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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Gender differences in the association between smoking and the risk of suicide in depressed patients: a longitudinal national cohort study

Front Psychiatry. 2025 Oct 21;16:1564915. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1564915. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Although the gender differences in suicide and smoking are well-known, studies exploring the impact of gender on the relationship between smoking and suicide are limited. This population-based nationwide cohort study examines the association between smoking and suicide risk among1.8 million depressed patients, analyzed separately by gender.

METHODS: This longitudinal cohort study included 1,827,249 adults diagnosed with depression between 2010 and 2015 from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database. Smoking status (never, former, current) was self-reported during health screenings, and suicides were identified via national mortality records. Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for demographic, clinical, and psychiatric covariates assessed hazard ratios (HRs) for suicide risk. Subgroup analyses explored effect modifications by covariates, including age, income, and alcohol use.

RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 6.8 years, 6,318 individuals (0.35%) died by suicide. Smoking was associated with increased suicide risk in both men and women, with a stronger association in women. Current smoking showed a higher risk in women (HR = 2.646, 95% CI: 2.287-3.062) compared to men (HR = 1.376, 95% CI: 1.277-1.483). In men, factors such as younger age and alcohol consumption intensified this association, whereas in women, low income was a significant modifier; the highest suicide risk was observed in low-income former smokers.

CONCLUSION: Smoking is associated with increased suicide risk among individuals with depression, with notable gender differences in risk magnitude and modifying factors. These findings highlight the need for gender-specific suicide prevention strategies. Limitations include reliance on self-reported smoking data and lack of time-varying measures of exposure.

PMID:41195353 | PMC:PMC12583080 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1564915

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Effectiveness of artificial intelligence chatbots on mental health & well-being in college students: a rapid systematic review

Front Psychiatry. 2025 Oct 21;16:1621768. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1621768. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mental health disorders among college students have surged in recent years, exacerbated by barriers such as stigma, cost associated with treatment, and limited access to mental health providers. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven chatbots have emerged as scalable, stigma-free tools to deliver evidence-based mental health support, yet their efficacy specifically for college populations remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic rapid review evaluates the effectiveness of chatbots in improving mental health outcomes (e.g., anxiety, depression) and well-being among college students while identifying key design features and implementation barriers.

METHODS: Four databases (PubMed, PsycInfo, Applied Science & Technology Source, ACM Digital Library) were searched for studies published between 2014 and 2024. Two reviewers independently screened articles using predefined PICO criteria, extracted data and assessed quality via the PEDro scale. Included studies focused on chatbot interventions targeting DSM-5-defined mental health conditions or well-being in college students.

RESULTS: Nine studies (n=1,082 participants) were included, with eight reported statistically significant improvements in anxiety (e.g., GAD-7 reductions), depression (e.g., PHQ-9 scores), or well-being. Effective chatbots frequently incorporated cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), daily interactions, and cultural personalization (e.g., 22% depression reduction with Woebot; p<0.05). However, heterogeneity in study quality (PEDro scores: 1-7), high attrition rates (up to 61%), and reliance on self-reported outcomes limited generalizability.

CONCLUSIONS: Though the use of chatbots for the improvement of mental health and well-being is promising based on the review’s results, future research should prioritize rigorous RCTs, standardized outcome measures (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7), and strategies to improve attrition.

PMID:41195352 | PMC:PMC12582922 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1621768

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Incidence rate of alcohol use disorder and correlation between metabolic changes and addictive behavior in patients after sleeve gastrectomy

Front Psychiatry. 2025 Oct 21;16:1652020. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1652020. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To compare the incidence of AUD and correlation between metabolic changes and addictive behaviors in patients who underwent SG.

METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 160 obese patients who underwent SG treatment at our hospital between February 2023 and April 2024 (SG group), and another 160 non-surgical obese patients admitted during the same period were selected as the control group. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT)was used to assess the risk of AUD in both groups (AUDIT≥eight points defined as high risk) and to compare the differences in high-risk rates between the groups. Differences in impulsivity scores (Barratt Impulsivity Scale [BIS]-11), addictive behavior scores(Visual Analog Scale for Addictive Behaviors[VAS]),and glucose-fat metabolism indexes between the high-and low-risk AUD subgroups within the SG group were analyzed using Pearson correlation and multiple regression analyses to explore associations between metabolic indicators and addictive behavior scores.

RESULTS: The SG group had a higher rate of alcohol use disorder (AUDIT ≥ 8 points) after surgery than the control group (26.88% vs. 8.125%) (χ² = 19.32, P < 0.001).The impulsivity score[BIS-11:(68.43 ± 9.35)points vs.(61.22 ± 8.71)points] and addictive behavior score[VAS:(6.42 ± 1.14)points vs.(3.88 ± 1.06)points]were significantly higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group(P<0.001).Fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance levels were significantly higher in the AUDIT high-risk group than in the low-risk group(P<0.001).lipoprotein cholesterol (TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C) did not differ significantly between high- and low-risk groups (P > 0.05).Glucose metabolism indices(fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance)were strongly and positively correlated with AUDIT and VAS scores(r=0.682-0.716,P<0.05).However, multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that impulsivity, addictive behavior propensity, and glucose metabolism abnormalities were not independently associated with statistical significance(P>0.05).The propensity for addictive behavior and abnormal glucose metabolism remained independent risk factors for AUD after SG(P<0.05),and the risk was significantly higher in men than in women. This age group had significantly higher AUDIT high-risk rates, BIS-11 impulsivity, and VAS addiction behavior scores vs. the >25 group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Compared to nonsurgical patients with obesity, patients with obesity who underwent SG exhibited a significantly high incidence of AUD. Patients in the high-risk subgroup for AUD also showed high impulsivity scores, greater addictive behavior scores, and notable abnormalities in glucose metabolism indices.

PMID:41195349 | PMC:PMC12582919 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1652020

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Lower LEDD and Polypharmacy Rates Beyond the Honeymoon Period in Patients With Parkinson’s Disease Integrative Western-Korean Medicine Interventions: A CARE-Compliant Case Series

Parkinsons Dis. 2025 Oct 28;2025:9860808. doi: 10.1155/padi/9860808. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder with significant social costs, mainly owing to hospitalization, which is frequently associated with high levodopa equivalent daily dose (LEDD) and polypharmacy rather than neurological symptoms alone. Integrative treatment combining Western and Korean medicine may help control these factors and reduce the need for hospitalization. We investigated the potential impact of integrative treatment on LEDD and polypharmacy in patients with PD > 5 years postdiagnosis.

METHODS: Fifteen patients with PD (KCD code G20), diagnosed > 5 years earlier, who received integrative treatment at Gwangju Korean Medicine Hospital, Wonkwang University, from April 1, 2022, to July 30, 2024, were enrolled. A retrospective chart review was conducted to collect demographic and clinical data, including LEDD, medication count, and treatment details. Summary statistics were presented as median (IQR) and mean ± SD.

RESULTS: In the integrative treatment cohort, the prevalence of both LEDD and polypharmacy was lower than that in studies involving conventional treatment alone. The mean LEDD was 321.71 (median, 200.0) mg, while only two patients exceeded the LEDD threshold of 300 mg, which was associated with motor complications. Polypharmacy was observed in 13.3% of patients and hyperpolypharmacy in 6.7%, representing lower proportions compared with previous reports on conventional treatments. Representative cases highlighted symptom improvement and a reduced need for medication with integrative approaches, particularly acupuncture and herbal medicine.

CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that integrative treatment may contribute to lowering LEDD and medication counts in patients with PD, which could potentially reduce hospitalization rates and the associated social costs. Further prospective studies comparing the integrative and nonintegrative treatment groups are needed to clarify these findings and evaluate the role of integrative treatment in the long-term management of PD.

PMID:41195340 | PMC:PMC12585846 | DOI:10.1155/padi/9860808

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Toyoko Kids: A case series on the psychosocial backgrounds of eight runaway girls transported to emergency care in Tokyo

Pediatr Int. 2025 Jan-Dec;67(1):e70248. doi: 10.1111/ped.70248.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Runaway behavior, defined as leaving home without parental permission and not returning, is associated with adverse educational, physical, and mental health outcomes. In Japan, since around 2018, a group of runaway adolescents known as “Toyoko Kids” has emerged in Tokyo’s Kabukicho area, reportedly engaging in substance use, violence, and prostitution. This study aimed to examine the psychosocial characteristics of Toyoko Kids who were transported to emergency care due to impaired consciousness from drug overdose or alcohol intoxication.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of eight female adolescents under 18 years old, transported from Kabukicho to Keio University Hospital between June 2022 and August 2023. Inclusion criteria included having run away for at least two nights (or one night for those under 15) and being transported by a third party. A multidisciplinary team assessed psychosocial risks using a Bio-Psycho-Social model. Data on consciousness level, pregnancy, substance use, self-harm, psychiatric history, family structure, school attendance, abuse, and child welfare involvement were analyzed and compared with national statistics.

RESULTS: All subjects were female, aged 12-16. The most common reason for transport was impaired consciousness due to overdose, primarily involving over-the-counter medications. Self-harm was confirmed in 86% and abuse in 67% of cases. Although several had prior psychiatric or welfare intervention, support was often temporary and insufficient. Most came from single-parent households, and over half had a history of school absenteeism.

CONCLUSIONS: This study identified severe psychosocial vulnerabilities among Toyoko Kids. Findings highlight gaps in mental health and child protection systems.

PMID:41194319 | DOI:10.1111/ped.70248

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Import Competition and Racial Disparities in Mortality: Evidence From the Japanese Trade Shock

Health Econ. 2025 Nov 5. doi: 10.1002/hec.70051. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the effects of increased trade between Japan and the U.S. on mortality rates in the U.S. using a shift-share instrumental variables approach. Overall, we find that an increase in Japanese imports is associated with higher rates of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and lower rates of mortality from accidents. Effects of Japanese imports on deaths of despair are inconsistent, but there is a positive association between imports and drug-related deaths. These effects exhibit significant racial disparities. Specifically, a $1000 increase in import competition is associated with a 3.0% increase in CVD deaths per 100,000 Black individuals aged 20-64 years old, while there is no statistically significant effect among whites. Additionally, a $1000 increase in import competition is associated with a 13.5% increase in drug-related deaths per 100,000 Black individuals aged 20-64 years old compared to a 7.8% increase among white individuals. Effects on mortality rates from accidents are driven by deaths among whites. Our findings also indicate that the rise in CVD and drug-related mortality is concentrated among males and in regions with relatively high shares of employment in the automobile or computer industries.

PMID:41194310 | DOI:10.1002/hec.70051

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Longitudinal contrast-enhanced cone beam breast computed tomography for monitoring treatment response in breast cancer neoadjuvant therapy: a comprehensive assessment

Breast Cancer Res. 2025 Nov 5;27(1):199. doi: 10.1186/s13058-025-02145-z.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To validate cone-beam breast computed tomography (CBBCT) for evaluating NAT response using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1, and to explore correlations between multidimensional CBBCT features and pathological complete response (pCR).

METHODS: We prospectively analyzed 73 patients who underwent pre- and post-NAT CBBCT, of whom 41 also received paired magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Inter-modality and imaging-pathology concordance were assessed using Cohen’s κ statistics. Determinants of CBBCT accuracy were identified through univariate and logistic regression analyses. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis with DeLong’s test was used to determine the optimal quantitative parameter for discriminating pCR from non-pCR. Associations between pCR and changes in calcification, vascularity, and background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) were evaluated using Pearson’s χ2 and Fisher’s exact tests.

RESULTS: CBBCT showed excellent agreement with MRI (κ = 0.809) and good pathological concordance (κ = 0.618; MRI κ = 0.700). The area under the curve (AUC) for distinguishing responders from non-responders was 0.950 for CBBCT and 0.905 for MRI. For pCR assessment, the AUC values were 0.643 and 0.786, respectively. Targeted therapy (odds ratio [OR] = 0.059, p = 0.013) and linear/segmental calcifications (OR = 0.127, p = 0.042) were independent factors affecting CBBCT accuracy. The enhanced degree change (ΔE) on CBBCT demonstrated strong predictive performance for pCR (AUC = 0.941) with high computational efficiency. Significant associations with pCR were observed for reductions in calcification extent (p = 0.021), adjacent vascular sign (AVS) grade (p = 0.004), and BPE levels (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: CBBCT demonstrates high accuracy in assessing NAT response, with excellent agreement to MRI. ΔE is recommended as an optimal quantitative parameter for predicting pCR, supported by dynamic changes in calcification extent, AVS, and BPE grade as valuable markers, positioning CBBCT as a comprehensive tool for breast cancer management.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: CBBCT enables a comprehensive and efficient tool for monitoring NAT response, showing excellent concordance with MRI, and its multidimensional features are also valuable for predicting pCR.

PMID:41194290 | DOI:10.1186/s13058-025-02145-z

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Association between physical activity propensity and cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in type 1 diabetes: evidence from a single-centre study

Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2025 Nov 5;17(1):415. doi: 10.1186/s13098-025-01936-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate whether recent physical activity (PA), assessed in a real-world outpatient setting, is associated with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

METHODS: Sixty-six patients with type 1 diabetes were tested for CAN using cardiovascular reflex tests. PA level was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and patients were classified into low, moderate, or high PA groups.

RESULTS: PA was low in 13 (19.7%), moderate in 19 (28.8%) and high in 34 (51.5%) patients. Fisher’s exact test conducted to examine the relationship between PA groups and diabetic CAN categories revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) being absent in 67.7% and early in 29.4% of the patients belonging to the high PA group. In addition, engagement in at least 600 MET minutes per week was independently associated with a lower probability of having CAN (OR = 0.131, 95% CI: 0.017-0.986, p = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of self-reported physical activity are associated with a reduced likelihood of CAN in patients with type 1 diabetes. These findings support the importance of promoting regular PA as part of routine diabetes care.

PMID:41194278 | DOI:10.1186/s13098-025-01936-w

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Picture-activated mood and creativity in online brainstorming: the roles of flexibility and persistence

BMC Psychol. 2025 Nov 6;13(1):1198. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-03523-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study examined how mood (positive or negative) and presentation format (picture or text) influence idea generation during online brainstorming. Creativity was assessed by the number of unique ideas (fluency, defined as the total number of non-redundant ideas) generated, with participants brainstorming ways to improve parks. The research drew on the dual pathway-to-creativity model, emphasizing flexibility and persistence as key factors in creativity.

METHOD: The participants were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: two mood types (positive or negative) and two presentation formats (picture or text). Creativity was measured by counting unique, nonrepetitive ideas and evaluating flexibility (number of unique categories of ideas). Persistence was also analyzed, calculated as the ratio of unique ideas to unique categories. Statistical tests were used to examine the main and interaction effects of mood, presentation format, and persistence on idea generation.

RESULTS: The participants exposed to pictures generated more unique ideas than those exposed to text, highlighting the presentation format’s impact on creativity. The positive mood participants outperformed the negative mood participants by generating more unique ideas and exhibiting greater flexibility, as measured by the number of distinct categories of ideas. Persistence played a moderating role, with high persistence in a positive mood condition leading to more unique ideas than medium or low persistence. However, there was no significant difference in idea generation between medium- and low-persistence participants in either mood condition.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings are consistent with a possible mediating role of flexibility in the relationship between mood and creativity, as proposed by the dual pathway to creativity model. Exploratory analyses suggest that persistence may play a potential moderating role, with high persistence amplifying the effects of a positive mood on creativity. Future research should explore more visually engaging stimuli for online brainstorming and investigate the interplay of additional variables. The role of persistence as a mediator or moderator warrants further exploration.

PMID:41194275 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-03523-0

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Association between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and sarcopenia in US adults: a population-based study

J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 Nov 5;44(1):391. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-01111-x.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio (NHHR) serves as a lipid biomarker indicating the balance of pro-atherogenic and anti-atherogenic lipoproteins in the bloodstream. However, research exploring the effects of NHHR on sarcopenia remains limited. Consequently, this investigation aims to examine the potential correlation between NHHR and sarcopenia.

METHODS: This nationwide study used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collected between 2011 and 2018. We looked into the correlation of serum NHHR levels with the risk of sarcopenia through multivariable logistic regression. Furthermore, subgroup and sensitivity analyses were carried out to assess the robustness of the findings, and restricted cubic splines were utilized to investigate potential nonlinearities.

RESULTS: The study encompassed 5,491 participants, of whom 367 (6.68%) were diagnosed with sarcopenia. Elevated NHHR was found to have a significant positive correlation with the incidence of sarcopenia in the fully adjusted model (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.06-1.21, P < 0.001). The occurrence of sarcopenia was 2.11 times higher in participants in the highest NHHR quartile than in the lowest quartile (95% CI: 1.13-3.92, P = 0.023). RCS analysis further demonstrated a nonlinear association of NHHR with sarcopenia (P for nonlinear < 0.001). Extensive subgroup and sensitivity analysis produced consistent outcomes, supported the validity of our findings.

CONCLUSION: Studies indicate that NHHR is linked to an elevated risk of sarcopenia among Americans. In an aging society, NHHR might be a useful biomarker for managing and forecasting sarcopenia.

PMID:41194274 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-025-01111-x