Category: Statistics

Perfusion. 2025 Jul 10:2676591251359908. doi: 10.1177/02676591251359908. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IntroductionOur aim was to evaluate the beating heart technique during frozen elephant trunk (FET) total arch replacement.MethodsBetween 03/2013 and 01/2023, 357 patients underwent FET total arch replacement in one aortic centre. Patient characteristics, intra- and postoperative data were compared between 290 patients (81%) undergoing FET repair during cardioplegic arrest and 67 patients (19%) operated on using the beating heart technique after propensity score matching.ResultsAfter propensity score matching there were no statistically significant differences in preoperative characteristics, the underlying pathology, and regarding arterial inflow-cannulation or concomitant cardiac procedures. Aortic cross-clamp (p = .042) and cerebral perfusion (p = .003) times were significantly shorter in the beating heart group. Postoperative cardiac biomarkers were lower, but the difference did not reach statistical significance. In-hospital mortality was numerically lower (1 [2%] vs 4 [7%], p = .346), and the incidence of postoperative renal replacement therapy was significantly lower (p = .027) in the beating heart group. Usage of the beating heart technique was not a significant variable in our logistic regression model for in-hospital mortality, while an acute aortic pathology was highly predictive for the outcome (p = .006, odds ratio: 3.319).ConclusionsThe beating heart technique has the potential to improve postoperative outcome following FET total arch replacement. The approach may be helpful for patients with reduced left ventricular function because of shorter aortic cross-clamp times.

PMID:40636994 | DOI:10.1177/02676591251359908

BJPsych Open. 2025 Jul 10;11(4):e145. doi: 10.1192/bjo.2025.35.

ABSTRACT

Medicinal cannabis has been trialled for Tourette syndrome in adults, but it has not been studied in adolescents. This open-label, single-arm trial study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability and signal of efficacy of medicinal cannabis in adolescents (12-18 years), using a Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol:cannabidiol ratio of 10:15, with dose varying from 5 to 20 mg/day based on body weight and response. The study demonstrated feasibility of recruitment, acceptability of study procedures, potential benefits and a favourable safety profile, with no serious adverse events. Commonly reported adverse events were tiredness and drowsiness, followed by dry mouth. Statistically significant improvement was observed in parent and clinician reports on tics (paired t-test P = 0.003), and behavioural and emotional issues (paired t-test P = 0.048) and quality of life as reported by the parent and young person (paired t-test P = 0.027 and 0.032, respectively). A larger-scale, randomised controlled trial is needed to validate these findings.

PMID:40636988 | DOI:10.1192/bjo.2025.35

Bull Entomol Res. 2025 Jul 10:1-9. doi: 10.1017/S0007485325100187. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pieris brassicae (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae), commonly known as the cabbage butterfly, is a major herbivorous pest causing significant damage to Brassica crops, which are widely cultivated for edible parts and economic uses such as oilseed production. Conventional chemical-based pest control methods pose risks to environmental and human health, prompting interest in sustainable alternatives like biological control using parasitoids. This study evaluated crop damage by P. brassicae larvae and the potential of the larval parasitoid Cotesia vestalis (Haliday, 1834) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) in managing pest populations. Larvae and fertilized eggs of P. brassicae were collected and reared on four host diets (cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, and generic brassica) under controlled laboratory conditions. Larval growth, feeding behavior, and development were assessed, along with a feeding index for dietary efficiency. Parasitisation was introduced by exposing larvae to adult C. vestalis, and host-parasitoid interactions were statistically analyzed using one-way ANOVA and regression models. Results revealed that larvae had the highest feeding preference and weight gain on brassica, while turnip-fed larvae consumed the least. Parasitisation by C. vestalis significantly suppressed larval development, with a strong correlation between parasitisation rates and reduced host fitness. These findings highlight C. vestalis as a promising biological control agent for P. brassicae, offering an effective and eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides. Further research should focus on optimizing C. vestalis mass-rearing protocols and release strategies tailored to diverse Brassica cropping systems to promote sustainable pest management.

PMID:40636982 | DOI:10.1017/S0007485325100187

BMC Psychol. 2025 Jul 9;13(1):759. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02862-2.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between disease uncertainty and stress perception among parents of critically ill children in the PICU.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 273 parents of children admitted to the PICU of a tertiary hospital in Guangdong Province, China. Standardized scales were used to assess disease uncertainty, coping style, and perceived stress. SPSS 26.0 software was used for descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and mediating effect analysis.

RESULTS: The mean score for parents stress perception of PICU children was (30.73 ± 4.62). Stress perception was positively correlated with disease uncertainty (r = 0.585, P < 0.01) and negative coping style (r = 0.349, P < 0.01), while negatively correlated with positive coping style (r = -0.539, P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that disease uncertainty, positive coping style, parent-child relationship, residence and disease severity were significant predictors of parental perceived stress (P < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed that disease uncertainty not only directly affect stress perception, but also indirectly affect stress perception through coping style.

CONCLUSIONS: Disease uncertainty is a significant factor contributing to stress in parents of children admitted to the PICU. It affects their choice of coping styles, which in turn impacts their stress levels. This study highlights the importance of addressing disease uncertainty and coping strategies to reduce stress in parents of critically ill children and improve family-centered care in the PICU.

PMID:40635113 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-02862-2

Biopsychosoc Med. 2025 Jul 9;19(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s13030-025-00333-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prolonged COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the clinical care and the mental health of patients in psychosomatic medicine. Between late 2021 and early 2022, the Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine (JSPM) and the Japanese Society of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine (JSPIM) conducted a nationwide physician survey to assess these effects. The survey identified difficulties in outpatient and inpatient care, increased use of telemedicine, and rises in patient numbers and symptom severity. Due to inconsistent findings in prior studies on long-term mental health effects of the pandemic, a follow-up survey was needed.

METHODS: This study is the one-year follow-up survey conducted by JSPM and JSPIM. A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted among physicians of the two societies from December 21, 2022, to February 14, 2023. The questionnaire examined trends in outpatient and inpatient care, telemedicine use, and changes in the mental health of patients with psychosomatic disorders, eating disorders, adjustment disorders, mood disorders, and anxiety disorders. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed.

RESULTS: A total of 251 physicians responded. While outpatient numbers showed partial recovery, 28% of the respondents reported persistent declines compared to pre-pandemic levels. Telemedicine remained in use at 62% of their institutions, but 70% of the respondents reported difficulties in symptom assessment. Compared to the previous year, more respondents reported an increase in the number of patients across all surveyed disorders. Regarding the psychosocial factors that affected patients, fear of infection was the predominant factor for anxiety disorders, as in the previous survey, whereas restrictions on daily and social activities were the most influential for psychosomatic disorders, mood disorders, and adjustment disorders.

CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting effect on patients receiving psychosomatic treatment. Outpatient numbers are gradually recovering, and telemedicine has contributed to the continuity of care. However, concerns about patient assessment in telemedicine persist. The impact of the prolonged pandemic on mental health appears to have evolved, with shifts in the psychosocial factors that influence different aspects of mental health deterioration. Future studies that incorporate clinical data will provide valuable insights into the long-term consequences of the pandemic and help guide future clinical practice.

PMID:40635104 | DOI:10.1186/s13030-025-00333-z

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Jul 9;30(1):603. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02864-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rib fractures are often treated conservatively, but for cases with significant displacement or instability, surgical intervention may be necessary. Traditional open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) has been the standard surgical approach; however, the tunnel minimally invasive technique is emerging as a less invasive alternative. This study compares the efficacy of these two surgical methods in terms of incision length, postoperative pain, surgical time, and hospital stay.

METHODS: A retrospective evaluation was conducted from June 2022 to December 2024 at our hospital, including 167 patients with rib fractures. Patients were divided into two groups: 86 receiving traditional ORIF (control group) and 81 undergoing the tunnel minimally invasive technique (observation group). Surgical outcomes, including incision length, surgical duration, pain scores (measured by the Visual Analogue Scale), and hospital stay, were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0 software, and results were considered significant with a P-value of < 0.05.

RESULTS: The observation group demonstrated significantly shorter incision lengths (3.65 ± 1.08 cm vs. 9.10 ± 3.65 cm), lower postoperative pain scores (2.02 ± 0.93 vs. 3.52 ± 0.82), and shorter hospital stays (9.58 ± 2.68 days vs. 12.60 ± 3.33 days) compared to the control group (P < 0.001 for all). However, the surgical time was significantly longer for the tunnel technique (151.55 ± 39.81 min vs. 121.40 ± 29.37 min, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The tunnel minimally invasive technique offers significant advantages over traditional ORIF, including smaller incisions, reduced postoperative pain, and shorter hospital stays, despite a longer surgical duration. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are required to confirm its long-term benefits and cost-effectiveness.

PMID:40635080 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-025-02864-1

Glob Health Res Policy. 2025 Jul 9;10(1):27. doi: 10.1186/s41256-025-00421-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cancer prevention is a critical public health challenge in China, especially among rural residents. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of cancer cognition in the relationship between e-health literacy and cancer prevention consciousness.

METHODS: A multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to recruit 486 rural residents from Shandong Province for a questionnaire survey. Data from 453 valid responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate and multiple linear regression. Path analysis was used to examine the mediating role of cancer cognition in the relationship between e-health literacy and cancer prevention consciousness.

RESULTS: The mean score of cancer prevention consciousness among rural residents in this study was 7.46 out of a maximum of 10. Regression analysis showed that e-health literacy (β = 0.146, P < 0.001) and cancer cognition (β = 0.150, P < 0.001) influenced cancer prevention consciousness. Gender and the perceived necessity of cancer-related knowledge were also influencing factors (P < 0.001). The direct effect value of e-health literacy on cancer prevention consciousness was 0.155, which accounted for 84.87% of the total effect. The indirect effect value through cancer cognition level is 0.028, accounting for 15.13% of the total effect.

CONCLUSIONS: We found an above-average level of cancer prevention consciousness among the rural residents. E-health literacy can enhance the consciousness among individuals by increasing their cancer cognition. Policymakers should leverage e-health technologies to strengthen residents’ capacity to understand cancer-related information, with culturally tailored interventions further supporting effective prevention and global health efforts.

PMID:40635047 | DOI:10.1186/s41256-025-00421-1

Plant Methods. 2025 Jul 9;21(1):95. doi: 10.1186/s13007-025-01416-2.

ABSTRACT

Stomatal morphology plays a critical role in regulating plant gas exchange influencing water use efficiency and ecological adaptability. While traditional methods for analyzing stomatal traits rely on labor-intensive manual measurements, machine learning (ML) tools offer a promising alternative. In this study, we evaluate the suitability of a U-Net-based interactive ML software with corrective annotation for stomatal morphology phenotyping. The approach enables non-ML experts to efficiently segment stomatal structures across diverse datasets, including images from different plant species, magnifications, and imprint methods. We trained a single model based on images from five datasets and tested its performance on unseen data, achieving high accuracy for stomatal density (R² = 0.98) and size (R² = 0.90). Thresholding approaches applied to the U-Net segmentations further improved accuracy, particularly for density measurements. Despite significant variability between datasets, our findings demonstrate the feasibility of training a single segmentation model to analyze diverse stomatal data sets. Validation approaches showed that a semi-automatic approach involving correcting segmentations was five times faster than manual annotation while maintaining comparable accuracy. Our results also illustrate that ML metrics, such as the F1 score, correlate with accuracy in the statistical analysis of trait measurements with improvements diminishing after 2:30 h model training. The final model achieved high precision, allowing the detection of highly significant biological differences in stomatal morphology within plant, between genotypes and across growing environments. This study highlights interactive ML with corrective annotation as a robust and accessible tool for accelerating phenotyping in plant sciences, reducing technical barriers and promoting high-throughput analysis.

PMID:40635039 | DOI:10.1186/s13007-025-01416-2

BMC Rheumatol. 2025 Jul 9;9(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s41927-025-00539-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: It is well-documented that systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with asthma. However, the causal relationship between SLE and asthma, and the potential mediator need to be explained. This study aims to confirm the cause-and-effect relationship between SLE and asthma, and evaluate the mediation effect of lipid in European ancestry.

METHODS: A Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study was applied to analyze the causal relationships between SLE and asthma. A two-step MR design was used to explore whether low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) mediates the causal pathway from SLE to asthma outcome. Cochran’s Q statistic methods and MR-Egger regression were used to assess heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Leave-one-out (LOO) sensitivity test was adopted to estimate the effect of removing one of the selected individual SNPs on the overall results. Funnel and forest plots were also conducted to detect the pleiotropy directly.

RESULTS: SLE was significantly associated with higher asthma risk according to inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method [OR (95%CI): 1.093 (1.024-1.166)] (P = 0.007), MR Egger method [OR (95%CI): 1.192 (1.077-1.319)] (P = 0.028) and Maximum likelihood [OR (95%CI): 1.094 (1.036-1.155)] (P = 0.001), which were robust across adequate sensitivity analysis. On the contrary, asthma has no causal relationship with SLE. In addition, LDL-C may mediate a proportion of 6.15% of the total effect between SLE and asthma.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that patients with SLE may have a higher risk of developing asthma, which may be mediated by LDL-C. Understanding this relationship provides insight into potential mechanisms underlying asthma development in SLE patients and offers a foundation for developing targeted treatment strategies to manage these risks effectively.

PMID:40635038 | DOI:10.1186/s41927-025-00539-2

J Transl Med. 2025 Jul 9;23(1):760. doi: 10.1186/s12967-025-06579-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The objective of this prospective, triple-blind, randomized clinical controlled trial is to investigate and compare the expressions of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in the periapical tissues of teeth with symptomatic apical periodontitis following the placement of calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)₂) and simvastatin as intracanal medicaments (ICM). Additionally, the study aims to evaluate pre-treatment and interappointment pain levels. This research could lead to improved treatment protocols for symptomatic apical periodontitis, enhancing patient comfort and outcomes.

METHODS: The study adhered to CONSORT guidelines. A total of 34 patients aged 14 to 60 years with single-rooted teeth diagnosed with pulp necrosis and symptomatic apical periodontitis underwent root canal procedures. They were randomly divided into two groups based on the ICM used: Group I received Ca(OH)₂, while Group II received simvastatin. Tissue fluid samples were collected at three time points (T0, T1, T2) using paper points inserted into the periapical tissues immediately after access opening, after cleaning and shaping, and 7 days after ICM placement. The samples were stored at – 20 °C for analysis. Pain levels were recorded using the Heft Parker Visual Analogue Scale (HP-VAS) at various intervals. All samples underwent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to estimate IL-6, IL-10, and MMP-9 levels in pg/ml. Statistical analysis included the Mann-Whitney U test and Quade nonparametric ANCOVA for inter-group comparisons, while intra-group comparisons were performed using the Friedman test.

RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed in IL-6 and MMP-9 levels within groups but not in IL-10 across time points (p < 0.05). In intergroup comparisons at T2, simvastatin showed significantly lower expressions of IL-6 and MMP-9 compared to Ca(OH)₂ (p < 0.05). IL-10 levels increased in both groups without significant differences. Pain scores were significantly lower following simvastatin treatment compared to Ca(OH)₂ (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The expression of these biomarkers indicates that simvastatin is effective in reducing inflammation and pain in teeth with pulpal necrosis and symptomatic apical periodontitis when used as an intracanal medicament compared to Ca(OH)₂.

TRAIL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2022/08/044749; Registered 18 August 2022 https://drive.google.com/file/d/17JXArM3qoqvTMiUa9ITMTQTGLEvsxpW_/view?usp=sharing.

PMID:40635035 | DOI:10.1186/s12967-025-06579-z