Tag: statistics

Oral Health Prev Dent. 2025 Dec 19;23:887-898. doi: 10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2444.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Vital pulp therapy (VPT) is a minimally invasive approach aimed at preserving pulp vitality in cases of caries or trauma. Despite advancements in diagnostic tools and bioactive materials, clinical practices vary significantly. This study explored the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative practices of dental professionals in Saudi Arabia regarding VPT, with a focus on diagnostic tools, rubber dam isolation, and material selection. The aim was to identify practice variability and evidence-based gaps and propose strategies to standardise care.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 302 dental professionals using a validated online questionnaire. Data collection spanned December 2024 to early March 2025. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, including the Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests, were employed to compare practices across groups, while binary logistic regression identified predictors of good knowledge (≥70%). A P value 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Preoperative practices highlighted frequent use of pulp sensibility testing (79.1%) and periapical radiographs (50%), with cold testing as the preferred method (52.6%). However, advanced tools like CBCT were underutilised. Intraoperatively, 67.2% consistently used rubber dam isolation, while calcium hydroxide (22.5%) was the most commonly used pulp capping material, despite increasing adoption of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) and biodentine. Postoperatively, 46% adhered to a 3-6 month follow-up interval, relying on cold testing and percussion for assessment. Logistic regression revealed postgraduate education, specialisation, and frequency of VPT procedures as significant predictors of evidence-based practices.

CONCLUSION: The findings highlight significant variability in VPT practices among dental professionals in Saudi Arabia, emphasising the need for targeted training programmes and standardised guidelines to bridge evidence-based gaps, improve clinical consistency, and optimise patient outcomes.

PMID:41416458 | DOI:10.3290/j.ohpd.c_2444

J Glob Health. 2025 Dec 19;15:04346. doi: 10.7189/jogh.15.04346.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous epidemiological studies indicated a potential correlation between air pollution and anaemia, particularly in children, pregnant women, and the elderly. However, evidence is insufficient for workers exposed to air pollution while working in environments with other occupational hazards. Based on data from a substantial population of workers in southern China, we aimed to examine the relationships between different air pollutants and both haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and the prevalence of anaemia.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional analysis, we recruited 372 290 workers from the National Occupational Disease Surveillance Platform and utilised a mixed-effects model to explore the association of various air pollutants (including PM_2.5, PM₁₀, PM_coarse, O₃, and NO₂) with Hb concentration and the prevalence of anaemia. We ran stratified analyses by various demographic characteristics and occupational variabels.

RESULTS: Each 5 μg/m³ increase in the concentration of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, PM_coarse, O₃, and NO₂ corresponds to a 2.037 g/L (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.938, 2.137), 1.096 g/L (95% CI = 1.040, 1.152), 1.412 g/L (95% CI = 1.313, 1.510), 0.518 g/L (95% CI = 0.489, 0.547), and 0.250 g/L (95% CI = 0.219, 0.281) decrease in Hb concentration, respectively. The prevalence of anaemia increased by 11.3% (95% CI = 7.3, 15.5), 5.0% (95% CI = 2.8, 7.3), and 4.5% (95% CI = 6, 8.5) for a 5 μg/m³ increase in PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and PM_coarse, respectively, with the impact being more pronounced in the non-benzene-exposed population. Subgroup analyses suggested potential variations in susceptibility to the same air pollutant across different demographics and occupational variables.

CONCLUSIONS: The Hb levels among the workers in our sample were associated with various atmospheric pollutants, with certain demographic and occupational subgroups being particularly vulnerable. These results highlight the need for targeted air pollution control and occupational health interventions, particularly for vulnerable demographic and occupational subgroups.

PMID:41416451 | DOI:10.7189/jogh.15.04346

Mycoses. 2025 Dec;68(12):e70136. doi: 10.1111/myc.70136.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent literature indicates a decline in rates of candidemia in the general population.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse temporal trends in candidemia among patients with solid tumours and haematological malignancies admitted to a dedicated cancer centre.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all episodes of candidemia from July 2008 to June 2020 (12-year period). The incidence of candidemia was estimated as the number of new cases per 1000 patient days of hospital admission quarterly. A linear regression model was used to analyse changes in incidence rates.

RESULTS: Over a 12-year period a total of 212 episodes of candidemia were identified with 90 (42.5%) occurring in patients with haematological malignancies and 122 (57.5%) in patients with solid tumours. The overall incidence of candidemia was 0.49 episodes per 1000 patient-days of admission per quarter. There was a significant decline in the incidence of candidemia overtime for the overall cohort (from 0.81 to 0.21 patient days per quarter, p < 0.001). This decline was statistically significant in patients with solid tumours (from 0.91 to 0.18 patient days per quarter, p < 0.001) with only a downward trend noted in patients with haematological malignancies (from 0.65 to 0.25 patient days per quarter, p = 0.052).

CONCLUSIONS: We observed a global decline in episodes of candidemia in patients with malignancies mainly driven by a decrease in patients with solid tumours. Patients with haematological malignancies continue to experience considerable rates of candidemia.

PMID:41416406 | DOI:10.1111/myc.70136

Mol Imaging Radionucl Ther. 2025 Dec 19. doi: 10.4274/mirt.galenos.2025.75768. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The increasing use of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) imaging has led to the frequent detection of incidentalomas. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, locations, malignancy rates, and clinical evaluations of incidentalomas detected during preoperative staging with ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in patients with surgically relevant primary tumors.

METHODS: A total of 251 patients who underwent preoperative ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging between January 2019 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Incidental uptake sites were classified into six anatomical regions: thyroid, colon, rectum, prostate, cervix/uterus, and breast. Data regarding maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max) values, biopsy status, imaging follow-up, and histopathological outcomes were recorded and compared with population-based incidence data from the literature.

RESULTS: The most frequent incidentalomas were detected in the thyroid (11.6%), followed by cervix/uterus (9.6%), colon (7.6%), prostate (4.4%), breast (2.4%), and rectum (2.0%). Malignancy was confirmed in incidentalomas of the thyroid (85.7%), prostate (83.3%), colon (71.4%), rectum (50.0%), and breast (33.3%). Malignancy rates for the thyroid, breast, colorectal, and prostate groups were significantly higher than population-based estimates (p<0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between SUV_max and malignancy status across localization groups.

CONCLUSION: Incidental findings on ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging are common and carry a considerable risk of malignancy, particularly in thyroid, prostate, and colorectal sites. Given the observed diagnostic yield, further clinical evaluation, including tissue diagnosis, should be considered in cases with focal uptake, especially when located in high-risk anatomical regions. Awareness of these findings is essential for timely management and appropriate therapeutic decision-making.

PMID:41416397 | DOI:10.4274/mirt.galenos.2025.75768

Health Expect. 2025 Dec;28(6):e70531. doi: 10.1111/hex.70531.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Working directly with young people to understand vaping use is necessary for developing meaningful strategies to support them to quit. We explored a range of aspects about the use of e-cigarettes among young people in regional Tasmania, Australia, to inform local approaches to mitigate vaping.

SETTING: Tasmania is an island state with about two-thirds of its population living in inner-regional areas, and one-third in outer-regional, remote, or very remote areas. There are three regions: North, Northwest, and South.

PARTICIPANTS: Eighteen- to twenty-four-year-old Tasmanians who had tried vaping.

DESIGN: An exploratory qualitative study. Recruitment per region employed purposive snowball sampling. Data collection (2021-2022) included demographics, tobacco and e-cigarette usage, participants’ knowledge, beliefs, and access to e-cigarettes. One-on-one interviews and group discussions were conducted using semi-structured questions. Analysis used a combination of summative and conventional content analysis approaches to develop themes.

RESULTS: Twenty-three qualitative interviews and group discussions were analysed, including 29 participants in the analysis sample, 13 females and 16 males (62% South, 24% North, and 14% Northwest). Six themes were developed: ‘switch, not quit’: smokers are not switching to e-cigarettes to quit nicotine; ‘curiosity and social influence are key reasons why young people tried vaping’; ‘vaping is convenient- easy to get, easy to use and easy to hide’, ‘short-term effects of vaping are experienced’, ‘knowledge about vaping is varied’; and ‘suggestion for actions from young people to address the issue of vaping’. The acceptability of vaping was high, and it was seen as safe.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the recently implemented vaping reforms for Australia and suggest that such reforms will be relevant in regional and rural areas. However, it is crucial to continue working with young people to ensure strategies are locally developed and meaningful.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Young people of Tasmania with lived experience were actively engaged throughout this research, to help us understand the underlying drivers of vaping in their communities. They have advised that if adults want to change the behaviour of young people, then we need to co-design solutions with young people. More co-design research is needed to incorporate the voices of young people and their ideas about prevention and cessation need to be considered alongside the implementation of regulatory changes.

PMID:41416393 | DOI:10.1111/hex.70531

Int J Cosmet Sci. 2025 Dec 19. doi: 10.1111/ics.70047. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The physicochemical stability of cosmetic emulsions is crucial for successful commercialization and consumer satisfaction. This study presents an innovative protocol that combines rheology, turbidimetry and granulometry to predict emulsion stability more efficiently.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Industrial emulsions, including some commercial products, were selected to compare stable and unstable samples with minimal formulation differences. Granulometry, turbidimetry and rheology assessments were used to evaluate physical and structural properties. The collected data were subjected to advanced statistical analysis using experimental design methods.

RESULTS: Granulometry, turbidimetry and rheology each effectively distinguished stable from unstable emulsions. Stable emulsions maintained a constant median particle size, while unstable samples exhibited significant increases. Viscosity changes were observed only in unstable emulsions. Turbidimetry showed a Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI) >3 for unstable emulsions and <3 for stable ones. Notably, this combined protocol identified instability as early as 8 days-much faster than standard ISO methods, which require up to 30 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Integrating granulometry, turbidimetry and rheology with advanced data analysis enables a rapid, reliable and sensitive prediction of cosmetic emulsion stability. This approach overcomes the limitations of traditional testing by allowing earlier detection of instability, improving formulation development, quality control and time-to-market. Future work will assess the protocol’s applicability to a wider range of emulsion types.

PMID:41416386 | DOI:10.1111/ics.70047

J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2025 Dec 19. doi: 10.1111/jdv.70247. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis affects at least 60 million people worldwide, and 80% also live with overweight or obesity. Excess weight increases susceptibility to psoriasis and is associated with more severe disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of weight-loss interventions on psoriasis severity (Psoriasis Area and Severity Index [PASI], PASI50, PASI75, PASI100 [50%/75%/100% reduction in baseline PASI, respectively]) and quality of life (Dermatology Life Quality Index [DLQI]).

METHODS: We systematically searched five databases and two trial registries (inception to 03/09/2025). Outcomes were informed by patient focus-group discussions. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adults with psoriasis, comparing any weight-loss intervention versus usual care or a lower-intensity weight-loss intervention, were included. Studies had to report a change in weight and ≥1 psoriasis severity or quality-of-life measure. Random effects meta-analyses were used.

RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs (1145 participants) with 14 comparisons were included. Eleven interventions advised dietary changes, of which four included physical activity. Three used weight-loss medications. Across 14 comparisons (n = 1145, mean difference (MD) in weight change: -6.7 kg), weight-loss interventions produced a greater reduction in PASI versus control: MD -2.5 (95%CI: -3.8 to -1.1, I² = 85.2%). We found a significant effect of weight-loss interventions on the likelihood of achieving PASI75 (RR = 1.6, 95%CI: 1.1-2.2, I² = 22.6% [based on six comparisons, n = 681, MD in weight change: -7.3 kg]). There was no statistically significant effect of the interventions on the likelihood of achieving PASI50 (RR = 1.5, 95%CI: 0.9-2.4, I² = 72.8% [based on four comparisons, n = 509, MD in weight change: -4.0 kg]) or PASI100 (RR = 1.6, 95%CI: 0.3-9.7, I² = 0.0% [based on two comparisons, n = 334, MD in weight change: -5.2 kg]), but both analyses were limited by few studies. Across seven comparisons (n = 364; MD in weight change -7.8 kg), weight-loss interventions were associated with a significant improvement in DLQI compared to control: MD -5.0 (95%CI: -9.7 to -0.3, I² = 96.0%).

CONCLUSION: High-certainty evidence suggests weight-loss interventions can improve psoriasis severity and quality of life, and should be considered as part of routine treatment.

PMID:41416383 | DOI:10.1111/jdv.70247

Stroke. 2025 Dec 19. doi: 10.1161/STROKEAHA.125.053004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent research has shown that neuroinflammation progresses rapidly within a few hours after stroke; however, the relationship between its progression and clinical outcomes remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of neuroinflammation, measured by serum GFAP (glial fibrillary acidic protein), on patient outcomes, as well as the influence of baseline peripheral inflammation on the progression of neuroinflammation.

METHODS: This prospective cohort study enrolled patients with acute ischemic stroke who received intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) between September 2016 and April 2023 across 16 centers in China. Serum GFAP levels were measured before (baseline, within 4.5 hours of onset) and at 24 hours after IVT. GFAP changes were determined by subtracting baseline levels from those measured 24 hours post-IVT. Outcome measures included final infarct volume during hospitalization, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores at 24 hours and 7 days post-IVT, early neurological deterioration within 24 hours, delayed neurological deterioration within 7 days, and 3-month modified Rankin Scale scores. A modified Rankin Scale score of ≥2 was classified as an unfavorable outcome. Peripheral inflammation indicators were measured at baseline. Binary logistic and linear regressions were used as the main statistical methods.

RESULTS: Overall, 743 patients were included. A significant increase in GFAP levels was observed, indicating progression of neuroinflammation. Regression analyses revealed that increased GFAP after IVT was independently associated with larger infarct volume (β, 30.965 [95% CI, 19.185-42.745]; P<0.001), higher 24-hour and 7-day National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores (24-hour: β, 2.632 [95% CI, 1.644-3.620]; P<0.001; 7-day: β, 3.298 [95% CI, 2.179-4.417]; P<0.001), and unfavorable outcomes (odds ratio, 3.631, [95% CI, 2.159-6.106]; P<0.001). Furthermore, baseline peripheral inflammation, assessed using peripheral inflammation indicators, was significantly associated with elevated GFAP levels.

CONCLUSIONS: The increase in GFAP levels over the first 24 hours after IVT is independently associated with clinical outcomes, with higher baseline peripheral inflammation correlating with greater GFAP elevation during that period.

PMID:41416382 | DOI:10.1161/STROKEAHA.125.053004

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 2026 Jan;114(1):e70011. doi: 10.1002/jbmb.70011.

ABSTRACT

Upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted much attention in nanomedicine due to their ability to upconvert photons. However, their adverse effects hinder the biomedical applications. In this paper, bisphosphonate-modified poly(isobutylene-alt-maleic acid)-graft-poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide)-coated NaYF₄:Yb,Er,Pr UCNPs (UCNP@PIMAPDMA) nanoparticles were designed, which exhibited luminescence emission simultaneously in the visible and NIR-II regions. The developed UCNPs were characterized by a range of physicochemical methods, including transmission electron and energy dispersive microscopy (TEM and EDAX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), spectrofluorometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and so forth. The UCNP@PIMAPDMA nanoparticles were also evaluated in cell cultures and experimental animals. The particles showed good biocompatibility with cultured human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells commonly used in toxicological studies. Neat UCNPs were cytotoxic towards these cells, which was confirmed by measuring their viability using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. Blood serum proteins adhered to the surface of UCNP@PIMAPDMA particles, forming a protein corona that may contribute to particle biosafety. After intravenous injection of these particles into laboratory mice, there were no statistically significant changes in body mass of the treated animals. Also, no big adverse effects on blood cell profile, enzymatic and metabolic markers of hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were observed. Finally, the application potential of UCNP@PIMAPDMA nanoparticles was confirmed by successfully imaging the cytoplasm of rat mesenchymal stem cells and rat C6 glioblastoma cells using laser scanning confocal microscopy.

PMID:41416380 | DOI:10.1002/jbmb.70011

J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2026;43:3. doi: 10.12701/jyms.2026.43.3. Epub 2025 Dec 18.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Japan and South Korea, two advanced East Asian nations with universal health coverage and similar demographic challenges, have developed markedly different emergency medical services (EMS) systems. Despite growing interest in international benchmarking, structured, comparative studies that yield policy-relevant insights remain limited.

METHODS: We conducted a multisource comparative health-systems analysis using statutory laws, government publications, academic society reports, peer-reviewed literature, and national statistics. Key domains included EMS governance, workforce, prehospital organization, hospital-based emergency care, legal obligations for EMS patient transport and hospital acceptance, and governance and quality assurance mechanisms. Data were synthesized in comparative tables and narrative summaries to highlight structural and operational differences.

RESULTS: Japan’s EMS operates under decentralized municipal control through 722 fire departments, serving 4,100 designated emergency institutions with 6,139 board-certified emergency physicians. In 2023, over 6.64 million ambulance dispatches occurred, and 8.6% were classified as critical cases (1.3% death and 7.3% severe). Korea’s EMS is centrally governed with 412 designated facilities in a tiered system and 2,464 specialists. Annual ambulance activations exceeded 3.5 million, with severe cases accounting for approximately 5% to 10%. Japan employs dual statutory frameworks (Fire Service Act and Medical Practitioners Act), allowing clinical discretion, whereas Korea enforces unified regulations with stricter obligations and criminal penalties for hospital refusal of emergency patients.

CONCLUSION: The contrasting systems suggest that hybrid governance that combines centralized standard settings with local operational flexibility may optimize EMS performance. These findings provide lessons for EMS reform, cross-border collaboration, and disaster preparedness in high-income nations facing similar demographic and healthcare challenges.

PMID:41416366 | DOI:10.12701/jyms.2026.43.3