Tag: nevin manimala

J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2025 Feb 12;15(1):23. doi: 10.1007/s44197-025-00344-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many of the studies in causal inference using propensity scores relied on binary treatments where it is estimated by logistic regression or machine learning algorithms. Since 2000s, attention has been given for multiple values (categorical) and continuous treatments and the propensity score associated with such treatments is called generalized propensity score (GPS). However, there is scant literature on the use of count treatments in causal inference. Besides, effective sample size, after weighting, along with other methods has not been practiced for GPS model performance measure. The study was done with the aim of using count treatments in causal inference; select appropriate GPS and outcome models for such treatment and ordinal outcome.

METHOD: A family of count models and a generalized boosted model (GBM) were used for GPS estimation. Their performance was measured in terms of covariate balancing power, effective sample size and the average treatment effect after GPS-based weighting. Marginal structural modeling (MSM) and covariate adjustment using GPS were used to estimate treatment effect on ordinal outcome. Stabilized inverse probability treatment weighting was used for covariate balancing assessment. Monte Carlo simulation study at various sample sizes with 1000 replication and household survey data were used in the study.

RESULT: GPS was trimmed at 1% and 99% which gave better results as compared to untrimmed results. The generalized boosted model performed well both in simulation and actual data producing a larger effective sample size and smaller metrics when estimating average treatment effect on the outcome. The MSM was found better than GPS as a covariate in the outcome model.

CONCLUSION: It is important to trim GPS when it approaches zero or one without loss of more information due to trimming. Effective sample size after weighting should be used along with other methods such as correlation and absolute standardized mean differences for GPS model selection. GBM should be used for GPS estimation for count treatments. MSM is important for the outcome model when weighting GPS method is used. Finally, the number of antenatal care services had an increasing effect on the probability of age-specific childhood vaccination.

PMID:39937387 | DOI:10.1007/s44197-025-00344-7

Discov Nano. 2025 Feb 12;20(1):32. doi: 10.1186/s11671-025-04190-1.

ABSTRACT

A highly efficient and nontoxic material methylammoniumtin(II) iodideperovskite solar cell is proposed. This proposed solar cell uses CH₃NH₃SnI₃ as the absorber layer, TiO₂ as an Electron transport layer (ETL), Indium tin oxide as a buffer layer, and Copper(I) oxide as the hole transport layer (HTL). The device is simulated using the SCAPS-1D simulation tool. This study details the optimization of a set of parameters, including the defect densities and the thickness of the absorber layer. The proposed structure is highly optimized result of 31.73% of enhanced power conversion efficiency (PCE), a J_SC of 24.526 mA/cm² (short-circuit current), FF of 81.40% (fill factor), and a V_OC of 1.56 V (open-circuit voltage) is obtained through simulation process. Compared to previously reported works, the performance of the device has improved significantly due to better optimization. Along with this electrical characteristic temperature analyses, conductance voltage, capacitance-voltage, and bandgap analyses have also been carried out to examine the device’s efficiency and performance.

PMID:39937384 | DOI:10.1186/s11671-025-04190-1

Brain Topogr. 2025 Feb 12;38(2):30. doi: 10.1007/s10548-025-01103-4.

ABSTRACT

The selection of an appropriate virtual reference schema is pivotal in determining the outcomes of event-related potential (ERP) studies, particularly within the widely utilized Talk/Listen ERP paradigm, which is employed to non-invasively explore the corollary discharge phenomenon in the speech-auditory system. This research centers on examining the effects of prevalent EEG reference schemas-linked mastoids (LM), common average reference (CAR), and reference electrode standardization technique (REST)-through statistical analysis, statistical parametric scalp mapping (SPSM), and source localization techniques. Our ANOVA findings indicate significant main effects for both the reference and the experimental condition on the amplitude of N1 ERPs. Depending on the reference used, the polarity and amplitude of the N1 ERPs demonstrate systematic variations: LM is associated with pronounced frontocentral activity, whereas both CAR and REST exhibit patterns of frontocentral and occipitotemporal activity. The significance of SPSM results is confined to regions exhibiting prominent N1 activity for each reference schema. Source analysis provides corroborative evidence more aligned with the SPSM results for CAR and REST than for LM, suggesting that results under CAR and REST are more objective and reliable. Therefore, the CAR and REST reference are recommended for future studies involving Talk/Listen ERP paradigms.

PMID:39937375 | DOI:10.1007/s10548-025-01103-4

Cancer Causes Control. 2025 Feb 12. doi: 10.1007/s10552-025-01968-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Breast cancer (BC) incidence is increasing in US women under 40, with variation across racial and ethnic groups. It is not yet known if incidence trends also vary by geography within the USA, which may inform whether place-based exposures contribute to BC risk in younger women.

METHODS: Using the US Cancer Statistics database, we analyzed age-adjusted BC incidence rates from 2001 to 2020 in women aged 25-39. We calculated the average annual percent change (AAPC) using Joinpoint regression and performed age-period-cohort analyses.

RESULTS: From 2001 to 2020, BC incidence in women under 40 increased by more than 0.50% per year in 21 states, while remaining stable or decreasing in the other states. Incidence was 32% higher in the five states with the highest rates compared to the five states with the lowest rates. The Western region had the highest rate of increase (AAPC = 0.76, 95% CI 0.56-0.96), despite having the lowest absolute incidence rate from 2001 to 2020. The Northeast had the highest absolute rate of BC among women under 40 and experienced a significant increase over time (AAPC = 0.59, 95% CI 0.36-0.82). The South was the only region where BC under 40 did not increase from 2001 to 2020.

CONCLUSION: These findings support that BC incidence trends in US women under 40 vary by geography, and the range of state-specific risks was comparable in magnitude to other risk measures, such as polygenic risk scores. This suggest that incorporating place-based factors alongside established risk factors into risk prediction may improve our ability to identify groups of younger women at higher risk for early-onset BC.

PMID:39937364 | DOI:10.1007/s10552-025-01968-7

Clin Transl Oncol. 2025 Feb 12. doi: 10.1007/s12094-025-03862-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of burnout among Radiation Oncology residents in Spain, focusing on its associated risk factors and implications for residency training.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from June to September 2024, using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to evaluate emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and self-fulfillment. Residents from various Spanish regions completed an anonymous questionnaire covering workload and burnout.

RESULTS: Fifty residents, predominantly in their third (38%) and fourth (42%) years of training, participated. High emotional exhaustion was reported by 58%, while 54% exhibited elevated depersonalization. Self-fulfillment scores were low in 32%. Overall, 70% experienced at least one burnout symptom, with 12% meeting criteria for full-burnout syndrome. An inverse correlation between self-fulfillment and emotional exhaustion was observed (p = 0.007). Trends suggested higher burnout risk in senior residents (R3-R4) compared to juniors (R1-R2), though these differences were not statistically significant (OR = 1.682; p = 0.086).

CONCLUSION: The findings reveal a high prevalence of at least one burnout symptom among Radiation Oncology residents in Spain, with emotional exhaustion and depersonalization notably elevated. However, full-burnout syndrome is not prevalent. These findings underscore the need for reforms in residency training programs, emphasizing workload management, well-being initiatives, and support for scientific and professional development.

PMID:39937361 | DOI:10.1007/s12094-025-03862-9

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Feb 12;197(3):276. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-13754-8.

ABSTRACT

Air pollution is a significant global issue that impacts public health, particularly in urban areas where pollution levels often exceed safe limits. The Air Quality Index (AQI) serves as a key metric to assess the concentration of harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), ozone, and nitrogen oxides. This study conducts an extreme value analysis (EVA) of AQI data from five major Indian cities-Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Hyderabad-and eight other metropolitan cities worldwide, including Dhaka, Chengdu, and Bogota. The goal is to evaluate the probability of extreme pollution events and compare the seasonal patterns of air quality in these cities. Our findings indicate that cities like New Delhi and Dhaka consistently experience AQI levels that exceed hazardous thresholds, particularly during the winter months and festival seasons. This study provides critical insights into the air quality crisis in India and other regions, emphasizing the need for targeted policy interventions, including stricter emission regulations, adoption of cleaner energy sources, and enhanced public awareness campaigns to mitigate the effects of extreme pollution events.

PMID:39937354 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-13754-8

CJEM. 2025 Feb 12. doi: 10.1007/s43678-024-00852-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Emergency department (ED) boarding is a major threat to timely and safe care delivery. Addressing boarding requires an understanding of which patient populations are significantly impacted to formulate solutions. Our objective was to evaluate the median ED boarding time of mental health compared to non-mental health patients.

METHODS: We performed a database analysis using the National Ambulatory Care Reporting System data from 96 EDs from September 1, 2018, to September 30, 2023. International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision codes were used to define mental health and non-mental health subgroups for all patients admitted from the ED who were greater than 18 years old. Boarding was defined as the elapsed time between the admission decision to when patients departed the ED. Descriptive statistics summarized ED visit characteristics and median (IQR) boarding time throughout three study periods. An interrupted time series analysis evaluated boarding trends to account for COVID-19 variation.

RESULTS: During the study period, 887,494 patients were admitted from an ED with mental health (113,209; 13%) or non-mental health (774,285; 87%) diagnoses. The mental health subgroup was younger, with a median age of 40, and predominantly male (57.1%). The median (IQR) barding time for mental health patients was 72% longer (997 min (478-1707)) compared to non-mental health (581 min (337-107)). When comparing the initial and final study periods, mental health patient boarding increased by 76% (199 min), and non-mental health patient boarding increased by 24% (29 min).

CONCLUSION: This is the most extensive Canadian study comparing ED boarding for mental health and non-mental patients. The results demonstrate that mental health patients experience disproportionately longer ED boarding compared to other patient presentations, and the trend remains consistent over time. This emphasizes the need to address inequities in resourcing inpatient beds and adjust the current care model for mental health patients.

PMID:39937334 | DOI:10.1007/s43678-024-00852-8

J Vet Dent. 2025 Feb 12:8987564251316652. doi: 10.1177/08987564251316652. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution and prevalence of dental diseases in dogs from Türkiye and compare their relationships with various factors. The study focused on the impact of age, gender, feeding method, and breed groups on the presence of dental diseases. Results revealed that dental diseases were prevalent among dogs, with variations observed across different factors. Age group analysis indicated that age had a significant influence on the presence of dental diseases, with lower rates observed in the 0 to 9 months and 10 to 18 months age groups. Analysis of feeding methods showed that home-cooked and mixed feeding was associated with a higher prevalence of dental diseases, while dry food feeding demonstrated lower rates. Gender analysis revealed an association between gender and dental diseases, particularly in the incisor and premolar teeth. However, no statistical significance was found in the molar teeth. Analysis of breeds demonstrated variations in the prevalence of dental diseases, with small breeds showing higher rates. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the distribution and factors associated with dental diseases in dogs from Türkiye. The findings highlight the importance of age, feeding method, gender, and breed group as potential risk factors for dental diseases. The results can guide veterinarians and dog owners in implementing effective preventive measures and treatment strategies to maintain optimal dental health in dogs. Further research is warranted to explore additional factors and interventions for improving dental care in canine populations.

PMID:39936379 | DOI:10.1177/08987564251316652

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2025 Dec;21(1):2465161. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2025.2465161. Epub 2025 Feb 12.

ABSTRACT

In light of the widespread use of rotavirus vaccines, there is a pressing need to perform thorough, large-scale surveillance to actively monitor safety. This study aimed to identify potential adverse events following rotavirus vaccination in infants. Using a nationwide linked database of the national immunization registry and health insurance claims data, we identified infants vaccinated with the first dose of rotavirus vaccine between January 2016 and October 2022. The self-controlled tree-temporal scan statistics method analyzed all incident diagnoses recorded within 56 days post-vaccination and evaluated all temporal risk windows. Among 1,720,778 rotavirus vaccine recipients 64,752 infants contributed to the analysis, yielding 72,970 incident diagnoses. Of these, 28 clusters were categorized as known adverse drug reactions (ADRs), including infection following immunization (Days 1-2, p<.001), viral infection (Days 1-5, p<.001), urticaria and erythema (Days 3-9, p<.001), acute upper respiratory infections (Days 28-42, p<.001), and pneumonia (Days 9-19 or 28-42, p<.001). Seventeen clusters were classified as ADR-related events, such as the ones clinically related to ADR or lower-level diagnostic codes of ADR. The remaining 26 clusters were classified as signals, including sepsis (Days 1-20, p<.001), meningitis (Days 1-23, p<.001), liver disease (Days 4-11, p<.001), and tubulo-interstitial nephritis (Days 11-38, p<.001). A cluster of intussusceptions was only found in monovalent vaccine-stratified analysis (Days 5-8, p = 0.005). This study confirmed known ADRs following rotavirus vaccination, while identifying potential safety signals requiring further investigation. These findings emphasize the importance of active vaccine surveillance and underscore the need for epidemiological studies with validated outcome definitions to confirm causal relationships between rotavirus vaccination and the detected outcomes.

PMID:39936376 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2025.2465161

J Telemed Telecare. 2025 Feb 12:1357633X251314290. doi: 10.1177/1357633X251314290. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising in Australia, particularly in regional areas where access to specialist care is limited. To address this, Queensland Health (Queensland, Australia) established a telehealth network, including the Diabetes Telehealth Service (DTS) at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH). The service facilitates video consultations between city-based endocrinologists and regional health centres, with local clinicians providing in-person support. While telehealth interventions have been evaluated in short-term studies, there is a need for longitudinal data to assess their long-term effectiveness in routine diabetes care. This study aims to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with type 2 diabetes accessing care from the PAH DTS.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study used data from the PAH DTS to follow adults with type 2 diabetes over 24 months. Data was collected as part of routine care and analysed to assess changes in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and cardiovascular risk factors. Statistical analyses included descriptive analysis, t-tests, Chi-squared tests, and fixed effects regression models.

RESULTS: The study included 374 patients with type 2 diabetes, with a mean age of 57.9 years and a mean duration of diabetes at enrolment of 11.6 years. Baseline HbA1c levels were available for 86% of the patients, with a median HbA1c of 8.4%. The median number of appointments in the 24-month period was 2, and the average time between a person’s first and last visit was 72 weeks. The average change in HbA1c between these visits was -0.8%. Statistically significant changes were also seen in cholesterol levels, weight, body mass index, and diastolic blood pressure. A linear regression analysis revealed that the greatest decrease in HbA1c levels occurred within the first 3 months since the initial clinic visit. HbA1c levels continued to decrease over the 24-month follow-up period, but the rate of decrease slowed after the first 3 months.

CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights into the telehealth model of care for tertiary diabetes in regional, rural, and remote settings. It demonstrates the effectiveness of this model in improving glycaemic control, particularly in the initial months, while also highlighting areas for improvement.

PMID:39936370 | DOI:10.1177/1357633X251314290