Tag: nevin manimala

PLoS One. 2025 Apr 4;20(4):e0321177. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321177. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The Chinese version of Dietary Sodium Restriction Questionnaire (DSRQ) was adapted to evaluate its reliability and validity for measuring adherence to a sodium-restricted diet in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

METHODS: Specific items related to peritoneal dialysis were added to create a PD version of the DSRQ (PD-DSRQ), which was administered to 135 patients undergoing PD. Item analysis was performed using the critical ratio and homogeneity tests. The reliability of the questionnaire was determined by assessing the internal consistency. Content validity was evaluated using the expert evaluation method, and construct validity was assessed via exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

RESULTS: The item analysis revealed correlation coefficients (R-values) ranging from 0.311 to 0.745 for each item, with statistically significant differences between the high and low subgroups for all items. The Cronbach’s α coefficients for the overall PD-DSRQ and the attitude, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control subscales were 0.805, 0.892, 0.794, and 0.889, respectively. The item-level content validity index ranged from 0.83 to 1.00, and the scale-level content validity index/universal agreement was 0.9894. Exploratory factor analysis identified a three-factor structure consistent with the original DSRQ, except for Question 18. The three factors had eigenvalues of 5.302, 4.179, and 1.290, which explained 64.32% of the variance. The average variance extracted for each dimension was 0.5777, 0.5654, and 0.5259, and the composite reliability values were 0.8864, 0.7956, and 0.8802, respectively, demonstrating good convergent and discriminant validity.

CONCLUSION: The PD-DSRQ encompasses general information and three dimensions: attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control. The questionnaire demonstrated strong reliability and validity, making it a reliable tool for assessing adherence to sodium-restricted diets in patients undergoing PD.

PMID:40184402 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0321177

PLoS One. 2025 Apr 4;20(4):e0320795. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320795. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Youth unemployment in the East Gojjam Zone is a critical issue. This study focuses on identifying the factors that influence unemployment duration and evaluating the impact of job creation programs on the well-being of youth in this region. We employed Cox regression to analyze the determinants of unemployment duration and used propensity score matching to assess the welfare effects of job creation initiatives. Our multistage cluster sampling revealed a youth unemployment rate of 33.3% (95% CI: 27.3-39.3). Over half of the unemployed youth transitioned to employment within four years, with 25% securing jobs within two years. Participation in job creation programs led to an average earnings increase of 1,069.716 birr, though retention in these programs was low at 49%. The findings reveal a connection between prolonged unemployment, skill mismatches, financial constraints, limited work experience, weak social networks, low income, and a preference for public-sector employment. To effectively address these challenges, interventions must focus on improving job accessibility, aligning vocational training with labor market needs, promoting financial inclusion, and enhancing social support systems.

PMID:40184397 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0320795

PLoS One. 2025 Apr 4;20(4):e0321471. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0321471. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Respiratory health and chronic disease risks are prevalent concerns in agricultural communities in Northern Thailand, prompting an assessment of these issues among residents in Chiang Mai. A cross-sectional study involving 145 participants was conducted in San Pa Tong District from October to December 2023, utilizing structured questionnaires and spirometry tests to evaluate lung function and chronic health disease risk. The study found that education and income significantly impacted lung function, with better FVC% and FEV1/FVC% predicted values observed in those with primary education and lower income. Lower DM risk was associated with better lung function (P = 0.023). Logistic regression showed a significant increase in lung function impairment among participants with high to very high DM risk (aOR 9.06, p < 0.05). High CV and COPD risk levels also correlated with lung function impairment, though not all results were statistically significant. The results emphasize the intricate interplay between socioeconomic factors, chronic disease risks, and lung function, advocating for public health interventions that holistically address population respiratory and metabolic health.

PMID:40184396 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0321471

PLoS One. 2025 Apr 4;20(4):e0309751. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0309751. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Additive friction stir deposition (AFSD) is a novel solid-state additive manufacturing technique that circumvents issues of porosity, cracking, and properties anisotropy that plague traditional powder bed fusion and directed energy deposition approaches. However, correlations between process parameters, thermal profiles, and resulting microstructure in AFSD still need to be better understood. This hinders process optimization for properties. This work employs a framework combining supervised machine learning (SML) and physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) to predict peak temperature distribution in AFSD from process parameters. Eight regression algorithms were implemented for SML modeling, while four PINNs leveraged governing equations for transport, wave propagation, heat transfer, and quantum mechanics. Across multiple statistical measures, ensemble techniques like gradient boosting proved superior for SML, with the lowest MSE of 165.78. The integrated ML approach was also applied to classify deposition quality from process factors, with logistic regression delivering robust accuracy. By fusing data-driven learning and fundamental physics, this dual methodology provides comprehensive insights into tailoring microstructure through thermal management in AFSD. The work demonstrates the power of bridging statistical and physics-based modeling for elucidating AM process-property relationships.

PMID:40184386 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0309751

Res Q Exerc Sport. 2025 Apr 4:1-10. doi: 10.1080/02701367.2025.2471880. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to compare the ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), affective (Feeling Scale), and remembered enjoyment (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale) responses following different exercise intensities/patterns and to investigate possible associations with physiological parameters in active adults. In a randomized crossover trial, 16 active adults (29.9 ± 3.2 years; 8 males/8 females) performed three different conditions: moderate continuous exercise (MCE) at 70% lactate threshold (LT), heavy continuous exercise (HCE) at 10% of the difference between LT and VO₂ peak, and heavy interval exercise (HIE) wherein intensity matched HCE but performed as 1-minute on:off with stationary rest in between. RPE (CR10) and affect were evaluated during exercise while remembered enjoyment was assessed at the end of each exercise session. Average RPE was significantly different (p = .001; η_p² = .744) between all three exercise modalities (MCE = 2.6 ± 0.8, HCE = 5.1 ± 1.0; HIE = 3.5 ± 0.9; p ≤.001). Average affect during exercise was also significantly different (p = .001; η_p² = .427) with post hoc testing revealing lower affect for HCE compared to MCE (p = .002) and HIE (p = .008). Similar results were observed for affect nadir (lowest affect during exercise; MCE = 3.1 ± 1.3; HCE = 1.2 ± 1.7; HIE = 2.4 ± 1.6; p = .001; η_p² = .470). Remembered enjoyment was not statistically different between modalities (MCE = 98 ± 18; HCE = 96 ± 17; HIE = 100 ± 16; p = .468; η_p² = .049), but more people preferred HCE (10/16; 62.5%) compared with both HIE (4/16; 25%) and MCE (2/16; 12.5%) (p = .039): Despite the higher average RPE and lower affect during HCE, no difference was observed for remembered exercise enjoyment, and active individuals seem to prefer this exercise modality compared with HIE or MCE.

PMID:40184203 | DOI:10.1080/02701367.2025.2471880

JMIR Res Protoc. 2025 Apr 4;14:e66350. doi: 10.2196/66350.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intestinal protozoal infections caused by Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, and Cryptosporidium parvum are prevalent in Malaysia. They cause severe diarrheal diseases with symptoms such as bloody stools, abdominal pain, stomach discomfort, and bloating. These infection outbreaks have been reported in diverse socioeconomic backgrounds and geographical regions usually during the rainy season or in areas with poor sanitation. Despite the importance of these infections, data on its overall prevalence, risk factors, and diagnostic methods remain limited.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to systematically review and synthesize evidence on the risk factors, prevalence, and detection methods for intestinal protozoal infections in Malaysia, offering insights that are applicable to other tropical and low-income regions.

METHODS: Studies on intestinal protozoal infections among Malaysian patients published after January 2010 up to November 2024 will be eligible for inclusion. The eligibility criteria include studies investigating infections caused by E. histolytica, G. lamblia, and C. parvum using validated diagnostic methods such as microscopy, molecular techniques, or immunoassays. Case reports, reviews, and studies without original data will be excluded. Comprehensive database searches will be conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library. The reference lists of selected papers are also checked. A standardized data extraction form will be used to record study characteristics, outcomes, and associated variables. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute tools and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale approach. Data synthesis will utilize a random effects model to estimate pooled prevalence and identify risk factors associated with these infections. Subgroup analyses will examine variations by geographic region and diagnostic method. Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed using I² statistic and meta-regression. Publication bias will be assessed using Egger and Begg funnel plot test. The results are reported in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.

RESULTS: This systematic review was funded in June 2024. Database searches were started in July 2024, and we identified 1652 papers as of December 2024 for screening. Completion of study screening is anticipated by May 2025, with data extraction and analysis expected to conclude by December 2025.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study will address critical knowledge gaps in the epidemiology and risk factors of intestinal protozoal infections in Malaysia. Study limitations include potential bias in study selection, heterogeneity in diagnostic methods, and differences in the reporting quality of the included studies. Our findings will provide valuable insights into the prevalence of these infections, the associated risk factors, and the diagnostic techniques employed, which should strengthen public health measures, improve diagnostic procedures, and guide future research to reduce the prevalence of intestinal protozoal infections in Malaysia.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews) registration CRD42023456199; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023456199.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/66350.

PMID:40184188 | DOI:10.2196/66350

J Med Internet Res. 2025 Apr 4;27:e68199. doi: 10.2196/68199.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted behavior within populations, affecting physical activity (PA), heart rate (HR), and sleep characteristics in particular. Activity trackers provide unique insights into these changes, enabling large-scale, real-time monitoring.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the associations between the features of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide and PA, HR, and sleep parameters, using data collected from activity trackers over a 3-year period.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective analysis using anonymized data collected from the 208,818 users of Withings Steel HR activity trackers, spanning 34 countries, over a 3-year period from January 2019 to March 2022. Key metrics analyzed included daily step counts, average heart rate, and sleep duration. The statistical methods used included descriptive analyses, time-trend analysis, and mixed models to evaluate the impact of restriction measures, controlling for potential confounders such as sex, age, and seasonal variations.

RESULTS: We detected a significant decrease in PA, with a 12.3% reduction in daily step count (from 5802 to 5082 steps/d) over the 3 years. The proportion of sedentary individuals increased from 38% (n=14,177) in 2019 to 52% (n=19,510) in 2020 and remained elevated at 51% (n=18,972) in 2022, while the proportion of active individuals dropped from 8% (n=2857) to 6% (n=2352) in 2020 before returning to 8% (n=2877) in 2022. In 2022, the global population had not returned to prepandemic PA levels, with a noticeable persistence of inactivity. During lockdowns, HR decreased by 1.5%, which was associated with lower activity levels. Sleep duration increased during restrictions, particularly in the countries with the most severe lockdowns (eg, an increase of 15 min in countries with stringent measures compared to 5 min in less restricted regions).

CONCLUSIONS: The sustained decrease in PA and its physiological consequences highlight the need for public health strategies to mitigate the long-term effects of the measures taken during the pandemic. Despite the gradual lifting of restrictions, PA levels have not fully recovered, with lasting implications for global health. If similar circumstances arise in the future, priority should be given to measures for effectively increasing PA to counter the increase in sedentary behavior, mitigate health risks, and prevent the rise of chronic diseases.

PMID:40184182 | DOI:10.2196/68199

Epileptic Disord. 2025 Apr 4. doi: 10.1002/epd2.70019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The current study aimed to clarify the representation of early postoperative seizures (EPSs) in different glioma subtypes under the 2021 WHO classification, explore the risk factors for EPSs in glioma patients, and investigate the clinical impact of EPSs on seizure and survival outcomes.

METHODS: Data from 78 patients were analyzed. The differences in clinical-pathological features between patients with EPSs and those without were compared using appropriate statistical methods. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was subsequently conducted to explore potential risk factors for EPSs. Finally, the Kaplan-Meier method was applied to analyze the correlation of EPSs with progression-free survival and overall survival.

RESULTS: Early postoperative seizures occurred in 17 patients (21.8%). The incidence of EPSs was highest in patients with oligodendroglioma, IDH-mutant, and 1p/19q-codeleted (25.7%), followed by astrocytoma, IDH-mutant (20.8%), and glioblastoma, IDH-wildtype (12.5%). An extent of resection (EOR) of less than 92.24% was identified as the only independent predictor for EPSs (Odds ratio 8.490, 95% confidence interval 1.873-38.488, p = .006) through multivariate regression analysis. In addition, EPSs showed no significant impact on late postoperative seizure occurrence and survival outcome.

SIGNIFICANCE: In glioma patients, EPSs are considered neurological disorders induced by surgery-related factors rather than a tumor-related mechanism. EPSs are more prone to occur in patients with an EOR of less than 92.24%, which can contribute to improving individualized glioma management.

PMID:40184162 | DOI:10.1002/epd2.70019

Vet Med Sci. 2025 May;11(3):e70334. doi: 10.1002/vms3.70334.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Caseins are the major proteins found in cow’s milk. There are four known casein fractions: α_S1-casein, α_S2-casein, β-casein and κ-casein, encoded by the CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2 and CSN3 genes located on the sixth chromosome of cattle. These genes are considered candidate genes in marker-assisted selection. Therefore, it is essential to determine the relationship between these genes and quantitative characters.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify genotypes of CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2 and CSN3 genes and investigate their effect on milk components with the PCR-RFLP method in Holstein cattle.

METHODS: The material of the study consisted of 519 Holstein cows that managed under intensive systems in Konya (n:189), Manisa (n:195) and Diyarbakır (n:135) provinces in Türkiye. Blood and milk samples from these cows were used in the study. The genetic structures of bovine CSN1S1, CSN1S2, CSN2 and CSN3 genes were examined by PCR-RFLP in three Holstein cattle populations. A general linear model (GLM) was applied to analyse the effect of genotypic variants on phenotypic characters.

RESULTS: Results indicated that milk solids-non-fat (SNF) (p < 0.01), protein (p < 0.05) and lactose (p < 0.01) percentages were significantly affected by the genetic variants of the CSN2 gene of cow in general population. CSN2 A2A2 genotype led to a significant increase in SNF, protein and lactose percentages by 0.14, 0.05 and 0.08 in comparison to other genotypes, respectively. Moreover, significant effect of the CSN1S1 BC (p < 0.05) and CSN3 AA (p < 0.01) genotypes on fat percentage were found in Konya province. Furthermore, a statistically significant genotype-by-environment interaction was identified in both the CSN1S1 (p < 0.05) and CSN3 (p < 0.01) genes in relation to milk fat content.

CONCLUSIONS: As a result, after increasing the number of studies that investigated the relationship between casein genes and milk traits and determined the genetic variation of CSN1S1, CSN2 and CSN3 genes of the Holstein cattle, these genes can be a strong genetic marker as marker-assisted selection programme in early selection.

PMID:40184159 | DOI:10.1002/vms3.70334

Medicine (Baltimore). 2025 Jan 3;104(1):e40981. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000040981.

ABSTRACT

The need for home healthcare (HHC) is increasing among people living with dementia (PLWD) to achieve their desire to age. This study aimed to investigate the determinants of hospitalization among PLWD receiving HHC. This retrospective cohort study used data from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan from 2007 to 2017. The primary outcome was subsequent hospitalization after HHC for PLWD. Using multivariate Poisson regression, baseline and follow-up HHC-related characteristics were examined as covariates and influencing factors. A total of 95,831 PLWD received HHC (mean age: 80.2 years), and 81.7% had at least one subsequent hospitalization during the follow-up period. Regarding baseline characteristics, prior admission was the strongest determinant of subsequent hospitalization, especially being admitted three to six months before HHC use (aRR = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.39-1.56, P < .001), followed by dementia duration from diagnosis to index date more than 3.5 years (aRR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.19-1.24). Among HHC-related characteristics, a higher frequency of HHC visits (more than 2 counts/month) (aRR = 4.81, 95% CI 4.63-5.00) and visits by both physicians and nurses (aRR = 2.03, 95% CI 1.98-2.07) were associated with a higher risk of hospitalization. Our findings suggest that prior admission, longer dementia duration from diagnosis to the index date, and frequency of HHC were positively associated with increased hospitalization. Future interventions and strategies can focus on these factors to decrease hospitalization among PLWD receiving HHC.

PMID:40184148 | DOI:10.1097/MD.0000000000040981