Category: Statistics

Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2026 Mar 18:25785478261425318. doi: 10.1177/25785478261425318. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of beyond cold light whitening and desensitization on shear bond strength of orthodontic metal brackets.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-eight extracted human premolars were randomly divided into seven groups (n = 14). Group 1 was the control (no treatment). Group 2 underwent bleaching, followed by bonding after 24 h. Group 3 received desensitization, then bonding after 24 h. Group 4 combined bleaching and desensitization, with bonding after 24 h. Groups 5, 6, and 7 followed the same procedure as Group 4, but bonding occurred 1, 2, and 3 weeks later, respectively. All samples were stored in 37°C artificial saliva after treatment and bonded with 3 M light-cure composite resin using halogen light. Shear bond strength was tested with a universal testing machine (INSTRON 5848). Adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were assessed post-debonding. Statistical analysis was conducted using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Tukey’s test, and chi-square tests, with significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULT: The shear bond strength 24 h after bleaching (7.5 ± 1.77 MPa) was significantly lower than the control (12.24 ± 3.71 MPa, p < 0.05). Desensitization alone (11.68 ± 3.49 MPa) showed no significant difference compared with the control (p > 0.05). Shear bond strength significantly decreased 24 h after bleaching and desensitization (p < 0.05) but recovered to control levels after 1 week (p > 0.05). ARI scores showed no significant differences.

CONCLUSIONS: (1) Brackets bonded 24 h after bleaching or combined treatment showed reduced shear bond strength but were clinically acceptable; (2) The use of nano-biomaterial desensitizers slightly reduces the shear strength of brackets, but it will repair the damage of teeth caused by bleaching; (3) The impacts of bleaching and desensitization gradually reduce and return to normal levels after 1 week.

PMID:41848671 | DOI:10.1177/25785478261425318

Clin Transplant. 2026 Mar;40(3):e70506. doi: 10.1111/ctr.70506.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A minority of liver transplant (LT) recipients are not diagnosed with HCC (u-HCC) until their explanted liver is examined. The primary aim of this study was to examine HCC screening before LT in patients with u-HCC compared to those with known HCC (k-HCC). Secondary aims included assessment of inter-reader variability of diagnostic imaging used for HCC screening; predictors of u-HCC; and post-LT outcomes in u-HCC.

METHODS: A single center retrospective review of patients with HCC on explant from 2012-2023 was performed. A randomized subset of imaging studies from patients with k-HCC and u-HCC was reevaluated by two independent, blinded radiologists and inter-reader concordance was measured.

RESULTS: Thirty-seven (7.8%) patients had u-HCC, of whom 26 (70.3%) underwent contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and 11 (29.7%) underwent computed tomography with delayed contrast phase (73% within 6 months of LT). Patients with metabolic liver disease and steatohepatitic HCC were more likely to have u-HCC (32% vs 16%, p = 0.01; 19% vs 7%, p = 0.01, respectively). Thirty-two patients with u-HCC had no suspicious lesions noted on imaging. 60% of all studies with second evaluation by blinded radiologists had concordant findings compared to 44% in metabolic liver disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with metabolic liver disease may be at higher risk of u-HCC compared to other etiologies of liver disease despite regular, contrast-enhanced, cross-sectional imaging. One possible explanation for this is the difficulty of HCC detection in metabolic liver disease, as demonstrated by greater likelihood of inter-reader discordance in imaging assessment in these patients. KEYWORDS (INDEX MEDICUS).

PMID:41848630 | DOI:10.1111/ctr.70506

Clin Transplant. 2026 Mar;40(3):e70508. doi: 10.1111/ctr.70508.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Liver transplantation (LT) significantly improves survival and quality of life for patients with end-stage liver disease. Whilst it is believed that need for LT vastly exceeds organ supply, quantifying the demand accurately is challenging. The performance metrics of the transplant system, such as waitlist mortality, may be misleading as they capture only patients who are referred, evaluated and listed for LT. Although means of increasing organ availability are available, they have financial costs and may be technically and ethically challenging (such as live donation and normothermic regional perfusion). The imperative to embrace these techniques can be obscured if the waitlist is assumed to be representative of the actual demand for transplantation.

METHODS: An international comparative analysis of transplantation, donation and waitlist outcomes versus measures of demand for LT was performed using publicly available data.

RESULTS: The comparative analysis revealed no correlation between disease prevalence and waitlist metrics across jurisdictions internationally, suggesting that waitlisting practices are largely independent of actual LT demand and are constrained by other factors.

CONCLUSION: Adult LT systems globally are supply driven and uncorrelated to demand, implying that all jurisdictions are unable to meet the demand of their community and are limited by the supply of viable organs. The study underscores the inadequacy of waitlist data in representing true demand and highlights the need for improved data to inform LT policy and practice to improve access to this life-enhancing and life-saving treatment.

PMID:41848624 | DOI:10.1111/ctr.70508

Clin Transplant. 2026 Mar;40(3):e70503. doi: 10.1111/ctr.70503.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In Mexico, more than 15,000 patients are waiting for a kidney transplant, and there are not enough kidneys from deceased donors to transplant them. A kidney exchange program could increase kidney transplants from living donors by matching altruistic living donors and biologically incompatible donor-recipient pairs. Several countries have implemented successful kidney exchange programs. We evaluated the impact of implementing a kidney exchange program in Mexico.

METHODS: We simulated kidney exchange in Mexico using data from Mexican population distributions. We used an optimization model to maximize the number of compatible patient-donor matchings. Three different scenarios were evaluated.

RESULTS: We estimated that almost 45% of patients on the waiting list have an incompatible donor, and 995 transplant candidates who have a living donor available are added to the waiting list annually. If a kidney exchange program were established in Mexico, the number of living-donor transplants could increase by up to 20%.

CONCLUSIONS: Implementing kidney exchange in the country may reduce the increase in the number of recipients on the waiting list and reduce costs in the long term. To succeed, the program must not only draw sufficient participation from incompatible pairs, but also ensure that these pairs remain in the program even if they have to wait to be matched.

PMID:41848616 | DOI:10.1111/ctr.70503

Drug Alcohol Rev. 2026 Mar;45(3):e70142. doi: 10.1111/dar.70142.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Industry reports suggest that same-day alcohol delivery service usage has increased substantially in recent years. In 2021, the New South Wales (NSW) government established a framework to reduce the risks associated with same-day deliveries, which included mandatory sales reports from retailers. Using this data, this study aims to quantify the nature of the same-day delivery market across NSW.

METHODS: Six-monthly aggregate data from July 2021 to June 2024 were obtained on the volume of beer, wine and spirits self-reported by alcohol retailers as sold by same-day delivery, by delivery postcode. Frequencies were used to examine the number of retailers, postcodes and amount of alcohol sold in each reporting period. Heat maps were used to examine sales per capita by postcode. Comparisons were also made with data extracted from publicly available industry reports and national consumption estimates.

RESULTS: Forty-nine retailers reported sales, with four accountable for 89% of alcohol sold, and only 8 retailers consistently reporting across the entire period. Market share fluctuated substantially by retailer and liquor category. Statewide per capita consumption was 0.09 L of pure alcohol in 2021-22, 0.07 in 2022-23, and 0.08 in 2023-24. Comparison to industry data suggested that on average over a litre of pure alcohol was delivered per transaction.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: NSW sales data has the potential to provide a unique insight into the nature of the same-day delivery market. The current level of data aggregation limits its utility; a lack of compliance checking and anomalies in the data bring its validity into question.

PMID:41848612 | DOI:10.1111/dar.70142

Orthop Surg. 2026 Mar 18. doi: 10.1111/os.70271. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Clavicle fracture fixation is frequently complicated by implant mismatch and mechanical failure due to the complex and highly variable S-shaped anatomy of the clavicle. Conventional morphometric classification systems rely on subjective assessments of curvature and fail to capture the continuous spectrum of clavicular shape variation, limiting their utility for personalized implant design and preoperative planning. Furthermore, large-scale statistical shape modeling studies focusing on Asian populations remain scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize clavicular morphology in an Asian cohort using statistical shape modeling (SSM), investigate sex- and side-related differences, and evaluate the validity of traditional morphological classification systems.

METHODS: A retrospective study analyzed 288 clavicles reconstructed from CT scans of 144 adults (94 females, 50 males). Three-dimensional models were segmented in 3D Slicer, aligned, and processed using the Scalismo platform. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to establish the SSM and extract modes of variation (MoV). Morphometric parameters were calculated automatically. Independent t-tests assessed sex and side differences, and clustering analysis was conducted to compare data-driven groupings with traditional three-type classifications.

RESULTS: The first six MoV explained 82.38% of total variance. PC01 (50.84%) reflected clavicular length and midshaft width; PC02-PC06 represented curvature and rotational variations. Significant sex differences were observed in PC01, PC02, and PC06 (p < 0.05), whereas no side differences were detected. Agglomerative clustering identified two morphological groups with poor concordance with traditional three-type classifications (Adjusted Rand Index≈0), indicating a continuous rather than discrete distribution of clavicular shapes.

CONCLUSION: Clavicular morphology exhibits sex-dependent but not side-dependent variability. Traditional categorical classifications inadequately capture anatomical diversity. Large-scale SSM provides objective morphometric evidence to guide personalized preoperative planning and improve implant design in clavicle fracture fixation.

PMID:41848582 | DOI:10.1111/os.70271

Int J Radiat Biol. 2026 Mar 18:1-11. doi: 10.1080/09553002.2026.2636303. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This article analyzes intracellular processes of adaptation to the nutrient medium and radiation exposure.

METHODS: The analysis uses experimental data on the effects of nutrient medium on yeast cells and published research of cellular responses to radiation exposure.

RESULTS: Adaptation of cells to both the nutrient medium and external radiation exposure revealed the consistent formation of pseudo-wild cell centers (PWCs) dependent on the environment and genotype. These quasi-equilibrium foci change as PWCs undergo modification, death, and proliferation. The cellular adaptation system demonstrates an interaction between the environment, genes, and proteins. Adaptation depends on external active energy, and is associated with variability in the secondary structure of genes and the tertiary structure of proteins.

CONCLUSIONS: Adaptation creates an energy-dependent sequence of quasi-equilibrium states of PWC foci by optimizing the conformational structures of genes and proteins. From a physical perspective, the active energy of a changing environment disrupts but immediately optimizes genetic structures according to the principle of free energy minimization; quasi-equilibrium foci of PWCs are continuously formed, ensuring diversity, stability, and reproduction under suitable conditions.

PMID:41848575 | DOI:10.1080/09553002.2026.2636303

J Homosex. 2026 Mar 18:1-25. doi: 10.1080/00918369.2026.2642717. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) clients often receive suboptimal mental health care. LGBTQ+ clinical competence self-report measures have been developed to assess therapists’ knowledge and attitudes and subjective self-perceived skills and performance. However, therapist self-perceived assessments of their skills and performance have been found to be biased. Observational measures of LGBTQ+ competence are needed to more objectively evaluate therapists’ skills and performance. The objective of this exploratory pilot study was to develop and assess the coding reliability of observational measures of therapists’ competence with LGBTQ+ clients. The observational measure developed and tested in this study consisted of 29 items that corresponded to 29 expected competencies applicable to LGBTQ+ competent and ethical therapy. On-line initial consultations between 43 therapists and a simulated client were video recorded. Two trained self-identifying LGBTQ+ coders observed the video-recordings and used the 29 items to rate the LGBTQ+ competencies of these 43 therapists. We generated item proportions and kappa statistics. This preliminary study suggests that 13 measures of LGBTQ+ clinical competence were operationally defined to be observable, measurable, and reliably coded. Future research is warranted to both confirm and expand on this conclusion to advance evidence-based approaches to improve the mental health care for LGBTQ+ clients.

PMID:41848553 | DOI:10.1080/00918369.2026.2642717

Can Urol Assoc J. 2026 Mar 16. doi: 10.5489/cuaj.9407. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Even small quantities of prescribed opioids for acute postoperative pain can lead to addiction, hinder recovery, and be unnecessary. This study evaluated whether an opioid-free postoperative pathway following reconstructive urologic surgery increased pain-related patient communication.

METHODS: An opioid-free postoperative protocol was implemented at our institution in 2019. We conducted a case-cohort study of patients undergoing artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) placement, urethroplasty, or buried penis repair (BPR) between 2015 and 2023. Patients with concurrent surgeries or preoperative opioid use were excluded. Retrospective chart review captured demographics, surgical data, and pain-related communications within 60 days postoperatively. Statistical analysis included unpaired t-tests and chi-squared tests.

RESULTS: The study included 360 patients: 181 opioid recipients and 179 opioid-free (BPR: 84; urethroplasty: 140; AUS: 132). No significant demographic differences were observed. Pain-related communication did not significantly differ between groups. In the non-opioid cohort, only 3.9% received an opioid within 60 days postoperatively. Pain-related communication occurred in 21% of opioid-treated patients and 16% of non-opioid patients. Among those who contacted providers for pain, 25.8% in the opioid group received refills, while 30.5% of opioid-naive patients were newly prescribed opioids (p=0.26). Most opioid-treated patients (74.2%) were managed with non-narcotic methods after initial contact.

CONCLUSIONS: An opioid-free postoperative regimen for reconstructive urologic procedures, such as urethroplasty, BPR, and AUS placement, is feasible, well-tolerated, and does not increase pain-related patient communication, supporting broader adoption of opioid-sparing approaches in surgical care.

PMID:41848541 | DOI:10.5489/cuaj.9407

Food Funct. 2026 Mar 18. doi: 10.1039/d5fo04235f. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Background: Olive leaves, a by-product of olive oil production, are rich in oleuropein, a phenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of olive leaf extract (OLE) and oleuropein on glucose metabolism, lipid profile, and inflammatory markers in randomized clinical trials (RCTs). Methods: The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022375615) and followed PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched up to January 2026 without restrictions. Eligible studies were RCTs in adults comparing OLE or oleuropein with placebo or control. Study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias (RoB 2) assessment were performed independently by two reviewers; certainty of evidence was assessed with GRADE. Meta-analyses were conducted when at least two trials reported suitable data. Results: Eleven RCTs were included (4 short-term and 7 continuous-intake trials). Short-term crossover studies showed heterogeneous effects on postprandial glycemia and insulin responses, precluding meta-analysis. In continuous-intake, parallel-design RCTs, pooled analyses demonstrated no statistically or clinically significant effects on glycemic or lipid outcomes. Evidence regarding inflammatory markers was scarce and of low certainty. Conclusion: The current evidence does not support clinical recommendations for OLE supplementation aimed at health benefits. Data from methodologically consistent and robust trials indicate no statistically significant metabolic or inflammatory effects under usual human consumption patterns, whereas evidence from other study designs remains inconclusive. Further high-quality RCTs are required to clarify potential metabolic benefits.

PMID:41848522 | DOI:10.1039/d5fo04235f