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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Health Promotion and Digital Tools: Analysis of Consumer Demands

Yonago Acta Med. 2025 Jul 9;68(3):187-196. doi: 10.33160/yam.2025.08.003. eCollection 2025 Aug.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A survey was conducted to determine the demand for the use of digital health content for health promotion, both among those interested in using digital tools and those interested in health promotion.

METHODS: This study targeted smartphone owners who attended a class on how to use a smartphone (CS) and/or a class on advancements in health (CH) held in Nanbu Town. The main questionnaire items included questions on age, gender, frailty, subjective cognitive decline (SCD), smartphone usage, and interest in health promotion using digital technology. An analysis was conducted on 33 participants in the CS and 33 participants from the CH who provided complete responses to the questionnaire.

RESULTS: The percentages of interest in using smartphones for accessing content on exercise, cognitive training, and nutrition management were 97.0%, 97.0%, and 87.9%, respectively, among CS participants and 69.7%, 78.8%, and 81.8%, respectively, among CH participants. The percentage of responses regarding interest in exercise content was significantly different between the two groups. Furthermore, some individuals responded that they were interested but concerned about how to use the services. No statistically significant differences were found with respect to the comparison of the percentages of responses by age group, frailty determination results, and SCD determination results among the participants of the CS and CR groups.

CONCLUSION: Regardless of age or the risk of developing health problems, there is demand for content related to health promotion using digital tools for those who want to master digital tools and who want to improve their health. However, support should be provided to them to ensure that they correctly use those tools. Notably, some individuals who want to improve their health are not interested in using digital tools.

PMID:40810047 | PMC:PMC12343190 | DOI:10.33160/yam.2025.08.003

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Words Matter with Age: Instructions Dictate Self-Selected Walking Speed in Young and Older Adults

bioRxiv [Preprint]. 2025 Jul 22:2025.07.18.665559. doi: 10.1101/2025.07.18.665559.

ABSTRACT

Background Our previous work demonstrated that in young adults, 61% of gait speed variance was attributable to instruction type. However, no study has investigated whether verbal instructions differentially influence older adults.

RESEARCH QUESTION: This study investigated how walking prompts contribute to gait speed variability across age groups.

METHODS: Thirty-four young adults (21±2 years) and twenty-eight older adults (70±5 years) performed walking trials responding to 24 different instructions.

RESULTS: Average walking speed was 1.23±0.30 m/s. Between-subject variance accounted for 25.3% of the total variance, while between subject and instruction variance components accounted for 76.1% of the total variance. When analyzed separately, variance due to instructions accounted for similar amounts of total variance within older adults (56.9%) and young adults (55.7%), a statistically non-significant difference (p = 0.85). A significant age-instruction interaction (χ 2 =76.84, df = 23. p<0.001) revealed that the age differences between average gait speed depended on which instruction was given. Complex instructions elicited the largest between group differences (β:-0.24 to -0.32 m/s), while simple tasks showed minimal differences (β:-0.03 to -0.06 m/s).

SIGNIFICANCE: Instructions explain similar variance within each age group (~56%), but the model treating instructions as fixed effects captures how different age groups respond to the same instructions. These findings highlight the critical importance of instruction standardization in gait assessment protocols, as systematic age-related differences in instruction interpretation can significantly impact measured outcomes. Instructions that produce minimal between-group differences may be most appropriate for standardized clinical assessments, while those showing larger age effects may be valuable for detecting age-related changes in gait control.

PMID:40810011 | PMC:PMC12346562 | DOI:10.1101/2025.07.18.665559

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Neural network models of autonomous adaptive intelligence and artificial general intelligence: how our brains learn large language models and their meanings

Front Syst Neurosci. 2025 Jul 30;19:1630151. doi: 10.3389/fnsys.2025.1630151. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

This article describes a biological neural network model that explains how humans learn to understand large language models and their meanings. This kind of learning typically occurs when a student learns from a teacher about events that they experience together. Multiple types of self-organizing brain processes are involved, including content-addressable memory; conscious visual perception; joint attention; object learning, categorization, and cognition; conscious recognition; cognitive working memory; cognitive planning; neural-symbolic computing; emotion; cognitive-emotional interactions and reinforcement learning; volition; and goal-oriented actions. The article advances earlier results showing how small language models are learned that have perceptual and affective meanings. The current article explains how humans, and neural network models thereof, learn to consciously see and recognize an unlimited number of visual scenes. Then, bi-directional associative links can be learned and stably remembered between these scenes, the emotions that they evoke, and the descriptive language utterances associated with them. Adaptive resonance theory circuits control model learning and self-stabilizing memory. These human capabilities are not found in AI models such as ChatGPT. The current model is called ChatSOME, where SOME abbreviates Self-Organizing MEaning. The article summarizes neural network highlights since the 1950s and leading models, including adaptive resonance, deep learning, LLMs, and transformers.

PMID:40810002 | PMC:PMC12343567 | DOI:10.3389/fnsys.2025.1630151

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Dietary Protein Hydrolysate From Calanus finmarchicus Reduces Oxidative Stress and Increases Intestinal Health in European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Juveniles

Aquac Nutr. 2025 Aug 6;2025:5531437. doi: 10.1155/anu/5531437. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

The aquaculture industry is in dire need of novel feed ingredients that can improve the health and welfare of farmed fish and shrimp. Zooplankton are natural and underutilized marine resources with the potential to be part of a nutritional solution. The aim of this study was to determine the health effects for European sea bass juveniles fed diets with a protein hydrolysate from the zooplankton species Calanus finmarchicus, a novel raw material for feed ingredients. Calanus hydrolysate (CH) was benchmarked using fish hydrolysates as controls at inclusion rates of 3%-4%, depending on the protein content for each of the hydrolysates to allow equivalent protein levels in the diets. The initial feeding trial was 84 days, with an additional week to perform an inflammatory challenge with a UV-inactivated bacterium. Fish receiving diets with CH inclusion were associated with lower levels of hepatic protein carbonyls, a lower level of calprotectin and higher levels of mucins compared to the control hydrolysate diets. No statistically significant differences among the diets for the biomarkers related to the inflammatory challenge were observed. The study showed that dietary inclusion of CH has the potential to reduce oxidative stress and increase intestinal health, thus, improving the health of European sea bass juveniles. These health-promoting effects, combined with the sustainable origin of C. finmarchicus highlight the potential of CH as a novel functional ingredient for future aquaculture feeds. Its use could contribute to reduced reliance on traditional fishmeal sources, thereby, supporting more sustainable and resilient aquaculture practices.

PMID:40809997 | PMC:PMC12349996 | DOI:10.1155/anu/5531437

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Association between Reusable Anesthesia Circuits and Hospital Waste Reduction, Cost Savings, and Environmental Impact: A Quality Improvement Study

Perioper Care Oper Room Manag. 2025 Sep;40:100518. doi: 10.1016/j.pcorm.2025.100518. Epub 2025 Jun 28.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anesthesia services are a major contributor to healthcare sector greenhouse gas emissions. Interventions aimed to reduce waste are necessary. Reusable anesthesia circuits offer a sustainable alternative to single-use circuits. Their adoption in the United States remains limited. The objective of this project was to evaluate the feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact of using FDA-approved reusable anesthesia circuits.

METHODS: Supported by the SMART QI framework, we evaluated the impact of switching to reusable circuits on elective electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) procedures. We measured waste generation, room preparation times, material costs, and projected system wide financial and greenhouse gas emissions impact. Greenhouse gas emissions were estimated using the Practice Greenhealth Scope 3 Emissions Accounting Tool. Descriptive statistics compared pre- and post-intervention outcomes, with statistical significance at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: We compared 185 ECT procedures: 98 single-use from pre-intervention and 87 reusable circuits from post-intervention. Preparation times did not change. Daily waste from reusable circuits was significantly lower than single-use circuits (99.2g vs. 357.2g, p < 0.001). Cost analysis revealed 40% reduction in median per-case expenditures with reusable circuits ($4.30 vs. $8.50 per patient, p < 0.001).Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions per procedure decreased nearly 50% (1.09 kgCO2 vs. 2.57 kgCO2, p < 0.001). Modeling of institutional-level data projected an annual cost savings of $108,860 and a reduction of 45,062.4 kgCO2 if reusable circuits were implemented across all hospitals in the network.

DISCUSSION: Reusable anesthesia circuits can significantly reduce hospital waste, lower costs, and decrease carbon emissions without compromising procedural efficiency.

PMID:40809989 | PMC:PMC12341448 | DOI:10.1016/j.pcorm.2025.100518

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The use of parenteral application of ferric carboxymaltose in the prevention of iron deficiency anaemia in suckling piglets

Vet Med (Praha). 2025 Jul 25;70(7):242-246. doi: 10.17221/22/2025-VETMED. eCollection 2025 Jul.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of ferric carboxymaltose injection in the prevention of anaemia in suckling piglets. In group A (n = 8), piglets were administered iron in the form of iron carboxymaltose complex (Ferinject®) at a dose of 200 mg i.m. (neck muscle) at the age of 3 days. In group B (n = 8), piglets were given iron in the form of iron dextran (Ferribion®) at a dose of 200 mg i.m. (neck muscle) at the age of 3 days. In group C (n = 8, anaemic control group), iron was not administered until the age of 10 days. During the study, no statistically significant differences were observed in the parameters of red blood cell count or blood plasma iron concentration between the group that received iron carboxymaltase and the group that received iron dextran. The results of haematological and biochemical examinations achieved in our study show that the application of iron carboxymaltase was successful in preventing iron deficiency anaemia in piglets. The results indicate comparable efficacy of iron carboxymaltase and iron dextran.

PMID:40809948 | PMC:PMC12342125 | DOI:10.17221/22/2025-VETMED

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Biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles using Sideritis akmanii plant and evaluation of its biological activity

Toxicol Res (Camb). 2025 Aug 6;14(4):tfaf115. doi: 10.1093/toxres/tfaf115. eCollection 2025 Aug.

ABSTRACT

In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were synthesized by green synthesis technique using the extract obtained from Sideritis akmanii plant and the obtained ZnONPs were characterized by Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometry (UV-VIS), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) spectrophotometer, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. Cytotoxic effects of both ZnONPs and Sideritis akmanii plant extract on A549 cells were investigated by MMT assay and genotoxic effects by Comet assay method. It was observed that the cytotoxic activity of ZnONP doses was higher than Sideritis akmanii plant extracts. In the comet test, the highest DNA damage (62.25 ± 10.15) was observed in the 10 mg/mL ZnONP application at 48 h of application, DNA damage did not exceed the negative control group at 3 different plant extract doses. Moreover, the genotoxic effects of 4 different concentrations of ZnONPs (0.1, 1, 5, 10 mM) were evaluated on Drosophila melonagaster with the SMART test. The results obtained as a result of ZnONP application were found to be close to the control group and it was determined that no statistically significant genotoxic effect was observed. The antimicrobial activity of ZnONPs on Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213), Salmonella enteritidis (ATCC 13076), Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603) and Candida albicans (ATCC 90028) microorganisms was analyzed using disk diffusion method. According to the antimicrobial and antifungal activity data, it was determined that the synthesized ZnONPs were effective on all microorganism strains used in the study and the inhibition zone diameters ranged from 8 to 13.67 mm.

PMID:40809917 | PMC:PMC12341928 | DOI:10.1093/toxres/tfaf115

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Prostatic Artery Embolization Using Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol (EVOH) Copolymer for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Twelve-Month Analysis

Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol. 2025 Aug 13. doi: 10.1007/s00270-025-04164-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Our goal was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and outcomes at 12 months of prostatic artery embolization with Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia-related lower urinary tract symptoms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-centre prospective study from November 2023 to November 2024 registered in clinical trials (IDRCB, 2021-AO29-56-35). Twelve consecutive patients were included. Inclusion criteria were an IPSS > 18 or a QoL score > 2, and prostate volume > 40 mL. Exclusion criteria were prostate cancer, advanced atherosclerosis. Outcomes were assessed at 12 months using the International Prostate Symptoms Score and associated quality-of-life score, prostate volume, and post-void residual volume. The overall evolution was analysed using a mixed-effects model with repeated measures.

RESULTS: Bilateral injection was performed in all patients. No patients experienced major adverse events. Compared to baseline, statistically significant improvements were observed at 12 months for the IPSS (9.3 ± 7.8 vs. 17.9 ± 5.8; P = 0.03), IPSS-QoL (2.1 ± 1.9 vs. 4.8 ± 1.1; P = 0.01). No statistically significant improvements were observed at 12 months for post-void residual volume (41.5 ± 54.96 vs. 57.3 ± 61.3; P = 0.9) and prostate volume (82.7 ± 46.6 mL vs. 89.2 ± 34.1 mL; P = 0.6).

CONCLUSIONS: Prostatic artery embolization with Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer is safe. This method provides good outcomes at 12 months, but no effect on the prostate volume and post-void residual volume. It deserves further evaluation in randomised trials with longer follow-up.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was performed according to Good Clinical Practice requirements and the Helsinki Declaration and registered on Clinical Trials.gov (Trial registration: IDRCB, 2021-AO29-56-35. Registered 27 May 2022, http://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05395299?cond=embolization&term&rank=1 ).

PMID:40804546 | DOI:10.1007/s00270-025-04164-x

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Human emissions drive recent trends in North Pacific climate variations

Nature. 2025 Aug 13. doi: 10.1038/s41586-025-09368-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO)-the leading pattern of climate variability driving changes over the North Pacific and surrounding continents-is now thought to be generated by processes internal to the climate system1,2. According to this paradigm, the characteristic, irregular oscillations of the PDO arise from a collection of mechanisms involving ocean and atmosphere interactions in the North and tropical Pacific3-5. Recent variations in the coupled ocean-atmosphere system, such as the 2015 El Niño, ought to have shifted the PDO into its positive phase6. Yet, the PDO has been locked in a consistent downward trend for more than three decades, remanding nearby regions to a steady set of climate impacts. Here we show that the main multidecadal variations in the PDO index during the twentieth century, including the ongoing, decades-long negative trend, were largely driven by human emissions of aerosols and greenhouse gases rather than internal processes. This anthropogenic influence was previously undetected because the current generation of climate models systematically underestimate the amplitude of forced climate variability. A new attribution technique that statistically corrects for this error suggests that observed PDO impacts-including the ongoing multidecadal drought in the western United States-can be largely attributed to human activity through externally forced changes in the PDO. These results indicate that we need to rethink the attribution and projection of multidecadal changes in regional climate.

PMID:40804516 | DOI:10.1038/s41586-025-09368-2

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Noninvasive evaluation of treatment-related protein expression status in advanced gastric cancer using dynamic nomograms with dual-energy CT: a multicenter study

Eur Radiol. 2025 Aug 13. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11904-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Proliferation marker Ki-67 and immune checkpoint Programmed Cell Death Ligand 1 (PD-L1) are both proteins associated with tumor treatment response. To develop and validate two dynamic nomograms from dual-energy CT (DECT) for noninvasive evaluation of the expression status of these two proteins in advanced gastric cancer (AGC), and explore their associations with treatment response.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this multicenter prospective and retrospective study, eligible AGC participants who underwent DECT scans were recruited into two study groups (Ki-67 and PD-L1 groups), with their clinical and DECT characteristics collected and measured. The prediction models (Ki-67 dynamic nomogram (KIDN) and PD-L1 dynamic nomogram (PDDN)) were constructed by logistic regression classifier, respectively, and two online calculators were established based on models. The performance of nomograms was comprehensively evaluated.

RESULTS: In total, 459 and 417 eligible patients were analyzed in the Ki-67 and PD-L1 groups, respectively. The nomograms discriminating Ki-67 and PD-L1 achieved AUCs of 0.755 and 0.726, respectively, in the external validation cohort. Additionally, the two nomograms significantly or slightly outperformed any single predictor in both the training and validation cohorts. In both cohorts, KIDN and PDDN showed favorable calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test, all p < 0.05) and clinical utility confirmed by decision curve analysis. Moreover, they demonstrated prognostic performance consistent with actual biomarkers and were associated with clinical response to immuno-chemotherapy (both p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The dynamic nomograms, which integrate clinical features and DECT quantitative parameters, enable noninvasive evaluation of treatment-related protein expression in AGC.

KEY POINTS: Question Noninvasive tools for accurately evaluating Ki-67 and PD-L1 expression status in advanced gastric cancer (AGC) are currently inadequate. Findings Dual-energy CT-based nomograms demonstrated favorable performance in evaluating Ki-67 and PD-L1 expression status and were associated with response to immuno-chemotherapy in AGC. Clinical relevance We developed online calculators based on prediction models that may serve as a supplement to current invasive methods (e.g., immunohistochemistry), potentially aiding therapeutic decision-making.

PMID:40804511 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11904-7