Tag: statistics

JMIR Ment Health. 2025 Jun 26;12:e70577. doi: 10.2196/70577.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are serious mental health conditions affecting millions of people worldwide; however, they are often underdiagnosed due to limited health care resources. Mobile games, with their widespread popularity and availability, offer a unique opportunity to use user-game interaction data for mental health screening.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore whether swipe gesture interactions from mobile games can serve as indicators of anxiety and depression symptoms.

METHODS: A total of 82 participants played 3 casual mobile games (puzzle, infinite runner, and object slicing games) for 15 minutes each and completed validated measures of anxiety (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7; GAD-7) and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8; PHQ-8). Data were logged for each swipe event, and metrics were computed using statistical measures, yielding roughly 150 metrics per game. Spearman rank correlations were calculated between each metric and GAD-7 and PHQ-8 scores.

RESULTS: Multiple swipe gesture metrics showed significant associations with both anxiety and depression scores. For the puzzle game, mean swipe speed correlated with PHQ-8 (ρ=-0.405; P<.001) and GAD-7 (ρ=-0.400; P<.001) scores. For the infinite runner game, mean variance in swipe end pressure showed moderate to strong negative correlation with PHQ-8 (ρ=-0.405; P<.001) and GAD-7 (ρ=-0.309; P=.007) scores. In the object slicing game, minimum swipe start position along the y-axis correlated positively with PHQ-8 (ρ=0.368; P<.001) and GAD-7 (ρ=0.370; P<.001) scores.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this exploratory study provide preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility of using swipe gesture interactions in mobile games as novel, engaging, and nonintrusive indicators of anxiety and depression.

PMID:40570324 | DOI:10.2196/70577

Otol Neurotol. 2025 Jun 18. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004526. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Paragangliomas of the middle ear (glomus tympanicum, GT) are commonly encountered neoplasms of the temporal bone. GT is a benign tumor of vascular origin, arising from the neural crest cells and located on the promontory. The treatment of choice is surgical excision of the lesion.

OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to describe the surgical and hearing outcomes in a cohort of patients with middle ear paragangliomas following resection.

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients with GT who were treated with a CO2 laser from 2014 to 2021. Preoperative and postoperative audiometric outcomes, symptom evaluations, and otomicroscopic examinations were performed. The surgical approach was individualized for each patient based on tumor characteristics demonstrated on computed tomography. Three different approaches were used: (1) canal wall down, canal wall reconstruction, and mastoid obliteration (CWD, CWR, and MO) mastoidectomy; (2) canal wall up (CWU) mastoidectomy; and (3) endaural/transcanal.

RESULTS: Three males and 12 females aged between 33 and 76 years (mean, 56 yr) were included. Complete removal was accomplished in all cases using a CO2 laser with no recurrence or complications during the postoperative follow-up period.CWU mastoidectomy, CWD mastoidectomy with CWR/MO, and endaural/transcanal approaches were used in 5, 3, and 7 patients, respectively. A flexible 500-micron CO2 laser fiber was employed at 3-4 watts on the continuous mode setting.Three patients underwent concurrent ossicular chain reconstruction along with CWD/CWR mastoidectomy owing to preoperative conductive hearing loss with an air-bone gap (ABG) of wider than 30 dB, resulting in postoperative ABG closure. In relation to the remaining patients, no statistically significant postoperative worsening of audiometric outcomes in Word Recognition Score, pure tone average, and speech recognition threshold were observed. The mean follow-up period was 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS: We found that using a flexible CO2 laser fiber and CWD mastoidectomy with canal wall reconstruction and mastoid obliteration are beneficial for managing these tumors.CO2 lasers are safe and reliable for GT resection. The advantages of this modality include complete removal, low complication and recurrence rates, and minimum morbidity.

PMID:40570318 | DOI:10.1097/MAO.0000000000004526

Otol Neurotol. 2025 Jun 18. doi: 10.1097/MAO.0000000000004514. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) exhibits a diverse range of clinical presentations and treatment responses. Currently, there are no established variables that clinicians can utilize for the purposes of patient counseling when treating ISSNHL.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study involved 35 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL who were treated with oral and intratympanic steroid injections. We measured the peak and average slow phase velocity (SPV) (°/sec) of nystagmus after caloric stimulation during the first session of intratympanic steroid injection (ITI), and four variables were evaluated: age, time elapsed before treatment (ET), gain, and pure tone average (PTA) posttreatment. An association between these variables was determined using Spearman’s Rho statistical analysis, followed by regression modeling.

RESULTS: We found a strong significant correlation between SPV and gain and PTA posttreatment (Spearman Rho 0.000). A significant correlation between SPV and ET was also detected (Spearman Rho 0.05). The linear regression analysis indicated that for every 1° increase in SPV, there is an expected increase of 0.27 dB in gain and a decrease of 0.18 dB in PTA posttreatment. Furthermore, an SPV of 17.7 (°/sec) demonstrated a strong correlation with Siegel grade 1 posttreatment (p 0.000).

CONCLUSIONS: The SPV (°/sec) of nystagmus during the first ITI may serve as a valuable tool for patient counseling in the management of ISSNHL, thereby encouraging the continuation or consideration of alternative treatment options. Further studies are warranted to validate these findings.

PMID:40570313 | DOI:10.1097/MAO.0000000000004514

Am J Sports Med. 2025 Jun 26:3635465251346961. doi: 10.1177/03635465251346961. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Knee cartilage injuries can lead to significant functional limitations, pain, and diminished quality of life. Microfracture (MF) is the most common surgical procedure for smaller (<2 cm²) cartilage lesions of the knee. However, there is no established gold-standard surgical intervention.

PURPOSE: To compare functional and patient-reported outcomes after MF and arthroscopic debridement (AD) for symptomatic, isolated femoral cartilage injuries <2 cm² in patients aged 18 to 50 years.

STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.

METHODS: A total of 65 patients were included, randomized to undergo either MF (n = 31) or AD (n = 34), and followed for 2 years. The primary outcome was the change in the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Quality of Life subscore. Secondary outcomes included scores for the other KOOS subscales, Tegner activity scale, Lysholm score, and visual analog scale for pain.

RESULTS: The mean age at the time of inclusion was 33.2 ± 9.7 years. There were 44 (68%) male patients. The mean size of the lesion was 1.2 ± 0.6 cm². There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in the change in the KOOS Quality of Life subscore from baseline to 2 years (3.5 [95% CI, -10.0 to 16.9]; P = .61). There were 10 complications in 5 patients in the MF group and 2 complications in 2 patients in the AD group. According to a linear mixed model, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups for any of the secondary outcomes at any time point during the 2-year follow-up period.

CONCLUSION: MF was not superior to AD when treating femoral cartilage lesions of the knee <2 cm².

PMID:40570306 | DOI:10.1177/03635465251346961

J Strength Cond Res. 2025 Jun 24. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005158. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Klemola, SE, Gorman, BT, Welch, N, and Kung, SM. Isokinetic knee extension and flexion strength in female athletes at 20 and 40 weeks after bone-patellar tendon-bone anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-Despite females’ higher anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury risk, research assessing the rehabilitation of knee extensor and flexor strength after an ACL reconstruction (ACLR) with a bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) graft in female athletes is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the restoration of knee extension strength in female athletes after ACLR with a BPTB graft, along with knee flexion strength, limb symmetry index (LSI), and return to sport (RTS) status. Eighty-nine 16-30-year-old female athletes who underwent a BPTB ACLR were eligible for analysis. Participants completed isokinetic knee extension and flexion strength testing at 20 ± 5 (T1) and 40 ± 5 (T2) weeks post-ACLR using an isokinetic dynamometer. Changes in peak knee extension and flexion torques, and LSI values were assessed in the injured and noninjured limbs from T1 to T2. RTS status was recorded at T2. Two-way repeated measures ANOVA analyzed peak extension and flexion torques and paired t-tests analyzed LSI. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Compared with the injured limb, the noninjured limb demonstrated a higher peak extension torque at T1 (p < 0.0001) and T2 (p < 0.0001) and a higher peak knee flexion torque at T1 only (p = 0.004). Peak knee extension (p < 0.0001) and flexion (p = 0.03) torque LSI were significantly higher at T2 than at T1. Despite significant improvements in knee extension and flexion strength, a deficit in the injured limb’s knee extensor strength remained at 40 weeks postsurgery, which highlights the need for female athletes to prioritize strengthening the injured limb’s knee extensors during rehabilitation, especially before returning to training and/or competition.

PMID:40570302 | DOI:10.1519/JSC.0000000000005158

J Strength Cond Res. 2025 Jun 24. doi: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000005163. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Metoyer, CJ, Lever, JR, McGinty, M, Landow, L, Hunt, R, Hauenstein, JD, Huebner, A, Stone, MH, and Wagle, JP. The impact of localized muscle mass on sprint mechanics during the swing and stance phases of Division I collegiate American football players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2025-This study evaluates the impact of localized muscle volume on sprint mechanics among Division-I collegiate American football players across 3 position groups: Skills (Defensive Backs, Wide Receivers), Mids (Linebackers, Running Backs, Tight Ends), and Bigs (Offensive, Defensive Linemen). A total of 108 male athletes (age: 21.4 ± 1.9 years, BMI: 29.6 ± 4.3) were assessed. Lower extremity muscle volumes were measured using magnetic resonance imaging, and sprint kinematics were captured using an inertial motor unit system during maximal effort sprints. Stepwise multiple linear regressions were conducted to evaluate the relationship between muscle volumes, stance, and swing times for each position group. In the Skills group, increased volumes in the vastus intermedius (β = -0.15, p < 0.01) and sartorius (β = -0.17, p = 0.01) were associated with reduced swing time, while those in the vastus medialis (β = 0.18, p < 0.01) increased swing time. For stance time, the gluteus maximus (β = -0.02, p = 0.03) was associated with reduced stance time, and the tibialis posterior (β = 0.28, p < 0.01) increased it. In the Mids group, the biceps femoris long head (β = -0.15, p < 0.01) was associated with reduced stance time, while the vastus medialis (β = 0.09, p < 0.01) increased it. In the Bigs group, the rectus femoris and sartorius were associated with reduced stance time, while the tensor fasciae latae and tibialis anterior increased stance time. These findings highlight the role of localized muscle volume in influencing sprint mechanics and emphasize the potential need for position-specific physical development programs tailored to the biomechanical demands of running mechanics in American football players.

PMID:40570301 | DOI:10.1519/JSC.0000000000005163

Syst Biol. 2025 Jun 26:syaf039. doi: 10.1093/sysbio/syaf039. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The recent rapid radiation of Tillandsia subgenus Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) provides an attractive system to study the drivers and constraints of species diversification. This species-rich Neotropical monocot clade includes predominantly epiphytic species displaying vast phenotypic diversity. Recent in-depth phylogenomic work revealed that the subgenus originated within the last 7 MY, with one major expansion from South into Central America within the last 5 MY. However, disagreements between phylogenies and lack of resolution at shallow nodes suggest that hybridization may have occurred throughout the radiation, together with frequent incomplete lineage sorting and rapid gene family evolution. We used whole-genome resequencing data to explore the evolutionary history of representative ingroup species employing both tree-based and network approaches. Our results indicate that lineage co-occurrence does not predict relatedness and confirm significant deviations from a tree-like structure, coupled with pervasive gene tree discordance. Focusing on hybridization, ABBA-BABA and related statistics were used to infer the rates and relative timing of introgression, while topology weighting uncovered high heterogeneity of the phylogenetic signal along the genome. High rates of hybridization within and among subclades suggest that, contrary to previous hypotheses, the expansion of subgenus Tillandsia into Central America proceeded through several dispersal events, punctuated by episodes of diversification and gene flow. Network analysis revealed reticulation as a plausible propeller during radiation and establishment across different ecological niches. This work contributes a plant example of prevalent hybridization during rapid species diversification, supporting the hypothesis that interspecific gene flow facilitates explosive diversification.

PMID:40569662 | DOI:10.1093/sysbio/syaf039

Nutr Rev. 2025 Jun 26:nuaf074. doi: 10.1093/nutrit/nuaf074. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Dietary habits may significantly influence human health, potentially more than specific foods or nutrients. These habits also play crucial roles in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer (BC). Although the association between low-fat diets (LFDs) and BC has been extensively investigated, the effects of LFDs on BC-related mortality and prognosis remain insufficiently elucidated.

OBJECTIVE: In this meta-analysis we sought to elucidate the relationship between LFDs and BC risk and prognosis.

DATA SOURCES: The search spanned PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Clinical Trials.gov from database inception up to September 13, 2024. Qualified randomized controlled trials were included.

DATA EXTRACTION: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 63,373 participants. These investigations focused on the relationship between LFDs and BC mortality and prognosis.

DATA ANALYSIS: A significant connection exists between LFDs and lower mortality rates following BC (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.84; 95% CI, 0.74-0.95) and deaths specifically attributed to BC (HR = 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.93). Additionally, LFDs significantly enhanced overall survival (HR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.64-0.89). However, the beneficial effect of LFDs on BC incidence (HR = 0.96; 95% CI, 0.87-1.06) and other BC-related outcomes (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.83-1.26) did not reach statistical significance. Low-fat diets decreased energy intake compared to standard control diets (total weighted mean difference [WMD], -122.01 (kcal); 95% CI, -185.35 to -58.67). Similarly, analysis of fat intake indicated that LFDs reduced energy derived from fat relative to usual control diets (total WMD, -6.28 (%); 95% CI, -7.56 to -4.99). The consumption of saturated fat also revealed a statistically significant effect (total WMD, -2.25 (%); 95% CI, -3.09 to -1.40). Egger’s test (P = 0.346) suggested no significant publication bias in the findings. Sensitivity analysis affirmed the robustness of the results.

CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis demonstrates that LFDs are significantly associated with improved mortality rates and prognostic outcomes in BC patients. Larger prospective cohorts are needed to confirm these findings and explore causal mechanisms.

PMID:40569655 | DOI:10.1093/nutrit/nuaf074

Hosp Top. 2025 Jun 26:1-18. doi: 10.1080/00185868.2025.2524800. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Underserved communities often face significant reproductive health challenges, including limited access to contraceptive methods. In the Isare health district, rates of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases are high due to insufficient information and resources. To explore how nurses can play a crucial role in improving knowledge, awareness and accessibility of contraceptive methods within underserved communities. Explore specific strategies, interventions, and education programs that nurses can implement to empower community members to make informed decisions about contraception. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used and it was the qualitative data coding system that allowed us to obtain reliable results. Using Alain Bouchard’s sampling technique, 72 community members and other health actors involved in the provision of contraceptive services were selected. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical software for the social sciences. The results of this article provided practical recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of nurses in promoting awareness and access to contraceptive methods. These recommendations include continuing education for nurses to strengthen their communication skills, developing culturally appropriate awareness campaigns, and strengthening collaboration with other health and community actors. We find that this article will direct the efforts of nurses, health professionals and decision makers in the Isare health district toward more effective strategies to promote awareness and access to contraceptive methods. By following our recommendations given in this article, it is possible to make a significant contribution to improving reproductive health and quality of life in underserved communities.

PMID:40569645 | DOI:10.1080/00185868.2025.2524800

Geobiology. 2025 Jul-Aug;23(4):e70025. doi: 10.1111/gbi.70025.

ABSTRACT

In Arctic polar deserts, rocks can be extensively colonized by phototrophic hypolithic communities that exploit periglacial sorting processes to grow beneath opaque rocks. These communities are distinguished by green bands that are distinctly and abruptly separated from the black-pigmented communities on the rock surface (epiliths). We used 16S and 18S rDNA culture-independent methods to address the hypothesis that the two communities are different. Although both communities were dominated by cyanobacterial species (Chroococcidiopsis and Nostoc spp.), we found that the hypolithic and epilithic habitats host distinct microbial communities. We found that eukaryotic hypolithic and epilithic communities were statistically similar but that the hypolithic habitats contained tardigrade DNA, showing that the more clement subsurface habitat supports animal life in contrast to the surface of the rocks. These results reveal the distinctive communities and sharp demarcations that can develop across small spatial scales in the Earth’s rocky extreme environments.

PMID:40569605 | DOI:10.1111/gbi.70025