Tag: statistics

J Food Sci. 2025 Jun;90(6):e70348. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.70348.

ABSTRACT

Fruit drying in the modern food industry requires easily operable, energy-saving, inexpensive, and efficient drying technologies. Furthermore, these technologies are critical for snacks that meet the various dietary sensitivities and requirements of consumers and provide a benefit to overall well-being. In this context, the aim was addressed to produce snacks of apple infused with probiotic microorganism Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. Fresh osmotically dehydrated apple cubes with ultrasound were dried by convectional and microwave-convectional technologies in line with an experimental plan with varying power and temperature levels. The impacts of the treatments on the color and texture quality attributes of the dried apple cubes and the survival of probiotic bacteria were investigated. The Pearson and principal correlation analysis between color and texture parameters showed that hardness (HA) and color changes were proportional to each other. Alongside the microwave-assisted hot air drying, notable alterations were detected particularly in the products’ gumminess, chewiness, HA properties, and redness and yellowness values. In regard to statistical analysis of six mathematical equations used to model the kinetic data, the Midilli and others model offered the best fit for the drying operations. Feed-forward neural network approach was employed to describe the association between drying process inputs and outputs, and it consistently showed its predictive capacity with a high R² value of 0.96008. For the commercial production of the highest probiotic-grade dried apple cubes with quality characteristics, 90 W microwave energy at 50°C may serve as a successful drying operation.

PMID:40556050 | DOI:10.1111/1750-3841.70348

Environ Technol. 2025 Jun 24:1-22. doi: 10.1080/09593330.2025.2519960. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The support media of upflow anaerobic hybrid reactors (UAHB) facilitates the formation and retention of microbial biofilm and the contact between the influent and microorganisms. Previous studies demonstrated the importance of support media height (SMH) to organic matter removal; however, the influence of this parameter in the UAHB reactor performance under varying conditions is still a gap. The Central Composite Design (CCD) method was applied to optimize the removal of organic matter by varying the cross-sectional area and height of the reactor based on 42 studies. The modelling indicated 72-87% COD removal efficiencies with 0.007 m² cross-sectional area and 0.75 m height, with 5.5 L total volume. Thus, three pilot-scale UAHB reactors, filled with Corrugated Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) rings at different heights (6, 15, and 24 cm), were operated with a hydraulic retention time of 10 h, treating synthetic effluent with a COD of 490 mgO₂ L^-1. Unlike previous studies, this study evaluated identical UAHBs operating in parallel under controlled conditions. The UAHB reactors presented stability, buffering capacity, and neutral pH during the operation. The reactor with higher SMH (24 cm) achieved higher removal efficiencies of turbidity (90%), COD (72.6%), and TS (63%). Variations in SMH affected reactor performance, as corroborated by the negative and ‘very strong’ correlation for turbidity, COD, and TS and a ‘moderate’ correlation for fixed and volatile solids. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive assessment of how varying SMH affects UAHB reactor performance, guiding future advancements in its design for efficient wastewater treatment.

PMID:40556044 | DOI:10.1080/09593330.2025.2519960

Ren Fail. 2025 Dec;47(1):2522969. doi: 10.1080/0886022X.2025.2522969. Epub 2025 Jun 24.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Improving the adherence to phosphate management is crucial for reducing the incidence of mortality and complications and improving quality of life for patients undergoing hemodialysis. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to the phosphate control behavior and explore how the Health Belief Model constructs mediating the influence of phosphate-related knowledge on behavior in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS: It was a multicenter cross-sectional study; 333 patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis were recruited from 3 hemodialysis units of Peking University Third Hospital. Questionnaires were used to examine the phosphate management-related knowledge, health belief and behavior. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to identify independent factors associated with phosphate control behavior. Parallel mediation model was used to test perceived threat, benefit, barrier, self-efficacy as potential mediators between phosphate knowledge and behavior.

RESULTS: The adherence of phosphate restriction diet got the lowest score (3.56 ± 0.88). Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that health belief explained 17.0% of the variance in phosphate control behavior. Parallel mediation analysis showed that the direct effect of knowledge on behavior was statistically significant (β = 0.19, SE= 0.05). Perceived threat (β = 0.07, p < 0.001) and self-efficacy (β = 0.08, p < 0.001) acted as independent mediators in the relationship between knowledge and behavior. Perceived barrier which did not influenced by knowledge had independent effects on behavior.

CONCLUSION: Perceived threat and self-efficacy mediated the effect of knowledge on phosphate control behavior, while perceived barrier influenced the behavior independently. HBM might be effective at developing phosphate control behavior change interventions.

PMID:40556041 | DOI:10.1080/0886022X.2025.2522969

Eur Psychiatry. 2025 Jun 25;68(1):e82. doi: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.10050.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Psychotic disorders are frequently preceded by depressive disorders, and it has been hypothesized that treatment of depression in youth may reduce risk for later psychosis. Using quasi-experimental methods, we estimated the causal relationship between the treatment of adolescent depression with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and the risk of later psychosis.

METHODS: We used data linkage from multiple national Finnish registries for all individuals (n = 697,289) born between 1987 and 1997 to identify depression diagnosed before age 18, cumulative SSRI treatment within three years of diagnosis, and diagnoses of non-affective psychotic disorders by end of follow-up (age 20-29). We used instrumental variable analyses, exploiting variability in prescribing across hospital districts to estimate causal effects. Analyses were conducted using two-stage least squares modelling. Sensitivity analyses examined effects stratified by confounders and effects of specific SSRIs.

RESULTS: Our final sample included 22,666 individuals diagnosed with depression in adolescence, of whom 60.2% (n = 13,650) had used SSRIs. 10.7% of adolescents with depression went on to be diagnosed with a non-affective psychotic disorder. SSRI treatment for adolescent depression was not associated with a reduced risk of developing a psychotic disorder (one-year β = 0.04,CI:-0.01 to 0.09; two-years β = 0.02,CI:-0.06 to 0.09; three-years β = -0.02,CI:-0.08 to 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our quasi-experimental investigation does not support the hypothesis that treatment of adolescent depression reduces the subsequent risk of psychosis. Our findings question the assumption that treatment of common mental health disorders in youth may impact the risk of developing severe mental illnesses in adulthood.

PMID:40556014 | DOI:10.1192/j.eurpsy.2025.10050

Confl Health. 2025 Jun 24;19(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s13031-025-00679-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The war in the Gaza Strip has put immense strain on the infrastructure and health services. As a consequence, the population faces increased risks of morbidity and mortality, not only from violence but also from lack of access to healthcare. This study examines how the war affected Palestinians with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Strip.

METHODS: This cross-sectional survey employed a structured questionnaire to recruit 968 patients with six common NCDs from seven leading PHC clinics located in northern and southern Gaza between October and November 2024. The survey collected sociodemographic data, assessed direct war impacts on participants, evaluated accessibility to PHC and medications, and examined health impacts on participants during the war. Following descriptive statistics, inferential analysis investigated the relationships between participants’ perceptions of PHC and their areas of residence or displacement.

RESULTS: Hypertension (64.9%), type II diabetes mellitus (44.4%), and cardiovascular disease (17.1%) were the most frequently reported NCDs. 98.0% of participants were displaced during the war, and 68.1% were still displaced. 29.9% had lost a first-degree relative, and the majority suffered inaccessibility to adequate food and drinking water, lost property and income, and suffered adverse impacts on their sleep and physical exercise habits. 92.8% rated their pre-war quality of life (QoL) as excellent or good, while 81.3% rated their QoL during the war as poor. Adherence to regular follow-ups decreased from 96.7% before the war to 40.7% during the war (p < 0.001). Satisfaction with PHC dropped from 92.9% to 57.33% (p = 0.002). In terms of access to PHC, more than 93% changed their PHC doctor or clinic, and most stated that reaching the clinic was dangerous and necessitated long journeys. Medication unavailability or high cost were the most frequently reported reasons for non-compliance during the war, reported by 42.7% and 18.1%, respectively. Nearly one in five participants spent two or more consecutive months without medication. Participants from the southern enclave were significantly less satisfied with PHC and medications (p = 0.001), and their subjective QoL was significantly worse (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS: The study offers important insights into the impacts of high-intensity armed conflicts on people with NCDs. The war in the Gaza Strip has profoundly impacted patients with NCDs and hampered their access to healthcare, leaving the population at risk for higher morbidity and excess mortality rates now and well into the future.

PMID:40556013 | DOI:10.1186/s13031-025-00679-9

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Jun 24;30(1):523. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02792-0.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This article aimed to investigate the virulence gene profile of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) clinical isolates and explore potential correlations between virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance.

METHODS: Fifty-six H. pylori strains isolated from gastric biopsy specimens were confirmed through biochemical identification (rapid urease test, oxidase test, and urease biochemical reaction). Virulence genes were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing against amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin, tetracycline, rifampicin, and methicillin was performed via Etest for 41 selected isolates from the original cohort.

RESULTS: Among Tianjin isolates, oipA and luxS gene demonstrated the highest detection rates (96.43% each). The vacA exhibited vacAs1 (89.29%) and vacAm2 (91.07%) as predominant allelic variants. In contrast, babA2 showed the lowest positivity rate (7.14%), followed by cagA (14.29%). Co-occurrence analysis revealed vacAs1 and luxS gene co-expression in 48 isolates (85.71%), with 96.43% of gastritis patients showing concurrent oipA and luxS gene positivity. Etest results demonstrated no statistically significant association between virulence gene profiles and antibiotic resistance (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: In this study provides valuable data and insights into the virulence genes and antibiotic resistance of Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from Tianjin, China, to identify potential virulence gene-related biomarkers.

PMID:40555996 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-025-02792-0

BMC Nurs. 2025 Jun 24;24(1):668. doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03241-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A professional practice environment enhances health worker recruitment and retention and contributes to quality patient care and health system strengthening. Hence, improving the professional practice environments of nurses at hospitals could improve the performance of the health system, increase work passion, and decrease organizational dehumanization.

AIM: To assess nurses’ perceptions of the professional practice environment and its relation to organizational dehumanization and work passion.

METHOD: A descriptive correlational research design was used. A convenience sample of staff nurses (n = 274) was recruited who worked in critical care units and inpatient departments at the National Liver Institute (NLI) in Shebin Elkom city/Menoufia Governorate, Egypt. Three instruments were used: the nursing professional practice environment questionnaire, the organization dehumanization scale, and the work passion scale.

RESULTS: More than two-thirds of the study subjects (72.3%) reported a favorable professional practice environment. The highest mean score and first ranking was related to the dimension of teamwork. The lowest mean score and lowest rank was associated with communication about patients. Additionally, more than two-thirds of the nurses studied perceived a feeling of not being dehumanized by their organization and a high level of passion toward their work (63% and 71.6%, respectively).

CONCLUSION: There was a statistically significant negative correlation between the professional practice environment and organizational dehumanization. Moreover, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between the professional practice environment and work passion.

IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Managers must design interventions to teach staff members that they are valued as individuals rather than expendable goods. To make staff members feel less dehumanized and more supported, hospitals and their managers may apply particular human resources practices, such as lowering workload, enhancing job stability, and providing training and development opportunities for their growth and grooming.

PMID:40555989 | DOI:10.1186/s12912-025-03241-3

Int J Behav Med. 2025 Jun 24. doi: 10.1007/s12529-025-10375-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: China is facing a blood shortage crisis and needs to increase its voluntary blood donation rates. Since current programs to promote blood donation may not be sufficient to meet the rising demand, innovative approaches are needed. Behavioral sciences can provide useful insights for developing behavioral interventions to enhance blood donation. However, there have been few empirical studies to evaluate the efficacy of such interventions across different potential and existing donor subgroups.

METHOD: This randomized controlled trial and latent class analysis (LCA) empirically evaluated the effect of online behavioral interventions on blood donation willingness, intention, and behavior on different donor subgroups in China. In 2022, 3280 participants of diverse sociodemographic characteristics in mainland China were recruited through an online survey platform and completed a baseline survey. Participants were randomized to one of five online interventions (stimulating individual standards of fairness, using eye cues to prime individuals, self-imposed penalties for goal failure, presenting blood shortage statistics in China, and a World Health Organization blood donation poster) in the middle of the survey and were provided information on where to donate blood at the end of the survey. To measure post-intervention blood donation, participants were invited to complete a follow-up survey 3 to 4 weeks after the baseline survey. Six donor subgroups were identified using LCA, and differential treatment effects on actual blood donation were assessed using regression analysis based on a classify-analyze approach.

RESULTS: Our results showed that presenting blood shortage statistics was the most effective intervention for increasing blood donation among a subgroup of respondents characterized by high educational attainment, while three out of six classes had low donation rates regardless of the intervention.

CONCLUSION: Targeted, online intervention campaigns show promise in efficiently augmenting voluntary blood donation rates in China.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200060481 (Chinese Clinical Trials Registry).

PMID:40555968 | DOI:10.1007/s12529-025-10375-w

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2025 Jun 24. doi: 10.1007/s11356-025-36648-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Recently, the volume and growth of industrial as well as agricultural waste have caused environmental pollution. However, this issue can be mitigated through recycling and reutilization of such waste products. Therefore, this paper evaluated the potential of palm oil fuel ash (POFA), garnet waste, and sawdust as sustainable modified asphalt binders and mixtures as a substitute strategy to encourage waste recycling in road pavement construction. POFA, garnet waste, and sawdust were blended individually with asphalt grade 60/70 with varied amounts of 0% (control), 3%, 6%, and 9%. Moreover, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD) were utilized to analyze the microstructures of raw waste materials. The physical characteristics with regard to the modified asphalt binder were determined by employing softening point, penetration, and viscosity tests. Consequently, the modified asphalt mixture was assessed using the Marshall stability test. Specifically, adding 6% POFA, 3% garnet waste, and 3% sawdust performs best in stability as a modified asphalt mixture. The correlation of stability, flow, bulk density, and stiffness for POFA-, garnet waste-, and sawdust-modified asphalt mixture was significant, with a strong coefficient of determination (R²) for all Marshall stability parameters. The statistical analysis, including one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test, revealed that the percentage levels of 0%, 3%, and 6% exhibited significant differences in stability and stiffness, highlighting the optimal modification levels for enhanced mechanical performance. These findings highlight the potential of POFA, garnet, and sawdust as effective alternative additives as asphalt modifiers, contributing to sustainable road construction by promoting the use of industrial and agricultural waste materials, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing pavement performance.

PMID:40555958 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-025-36648-1

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2025 Jun 25. doi: 10.1007/s12011-025-04710-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Using nanotechnology in zinc supplementation may increase efficiency, reducing offered amounts and, therefore, allowing for lower cost and minimized environmental damage due to Zn contamination. This study aims to evaluate the kinetics of zinc, derived from micro- and nanometric zinc oxide, by radiolabeling this mineral through neutron activation. Eight Santa Ines ewes, around 10 months old and 23.6 ± 2.0 kg of body weight, were split into two treatments. After adaptation, they were transferred to metabolism evaluation cages, receiving capsules containing 50 mg of ⁶⁵ZnO (with average 54.85 kBq of ⁶⁵Zn), micro- or nanometric, on a single oral dose. After the capsules’ ingestion, collections of blood samples were made (0.25h, 0.5h, 1h, 2h, 6h, 14h, 24h, and every 24h thereafter), whereas feces and urine collections were made daily through the tenth day, when the animals were euthanized, and their tissues and gastrointestinal contents collected for ⁶⁵Zn counts and Zn measurement. The nanometric ⁶⁵ZnO treatment presented a biological half-life 12h longer than the micrometric ⁶⁵ZnO, although without statistical difference. The nanometric ⁶⁵ZnO also had higher recovery rates in feces throughout the experiment (p < 0.0001). Generally, the ⁶⁵Zn distribution in the tissues was similar, with the spleen being the only exception, showing higher counts in the micrometric ⁶⁵ZnO group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results suggest that ZnO nanoparticles may be as efficient as its micrometric counterpart, although further studies are needed to evaluate the differences found in the spleen, large intestine counts, and biological half-life.

PMID:40555953 | DOI:10.1007/s12011-025-04710-1