Category: Statistics

Neurosurg Rev. 2025 May 27;48(1):449. doi: 10.1007/s10143-025-03599-7.

ABSTRACT

Arginine-Vasopressine deficiency (AVP-D), formerly known as Central Diabetes Insipidus, is a well-known complication in surgery for sellar/parasellar masses. Although less frequent in endoscopic series than transcranial and microscopic transsphenoidal ones, AVP-D has been variably related to different factors. Focusing the work on pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors (PitNET), all patients who were treated endoscopically at a single centre were retrospectively reviewed to analyze the occurrence of this complication. Patient’s characteristics, radiological information, and operative data were collected for patients who underwent surgery for PitNET at the same Institution by a single surgeon in the period 2016-2022. AVP-D was diagnosed in the presence of new-onset hypotonic polyuria with or without hypernatremia and was defined persistent if required a treatment with desmopressine/DDAVP for more than 6 months. Out of 349 patients (mean age at surgery 57.5 years old) 44 (12.6%) developed AVP-D (25 transient and 19 permanent). Younger age, the presence of an intraoperative CSF leak, the maximum diameter of the lesion, its suprasellar extension (considering the presence of a visual deficit), consistency of the lesion (distinguishing 4 classes, soft, soft-fibrous, fibrous and fibrous-firm), the extent of resection and the functioning status showed some relationship at univariate analysis (p < 0.05) with this complication. Larger diameter and longer operative time were seen more frequently in permanent AVP-D. A more solid intraoperative consistency with the presence of adherences (class 4 vs. class 1, OR 11.14, 95%CI 1.20-103.4) and the appearance of an intraoperative CSF-leak (OR 8.27, 95%CI 3.92-17.47) maintained a statistical significance in the multivariate logistic regression, with an older age being a protective factor in developing this deficiency (OR 0.96, 95%CI 0.95-0.99). The recognition of factors that can predict the onset of AVP-D with a certain degree of accuracy enables the entire staff to pay greater attention to the patient at risk in the postoperative period, thus preventing AVP-D complications.

PMID:40423881 | DOI:10.1007/s10143-025-03599-7

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2025 May 27;145(1):319. doi: 10.1007/s00402-025-05924-7.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Orthopedic registries have provided valuable knowledge about risk for and prognosis after total hip arthroplasties (THA), knee arthroplasties (KA), and hip fractures. However, registries are often limited by the lack of data on health risk behaviors, quality of life, and social background, which are readily available in surveys. We examined if participants in The Danish National Health Survey, based on self-administered questionnaires, are representative of THA, KA, and hip fracture patients.

METHODS: Patients were identified in the Danish orthopedic registries and linked with survey data (from 2010, 2013, and 2017) on an individual level. Data on age, sex, comorbidity, medication, markers of socioeconomic position, and healthcare utilization were assessed from the Danish medical databases. We calculated the proportions of variables before and after surgery, comparing patients who had and had not participated in surveys.

RESULTS: We included 177,617 THA surgeries (4.5% of patients completed pre-surgery surveys and 7.0% completed post-surgery surveys), 152,154 KA surgeries (7.0% of patients completed pre-surgery surveys and 6.2% completed post-surgery surveys) and 92,600 hip fracture surgeries (3.8% of patients completed pre-surgery surveys and 2.2% completed post-surgery surveys). Survey participants and non-participants had similar age and sex distribution in the three cohorts. Based on comorbidity, medication, and healthcare utilization, participants appeared slightly healthier than non-participants. There was a slight variation in socioeconomic markers for THA and KA patients between participants and non-participants.

CONCLUSION: The Danish National Health Survey provides a sample that appears to be largely representative of all THA, KA, and hip fracture patients in Denmark. Survey data could be a valuable data source for further studies of the risks and outcomes associated with patients undergoing THA and KA and those suffering from hip fractures, while carefully considering the identified similarities and differences when designing studies and analyzing the survey data.

PMID:40423851 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-025-05924-7

Int J Legal Med. 2025 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s00414-025-03523-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In forensic practice, the estimation of postmortem interval has been a persistent challenge. Recently, there has been an increasing utilization of metabolomics techniques combined with machine learning methods for postmortem interval estimation. When examining metabolite changes from a global perspective, rather than relying on specific substance changes, estimating postmortem interval through machine learning methods is more precise and entails fewer errors. Prior studies have investigated the use of metabolomics to estimate postmortem interval. Nevertheless, most of them focused on analyzing the metabolomic properties of a single organ or biofluid concerning a specific temperature. In this study, we employ the GC-MS platform to identify metabolites in the liver, kidney, and quadriceps femoris muscle of mechanically suffocated Sprague Dawley rats at various temperatures. Multivariable statistical analysis was used to determine differential compounds from the original data. The machine learning method was used to establish models for the estimation of postmortem interval under various ambient temperatures. As indicated by the results, liver, kidney, and quadriceps femoris muscle samples were screened for 24, 18, and 19 differential metabolites respectively, associated with postmortem interval under various ambient temperatures. Based on the metabolites listed above, the support vector regression models were established by utilizing single-organ and multi-organ metabolomics data for postmortem interval estimation. The multi-organ model showed a higher estimation accuracy. Also, a comprehensive generalization postmortem interval estimation model was established with multi-organ metabolomics data and temperature variables, which can be used for the postmortem interval estimation within the temperature range of 5-35℃. These results demonstrate that a multi-organ model utilizing metabolomics techniques can accurately estimate the postmortem interval under various ambient temperatures. Meanwhile, this research establishes a strong foundation for the practical application of metabolomics in postmortem interval estimation.

PMID:40423808 | DOI:10.1007/s00414-025-03523-0

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2025 May 27;74(7):225. doi: 10.1007/s00262-025-04043-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The optimal first-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) remains uncertain, despite recent advancements in immune-based combinations. This retrospective study compares the effectiveness of pembrolizumab plus axitinib (PA) and nivolumab plus cabozantinib (NC) as first-line treatments for mRCC in a real-world setting.

METHODS: Patient data were collected from 55 centers across 16 countries, encompassing individuals diagnosed with mRCC receiving first-line treatment with PA or NC between January 2016 and October 2023. Clinical and tumor features and treatment responses were recorded. The primary endpoints were overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and time to second progression. Statistical analyses included Kaplan-Meier survival estimates, Cox proportional hazard models, and chi-square tests.

RESULTS: A total of 760 patients with a median age of 64 years (range, 29-88) were included. Of them, 607 received PA, and only 153 NC. In the overall study population, ORR was 59% for and 49% for PA. Median OS was 55.7 months and not reached (NR) for PA and NC, respectively (P = .51), while median PFS was longer with NC (27.6 months) than for PA (16.2 months, P = .003). Subgroup analysis suggested a PFS benefits for NC in male, younger patients, intermediate risk group, clear cell histology, and lung involvement, as well as ORR favored NC in good risk patients. Multivariate analysis identified first-line therapy as a significant factor associated with PFS.

CONCLUSIONS: In this certainly biased retrospective comparison, NC demonstrated superior ORR and longer PFS compared to PA in mRCC. These findings underscore the importance of considering individual patient characteristics and risk profiles when selecting first-line therapy for mRCC.

PMID:40423789 | DOI:10.1007/s00262-025-04043-x

Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2025 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s00404-025-08067-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Telemedicine offers new opportunities in perioperative care, particularly for patients with female malignancies. This study investigated factors influencing patient acceptance of telemedical services during the preoperative phase.

METHODS: Between May and November 2022, 145 patients with breast or gynecologic malignancies completed a structured questionnaire in a cross-sectional study during preoperative consultation. Sociodemographic factors, digital experience, and privacy concerns were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U-tests, and binary logistic regression.

RESULTS: Overall, 69% of patients expressed agreement with perioperative telemedicine. Younger age (mean 50.6 vs. 59.3 years; p = 0.001) and greater digital experience, especially video call usage (p = 0.005), significantly predicted approval. The most preferred modality was browser-based video consultation (47%; p = 0.007). No significant associations were found for distance to clinic (p = 0.672), EQ-VAS score (p = 0.597), or number of prior clinic visits (p = 0.331). Barriers included data protection concerns (p < 0.001) and discomfort with receiving sensitive information via telemedicine (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Most patients view telemedicine as a valuable supplement to traditional care. Acceptance depends on age, digital literacy, and the perceived sensitivity of clinical communication. Tailored implementation respecting patient preferences is essential.

PMID:40423772 | DOI:10.1007/s00404-025-08067-7

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2025 May 27. doi: 10.1007/s12010-025-05284-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the potential of green-synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) to enhance biomass production and therapeutic metabolite yields in Alhagi maurorum, a medicinal plant of significant pharmaceutical value. CuO NPs were biosynthesized using A. maurorum leaf extract as a reducing and capping agent, with characterization confirmed via UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM, and zeta potential analysis. Nanoparticles ranged from 7-30 nm in size. Callus induction and proliferation were established using Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with varying concentrations (0-12 mg/L) of CuO NPs combined with plant growth regulators. Maximum callus fresh weight (9.02 mg in cotyledon and 8.46 mg in hypocotyl) was achieved in MS media containing 3.0 mg/L BAP, 0.1 mg/L NAA, and 0.50 mg/L kinetin without CuO NPs. However, CuO NPs significantly enhanced metabolite production in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences (p=0.001) across all biochemical parameters tested, with high F-values for peroxidase activity (7,755.74), total flavonoids (5,195.02), and total soluble sugar (5,702.18). At 8 mg/L CuO NPs, callus cultures exhibited elevated levels of total free amino acids (12.49±0.023 mg/g DW) and total soluble protein (35.617±0.033 mg/g DW), while control samples produced higher starch (35.547±0.23 mg/g DW) and total soluble sugar (121.56±0.091 mg/g DW) content. Significantly, CuO NP-treated cultures demonstrated enhanced secondary metabolite synthesis, with maximum total phenolic compounds (156.477±0.167 mg/g DW GAE) and flavonoids (58.307±0.179 mg/g QE) at 8 and 10 mg/L CuO NPs, respectively. Antioxidant enzyme analysis revealed that cotyledon-derived callus exhibited peak activities at specific CuO NP concentrations: superoxide dismutase (84.5±0.254% inhibition) and glutathione reductase (0.75±0.006% inhibition) at 8 mg/L; peroxidase (3.137±0.009 U), catalase (77.35±0.152 U), and ascorbate peroxidase (0.43±0.006 mM/mg FW) at 10 mg/L. HPLC analysis confirmed the novel presence of lupeol, an anticancer compound, in regenerated roots. These findings demonstrate the potential of CuO NPs for enhancing therapeutic metabolite production in A. maurorum tissue culture while suggesting optimal concentration ranges (8-10 mg/L) for maximum benefits. Further research is necessary to elucidate the molecular mechanisms governing nanoparticle-plant interactions and to address potential health implications.

PMID:40423744 | DOI:10.1007/s12010-025-05284-3

Genet Med. 2025 May 23:101461. doi: 10.1016/j.gim.2025.101461. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To characterize the 2023 medical genetics and genomics workforce in the United States – comprised of clinical geneticists, genetic counselors, genetic nurses, genetic physician assistants (PAs), laboratory geneticists, and metabolic dietitians-to inform genetics workforce efforts.

METHODS: National genetics membership or board-certification organizations distributed an electronic survey to medical genetics professionals in early 2023. Questions were derived from prior workforce surveys and by a workgroup led by the National Coordinating Center for the Regional Genetics Networks (NCC).

RESULTS: Of the 3,070 medical genetics professionals who responded, 66.0% were genetic counselors, 15.4% were clinical geneticists, 12.2% were laboratory geneticists, 4.7% were metabolic dietitians, and 1.7% were genetic nurses or PAs. The respondents identified as White (76.1%) and women (84.7%); there were statistically significant differences between disciplines. Forty percent worked in academic centers; 55.3% worked 41+ hours per week. Nearly 11% of respondents provided services in a language other than English. Despite 34.7% of respondents experiencing some burnout, most had no plans to leave the field (94.4%) within the next year.

CONCLUSIONS: The medical genetics community needs to advance workforce initiatives to support current personnel and attract new and diverse individuals to the field to serve patients and their families.

PMID:40421625 | DOI:10.1016/j.gim.2025.101461

Int J Epidemiol. 2025 Apr 12;54(3):dyaf058. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyaf058.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic induced an unprecedented response from the scientific research community. Previous studies have described disruption of the norms of academic publishing during this time. This study uses an epidemiological statistical toolkit alongside machine-learning methods to investigate the functioning of the scientific information-generation and -consumption ecosystem throughout the pandemic.

METHODS: A dataset of 17 million scientific research papers that were published between January 2019 and December 2022 was analysed. Data on citations and Altmetrics were harvested, and topic modelling was applied to abstracts. COVID-19-related articles were identified from title text. We investigated publication dynamics, correlations between citation metrics and Altmetrics, rates of publication in preprints, and temporal trends in topics, and compared these metrics in COVID-19 papers vs non-COVID-19 papers.

RESULTS: Throughout 2020-2, 3.7% of English-language research output was on the topic of COVID-19. Journal articles on COVID-19 were published at a consistent rate during this period, while preprints peaked in early 2020 and decreased thereafter. COVID-19 preprints had lower publication rates in the peer-reviewed literature than other preprints, particularly those that were preprinted during early 2020. COVID-19 research received significantly more media and social media attention than non-COVID-19 research, and preprints received more attention, on average, than journal articles, with attention peaking during the initial wave and subsequent peaks corresponding to the emergence of novel variants. COVID-19 articles exhibited a higher correlation between Altmetrics and citation metrics compared with non-COVID-19 publications, suggesting a strong alignment between scientific and public attention.

CONCLUSION: This study provides a comprehensive description of the rapid expansion of COVID-19 research, revealing evolving research areas and waxing and waning public interest across different topics. Preprints played an important role in disseminating scientific findings, but the level of coverage of preprinted findings emphasizes the need for guidelines in handling preprint research in media, particularly during a pandemic.

PMID:40421615 | DOI:10.1093/ije/dyaf058

J Mass Spectrom. 2025 Jun;60(6):e5146. doi: 10.1002/jms.5146.

ABSTRACT

Epimedii Folium (EF) is frequently used in clinical as traditional Chinese medicine with a long history in China. The Pharmacopoeia of the People’s Republic of China (2020 Version) contains four species of the plants of the genus Epimedium as its medicinal sources, namely, Epimedium brevicornu Maxim (EBM), E. sagittatum (Sieb. et Zucc) Maxim (ESM), E. pubescens Maxim (EPM), and E. koreanum Nakai (EKN). However, the available studies on a comprehensive analysis of the chemical constituents in the above four species are much scarce. The objective of this study is to establish a method which uses ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ZenoTOF-MS/MS) to identify and characterize the chemical constituents in samples from different species. At the same time, multivariate statistical analysis is applied to screen the differential chemical constituents among different species. A total of 116 constituents were identified from different species of EF; and the possible cleavage pathways of various types of constituents were preliminarily inferred based on the fragmentation behavior of the main constituents. Besides, 23 differential characteristic constituents were screened based on variable importance in projection (VIP) value and p-value, of which nine constituents were common differential constituents. The intrinsic quality of EF was thoroughly assessed in this work using metabolomic analysis based on UPLC-ZenoTOF-MS/MS, which provides basic information for the identification of different varieties of EF, and serves as an experimental foundation for the sensible use of EF from various variations in therapeutic practice.

PMID:40421613 | DOI:10.1002/jms.5146

Int J Rehabil Res. 2025 May 27. doi: 10.1097/MRR.0000000000000670. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cerebellar ataxia impairs motor coordination, leading to gait instability, irregular foot movements, and frequent falls. While studies have examined kinematic deficits in cerebellar patients, the potential for motor learning and transfer specific to foot position control is underexplored. This study aims to investigate the effects of lower-limb distance control practice on motor learning and generalization in patients with cerebellar disorders. Twelve individuals with cerebellar ataxia and 12 matched controls performed a foot-reaching task under controlled conditions. Participants practiced reaching three target distances without visual feedback. Kinematic data were collected using a motion tracking system, and performance was assessed during the practice, retention, and transfer phases. Statistical analyses evaluated learning effects and group differences. Both groups improved foot position control with practice, though cerebellar patients showed higher initial error rates. Retention tests confirmed learning, with reduced errors immediately and 24 h postpractice [F(2,44) = 25.20, P < 0.01]. Transfer tests revealed significant improvements in novel distance tasks for cerebellar patients, but limited generalization to vertical distance conditions [F(2,44) = 7.43, P < 0.01]. Repetitive foot position control practice promotes motor learning and partial generalization in cerebellar patients, indicating preserved neuroplasticity. These findings emphasize the importance of task-specific and variable training in rehabilitation programs to reduce fall risks and enhance functional mobility in this population.

PMID:40421612 | DOI:10.1097/MRR.0000000000000670