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Nevin Manimala Statistics

A Standardized Statistical Framework for Population Surveillance Using the National Health Interview Survey

JACC Adv. 2026 Feb 23:102548. doi: 10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.102548. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

National health surveillance systems in the United States collect essential information about population health, yet differences in analytical methods often make it difficult to compare results across studies. This paper presents a clear and consistent framework for descriptive analyses using the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The framework establishes shared definitions for sociodemographic and clinical variables, outlines methods for handling missing data, and describes use of survey weights and multivariable models. This process will generate reproducible and interpretable estimates across different NHIS-based studies.

PMID:41805279 | DOI:10.1016/j.jacadv.2025.102548

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Conducting an RCT of a sexual health intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic: Lessons learned

Int J STD AIDS. 2026 Mar 10:9564624261432787. doi: 10.1177/09564624261432787. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41805258 | DOI:10.1177/09564624261432787

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of Low-dose Escitalopram on Cognition and Behavior of Patients With Dementia Without Depression: A Retrospective Study

Clin Neuropharmacol. 2026 Feb 16. doi: 10.1097/WNF.0000000000000675. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The role of escitalopram on cognition in patients with dementia is inconclusive. In this study effect of low-dose escitalopram on cognition in subjects with dementia without depression is explored.

METHODS: This is a retrospective study of subjects aged 60 years or more with a diagnosis of dementia without depression conducted in a tertiary-care hospital in India. Subjects treated with low-dose escitalopram with a follow-up of 12 weeks duration were included. The parameters extracted were sociodemographic characteristics, duration and type of dementia, comorbidities, other psychotropics, and antidementia drugs. The change in Hindi Mental Status Examination score from baseline to fourth, eighth, and 12th weeks is considered the primary outcome measure. In addition, changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms are the secondary outcome measures. Statistical methods include descriptive and comparative analysis, and repeated measures ANOVA was applied to assess change in cognition over time.

RESULTS: A total of 44 subjects were included, with a mean age of 73.5 ± 7.42 years and 56.82%. Among the subjects, 79.55% were diagnosed with AD, 11.36% with FTD, and 9.09% with VD, and the average duration of illness was 4.48 ± 2.28 years. Comparison of HMSE score from baseline to fourth, eighth, and 12th week shows a significant difference with P <0.001, with greater improvement in the first 4 weeks. In addition, the NPI and ADL scores showed significant improvement in week-4 with P <0.001.

CONCLUSION: Escitalopram shows a promising effect on cognition, behaviour, and functionality in subjects with dementia in the short term. However, a larger prospective long-term study is needed to validate the study findings.

PMID:41805243 | DOI:10.1097/WNF.0000000000000675

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Multimodal Serum Profiling for Early Detection and Risk Assessment of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Cancer

Anal Chem. 2026 Mar 10. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c06663. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has high incidence rates in India, with poor survival rates due to late diagnosis. Oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) such as leukoplakia (L) and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) present a critical window for intervention. Minimally invasive approaches capturing early biochemical alterations were investigated to improve early detection and stratification. Blood serum samples from 169 subjects, including healthy controls (C), tobacco habitués (TC), L, OSMF, and OSCC, were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy (RS) and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Principal component-based quadratic discriminant analysis (PC-QDA) models were built with RS data and validated on independent cohorts. Multivariate curve resolution-alternating least-squares (MCR-ALS) analysis identified altered spectral features. Global LC-MS/MS metabolite profiles were assessed by multivariate statistics and pathway enrichment. RS-based PC-QDA models achieved ∼95% accuracy in training and testing when C subjects were compared against TC, L, OSCC, and OSMF in a two-group model. A three-group model with C, TC, and oral diseases accurately classified >80% C and 86% oral disease subjects. The model stratifying L, OSMF, and OSCC identified 100% OSCC and 73-84% of L and OSMF in independent test sets. MCR-ALS revealed spectral features of albumin, immunoglobulins, carotenoids, and lipids, corresponding to LC-MS/MS findings of altered albumin-bound metabolites, bile acids, lipid metabolism, and oxidative stress. Serum RS demonstrated efficacy as a rapid, minimally invasive detection tool for oral disease stratification. LC-MS/MS identified metabolites and pathways aligning with RS spectral signatures. This multimodal approach shows promise for early detection and risk assessment of oral cancer.

PMID:41805242 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.5c06663

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Parents’ perceived safety, usability, and acceptability of vaccination through microarray patches: A preliminary multi-national cross-sectional survey

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2026 Dec;22(1):2642457. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2026.2642457. Epub 2026 Mar 10.

ABSTRACT

Microarray patches (MAPs) are an emerging, needle-free vaccination technology with potential to improve vaccine uptake and acceptability. A cross-sectional online survey was conducted to assess parents’ perceptions of MAP safety, usability, and acceptability for themselves and their children. Participants were parents of children aged ≤18 y residing in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, or New Zealand. Responses were recorded on a 7-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used for analysis. A total of 102 parents participated (mean age = 40.7 y, SD = 10.6), predominantly from Canada (59.8%) and Australia (35.3%). Parents rated MAP vaccination as safe and effective (mean = 5.13; 95% CI: 4.83-5.43), easy to use (mean = 5.51; 95% CI: 5.26-5.77), and acceptable (mean = 5.43; 95% CI: 5.18-5.68). Respondents preferred MAPs over traditional needle and syringe (N&S) methods for themselves and their children, particularly citing benefits for those with needle-related anxiety. Parents expressed stronger preferences for healthcare provider administration for children compared to themselves. MAP self-administration was also viewed positively. Participants indicated greater willingness to pay more for their child to receive the MAP vaccination compared to themselves. Findings suggest that parents perceive MAPs as a safe, usable, and acceptable alternative to N&S vaccination for themselves and their children.

PMID:41805238 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2026.2642457

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Use of cancer mobile app: A young adult patient-centered approach

J Psychosoc Oncol. 2026 Mar 10:1-17. doi: 10.1080/07347332.2026.2632685. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer have distinct psychosocial and information needs across the cancer care continuum. AYAs often experience developmental milestone disruptions, changes in social functioning, and an unmet need for social connection both during and after treatment. The multidimensional needs of AYAs with cancer necessitates tailored program development to provide patient-centered psychosocial support that is accessible and scalable. To address these critical gaps in AYA cancer care, this study describes an innovative cancer mobile application, iaya, an online platform uniquely for AYAs with cancer designed to promote coping and peer connection.

METHODS: iaya data was collected from late 2021-December 2024. Descriptive statistics were used to examine iaya engagement, growth trends, and summarize user data, including user demographics, app feature engagement, and psychosocial coping toolbox utilization.

RESULTS: Iaya has experienced steady growth over time and now has over 280 total members and 180 active members (66%). Members most frequently visited app spaces for discussion and socialization with other users. These spaces generated more engagement compared to informational or resource specific spaces.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study indicate that there is a desire for social connection with AYA peers above and beyond the need for cancer-related information on iaya, suggesting that many AYAs with cancer are interested and willing to engage with online platforms that facilitate these social connections. Future AYA psychosocial oncology programs should be designed with a focus on strengthening social connectedness and community building among AYAs with cancer and consider implementing a mobile component as a valuable and scalable solution.

PMID:41805234 | DOI:10.1080/07347332.2026.2632685

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Drugs Most Frequently Involved in Drug Overdose Deaths: United States, 2017-2023

Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2026 Mar 5;(1):1. doi: 10.15620/cdc/174640.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This report identifies the specific drugs most frequently involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States from 2017 through 2023.

METHODS: Data from the 2017-2023 National Vital Statistics System mortality files were linked to literal text data from death certificates. Drug overdose deaths were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision underlying cause-of-death codes X40-X44, X60-X64, X85, and Y10-Y14. Specific drugs were identified by searching three literal text fields of the death certificate: the causes of death from Part I, significant conditions contributing to death from Part II, and the description of how the injury occurred. Contextual information was used to determine drug involvement in the death. Descriptive statistics were calculated for the most frequently mentioned drugs involved in drug overdose deaths. Deaths involving multiple drugs were counted in all relevant drug categories.

RESULTS: Among drug overdose deaths with mention of at least one specific drug, the most frequently mentioned drugs during 2017-2023 included: fentanyl, heroin, oxycodone, morphine, methadone, hydrocodone, alprazolam, diphenhydramine, cocaine, methamphetamine, amphetamine, gabapentin, and xylazine. Fentanyl ranked first across all years and was the most common concomitant drug found with other top drugs, ranging from 99.0% of xylazine-involved drug overdose deaths to 48.3% of oxycodone-involved drug overdose deaths. Cocaine and methamphetamine were also frequent concomitant drugs. Trends in age-adjusted rates across the 2017 to 2023 period varied by drug, but notably the rate for heroin-involved deaths sharply declined, while the rate for fentanyl-involved deaths increased and then stabilized between 2022 and 2023. In 2023, the most frequently mentioned drugs in unintentional drug overdose deaths were fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine, while the most frequently mentioned drugs for suicide-related drug overdoses were diphenhydramine, oxycodone, and bupropion.

CONCLUSIONS: This report identifies patterns in the specific drugs most frequently involved in drug overdose deaths from 2017 through 2023.

PMID:41805233 | DOI:10.15620/cdc/174640

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Exposure to Antipsychotic Medication Is Associated With Less Days Alive and Free From Catatonia in Critically Ill Patients

Crit Care Med. 2026 Mar 10. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000007077. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Catatonia occurs in critical illness, however, underlying causal mechanisms are unknown. We aim to determine if exposure to antipsychotic medication is associated with less days alive and free from catatonia in critically ill adults.

DESIGN: The Delirium and Catatonia Prospective Cohort Investigation is a prospective cohort.

SETTING: Single academic medical center’s medical, surgical, and trauma ICUs.

PATIENTS: Critically ill adult patients on mechanical ventilation or vasopressors without a major neurocognitive disorder, severe psychiatric disorder, or catatonia at baseline.

INTERVENTIONS: The primary exposure was antipsychotic administration and cumulative dosage during the first 5 and 14 days from enrollment.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Catatonia was evaluated with the Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale mapped to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria. The primary outcome was catatonia-free days (CFDs), defined as the number of days the patient was alive and free from catatonia. Adjusted proportional odds logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) of outcome events. Patients (n = 270) were enrolled with a median (interquartile range) age of 54.5 years (36.7-67.2 yr). Of patients who were exposed to antipsychotic medication (n = 102), 27 (26%) experienced catatonia. Compared with patients who were never exposed to antipsychotics, those exposed in both the 5- and 14-day models had a 74% and 51% reduction in the odds of more CFD (OR, 0.2568; 95% CI, 0.1580-0.4173) and (OR, 0.4939; 95% CI, 0.3857-0.6325), respectively. Furthermore, those exposed to higher dosages had a 97% reduction in the odds of more CFD (OR, 0.0281; 95% CI, 0.0142-0.0556) and (OR, 0.0335; 95% CI, 0.0166-0.0673) compared with those exposed to lower dosages in both the 5- and 14-day models, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: This study may influence how intensivists approach the use of antipsychotic medications and may build upon existing evidence that dopamine blockade is an underlying biologic mechanism underlying catatonia.

PMID:41805231 | DOI:10.1097/CCM.0000000000007077

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effectiveness of self-ligating versus conventional brackets for treatment of bimaxillary protrusion: a single-centre randomized clinical trial

Eur J Orthod. 2026 Feb 18;48(2):cjag013. doi: 10.1093/ejo/cjag013.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare treatment duration between self-ligating and conventional brackets, determine factors influencing treatment duration and compare the quality of orthodontic care with both bracket systems in a bimaxillary protrusion population.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Participants were randomly allocated into the Smart Clip™ self-ligation bracket group or the Victory Series™ conventional ligation bracket group, both with MBT prescription (3M-Unitek, Monrovia, California, USA). Both extraction and nonextraction cases were included. Primary outcome measures included (i) overall treatment duration, (ii) levelling and aligning duration, (iii) Space closure and finishing duration, and (iv) number of appointments and other treatment related factors. The secondary outcomes assessed the quality of care. These occlusal outcomes included incisor inclination, ABO CR-EVAL, patient perception using the Index of Treatment Need and three validated questionnaires before, during and after treatment, measuring patient satisfaction with treatment and patient experience. Independent sample t-test and chi-square tests were conducted to assess differences in groups. Descriptive statistics and parametric tests were conducted. Also, nonparametric tests were carried out where appropriate. This clinical trial was ongoing during the COVID-19 pandemic, therefore, the effect of the pandemic on the trial was also assessed.

RESULTS: A total of 109 participants were enrolled. They were randomized in a 1:1 ratio; 13 were excluded (poor attendance prior to and poor attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Forty-nine participants were analysed in the conventional bracket group and 47 in the self-ligating group. The overall mean age was 13 years. The groups were similar pre-treatment, and no statistical significance was found between the groups for treatment duration, duration of key stages and number of appointments (P > 0.05). The mean duration of treatment was 24.34 months for the conventional bracket group and 25.83 months for the self-ligating bracket group. ABO CR-EVAL showed a better quality of finish in the self-ligating bracket group. This, however, was not significant statistically. In both the conventional and self-ligating groups, the post-treatment U1-PP and L1-MP angles were consistent with the reported norms for this population. In extraction and nonextraction cases the self-ligating bracket retroclined the upper (9.2°in extraction and 2.2°in nonextraction cases) and lower incisors (7.3° in extraction and 3.9° in nonextraction cases) more than conventional bracket. In nonextraction cases these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Pre to post-treatment, there was a highly statistically significant improvement in the IOTN aesthetic component in both groups (P < 0.01).There was a significant difference between groups for pre-IOTN aesthetic assessment. The COVID-19 pandemic had no statistically significant impact on the overall treatment duration. However, it did have an effect on the collection and analysis of some data, with no overall effect on the majority of outcomes assessed in the trial. It was not possible to blind the operator or participants to the allocation.

CONCLUSIONS: Use of Smart Clip™ self-ligating bracket does not reduce overall treatment time in bimaxillary protrusive patients. There were fewer total visits in the self-ligating bracket group when compared with the conventionally ligated bracket group. There is no evidence to suggest a difference in the quality of care or patient experience between self-ligating and conventional bracket systems in a bimaxillary protrusive population. The COVID-19 pandemic did not affect treatment duration.

REGISTRATION: The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on 26th June 2019. Registration number NCT04001816.

PROTOCOL: The protocol was not published before trial commencement.

FUNDING: The trial was funded by grants from The University ofThe West Indies ( CRP.3.MAR14.3, CRP.3.MAR14.3(1), CRP.3.MAR 14.3(4))andproduct donations from 3M Unitek.

PMID:41805224 | DOI:10.1093/ejo/cjag013

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The impact of space closure versus space opening and prosthetic rehabilitation treatment on a young person’s quality of life, aesthetics, and self-esteem in hypodontia: a longitudinal prospective study

Eur J Orthod. 2026 Feb 18;48(2):cjag003. doi: 10.1093/ejo/cjag003.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The present research study uniquely aimed to evaluate the impact of undergoing orthodontic and restorative treatment on a young person’s oral health-related quality of life (QoL), self-esteem and aesthetics in relation to the management of hypodontia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective longitudinal hospital-based study recruited 97 participants with hypodontia, aged 11-18 years. The following questionnaires were completed both prior (T0) and after the completion of treatment by either space closure or opening and restorative rehabilitation (T1) treatment: child perception questionnaire, Bristol condition specific questionnaire for hypodontia (BCS), child health questionnaire and the Oral Aesthetic Subjective Impact Scale. The outcome variables was the end of treatment measurements, all of which were continuous in nature. The analysis was performed using analysis of covariance.

RESULTS: A total of 26 participants were lost to follow up. At the completion of treatment (T1), 71 participants completed all four questionnaires. In this cohort, there were 31 participants in the space opening and 40 in the space closure group. For both groups, improvements were observed in both QoL, self-esteem and dental aesthetics. Whilst Overall, there was no statistically significant difference detected in a number of outcomes between the two groups differences were detected in the majority of domains of the BCS, favourable towards space closure (P < .03).

CONCLUSIONS: Treatment in participants with a range of hypodontia severity appears to have a significant positive impact, both psychologically and in terms of aesthetics. Furthermore, with the exception of the BCS, no difference in the outcomes was detected irrespective of whether participants underwent either orthodontic space closure or space opening, with subsequent prosthetic replacement.

PMID:41805223 | DOI:10.1093/ejo/cjag003