Category: Statistics

Reprod Biol. 2025 Nov 1;26(1):101097. doi: 10.1016/j.repbio.2025.101097. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Animal cloning remains inefficient, with live birth rates below 5 % in most mammalian species, slightly higher in bovines (20-25 %). Among various factors, nuclear donor cells play crucial roles, and their passage numbers may influence cloning efficiency. However, a definitive association between passage numbers and outcomes in cloning remains inconclusive due to insufficient data and inconsistent results. In the present meta-analytical study, we compared research using high (>6) and low (≤6) cell passage numbers across various types, breeds, and sexes of donor cells to assess their impact on embryo development and associated gene expressions in bovine clones. Our findings revealed that cell passaging influences developmental competence at the cleavage and blastocyst rates, with lower passage numbers yielding better results. Higher acetylation of H3K9 in low-passage cells is consistently associated with improved developmental competence through the blastocyst stage, although the difference was not statistically significant. Donor cells with higher histone acetylation may undergo reprogramming more easily and completely, thus improving cloning efficiency. Further analysis elucidated that the types and breeds of donor cells also affected the blastocyst outcome. Nevertheless, high heterogeneity and meta-bias were identified in the meta-analytical outcomes, particularly in cleavage, 2-cell, 8-cell, blastocyst, the total cell number (TCN), the ratio of inner cell mass and total cell number (ICM/TCN), NANOG, and birth rate, which may contribute to inconsistencies in embryo quality results and hinder comparisons between development-related gene expressions and the embryo transfer outcome.

PMID:41176811 | DOI:10.1016/j.repbio.2025.101097

Sleep Med. 2025 Oct 31;137:106889. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2025.106889. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study conducted a narrative review of Iranian Traditional Medicine (ITM) texts to identify recommendations related to sleep hygiene. The review analyzed the available literature and compared ITM practices to contemporary scientific understanding. Findings indicate a partial alignment between traditional and modern medical perspectives, with recommendations for a comfortable sleep environment, consistent sleep schedules, and adequate sleep duration. However, several ITM concepts, including the four humors, the effects of clothing on health, specific sleep positions, and the use of opium for insomnia, lack scientific evidence. Statistically, the present study revealed that only 31.4 % of the ITM sleep hygiene recommendations aligned with contemporary scientific findings. Conversely, 27.5 % of these recommendations directly contradicted current scientific research. The remaining 41.1 % required further investigation, as no conclusive scientific evidence was found to support or refute them. These findings suggest a need for additional clinical trials to definitively assess the scientific validity of these traditional practices.

PMID:41176809 | DOI:10.1016/j.sleep.2025.106889

Biochemistry (Mosc). 2025 Oct;90(10):1366-1375. doi: 10.1134/S0006297925601881.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated permeability of the apical and basolateral membranes of rat corneal endothelial cells to water and urea. We demonstrated that the apparent water permeability of the basolateral membrane of endothelial cells (4.43E-05 ± 7.57E-07 cm/s) is more than three times higher than that of the apical membrane (1.21E-05 ± 1.03E-07 cm/s). Permeability of the basolateral membrane to urea (1.23E-04 ± 1.56E-06 cm/s) was statistically significantly higher than that of the apical membrane (9.52E-05 ± 1.02E-06 cm/s) by approximately 30%. We examined contribution of the phloretin-inhibited urea transport across the apical and basolateral membranes in these cells. Phloretin at concentration of 0.1 mM significantly reduced urea permeability by more than 20% through both the apical and basolateral membranes. The results suggest that the compositions of transporters involved in water transport in the apical and basolateral membranes differ significantly. It is hypothesized that high apparent water permeability of the basolateral membrane of endothelial cells is due to contribution of the concomitant water transport with ions involved in active transport processes. Presence of the phloretin-sensitive urea transporters in the plasma membrane of endothelial cells, likely involved in its transcellular transport, has been demonstrated. The results indicate potential significance of urea for corneal function.

PMID:41176795 | DOI:10.1134/S0006297925601881

J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2025 Nov 3. doi: 10.1515/jpem-2025-0443. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Studies investigating the underlying genetic profile in pediatric patients diagnosed with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) are quite limited. This study aimed to identify genetic alterations in patients diagnosed with DTC. A total of 20 patients with confirmed DTC were included in the study; however, five were excluded due to the unavailability of thyroid tumor samples. Somatic mutation analysis of the DICER1, BRAF, KRAS, NRAS, and HRAS genes was performed using next-generation sequencing. In addition, gene fusions involving ALK, RET, PTC, ETV6, and NTRK3 were assessed using fluorescence in situ hybridization. A family screening was also conducted, and thyroid ultrasonography was performed. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was carried out for family members when deemed necessary. The mean age at diagnosis was 14.42 ± 2.88 years. Somatic mutations were identified in nine patients (60 %). The detected mutations were as follows: RET/PTC fusion (n=3), BRAF V600E (n=2), NRAS Q61R (n=1), NRAS A59D (n=1), DICER1 E1705K (n=1), and ETV6/NTRK3 fusion (n=1). No statistically significant differences in prognostic factors were observed between patients with and without somatic mutations. As part of the family screening, suspicious thyroid nodules were detected in four parents. One parent underwent hemithyroidectomy, and final pathology revealed papillary thyroid carcinoma. Considering the limited number of similar studies on childhood thyroid cancer, these findings provide a valuable contribution to the existing literature. In particular, the results obtained from family screening may support advancements in early diagnosis, risk stratification, and the development of targeted therapeutic approaches.

PMID:41176785 | DOI:10.1515/jpem-2025-0443

Ecol Lett. 2025 Nov;28(11):e70248. doi: 10.1111/ele.70248.

ABSTRACT

Biodiversity change forecasts rely on long-term time series, but such data are often scarce in space and time. Here, we interpolated spatiotemporal changes in species richness using a new method based on machine learning that does not require temporal replication at sites. Using 698,692 one-time sampled vegetation plots, we estimated trends in vascular plant alpha diversity across Europe and validated our approach against 22,852 independent time series. We found an overall near-zero net change in species richness between 1960 and 2020. However, species richness generally declined from 1960 to 1980 and increased from 2000 to 2020 across habitats. Declines were most pronounced in forests, but trends varied across habitats and regions, with overall increases at higher latitudes and elevations, and declines or stable trends elsewhere. Our findings demonstrate how data without temporal replication can be used to reveal context-dependent biodiversity dynamics, underscoring their importance for conservation and management.

PMID:41176772 | DOI:10.1111/ele.70248

Ecol Lett. 2025 Nov;28(11):e70245. doi: 10.1111/ele.70245.

ABSTRACT

Understanding variation in home range size (HR) provides important insights into the underlying ecological processes driving space use. However, it remains unclear whether the interspecific allometric scaling of mammals’ HR can also be consistently observed within species and for both sexes. To address this knowledge gap, we GPS-tracked 349 resident individuals across Brazil, encompassing 18 mammal species. We estimated individuals’ HR and modelled intraspecific variation in HR against body mass (BM) and sex. While males showed a positive allometric scaling similar to interspecific findings reported in the literature (exponent = 1.23), females’ BM had no statistically discernible relationship with HR. We suggest that males have greater energetic and evolutionary incentives to expand their HR with increasing BM, and more physical capacity to do so. Traditional studies on HR scaling that disregard individual sex may, in reality, reflect an average of two distinct patterns, while failing to accurately represent either one.

PMID:41176762 | DOI:10.1111/ele.70245

J Neurol. 2025 Nov 2;272(11):743. doi: 10.1007/s00415-025-13491-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare and progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by Parkinsonism, cerebellar dysfunction, and autonomic failure. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiota may contribute to neurodegeneration, but whether these associations are causal remains unclear.

METHODS: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics of gut microbiota (n = 18,340) from the MiBioGen consortium and MSA (888 cases, 7,128 controls) from a recent European study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with 196 bacterial taxa were selected as instrumental variables. The primary MR method was inverse-variance weighting, complemented by weighted median, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO. Sensitivity analyses assessed pleiotropy, heterogeneity, and robustness.

RESULTS: Six taxa showed nominal associations with MSA risk. Lentisphaeria (OR = 1.57, p = 0.035), Oscillospira (OR = 1.76, p = 0.034), Victivallales (OR = 1.57, p = 0.035), and Peptococcus (OR = 1.46, p = 0.025) were positively associated with increased risk, whereas Veillonella (OR = 0.40, p = 0.004) and Erysipelotrichaceae UCG-003 (OR = 0.60, p = 0.041) were associated with reduced risk. No evidence of pleiotropy or heterogeneity was found. None survived multiple-testing correction.

CONCLUSIONS: This MR study provides hypothesis-generating evidence suggesting potential causal relationships between gut microbiota and MSA. These taxa nominate candidate microbial targets for future mechanistic and translational studies.

PMID:41176741 | DOI:10.1007/s00415-025-13491-5

Clin Transl Oncol. 2025 Nov 2. doi: 10.1007/s12094-025-04107-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hypofractionated radiation therapy (Hypo-RT) schedules may offer radiobiological, patient convenience, and healthcare resource advantages over standard fractionated radiation therapy (S-RT) for glioblastoma (GBM). Additionally, simulated integrated boost (SIB) Hypo-RT is proven to be an effective and safe treatment. We report on our experience regarding progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and RT-related toxicities in GBM patients treated with Hypo-RT and S-RT.

METHODS: Patients with IDH-wild-type GBM received either Hypo-RT (40.05-52.5 Gy/15 fractions) or S-RT (60-70 Gy/30 fractions). Volumetric modulated arc therapy was performed for all patients. Concomitant temozolomide (75 mg/m²/day) and adjuvant chemotherapy (TMZ 150-200 mg/m² for 5 days every 28 days) were administered. OS and PFS were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS: Ninety-five patients were treated (Hypo-RT: 52, S-RT: 43). With a median follow-up of 25 months (range 9-63), the median age was 65 and 54 years for the Hypo-RT and S-RT groups, respectively. All patients tolerated the treatment well; no significant adverse effects were observed in either group. No acute or late neurological side effects of grade ≥ 2 were reported during RT. Grade 3-4 hematologic toxicity occurred in five cases, all of which interrupted concomitant TMZ (all happening in the S-RT arm). The time to progression for the S-RT and Hypo-RT groups was 13.7 and 11.1 months, respectively (p = 0.243). Regarding OS, the S-RT group had a median OS of 28.8 months compared to 17.5 months in the Hypo-RT group (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS: Although further investigations are ongoing, a statistically significant difference exists between Hypo-RT and S-RT in OS. Hypo-RT could potentially become the standard of care not only for elderly patients but also for those with poor prognosis. Further investigation with additional data is necessary to determine the most effective standard approach.

PMID:41176740 | DOI:10.1007/s12094-025-04107-5

Exp Brain Res. 2025 Nov 2;243(12):241. doi: 10.1007/s00221-025-07189-3.

ABSTRACT

Healthy adults (OA) achieve rapid isometric force production with a brief, high amplitude burst of neural excitation. In some people with Parkinson’s disease (PwPD), transient reductions in neural excitation (motor segmentation) reduce rates of force development (RFD) and prolong contractions. Segmentation has strong relationships with time and rate-based measures of slowing in rapid contractions and is reliably measured from the second derivative of force (F”(t)). We sought more information about how segmentation affects neuromuscular control in PwPD. Aim 1 was to determine the prevalence of PwPD with segmentation (PD_Seg). Aim 2 was to determine how force performance differs in PD_Seg, PwPD without segmentation (PD_NoSeg), and OA. Aim 3 was to quantify force segment durations. Fifty-seven PwPD ON medication and 22 OA performed rapid isometric finger abduction contractions to 20-60% of maximal voluntary contraction force. The median number of force segments to 90% of peak force were measured from F”(t) zero crossings. Additional outcomes included median times to peak force (tPF) and peak RFD (tRFD), and peak RFD (RFDpk). 68% of PwPD had segmentation (median segments ≥ 2, 95% CI [0.55 0.80]). PD_Seg had slower tPF, tRFD and RFDpk than PD_NoSeg and OA (all p ≤ 0.012, 0.38 ≤ r ≤ 0.85). PD_NoSeg and OA did not have statistically different tPF, tRFD, or RFDpk (p > 0.05). PD_Seg had consistent segment durations (coefficient of variation ≤ 25.5%) and shorter first segment durations compared to PD_NoSeg and OA (p < 0.001, r ≥ 0.68), indicating PD_Seg had reduced neuromuscular excitation prior to peak force. Segmentation identifies specific pathophysiology in neuromuscular control that exacerbates slowing in isometric force production.

PMID:41176739 | DOI:10.1007/s00221-025-07189-3

Cancer Med. 2025 Nov;14(21):e71350. doi: 10.1002/cam4.71350.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: With treatment strategies for cancer constantly evolving, the multidisciplinary team (MDT) plays a key role in optimizing cancer care, but its real-world impact on survival remains unclear. This study aims to examine the impact of MDT on overall survival (OS) among patients with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), based on real-world data including all eligible patients.

METHOD: Patients with stage IV NSCLC who were admitted for the first time to Shandong Cancer Hospital from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021 were divided into MDT group and non-MDT group according to MDT meeting involvement. Follow-up period extended from January 1, 2021, to May 31, 2024. Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests were used to analyze survival differences, while Cox proportional hazards models were employed to identify factors associated with overall survival.

RESULT: One thousand six hundred and sixty-four patients were included. No statistical differences were found between the MDT group (n = 1238) and the Non-MDT group (n = 426) in baseline characteristics, but differences were observed in treatment modalities. The MDT group exhibited a longer median overall survival compared to the Non-MDT group (26.25 vs. 21.42 months; log-rank χ² = 4.93, p = 0.03). Furthermore, MDT was associated with a reduction in the risk of mortality (adjusted HR = 0.86; 95% CI, 0.75-0.99; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: MDT can effectively reduce mortality risk. Future implementation requires recognizing its potential additional benefits and developing tailored strategies.

PMID:41176729 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.71350