Category: Statistics

Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Aug 25;43(4):845-852. doi: 10.7507/1001-5515.202502034.

ABSTRACT

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently involves the central nervous system, inducing abnormal alterations in brain functional and structural networks and resulting in cognitive and psychological dysfunction in patients. To identify abnormal brain functional network patterns associated with SLE, this study adopted a dynamic threshold strategy to detect key functional connections and construct sparse brain functional networks. A graph transformation network (GTNet) was utilized to model the optimized networks, capturing local topological features and global dependencies to effectively identify abnormal patterns of SLE-related brain functional networks. Experimental results showed that the proposed model achieved an average classification accuracy of (87.48 ± 6.77)% on the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging dataset consisting of 107 SLE patients and 107 healthy controls. Further analysis showed that the difference in small-world properties between the two groups was statistically significant ( t = -2.96, P < 0.01). In conclusion, the model constructed in this study provides a new scheme for the auxiliary diagnosis of SLE, and its automated classification architecture has potential application value.

PMID:42656117 | DOI:10.7507/1001-5515.202502034

Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Aug 25;43(4):704-710. doi: 10.7507/1001-5515.202602025.

ABSTRACT

Spikes, as a key electrophysiological marker of abnormal synchronized neuronal discharges, can be identified and detected by scalp electroencephalography (EEG), and are of great value for localizing epileptic foci and investigating the mechanisms of epilepsy. However, spike propagation is strongly influenced by the skull, making it difficult to infer the precise intracranial origin of spikes from scalp EEG alone. Therefore, based on simultaneous intracranial and scalp EEG recordings, this study investigated the propagation characteristics of spikes from the intracranial space to the scalp. The study mainly focused on four aspects: the characteristics of simultaneous intracranial and scalp spikes, the scalp visibility of intracranial spikes, the spatial distribution of scalp spikes, and the influence of epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic regions on spike propagation. The results showed that spikes detectable on the scalp differed significantly in energy-related features from those not detectable on the scalp ［ MD = 2.6 × 10 ^-6 (2.5 × 10 ^-6, 2.6 × 10 ^-6), P < 0.01］. When the intracranial spike activation area was less than 10 cm ², the scalp detection rate was 18.9%; when the area reached 30～40 cm ², the detection rate increased to 62.5%, showing an increasing trend. After spikes propagated to the scalp, the detection rate decreased by 63.5% when the horizontal distance of their spatial distribution exceeded 4 cm. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in scalp detection rate between spikes originating from epileptogenic and non-epileptogenic regions ( P > 0.05). In summary, these findings are important for elucidating the propagation characteristics of spikes and may provide quantitative evidence for electrophysiological analysis and focus localization in epilepsy.

PMID:42656101 | DOI:10.7507/1001-5515.202602025

Vet Dermatol. 2026 Aug 27. doi: 10.1111/vde.70122. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Topical glucocorticoid (GC) is used to manage inflammatory skin diseases in dogs. However, contact times associated with detectable topical GC effects have not been clarified in dogs. Uncertainty regarding contact time may lead to premature removal or overuse, compromising efficacy and safety.

OBJECTIVES: To determine contact times at which detectable GC effects are observed after topical difluprednate lotion application in dogs.

ANIMALS: Six male Beagle dogs.

METHODS: Suppression of the histamine-induced vascular reaction (HVR), based on the principles of the vasoconstrictor assay, was used as an indicator of detectable GC effects. Difluprednate lotion was applied to a circular area (2 cm in diameter) on the lateral trunk 5, 10 and 30 min before intradermal histamine injection. Fluorescein was administered intravenously 5 min before histamine injection to visualise HVR. HVR images were obtained 15 min after histamine injection under UV illumination, and the fluorescent area was measured using ImageJ. Statistical analysis was performed using Dunnett’s multiple comparison test.

RESULTS: When difluprednate application was performed 5, 10 and 30 min before histamine injection, HVR areas were smaller than untreated control sites (p < 0.01). No significant differences were detected among sites treated 5, 10 and 30 min before histamine injection.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Difluprednate lotion suppressed the HVR when applied 5, 10 and 30 min before histamine injection, indicating detectable dermal GC activity at the evaluated time points. Information regarding contact times at which topical GC effects can be detected may help clinicians to provide contact-time instructions and improve treatment management.

PMID:42656084 | DOI:10.1111/vde.70122

J Adv Nurs. 2026 Aug 27. doi: 10.1111/jan.70744. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To determine the level of obstetric violence among pregnant women and identify associated sociodemographic and obstetric factors in Türkiye.

DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study.

METHODS: The study was conducted with 505 pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Training and Research Hospitals in the Black Sea region of Türkiye between July and December 2025. Data were collected using a self-administered sociodemographic form and the validated 18-item Obstetric Violence Scale for Pregnant Women (OVS-Pregnant Women). Total scale scores range from 0 to 72 (higher scores indicate higher perceived obstetric violence) across three subdimensions: Supportive Care and Information Support (0-28), Achieving Professional Standards of Care and Effective Communication (0-28), and Health Promotion and Encouragement (0-16). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and univariate and multivariate linear regression.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was 30.02 ± 5.46 years. The mean total OVS score was 16.681 ± 13.961 (out of 72). Subdimension mean scores were 9.853 ± 8.428 for Supportive Care and Information Support, 4.310 ± 4.314 for Achieving Professional Standards of Care and Effective Communication, and 2.516 ± 3.470 for Health Promotion and Encouragement. Multivariate analysis identified two factors independently associated with lower obstetric violence: family monthly wage above the minimum wage and receiving antenatal care at a training and research hospital.

CONCLUSION: Perceived obstetric violence scores were toward the lower end of the possible range, with socioeconomic status and healthcare institution type influencing women’s care experiences.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Obstetric violence should be recognized as a structural issue, necessitating standardized measurement tools and observational studies. Future studies should examine how exposure to obstetric violence shapes women’s care preferences, informing patient-centered interventions.

IMPACT: The findings provide actionable evidence for maternity care providers, hospital administrators, and healthcare policymakers to foster respectful, patient-centered care.

REPORTING METHOD: STROBE.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

PMID:42656050 | DOI:10.1111/jan.70744

Cancer Med. 2026 Sep;15(9):e72206. doi: 10.1002/cam4.72206.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neurological immune-related adverse events (N-irAEs) from immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are rare but potentially fatal. This study aimed to characterize their real-world profile to support early detection and management.

METHODS: We analyzed ICI-associated individual case safety reports (ICSRs) in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from April 2011 to June 2023. Disproportionality analyses used the reporting odds ratio (ROR) and the Bayesian confidence propagation neural network (BCPNN). Associations between serious N-irAEs and sex or age group (< 60 vs. ≥ 60 years) were assessed using chi-squared tests. We also evaluated the co-occurrence of myasthenia gravis with myositis and/or myocarditis and its association with mortality.

RESULTS: A total of 3486 ICSRs involving N-irAEs were identified, with 550 cases reporting fatal outcomes. A total of 4139 N-irAE signals were detected; among these, 2560 signals corresponded to the top 10 Preferred Terms (PTs) with the highest reporting frequencies. The median time from ICI initiation to the onset of N-irAEs was 82 days (IQR: 29-219 days). Of the 4139 N-irAE signals, 1925 (46.5%) were classified as serious adverse events; no statistically significant differences were observed in their distribution by sex (χ² = 2.492, p = 0.114) or age (χ² = 2.946, p = 0.086). A total of 461 cases of myasthenia gravis were identified, of which 219 (47.5%) were concomitant with myocarditis and/or myositis. Among the 137 fatal cases of myasthenia gravis, 70 (51.1%) were concomitant with myocarditis and/or myositis.

CONCLUSION: This study offers a comprehensive characterization of N-irAEs, highlights the fatality risk when myasthenia gravis co-occurs with myocarditis and/or myositis, and underscores the importance of early recognition, multi-system evaluation, and timely intervention to improve patient safety and optimize the risk-benefit balance of immunotherapy.

PMID:42656039 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.72206

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2026 Aug 26. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.71304. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The maternal continuum of care (CoC) refers to an integrated sequence of health services delivered across time and space, which women should access without interruption. It is a vital strategy for reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. This study assessed the level and determinants of maternal CoC utilization among women in the Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia.

METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1 to 30, 2025, among women who had given birth within the 12 months preceding the data collection. A multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the study population. A total of 1294 women were selected using simple random sampling. Data were collected using Kobo Collect and analyzed in SPSS version 25.0. A multivariable model was fitted, and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were reported. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: The overall rate of maternal CoC utilization (defined as receiving four or more antenatal care visits, institutional delivery, and postnatal care within 2 days after birth) was 16.1%. Key factors significantly associated with full CoC utilization included knowledge of pregnancy danger signs (AOR = 12.59; 95% CI: 7.84, 20.02), perceived shorter distance to health facility (AOR = 2.12; 95% CI: 1.28, 3.53), urban residency (AOR = 12.00; 95% CI: 7.57, 20.00), maternal educational status (AOR = 2.93; 95% CI: 1.33, 6.45), and having a birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) plan (AOR = 4.96; 95% CI: 2.89, 8.53).

CONCLUSION: The overall CoC utilization in the study area remains low, indicating that women are not getting the maximum possible health benefits from the existing healthcare services. Place of residence, distance to reach health facility, maternal education, knowledge of pregnancy danger signs, and BPCR were the factors affecting CoC utilization. Therefore, policymakers should consider strategies for the existing health system that focus on empowering women’s education, counseling women about pregnancy danger signs, and implementing the BPCR, as well as ensuring the physical accessibility of health facilities within a reasonable distance to enhance maternal CoC utilization.

PMID:42656019 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.71304

Ophthalmic Genet. 2026 Aug 26:1-9. doi: 10.1080/13816810.2026.2720681. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This prospective study evaluated the pharmacologic effect of oral acetazolamide on structural and functional outcomes in patients with X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) using a cross-over design.

METHODS: Five male participants from the prior AXIS control arm received oral acetazolamide 250 mg twice daily for 32 weeks, with dose adjustments based on structural response and follow-up to week 64. The primary endpoint was the central subfield thickness (CST). Secondary measures included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), low-luminance visual acuity (LLVA), retinal sensitivity on microperimetry (MP), cystoid fluid collection volume (CFCV), and patient-reported outcomes via the Michigan Retinal Degeneration Questionnaire (MRDQ).

RESULTS: A significant difference in CST of -72.8 µm (p = 0.001; 95% CI – 117.2 to -28.4) was observed between the control and treatment periods on average over time with responses varying among patients. Statistically significant but modest improvements in BCVA, LLVA and retinal sensitivity on MP were also observed. Common treatment-related side effects included fatigue, paresthesia, dysgeusia, and tinnitus, leading one patient to discontinue treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: While the REAXIS crossover study demonstrated statistically significant improvements in CST, BCVA, and LLVA, the effect sizes were modest and highly variable across individuals. These findings support further exploration of personalized treatment strategies and predictive biomarkers in XLRS.

PMID:42655987 | DOI:10.1080/13816810.2026.2720681

Child Neuropsychol. 2026 Aug 26:1-24. doi: 10.1080/09297049.2026.2720194. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study examined the relationship between receptive vocabulary, working memory processes, non-verbal intelligence, and socioeconomic status (SES) in Albanian-speaking children during middle childhood. The research was motivated by the linguistic characteristics of Albanian, a morphologically rich and orthographically transparent language that provides an informative context for examining how cognitive resources and environmental factors contribute to vocabulary acquisition. A sample of 168 children aged 8-10 years completed measures of receptive vocabulary (British Picture Vocabulary Scale), verbal working memory (Listening Recall), updating ability (N-back task), and non-verbal intelligence (Raven’s Progressive Matrices). Descriptive statistics, correlational analyses, multiple regression, and moderation analyses were conducted to examine the associations among these variables. Results indicated that receptive vocabulary was positively correlated with age, SES, intelligence, and verbal working memory. Multiple regression analysis revealed that parental SES was the only significant predictor of receptive vocabulary performance, accounting for the largest unique proportion of variance. Working memory showed a modest association with receptive vocabulary, whereas updating ability was not a significant predictor. Moderation analyses further demonstrated that SES significantly moderated the relationship between working memory and receptive vocabulary, such that the association was stronger among children from higher SES backgrounds.

PMID:42655971 | DOI:10.1080/09297049.2026.2720194

Ann Med. 2026 Dec;58(1):2720367. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2720367. Epub 2026 Aug 26.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting (MIDCABG) requires prolonged one-lung ventilation (OLV), increasing postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) risk. We investigated whether protective lung ventilation (PLV) throughout intubation benefits MIDCABG patients.

METHODS: In this single-center randomized study, MIDCABG patients received PLV (low tidal volume of 6-8 mL·kg^-1, PEEP of 6 cm H₂O, alveolar recruitment maneuvers) or conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV, tidal volume of 8-10 mL·kg^-1, without PEEP or maneuvers) from tracheal intubation to extubation. The primary outcome was perioperative oxygenation, assessed by the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio.

RESULTS: Sixty patients (n = 30 per group) were enrolled. Compared with CMV, PLV improved PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios (mean difference at OLV₆₀: 34.56 mmHg; 95% CI: 11.78-57.33; p < 0.01), shortened median durations of postoperative mechanical ventilation (median difference: -4.5 h, 95% CI: -8.5 to -0.5; p = 0.013) and hospital stay (median difference: -3.0 days, 95% CI: -5.0 to -1.0; p = 0.019). PLV also reduced driving pressure, airway pressure and intrapulmonary shunt during OLV (all p < 0.05). Desaturation occurred in 23.3% of CMV patients and 13.3% of PLV patients (p = 0.506). Hemodynamic parameters were generally comparable between groups, except for lower MPAP and PVRI in the PLV group during OLV and after ICU admission (p < 0.05). The incidence of PPCs did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: In patients undergoing MIDCABG, PLV applied throughout intubation improved perioperative oxygenation and shortened the duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation and hospital stay, but did not reduce PPCs.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR1900022005.

PMID:42655964 | DOI:10.1080/07853890.2026.2720367

J Nurs Manag. 2026;2026(1):e5288231. doi: 10.1155/jonm/5288231.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCDs) account for approximately 41 million deaths each year and 74% of global deaths. Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly used for risk prediction, monitoring, and decision support in chronic disease care, but its nursing-specific applications, implementation maturity, and ethical reporting remain incompletely mapped.

AIM: To map evidence on AI applications in nursing care for NCDs, with attention to application contexts, nursing roles, technical characteristics, care phases, outcomes, and ethical governance.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, PsycINFO, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library, and CNKI were searched from 1 January 1985 to 25 June 2025. Grey literature sources and reference lists were also searched. Data were charted using a structured extraction form and synthesised with descriptive statistics and content analysis.

RESULTS: Forty-three studies published between 2005 and 2025 were included. Research increased after 2020 (n = 34, 79.07%), and China and the United States each contributed 11 studies (25.58%). Oncology nursing was the most common disease area (n = 17, 39.53%). The most frequently reported AI technologies were natural language processing (n = 14, 32.56%) and risk prediction models (n = 12, 27.91%). AI was mainly used for clinical decision support (n = 17, 39.53%) and risk assessment (n = 14, 32.56%), whereas applications supporting nursing intervention design and outcome evaluation were limited. Ten studies (23.26%) did not report ethics approval.

CONCLUSIONS: AI applications in nursing care for NCDs are expanding, but current evidence remains concentrated in assessment-oriented and decision-support functions. Gaps persist in intervention implementation, outcome validation, data representativeness, and ethical oversight.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: With AI currently concentrated in hospital-based settings and assessment-oriented functions, and with 32.56% of included studies not reporting nursing or patient outcome validation, nursing leaders should prioritise extending AI implementation and governance to underserved care settings through targeted workforce training, ethical oversight, and systematic evaluation using nursing-sensitive outcomes.

PMID:42655959 | DOI:10.1155/jonm/5288231