Category: Statistics

J Echocardiogr. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s12574-025-00689-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Right atrial (RA) strains (RASr, RAScd, and RASct) are increasingly used in clinical and research settings, such as heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, but their feasibility and reference ranges across different strain software vendors are not well established. We aim to evaluate and compare two-dimensional RA strain values, reference ranges, and related factors across four strain software vendors in healthy subjects.

METHODS: Healthy subjects (n = 100) undergoing echocardiography during January-April 2023 were prospectively studied, with equal numbers by age groups, gender, and GE versus Philips scans. RA strains were quantified using TomTec version 51.02 (Autostrain LA), EchoPAC version 206 (AFI-LA), Velocity-Vector Imaging (VVI) version 2.00, and Epsilon software (5.0.2.11295) for statistical analyses.

RESULTS: Overall means and lower limits of normal (LLNs) of each type of RA strain by strain vendor, age group, sex, and scanner vendor were reported. For example, RASr (%) means and LLNs (95% confidence intervals) were 41.2 (38.5, 43.0) and 29.6 (26.5, 32.7) for TomTec, 35.9 (34.4, 37.3) and 27.0 (24.5, 29.5) for EchoPAC, 44.8 (42.3, 47.3) and 27.6 (23.3, 31.9) for VVI, and 38.9 (36.7, 41.0) and 25.5 (21.7, 29.3) for Epsilon, respectively. Linear mixed model regression showed EchoPAC and VVI had significantly lower RASr and higher RAScd magnitude than TomTec, with older age linked to lower RASr and RAScd magnitudes.

CONCLUSION: TomTec and VVI were vendor-neutral for measuring RA strains, while EchoPAC worked only on GE scans. Normal values, lower limits of normal, and related factors for RA strain measurements by vendor were established for clinical use.

PMID:40268844 | DOI:10.1007/s12574-025-00689-9

Indian J Gastroenterol. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s12664-025-01744-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Microplastics are pervasive environmental pollutants, attracting significant concern due to their potential adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. This study hypothesizes that microplastics may significantly impact gastrointestinal (GI) health through various mechanisms. The objective of this systematic review is to explore the effects of microplastics on GI health, focusing on animal models such as mice, fish and earthworms.

METHODS: A systematic review approach was employed, analyzing studies that investigate the impact of microplastics on the gut microbiota, gut barrier integrity and GI inflammation. The review includes a synthesis of findings from multiple animal models.

RESULTS: The review reveals consistent evidence that microplastics can disrupt the gut microbiota, impair the gut barrier, and induce inflammatory responses in the GI tract. Statistical analysis shows a significant correlation between microplastic exposure and GI health deterioration across various animal models.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the harmful effects of microplastics on GI health, emphasizing the urgent need for policy interventions to reduce plastic pollution. Implementing measures to limit the production and usage of disposable plastics is crucial for mitigating the risks posed by microplastic contamination to promote environmental sustainability and safeguard human well-being.

PMID:40268833 | DOI:10.1007/s12664-025-01744-0

Drugs Aging. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s40266-025-01206-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Despite the increasing use of cannabis by older Canadians, little is known about cannabis safety in this population, particularly in non-clinical settings. The purpose of this study was to describe the self-reported adverse effects experienced by community-dwelling older Canadians who use cannabis.

METHODS: Canadians aged 50 years and older completed an online survey regarding their knowledge, perceptions, and experiences with cannabis. Respondents who reported current cannabis use were asked to report any adverse effects experienced in the past year related to their cannabis use. Adverse effects were categorized, and multivariate logistic regressions were performed to assess predictors of adverse effects.

RESULTS: A total of 1615 older adults completed the survey, of whom 503 reported current use of cannabis and were included in this analysis. Adverse effects were reported by 308 participants (61.2%) and included dry mouth (36.2%), feeling high (25.9%), and adverse effects impacting balance (22.1%) and mental alertness (20.3%). Compared with participants aged 50-60 years, those aged 70 years and older had lower odds of reporting any adverse effects (odds ratio (OR) 0.524, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.303-0.906) or adverse effects impacting mental alertness (OR 0.318, 95% CI 0.172-0.588). Female participants had higher odds of reporting any adverse effect (OR 1.989, 95% CI 1.332-2971) or adverse effects impacting balance (OR 1.930, 95% CI 1.198-3.109).

CONCLUSIONS: Adverse effects to cannabis are common amongst community-dwelling older adults. Increased education and guidance regarding adverse effects of cannabis, including the composition and dose of cannabis products, may help increase safe use by this population.

PMID:40268822 | DOI:10.1007/s40266-025-01206-4

Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s10549-025-07688-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

They expressed their concerns about making comments regarding the sample size in our study. The preferred propensity score analysis was the statistical method chosen because it is the analysis after balancing the small number of patients with the much larger number of patients in this situation in terms of both number and prognostic factors. In fact, the reference to future studies on this subject has been made for new retrospective series rather than prospective randomized studies. We wanted to draw the attention of researchers to propensity score analysis and to show that future retrospective series studies can ask questions with clearer answers using propensity score analysis.

PMID:40268812 | DOI:10.1007/s10549-025-07688-5

Updates Surg. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s13304-025-02207-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The donor-site wound from deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction differs from abdominoplasty due to higher positioning and tension, potentially affecting healing. Closed-incision negative-pressure therapy has been proposed to improve wound healing and reduce complications. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of this tool on donor-site wound’s complications and scar-related patient outcomes. This retrospective cohort study included 140 patients who underwent delayed deep inferior epigastric perforator flap breast reconstruction between September 2020 and March 2023. Patients were assigned to Group A (closed-incision negative-pressure therapy) or group B (micropore tape dressings). Both groups received standardized perioperative care. Complications were analyzed, and scar were assessed 1 year postoperatively using SCAR-Q. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. There were no significant differences between the two groups in baseline characteristics. Wound dehiscence was significantly lower in Group A compared to Group B (p = 0.0003). The mean time to wound healing after dehiscence was similar between groups (p = 0.270). No significant differences were found in other complications, such as infection or hematoma. Concerning SCAR-Q, patients in Group A reported significantly better outcomes on the symptom scale (p = 0.03), whereas no significant differences were observed for appearance or psychosocial impact. Closed-incision negative-pressure therapy reduced the rate of wound dehiscence but did not significantly improve scar quality or other complications. Given the limited benefits and lack of cost-effectiveness data, this tool should be considered for further study rather than routine clinical use in low-risk deep inferior epigastric perforator flap patients.

PMID:40268808 | DOI:10.1007/s13304-025-02207-z

Behav Res Methods. 2025 Apr 23;57(5):154. doi: 10.3758/s13428-025-02637-y.

ABSTRACT

Response times (RTs) are a ubiquitous variable for assessing cognitive and motor processes. However, variability introduced by keyboards, especially in online experiments, has raised concerns among behavioral researchers. Here, we evaluate the impact of keyboard delays on RT measurements using linear mixed-effects models and grouped data t-tests through a series of simulations. The results showed that the impact of keyboard delays on statistical power is minimal in most cases. Keyboard-induced variability does not inflate type I error rates and has a negligible impact on power, except in rare scenarios of RT distribution shifts or in studies focused on individual differences with low signal-to-noise ratios. Thus, commercially available keyboards remain suitable for most RT experiments, including those conducted online.

PMID:40268807 | DOI:10.3758/s13428-025-02637-y

Strahlenther Onkol. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s00066-025-02404-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Primary orbital lymphomas are predominantly low-grade subtypes, such as extranodal marginal zone lymphomas (MALT) and follicular lymphomas, which are highly radiosensitive. Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), although less common, is an aggressive high-grade subtype with an intermediate-to-poor prognosis. While systemic therapies are standard for MCL, data on the efficacy of radiotherapy in localized orbital MCL are limited. This study evaluates the long-term outcomes of radiotherapy for localized orbital MCL using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed cases of localized orbital MCL treated with radiotherapy between 2000 and 2021 identified in the SEER database. Demographic, clinical, and survival data were extracted. The primary endpoints were overall (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS), estimated using the Kapla-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards models. Statistical analyses were conducted using R software (R Foundation, Vienna, Austria), with a significance threshold set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Among 13,662 patients with localized primary orbital lymphomas, 63 (0.5%) cases were histologically confirmed as MCL. Of these, 35 patients (55.6%) received radiotherapy. The age-adjusted incidence rate of orbital MCL was 0.033 per 1,000,000 person-years (95% CI: 0.025-0.042). Patients were predominantly elderly (42.9% were over 80 years old) and male (male-to-female ratio of 2.18 : 1; p = 0.012). With a median follow-up of 91 months (range: 4-237 months), the median OS was 113 months. The 5‑, 10-, and 15-year OS rates were 76.5% (95% CI: 62.7-93.4%), 48.2% (32.9%-70.6%), and 42.8% (27.4%-66.9%), respectively. Median CSS was not reached, with 5‑, 10-, and 15-year CSS rates of 98.0% (95% CI: 78.0-100.0%), 83.4% (69.5%-100.0%), and 83.4% (69.5%-100.0%), respectively. Chemotherapy did not show a significant impact on survival.

CONCLUSION: Radiotherapy achieves excellent long-term survival outcomes for localized orbital MCL, particularly in elderly and frail patients who may not tolerate systemic therapies. These findings support radiotherapy as an effective therapeutic option for this rare lymphoma subtype. Future multicenter studies are warranted to optimize radiotherapy protocols and improve patient outcomes.

PMID:40268802 | DOI:10.1007/s00066-025-02404-0

Eur Radiol. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11616-y. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40268798 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11616-y

Eur Radiol. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11599-w. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40268797 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11599-w

Eur Radiol. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11600-6. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40268796 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11600-6