Category: Statistics

Ann Afr Med. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.4103/aam.aam_413_25. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patellofemoral instability is a multifactorial condition affecting young and active individuals, with anatomical contributors including trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, and lateralization of the tibial tuberosity. Among the anatomical parameters, the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is a key indicator used to evaluate patellofemoral alignment and guide realignment procedures. While normative TT-TG values have been reported in Western populations, data from the Indian population remain limited and inconsistent. This study aims to evaluate the TT-TG distance using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a North Indian cohort and to explore its variations across age, gender, and laterality.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted at the department of orthopedics over 18 months. A total of 80 patients (66 males and 14 females; aged 18-50 years) with non-pathological knees and no history of surgery or deformity were included. The TT-TG distance was measured using axial MRI scans on a 1.5 Tesla scanner, following established protocols. The measurements were performed independently by a consultant radiologist and an orthopedic surgeon. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics and unpaired Student’s t-tests to assess associations with demographic variables.

RESULTS: The mean TT-TG distance in the study population was 12.4 ± 2.4 mm. Males had a mean TT-TG distance of 12.09 ± 2.25 mm, whereas females had 13.64 ± 2.52 mm. Although the distance appeared slightly greater in females, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.706). Similarly, no significant association was found between TT-TG distance and age group or laterality (right knee vs. left knee). Comparison with prior studies suggests that the TT-TG distance in the Indian population is comparable to Western cohorts but higher than other Asian populations.

CONCLUSIONS: The average TT-TG distance in the North Indian population was found to be 12.4 mm, consistent with global reference values. This study provides foundational normative data that may aid in the clinical assessment and surgical decision-making for patellofemoral instability in Indian patients. Future research with larger sample sizes and clinical correlation is recommended to establish population-specific thresholds for surgical intervention.

PMID:41957538 | DOI:10.4103/aam.aam_413_25

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 10. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-48069-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

An accurate estimation of system parameters is crucial for ensuring high-performance modelling and adaptive control of nonlinear systems, particularly in quantized environments. However, existing multi-innovation estimation algorithms often struggle from limited accuracy and slow convergence rate due to the use of batch noise and initial value problem. To address these challenges, this study proposes a multi-innovation repetitive learning-based fractional-order optimization algorithm for extended Wiener systems with backlash nonlinearity under binary-valued data. First, a quantized regression model is established using the parameterization technique of the nonlinear backlash submodel to reduce computational complexity. Drawing on the principle of repetitive learning, a scalar innovation framework with iterative updates is then proposed to mitigate the effect of batch-induced noise. Subsequently, a continuous optimization mechanism is introduced to improve the selection of initial values for parameter estimation. Furthermore, guided by fractional-order theory, a composite correction term is incorporated into the parameter adaptation law to enhance the utilization of quantized system data. Comparative statistical results demonstrate that the proposed estimator achieves superior optimization performance compared with other multi-innovation estimation algorithms in both simulation and real-world applications, thereby highlighting its effectiveness and practical utility.

PMID:41957509 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-48069-2

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-45840-3. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41957459 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-45840-3

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-47551-1. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41957455 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-47551-1

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-47549-9. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41957449 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-47549-9

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-46417-w. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41957445 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-46417-w

Sci Data. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1038/s41597-026-07207-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Grain kernel morphology strongly influences aerodynamic loads, breakage susceptibility, and processing performance. Conventional two-dimensional projection imaging and manual measurements lack the accuracy and completeness needed to represent the true three-dimensional structure of kernels. We present an open X-ray computed tomography dataset of wheat kernels that includes axial slice stacks and three-dimensional shape models for 100 individual kernels, together with per-sample morphometrics including principal-axis lengths, elongation index, flatness index, convexity, and sphericity. The dataset supports statistics of kernel shape, enables analysis of internal microstructure from the provided slice stacks, and facilitates high-fidelity discrete element modelling with realistic particle geometry.

PMID:41957421 | DOI:10.1038/s41597-026-07207-1

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-44063-w. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41957397 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-44063-w

Sci Rep. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-44702-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Environmental enrichment (EE) offers a non-invasive strategy to enhance fish welfare, yet its immunological benefits in fish remain incompletely explored and rarely applied in aquaculture practice. This study assessed whether EE exposure alone can modulate immune responses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). EE was implemented as simple physical structures added to otherwise barren tanks, either as horizontally placed gravel substrate (H) simulating a riverbed or vertically suspended rubber cords (V) simulating plant like structures. Tanks without enrichment served as barren controls (C). In experiment 1 (Exp1), trout reared with H, or V enrichment were compared to C for behavioural, neuroendocrine, and immune parameters. The H setup increased social interactions and showed signs of inflammatory activation in the head kidney leukocyte (HKL) functional assays. The V setup led to reduced monocyte counts and slightly higher spontaneous respiratory burst activity (SRBA), although the latter was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). In the subsequent experiment using a 2 × 2 factorial design combining enrichment and high (× 2) stocking density (Exp2), trout in the V setup maintained significantly higher immune activity (evident through elevated SRBA, cellular peroxidase content in the HKL, and serum lysozyme activity) under × 2 stocking density conditions (p < 0.05). In both experiments, the coefficient of variation (CV) for serum cortisol was higher in the V setup, including at × 2 stocking density, but not significantly different from the C setup (p > 0.05). Behavioural modulation was indirectly evidenced by a negative correlation between cortisol levels and body size, suggesting hierarchy formation. Overall, EE influenced neuroendocrine, behavioural, and immune parameters in trout, with V emerging as a practical immunostimulatory measure suitable for juveniles (< 1 year; 5-50 g).

PMID:41957396 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-44702-2

Nat Commun. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-71393-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Determining the clinical relevance of BRCA2 variants of uncertain significance is critical for informed risk management. Recently, two saturation genome editing studies assessed the functional effects of all single nucleotide variants in the BRCA2 C-terminal DNA Binding Domain. To improve the accuracy of functional data used for ACMG/AMP variant classification, we combined results from these studies in four composite models and evaluated the performance of each model using variants with known classifications. Here, we show that an “Integrated VarCall Model”, which combined raw functional data for 6383 variants from the original studies, yielded 98.8% accuracy and out-performed the original studies and other combined data models. Incorporation of the “Integrated VarCall Model” functional data with other sources of evidence according to ClinGen BRCA1/2 variant curation expert panel specifications resulted in classification of 5926 (92.8%) BRCA2 variants as pathogenic (n = 735) or benign (n = 5191) and provides valuable insights for individuals with BRCA2 variants.

PMID:41957374 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-026-71393-0