Tag: nevin manimala

PLoS One. 2025 May 2;20(5):e0321686. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321686. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Timely initiation and adequate number of antenatal care (ANC) visits are crucial for ensuring the health and well-being of both pregnant women and their unborn children. Despite recent progress, Bangladesh continues to face challenges in achieving sustainable development goal (SDG-3) related to maternal and neonatal health. This study examines the factors contributing to delayed initiation and a low number of ANC visits, while also evaluating the association between the timing and overall number of ANC visits.

DATA: Nationally representative data from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys (BDHS) conducted in 2007 (n = 3050) and 2017-18 (n = 4544) on women aged 15-49 years.

METHODS: We investigated two binary outcome variables: late ANC, defined as the initiation of ANC visits after 12 weeks of gestation, and low ANC, defined as having less than four ANC visits. Geospatial mapping was employed to visualize spatial patterns, followed by survey-weighted logistic regression to identify risk factors associated with late initiation of ANC and low ANC visit frequency. Additionally, classification tree analysis was utilized to explore interactions between predictors and outcomes.

RESULTS: Logistic regression modeling revealed that late ANC was associated with a more than fourfold increase in the odds of having fewer than four ANC visits (AOR: 4.60 [95% CI: 3.69-5.73] in 2007 and AOR: 4.68 [95% CI: 4.00-5.48] in 2017-18). Classification tree analysis further confirmed that late ANC initiation was the most critical predictor of total number of ANC attendance, underscoring the necessity of early ANC initiation to ensure sufficient coverage.

CONCLUSION: Early initiation of ANC is essential for achieving an adequate number of ANC visits. Notably, the same set of sociodemographic factors remained statistically significant predictors in both 2007 and 2017, highlighting the persistent nature of these disparities and underscoring the urgent need for targeted policies and health interventions.

PMID:40315259 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0321686

PLoS One. 2025 May 2;20(5):e0320607. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320607. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) is a federal initiative aimed at improving the dietary behaviors and nutrition knowledge of low-income households. This study evaluates the impact of Texas EFNEP on the dietary quality of participants using data from across ten counties over four fiscal years (2019-2022). Dietary quality was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI), calculated from 24-hour dietary recalls collected before and after participation in the program. The study analyzed changes of HEI scores across fiscal years, counties, socio-demographic characteristics, and public assistance program participation. The Texas EFNEP intervention resulted in a statistically significant improvement in overall HEI scores, 4.23 on average. The greatest dietary improvements were noted in Tarrant and Hidalgo counties. Among racial groups, participants identified as Asian showed the most improvement on average, followed by participants identified as white and as black. On average, Hispanic participants experienced greater dietary improvements than non-Hispanic participants. Based on regression analysis, geographic location and participation in public assistance programs such as the Child Nutrition Program (CNP) significantly impacted total HEI scores, but age, income, and hours taught in EFNEP were not statistically significant determinants. Statistically significant improvements were detected in eight of the nine adequacy components of the HEI, including total fruit, whole grains, and dairy. Concerning the moderation components, statistically significant changes were evident for refined grains, added sugar, and saturated fat. However, the program was less effective in moderating sodium intake, a known dietary challenge in low-income populations. The findings suggest that the Texas EFNEP contributed to improvements in overall dietary quality, including enhancements in both adequacy and moderation components of the Healthy Eating Index. These findings are consistent with prior research concerning the effectiveness of EFNEP studied in other states and regions.

PMID:40315241 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0320607

PLoS One. 2025 May 2;20(5):e0322164. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322164. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

We examined the prevalence of obesity among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) young adults and to investigate the association between key social determinants of health (SDOH) and higher body mass index (BMI). We used the Indian Health Service Improving Delivery Data Project from fiscal year 2013. It includes data for 20,698 AIAN young adults aged 18-24 years. We added county-level measures of SDOH from the USDA Food Environment Atlas and the Census as contextual variables. We conducted stratified logistic regressions to understand the relationship between these SDOH indicators and odds of obesity. Thirty-seven percent of our sample was identified as obese (i.e., BMI ≥30). Individuals who lived in counties with lower levels of educational attainment and higher levels of poverty had higher odds of obesity than those who lived in counties with higher education and lower poverty (p < 0.0001). Counties with higher poverty rates had less access to social and environmental resources than the lower poverty rate counties (p < 0.0001). Federal and state governments should increase access to education and economic development opportunities to positively impact health outcomes.

PMID:40315227 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0322164

PLoS One. 2025 May 2;20(5):e0322015. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322015. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients often spend significant time waiting for care, which influences patient satisfaction, perceived quality, access to care, and utilization of various health care services. Waiting time and resulting implications remain understudied in low- and middle-income countries like Kenya. This study aimed to describe the impact on the perception of waiting times on patient satisfaction and care at a tertiary healthcare institution in Kenya.

METHOD: We conducted a prospective cross-sectional study between the first of April 2023 and the thirty-first of August 2023 at the Emergency Room (ER) at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire examining demographics and patient wait times. Descriptive statistics were summarized using frequencies and percentages, and univariate analyses using Fisher’s exact test were conducted for group comparisons.

RESULTS: A total of 941 patients participated in the study, with 52.0% being females and 53.6% in the 20-40-year age group. More than half of the patients were married (52.4%), had a university education (75.9%), and were employed (70.6%). Of the patients who took the survey, 51.1% reported waiting for 31-60 minutes, while 25.4% reported waiting for more than 60 minutes. Most patients presented to the ER on Monday, most frequently between 0800 and 1200 hrs. Most patients (70.8%) were likely to return for care and 71.7% were likely to recommend care at the ER to relatives and friends.

CONCLUSION: Specific days and times of visits to the ER were associated with prolonged waiting times. To reduce waiting times and improve access to healthcare services, facilities should consider increasing the number of healthcare providers during these peak hours to ensure timely and quality consultations. Identifying bottlenecks and gridlocks within healthcare facilities is crucial to developing an efficient blueprint that aims to improve waiting times, leading to improved patient satisfaction and care.

PMID:40315218 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0322015

PLoS One. 2025 May 2;20(5):e0322515. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322515. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Identifying underlying subgroups might be a way to examine the development of co-occurrent substance use and delinquency. The aim of this study was to identify latent classes of substance misuse and delinquency in adolescence and which general risk factors are associated with these classes.

METHODS: Data of two waves from a national representative Swedish birth cohort was used that consisted of 4,013 randomly selected adolescents (Male = 1,798, Female = 2,201, Missing = 14) Latent class analysis was used to identify classes of substance misuse and delinquency at age 17/18 and. logistic regression analysis was used to assess risk factors at age 15/16.

RESULTS: Identified classes were: “Low/abstainers” (74.80%, n = 2858, Male = 1191 Female = 1656, Missing = 11) which acted as reference, “Alcohol only” (22.21%, n = 849, Male = 420, Female = 426, Missing = 3), “Polydrug use and crime” (2.15%, n = 82, Male = 52, Female = 30) and “High crime” (0.84%, n = 32, Male = 30, Females = 2). Factors associated with belonging to any classes engaging in substance use and delinquency were lower parental support, supervision, peer problems, and higher conduct problems, sensation-seeking behavior, distrust in society, and truancy.

CONCLUSIONS: Most people did not engage in substance use or delinquency. When accounting for less frequent behaviors such as normative adolescent drinking and one-time events of crime and drug use, about 3% of the population engaged in co-occurring substance use and delinquency. Several different factors from several domains where related to belonging to a class that used substances and/or engaged in delinquency. There were indications that the most extensive users and offender displayed a wide variety of severe level risk factors, which could have implications for targeted interventions. Though, statistical power was a problem and future research should use larger samples or alternative methods.

PMID:40315216 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0322515

PLoS One. 2025 May 2;20(5):e0320568. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320568. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Human capital management (HCM) helps manage and develop human capital (HC) in businesses through investments that increase the value of HC and contribute to improving the financial situation of companies. Industry 4.0 (4IR) presents new challenges especially for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The article aim is to find out how important SMEs perceive investments in HC, whether they evaluate the effectiveness of investments in HC and which of the selected HCM activities related to digitization they consider essential. It was used basic scientific methods, Cronbach’s alpha, descriptive statistics, and the chi-square test. It was found that in 2020 up to 49.56% and in 2021 up to 63.94% of respondents consider the funds spent on employees as investments in HC. In connection with digitization, it is striking that up to 76.98% of SMEs in 2020 and 68.34% of respondents in 2021 did not use a personnel information system (HRIS) and an even greater number of companies did not even prepare reports for the HC area. The originality of the article lies in the processing of a two-year questionnaire survey and in the intersection of HCM and Industry 4.0. This is a very current topic, which is also emphasized by the European Union. Future research could focus on employee training models (HC development), or on the culture of innovation and adaptability in companies that digitalize.

PMID:40315210 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0320568

PLoS One. 2025 May 2;20(5):e0322748. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322748. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones substantially influence the metabolism and production of blood cells; as a result, blood disorders are frequently seen among patients with thyroid hormone disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to assess hematological abnormalities and associated factors among patients with thyroid hormone dysfunction.

METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 12/03/2022 to May 26/05/2022 among consecutive selected 308 study participants at the University Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia. A structured questionnaire and data extraction sheet were used to collect socio-demographic and Clinical data, respectively. For complete blood cell count analysis venous blood was collected and analyzed by Beckman-coulter DXH-800 hematology analyzer. Data was entered by Epi data version 3.1 and analyzed by Stata version 14. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were done to identify associated factors of hematological abnormality. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The overall magnitude of anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, and polycythemia was 26.3%, 5.5%, 2.6%, 2.3%, 2.3%, and 1.3%, respectively. Hypothyroidism (AOR = 2, 95% CI:1.0-3.6), alcohol consumption (AOR = 4, 95% CI: 1.7-9.2), meat consumption (AOR = 4, 95% CI: 1.6-10.4), vegetable consumption (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI:1.1-5.5) and febrile illness (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI:1.3-5.4) were found to be associated with anemia.

CONCLUSION: Anemia was a moderate public health problem among thyroid dysfunction patients, mainly normocytic normochromic anemia was the most common type of anemia, leukopenia was second major hematological abnormality. Hypothyroidism, alcohol consumption, meat consumption, vegetable consumption, and febrile illness were associated with anemia. Thus, all patients with thyroid dysfunction should have regular anemia screenings, particularly those with important risk factors. This could aid in the early identification and efficient treatment of anemia, improving the patients’ quality of life.

PMID:40315206 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0322748

Bioinformatics. 2025 May 2:btaf264. doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btaf264. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

MOTIVATION: Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) are widely used to investigate the role of genetics in disease traits, but the resulting file sizes from these studies are large, posing barriers to efficient storage, sharing, and querying. This issue is especially important for biobanks like the UK Biobank that publish GWAS for thousands of traits, increasing the volume of data that must be effectively managed. Current compression and query methods reduce file sizes and allow for quick genomic position-based queries but do not provide utility for quickly finding loci based on their summary statistics. For example, finding all SNVs in a particular p-value range would require decompressing and scanning the whole file. We propose a new tool, STABIX, which introduces summary-statistic-based queries and improves upon the standard bgzip compression and Tabix query tool in both compression ratio and decompression speed.

RESULTS: When applied to ten GWAS files from PanUKBB, STABIX created smaller compressed data and indices than Tabix for all files, where bgzip and tbi files were an average of 1.2 times the size of STABIX compressed files and indexes. In the same ten files, STABIX per gene decompression was, on average 7x faster than Tabix per gene decompression, and achieved faster per gene decompression times for over 99% of nearly 20,000 genes.

AVAILABILITY: Software freely available for download at GitHub: https://github.com/kristen-schneider/stabix/.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

PMID:40315153 | DOI:10.1093/bioinformatics/btaf264

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2025 May 1. doi: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/8x1nhn. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To explore the value of the vascular index (VI) based on superb microvascular imaging (SMI) technique in assessing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity.

METHODS: The study involved 119 RA patients who underwent SMI examinations of 28 joints. Observers obtained the VI values by manually drawing the area of interest and calculating the sum of the VI values for each patient to obtain the VIsum, and then dividing the VIsum by the number of signal-positive joints to obtain the VIstand. Data of patients’ 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28) and laboratory tests were also collected. The relationship between VI parameters and clinical indexes as well as the differences of VI parameters among groups with different disease activity were investigated. Moreover, the cut-off values of VI parameters to identify RA patients with DAS28 <2.6/DAS28 ≤3.2 were calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS: VIsum, VIstand correlated with clinical and laboratory indicators, especially with DAS28 (r=0.740, 0.659, respectively, p<0.05). The differences of VIsum and VIstand among the 4 groups of patients were statistically significant (p<0.05). VIsum had higher diagnostic efficacy than VIstand for identifying patients in remission or in low and below activity. With a VIsum cut-off value of 35.5/47.8, the area under the ROC curve for identifying DAS28 <2.6/DAS28 ≤3.2 was 0.872/0.846.

CONCLUSIONS: As a quantitative indicator to assess synovitis activity of RA patients, SMI-based VI was helpful in assessing RA disease activity.

PMID:40314989 | DOI:10.55563/clinexprheumatol/8x1nhn

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 May 6;122(18):e2501394122. doi: 10.1073/pnas.2501394122. Epub 2025 May 2.

ABSTRACT

Many organisms employ reversible dormancy, or seedbank, in response to environmental fluctuations. This life-history strategy alters fundamental ecoevolutionary forces, leading to distinct patterns of genetic diversity. Two models of dormancy have been proposed based on the average duration of dormancy relative to coalescent timescales: weak seedbank, induced by scheduled seasonality (e.g., plants, invertebrates), and strong seedbank, where individuals stochastically switch between active and dormant states (e.g., bacteria, fungi). The weak seedbank coalescent is statistically equivalent to the Kingman coalescent with a scaled mutation rate, allowing the use of existing inference methods. In contrast, the strong seedbank coalescent differs fundamentally, as only active lineages can coalesce, while dormant lineages cannot. Additionally, dormant individuals typically mutate at a slower rate than active ones. Consequently, despite the significant role of dormancy in the ecoevolutionary dynamics of many organisms, no methods currently exist for inferring population dynamics involving dormancy and associated parameters. We present a Bayesian framework for jointly inferring a latent genealogy, seedbank parameters, and evolutionary parameters from molecular sequence data under the strong seedbank coalescent. We derive the exact probability density of genealogies sampled under the strong seedbank coalescent, characterize the corresponding likelihood function, and present efficient computational algorithms for its evaluation based on our theoretical framework. We develop a tailored Markov chain Monte Carlo sampler and implement our inference framework as a package SeedbankTree within BEAST2. Our work provides both a theoretical foundation and practical inference framework for studying the population genetic and genealogical impacts of dormancy.

PMID:40314983 | DOI:10.1073/pnas.2501394122