Tag: pubmed

G3 (Bethesda). 2025 May 15:jkaf108. doi: 10.1093/g3journal/jkaf108. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fruit quality represent the major constraints to consumer acceptance of new blueberry cultivars. However, breeding for fruit quality is challenging due to its complex inheritance and genotype × environment interaction. Despite previous efforts to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with fruit quality traits, most of the identified QTL explain only a fraction of the total variability or lack stability across multiple environments. In this study, we investigated multiple fruit quality traits and phenology-related traits of 187 diverse southern highbush blueberry germplasm over two to four years. Significant phenotypic variation across observation years was detected for most traits. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) failed to identify stable peaks supported by multiple observation years, indicating complex control of fruit-related traits. To elucidate factors contributing to phenotypic variation, the relationship between observed phenotypic values and the stability measure of these values was examined. Significant correlations were found between the variation of phenology-related traits and the stability of fruit-related traits; it was found that early blooming and ripening accessions tended to exhibit variable firmness over the years. Additionally, size variability was influenced by the fruit size itself: accessions producing smaller fruit tended to show more variation in size over the years. Furthermore, GWAS conducted on the stability indices identified novel marker-trait associations that were not detected using normalized phenotypic values only, and their effects on fruit-related traits were similarly dependent on environment (observation year). Collectively, these findings deepen our understanding of variability in fruit-related traits and provide insights into their genetic control, thereby advancing breeding for superior cultivars with stable phenotypic performance.

PMID:40373202 | DOI:10.1093/g3journal/jkaf108

Optom Vis Sci. 2025 May 16. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002261. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

SIGNIFICANCE: Identifying potential modifiable risk factors for keratoconus progression is crucial for better outcomes. This study suggests that sleeping position may contribute to interocular asymmetry in keratoconus, providing an actionable target for patient education and clinical management and underscoring the importance of sleep posture in slowing disease progression.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate whether the preferred sleeping position can contribute to interocular asymmetry of keratoconus.

METHODS: A clinical cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 patients (100 eyes) with grade I and II keratoconus (Amsler-Krumeich) and 40 individuals (80 eyes) without keratoconus. Corneal tomographic parameters from the Galilei G6 (keratometry plus curve [Steep K], mean keratometry [Sim K], thinner corneal thickness, central corneal thickness, Cone Location and Magnitude Index, dioptric asymmetry between the inferior and superior corneal hemispheres, and vertical coma) were obtained to assess interocular asymmetry. All participants answered a questionnaire about their preferred sleeping position. The eye positioned lower during sleep has been referred to as the dependent eye, and the eye positioned higher was classified as the nondependent eye, regardless of the sleeping position (lateral or ventral).

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between dependent and nondependent eyes regarding the evaluated tomographic variables among individuals without keratoconus. However, in individuals with keratoconus, statistically significant differences were observed between dependent and nondependent eyes for the following parameters: Steep K (47.89 vs. 45.78 D, p=0.0047), Sim K (46.54 vs. 44.42 D, p=0.0016); thinnest corneal thickness (445.84 vs. 460.34 μm, p=0.0057), central corneal thickness (463.03 vs. 477.6 μm, p=0.0125), vertical coma (-1.98 vs. -1.41 μm, p=0.0448), and total coma (1.60 vs. 1.22 μm, p=0.0495).

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in individuals with keratoconus, the preferred sleeping position may contribute to keratoconus asymmetry in the dependent eye, regardless of whether the sleeping position is lateral or ventral.

PMID:40373201 | DOI:10.1097/OPX.0000000000002261

CBE Life Sci Educ. 2025 Jun 1;24(2):ar27. doi: 10.1187/cbe.24-05-0157.

ABSTRACT

Conflict-reducing practices during evolution instruction have been recommended to increase students’ perceived compatibility between evolution and religion, increase evolution acceptance, and decrease stereotypes about religious students in science. However, the efficacy of these practices has not been demonstrated in a randomized controlled design making it uncertain whether they are causing the effects reported in less controlled studies. Further, we do not know the extent to which the religious identities of instructors may impact their effectiveness. In this study, we randomly assigned 2623 undergraduate students in 19 biology courses across different states to receive an evolution video with 1) no conflict-reducing practices, 2) conflict-reducing practices implemented by a non-religious instructor, or 3) conflict-reducing practices implemented by a Christian instructor. We found that the evolution videos with conflict-reducing practices led to decreased conflict, increased compatibility, and increased acceptance of human evolution compared with the video without conflict-reducing practices. Further, the Christian and non-religious instructor conditions were equally effective at improving all student outcomes, except the non-religious instructor was more effective for increasing perceived compatibility between religion and evolution among atheist students. These results illustrate that conflict-reducing practices, implemented by either Christian or non-religious instructors, can be effective in a controlled study.

PMID:40373175 | DOI:10.1187/cbe.24-05-0157

PLoS One. 2025 May 15;20(5):e0324024. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324024. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) improves the quality of life (QoL) among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). Most studies documenting the gains in QoL have been conducted among persons starting treatment at advanced HIV disease. In the era of Universal Test and Treat (UTT) policy, most PLWH start ART early with high CD4 counts. Therefore, we investigated the association between baseline CD4 count with QoL and retention among PLWH during UTT in southwestern Uganda.

METHODS: Between June 11, 2019, and June 10, 2020, we reviewed medical records for PLWH initiated on ART between April 2017 and September 2018 and interviewed them to collect QoL data. The primary exposure was CD4 count at ART initiation categorized as <500 cells/µl (low) versus ≥500 cells/µl (high). Physical and mental health-related QoL were the primary outcomes. Retention was the secondary outcome. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between the exposure and the primary outcome, while the Cox Proportional Hazard regression model was used for the secondary outcome.

RESULTS: Of 300 participants, 59.7% initiated ART at a low baseline CD4 count. ART initiation at a higher baseline CD4 count, compared to a lower baseline CD4 count, was associated with a lower mental health-related QoL (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32-0.97) but similar physical health-related QoL (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.10-2.78) and retention (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.30, 95% CI 0.08-1.14).

CONCLUSION: In this cohort of PLWH on ART, those who initiated the treatment at a higher baseline CD4 were less likely to have good mental health-related QoL functioning compared to those initiating at lower CD4 counts. However, the two groups were comparable in physical health-related QoL and retention in care. PLWH initiating ART at a higher baseline CD4 may require mental health-related support as part of treatment.

PMID:40373165 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0324024

PLoS One. 2025 May 15;20(5):e0323557. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323557. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Fencing has gained global popularity, with athletes often competing on hard surfaces, especially at United States national tournaments in convention centre with concrete floors. These surfaces may contribute to overuse injuries from high-impact movements like the fencing lunge. This study aimed to investigate tibial accelerations, a measure of impact shock, experienced by fencers during lunges on various surface materials placed beneath standard aluminium fencing pistes. The aim was to identify a material that could reduce injury risk by mitigating impact shock. Sixty-nine fencers (35 female) performed five lunges on six different surfaces (A-F: A-E composed of various materials placed between the aluminium piste and the concrete floor; F was only the concrete floor), during the 2024 US Senior National Championships. A triaxial accelerometer mounted on the tibia was used to measure tibial accelerations as a marker of impact shock. The accelerometer was aligned to measure acceleration along the longitudinal axis of the tibia and set to record at 1000 Hz with a sensitivity range of ± 100 g. Data acquisition was carried out via a logging system (Biometrics DL1001, Gwent, UK), which was attached to the participant using a tightly fitted backpack. The peak positive axial tibial acceleration was extracted for each lunge and the average was calculated from three lunges after discarding the highest and lowest values from each surface. Statistical analysis revealed that Surface E (a non-absorbent vinyl loop material; 12.7 ± 7.6g), significantly reduced tibial accelerations compared to the standard concrete setup (Surface F; 13.6 ± 8.4g). These findings suggest that modifying competition surfaces by incorporating cushioning materials may help reduce the impact shock of the fencing lunge, potentially lowering the risk of overuse injuries, such as tendonitis and tenosynovitis, commonly reported by fencers. Future research should investigate optimal material properties, including thickness and softness, for maximizing injury prevention while maintaining performance standards in competitive fencing environments.

PMID:40373100 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0323557

PLoS One. 2025 May 15;20(5):e0322852. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322852. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

The Thai version of the 12-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) is valid for measuring caregiver burden in psychiatric caregivers. Nevertheless, it has not been verified in a larger palliative care (PC) context. The aim of this study was to validate the 12-item ZBI in PC among caregivers of palliative care patients. A methodological study examining the validity of the 12-item ZBI was carried out with informal caregivers of palliative care patients of two district health service networks. The data were gathered using self-administered questionaries, and then all participants were randomly split into two sub-samples for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n = 150) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n = 155). After utilizing statistical approaches for reducing items, EFA was used with group 1 to analyze the factor structure of the 12-item ZBI. Finally, CFA was employed with group 2 to confirm the amended structure indicated by the EFA and to evaluate the construct validity of the 12-item ZBI. A total of 305 palliative caregivers were enrolled. The principal component analysis of the 12 items yielded a loading based on a two-factor model of personal strain and role strain accounting for 61.4% of the variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.83) and item-total correlations (rho = 0.38-0.70) showed that the 12-item Zarit had acceptable reliability. For convergent validity, the average variance extracted (AVE) values revealed that all 12-item ZBI subscales had a convergence effect, with AVEs ranging from 0.50-0.53. Additionally, this tool had a significant positive correlation with depressive symptoms (r = 0.48), anxiety (r = 0.38), and stress (r = 0.56). The 12-item ZBI is a brief, precise, and valid instrument for assessing burden among Thai palliative caregivers. We discovered high evidence of reliability in this sample, along with convergent and construct validity. Likewise, EFA revealed that the 12-item ZBI was a two-dimensional scale. Thus, health care practitioners may utilize the ZBI in research and clinical settings to determine burden in palliative caregivers.

PMID:40373099 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0322852

PLoS One. 2025 May 15;20(5):e0323486. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323486. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Urban vegetable farmers in Ghana face multiple health risks, including soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), which may contribute to morbidities that threaten urban food security. Additionally, infected farmers may act as persistent sources of disease transmission within urban populations. There is the need to assess the burden of STH among these farmers using more sensitive molecular assays.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 168 urban farmers from Accra and Tamale in Ghana’s Greater Accra and Northern regions, respectively. Participants completed semi-structured questionnaires, and stool samples were collected for analysis. A qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR) assay was employed to detect STH prevalence, targeting the ITS1, ITS2, and 18S genes of Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Strongyloides stercoralis, respectively.

RESULTS: While no positives were found in Tamale, 5.1%, 2.5%, and 0.8% of participants in Accra tested positive for A. lumbricoides, A. duodenale and S. stercoralis, respectively. Inadequate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and STH infection status were strongly correlated among risk factors (Odds ratio; 4.3, 95% Cl: 1.03-18.00, p-value = 0.04). Overall, 72% of participants in Tamale wore PPEs, compared to 43% in Accra.

CONCLUSIONS: Even though STH was not common, inadequate PPE use was a major factor in STH transmission in urban vegetable farms. Therefore, the key to drastically lowering the STH burden in urban farms is education and behaviour changes. Using more sensitive molecular diagnostic assays is crucial in low prevalence environments.

PMID:40373097 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0323486

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 May 1;8(5):e259591. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.9591.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: There are significant gaps in the research on ethnic disparities in mental health status among adults nationwide in China. Evidence is needed to fill these gaps.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mental health status by ethnic group in China and to explore the sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with these mental health disparities.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study used data from a multicenter, population-based survey conducted from June to August 2023. Participants were required to be aged 18 years or older and Chinese nationals and permanent residents. After quota sampling based on Chinese population statistics, 30 054 questionnaires were included in final analyses. Data were analyzed from March to April 2024.

EXPOSURES: Ethnicity, categorized as Han or minority group (ie, Achang, Bai, Blang, Bonan, Buyei, Dai, Daur, Deang, Derung, Dong, Dongxiang, Ewenki, Gaoshan, Gelao, Gin, Hani, Hezhen, Hui, Jingpo, Jino, Kazak, Kirgiz, Korean, Lahu, Lhoba, Li, Lisu, Man, Maonan, Miao, Monba, Mongol, Mulao, Naxi, Nu, Oroqen, Pumi, Qiang, Russ, Salar, She, Sui, Tajik, Tatar, Tibetan, Tu, Tujia, Uyghur, Uzbek, Va, Xibe, Yao, Yi, Yugur, and Zhuang), as well as unrecognized ethnic groups in China, ie, populations in the People’s Republic of China that have been assimilated into the Han or other recognized ethnic groups but have not yet been officially identified).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7-item scale. Any positive (≥1) response to the ninth item of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was considered as having suicidal ideation.

RESULTS: Among the 30 054 eligible participants (median [IQR] age, 43 [29-54] years; 15 043 [50.1%] female), 27 299 (90.8%) were from the Han ethnic group and 2755 (9.2%) were from ethnic minority groups. Compared with Han participants, participants from ethnic minority groups had significantly higher prevalence of moderate to major depression symptoms (25.5% vs 19.0%; P < .001), moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (17.4% vs 12.3%; P < .001), and suicidal ideation (29.4% vs 20.9%; P < .001). Participants from ethnic minority groups had higher odds of these outcomes even after adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioral factors (moderate to major depression symptoms: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.29; moderate to severe anxiety symptoms: aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.10-1.37; suicidal ideation: aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.22-1.46]). For members of ethnic minority groups, having 2 or more chronic conditions was associated with a higher likelihood of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (aOR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.13-2.18) and suicidal ideation (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.30-2.29).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional study in China, significant disparities of mental health were observed between Han and ethnic minority populations. Members of ethnic minority groups were at a significantly higher risk for experiencing moderate to major depression symptoms, moderate to severe anxiety, and suicidal ideation, particularly when exposed to specific risk factors, such as chronic health conditions and social stressors. Targeted public health interventions are needed to address the mental health needs of ethnic minority populations.

PMID:40372758 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.9591

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 May 1;8(5):e2510319. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.10319.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Although individual prosociality, defined as voluntary behavior intended to benefit another, is known to promote help-seeking behaviors among adolescents, it remains unclear whether a prosocial community, such as the classroom, also facilitates these behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations of classroom-level and individual-level prosociality with help-seeking behaviors, considering age and gender, and to examine moderation effects of being bullied.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cross-sectional study, annual surveys were conducted via questionnaire among students in Japanese junior and senior high schools from 2020 to 2023. The first wave was administered from October 1 to November 7, 2020, followed by the second wave from June 4 to July 13, 2021, the third wave from June 17 to July 19, 2022, and the fourth wave from June 19 to July 28, 2023.

EXPOSURE: Classroom-level prosociality was defined as the mean prosociality of all students within a classroom, while individual-level prosociality was measured as the deviation from this classroom mean. Prosociality was assessed using the prosocial subscale of the self-reported Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Generalized mixed-effects models estimated the associations of classroom-level and individual-level prosociality with help-seeking behaviors (including poor help-seeking and seeking help from friends, family members, homeroom teachers, and physicians) while considering subgroups based on grades and gender, as well as the moderation effect of being bullied. Help-seeking behaviors were evaluated by a question about seeking help for one’s mental health problems (“Are you currently consulting anyone to discuss your psychological stress or mental health problems?”), with multiple options. The robustness of the main findings were tested by models stratified by survey year.

RESULTS: The analysis included 21 845 participants (mean [SD] school grade, 10.4 [1.2]; 16.6% junior high school students and 83.4% senior high school students; 53.3% boys). Classroom-level prosociality was associated with a higher rate of help-seeking from friends among senior high school students (odds ratio [OR], 1.26, 95% CI, 1.17-1.35), which confirmed the robustness. No moderation effect of being bullied was found in this association. Higher individual-level prosociality was associated with increased help-seeking from various sources across nearly all models and subgroups, regardless of being bullied (friends: OR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.13-1.17]; P < .001; family members: OR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.07-1.11]; P < .001; homeroom teachers: OR, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.10-1.19]; P < .001; school nurses: OR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.12-1.28]; P < .001; and physicians: OR, 1.14 [95% CI, 1.07-1.20]; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cross-sectional study of 21 845 students found that both classroom-level and individual-level prosociality were associated with higher rates of help-seeking from peers among senior high school students, while accounting for individual characteristics. Enhancing classroom prosociality could foster help-seeking behaviors through reciprocal peer support, benefiting even those who experienced bullying.

PMID:40372756 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.10319

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 May 1;8(5):e2510325. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.10325.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Patient demographic and socioeconomic characteristics are associated with differential delays in access to emergency care. However, less is known about the association between demographic, socioeconomic, and emergency medical services (EMS) agency factors and ambulance patient offload times (APOT), a critical measure of timely access to emergency care.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between ambulance offload times and demographic, socioeconomic, and EMS agency factors, uncover disparities in offload delays, and investigate factors associated with long APOT.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using offload data from the California EMS Authority and local EMS agencies (LEMSA), population data from the US Census Bureau, and demographic and socioeconomic data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Social Vulnerability Index. California local EMS agencies participated from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023.

EXPOSURE: A total of 30 community demographic, socioeconomic, and LEMSA factors were assessed.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The main outcome was weighted mean APOT, calculated from APOT measures obtained from the California Emergency Medical Services Authroity and LEMSAs. The association between APOT and area demographic and socioeconomic characteristics was assessed using linear regression.

RESULTS: In this retrospective study from January 1, 2021, to June 30, 2023, 5 913 399 offloads were observed across 34 California LEMSAs with median (IQR) of 0.3% (0.2%-0.4%) American Indian or Alaska Native residents, 7.1% (4.7%-1.5%) Asian residents, 2.2% (1.6%-4.9%) Black residents, 33.1% (22.5%-48.7%) Hispanic or Latino residents, 0.3% (0.2%-0.4%) Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander residents, 4.1% (3.1%-4.9%) multiracial, and 0.4% (0.4%-0.5%) residents in the additional race category; 17.2% (14.7%-22.8%) residents living below 150% of the poverty line; and 15.7% (13.5%-20.1%) aged 65 years or older. The weighted mean (SD) APOT across California was 42.8 (27.3) minutes; the median (IQR) across LEMSAs was 27.0 (15.5-48.3) minutes. Sequential unadjusted linear regressions of the 30 characteristics revealed 11 that were significantly associated with APOT. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator penalization identified Black race, being aged 65 years or older, and total offloads (all log-transformed) as the variables most associated with APOT. A 3.3% absolute increase in Black residents, from 1.6% (25th percentile) to 4.9% (75th percentile), was associated with an unadjusted 17.4-minute (95% CI 10.3-24.5) increase in APOT. This increase remained significant, at 11.75 (95% CI 1.9-21.6) minutes, after adjustments for demographic, socioeconomic, and LEMSA characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cohort study of 5.9 million ambulance offloads found that the proportion of Black residents was the factor most significantly associated with longer APOT. These findings have direct implications for patients, EMS systems, and hospitals, as APOT may be an important component of health disparities in emergency care.

PMID:40372755 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.10325