Category: Statistics

Int J Gen Med. 2026 Aug 4;19:620724. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S620724. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of ocular features, particularly refractive errors and amblyopia risk factors (ARFs), in children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Additionally, it seeks to explore their associations with selected prenatal factors.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 436 children diagnosed with ASD and 508 typically developing controls, all aged between 2 and 9 years from the Tianjin region. Refractive status was measured using the Spot Vision Screener, while ARFs were determined following the guidelines set by the American Academy of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus. Information on prenatal variables, such as the mode of delivery, maternal weight gain, and self-reported maternal emotional symptoms was gathered via parental surveys. The data were analyzed statistically using SPSS version 27.0.

RESULTS: The results showed that 42.7% of children with ASD presented refractive errors, a rate notably higher than the 36.8% observed in the control group, with hyperopia and astigmatism being the most prevalent conditions. 15.4% of children with ASD were identified as having ARFs, compared to 8.3% in the control group (P <0.05). Notably, 90% of the children with ASD had refractive errors that required correction but were left uncorrected. Prenatal factors, including cesarean delivery (OR = 2.298, P < 0.05) and self-reported maternal emotional symptoms (OR = 5.150, P < 0.05), were found to be significantly associated with both ASD and the presence of refractive errors and amblyopia in this cross-sectional analysis.

CONCLUSION: Children with ASD exhibit a higher incidence of refractive errors and ARFs, with prenatal influences playing a significant role. Additionally, the high rate of uncorrected refractive errors in this population highlights a critical gap in visual care. Early diagnosis and treatment, along with targeted management of prenatal risk factors, are critical for improving both visual health and overall developmental outcomes in this group.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06122519. Registration date: October 2023.

PMID:42572738 | PMC:PMC13453352 | DOI:10.2147/IJGM.S620724

Front Pharmacol. 2026 Jul 27;17:1904931. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2026.1904931. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Smoking behavior is influenced not only by nicotine dependence but also by behavioral rituals and psychological factors. The motor routines associated with smoking, such as holding and manipulating the cigarette, may represent an important behavioral component of tobacco addiction. However, the relationship between smoking-related gestures, psychological distress, and smoking behavior has received limited empirical attention. This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 787 treatment-seeking smokers undergoing clinical evaluation for tobacco dependence. Smoking behavior was assessed through the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Psychological distress was evaluated using the Zung Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Smoking-related gesturality was measured through a clinical item assessing the perceived importance of smoking gestures. Associations were examined using Spearman correlations, non-parametric group comparisons, and multivariate logistic regression. Gesturality showed a weak but statistically significant association with anxiety (ρ = -0.12, p = 0.001) and depressive symptoms (ρ = -0.13, p < 0.001). Higher gestural involvement was also associated with greater cigarette consumption (ρ = 0.10, p = 0.01). In multivariate analysis, the number of cigarettes smoked per day emerged as the only independent predictor of high gesturality (OR = 1.03, p = 0.02), while anxiety and depressive symptoms showed non-significant trends. Smoking-related gestures appear to reflect a behavioral dimension of tobacco use that is primarily associated with smoking intensity and habitual motor routines, while showing only weak inverse associations with anxiety and depressive symptoms.

PMID:42572714 | PMC:PMC13453294 | DOI:10.3389/fphar.2026.1904931

J Inflamm Res. 2026 Aug 5;19:590431. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S590431. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Macrophage-driven inflammation in adipose tissue contributes to chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH)-induced metabolic disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Adiponectin (Ad), an abundant adipokine secreted by adipocytes, plays a crucial role in insulin sensitivity. We tested the hypothesis that CIH-induced macrophage inflammation requires adipocyte-derived paracrine signals and that Ad attenuates this process.

METHODS: Using a co-culture approach, we investigated the roles of adipocytes and Ad in CIH-induced macrophage inflammation. Direct co-culture involved physical interaction between iBMDM macrophages and 3T3-L1 adipocytes, while indirect co-culture used adipocyte-conditioned media. After CIH and Ad treatment, inflammatory factor levels in conditioned media were quantified. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: CIH did not directly trigger inflammatory factor release from individually cultured iBMDM cells or 3T3-L1 adipocytes. However, CIH significantly increased inflammatory factor release in co-cultured cells. Ad alleviated the pro-inflammatory effect of adipocytes on macrophages under CIH conditions.

CONCLUSION: CIH disrupts adipocyte function and promotes macrophage inflammation via paracrine mechanisms.

PMID:42572695 | PMC:PMC13453351 | DOI:10.2147/JIR.S590431

PeerJ. 2026 Aug 6;14:e21595. doi: 10.7717/peerj.21595. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the impact of single sessions of resistance exercise with varying training intensities and doses on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in older adults.

METHODS: Nine older women aged ≥65 years were recruited for a study employing a balanced-order research design, which allowed for more robust comparisons of different resistance training modalities. All the participants completed four resistance training modalities: low-set high-intensity (LsHi), high-set high-intensity (HsHi), low-set high-repetition (LsHr), and high-set high-repetition (HsHr).

RESULTS: Serum BDNF levels were measured pre- and post-exercise for each modality. While the comparison of change rates (△BDNF) across the four exercise modalities did not reach statistical significance, serum BDNF levels were significantly elevated within-group following the LsHr modality. Notably, the LsHr modality showed a trend toward greater increases in serum BDNF, with average post-exercise levels increasing by more than 30%.

CONCLUSION: Although no statistically significant differences in △BDNF were observed between the four modalities, these findings provide preliminary evidence that a muscular endurance-focused resistance training protocol (LsHr) may be effective in eliciting acute BDNF elevations in older adults. These results suggest that the interplay between training volume and intensity warrants further investigation. Given the exploratory nature of this study, our findings indicate that while LsHr shows potential, further research with larger cohorts is necessary to definitively establish whether training dose or specific modality configuration is the primary driver of BDNF modulation.

PMID:42572691 | PMC:PMC13453137 | DOI:10.7717/peerj.21595

Vet Ophthalmol. 2026 Sep;29(5):e70245. doi: 10.1111/vop.70245.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) measurements obtained using two rebound tonometers (TonoVet and TonoVet Plus) in Labrador retrievers and to evaluate a regression-based approximation for supporting longitudinal interpretation following device replacement.

ANIMALS STUDIED: Fifty-three clinically normal Labrador retrievers (106 eyes), including guide dog candidates and breeding dogs undergoing routine health screening in Japan, were included.

PROCEDURES: IOP was measured sequentially using the TonoVet and TonoVet Plus, both set to dog mode. The first of three readings per eye per device was used for analysis. Measurement order effects were assessed in a separate cohort. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and Bland-Altman analysis. Deming regression was used to derive a regression-based approximation accounting for measurement error in both devices.

RESULTS: Measurement order did not significantly influence IOP values. The TonoVet Plus yielded significantly higher IOP values than the TonoVet (p < 0.0001), and a moderate positive correlation was observed between the two devices (r = 0.69). Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated a systematic bias (mean difference + 4.5 mmHg; 95% limits of agreement, 1.3 to 7.7 mmHg). Deming regression yielded a slope of 1.05 and an intercept of 3.52. Age-related effects on IOP were small and not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: The TonoVet Plus systematically measures higher IOP values than the TonoVet in Labrador retrievers. The derived breed-specific approximation may support longitudinal interpretation rather than precise individual-level prediction in comparable clinical settings; however, external validation in independent Labrador retriever populations is warranted.

PMID:42572116 | DOI:10.1111/vop.70245

J Neurol. 2026 Aug 10;273(9):522. doi: 10.1007/s00415-026-14038-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tardive syndromes may present with variable movement disorders. Blepharospasm (BSP), while typically idiopathic in origin, may be drug-induced, but there is little information regarding frequency and phenomenology of tardive BSP.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: We aimed to assess the clinical features of tardive BSP and compare them with patients with idiopathic BSP. The Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) was used to assess the severity of movements and the Jankovic Rating Scale (JRS) was used to evaluate the severity of BSP.

RESULTS: Among 72 consecutive patients with tardive syndromes, 15 (20.8%) were identified with BSP. Patients with tardive BSP had a younger age at onset, higher AIMS scores, and a greater frequency of associated akathisia and facial dystonia, compared with patients who had other tardive phenomena (P < 0.05, for all comparisons). Compared with 37 patients with idiopathic BSP, those with a tardive etiology were also younger and had more frequently associated orobuccolingual (OBL) stereotypy, limb/trunk stereotypies, akathisia, and facial dystonia (P ≤ 0.009), whereas apraxia of eyelid opening was only observed in patients with idiopathic BSP. Alleviating maneuvers (sensory tricks) predominated in patients with idiopathic BSP, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (P ≥ 0.05). Furthermore, there was no difference in BSP severity, as assessed by JRS, between the two groups. Comorbid limb/trunk stereotypies and OBL dyskinesia had the greatest diagnostic accuracy supporting tardive origin.

CONCLUSIONS: Tardive BSP, identified in one-fifth of patients with diverse tardive syndromes, has distinct features differing from idiopathic BSP.

PMID:42572102 | DOI:10.1007/s00415-026-14038-y

Gastric Cancer. 2026 Aug 9. doi: 10.1007/s10120-026-01744-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) improve survival in advanced gastric cancer (GC), yet predicting therapeutic benefit versus toxicity remains challenging. Elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) is linked to poor prognosis, but whether it simultaneously influences immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and how this relationship impacts survival remains unclear.

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 244 patients with advanced GC treated with ICIs. Predictors of high-grade irAEs were evaluated using Firth’s penalized logistic regression to mitigate small-sample bias. Independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) were identified via multivariable Cox analysis and validated using propensity score matching (PSM). Causal mediation analysis was performed to assess whether the effect of IL-6 on OS was mediated through irAEs. Biological mechanisms were explored using TCGA-STAD transcriptomic data.

RESULTS: Baseline IL-6 was a strong independent predictor of high-grade irAEs (OR = 2.74, P < 0.001) and inferior OS (P = 0.019), a finding confirmed after PSM. Mediation analysis did not demonstrate a statistically significant mediating effect of irAEs on the relationship between IL-6 and survival. Bioinformatic validation linked high IL-6 expression to hyper-inflammatory signaling (TNF/IL-17 pathways) and immunosuppressive M2 macrophage infiltration.

CONCLUSION: Baseline IL-6 was independently associated with both severe immune-related toxicity and inferior overall survival, suggesting that elevated systemic IL-6 reflects an adverse inflammatory state in which toxicity does not necessarily correspond to improved therapeutic outcomes. These findings support further evaluation of IL-6 in risk stratification and warrant prospective investigation into its potential therapeutic modulation in combination with ICIs.

PMID:42572075 | DOI:10.1007/s10120-026-01744-9

J Comput Aided Mol Des. 2026 Aug 10;40(1):200. doi: 10.1007/s10822-026-00895-2.

ABSTRACT

Myeloperoxidase (MPO) has shown promise as a therapeutic target due to its critical role in inflammatory mechanisms and cancer progression. Despite extensive research on MPO inhibitors, the lack of integrated computational-experimental workflows constrains the efficient identification and validation of biologically relevant candidates. Hence, in this study, a ligand-based pharmacophore model of MPO inhibitors was developed to identify crucial molecular features required for inhibition. A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was built using the Genetic Function Approximation (GFA) algorithm, and the model statistics were found to be statistically significant (R² = 0.765, R²_adj = 0.733, R²_Pred = 0.672, LOF = 1.2). The generated and validated pharmacophore model was used virtually to screen 53,352 compounds, yielding five structurally distinct hits. These hits were subjected to in vitro cytotoxicity analysis using two cancer cell lines. Among all the tested compounds, BTB11556 showed the strongest cytotoxic activity, with an IC₅₀ of 12.5 μM against the Kasumi-1 leukemia cell line, and was therefore considered the lead compound. A one-way ANOVA of the IC₅₀ values for the active compounds in Kasumi-1 cells showed a statistically significant difference in cytotoxic potency (p < 0.001). This integrated computational and experimental approach highlights the importance of pharmacophore-guided virtual screening, combined with QSAR modeling, in the development of MPO inhibitors. The findings from molecular docking, 500-ns molecular dynamics simulations, MM-GBSA calculations, and alanine scanning analyses collectively corroborate a stable binding mode of BTB11556 within the MPO active site. These results support further investigation of BTB11556 as a candidate compound associated with MPO-targeted therapeutic strategies.

PMID:42572067 | DOI:10.1007/s10822-026-00895-2

Sleep Breath. 2026 Aug 10;30(4):235. doi: 10.1007/s11325-026-03776-y.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between lung volume and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in patients with overlap syndrome (OVS).

METHODS: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients diagnosed by spirometry were recruited from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University. They were asked to take an overnight polysomnography (PSG). Multiple regression analyses were used to assess the relationships between lung volume measures and AHI in OVS patients.

RESULTS: Finally, 354 OVS patients and 229 patients with only COPD met the study’s entry criteria. After adjusting for age, sex, BMI, neck size, economic status, smoking, alcohol use, and hypertension, residual volume (RV), total lung capacity (TLC), and the RV/TLC ratio each had a negative link with the AHI in OVS patients (RV: exp(β) = 0.903; 95% CI, 0.852 to 0.957; P < 0.05; TLC: exp(β) = 0.947; 95% CI, 0.899 to 0.998; P < 0.05; RV/TLC: exp(β) = 0.898; 95% CI, 0.846 to 0.954; P < 0.01). However, when RV was added as a covariate in the model, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) had no association with the AHI in OVS patients (P > 0.05). Also, when dividing OVS patients by lung function severity, RV had a negative correlation with the AHI in those with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) 3-4 grade (exp(β) = 0.905; 95% CI, 0.835 to 0.980; P < 0.05), but in GOLD 1-2 grade patients, there was no link between RV and AHI (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The higher residual volume was independently associated with lower AHI in patients with overlap syndrome, particularly among patients with GOLD 3-4 airflow limitation.

PMID:42572058 | DOI:10.1007/s11325-026-03776-y

Eur Spine J. 2026 Aug 10. doi: 10.1007/s00586-026-10262-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical outcomes after unipolar versus bipolar sternocleidomastoid (SCM) release for congenital muscular torticollis (CMT), and to describe how patient age, chronicity, and postoperative rehabilitation varied across studies and may have contributed to between study differences.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, 17 observational studies were included, comprising 382 surgical procedures (unipolar 228; bipolar 154). The primary outcome was achievement of a global good-excellent clinical result using validated composite scoring systems (Lee, Cheng-Tang, Tanabe, or Lee-Kang). Secondary outcomes were recurrence and complications. Comparative quantitative synthesis was restricted to studies reporting both techniques within the same cohort and extractable technique-specific data. For recurrence, comparative quantitative synthesis was feasible in two cohorts. For global good-excellent outcome, head-to-head data were too sparse and confounded for a robust pooled comparison, and evidence remained descriptive. Heterogeneity was assessed using I².

RESULTS: Only a small number of studies provided extractable head-to-head comparisons. In these cohorts, no statistically significant difference was observed between unipolar and bipolar release in achieving a good-excellent global clinical outcome, and recurrence rates did not differ significantly between techniques, although confidence intervals were wide and events were sparse. Across single-arm cohorts, both techniques were associated with high rates of good-excellent outcomes and low recurrence, with greater variability observed in bipolar cohorts that more frequently included older or neglected cases. Complications were uncommon overall and were predominantly minor; technique-stratified reporting suggested a higher frequency of minor complications following bipolar release. Where reported, cervical alignment and range of motion improved substantially after both procedures, with no consistent radiographic advantage of one technique over the other. Across studies, postoperative rehabilitation intensity and patient chronicity appeared to influence durability of correction at least as much as release extent.

CONCLUSION: Within the limits of available observational evidence, unipolar and bipolar SCM release yield comparable global clinical outcomes with low recurrence and complication rates. No consistent comparative advantage of greater release extent was demonstrated. Between-study differences may also reflect variation in patient age, deformity chronicity, and postoperative rehabilitation. Comparative certainty remains limited by small head-to-head cohorts, heterogeneous outcome definitions, and incomplete arm-level reporting.

PMID:42572053 | DOI:10.1007/s00586-026-10262-2