Category: Statistics

Georgian Med News. 2026 Jun;(375):16-20.

ABSTRACT

AIM: We sought to describe the types and frequencies of surgeries conducted in our newly commissioned hospital and to correlate procedure types with length of hospital stay and postoperative complications.

MATERIAL & METHODS: This study is a retrospective quantitative chart review design, using patient records. It’s conducted in a newly commissioned tertiary care academic hospital. Following systematic screening of medical records, approximately 377 patients were expected to satisfy the eligibility criteria. All extracted data were coded and entered into Microsoft Excel for initial collection and verification. Statistical analysis was completed using IBM SPSS Statistics, version 27.

RESULTS: A total of 377 patients underwent general surgical procedures, with a mean age of 35.81 years (SD±14.44). Male patients comprised 58.9% and Saudi nationals 82.8%. The most common procedures were laparoscopic cholecystectomy (22.8%), inguinal hernia repair (13.3%), and epidermal cyst excision (13.0%). General anaesthesia predominated (44.0%), with a significant association between anaesthesia type and procedure (p<0.001). Most cases (94.4%) were managed as day surgery (p=0.035). we noted that no postoperative complications were recorded at 30-day follow-up, as zero incidence of surgical site infection, urinary tract infection, deep vein thrombosis, readmission, or reoperation.

CONCLUSIONS: This study documents the primary surgical profile of a recently commissioned tertiary hospital, revealing a diverse, mainly elective cases with zero postoperative complications, readmissions, or reoperations. These results reproduce effective perioperative preparation from the beginning and found a respected starting point for ongoing excellence benchmarking and hospital development.

PMID:42603312

Cancer Med. 2026 Aug;15(8):e72171. doi: 10.1002/cam4.72171.

ABSTRACT

Low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) continue to bear a high burden of cervical cancer (CC). Women’s participation in CC screening is challenging in LMICs, but self-collection of HPV tests has shown increased participation in controlled trials. However, data from real-world studies and data on follow-up compliance after positive screening test results are scant. A two-arm community trial was conducted in four municipalities from two different territories in Colombia (HPV self- and clinician-collected tests). A comparison of participation and follow-up compliance was done between arms, both delivered through campaigns and routine screening. Women aged 30-50 without screening records within the previous 30 months were eligible. HPV-positive women were recalled for triage/treatment in a second visit. A follow-up was done at 6 months. In total, 1400 women were expected, but only 532 attended the screening visit. Participation rates were 49% (95% CI: 46-53) in the self-collected and 26% (95% CI: 22.8-29.5) in the clinician-collected arm. Campaigns resulted in higher participation than routine screening for both collection methods (p < 0.05), and significant differences by territory were observed. Follow-up compliance was 89.6% and 71% at triage/treatment and 6-month visits, respectively, without significant differences between study arms. HPV self-collection resulted in higher participation than clinician collection; however, it did not directly translate to screening coverage. Therefore, delivery strategies and contextual barriers should be carefully analyzed for successful implementation. Anyhow, the increased participation and high compliance with the triage/treatment visit support the relevance and suitability of alternative programmatic approaches for HPV-based screening.

PMID:42603309 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.72171

Pharmacogenomics. 2026 Aug 15:1-8. doi: 10.1080/14622416.2026.2718046. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Our study is the first study, in Tunisia, to investigate the effect of SNPs in CYP3A5, CYP3A4, ABCB1, and POR genes on the response to cyclosporine (CsA).

METHODS: In a retrospective study, a total of 78 renal transplant patients receiving CsA and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) were recruited. Genotyping was performed using PROFLEX-PCR followed by RFLP.

RESULTS: We found a significant lower C0/D CsA in patients with at least one CYP3A4*1B allele compared to the wild type (p = 0.001). We found a statistically significant increased risk of acute and chronic rejection associated with carrying CYP3A5*1/*1 or *1/*3 compared to the CYP3A5*3/*3 and of carrying CYP3A*51B/*1B or *1/*1B compared to the CYP3A4*1/*1 (p = 0.001). The occurrence of leukopenia was significantly decreased in patients with at least one CYP3A4*1B allele (p = 0.01). and the occurrence of diarrhea was significantly increased in patients carrying the variant allele of ABCB1-3435C>T (p = 0.005).

CONCLUSION: Our results support the usefulness of CsA pharmacokinetics tests in prekidney transplant assessments.

PMID:42603263 | DOI:10.1080/14622416.2026.2718046

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2026 Aug 15. doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-38080-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Freshwater ecosystems worldwide are increasingly threatened by human activities, yet the ecological mechanisms linking anthropogenic pressures to algal community dynamics remain incompletely resolved in the Himalayan river systems. To bridge this gap, this study presents a rapid ecological assessment of algal diversity and water quality across three sites in the Kosi watershed, India, integrating comprehensive physicochemical analyses, Water Quality Index (WQI) evaluation, and multivariate statistics. We collected and analyzed 33 water and algal samples during the summer of 2023, identifying 11 algal genera spanning Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, Xanthophyta, and Charophyta. Our results reveal a pronounced spatial gradient in water quality, with WQI values ranging from “excellent” (42.6) at the minimally impacted upstream site to “very poor” (266.3) at the most anthropogenically influenced downstream site. Canonical correspondence analysis demonstrates that turbidity and pH are the primary environmental drivers shaping algal assemblages, with nutrient-tolerant Spirulina and Oscillatoria dominating disturbed sites, while Oedogonium and Spirogyra prevail under more stable conditions. The rapid assessment approach enabled the timely detection of pollution hotspots and ecological responses, providing implementable steps for watershed management. Our findings underscore the urgent need for targeted conservation and pollution mitigation strategies to preserve riverine biodiversity and ecosystem services in Himalayan catchments. Nature-based solutions can be among the potential pathways to sustainability.

PMID:42603239 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-026-38080-5

Med Biol Eng Comput. 2026 Aug 15. doi: 10.1007/s11517-026-03653-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

From skin to musculoskeletal prediction is a current challenge in biomechanics. Previous studies attempted head-to-skull prediction using statistical shape relationships, but they did not leverage local shape geometries and reduced muscles to simple 1-D action lines. We introduced Inside from Outside, a novel approach that reconstructs the bones of the skull and the facial muscles from external head surfaces. The method coupled Region-of-Interest (ROI) learning with Statistical Shape Relationship (SSR) modeling to capture detailed anatomical correspondences. We reconstructed 329 head and skull bone meshes from head-and-neck Computed Tomography (CT) scans. Multivariate regression models were employed to learn the statistical relationships among ROI regions. A ten-fold cross-validation procedure was used to estimate the optimal number of shape parameters, the multivariate regression method, and the prediction strategies. As a result, the prediction errors were 1.9293 ± 0.1838 mm, 1.4464 ± 0.3044 mm, and 1.4933 ± 0.2470 mm for the predicted skull bones, skull shapes, and muscle attachment points, respectively. Our novel SSR- and ROI-based approach achieved more reliable accuracy in the head-to-skull prediction problem. The proposed approach will be used to perform patient-specific, head-based simulations of facial expressions to personalize rehabilitation strategies for patients with facial palsy.

PMID:42603232 | DOI:10.1007/s11517-026-03653-6

Environ Monit Assess. 2026 Aug 15;198(9):953. doi: 10.1007/s10661-026-15802-3.

ABSTRACT

Near-surface ozone (O₃) has become an increasingly important air-quality and public-health concern in China, particularly in regions where reductions in nitrogen oxides have not been accompanied by corresponding decreases in photochemical pollution. The Huaihe River Basin is a densely populated and economically important region in eastern China, but long-term basin-scale evidence on the divergent evolution of O₃ and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and the associated health burden remains limited. In this study, we used high-resolution satellite-derived near-surface O₃, expressed as the maximum daily 8-h average, and NO₂ concentrations to assess their spatiotemporal patterns, long-term trends, hotspot redistribution, and persistence characteristics across the Huaihe River Basin during 2013-2024. Pixel-wise linear regression and the Hurst exponent were applied to diagnose historical trends and persistence, and BenMAP-CE was used to estimate O₃-attributable premature mortality and associated economic losses. Basin-wide O₃ showed a fluctuating but overall increasing trend, with a mean concentration of 104.15 μg m^-3 and OLS-derived annual linear trend of 2.792 μg m^-3 yr^-1. In contrast, NO₂ declined continuously, with a mean concentration of 29.86 μg m^-3 and OLS-derived annual linear trend of -1.385 μg m^-3 yr^-1. Both pollutants exhibited a pronounced north-south gradient, with higher concentrations mainly concentrated in southern Shandong, especially along the Jining-Linyi corridor, and lower levels in the western and southern mountainous margins. Seasonal patterns were also contrasting: O₃ peaked in summer and reached its minimum in winter, whereas NO₂ showed the opposite pattern. Spatial trend and hotspot analyses revealed an outward expansion of O₃-affected areas but a marked contraction of NO₂ hotspots, indicating a redistribution of exposure under divergent pollutant responses. Hurst-based diagnostics further showed that O₃ had a more spatially coherent historical persistence signal than NO₂, particularly in the central basin, suggesting that ozone pollution may remain a regional concern under comparable emission and meteorological conditions. The health assessment showed an overall increase in O₃-attributable premature mortality during the study period, with cardiovascular mortality representing the largest cause-specific component. Jiangsu and Shandong bore the greatest health and economic burdens because of the combined effects of elevated exposure and large exposed populations. By integrating satellite-based environmental monitoring, trend-persistence diagnostics, and health-burden assessment, this study provides basin-scale evidence for identifying persistent ozone-risk areas and prioritizing coordinated air-quality management in the Huaihe River Basin.

PMID:42603231 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-026-15802-3

Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2026 Aug 15;30(1):134. doi: 10.1007/s10006-026-01619-4.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Inferior alveolar nerve transection (IANT) is a severe complication of sagittal split osteotomy (SSO). This study aimed to retrospectively evaluate the long-term sensory recovery in patients who experienced intraoperative IANT compared to those who did not.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort study reviewed patients who underwent SSO from 2016 to 2022. Patients were divided into Group A (with IANT, 11 sides) and Group B (without IANT, 151 sides). Sensory perception was assessed using the Semmes-Weinstein (SW) test, static two-point discrimination (s-2PD) test, and a Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) at preoperative baseline and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Mann-Whitney U and Dunnett’s tests were used for statistical analysis (p < .05).

RESULTS: Group A demonstrated significantly worse sensory outcomes than Group B on all tests at all postoperative time points (p < .01). In Group B, SW and s-2PD values were significantly worse than baseline at 1 and 3 months but showed no significant difference at 6 and 12 months. In contrast, Group A outcomes remained significantly impaired compared to their own preoperative baseline throughout the 12-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Complete IANT during SSO, even with immediate nerve repair, results in a substantial and long-term persistent neurosensory deficit. While patients without nerve transection typically recover baseline sensory perception by 6 months, those with IANT experience only minimal improvement and remain significantly impaired at a year post-surgery.

PMID:42603212 | DOI:10.1007/s10006-026-01619-4

Endocrine. 2026 Aug 15;91(1):277. doi: 10.1007/s12020-026-04745-x.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The cardiovascular impact of hypothyroidism remains controversial, particularly regarding the distinction between cardiovascular disease occurrence and cardiovascular prognosis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to separately evaluate the association between hypothyroidism and incident cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality.

METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were systematically searched for studies published between January 2014 and April 2026 evaluating cardiovascular outcomes in adult patients with overt or subclinical hypothyroidism compared with euthyroid controls. Separate random-effects meta-analyses were performed for cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality using pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Study quality was assessed using the QUIPS tool.

RESULTS: Nine studies involving 9,662 patients were included. Six studies evaluating cardiovascular events (5,795 participants) showed no significant association between hypothyroidism and incident cardiovascular events (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.78-1.09; p = 0.35), with low-to-moderate heterogeneity (I² = 24.6%). By contrast, eight studies evaluating cardiovascular mortality (7,526 participants) demonstrated a significantly increased mortality risk among hypothyroid patients (OR 2.73, 95% CI 2.16-3.43; p < 0.0001), with low heterogeneity (I² = 9.7%). Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness and stability of the mortality findings. Qualitative synthesis consistently showed worse outcomes in acute and high-risk cardiovascular settings, including acute coronary syndromes, acute heart failure, spontaneous coronary artery dissection, and coronary artery bypass grafting.

CONCLUSIONS: Hypothyroidism was more consistently associated with cardiovascular mortality than with incident cardiovascular events. However, the lack of a statistically significant association with cardiovascular events should not be interpreted as evidence of absence of effect. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that thyroid dysfunction may be more closely associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes after disease onset than with incident cardiovascular events.

PMID:42603211 | DOI:10.1007/s12020-026-04745-x

Environ Monit Assess. 2026 Aug 15;198(9):951. doi: 10.1007/s10661-026-15801-4.

ABSTRACT

Open-cast coal mining can alter land cover rapidly, yet annual assessments may overlook the episodic nature of disturbance and partial vegetation recovery. This study examined decadal land-cover dynamics within the Northern Coalfields Limited operational landscape of the Singrauli-Sonbhadra coal belt, India, from 2016 to 2025. Temporally consistent January Landsat 8-9 Collection 2 Level-2 Surface Reflectance imagery was classified into four NDVI-based land-cover classes: barren/mining, sparse vegetation, moderate vegetation, and dense vegetation. Annual class distributions were evaluated using the Mann-Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator, while a pixel-based 2016-2025 transition matrix quantified gross endpoint transitions. SRTM-derived slope data provided additional topographic context. Across the common mapped domain of approximately 322.17 km², the barren/mining class increased from 114.28 km² in 2016 to 158.05 km² in 2025, equivalent to an increase of 43.77 km² or 13.59 percentage points of landscape coverage. None of the four classes showed a statistically significant monotonic trend (p > 0.05). The largest off-diagonal endpoint transition was from sparse vegetation to barren/mining land (59.80 km²), compared with 16.20 km² in the reverse direction. Slope analysis showed systematic differences in the terrain distribution of land-cover classes, although the largest absolute barren/mining extent occurred on near-level ground. The findings demonstrate the value of combining annual NDVI mapping, non-parametric trend analysis, transition matrices, and terrain context for long-term monitoring of mining-affected landscapes.

PMID:42603206 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-026-15801-4

Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Aug 15;185(9):668. doi: 10.1007/s00431-026-07313-7.

ABSTRACT

During childhood, foot posture, joint hypermobility, and foot and ankle strength may influence lower limb function. However, there is limited evidence analysing these variables together in the paediatric population. The study aims to analyse how foot posture, joint hypermobility, ankle mobility, and foot-ankle strength are related in children aged 5 to 10 years. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 196 healthy children aged between 5 and 10 years. Foot posture was assessed using the Foot Posture Index (FPI), general joint hypermobility using the Beighton score, and lower-limb-specific hypermobility using the Lower Limb Assessment Score (LLAS) and the Foot and Ankle Flexibility Index (FAFI). Ankle dorsiflexion was measured with the Lunge test, and isometric ankle strength was assessed using hand-held dynamometry. Descriptive analyses, correlations, and between-group comparisons were performed. No associations were found between foot posture, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, or generalized joint hypermobility (Beighton score) and ankle muscle strength. In contrast, region-specific lower-limb hypermobility (LLAS and FAFI) showed only weak associations with ankle muscle strength. After adjustment for age, sex, and BMI-for-age z-score, only a limited number of associations remained statistically significant, and the observed effect sizes were small.

CONCLUSIONS: In healthy children, ankle muscle strength was not associated with foot posture, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion, or generalized joint hypermobility. Region-specific lower-limb hypermobility showed only weak associations with ankle muscle strength, most of which were attenuated after adjustment for age, sex, and BMI-for-age z-score.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • Foot posture and joint hypermobility are common in childhood and may influence lower limb function. • Previous studies have analysed foot type, hypermobility or strength separately, with heterogenous findings.

WHAT IS NEW: • Lower limb specific hypermobility (LLAS), but not Beighton score, was associated with ankle strength. • Hypermobile children showed greater relative ankle strength (BMI-normalised), suggesting threshold effects of joint laxity.

PMID:42603196 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-026-07313-7