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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Confounding factors in the tear break-up time test. Influence of sequential measurements

Clin Exp Optom. 2025 Mar 16:1-7. doi: 10.1080/08164622.2025.2475202. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The tear break-up time (BUT) test is important in diagnosing and monitoring tear film stability, and understanding potential changes in tear film dynamics during repeated measurements could improve the accuracy and reliability of the test in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to examine the changes in BUT value caused by subsequent measurements made in BUT test.

METHODS: A total of 120 female participants were divided into groups (30 individuals each). Participants were divided into four groups based on the interval between two non-invasive tear break-up time (NI-BUT) tests: Group 1 (1-minute interval), Group 5 (5-minute interval), Group 10 (10-minute interval), and Group 15 (15-minute interval). The first NI-BUT test was called Initial NI-BUT (NI-BUT(I)), and the second test was called Subsequent NI-BUT (NI-BUT(S)). The first BUTvalue (BUT1st), the second BUT value (BUT2nd), the third BUT value (BUT3rd), the fourth BUT value (BUT4th), the fifth BUT value (BUT5th), and the average value of the first three BUTs (BUTA3) were compared between the NI-BUT(1) and NI-BUT(S) tests.

RESULTS: Participant ages ranged from 18 to 36 years, with a mean of 25.1 ± 3.2 years. The mean values of BUT1st, BUT2nd, BUT3rd, BUT4th, BUT5th, and BUTA3 in the NI-BUT(I) test were statistically significantly shorter than those in the NI-BUT(S) test for all groups (p < 0.05). The changes in the parameters were statistically significantly greater in Group 1 compared to the other groups (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Subsequent measurements cause increased BUT values. The longer the interval between two measurements, the smaller the differences between the subsequent measurements. When performing the BUT test, a single measurement should be preferred if possible. If the clinician finds the results of a single measurement unsatisfactory and wishes to consider the average of multiple measurements, the interval between tests should be longer than 15 minutes.

PMID:40089876 | DOI:10.1080/08164622.2025.2475202

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Comparing the impact of interactive versus traditional e-learning on physiotherapists’ knowledge, attitudes, and clinical decision-making in low back pain management: a randomized controlled trial

J Man Manip Ther. 2025 Mar 16:1-14. doi: 10.1080/10669817.2025.2476670. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Despite the recommendations to use a bio-psycho-social framework, many physiotherapists still manage their patients mainly from a biomedical point of view. The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of two different e-learning interventions on knowledge, attitudes, and clinical decision-making of physiotherapists managing low back pain (LBP) to increase guideline-consistent care.

METHODS: Physiotherapists were allocated (1/1) either to an experimental or a traditional e-learning intervention. Baseline and post-intervention assessment included the Health Care Providers’ Pain and Impairment Relationship Scale (HC-PAIRS), Back Pain Attitudes Questionnaire (Back-PAQ), Neurophysiology of Pain Questionnaire (NPQ), and a clinical vignette. Participants had 2 weeks to complete the post-intervention assessment. Statistics were processed using ANCOVA and Fisher’s t-tests.

RESULTS: Four hundred nineteen physiotherapists were included in the analysis. Mean scores of HC-PAIRS, Back-PAQ, and NPQ significantly improved post-intervention in both groups. There was a significant effect of the intervention type (experimental versus traditional) on the scores of HC-PAIRS (p < .001; η2p = .243) and Back-PAQ (p < .001; η2p = .135) but not on NPQ scores. Return to work, recommendations assessed with the clinical vignette were significantly more guideline-consistent in the experimental group (p < .001) post-intervention.

CONCLUSION: An interactive e-learning intervention which includes concrete clinical examples and focused on patient’s reassurance, self-management, and importance of screening psycho-social factors had more impact than a traditional e-learning intervention to enhance physiotherapists’ knowledge, attitudes, and clinical decision-making regarding LBP.

PMID:40089875 | DOI:10.1080/10669817.2025.2476670

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Adapting the MUSIQ Calculator for Practice Facilitators to Evaluate Primary Care Clinic Performance in a Colorectal Cancer Screening Quality Improvement Project

J Prim Care Community Health. 2025 Jan-Dec;16:21501319251327849. doi: 10.1177/21501319251327849. Epub 2025 Mar 16.

ABSTRACT

The Model for Understanding Success in Quality (MUSIQ) is a framework designed to understand the contextual factors that can influence healthcare quality improvement (QI) initiative implementation. The MUSIQ calculator was originally developed to help clinics identify contextual factors that may affect QI success. This retrospective study adapted the MUSIQ calculator to serve as an evaluative tool for practice facilitators engaged in a colorectal cancer screening initiative. Eight primary care clinics were scored in 6 contextual factors categories using the adapted MUSIQ calculator. Average MUSIQ scores were used to identify high and low contextual factors clinics, and their colorectal cancer screening rates were assessed across a 4-year period of active engagement with the colorectal cancer screening initiative. There were statistically significant, strong, correlations between overall contextual factors scores and colorectal cancer screening rates across all 4 years. There was a statistically significant difference between screening rate changes during the period of active engagement and high or low contextual factors scores (P = .047). There were statistically significant correlations between 3 contextual factors and colorectal cancer screening rate changes with “Microsystem” and “QI Support” having the strongest associations (P < .001). Low or high contextual factors classification statistically significantly predicted colorectal cancer screening rate changes across the observed timeframe (P = .047). By adapting existing tools with a strong track record of success, like MUSIQ, practice facilitators can identify potential challenges earlier in the QI process providing an important opportunity to intervene to prompt greater success.

PMID:40089872 | DOI:10.1177/21501319251327849

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Factors associated with undernutrition among pregnant women in Chiro district, eastern Ethiopia

Womens Health (Lond). 2025 Jan-Dec;21:17455057251325117. doi: 10.1177/17455057251325117. Epub 2025 Mar 16.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Undernutrition denotes inadequate intake of energy and nutrients to meet one’s optimal needs. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of undernutrition due to the added nutritional demand for fetal growth and development. Updated evidence is important for monitoring progress and informing healthcare decisions. However, there is a paucity of evidence about the nutritional status of pregnant women in the rural communities of eastern Ethiopia, particularly in Chiro district. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among pregnant women in Chiro district, eastern Ethiopia.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was employed in Chiro district, from November 1 to 30, 2022, among 423 randomly selected pregnant women. The data were collected using face-to-face interviews and anthropometric measurements by trained research assistants. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regressions were fitted to identify predictors of undernutrition by using STATA-14 statistical software.

RESULTS: The overall prevalence of undernutrition was 40.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 36.2%, 45.8%). Antenatal care (ANC) follow-up (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 5.61, 95% CI: 3.01, 10.45), history of illness in the past 2 weeks (AOR: 4.25, 95% CI: 2.23, 8.12), khat chewing (AOR: 4.01, 95% CI: 2.12, 7.56), household food security (AOR: 5.84, 95% CI: 3.36, 10.14), and dietary diversity practice (AOR: 2.74, 95% CI: 1.47, 5.09) were factors associated with undernutrition.

CONCLUSION: Four out of every 10 pregnant women in the study area were undernourished. ANC follow-up, illness in the past 2 weeks, khat chewing, household food security, and dietary diversity practice were significantly associated with undernutrition. Therefore, improving access to ANC services, strengthening nutritional counseling, and addressing food insecurity might reduce undernutrition among pregnant women.

PMID:40089871 | DOI:10.1177/17455057251325117

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Considerations for Causal Inference Studies

Respirology. 2025 Mar 16. doi: 10.1111/resp.70018. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40089869 | DOI:10.1111/resp.70018

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Cognitive reactivity compared to other risk factors in the prediction of depressive episodes over two and nine years: a longitudinal cohort study

Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract. 2025 Mar 16:1-9. doi: 10.1080/13651501.2025.2476509. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Cognitive Reactivity (CR) is the (re-)activation of negative cognitions by dysphoric mood. We examined whether CR predicts depressive episodes across 2 and 9 years, beyond subclinical depressive symptoms, neuroticism, and previous depressive episodes.

METHODS: Participants (N = 1,734) from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (NESDA) were never-depressed or remitted-depressed for ≥1 month prior to baseline. We examined 2-year and 9-year predictions using Cox’s survival analysis and logistic regression, respectively. Two-year coefficient-based weight-points were calculated and evaluated using ROC analysis.

RESULTS: CR was a statistically-significant predictor of two-year depressive episodes, with an odds ratio of 1.04, 95% CI (1.02-1.06), and over nine years, with an adjusted hazard ratio of 1.01, 95% CI (1.01-1.02). The influence of CR and subclinical depressive symptoms decreased as the number of episodes increased, especially in ≥ 3 past episodes. Calculated weight-points correctly predicted 33.5% of participants who developed 2-year depression, compared to a 17.8% base rate (sensitivity = .81, specificity = .66).

CONCLUSIONS: CR is a moderately strong predictor of depressive episodes across 2 and 9 years. In participants with ≥ 3 prior episodes, depression history is such a strong predictor that a ceiling effect occurs, removing any added value of other predictors.

PMID:40089852 | DOI:10.1080/13651501.2025.2476509

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Evaluating Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Female Horse Show Jumpers Using the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire

Med Sci Monit. 2025 Mar 16;31:e946830. doi: 10.12659/MSM.946830.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND Pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) significantly reduces quality of life. During horseback riding, the movement of the horse’s back affects the tension of the pelvic floor muscles. This study aimed to compare reported symptoms of pelvic floor dysfunction in women with past, current, and no history of horse show jumping. MATERIAL AND METHODS We examined 160 women (age 23.69±3.96 years). The cohort group consisted of 74 women training currently and training in the past, and a control group of 86 women not practicing horseback riding. The study used the original questionnaire and the Australian Pelvic Floor Questionnaire. RESULTS The analysis of the questionnaire results in groups (currently training, past training, control group) concerned bladder function (0.93±0.85 vs 0.88±0.66 vs 0.88±0.67, respectively; p=0.901), bowel function (1.22±0.96 vs 1.38±0.93 vs 1.37±0.77, respectively; p=0.266), pelvic organ prolapse (0.02±0.13 vs 0.00±0.00 vs 0.04±0.19, respectively; p=0.626), sexual activity (1.68±1.69 vs 1.46±1.23 vs 1.80±1.40, respectively; p=0.515), and total score for sexually active women (3.84±2.68 vs 3.82±1.86 vs 4.1±2.09, respectively; p=0.834). There were no statistically significant differences between the study groups in terms of individual PFD functions or overall PFD scores. CONCLUSIONS Pelvic floor dysfunction does not differ between show jumping riders and non-riders, so further research is advisable in this field, considering different equestrian sports and the use of clinical assessment of PFM function. Undoubtedly, the present study contributes to filling the knowledge gap and is important to the development of urogynaecology physiotherapy.

PMID:40089837 | DOI:10.12659/MSM.946830

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Verification of the decrease in cell recovery after freezing and thawing due to suboptimal shipping using nine cancer cell lines and the differences in impacts between the cell lines

Cryo Letters. 2025 Mar-Apr;46(2):108-115.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The impacts of suboptimal shipping conditions during transport on cell viability, recovery, and function of cryopreserved samples, have not been well studied.

OBJECTIVE: The impacts of suboptimal shipping on viability and recovery after the freezing and thawing were investigated using nine cancer cell lines, with particular reference to the approximate level of exposure temperature and exposure time at which adverse effects occur, and whether there are differences in sensitivity between cell types.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The adverse effects of any set of suboptimal shipping conditions (-80 degree C for 7 d, -65 degree C or -50 degree C for 1, 3, and 7 d) on nine cancer cell lines (CHO-K1, COS-1, HeLa, HepG2, HL-60, Jurkat, MCF7, MDCK, 293T) were compared with data obtained during storage in liquid nitrogen.

RESULTS: No statistically significant decrease in viability was observed in seven of the nine cell lines after freezing and thawing. On the other hand, a statistically significant decrease in the cell recovery was observed after 2 d post freezing and thawing in the nine cell lines, except CHO-K1 at higher exposure temperatures and longer exposure times. Visualization of the adverse effects on the cell lines using a heat map showed that the impacts tended to be more pronounced under the condition of exposure at -50 degree C for three or more days.

CONCLUSION: These results will contribute to the development of standardized protocols and best practices for the optimal shipping of frozen animal cells. https://doi.org/10.54680/fr25210110212.

PMID:40089830

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of different semen extenders on cat epididymal semen cryopreservation

Cryo Letters. 2024 Nov-Dec;45(6):355-360.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of spermatozoa is a biotechnology used for fertilization purposes and preservation of genetic material in various domestic species.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of two different commercial semen diluents in the cryopreservation of epididymal semen of domestic cats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty male cats aged between 1- 3 years and weighing 2.5- 4.5 kg were used in the study. The testicular tissues removed from the cats were immediately brought to the laboratory in physiological saline and the epididymal parts were trimmed in commercial semen extenders (INRA 96, Group I; OPTIXCELL, Group II). Diluted semen samples were cooled to 4°C and filled into 0.25 mL straws. Semen samples were frozen in a programmable semen freezing device and then placed in a liquid nitrogen container at -196 C. Semen samples were thawed at 38 degree C for 25 s. Thawed semen samples were evaluated in terms of motility and kinematic parameters using CASA.

RESULTS: No statistical difference was found between the groups in terms of total motility, progressive motility, and velocity parameters at 4 degree C. The rate of spermatozoa at slow speeds was found to be lower in group II. In addition, after freezing and thawing process, no statistical difference was observed between the groups in terms of motility, kinematics, and velocity parameters.

CONCLUSION: Both commercial semen extenders can be used for cryopreservation of cat epididymal semen. https://doi.org/10.54680/fr24610110712.

PMID:40089821

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effect of in vitro culture as a sperm selection method before single sperm cryopreservation of testicular sperm from individuals with azoospermia

Cryo Letters. 2025 Jan-Feb;46(1):22-30.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Single sperm cryopreservation (SSC) is a method that preserves the limited number of spermatozoa in testicular sperm. But testicular spermatozoa are characterized with low movement, which is not ideal for sperm selection before SSC.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate in vitro incubation (IVC) as a sperm selection technique before SSC on biological factors of testicular spermatozoa.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Testicular tissue was obtained from 15 azoospermia men. One part of the testicular samples was used as a Control group, which was assessed fresh. One portion was cryopreserved by a vitrification (Vit) method and the two other portions were in vitro cultured for 24 h, with (IVC-Vit) or without (IVC) vitrification. Sperm motility, viability, morphology, DNA fragmentation and mitochondrial membrane potential were evaluated.

RESULTS: Sperm motility and viability were better maintained in the IVC-Vit group compared to the Vit group (P=0.04 and P= 0.003, respectively). Sperm morphology, the fresh, Vit, IVC, and IVC-Vit groups all showed similar results (P > 0.05). Mitochondrial activity was significantly lower in the Vit group compared to the Control fresh group (P = 0.0001). The IVC group had a significantly higher DFI as compared to the Control (P < 0.0001). Compared to the IVC group, the IVC-Vit sperm had a significant increase in DFI (P= 0.0009). There was a statistically significant difference between post warm DFI of the Vit group and IVC-Vit group (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION: IVC as a sperm selection method increased motility and viability of testicular spermatozoa before single sperm vitrification. As DNA fragmentation increased by this technique, this method is not ideal for selecting viable sperm. https://doi.org/10.54680/fr25110110512.

PMID:40089813