Tag: statistics

PLoS One. 2025 May 23;20(5):e0323733. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323733. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The high burden of preventable disease among men in many countries has highlighted the urgency of promoting stronger engagement by men in health services and programs. In order to inform prevention and early intervention strategies in Australia, this study aimed to examine how age and other socio-demographic factors moderate help-seeking preferences among men in this population, and the major psychosocial and practical barriers to healthcare use for men across the life course.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey using a nationally representative sample.

SETTING: Online survey in March 2021.

PARTICIPANTS: English-speaking Australian men aged 18-years and older, recruited using a probabilistic sampling method. Of the 1,409 men invited to participate, 1,282 (91%) completed the survey.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Preferences for help-seeking related to physical and mental health, and psychosocial and practical barriers to help-seeking.

RESULTS: Compared to men aged 70 years and over, younger men were less likely to choose professional sources of help, with those aged 18-29 years showing the lowest odds when needing assistance for physical (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.17-0.49) and mental health (OR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.16-0.46). Men in this youngest age group also reported experiencing more practical barriers to healthcare access with 77 out of 241 (32%) men experiencing three or more barriers to healthcare engagement, compared to 16 out of 172 (9.3%) men over 70 years. Multivariable analysis showed that younger age was associated with higher psychosocial barriers to help-seeking.

CONCLUSIONS: Age is a significant factor in men’s health help-seeking preferences in Australia and these findings highlight the unique help-seeking profile of younger men. Younger Australian men are less likely to seek help proactively, and encounter more practical and psychosocial barriers than older men. The findings underscore the necessity for public health strategies to engage younger men effectively in proactive health management.

PMID:40408621 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0323733

PLoS One. 2025 May 23;20(5):e0323708. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323708. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), presents a significant global public health threat. Concurrently, hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a significant public health challenge. While previous studies have indicated an association between COVID-19 and chronic hepatitis B, the common underlying pathogenesis of these diseases remains incompletely understood.

METHODS: To investigate the shared molecular mechanisms between chronic HBV infection and COVID-19, a comprehensive investigation was conducted using bioinformatics and systems biology. Specifically, we utilized RNA-seq datasets (GSE196822 and GSE83148) to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with both SARS-CoV-2 and HBV infection. Subsequently, these common DEGs were utilized to identify shared pathways, hub genes, transcriptional regulatory networks, and potential drugs. The differential expression of hub genes in both COVID-19 and HBV was verified using the GSE171110 and GSE94660 datasets, respectively.

RESULTS: From the 106 shared DEGs identified, immune-related pathways were found to play a role in the development and progression of chronic hepatitis B and COVID-19. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed 8 hub genes: CDK1, E2F7, E2F8, TYMS, KIF20A, CENPE, TPX2, HMMR, CD8A, GZMA. In the validation set, the expression of hub genes was statistically significant in both the COVID-19 group and the HBV group compared with the healthy control group. Transcriptional regulatory network analysis identified 155 microRNAs (miRNAs) and 43 transcription factors (TFs) as potential regulatory signals. Notably, we identified potential therapeutic drugs for HBV chronic infection and COVID-19, including progesterone, estradiol, dasatinib, aspirin, etoposide, irinotecan hydrochloride, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, lucanthone, calcitriol.

CONCLUSION: This research elucidates potential molecular targets, signaling pathways, and promising small molecule compounds that could aid in the treatment of chronic HBV infection and COVID-19.

PMID:40408617 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0323708

JCO Clin Cancer Inform. 2025 May;9:e2500046. doi: 10.1200/CCI-25-00046. Epub 2025 May 23.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Many trials ask patients to complete patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) via the web, excluding patients unable to use/access the Internet. The PRO-TECT trial (AFT-39, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03249090) also offered a telephone interface option (interactive voice response [IVR]). We compared patients choosing IVR versus web on alert rates to nurses and clinical outcomes to determine if a telephone option can close disparities in symptom management.

METHODS: PRO-TECT randomized 26 community oncology practices to the PROM intervention arm where concerning symptoms generated automated alerts to nurses. IVR and web patients were compared for social determinants of health (SDOH) using analysis of variance and chi-square tests. After accounting for clustering and confounders, we used generalized estimating equations to compare alert rates, mixed models for quality of life (QOL) at 3 months, and Cox regression for emergency visits and survival at 12 months.

RESULTS: Among 593 patients, 215 (36%) chose IVR and 378 (64%) chose web. IVR patients were older (65.2 v 60.8 years) and were more often rural residents (32% v 23%), Black (27% v 11%), and with less education (54% v 27% ≤high school; all P < .01). Patients choosing IVR had more surveys with concerning symptoms (49% v 37%) and nurses felt clinical attention was warranted more often (4.8 surveys v 3.4 surveys; all P < .001) but ultimately experienced similar benefits as web in QOL, emergency visits, and survival.

CONCLUSION: One third of community patients choose a telephone option over the web for reporting PROMs during cancer care. These patients are disproportionately from SDOH backgrounds at risk of poor clinical outcomes and have higher symptom management needs but ultimately experience similar clinical benefits as patients choosing the web. PROM programs should offer web alternatives to close disparities in symptom management.

PMID:40408610 | DOI:10.1200/CCI-25-00046

PLoS One. 2025 May 23;20(5):e0323736. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323736. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for widespread vaccination to achieve herd immunity and mitigate severe outcomes. To address vaccine supply constraints, heterologous prime-boost strategies were adopted in Korea and other countries. Although studies have explored the effectiveness of heterologous prime-boost SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, comprehensive research on its adverse events (AEs), particularly severe serious AEs (SAEs), remains lacking. As an observational study, this study aims to compare severe SAEs across vaccination strategies and examine factors, including heterologous vaccination, associated with 42-day mortality among patients with severe SAEs, without implying causality. Our retrospective cohort study involved 358 cases of severe SAEs following prime-boost SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea, from February 26, 2021, to March 15, 2022. In patients with severe SAEs, the heterologous vaccination was associated with a higher risk of mortality than the homologous viral vector vaccination. Vaccinations performed at vaccination centers were associated with a lower risk of mortality. Furthermore, among patients with severe SAEs, the heterologous group exhibited a higher rate of respiratory diseases and genitourinary diseases compared to the homologous viral vector group. Moreover, the rate of deaths from genitourinary diseases among patients with severe SAEs was significantly higher in the heterologous group compared to the homologous viral vector group. We believe that our study, while limited to associations and not establishing causality, provides critical insights that could inform decision-making in scenarios where heterologous vaccination is necessitated by vaccine shortages or other constraints, particularly in managing severe SAEs and improving patient outcomes.

PMID:40408606 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0323736

Neurol India. 2025 May 1;73(3):488-494. doi: 10.4103/neuroindia.NI_1615_20. Epub 2025 May 23.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neuroinflammation is a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of Cytokine 6 (Cyto-6), Cytokine 10 (Cyto-10), and alpha-tumor necrosis factor (α-TNF) in Alzheimer’s disease patients and observe the effects of donepezil plus vitamin B12 (VB12) treatment on these cytokines.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: Seventy-one AD cases and 70 controls with age more than 60 years. Cyto-6, Cyto-10, and α-TNF were measured using the Chemiluminescence Immulite 1000 system, Siemens. Alzheimer’s disease subjects were treated with donepezil (5 mg/day) plus VB12 (1.5 mg/day) supplement for 6 months, and serum cytokine levels were reinvestigated. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software.

RESULT: Cyto-6, Cyto-10, and α-TNF values were raised in Alzheimer’s disease as compared to controls (P < 0.001) [AD (Cyto-6: 10.27 ± 2.76 pg/ml; Cyto-10: 6.2 ± 1.48 pg/ml; α-TNF: 26.49 ± 6.85 pg/ml) and Control (Cyto-6: 3.29 ± 0.77 pg/ml; Cyto-10: 8.213 ± 0.787 pg/ml; α-TNF: 5.18 ± 1.65 pg/ml)]. After 6 months, a significant decrease (P < 0.01) was observed in Cyto-6 (7.95 ± 2.21 pg/ml), Cyto-10 (4.77 ± 1.12 pg/ml), and α-TNF (22.67 ± 7.00 pg/ml) levels in AD.

CONCLUSION: We conclude that serum Cyto-6, Cyto-10, and α-TNF play an inflammatory role in Alzheimer’s disease progression. Combined therapy of donepezil and VB12 supplement showed a beneficial effect in reducing inflammation. This study might benefit further research along with molecular follow-up studies for development of novel therapeutic strategies in Alzheimer’s disease.

PMID:40408576 | DOI:10.4103/neuroindia.NI_1615_20

Neurol India. 2025 May 1;73(3):429-445. doi: 10.4103/neurol-india.Neurol-India-D-24-00727. Epub 2025 May 23.

ABSTRACT

This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to gather credible sources of comprehensive information on the efficacy and radiation dose (maximum and minimum) to the hippocampus and contouring area to prevent cognitive dysfunction by hippocampal avoidance whole brain radiation therapy (HA-WBRT). This comprehensive review was conducted in compliance with PRISMA guidelines. The systematic literature search was performed across four databases including pubmed®, Scopus®, Cochrane Library®, and clinicaltrial.gov.in from inception until December 31, 2023. A total of nine eligible studies were selected encompassing a total of 680 patients with brain metastases who underwent radiation therapy. Notably, radiation exposure to the hippocampal area (3 to 7 mm margin) was avoided during whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT). The maximum dose delivered to the hippocampus varied between 12.61 Gy and 17 Gy in different studies with minimum doses varying from 5.38 Gy to 10 Gy. HA-WBRT significantly preserves delayed recall compared to WBRT (p = <0.001, P = <0.001, <0.001 and P = 0.048), with an effect size (SMD: -0.57, 95% CI: -1.27, 0.12, P = 0.59, I2 = 0%) favoring HA-WBRT. However, the changes in psychomotor speed, visuospatial abilities, executive function, verbal fluency, and so on were not statistically significant between HA-WBRT and WBRT groups. This review underscores the significant positive impact of HA-WBRT in preventing radiation-induced neurocognitive dysfunction in brain metastatic patients, particularly in delayed recall. However, comprehensive cognitive preservation necessitates additional interventions alongside HA-WBRT.

PMID:40408570 | DOI:10.4103/neurol-india.Neurol-India-D-24-00727

Chaos. 2025 May 1;35(5):053156. doi: 10.1063/5.0263273.

ABSTRACT

Understanding coupling correlations in multivariate time series is crucial for analyzing the complex dynamics of real world systems, where interactions often vary across different time scales. In this paper, we propose two novel methods: temporal weighted coupling correlation detrended analysis and its multiscale extension and multiscale temporal weighted coupling correlation detrended analysis (MTWCCDA). These two methods improve the trend removal process by incorporating temporal weighting, leading to a more robust and accurate characterization of coupling correlation behavior. We evaluate the performance of the proposed methods using synthetic data from several perspectives: accuracy of scaling index estimation, robustness to trends, sensitivity to noise and various components, and the necessity of MTWCCDA for capturing coupling behavior across scales. Additionally, MTWCCDA is applied to study the coupling behaviors of six air pollutants in Hunan Province, China, at different time scales. A Q-statistic quantifies each pollutant’s contribution to the system’s multifractal coupling correlation across scales, while scaling indices are used for clustering 14 cities, revealing regional variations in coupling behavior. The results provide valuable insights into pollutant interdependencies, aiding in the development of targeted air quality management strategies. The proposed methods offer a robust framework for investigating dynamic coupling behaviors in complex, multiscale, and non-stationary multivariate time series.

PMID:40408565 | DOI:10.1063/5.0263273

PLoS One. 2025 May 23;20(5):e0323710. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323710. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Pain negatively impacts animal welfare and it is still neglected in ruminants. This original study aimed to develop and validate the Bovine Pain Scale (BPS) for acute pain assessment in hospitalized cattle undergoing surgery. This was a blinded, randomized, prospective clinical study. Thirty-six animals were included in the study. The Pain Group (n = 25) included patients admitted to a veterinary teaching hospital requiring any type of soft tissue or orthopedic surgery. Videos were recorded before, 2-6 hours after surgery, 1 hour after the administration of analgesia and 24 hours after surgery. The Control Group (n = 11) included healthy animals that were video recorded twice within a 24-48h interval. The BPS was developed using content validity. A total of 118 videos of 6 minutes were randomized and analyzed by four raters who were unaware of groups, time-points and procedures in two phases with a five-week interval. Statistical analysis was performed using R software. Intra and inter-rater reliability (intra-class correlation coefficient) was very good (0.83-0.94) and ranged from good to very good, respectively (0.65-0.81). The correlation between the BPS and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was strong (rho = 0.77, p < 0.0001) confirming criterion validity. Item-total correlation was acceptable for 3 of 9 items (0.33-0.43) and internal consistency was below the acceptable value (0.6). The scale was responsive to pain but not the administration of analgesia. It was specific for five items, but no items showed sensitivity. The area under the curve of 0.90 demonstrated high discriminatory capacity. According to the receiver operating characteristic curve, the cut-off point for rescue analgesia was ≥ 5 of 18. The BPS is reliable and reproducible, showed content and criterion validity, and may be used in veterinary hospitals for assessing post-operative pain in cattle to guide decision-making towards rescue analgesia. Future studies should refine the instrument to guarantee construct validity and sensitivity.

PMID:40408538 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0323710

PLoS One. 2025 May 23;20(5):e0324999. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324999. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to examine prescribing trends for Parkinson’s disease (PD) medications in the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2024, focusing on the impact of guidelines from the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the use of levodopa and dopamine agonists (DAs). A repeated cross-sectional design was employed, using publicly available data to assess prescribing patterns across the four UK countries. An interrupted time series analysis with linear regression was performed to identify trends, comparing regions with England as the reference point. Levodopa remained the most prescribed PD medication across all UK regions, as revealed by the analysis. In England, levodopa prescriptions increased significantly after the introduction of AAN guidelines, while other regions displayed more stable trends. Northern Ireland exhibited a distinct pattern, with DAs prescribed more frequently than levodopa. The findings also indicated that Scotland and Wales were less responsive to AAN guidance. This study highlights the influence of clinical guidelines on PD prescribing practices in the UK, with regional variations suggesting possible demographic or healthcare system factors. Further research is required to understand these disparities and their implications for PD management.

PMID:40408537 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0324999

PLoS One. 2025 May 23;20(5):e0320321. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320321. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

This retrospective observational study aims to evaluate the incidence, disease burden, and geographic distribution of bipolar disorder based on hospital records in Ecuador over an eleven-year span. Hospital discharge data, publicly available from 2011 to 2021, were analyzed to assess incidence, DALYs, and the spatial distribution of hospitalized cases during this period. Between 2010 and 2021, a total of 6,821 hospitalized cases of bipolar disorder were documented in Ecuador, comprising 2,423 males and 4,398 females. The incidence rate peaked in 2019, with the lowest rate reported in 2020. There was no linear association between time and incidence rates or number of cases, but a significant increase was observed from 2017 to 2019 (p < 0.0001). The incidence rate was significantly higher in females compared to males (p < 0.0001). The average annual incidence was 3.47 cases per 100,000 person-years. The mean age at diagnosis was 40.76 years, with females being diagnosed at a younger age than males (p = 0.01548). Bipolar disorder-related deaths totaled 27 (12 males, 15 females). The burden of disease, expressed in DALYs, ranged from 66.769 to 126.98 per 100,000 population, with the hospitals from the private sector contributing most to the average DALYs. YLDs represented over 99% of the total burden. This study highlights the significant gender differences and temporal trends in bipolar disorder incidence in Ecuador, emphasizing the need for targeted public health strategies.

PMID:40408536 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0320321