PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-04-01eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320329
Anique Godjo, Darren Mc Donald, Lucile Ansaldi, Islam A A Darwish, John L Byrne, Thomais Kakouli-Duarte
{"title":"Effects of hexavalent chromium on the biology of Steinernema feltiae: evaluating sublethal endpoints for ecotoxicity testing.","authors":"Anique Godjo, Darren Mc Donald, Lucile Ansaldi, Islam A A Darwish, John L Byrne, Thomais Kakouli-Duarte","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0320329","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320329","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Essential information about the effects of a pollutant on an ecosystem can be obtained by observing how it influences a bioindicator organism. Hexavalent chromium (Cr VI+) naturally occurs in Irish agricultural soils at levels of up to 250 mg/kg, which raises concerns about potential negative impacts on human health and the surrounding areas. This research aimed to assess the sublethal effect concentrations (up to 300 ppm) of Cr VI + on the entomopathogenic nematode (EPN) Steinernema feltiae focusing on endpoints such as nematode movement and host finding ability in contaminated sand and pathogenicity, percentage penetration, sex ratio and reproduction in Galleria mellonella. To achieve that, an Irish isolate of S. feltiae [strain SB 12 (1)], was used in all experiments. The attraction of nematodes to the insect host was tested using PVC tubes of various lengths, containing sand with various concentrations of Cr VI + (50-300 ppm in increments of 50). The replication was tenfold and the insect mortality was recorded at the end of the experiment. Results showed that there was a significant effect of Cr VI + on the pathogenicity, movement and host finding ability of the nematodes in contaminated sand, and on the percentage of penetration in an insect host. However, no significant effects among the studied Cr VI + concentrations were observed in S. feltiae reproduction in G. mellonella. Similarly, the presence of the toxicant (at low concentration of 12ppm) did not affect the growth of the nematode symbiotic bacteria in liquid and solid media (TSA and NBTA). Reproduction, unlike the other sublethal parameters tested, appeared not to be an optimal endpoint for assessing soil Cr VI + risk contamination. Overall, this study confirms the excellent potential of S. feltiae to be used as a suitable sentinel organism in assessing the risk of Cr VI + soil contamination especially in the contexts of agriculture and soil health.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 4","pages":"e0320329"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-04-01eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320675
Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim, Abebe Belay Reta, Mohyadin Abdullahi Ahmed, Ramadan Budul Yusuf, Abdilahi Ibrahim Muse, Mohamed Omar Osman, Seid Muhumed Abdilaahi, Mustafe Abdi Ali, Kadar Ahmed Bile
{"title":"Prevalence of scabies and associated factors among school age children in Qoloji IDP in Babile district, Somali, Eastern Ethiopia.","authors":"Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim, Abebe Belay Reta, Mohyadin Abdullahi Ahmed, Ramadan Budul Yusuf, Abdilahi Ibrahim Muse, Mohamed Omar Osman, Seid Muhumed Abdilaahi, Mustafe Abdi Ali, Kadar Ahmed Bile","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0320675","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320675","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Scabies is a contagious ectoparasite of the skin. It is caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei var. Scabies occurs worldwide among people of all ages, races, genders and social classes and has been identified as a neglected tropical infectious disease. In Ethiopia, there is currently social unrest, conflict, and human-made disasters, leading to the displacement of the population from one place to another. Scabies is one of the most common skin diseases among the internally displaced population, where hygiene and sanitation are poor. The aim of the study was to assess prevalence of scabies and associated factors among school age children in Qoloji IDP in Babile District, Somali, Eastern Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional community-based study design was carried out in 422 among school aged children from June to July 2022. The data was collected by using observation (clinical investigation), structured questionnaires. Data was coded, entered and cleaned using with epi data version 3.1, and exported and analysis was done by using SPSS statistical software package version 22. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with scabies. Findings were presented by using 95% CI of Crude Odds Ratios (COR) and Adjusted Odds Ratios (AOR). To declare statistical significance, a p-value of less than 0.05 was used.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 63 cases of scabies with a prevalence of 14.92% CI at 95% (11.7%-18.1%). The multivariable logistic regression shows that age categories with 5-9 [AOR = 2.4 (95% CI: 1.01,6.39)], over-crowding index greater than 1.5 [AOR = 10 (95% CI: (3.6,27.8)] washing clothes infrequently [AOR = 14.7(95% CI: 3.6,25)), history of contact with scabies patients in the past 2 months [AOR = 5(95% CI: (1.2,23.0)], and Family having rash in the past two weeks [AOR = 9.9 (95% CI: 3.7,26)] having poor knowledge about scabies among children's family [AOR = 8.9 (95% CI: 3.3,24)] were significant variables at p-value less than 0.05.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>There was a higher prevalence of scabies in the study area. Age, overcrowding, washing clothes infrequently, history of contact with scabies patients in the past 2 months, family having a rash in the past two weeks, and poor knowledge about scabies among children's families were significant factors. Health education on personal hygiene, avoiding sharing clothes with others, avoiding contact, sleeping with scabies-ill people, and sharing beds with others are important measures in reducing these risk factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 4","pages":"e0320675"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-04-01eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0320896
Momtaz Sultana, Yuta Hayashi, Tanzilur Rahman Tamim, Rie Chiba, Muhammad Kamal Uddin
{"title":"Psychometric properties of the Bangla version of the sense of coherence scale among university students in Bangladesh.","authors":"Momtaz Sultana, Yuta Hayashi, Tanzilur Rahman Tamim, Rie Chiba, Muhammad Kamal Uddin","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0320896","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320896","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Sense of coherence is a key concept in psychological science that contributes to mental health by helping people cope with various stressors in their daily lives. A literature review demonstrated the unavailability of a tool for measuring sense of coherence in Bangladesh. This study aimed to translate the 13-item Sense of Coherence scale (SOC-13) into the Bangla language and to examine its validity, dimensionality, and reliability.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>After translating the SOC-13, a cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 510 undergraduate students at a university in Bangladesh from July to October 2021. Construct validity was assessed through confirmatory factor analysis to analyze the structural validity of the Bangla SOC-13 scale, and by examining correlations with related constructs (self-esteem, well-being, and psychological distress). The alpha coefficient was calculated to examine internal consistency. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22 and R statistical software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 320 respondents provided valid responses (response rate: 62.7%). The structural validity of the SOC-13, as examined through confirmatory factor analysis, was consistent across studies (a three-factor structure with an acceptable fit), and convergent validity was evidenced through a statistically significant positive relationships between sense of coherence and both self-esteem and well-being, as well as criterion validity was supported by a significant negative relationship with psychological distress. The internal consistency of the total scores by the coefficient alpha was good (α = 0.74), whereas the alphas of each subscale showed mediocre to fair reliability.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The Bangla version of the SOC-13 showed good construct validity, acceptable criterion validity, and good reliability based on overall internal consistency. Thus, it can be used to assess sense of coherence in young adults, although there is scope for further examination.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 4","pages":"e0320896"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The impact of cut-soiler technology on rice-wheat production in salt-affected areas of western Indo-Gangetic Plains of India.","authors":"Guenwoo Lee, Junya Onishi, Taishin Kameoka, Kayo Matsui, Gajender Yadav, Suresh Kumar, Govind Prasad, Satender Kumar, Rajender Kumar Yadav","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0320775","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0320775","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Soil salinization poses a significant challenge to agricultural productivity worldwide, particularly in the rice-wheat belt of the western Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP), where excess sodium salts (sodicity) degrade soil health and threaten crop production. The cut-soiler, a farm machine developed in Japan, is an innovative and cost-effective solution. The cut-soiler constructs residue-filled, shallow subsurface drains, enhancing lateral and vertical water movement through the soil and improving soil conditions and crop productivity. Unlike previous studies confined to semi-controlled experimental settings, this research uniquely evaluates the effectiveness of cut-soiler technology on local farms severely affected by salinization, specifically addressing subsurface sodicity and recurrent waterlogging conditions that hinder agricultural profitability. From 2019 to 2023, feasibility trials were conducted in farmers' fields across Punjab and Haryana, India, where gypsum was applied alongside crop residue to enhance subsurface soil reclamation. The analysis reveals significant improvements in the rice and wheat yields. The findings suggest that the application of a cut-soiler over an area of 20 hectares produces a positive net present value (NPV > 0), a benefit-cost ratio (BCR > 1), and an internal rate of return (IRR > 10%), thus supporting the financial viability of the investment for the reclamation of sodicity-affected regions. In addition, the cut-soiler reduces crop residue burning, contributing to environmental sustainability. The substantial yield increases observed in both experimental and conventional farming settings highlight the potential of cut-soiler technology to transform agricultural practices in salt-affected regions, improve crop productivity, and boost economic returns for local farmers.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 4","pages":"e0320775"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-04-01eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319274
Zahid Ali Khan, Uruj Qureshi, Tazeen Khan, Sonu Goel
{"title":"Change in the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among young Indians aged 15-24 years between 2015-16 and 2019-21: Insights from nationally representative surveys.","authors":"Zahid Ali Khan, Uruj Qureshi, Tazeen Khan, Sonu Goel","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0319274","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0319274","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Globally, the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among adults in low- and middle-income countries is on the rise. However, the data on young people remains scarce. In this context, we analyzed data from two national-level cross-sectional surveys-NFHS-4, which included 272,966 individuals, and NFHS-5, which included 250,213 individuals-to assess changes in the prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among young Indians aged 15-24 years. Between 2015-2016 and 2019-2021, the prevalence of prehypertension increased significantly (p < 0.001), rising from 38.9% to 44.5% among men and from 21.1% to 26.9% among women. While hypertension prevalence among men increased from 5.2% to 6.2%, it remained stable at approximately 4.0% among women over the same period. Most states, with a few exceptions, exhibited an increase in prehypertension prevalence across both genders, and more than two-thirds of states also showed an increase in hypertension prevalence among men. High BMI was found to be strongly associated with both prehypertension and hypertension. The rising prevalence of prehypertension and hypertension among young Indians aged 15-24 years is concerning and underscores the urgent need to develop targeted preventive strategies for this age group.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 4","pages":"e0319274"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764320","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-04-01eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0318256
Ji Ren, Chunyan Tang, Jinghe Wang, Yanan Wang, Dongying Yang, Jianming Sheng, Shili Zhu, Yunli Liu, Xiaoqi Li, Wei Liu
{"title":"Association of overweight/obesity and digestive system cancers: A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of prospective cohort studies.","authors":"Ji Ren, Chunyan Tang, Jinghe Wang, Yanan Wang, Dongying Yang, Jianming Sheng, Shili Zhu, Yunli Liu, Xiaoqi Li, Wei Liu","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0318256","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0318256","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Previous researches have reported correlations between overweight/obesity and common digestive system cancers (DSCs), including gastric, liver, esophageal, colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. However, the inconsistency in defining overweight/obesity and the risk of recall bias from case-control and retrospective cohort studies may influence existing results. Therefore, we aimed to validate the relationship between overweight/obesity and common DSCs by combining prospective cohort studies based on the World Health Organization (WHO) criteria for defining overweight/obesity.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases, covering all publications up to February 7, 2024. The inclusion criteria focused on prospective cohort studies that examined the link between overweight/obesity and risks of DSCs. R software 4.1.3 and STATA 12 were utilised to calculate the relative risk (RR), with 95% confidence interval (CI) and prediction interval (PI). TSA v0.9.5.10 Beta software was used for trial sequential analysis (TSA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The meta-analysis encompassed 39 articles. The overall analysis showed that compared with normal weight, overweight/obesity increased the risks of liver cancer (overweight: RR [95% CI] = 1.237 [1.112-1.377]; 95% PI: 0.888-1.725; obesity: RR [95% CI] = 1.642 [1.466-1.839]; 95% PI: 1.143-2.358) and colorectal cancer (overweight: RR [95% CI] = 1.124 [1.056-1.197]; 95% PI: 0.931-1.357; obesity: RR [95% CI] = 1.366 [1.242-1.503]; 95% PI: 0.959-1.945) in the total population. Subgroup analysis revealed that overweight (RR [95% CI] = 1.237 [1.165-1.314]; 95% PI: 1.154-1.327) and obesity (RR [95% CI] = 1.306 [1.152-1.480]; 95% PI: 1.108-1.539) were associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer only in women, and overweight also increased the gastric cancer risk of women (RR [95% CI] = 1.041 [1.013-1.070], 95% PI: 0.806-1.230). No significant association of overweight/obesity and esophageal cancer was observed in both male and female.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study suggested that overweight/obesity elevated the risks of liver and colorectal cancer in both men and women. No significant association was found between overweight/obesity and the risk of developing esophageal cancer. Clinicians are advised to consider weight control as an effective measure for preventing pancreatic, liver, and colorectal cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 4","pages":"e0318256"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764570","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Colonization with extended-spectrum β-lactamase and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Mitkie Tigabie, Getu Girmay, Yalewayker Gashaw, Getachew Bitew, Abebe Birhanu, Eden Getaneh, Azanaw Amare, Muluneh Assefa","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0316492","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0316492","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The human intestinal tract contains many commensals. However, during an imbalance of the normal microbiota following exposure to antibiotics, extended-spectrum β-lactamase- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales emerge. Individuals colonized with these bacteria may develop subsequent infections themselves. Therefore, this review aimed to estimate the colonization rate of extended-spectrum β-lactamase- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Ethiopia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The protocol was registered (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024550137). A systematic literature search was conducted in electronic databases, including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Hinari, to retrieve potential studies. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. The data were extracted from the eligible studies using Microsoft Excel 2019 and analyzed using STATA version 11. Heterogeneity between studies was checked using I2 test statistics. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test. A random-effects model of DerSimonian-Laird method was employed to estimate the outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 15 studies with 4713 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The overall pooled colonization rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Ethiopia were 28.5% (95% CI: 16.4-40.5%, I2 = 95.9%, p < 0.001) and 4.4% (95% CI: 0.9-7.9%, I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.64), respectively. The majority of the extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers were E. coli (20.6%, 95% CI: 9.3-31.9%, I2 = 94.4%, p < 0.001), followed by Klebsiella spp. (11.1%, 95% CI: 7.7-14.6%, I2 = 20.2%, p = 0.245). Similarly, the predominant carbapenemase producers were E. coli (2.7%, 95% CI: -1.3-6.7, I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.941) and Klebsiella spp. (2.1%, 95% CI: -1.7-5.9%, I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.999). Furthermore, the pooled estimate of multidrug resistance among extended-spectrum β-lactamase producers was 71.7% (95% CI: 55.25-88.05%, I2 = 92.9%, p < 0.001).</p><p><strong>Conclusion and recommendations: </strong>Approximately one-quarter of Ethiopians are colonized with ESBL-PE, while about one in 25 is colonized with CPE. These findings were obtained from studies with a moderate-to-low risk of bias. However, the results for ESBL-PE showed significant variability, indicating high heterogeneity among the studies. This colonization may lead to subsequent extraintestinal infections. Therefore, proactive action from all stakeholders is required to combat the unrecognized spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in humans.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 4","pages":"e0316492"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764700","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PLoS ONEPub Date : 2025-04-01eCollection Date: 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314593
Athanasios Gkekas, Sarah J Ronaldson, Adwoa Parker, David J Torgerson
{"title":"Improving patient recruitment to randomised trials can be cost-effective: A case-study of dexamethasone from the RECOVERY trial.","authors":"Athanasios Gkekas, Sarah J Ronaldson, Adwoa Parker, David J Torgerson","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0314593","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0314593","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The RECOVERY trial assessed the effectiveness of treatments on preventing severe outcomes from COVID-19 disease in hospitalised patients from 176 NHS hospitals. Clinical benefits of Dexamethasone were observed for hospitalised COVID-19 patients. About 15% of all eligible patients were recruited into the trial. Had patient recruitment been higher the study would have been completed more rapidly.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To estimate the cost-effectiveness of improving recruitment to the RECOVERY trial from 15% to 50%, by employing or redeploying two research nurses to each hospital participating in the RECOVERY trial. The analysis is restricted to the evaluation of Dexamethasone versus No Dexamethasone.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A decision tree model was developed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of Dexamethasone, against No Dexamethasone. Probability, utility, and cost inputs were used for each pathway and treatment. Then, a cost-utility analysis of clinical practice post-RECOVERY trial (83% Dexamethasone, 17% No Dexamethasone) versus previous clinical practice (100% No Dexamethasone) was undertaken; this analysis was aggregated at the population level and the cost of employing or redeploying two research nurses at each hospital was added, to estimate the cost-effectiveness of faster recruitment to the RECOVERY trial.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Faster recruitment to the RECOVERY trial could have generated an incremental net benefit of £13,955,476 related to the evaluation of Dexamethasone against No Dexamethasone, thus highlighting the magnitude of the foregone incremental net benefit due to not adopting a more cost-effective clinical practice (83% Dexamethasone, 17% No Dexamethasone) earlier. The findings remain robust following variations in the model's parameters, with a 85% and 94% probability of faster recruitment being cost-effective given a cost-effectiveness threshold of £20,000 and £30,000 per Quality Adjusted Life Year respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Slow recruitment to randomised trials can have huge implications for healthcare systems as a result of not introducing a more cost-effective treatment earlier through faster patient recruitment.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 4","pages":"e0314593"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The effect of the choice of screening test when measuring the prevalence of gambling disorder: A cross-sectional study in Japan.","authors":"Tatsuya Noda, Moritoshi Kido, Chieko Ito, Toshiyuki Ojima","doi":"10.1371/journal.pone.0318885","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0318885","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examines the influence of the selection of screening tests and cut-off scores on the prevalence of gambling disorders by simultaneously administering several tests to the same sample. The survey was conducted online in 2021, with 2,000 respondents distributed equally across two prefectures in Japan. Four screening tests were administered simultaneously: the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS), Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI), Lie/Bet questionnaire, and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 (DSM-5). The prevalence at the original cut-off scores was markedly different, with the SOGS (10.3%) showing the highest prevalence and the DSM-5 (3.8%) showing the lowest prevalence. Adjusting the cut-off score from 5 to 4 for the SOGS increased prevalence by 2.9%, while changing the PGSI cut-off score from 8 to 7 only increased it by 0.5%. This is the first study in Japan to simultaneously compare the scores for multiple screening tests and cut-off scores regarding gambling disorders. The SOGS screens more individuals with a possible gambling disorder than other measures, and altering the cut-off score significantly affected its prevalence. Selecting appropriate screening tests and cut-off scores is crucial to accurately assessing the prevalence of possible gambling disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":20189,"journal":{"name":"PLoS ONE","volume":"20 4","pages":"e0318885"},"PeriodicalIF":2.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143764820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}