downward trends in Ppeak,Pmean,and Pplat during T₃-T₅,as well as in PA-aDO₂ and RI during T₃-T₈(all P<0. 05). Meanwhile,Group P exhibited significant upward trends in Cdyn during T₃-T₅ and in OI during T₃-T₈(all P <0. 05). Compared with those in Group V,the postoperative endotracheal tube indwelling time and the stay time in the cardiac surgery intensive care unit were shortened in Group P(all P<0. 05). There was no statistically significant difference in dosages of intraoperative drugs(sufentanil,remifentanil,and rocuronium bromide)or incidence of pulmonary complications within 7 days after the surgery between the two groups of patients(all P>0. 05). Conclusion Compared with VCV,PCV-VG can improve the perioperative pulmonary oxygenation function of the patients undergoing OPCABG.

PMID:41399937 | DOI:10.3881/j.issn.1000-503X.16975

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2025 Dec 16:306624X251391790. doi: 10.1177/0306624X251391790. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study examines whether clinical need subgroups in forensic care have evolved over 20 years and explores differences in adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and assaultive behaviors across groups. This retrospective observational study used data from a hospital for men; Sample 1 (S1, N = 97) collected in 1990, and Sample 2 (S2, N = 176) in 2009-2012. A data-driven multiple correspondence analysis and a cluster analysis was conducted on S1 based on clinical needs, then applied to S2. ACEs and assault proportions within each cluster were compared using chi-square tests. Clusters identified: minimal needs (S1 = 23%, S2 = 20%); psychotic disorders (S1 = 19%, S2 = 17%); personality disorders (S1 = 21%, S2 = 22%); complex needs (S1 = 37%, S2 = 41%). Participants reporting ACEs (p = .004) and assault (p < .001) differed between clusters. The third cluster reported the highest ACEs (84.6%) and assault (61.5%).

PMID:41399934 | DOI:10.1177/0306624X251391790

Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2025 Dec 16. doi: 10.1080/14737167.2025.2603944. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The long-term impact of preventive policies in the Netherlands on the mental health of young adults remains unclear. Therefore, this paper describes the development of a conceptual model of youth mental health that serves as the foundation of a future decision-analytic model.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Stakeholders were engaged through three rounds of focus group discussions to indicate the factors of youth mental health that affect the likelihood of developing mental disorders later in life, and the relationships among them. Findings were discussed with stakeholders and in a study team that included members with diverse backgrounds. Literature was used as an additional information source for the relationships among the selected factors.

RESULTS: In total, 43 stakeholders participated in the focus group discussions. Eleven factors of youth mental health were regarded as most influential, with 13 relationships among them. The final conceptual model was approved by the stakeholders and the study team.

CONCLUSIONS: Through integrating stakeholder perspectives and published literature, a conceptual model was created that captures essential factors and relationships affecting (long-term) mental health. Although stakeholder engagement requires extensive planning, it enhanced the model’s credibility and validity, and could therefore serve as a complement to other conceptual modeling approaches.

PMID:41399892 | DOI:10.1080/14737167.2025.2603944