Tag: statistics

Behav Sleep Med. 2025 Sep 1:1-26. doi: 10.1080/15402002.2025.2552787. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Sleep and depression are known to be related in patients with fibromyalgia but the strength of this association is not well defined. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the association between subjective and objective sleep parameters with depression and to quantitatively summarize the results.

METHODS: Five English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar) were systematically searched for studies published between January 2000 and March 2025. Statistical analyses were performed using MedCalc software.

RESULTS: 28 studies matched the inclusion criteria, with a total sample size of 3,027 patients. Of these, 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis evaluating the association between PSQI and depression, which revealed a weakly positive association [pooled correlation coefficient r = 0.353 (95% CI: 0.264 to 0.435)]. In the meta-analysis of two PSG studies, TST showed a weak, non-significant inverse relationship with depression (r = -0.09). Other parameters WASO, sleep latency, sleep efficiency and % REM sleep also showed no significant associations. These PSG related findings remain non-conclusive and warrant further investigation.

CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis highlights that there is a weak to moderate level of positive association between subjective sleep quality and depression in patients with fibromyalgia. High-quality PSG studies are needed to clarify the relationship of PSG parameters with depression.

PMID:40888259 | DOI:10.1080/15402002.2025.2552787

Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025 Sep 1. doi: 10.1111/dom.70088. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a highly heterogeneous disease characterised by subtypes with variations in aetiology, disease progression, and risk of complications. However, potential drug targets for these subtypes have not been explored. This study aims to investigate potential drug targets by integrating proteomics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Summary-level data of circulating proteins were extracted from the UK Biobank and the deCODE Health Study. Genetic associations with five diabetes subtypes were obtained from Swedish All New Diabetics in Scania and Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort, including severe autoimmune diabetes (SAID), severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD), severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD), mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD), and mild age-related diabetes (MARD). The associations between circulating proteins and diabetes subtypes were assessed through Mendelian randomisation, followed by multiple sensitivity and colocalization analyses. Additionally, tissue-specific, pathway and functional enrichment analysis, assessment of protein druggability, and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were used to further explore biological mechanisms and therapeutic potential.

RESULTS: Genetically predicted levels of 2, 2, 9, 3, and 5 circulating proteins were associated with SIRD, SIDD, MARD, MOD, and SAID, respectively. Colocalization analyses further revealed links between GRN with MARD/SIRD, LILRB5 with SIDD/MARD, CR1 with MARD, TNFSF12 with MOD, and DAPK2 with SAID. Enrichment analysis suggested that these proteins were mainly enriched in blood and adipose tissues and involved in immune and inflammatory related pathways. PPI analysis revealed GRN, TNFSF12, and DAPK2 are associated with known T2D targets.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study identified several potential drug targets for different subtypes of diabetes using an integrated genetic approach, yielding new insights for precision medicine of diabetes.

PMID:40888248 | DOI:10.1111/dom.70088

Clin Nephrol. 2025 Sep 1. doi: 10.5414/CN111681. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) are critical public health issues in South Korea, with an increasing number of dialysis patients. Cardiovascular outcomes, significantly affected by dyslipidemia, remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality. This study explores the age and sex-specific impacts of dyslipidemia treatment on mortality in elderly hemodialysis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study with 2,736 newly diagnosed hemodialysis patients aged 70 years and older from 16 Korean hospitals (January 2010 to December 2017). The impact of statin therapy on mortality was assessed considering baseline characteristics, comorbidities, and lipid profiles. Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards models with covariate adjustments.

RESULTS: Statin use significantly reduced all-cause mortality in both men and women (hazard ratio (HR), 0.76 (0.66 – 0.87) in men; HR, 0.85 (0.73 – 0.99) in women). This benefit was not statistically significant in patients aged 80 and above, especially among females. An inverse relationship between low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, and mortality was observed in men, while a U-shaped relationship was noted in females. The unfavorable effects associated with lower LDL levels were more pronounced in the female group.

CONCLUSION: Dyslipidemia treatment improves survival in elderly hemodialysis patients, particularly in males, though benefits diminish in those aged 80 and above. Effective patient outcomes require addressing malnutrition and inflammation alongside lipid levels. Further research is necessary to refine treatment guidelines for this demographic.

PMID:40888194 | DOI:10.5414/CN111681

Soft Matter. 2025 Sep 1. doi: 10.1039/d5sm00633c. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Electrostatic correlation free energy (ECF) is the basis for modeling the thermodynamic behavior of polyelectrolyte solutions. In the past, it has mainly been estimated using the Edwards approximation, valid for infinite chains. Here, we show that the leading contribution due to finite molecular size is of order N^-1, regardless of the fractal dimension d, where N is proportional to molecular weight. This contribution is a local effect, originating from the missing correlations among connected charges near chain ends. In contrast, the contribution from the long-wavelength or infrared regime is weaker, of order N^-3/d ln N. Closed-form expressions for the free energy are provided for polyelectrolytes exhibiting either coil- or rod-like statistics, in the absence or presence of small ions. The consequence of the end effect is demonstrated by evaluating the phase diagram, surface tension, and molecular weight-driven partitioning.

PMID:40888180 | DOI:10.1039/d5sm00633c

Health Expect. 2025 Oct;28(5):e70408. doi: 10.1111/hex.70408.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: User-generated content (UGC) on YouTube has reshaped news dissemination, fostered engagement, raised concerns about credibility, algorithmic influence and the spread of misinformation. This study addresses the gap in understanding how UGC engagement, trust and algorithmic awareness influence digital news consumption.

METHODS: A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed, integrating survey data (n = 100), qualitative interviews and content analysis of 200 YouTube news videos. Data were collected over 6 weeks. Quantitative analyses included ANOVA, multivariate regression and structural equation modelling (SEM), while qualitative data were thematically analysed to contextualise statistical findings.

RESULTS: UGC news consumption (M = 3.21, SD = 1.14) exceeded traditional news (M = 2.95, SD = 1.20), with trust in UGC (M = 3.48, SD = 1.05) surpassing traditional sources (M = 3.12, SD = 1.17). SEM analysis confirmed that UGC engagement significantly increased trust (β = 0.42, p < 0.001), while algorithmic influence negatively affected trust (β = -0.33, p = 0.015). Sensationalist content attracted higher engagement (30.0%) but had lower credibility, with misinformation prevalent in 38.0% of analysed videos.

CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the need for platform transparency, stronger content verification and policy interventions to balance engagement-driven algorithms and news credibility. Media literacy initiatives are crucial for equipping users with the critical evaluation skills they need.

PMID:40888149 | DOI:10.1111/hex.70408

Am J Hum Biol. 2025 Sep;37(9):e70130. doi: 10.1002/ajhb.70130.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Knowledge of neonatal body composition in high-altitude populations is insufficient. To estimate Fat Mass (FM), Fat Free Mass (FFM), and Body Fat percentage (BF%) in Jujuy newborns (NB) using the weight/length (W/L) ratio and its relationship with maternal, fetal, and environmental characteristics.

METHOD: Data were obtained from 47 598 mother/child pairs recorded in the Jujuy Perinatal Information System (SIP) between 2009 and 2014, including NB and maternal weight, length/height, gestational and maternal age, educational, nutritional, and marital status; birth interval; maternal surname, and planned pregnancy. The prevalence of unsatisfied basic needs (% UBN) was determined based on the mother’s place of residence. The data were divided into two groups: highlands (HL > 2500 masl) and lowlands (LL < 2500 masl). W/L, FM, FFM, and BF% centiles were calculated using GAMLSS LMS in R and compared with INTERGROWTH-21st. ANOVA and Chi-squared tests were applied as needed. Statistical associations between the response variables FM, FFM, and BF% and maternal and environmental variables were tested using GAMM.

RESULTS: FM and BF% were significantly higher in females and in LL, while the opposite was true for FFM. The three indicators differed according to maternal nutritional status and age, parity, pregnancy planning, prematurity, birth size, geographical altitude, surnames, and UBN. GAMM showed that gestational age, sex, birth size, UBN, and surnames are associated with FM, FFM, and BF% at both altitudinal levels.

CONCLUSIONS: The body composition of Jujuy NB varies with geographical altitude, NB characteristics, ethnicity, and socioeconomic conditions.

PMID:40888145 | DOI:10.1002/ajhb.70130

J Food Sci. 2025 Sep;90(9):e70454. doi: 10.1111/1750-3841.70454.

ABSTRACT

As a rich source of bioactive compounds, porcine blood meal was served as raw material in this study to elucidate the effects of diverse protease treatments on the composition, distribution, structural characteristics, and flavor compound content of the resulting hydrolysates. Gel permeation chromatography, spectroscopy, sensory evaluation, and headspace solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography techniques were employed for comprehensive analysis. The findings revealed that enzymatic hydrolysis significantly facilitated protein degradation in porcine blood meal, with the flavor protease treatment exhibiting the most pronounced effect, achieving a hydrolysis extent of 16.4%. Notably, the enzymatic hydrolysis primarily generated peptide fractions with molecular weights less than 1 kDa, which were most abundant in samples treated with flavor protease, accounting for 75% of the total peptides. A significant increase in surface hydrophobicity of the hydrolysates was observed following flavor protease treatment (P < 0.05), accompanied by notable improvements in sensory properties. The enzymatic hydrolysis triggered the structural transformation from α-helix to random coil and β-sheet structure. Among the thirty-five volatile flavor compounds identified in the hydrolysates, eleven were deemed as characteristic flavor compounds. The samples subjected to treatment with flavor protease demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the concentrations of 1-octene-3-ol, trans-2-octenal, and 3-methylbutyraldehyde (P < 0.05).

PMID:40888139 | DOI:10.1111/1750-3841.70454

Psychogeriatrics. 2025 Sep;25(5):e70091. doi: 10.1111/psyg.70091.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Social restrictions during the novel coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) pandemic negatively impacted the mental health of older adults. This study aimed to examine the associations of loneliness and depression with sociodemographic characteristics and internet use among older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 330 geriatric patients between September 1, 2021, and June 1, 2022. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire consisting of a personal information form, the Loneliness Scale for Elderly, and the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form-15 (GDS-15).

RESULTS: The participants had a mean age of 71.3 years, 60.3% were female, and regarding internet use, 52.4% reported never using it, 18.8% used it occasionally, and 28.8% used it daily. The most common internet activities were video calls with relatives/friends (39.4%) and sharing messages, photos, or videos via messaging apps (38.2%). In the multivariate linear regression analysis, being married, having low income, living alone, having fewer than five friends, and not using the internet at all were significantly associated with higher levels of loneliness, while higher depression scores were observed among females compared to males and among individuals with low income compared to those with middle or high income.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that internet use may have a protective role against loneliness in older adults; however, its effect on reducing depression appears to be limited.

PMID:40888097 | DOI:10.1111/psyg.70091

Int J Cosmet Sci. 2025 Sep;47 Suppl 1:2-24. doi: 10.1111/ics.70019.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This paper presents the experimental design, the statistical model, performance criteria and results of a method performance study conducted in order to characterize the performance of alternative methods for SPF and UVA-PF testing. The performance of alternative methods is characterized against the performance of the ISO 24444 and ISO 24443 methods.

METHODS: A factorial experimental design was implemented. For a given method, such a design allows good statistical reliability of precision estimates with as few as four participating laboratories. To cover the wide range of sunscreen products on the market, 32 sunscreens were tested. These 32 products were classified into eight product groups. The product groups differ in terms of SPF level, application viscosity and type of UV filters and matrix. In co-operation with a WG7 ISO ad hoc group performance criteria for the alternative methods were developed for reproducibility precision, between-laboratory variation, bias and the variation of bias across products and across product groups.

RESULTS: Performance characteristics for the reference method along with reproducibility and repeatability limits are provided. The results for the participating alternative methods will be presented in separate articles, following this paper.

CONCLUSIONS: The precision of ISO 24444 and ISO 24443 was characterized for each of the eight product groups. The main sources of variation were identified for each of the two reference methods. Reproducibility and repeatability limits were derived and are provided.

PMID:40888065 | DOI:10.1111/ics.70019

Int J Cosmet Sci. 2025 Sep;47 Suppl 1:1. doi: 10.1111/ics.70026.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40888064 | DOI:10.1111/ics.70026