Tag: pubmed

Prev Chronic Dis. 2025 Jul 3;22:E34. doi: 10.5888/pcd22.240509.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Nationally representative estimates of mental health symptoms and services in adults with kidney disease are limited. The objective of this study was to examine the mental health status and use of health care among adults with and without kidney disease.

METHODS: We used data from the 2021 National Health Interview Survey. Diagnosed kidney disease is based on adults who reported ever being told by a doctor or other health professional that they had weak or failing kidneys. The survey question captures data on adults who are aware of having kidney disease and most likely have advanced kidney disease. Mental health measures examined were serious psychological distress (SPD), current symptoms of anxiety and depression, diagnosed anxiety and depressive disorder, prescription medication use for these disorders, and receipt of counseling. We used logistic regression models, with predicted marginal proportions, to calculate unadjusted and adjusted prevalence ratios, controlling for sociodemographic and health characteristics.

RESULTS: About 2.9% of adults reported having a diagnosis of kidney disease; prevalence varied by sociodemographic and health characteristics. The prevalence of SPD; current symptoms of anxiety or depression or both; history of diagnosed anxiety or depression or both; and receiving counseling and prescription use for these disorders were higher among adults with kidney disease than among adults without kidney disease. In multivariable models adjusted for sociodemographic and health characteristics, adults with diagnosed kidney disease remained more likely than adults not diagnosed with kidney disease to experience mental health conditions and receive counseling.

CONCLUSION: A survey of the US population found a higher prevalence of poor mental health and receipt of mental health care among people diagnosed with kidney disease than among people not diagnosed with kidney disease.

PMID:40609021 | DOI:10.5888/pcd22.240509

Biodemography Soc Biol. 2025 Jul 3:1-27. doi: 10.1080/19485565.2025.2527033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fertility policy directly affects the fertility decisions of residents’ families, and has the greatest impact on the daily lives of China’s residents and on the country’s economic and social development. In recent years, as the demographic situation has changed, China’s fertility policy has undergone a series of adjustments, and the government has implemented different incentives in the legal system, child care, education, and maternity insurance to stimulate fertility intention. This is a major shift in China’s fertility policy from “family planning” to “fertility support.” In the process of policy adjustment, a series of problems emerged. First, the continuous adjustment of the fertility policy causes information gaps among departments at different levels, thus leading to coordination difficulties and a lack of responsibility between the upper and lower levels of policy implementation. Second, the implementation of the two-child policy is ineffective, and its incentive effect fails to meet the expected standard. Therefore, this paper explores the similarities and policy effectiveness of fertility policies and uses the LDA thematic clustering model, cosine similarity distance algorithm, and PMC index evaluation system to quantitatively analyze fertility policies in different periods. The results are as follows: (1) due to changes in China’s demographic structure, China’s fertility policy has adjusted significantly during the universal two-child period, and its policy content and specific measures have changed dramatically compared with those of the previous period, while China’s fertility policy has stabilized during the universal three-child period. (2) In the policy effectiveness evaluation, most policies have undetailed long-, medium-, and short-term goals and lack adequate policy guarantees. Therefore, to build a perfect fertility support system, the government needs to comprehensively consider the synergy of policy measures, the strengthening of policy guarantee programs, and the enhancement of policy effectiveness in the formulation of relevant policies, to continuously make policies more targeted, scientific, and effective.

PMID:40608994 | DOI:10.1080/19485565.2025.2527033

Ann Med. 2025 Dec;57(1):2527359. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2025.2527359. Epub 2025 Jul 3.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the influence of the COVID-19 lockdown period on anxiety, anger, loneliness and depression, four categories of negative emotions, in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and a total of 174 patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis at the Second Affiliated Hospital and Fourth Affiliated Hospital Hemodialysis Center of Anhui Medical University between October 20 and October 27, 2022, were selected as the study subjects. We used the Medical Staff Stress and Negative Emotions Scale (MSSNS) to assess the emotional changes in anxiety, anger, loneliness and depression in these patients before and during the lockdown.

RESULTS: A total of 174 questionnaires were collected, all of which were valid. During the lockdown period, the scores for anxiety (18.89 ± 6.83), anger (10.20 ± 3.32), loneliness (10.86 ± 3.81) and depression (14.13 ± 4.24) were significantly higher than the scores before the lockdown for anxiety (16.63 ± 4.64), anger (9.74 ± 2.60), loneliness (10.26 ± 3.35) and depression (13.11 ± 4.24). These differences were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 lockdown, patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis experienced significantly higher levels of anxiety, anger, loneliness and depression compared to the pre-lockdown period. Our study emphasizes the importance of paying sufficient attention to the mental health of hemodialysis patients during such public health crises.

PMID:40608972 | DOI:10.1080/07853890.2025.2527359

PLoS One. 2025 Jul 3;20(7):e0326972. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326972. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Various hypotheses regarding the origin of menopause have been proposed, and although the kin-selection-based theory appears promising, it involves population genetic processes that are insufficient to compensate for loss of fitness. The grandmother hypothesis and its variation the live long hypothesis is untenable; the former requires “climbing a steep fitness hill”, as grandmothers share only 25% of their genes with their grandchildren, compared to 50% with their direct offspring, while the latter proposes a prolongation of the post-menopausal lifespan through selection, which is not possible in a population of non-reproducing females. The mate choice theory explains menopause as the result of asymmetric mating involving younger females and older males that leads to an accumulation of infertility mutations and the evolution of menopause in older females. In this study, we investigated the mate choice theory using an infertility mutation accumulation experiment with Drosophila melanogaster that involved mating between individuals of different age groups. After 70 generations of asymmetric mating, the results showed that younger females who were paired with older males showed declining fertility in old age. The same trend was noted with younger males when mated with older females; the fertility of the males declined in old age. These results support the mate choice theory and indicate that menopause is not a life history trait of females but of the sex of the younger mate. Mate choice theory treats the evolution of menopause and post-menopausal lifespan as independent traits that are driven by the mate choices exercised by older males. Menopause may be an atypical process because the evolutionary mechanism (age-restricted asymmetric mating) involved is rarely observed in nature.

PMID:40608892 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0326972

PLoS One. 2025 Jul 3;20(7):e0327488. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327488. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

In this manuscript, the existence and uniqueness of solutions to equations associated with climate change are discussed. For this purpose, we utilize some results from the existing literature to investigate the behavior of these equations. Additionally, the role of fixed point theory in emphasizing the importance of proving the stability and consistency of the models is explored. Several definitions and results, such as the F-contraction, [Formula: see text]-F-contraction, rational type [Formula: see text]-contraction, and Geraghty type contraction, are recalled from the existing literature to illustrate their theoretical foundations and practical applications.

PMID:40608847 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0327488

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025 Jul 3;19(7):e0013201. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0013201. eCollection 2025 Jul.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While only a limited number of scorpion species are classified as dangerous to humans, the potentially life-threatening effects of their stings classify scorpionism as a global health concern. Iran, with its high scorpion diversity, reported more than 63,000 scorpion sting cases in 2023. This study aims to elucidate the epidemiological characteristics of scorpion envenomation in northwest Iran.

METHODS: This retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of two years (2022-2023) in northwest Iran. The research focused on scorpion sting cases that required treatment at 25 scorpion sting treatment centers (SSTCs) across the East Azerbaijan Province. Data were collected from scorpion sting cases presenting for treatment. Statistical analyses were performed, using Chi² and Mann-Whitney tests for both descriptive and analytical evaluations. Geographic distribution maps were generated to illustrate the locations of sting incidents relative to treatment facilities.

RESULT: During two years, 3,154 scorpion sting cases were reported in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran. Most patients were aged 31 to 40 years, with 54.9% being male. Most stings occurred in urban areas (48.7%) and primarily indoors (75%). Remarkably, 99.96% of cases resulted in full recovery, with only one death reported. Treatment methods included wound cleaning (50.8%) and the administration of antivenom (53.2%). The results indicate scorpion stings peak during the summer months, with the highest frequency occurring between midnight and 2 AM.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the public health challenge posed by scorpion stings in East Azerbaijan Province. While recovery rates are high, further efforts are needed to improve public health interventions, including educational programs for vulnerable groups such as farmers and children. Enhancing access to medical care and timely treatment is essential to reducing morbidity and mortality. Future research should focus on local scorpion species and develop tailored prevention strategies to mitigate scorpionism.

PMID:40608821 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0013201

PLoS One. 2025 Jul 3;20(7):e0327615. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327615. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

A fundamental question in word learning is how, given only evidence about what objects a word has previously referred to, children are able to generalize to the correct class. How does a learner end up knowing that “poodle” only picks out a specific subset of dogs rather than the broader class and vice versa? Numerous phenomena have been identified in guiding learner behavior such as the “suspicious coincidence effect” (SCE)-that an increase in the sample size of training objects facilitates more narrow (subordinate) word meanings. While SCE seems to support a class of models based in statistical inference, such rational behavior is, in fact, consistent with a range of algorithmic processes. Notably, the broadness of semantic generalizations is further affected by the temporal manner in which objects are presented-either simultaneously or sequentially. First, I evaluate the experimental evidence on the factors influencing generalization in word learning. A reanalysis of existing data demonstrates that both the number of training objects and their presentation-timing independently affect learning. This independent effect has been obscured by prior literature’s focus on possible interactions between the two. Second, I present a computational model for learning that accounts for both sets of phenomena in a unified way. The Naïve Generalization Model (NGM) offers an explanation of word learning phenomena grounded in category formation. Under the NGM, learning is local and incremental, without the need to perform a global optimization over pre-specified hypotheses. This computational model is tested against human behavior on seven different experimental conditions for word learning, varying over presentation-timing, number, and hierarchical relation between training items. Looking both at qualitative parameter-independent behavior and quantitative parameter-tuned output, these results support the NGM and suggest that rational learning behavior may arise from local, mechanistic processes rather than global statistical inference.

PMID:40608813 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0327615

PLoS One. 2025 Jul 3;20(7):e0326324. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326324. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Despite being the world’s highest tuberculosis (TB) burden country, India still misses millions of TB cases annually. To address this issue, the India National Strategic Plan, following WHO strategy, promotes combining active case finding (ACF) with passive case finding (PCF) activities. National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP) began ACF campaigns thrice a year, targeting vulnerable populations. However, states like Manipur faced challenges in implementing and sustaining ACF activities due to resource constraints.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of engaging student and women organizations (SAWOs) in improving TB case notifications, treatment adherence, and completion rate in NTEP, as well as to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the ACF intervention.

METHOD: A quasi-experimental pre-post study is being conducted among individuals ≥15 years residing in Senapati District, Manipur, having two phases: preparatory and enhanced case finding and implementation of the ACF. Data is being collected and compared on TB case notification, treatment adherence, and outcomes beforeand after the intervention. Chi-square test will be used to test the statistical significance and logistic regression to identify the factors independently associated with the impact of intervention. Potential confounders at both patient and facility levels will be identified based on expert opinion and bivariate analysis. A multi-level logistic regression model will be used to control the confounding, with sensitivity analysis to ensure result robustness.Cost analysis will cover direct, indirect, medical, and non-medical costs for patients and health system. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per quality-adjusted life years gained will be evaluated.

DISCUSSION: This study introduces a novel community-led model involving SAWOsto improve TB case detection and treatment support, comprehensively addressing allfour pillars of ‘END TB’ strategy. The intervention is a community-based participatory research, emphasizing collaboration between researchers andcommunity to address TB control. The main activities of this intervention include community TB sensitization, ECF, ACF, treatment support and monitoring. This model could significantly impact TB control efforts, especially in resource-constrained settings like Manipur, offering valuable insights into ACF implementation and its economic implications.

PMID:40608799 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0326324

PLoS One. 2025 Jul 3;20(7):e0327304. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327304. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Understanding the dynamics of cancer cell growth, the interplay between tumor and immune cells, and the efficacy of chemotherapy are pivotal areas of focus in cancer research. In this regard, mathematical modeling can provide significant insights. This study re-examines a classical two-dimensional model of tumor-immune cell interactions where the tumor’s growth rate is assumed to adhere to von Bertalanffy’s model instead of the logistic model. We investigate the model both without chemotherapy and with treatment. The equilibrium points are identified, classified, and their stability analyzed. Our results reveal that the model can demonstrate a broad spectrum of behaviors, including bi-stability and multi-stability as well as regions of stable periodic behavior. We establish analytical conditions for the existence of Hopf points. Furthermore, we assess the impact of model parameters on the various behavior predicted by the model. This mathematical investigation can provide general guidance on treatment strategies.

PMID:40608796 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0327304

PLoS One. 2025 Jul 3;20(7):e0327241. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0327241. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Smart beds have become increasingly accepted, and are concurrently reshaping their lifestyles. Addressing the limited ability of smart beds to cater to health requirements, this study investigated smart bed comfort across diverse typical conditions. Objective body pressure distribution and participant-reported perceived comfort were recorded during typical smart bed usage. Statistical analysis was utilized to investigate overall and local comfort variations across different conditions and the correlation between perceived comfort and body pressure distribution. Statistical analysis highlighted the importance of equalizing forces and minimizing peak pressures. Alongside mean pressure, peak pressure-particularly in the buttock, thigh, and shank areas-played a pivotal role in comfort evaluation. Optimal bed board partitioning and interlinked mechanisms between adjacent boards enhance body curve fit and overall comfort. Balancing body forces and preventing feelings of weightlessness significantly improve user comfort and health. This analysis has been used to develop a comfort prediction model for smart bed design.

PMID:40608784 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0327241