Tag: statistics

BMC Med Educ. 2025 Jul 9;25(1):1027. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07592-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Developing students’ ability to accurately diagnose various types of keratitis is challenging. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of teaching methods-real cases, artificial intelligence (AI)-generated images, and real medical images-on improving medical students’ diagnostic accuracy of bacterial, fungal, and herpetic keratitis.

METHODS: 97 consecutive fourth-year medical students who had completed basic ophthalmology educational courses were included. The students were divided into three groups: 30 students in the group (G1) using the real cases for teaching, 37 students in the group (G2) using AI-generated images for teaching, and 30 students in the group (G3) using real medical images for teaching. The G1 group had a 1-hour study session using five real cases of each type of infectious keratitis. The G2 group and the G3 group each experienced a 1-hour image reading sessions using 50 AI-generated or real medical images of each type of infectious keratitis. Diagnostic accuracy for three types of infectious keratitis was assessed via a 30-question test using real patient images, compared before and after teaching interventions.

RESULTS: All teaching methods significantly improved mean overall diagnostic accuracy. The mean accuracy improved from 42.03 to 67.47% in the G1 group, from 42.68 to 71.27% in the G2 group, and from 46.50 to 74.23% in the G3 group, respectively. The mean accuracy improvement was highest in the G2 group (28.43%). There were no statistically significant differences in mean accuracy or accuracy improvement among the 3 groups.

CONCLUSIONS: AI-generated images significantly enhance the diagnostic accuracy for infectious keratitis in medical students, performing comparably to traditional case-based teaching and real patient images. This method may standardize and improve clinical ophthalmology training, particularly for conditions with limited educational resources.

PMID:40634997 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-025-07592-y

Popul Health Metr. 2025 Jul 9;23(1):37. doi: 10.1186/s12963-025-00401-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Utilization of unhygienic menstrual products has been associated with various adverse health consequences, particularly in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Bangladesh. In this context, this study attempted to measure socioeconomic inequalities in sanitary napkin use among women aged 15-49 and assess its spatial pattern at the disaggregated level (district).

METHODS: We used the latest available nationally representative cross-sectional Bangladesh Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) 2019 data. The analytical sample size was 54,702 reproductive-aged (15-49 years) women. The Erreygers Index (EI) and the Wagstaff Index (WI) were employed to measure and decompose the socioeconomic inequalities in sanitary napkin use. Natural Break (Jenks) classification method, Global Moran’s I and the Cluster and Outlier Analysis were used to analyze the spatial pattern of socioeconomic inequalities at the district level.

RESULTS: The findings reveal that approximately 26.22% of women used sanitary napkins at the national level. Both the EI (0.41208; p-value < 0.001) and the WI (0.53251; p-value < 0.001) indicate a pro-rich inequality in sanitary napkin use. Decomposition results indicated that wealth status, educational attainment, household characteristics (particularly educational attainment of household head) and exposure to media were the most important factors accounting for socioeconomic inequalities. From the spatial analyses, we found significant district-level variations in both sanitary napkin use and its socioeconomic inequalities. Global Moran’s I value indicated positive spatial autocorrelation, meaning that similar values tend to cluster together. Notably, a northwestern and southeastern divide was found between High-High and Low-Low clusters of socioeconomic inequalities.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides evidence for informed policymaking targeting women from the lower socioeconomic stratum, especially those living in the northwestern and southeastern regions to increase sanitary napkin use.

PMID:40634993 | DOI:10.1186/s12963-025-00401-0

J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 Jul 9;20(1):635. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-06027-0.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to describe a novel axial fluoroscopic imaging technique for visualizing the anterior column fixation corridor (ACFC) of the acetabulum in the supine position, define the patient-specific optimal antegrade entry point (OAEP), and evaluate the feasibility of screw placement using this approach.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pelvic computed tomography (CT) data from 500 healthy adults (250 men and 250 women) were collected. Using Fujifilm-Synapse 3D software, 3D reconstructions of the pelvis were created. Through fluoroscopy simulation, the axial view of the ACFC and OAEP was obtained for each individual. To simulate screw placement radiologically, a cylinder was placed through the OAEP, completely filling the corridor without protruding. The position was verified using both fluoroscopic simulations and three different CT sections (axial, coronal, sagittal). The corridor’s diameter (ACFC-R), length (ACFC-L), and the coronal plane inclination (CPI) and sagittal plane inclination (SPI) required for fluoroscopic visualization of the OAEP were measured in all pelvic models.

RESULTS: The axial view and patient-specific optimal antegrade entry point (OAEP) of the fixation corridor were successfully visualized in all pelvises. Radiological virtual screw placement was successfully performed in all models by visualizing the OAEP, enabling precise axial screw insertion through the corridor. The average ACFC diameters were 6.2 mm in females and 8.6 mm in males (p < 0.001); ACFC lengths were 116.8 mm in females and 122.5 mm in males (p < 0.001). The SPI was 14.3 degrees in females and 14.7 degrees in males (p = 0.263). The CPI was 35.5 degrees in females and 33.2 degrees in males (p < 0.001). Except for the SPI, statistically significant differences were observed in all parameters between genders.

CONCLUSION: The axial fluoroscopic imaging technique enables accurate identification of patient-specific entry points and screw placement that fills the fixation corridor without boundary breach, potentially enhancing the precision and safety of anterior column fixation.

PMID:40634986 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-025-06027-0

BMC Oral Health. 2025 Jul 9;25(1):1135. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-06499-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Those living with mental illnesses have an increased risk of poor oral health exacerbated by lack of motivation for self-care and reduced help-seeking behaviors. Poor oral health status may lead to reduced oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) among this population, including the dimensions of Oral Function, Orofacial Pain, Orofacial Appearance, and Psychosocial Impact. Despite this, oral health is often neglected in the management of mental illnesses, particularly in inpatient treatment facilities. The purpose of this research is to investigate the relationship between the oral health status and OHRQoL in adults receiving inpatient psychiatric care.

METHODS: This retrospective, cross-sectional study examined data from medical records of adults between the ages of 18 and 80 receiving inpatient psychiatric care, who had not opted out of research, were English-speaking, and were seen by a hospital dental hygienist between August 1st, 2024 and January 31st, 2025 in response to a consultation request by hospital staff. Oral health status was measured using the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT), and the four dimensions of OHRQoL was measured using the 5-item Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-5). Summary scores were analyzed using means and standard deviations. OHAT and OHIP-5 item analysis was completed using frequencies and percentages. Relationships between outcomes were examined using Pearson correlations, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Twenty-four patient records met inclusion criteria for analysis. The average time from patient admittance to dental hygiene consult was 17 days, with dental pain being the most common reason for consultation (n = 16). Frequency and percentages showed dental pain, natural teeth, and gums and tissues were most frequently scored as unhealthy on the OHAT assessment. Analysis of OHIP-5 summary scores indicated a mean of (M = 11.17, SD = 6.55), suggesting a moderate average impact on OHRQoL within the sample. Further analysis would be required to determine statistically significant differences or associations. Dental pain was positively correlated with all four dimensions of OHRQoL. No other oral condition was associated with summary or individual items of OHIP-5.

CONCLUSIONS: Results showed generally poor oral health among individuals hospitalized for psychiatric care. OHIP-5 summary scores showed oral health problems were associated with moderate impairment of OHRQoL. Findings emphasize the need for interprofessional preventative care and support oral health integration in psychiatric settings. Future research should incorporate baseline and follow-up oral health assessments to evaluate the impact of targeted oral health interventions on oral health status and OHRQoL.

PMID:40634985 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-06499-w

Int J Behav Nutr Phys Act. 2025 Jul 9;22(1):95. doi: 10.1186/s12966-025-01786-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although food-based dietary guidelines (FBDG) include guidelines for meat consumption, they most often do not explicitly include environmental considerations. For instance, in France, FBDG recommend consuming no more than 500 g of red meat and 150 g of processed meat per week. This study uses modeling to investigate the range of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe) that can be achieved under FBDG compliance.

METHODS: The study analyzed data collected in 2014 from 29,413 NutriNet-Santé participants to assess their adherence to the French FBDG. GHGe, cumulative energy demand (CED), and land occupation (LO) for organic and conventional foods were obtained from the DIALECTE database. First, diets adequate in nutrients, culturally acceptable, and consistent with FBDG were modeled while minimizing or maximizing GHGe. Then, the spectrum of diets between minimum and maximum GHGe was explored while minimizing total departure from the observed diet with a gradual constraint on GHGE using the same other constraints. Environmental, economic (monetary cost), nutritional, and health criteria (Health risk score denoting long-term risk for health associated with diet) were then estimated for each diet.

RESULTS: The average observed adequacy to FBDG was low (19%, SD = 25%) and GHGe were 4.34 (SD = 2.7%) kgCO2eq/d. Under nutritional, acceptability and FBDG constraints, the GHGe range of the diets varied from 1.16 to 6.99 kgCO2eq/d, depending up to ∼ 85% on the level of meat consumption. A similar shape was observed for CED, LO, and Health Risk Score, but costs were consistently higher than in the observed diet, and exhibited a U-shape. A greater proportion of organic foods was noted in the lower-emission diet; however, this proportion was low in the meat-rich, high-emission diet. At isoenergetic diets, the diet with the lowest emissions had more vegetables, whole grains, and plant-based substitutes.

CONCLUSIONS: While French dietary guidelines contribute, on average, to mitigating climate change and promoting health, this study emphasizes levers in recommended food consumption to more efficiently reduce diets’ GHGe and points to total meat as the critical issue to better account for pressure on climate change. Other environmental pressures should also be taken into account when designing dietary guidelines.

PMID:40634968 | DOI:10.1186/s12966-025-01786-9

BMC Womens Health. 2025 Jul 9;25(1):337. doi: 10.1186/s12905-025-03894-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: We aimed to explore the association between daily sitting time and breast cancer in obese women, and further examine the mitigating role of physical activity in this relationship.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2020 were used. Subjects were divided into four groups based on the duration of daily sitting time (< 4, 4 to 6, 6 to 8, and > 8 h). Survey-based logistic regression models, smooth curve fitting, subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were conducted.

RESULTS: A total of 9706 obese females (mean age 50.28 years) were included in the study. Breast cancer was reported by 271 (2.8%) individuals. In the fully adjusted model, compared with those with < 4 h of daily sitting time, ORs (95%CI) for breast cancer were 1.61 (95%CI: 1.41-5.33, p = 0.001) in group with 4 to 6 h of sitting, 1.86 (95%CI: 1.35 to 4.52) in group with 6 to 8 h, and 2.21 (95%CI: 1.36-4.95, p = 0.008) with > 8 h per day. Of note, the detrimental effects of prolonged sedentary behavior on increased prevalence of breast cancer were only found in physically inactive group, but not in physically active group. Smooth curve fitting showed a positive dose-response relationship between daily sitting time and breast cancer in total participants and physically inactive group. Furthermore, obese women aged 60 years or older, non-Hispanic white, and with more than a high school education, post-menopause, and with higher obesity levels were more likely to be affected by sedentary behavior.

CONCLUSION: Prolonged daily sitting time is associated with increased prevalence of breast cancer in obese women and being physically active may mitigate this association. Prospective studies are needed to further examine this association.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

PMID:40634967 | DOI:10.1186/s12905-025-03894-x

BMC Public Health. 2025 Jul 9;25(1):2419. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23602-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Energy poverty, characterized by inadequate access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy, is a pressing issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with profound implications for health outcomes and healthcare utilization. In sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, energy poverty disproportionately affects rural and low-income households, exacerbating health disparities and limiting access to healthcare services. This study investigates the impact of energy poverty on health outcomes and healthcare-seeking behaviour. Specifically, it examines the likelihood of illness or injury, the duration of illness as an indicator of healthcare access, and the probability of consulting health practitioners, providing evidence to guide targeted policy interventions.

METHODS: The study utilized data from the Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS 7) to examine energy poverty and health outcomes. The Multidimensional Energy Poverty Index (MEPI) was calculated to measure energy poverty among a sample of 7,460 households. Health outcomes were assessed based on the incidence and duration of illness or injury and healthcare-seeking behaviors. To analyze these relationships, econometric models such as binary logistic regression and Poisson regression were employed, with robustness checks conducted using the Lewbel Two-Stage Least Squares (2SLS) method to address potential endogeneity. The analysis was performed using STATA 18 software.

RESULTS: The study finds that energy poverty is significantly associated with a higher probability of experiencing illness or injury (0.063, p < 0.01), while paradoxically linked to shorter illness duration (-1.299, p < 0.10). Among poor households, energy poverty significantly reduces the likelihood of consulting a healthcare practitioner (-0.036, p < 0.10). Lewbel 2SLS estimates confirm these patterns, showing a robust positive effect on illness incidence (0.181, p < 0.05) and a significant negative impact on healthcare utilization (-0.137, p < 0.10). These findings underscore energy poverty’s dual burden: increasing health risks while limiting timely access to care, particularly for the poor.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings highlight the critical effect of energy poverty on health outcomes in Ghana, particularly among the poorest and most vulnerable populations. Addressing energy poverty requires integrated policies that enhance access to clean and affordable energy while also improving healthcare services and public health education. Targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, including subsidies for clean energy technologies and energy-efficient appliances, are essential. This study calls for a nuanced approach that aligns energy access with public health goals, aiming to improve well-being and reduce health disparities in Ghana.

PMID:40634955 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-23602-6

BMC Complement Med Ther. 2025 Jul 9;25(1):246. doi: 10.1186/s12906-025-04991-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Depression is a prevalent non-motor symptom of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that significantly impacts patients’ quality of life. The Wuling capsule, a traditional Chinese medicine, is often utilized for treating depression, and this herbal medicine has been used to treat those PD patients with depression. This study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of Wuling capsule in treating mild depression in patients with early PD.

METHODS: This multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial included 160 patients with early PD who presented with a Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD) score between 8 and 17 at the time of admission. The trial was conducted across five hospitals in China from December 2021 to March 2024. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive either Wuling capsule (0.99 g orally three times daily) or a placebo (0.99 g orally three times daily) for a duration of 12 weeks. Additional treatment according to established clinical guidelines.The primary outcome measure was the change in HAMD score. All statistical analyses were conducted on an intention-to-treat population.

RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, among the 160 patients with early PD and depression, 80 were assigned to the Wuling capsule group and 80 to the placebo group, with the median age of 70.5 (IQR,67.00-75.00) years and 77 (48.13%) were male. Patients in the Wuling capsule group demonstrated significantly greater reductions in depression severity compared to the placebo group at multiple time points: week 4 (difference, – 1.21 [95% CI, -2.38 to -0.04; P = 0.042]), week 8 (difference, – 1.41 [95% CI, -2.81 to -0.02; P = 0.047]), and week 12 (difference, – 1.46 [95% CI, -2.89 to -0.04; P = 0.044]). Adverse events were reported in 3 of 80 patients (3.75%) in the Wuling capsule group and 3 of 80 patients (3.75%) in the control group (P = 1), indicating no significant difference.

CONCLUSION: This randomized clinical trial demonstrated that treatment with Wuling capsule over a 12-week period effectively reduced HAMD score in patients with mild depression associated with PD and the treatment was well tolerated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry; registration number: ChiCTR2100046195; prospectively registered on May 9th, 2021.

PMID:40634949 | DOI:10.1186/s12906-025-04991-y

Mar Pollut Bull. 2025 Jul 8;220:118412. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118412. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The accumulation of heavy metals in marine organisms is an increasing concern due to their potential impacts on ecosystem health and food safety. Scyliorhinus canicula has been proposed as a potential biomonitor owing to its benthic habits, high abundance, and philopatric behaviour, which may make it suitable for tracking metal contamination in commercial fish species. This study compares the concentrations of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) in the muscle tissues of two demersal species, S. canicula and Merluccius merluccius, collected from the western Mediterranean. Samples (n = 45 per species) were obtained from commercial bottom trawl fisheries and analyzed using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The results revealed significant interspecific differences in Cu and Cd concentrations (p < 0.001), with S. canicula exhibiting higher mean values (Cu: 0.383 ± 0.099; Cd: 0.011 ± 0.003 mg·kg^-1 ww) compared to M. merluccius (Cu: 0.188 ± 0.060; Cd: 0.005 ± 0.003 mg·kg^-1 ww). Although Pb concentrations were generally higher in M. merluccius (0.050 ± 0.017 mg·kg^-1 ww) than in S. canicula (0.036 ± 0.015 mg·kg^-1 ww), this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Strong positive correlations in Pb (r = 0.833, p = 0.004) and Cd (r = 0.817, p = 0.005), and a moderate correlation in Cu (r = 0.633, p = 0.038), suggest that both species are exposed to similar contamination sources. Variability in metal accumulation may be influenced by differences in diet, physiology, and species-specific metabolic pathways. Given the strength of these interspecific correlations, S. canicula shows strong potential as a biomonitor for assessing heavy metal contamination in M. merluccius, and potentially in other commercially important fish species-thereby contributing to more effective marine pollution monitoring strategies.

PMID:40633156 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.118412

Waste Manag. 2025 Jul 8;205:114982. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2025.114982. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the combined effect of blast furnace slag (BFS) and rice husk ash (RHA) as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) for oil well cementing applications across a wide temperature range. A simplex-centroid mixture design was used to formulate slurries with 0-50 % BFS and RHA replacement by weight of cement. Mechanical and microstructural properties were evaluated after curing at 47 °C (low-temperature) and 300 °C (high-temperature). At 47 °C, BFS-rich formulations showed superior performance, with the 50 % BFS slurry achieving a compressive strength of 48.89 MPa, significantly higher than the 39.64 MPa of the control slurry. Conversely, at 300 °C, RHA was crucial for mitigating strength retrogression. The 50 % RHA formulation reached 16.79 MPa, while the control sample’s strength dropped to 4.65 MPa. Formulations combining both wastes, such as 10 %BFS-40 %RHA, also demonstrated robust performance (11.87 MPa), exceeding the industry benchmark for high-temperature wells. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) confirmed the statistical significance of these effects, and response surface models quantified the distinct contributions of each SCM. The novel contribution of this work is the systematic evaluation of the synergistic interaction between industrial (BFS) and agricultural (RHA) waste streams to create a versatile cement system. This study demonstrates the potential to develop a single, waste-derived cement formulation viable for both low and high-temperature well conditions, offering a sustainable alternative to conventional practices. While results are based on laboratory conditions, they provide a strong basis for future field-scale validation.

PMID:40633131 | DOI:10.1016/j.wasman.2025.114982