Tag: statistics

Int J Cosmet Sci. 2025 Nov 30. doi: 10.1111/ics.70052. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To address the current lack of standardized tools for evaluating hair appearance in the beauty industry, this study presents a robust and accessible method for objectively quantifying hair fibre orientation using two-dimensional discrete Fourier transform (2D-DFT).

METHODS: We analysed hair images of 120 Japanese women using 2D-DFT and extracted the principal orientation angle and anisotropy index by fitting an ellipse to the directional Fourier spectrum. The robustness of the method at the image scale was tested by evaluating its performance across various image resolutions.

RESULTS: The proposed method accurately quantified hair orientation and showed consistent performance across differing image scales provided that individual hair fibres were visually distinguishable. As the method requires only standard digital images and basic computational processing, it is well suited for practical applications.

CONCLUSION: Our 2D-DFT-based approach offers a simple yet robust framework for analysing overall hair orientation. Although further validation is required for different hair types and local orientation analyses, this method provides a foundation for objective evaluation of hair appearance in cosmetic diagnostics and hair science research.

PMID:41319176 | DOI:10.1111/ics.70052

Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2025 Nov 30:48674251393162. doi: 10.1177/00048674251393162. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The onset of youth suicidal ideation and behaviour is a critical predictor of future mental health. This study examines generational differences in the prevalence and age of onset for suicidal ideation, plans, self-harm, and suicide attempts by age 25 in a nationally representative Australian cohort.

METHOD: A retrospective analysis using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing, 2020-22. Respondents were grouped into Generation Z (16-25 years), Millennials (26-41 years), Generation X (42-57 years), and Baby Boomers (58-76 years). Cox proportional hazards models assessed the impact of demographic, childhood adversities, and mental health factors across generations.

RESULTS: Of the 14,753 respondents, 16.1% were Generation Z, 31.3% Millennials, and around one-quarter were from either Generation X or the Baby Boomer generation. Generation Z had the highest hazards for youth suicidal ideation, planning, self-harm, and suicide attempts, with the youngest age of onset. Adverse childhood experiences and lifetime mental health diagnoses were consistent risk factors across generations, but generational differences in their impact were evident. Sexual abuse before 19 was less strongly associated with earlier onset in Generation Z, while witnessing parental violence and exposure to suicide in others had stronger associations with younger onset in Generation Z. Mental disorders were linked to earlier onset, particularly in Baby Boomers.

CONCLUSIONS: Generational differences in the prevalence and age of onset of suicidal ideation and behaviours in Australia are evident, emphasising the need for a tailored, multi-sectorial suicide prevention strategy to address these evolving risks.

PMID:41319174 | DOI:10.1177/00048674251393162

Pharmacol Res Perspect. 2025 Dec;13(6):e70204. doi: 10.1002/prp2.70204.

ABSTRACT

Medication errors, often linked to inadequate numeracy skills, pose significant risks to patient safety. To address this, Kent and Medway Medical School (KMMS) became the first UK medical school to integrate safeMedicate, a validated e-learning platform, into its Year 1 undergraduate medical curriculum. This study aimed to evaluate its impact on student engagement, numeracy competence, and confidence. The entire cohort of 111 first-year medical students (2024 intake) was introduced to the safeMedicate Essential Skills module within the Year 1 module titled Professional Development and Person-Centred Practice. Engagement was assessed via platform analytics (logins, time, completion), numeracy competence through a formative online test, and perceptions via an anonymous survey. Engagement was high, with students averaging 9.1 logins and 124.2 min on the platform. Completion rates were near universal (95%). The average test score was 85.4%, with 75% of students achieving ≥ 85%. Competency analysis showed strong performance in conceptual, calculation, and technical measurement skills. Survey responses indicated that 89% found safeMedicate helpful for test preparation and 83% reported increased confidence in numeracy. Students valued the clarity, usability, and practice-based learning approach. Early integration of safeMedicate demonstrated improved engagement, numeracy performance, and student confidence. Although limited to one institution and formative assessment, findings support continued use of structured digital tools to strengthen medication safety education. Embedding safeMedicate into undergraduate curricula may reduce prescribing errors and better prepare future doctors for safe clinical practice.

PMID:41319170 | DOI:10.1002/prp2.70204

Alzheimers Dement. 2025 Dec;21(12):e70971. doi: 10.1002/alz.70971.

ABSTRACT

Longitudinal data on risk factors at different ages across the lifecourse are essential for gaining important insights into how the timing and accumulation of exposure to risk factors influence the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (dementia). With increased interest in the exposome and lifecourse research questions, there have been commensurate increases in data sources and methodological approaches for answering these questions using empirical data. Methodological approaches developed within specific disciplines have largely remained within disciplinary silos, despite their potential for broader applications. By enumerating these approaches in a single place, we aim to expand discovery in lifecourse dementia research and help investigators align their research questions with appropriate analytic methods. In doing so, we seek to guide methodological decision-making and ensure that researchers use appropriate statistical tools to answer important questions about the exposome and lifecourse risk factors for dementia. HIGHLIGHTS: Longitudinal exposure data are valuable for exposome and lifecourse research on dementia. Multiple methodological approaches exist to analyze such data, with different assumptions, advantages, and disadvantages. Some methodological approaches have been used predominantly in specific disciplines but may have wider utility. Additional research is needed to integrate added complexity from the co-occurrence of multiple exposures into existing methods. Comparisons between methods help researchers make informed decisions on the appropriate method for a specific research question.

PMID:41319155 | DOI:10.1002/alz.70971

Microbiologyopen. 2025 Dec;14(6):e70190. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.70190.

ABSTRACT

Salmonella is recognized as one of the foodborne bacterial infections. The bacterium spreads through contact with animals and ingestion of contaminated foods. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of Salmonella from bulk milk at dairy farm level in Mekelle and Southeast Zones of Tigrai, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to June 2025. After taking the consent, sociodemographic, risk factors, and 203 bulk milk samples were collected from the dairy farms. Salmonella was isolated and identified through pre-enrichment, selective enrichment, selective media, and a series of biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the disk diffusion method. Stata v-16 was employed to determine the strength of the factors that associates with Salmonella. The prevalence of Salmonella was six (2.96%). Salmonella positivity showed statistically significant association with farms that don’t practice regular udder washing before milking, lack of knowledge about bacterial infections, and do not know that consumption of raw milk cause foodborne illness. Five (83.3%) isolates of Salmonella showed resistance to ampicillin and tetracycline, and four (66.7%) to streptomycin. All Salmonella isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime and cefotaxime. Three isolates of Salmonella showed multidrug resistance. The prevalence of Salmonella was low, but its presence in milk may be considered a potential risk to milk safety. Three Salmonella isolates showed resistance to four and six antimicrobial classes. The finding highlights the need for appropriate hygiene practices and the correct use of antibiotics in the farms.

PMID:41319139 | DOI:10.1002/mbo3.70190

J Hum Nutr Diet. 2025 Dec;38(6):e70175. doi: 10.1111/jhn.70175.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Given the limited literature internationally, this cross-sectional study explored associations between inpatient plate waste, food experience and meal quality.

METHODS: Eligible participants were adult inpatients ( $\ge$ 18 years) ordering the same meal as the scheduled test meal. The Meal Quality Audit Tool (MQAT) assessed the temperature and sensory quality of the test meal, the Hospital Food Experience Questionnaire (HFEQ) assessed patient meal experience and plate waste was visually estimated. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with plate waste. Chi-squared or nonparametric t-tests were used to compare MQAT data with patient, audit and HFEQ data.

RESULTS: Eligible participants (n = 187) were (mean ± SD) 59 ± 21 years, 51% female, 73% hospital stay of < 1 week and 57% had data collected at lunch. Across 41 test meals audited, temperature was the only MQAT element not meeting targets. Most patients (68%, n = 120/176) had 0% or 25% plate waste and a median (IQR) HFEQ score of 91 (82-98). For every 1-point increase in patient food experience score, the odds of achieving lower plate waste (≤ 25% plate waste) increased by 5% (OR 0.953, p < 0.05). When temperatures of matched test meals met temperature targets, the odds of lower plate waste (≤ 25% plate waste) increased by 82% (OR 0.183, p < 0.01). Sensory meal quality was not associated with plate waste or food experience (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Lower plate waste (≤ 25% plate waste) was associated with higher patient food experience and meal temperatures meeting temperature targets. However larger, multicentre studies involving diverse patient groups are required to confirm these relationships.

PMID:41319134 | DOI:10.1111/jhn.70175

Exp Dermatol. 2025 Dec;34(12):e70184. doi: 10.1111/exd.70184.

ABSTRACT

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common variant of cutaneous lupus. Histopathology remains the gold standard for diagnosis, but it carries a risk of scarring in a disease already prone to cicatricial outcomes. Additionally, diagnostic delays may occur due to variable processing times, particularly in challenging cases. Line-field confocal optical coherence tomography (LC-OCT) is a novel non-invasive imaging technique offering high-resolution, histology-like features. This study evaluates its diagnostic accuracy in DLE by assessing concordance with histopathology. A cross-sectional study enrolled histologically confirmed DLE from three tertiary referral hospitals. Eleven histological criteria were assessed using LC-OCT and subsequently compared to histopathology. Concordance was evaluated using Cohen’s Kappa coefficient (K), with McNemar’s test applied to detect significant differences (α = 0.05). Twenty-eight patients with DLE participated in the study. LC-OCT demonstrated strong agreement with histopathology in key diagnostic features of DLE. Near-perfect concordance (K = 1, 100% agreement) was observed for interface dermatitis, dermal vessel dilation, epidermal atrophy, and incontinentia pigmenti. Substantial agreement was found for epidermal disarray (K = 0.85), spongiosis (K = 0.70), necrotic keratinocytes (K = 0.70), and infundibular dilation (K = 0.79). Overall, LC-OCT achieved a Cohen’s Kappa of 0.74 with 87.66% concordance, and no statistically significant differences were observed between the two methods (McNemar p = 0.627). LC-OCT is a rapid, effective, and non-invasive diagnostic tool for DLE, demonstrating strong concordance with histopathology and potential for early diagnosis and clinical implementation.

PMID:41319132 | DOI:10.1111/exd.70184

Epilepsia. 2025 Nov 30. doi: 10.1111/epi.70031. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Although vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a well-established neuromodulation therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy, treatment outcomes remain heterogeneous. One possible source of variability lies in differing interpretations of seizure frequency ratings (SFRs). This study examined interrater reliability (IRR) in SFRs between (1) retrospective clinician-clinician chart reviews and (2) prospective caregiver-clinician reports, and explored sources of disagreement.

METHODS: Data were collected from the CONNECTiVOS database. In the retrospective cohort (n = 254), two clinicians independently reviewed medical records and rated seizure frequency across multiple timepoints. In the prospective cohort (n = 214), caregivers and clinicians independently reported SFR in children treated with VNS. IRR was assessed across different measurement thresholds, and potential causes of disagreement were analyzed.

RESULTS: Clinician-clinician agreement in retrospective chart reviews was excellent (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] > .90, Cohen κ > .80), with 18.8% divergent ratings and 4.8% exceeding the reliable change index. Disagreement was significantly associated with higher mean seizure frequency at baseline (p = .004) and at postoperative timepoints (p < .001). In the prospective caregiver-clinician comparison, agreement for absolute seizure frequency was poor (ICC < .50), with discrepancies in 86.5% of cases, although only 1.8% were statistically significant. When rating pairs diverged, clinicians more often reported lower absolute seizure frequencies (p = .002) and greater relative seizure reductions (p = .023) and were more likely to classify patients as achieving a 90% reduction (p = .043).

SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights interrater variability in both retrospective and prospective SFR assessments, a finding systematically related to baseline seizure frequency. Coarser classifications (e.g., 50% or 90% seizure reduction) may improve agreement but reduce clinical nuance. Future efforts should focus on structured, patient-centered documentation and the development of objective outcome measures in VNS evaluation, particularly for children with high seizure burden.

PMID:41319125 | DOI:10.1111/epi.70031

Colorectal Dis. 2025 Dec;27(12):e70321. doi: 10.1111/codi.70321.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Excisional haemorrhoidectomy is often associated with intense post-operative pain and delayed recovery. Bacterial colonization may contribute to this discomfort, and metronidazole has been proposed as an analgesic adjunct. This study compared the analgesic efficacy of topical metronidazole with oral metronidazole.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and the Cochrane Central Register through May 2025. Randomized controlled trials comparing topical metronidazole with oral metronidazole for post-operative pain after haemorrhoidectomy were included. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores on post-operative days 1, 3, and 7 were pooled. Mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed with the I² statistic. Risk of bias (RoB 2) and certainty of evidence (GRADE) were evaluated.

RESULTS: Four RCTs involving 439 patients (218 topical, 221 oral) met inclusion criteria. No significant differences were found between topical and oral metronidazole at day 1 (MD -0.1; 95% CI -0.3 to 0.2; I² = 25%), day 3 (MD -0.4; 95% CI -1.3 to 0.6; I² = 94%), or day 7 (MD -0.2; 95% CI -1.0 to 0.5; I² = 90%).

CONCLUSION: Topical and oral metronidazole showed similar short-term analgesic efficacy after haemorrhoidectomy.

PMID:41319118 | DOI:10.1111/codi.70321

Orthod Craniofac Res. 2025 Nov 30. doi: 10.1111/ocr.70069. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of maxillary expansion using the Invisalign First system in the mixed dentition.

METHODS: The study was conducted in the orthodontic department of the Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine between 2021 and 2024. Inclusion criteria were mixed dentition patients with maxillary transverse deficiency, fully erupted first molars, arch width discrepancy ≤ 5 mm, mild to moderate crowding and pre-peak growth status (CS2). Exclusion criteria were Angle’s Class III malocclusion, previous orthodontic treatment, congenitally missing teeth, TMJ disorders, cleft lip/palate, or use of additional appliances. All patients were treated with a standardised digital protocol using the Invisalign First system with optimised expansion support attachments. No additional buccal root torque was programmed, and Class II elastics were not used. Pre- and post-treatment intraoral scan digital models and cone-beam computed tomography data were obtained. Measured parameters included arch width, nasal width, apical base width, alveolar width, palatal depth and first molar inclination. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-tests for normally distributed data and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for non-normally distributed data, with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The study included 45 patients (mean age 8.84 ± 1.01 years; mean treatment duration 18.26 ± 0.95 months). Significant transverse increases were observed in all maxillary arch widths, particularly in the canine and deciduous molar regions (canine dental width: 4.17 ± 1.91 mm, p < 0.001; first deciduous molar width: 3.86 ± 1.93 mm, p < 0.001; second deciduous molar width: 4.38 ± 1.78 mm, p < 0.001). Corresponding significant expansion was noted at the alveolar bone level (anterior alveolar process width: 4.04 ± 3.37 mm, p < 0.001; posterior alveolar process width: 2.51 ± 1.71 mm, p < 0.001). The maxillary first molars showed controlled buccal inclination of 1.6° ± 4.09° (p < 0.01). The upper arch perimeter increased by 3.68 ± 2.95 mm (p < 0.001) with crowding reduction of 3.83 ± 3.00 mm (p < 0.001). No significant palatal depth changes occurred (0.42 ± 3.36 mm, p = 0.41).

CONCLUSION: In the mixed dentition, the Invisalign First system can effectively expand the maxillary dental-alveolar width, maintain molar inclination and improve the transverse deficiencies and arch form in the canine-premolar region.

PMID:41319100 | DOI:10.1111/ocr.70069