Tag: statistics

Circ Genom Precis Med. 2025 Nov 7:e005220. doi: 10.1161/CIRCGEN.124.005220. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Proteins linked to heritable coronary heart disease (CHD) could uncover new pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis. We report on the protein profile associated with a family history of early-onset CHD and whether the relation between proteins and coronary atherosclerotic burden differs according to family history status, as well as inferences from Mendelian randomization.

METHODS: Data on coronary atherosclerotic burden from computed tomography angiography and Olink proteomics were retrieved for 4521 subjects, free of known CHD, from the SCAPIS (Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study). Records of myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization therapies in any parent or sibling of subjects were retrieved from national registers. Linear associations between family history and proteins were adjusted for age, sex, and study site. Statistical interactions between proteins and family history for the association between proteins and the coronary atherosclerotic burden were also studied. Mendelian randomization for causal associations between proteins and CHD was performed with GWAS summary data from UKB-PPP (UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project), CARDIoGRAMplusC4D, and FinnGen.

RESULTS: Of 4251 subjects, family history of early-onset CHD was present in 9.5%. Thirty-eight proteins, with biological features of inflammation, lipid metabolism, and vascular function, were associated with family history using a false discovery rate of 0.05. The strongest associations were observed for follistatin and cathepsin D, neither of which was attenuated by adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Eighteen proteins were statistical interactors with family history in the association between each protein and the coronary atherosclerotic burden, most notably the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptor, transferrin receptor protein 1, and PECAM1 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1). In 2-sample Mendelian randomization, a novel association was found for follistatin and myocardial infarction, and previous associations for PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) and PECAM1 were repeated.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight new potential mechanisms for heritable and general atherosclerosis.

PMID:41200820 | DOI:10.1161/CIRCGEN.124.005220

Orthod Craniofac Res. 2025 Nov 7. doi: 10.1111/ocr.70054. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in skeletal Class III patients treated with the surgery-first approach using either orthodontic aligners or fixed appliances.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were treated using the Surgery-First Approach (SFA) combined with either clear aligner (CA) or conventional fixed appliances (FA). A total of 20 patients (male and female) were allocated to the CA group, while 14 were included in the FA group. OHRQoL was assessed using the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ), the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and the SF-36 at different time periods: (T0) pre-treatment, (T1) 1 week after orthodontic appliance installation, (T2) 4 weeks post-surgery and (T3) 6 months post-surgery. Data analysis was conducted using the Friedman and Mann-Whitney tests, with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in OHRQoL scores between the CA and FA groups at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. However, significant intra-group improvements were observed over time, particularly between the first and sixth months of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Both ortho-surgical approaches, using either clear aligners or fixed appliances, resulted in significant improvements in patient quality of life. These findings highlight the positive impact of orthognathic treatment on dentofacial correction and overall well-being, regardless of the appliance type.

TRAIL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05822271.

PMID:41200809 | DOI:10.1111/ocr.70054

Microbiologyopen. 2025 Dec;14(6):e70148. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.70148.

ABSTRACT

The specific members of the gut microbiota linked to phenylketonuria remain to be identified. This study aimed to assess the association between gut microbiota on phenylalanine (Phe) levels using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. Summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) related to individual gut microbiota were obtained from the MiBioGen Global Consortium database. The data set of Phe levels was derived from GWAS summary datasets. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) served as the primary method to infer the causal relationship between gut microbiota and Phe levels. Additional pleiotropy and heterogeneity tests were conducted to evaluate the reliability of the findings. The Family XIII AD3011 group had a protective effect on Phe levels (OR = 0.962, 95% CI: 0.942-0.982, p < 0.001), and these associations remained significant after FDR correction (adjusted p-value = 0.027). There was no evidence of notable heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy among the instrumental variables. Our data indicate that Family XIII AD3011 group is associated with reduced Phe levels, highlighting a potential link between gut microbiota and Phe levels. Although MR analysis supports a causal relationship, it may not precisely estimate the effect size, necessitating further studies to validate these findings and quantify the association.

PMID:41200774 | DOI:10.1002/mbo3.70148

J Hum Nutr Diet. 2025 Dec;38(6):e70153. doi: 10.1111/jhn.70153.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Weight control is a cornerstone of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) management. The low-calorie diet program continuous low energy diets (CLED) is currently offered to patients for remission in the United Kingdom, but this may not suit all patients. Intermittent Low Energy Diets (ILED) may be an alternative approach. This survey explored patient characteristics and dietary choice priorities to predict preference for CLED, ILED, and other diets to inform future patient-centered advice.

METHODS: 622 participants (> 18 years) with a diagnosis of T2D recruited via a patient volunteer database, social media and the Prolific research register completed an online survey. Demographics, health characteristics, T2D treatment factors and dietary choice priorities were analyzed to predict preference between CLED and ILED. In addition, we explored qualitative reasons why participants were choosing between these two diets as well as other calorie-restricted diets.

RESULTS: CLED preference was significantly higher among all the < 65 age groups (than those aged > 74), and those who prioritized reduced medicine dependency (1.75 times more likely) and prioritizing speed of weight loss (2.59 times more likely) over improving blood sugar. ILED preference was associated with prioritizing flexibility of food choice (2.73 times more likely) and prioritizing diets which fit in with family meals and social events (2.5 times as likely) over professional support. Content analysis showed that CLED and ILED diets weren’t the most popular dietary choice, with more patients expressing preferences for a daily food based moderate calorie-restricted diet and low carbohydrate diets. Simplicity to follow was a common theme across all diets, demonstrating the importance of ensuring that any prescribed diet has clear and easy instructions.

CONCLUSION: Patients’ dietary preferences are influenced by a range of factors including the outcome and the extent to which the diet will fit into their lifestyles. Understanding patient perspectives about desired dietary outcomes and how they envisage the diet fitting into their lives will enable professionals to provide helpful patient-centered advice which may increase the likelihood of adherence.

PMID:41200771 | DOI:10.1111/jhn.70153

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2025 Nov 7. doi: 10.1021/acsami.5c16152. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Stable electromechanical responses are the foundation for achieving reliable health monitoring. Long-term stability, in wearable or implantable medical devices, is a key to addressing challenges such as mechanical deformation and body fluid erosion during continuous physiological activities, which seriously restricts the transformation of flexible wearable devices from laboratory prototypes to commercial products. This paper reports on a hierarchical AgNWs-P3HT/PDMS-based flexible strain sensor, having an advantage of performance characterized by constant hysteresis. Employing 80-day experimental assays, it is confirmed that the herein fabricated flexible strain sensor is long-term stable at room temperature in the laboratory environment; there is no statistical difference existing in its sensitivity described by gauge factor (GF) during the testing duration. GF-sensitivity can be improved through reducing the thickness of the composite electrode, such that it can exhibit a very high GF-sensitivity (151.1) with a thinner thickness of 0.2 mm. And it features a wide strain response range (0.1-40%) that covers the physiological deformation levels. Besides, it has good shape-plasticity that can be processed and formed according to the topological structure of the host organ, such as integrating into a contact lens with a circle configuration. Employing human corneal epithelial cells, additionally, it is evidenced that the sensor has excellent biocompatibility through the cytotoxicity assay. Furthermore, it is also confirmed that the sensor can generally realize physiological pressure monitoring and diverse movement action detecting.

PMID:41200740 | DOI:10.1021/acsami.5c16152

Front Clin Diabetes Healthc. 2025 Oct 22;6:1665240. doi: 10.3389/fcdhc.2025.1665240. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1D) has led to the development of advanced technologies such as Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs) and insulin infusion pumps. These devices rely on adhesives to attached to the skin, which can trigger Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) in some individuals. Despite their growing use, data on ACD prevalence among children/adolescents with T1D using adhesive-based medical devices in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region remains limited. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ACD in children/adolescents with T1D using CGMs in the UAE, and evaluate the association between device use and ACD. It also explored trends in immune-related comorbidities that could impact glycemic control.

METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in collaboration with Dubai Diabetes Center (DDC). Medical records of 232 children/adolescents with T1D, receiving care at DDC between January 2020 and January 2023, were analyzed. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate proportions, and ACD prevalence was determined with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) using Poisson distribution. Fisher’s exact test was applied to explore associations between categorical variables.

RESULTS: Among 232 study individuals, 87% (202 out of 232 individuals) used smart medical devices for glucose monitoring. Of these, 16 had a documented history of ACD, indicating a prevalence rate of 7.92% (95% CI: 4.6, 12.54). No statistically significant association was found between smart devices use and ACD development (p-value = 0.581). ACD prevalence was higher among females using adhesives (9.37%) compared to their male counterparts (6.6%).

CONCLUSION: This study aligns with United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 4 by highlighting ACD prevalence among children/adolescents with T1D using CGMs in the UAE. It underscores the need for biomedical manufacturers to disclose adhesive chemical compositions to facilitate the development of safer alternatives. Additionally, healthcare professionals should be educated on dermatological risks associated with adhesive-based devices, enabling them to provide more comprehensive care and improve individual outcomes.

PMID:41200730 | PMC:PMC12586021 | DOI:10.3389/fcdhc.2025.1665240

Vet Med Int. 2025 Oct 29;2025:3419266. doi: 10.1155/vmi/3419266. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Avian influenza (AI) is a severe respiratory disease affecting wild and domestic birds globally. There is currently no approved vaccine for AI control in Nigeria. Therefore, biosecurity measures remain the primary preventive strategy. However, there is limited information on the AI carrier status of captive wild birds and the implementation of biosecurity programs (BPs) in zoological gardens across the country. This study aimed to screen captive wild birds for AI and evaluate the BPs in selected zoological gardens in southwestern Nigeria. Using a cross-sectional approach, cloacal swabs and freshly deposited faecal samples (n = 149) were collected from captive wild birds in seven zoological gardens in southwestern Nigeria following an AI outbreak in 2022. The samples were screened for AI viruses using RT-qPCR, and BPs in 13 consenting zoological gardens were assessed using a structured questionnaire. The responses were scored, and the BPs were categorised as ‘Poor’, ‘Fair’, or ‘Good’. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyse the data. All samples tested negative for AI viruses. Documented institutional biosecurity and disease outbreak contingency plans were available in 84.6% of the zoos. Most of the zoos demonstrated good BPs across key categories, including vehicle and animal movement control (100%), food and water supply management (92.3%), enclosure hygiene, ground maintenance and waste disposal (84.6%), pest control (76.9%), and quarantine and sick animal management (69.2%). These findings suggest that the captive wild birds in zoological gardens in southwestern Nigeria are unlikely to serve as AI reservoirs, and most of the zoos have robust BPs that contribute to preventing AI and other avian diseases.

PMID:41200728 | PMC:PMC12588762 | DOI:10.1155/vmi/3419266

SA J Radiol. 2025 Oct 16;29(1):3247. doi: 10.4102/sajr.v29i1.3247. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is considered an aggressive subtype, defined by the absence of oestrogen, progesterone and HER2 receptors. It typically presents earlier and more aggressively. Limited data exist on its prevalence, age of onset and imaging features in South Africa.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of TNBC at Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital (HJTH), describe its histopathological features and explore trends in age at diagnosis and imaging patterns-including early-onset disease.

METHOD: A retrospective review of 280 female patients with histologically confirmed breast cancer, diagnosed between January 2021 and December 2023, was conducted. Demographic, imaging and histopathology data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

RESULTS: The diagnosis of TNBC accounted for 17% (48/280) of all breast cancer cases in the cohort. The TNBC lesions typically measured 1-5 cm and showed nodal involvement in 73% of cases. Despite their aggressive biology, many TNBC lesions appeared circumscribed or only mildly irregular on imaging, mimicking benign masses. Among all the 280 breast cancer cases, 61% were high-grade. The mean Ki-67 index for TNBC was the highest at 52%, followed by HER2+ (39%), Luminal B (33%) and Luminal A (21%). Notably, some HER2+ and TNBC cases exhibited lower Ki-67 indices, highlighting heterogeneity within these subtypes.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the complexity of breast cancer presentation in a South African setting, particularly the discordance between tumour biology and imaging.

CONTRIBUTION: These findings contribute local data on TNBC in an urban public healthcare context, supporting improved imaging awareness and clinical vigilance in resource-limited settings.

PMID:41200720 | PMC:PMC12587192 | DOI:10.4102/sajr.v29i1.3247

Can J Respir Ther. 2025 Nov 3;61:262-271. doi: 10.29390/001c.146372. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by respiratory muscle weakness, hyperinflation, and systemic inflammation, leading to impaired pulmonary function and quality of life. Respiratory muscle training (RMT) may strengthen the inspiratory and expiratory muscles, improve pulmonary function, reduce dyspnea, and enhance functional outcomes. This study assessed the impact of concurrent RMT on respiratory muscle strength, spirometry, dyspnea, and quality of life in patients with COPD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a single-cohort pre/post-intervention study initially recruiting 43 patients with COPD to participate in an 8-week RMT program using a threshold pressure device. Both inspiratory and expiratory training were performed using a PowerLung device with adjustable resistance. Training consisted of three sets of ten breaths twice daily for each mode, and participants were instructed to increase resistance incrementally when the load became easy. Assessments included spirometry, maximum inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximum expiratory pressure (MEP), COPD Assessment Test (CAT), Medical Research Council (MRC) Breathlessness Scale, and Airways Questionnaire 20 (AQ20). Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention and analyzed using paired t-tests and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, stratified by GOLD category.

RESULTS: Twenty-seven participants completed the study. Statistically significant improvements were observed in MIP (mean increase 14.1 cm H₂O, p < .001), MEP (mean increase 20.1 cm H₂O, p < .001), CAT (mean decrease 2.92, p = .020), and AQ20 (mean decrease 1.67, p = .005). FEV₁ improved modestly but did not reach statistical significance (mean increase 0.0367 L, p = .064). The GOLD distribution included eight participants in GOLD 2, 12 in GOLD 3, and seven in GOLD 4. Improvements in MIP and MEP were statistically significant within all GOLD categories. A clinically meaningful increase in FEV₁ (≥ 60 mL) was observed in participants in GOLD 3 and 4 stages, though not statistically significant. Correlations between muscle strength improvements and symptom scores were moderate to strong.

DISCUSSION: Concurrent RMT improves respiratory muscle strength and quality of life in patients with COPD, with the greatest benefits observed in advanced disease stages. Enhanced respiratory muscle efficiency may reduce dyspnea and promote exercise tolerance.

CONCLUSION: RMT is a promising intervention for COPD management that offers improved respiratory muscle strength and quality of life. Future studies should explore the long-term effects and optimize protocols for broader implementation.

PMID:41200708 | PMC:PMC12588354 | DOI:10.29390/001c.146372

J Caring Sci. 2025 Aug 15;14(3):182-190. doi: 10.34172/jcs.025.33367. eCollection 2025 Sep.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Family caregivers play a key role in supporting homebound older adults. This study explored the community context, developed, and evaluated a training program for family caregivers of homebound older adults in Selaphum District, Roi Et province, Thailand.

METHODS: We used a mixed method approach with three phases. In phase I, we conducted semi-structured interviews with eight family caregivers. In phase II, we developed a training program based on the interview findings. In phase III, we implemented and evaluated the program using a pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group design with 57 participants in each group. We collected data through in-depth interviews, and questionnaires on knowledge, attitude, and practice. We analyzed quantitative data using descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data using content analysis.

RESULTS: Two themes were explored in Phase I: Low quality of care, and Caregivers burden. A program involves six activities: 1) providing family caregivers’ knowledge, 2) demonstrating and practicing caregiving, 3) providing homebound older adults’ hygiene care 4) promoting leisure and recreation activities to homebound older adults 5) modifying the safe environment and 6) creating a sense of self-worth and self-efficacy among the family caregivers. The quantitative results showed that the experimental group had significantly higher mean score in knowledge, attitude, and practice compared to the control group.

CONCLUSION: This study enhanced knowledge, attitude, and practice among family caregivers for caring homebound older adults, resulting in better caregiving outcomes and improved quality of life for both caregivers and care recipients.

PMID:41200707 | PMC:PMC12586893 | DOI:10.34172/jcs.025.33367