Category: Statistics

Integr Psychol Behav Sci. 2025 Apr 23;59(2):43. doi: 10.1007/s12124-025-09908-5.

ABSTRACT

In this article, a new approach to outlier analysis in categorical data is proposed. Standard outlier analysis defines outliers in terms of such data characteristics as mutual distances or correlations among data points. This applies to the analysis of continuous and categorical data, and to univariate and multivariate outlier analysis as well as to data mining. In this article, a new specification of outlying data points is proposed, specifically, it is proposed to define outliers as data points that are extreme with respect to substantive hypotheses. It is also proposed to perform two forms of outlier analysis of the same data. The first is standard outlier analysis that inspects data characteristics. The second is Configural Frequency Analysis (CFA). This method defines outliers as extreme cells that contradict a substantive null hypothesis, the CFA base model. A data example is given, in which, first, outliers are identified using cluster analysis (unsupervised classification). Subsequently, the data are analyzed with CFA (supervised classification). Results show that outliers that were identified under unsupervised classification have the potential of distorting results of supervised classification. The mutual relations of unsupervised and supervised classification, both performed on the same data, are discussed. Configural Frequency Analysis and outlier analysis.

PMID:40266496 | DOI:10.1007/s12124-025-09908-5

Am J Mens Health. 2025 Mar-Apr;19(2):15579883251332732. doi: 10.1177/15579883251332732. Epub 2025 Apr 23.

ABSTRACT

Physical activity is associated with cancer of the male genitalia. However, the genetic causality of this association remains unclear. In this study, Mendelian randomization (MR) was used to explore the potential causal relationship between different intensities of physical activity and cancer of the male genitalia. This study utilized single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with vigorous exercise obtained from published genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and summary genetic data associated with male genital cancer from published GWAS. The main analysis method used was the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method for two-sample MR analysis. The heterogeneity of the results was assessed using Cochran’s Q statistic, while horizontal pleiotropy was assessed using MR-Egger. Sensitivity analysis included a “leave-one-out” test. The results showed that light DIY activity was a risk factor for male genital cancer (OR = 1.045, 95% confidence interval [1.004, 1.089], p = .033). The result passed the sensitivity test. This study found the effect of light DIY activities on male genital cancer. Future studies should further explore the impact of different types of physical activity on specific types of male genital cancer to improve relevant prevention strategies.

PMID:40265237 | DOI:10.1177/15579883251332732

J Health Psychol. 2025 Apr 23:13591053251333950. doi: 10.1177/13591053251333950. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder that imposes significant life impairment. Smoking is an addictive and potentially exacerbating behavior that may be important to IBS, but the psychological factors linking IBS and smoking remain underexplored. This study aims to investigate gastrointestinal-specific anxiety (GI-specific anxiety) in relation to smoking processes among adults with IBS who smoke. The sample consisted of 263 adults who met the criteria for IBS and reported smoking at least 5 cigarettes per day for the past year (Mean age = 44.1 years, SD = 12.71, 52.1% female). Hierarchical regression results indicated that higher GI-specific anxiety was statistically significantly associated with greater perceived barriers for smoking cessation, increased negative affect reduction smoking expectancies, and stronger urges to smoke for relief of negative affect. The present investigation found that GI-specific anxiety is an important construct informing smoking among individuals with IBS. Future research considerations are explored.

PMID:40265221 | DOI:10.1177/13591053251333950

Int Wound J. 2025 Apr;22(4):e70670. doi: 10.1111/iwj.70670.

ABSTRACT

Q. Guo, W. Li, R. Xie, Y. Wang, Y. Xie, K. Cheng, and Z. Sun, “Visualization of the Relationship Between Macrophage and Wound Healing From the Perspective of Bibliometric Analysis,” International Wound Journal 21, no. 4 (2024): e14597, https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.14597. The above article, published online on 20 December 2023, in Wiley Online Library (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/), has been retracted by agreement between the journal Editor in Chief, Professor Keith Harding; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Following an investigation by the publisher, all parties have concluded that this article was accepted on the basis of a compromised peer review process. In addition, further investigation by the publisher found that this article is missing the underlying dataset, which contradicts the Data Availability Statement. The investigation found that the Methods and Results included irrelevant citations or otherwise lacked proper citations, which leaves large sections of the statements made unsubstantiated by the academic literature. Lastly, the investigation found that the statistical analysis was incomplete. The editors have therefore decided to retract the article. The authors did not respond to our notice regarding the retraction.

PMID:40265216 | DOI:10.1111/iwj.70670

Exp Psychol. 2025 Apr 23. doi: 10.1027/1618-3169/a000642. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Across two experiments (N = 303), we examined the effect of physical fatigue on moral decision-making. Participants were subjected to acute physical exercise. Half of the participants were presented with moral dilemmas before the physical exercise and the other half after the exercise. We measured moral judgement using a shortened version of the Process Dissociation procedure, allowing us to investigate (1) decisions in the traditional sacrificial dilemmas and (2) deontological and utilitarian moral inclinations. The results showed no significant differences in moral judgments between fatigued and nonfatigued participants in nine out of 10 statistical tests. This suggests a unique resilience of moral judgments to physical fatigue, in contrast to what is known about cognitive fatigue.

PMID:40265197 | DOI:10.1027/1618-3169/a000642

Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Apr 3;12:1491960. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1491960. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Previous studies have demonstrated that nodule volumetry allows for the deduction of imaging-based biomarkers such as volume doubling time, enabling superior discrimination between benign and malignant lesions compared to 2D-based morphological characteristics. The study aimed to assess the feasibility and accuracy of in-vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based volumetric assessment of lung nodules larger than 6 mm, in comparison to the current gold standard, CT.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study involved a subgroup analysis of 233 participants from a prospective, single-center lung cancer screening program using CT and MRI. Patients were included if foci ≥6 mm were detected in CT during the initial screening round, resulting in 23 participants with 47 pulmonary nodules. MRI was performed using a 1.5 Tesla unit with a transverse T2-weighted MultiVane XD imaging technique, while low-dose CT (LDCT) was performed on a 128-slice spiral CT scanner. Volumetric nodule assessment was conducted using a computer-aided diagnosis system, with images reviewed by two experienced radiologists. Statistical analysis included regression analysis, Bland-Altman analysis, and calculation of the interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to assess correlation and reproducibility.

RESULTS: Comparison of MRI-based volumetric assessment with LDCT as the reference standard revealed a mean nodule volume of 1.1343 ± 3.1204 cm³ for MRI versus 1.2197 ± 3.496 cm³ for LDCT (p = 0.203). Regression analysis demonstrated a strong linear relationship between the modalities (r ² = 0.981, p < 0.001), consistently observed even for nodules <5 cm³ (r ² = 0.755, p < 0.001). Bland-Altman analysis indicated no significant systematic bias in nodule volume measurements between MRI and CT, with a mean difference of 0.12 cm³ and narrow 95% confidence intervals (-6.852 to 6.854 cm³). Intra-reader reproducibility for CT-based volumetry was excellent (ICC = 0.9984), while MRI-based measurements showed good reproducibility (ICC = 0.7737). Inter-reader reproducibility was high for CT (ICC = 0.995) and moderate for MRI (ICC = 0.7135).

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that MRI-based volumetry of lung nodules ≥6 mm is feasible and accurate, showing comparable precision to CT with minimal bias in volume measurements, and highlights the potential of MRI as a radiation-free alternative for lung nodule follow-up and screening.

PMID:40265184 | PMC:PMC12013721 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2025.1491960

Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Apr 8;12:1524358. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1524358. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The frailty index, based on laboratory assessments, helps identify individuals at risk for adverse health outcomes. However, its relationship with overall mortality in acute pancreatitis patients in ICUs remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the association between the frailty index and all-cause mortality and assess its prognostic value for these patients.

METHODS: We carried out a retrospective observational investigation utilizing data from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV 2.2) database. Extract data from the database for all ICU patients (first-time ICU admissions, age ≥ 18 years) who meet the diagnostic criteria for acute pancreatitis. The frailty index derived from laboratory tests (FI-lab) encompassed three vital sign indicators and 30 laboratory test indicators. Patients were categorized into four groups based on quartiles of the FI-lab score. To assess the differences in 28-day all-cause mortality among these groups, we employed Kaplan-Meier analysis, whereas the relationship between FI-lab scores and 28-day mortality was explored through Cox proportional hazards analysis. In addition, we applied Harrell’s C statistic, Integrated Discrimination Improvement (IDI), and Net Reclassification Improvement (NRI) to assess the additional predictive capability of FI-lab scores compare to traditional disease severity metrics.

RESULTS: The study included a total of 741 patients (all age ≥ 18 years, 19.84% age > 75 years, 41.16% Female). The Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that individuals with elevated FI-lab scores exhibited a significantly heightened risk of all-cause mortality (log-rank p < 0.0001). The multivariate Cox regression analysis suggested that treating FI-lab as a continuous variable (per 0.01 increment) was linked to an increased risk of 28-day all-cause mortality [hazard ratio (HR) 1.072, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.055-1.089), p < 0.001]. Moreover, when FI-lab was analyzed as a categorical variable, patients in the fourth quartile of FI-lab had a notably greater risk of 28-day all-cause mortality in comparison to those in the first quartile [HR 9.933, 95% CI (4.676-21.104), p < 0.001]. Additionally, the integration of FI-lab scores with conventional disease severity scores improved the predictive performance for 28-day mortality.

CONCLUSION: In patients in the ICU who have been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, the FI-lab score functions as a reliable indicator of short-term mortality. Early detection of patients at high risk for acute pancreatitis through the implementation of the FI-lab score, along with prompt interventions, is essential for enhancing these individuals’ prognoses.

PMID:40265180 | PMC:PMC12011769 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2025.1524358

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2025 Apr 8;16:1513904. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2025.1513904. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The management of hypothyroidism during Ramadan represents a tangible challenge as levothyroxine (L-thyroxine), the first-line treatment for hypothyroidism, must be administered on an empty stomach at least 30 min before a meal in order to enhance its absorption.

AIM: The present study aimed to compare the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels among patients with hypothyroidism treated with an extra dose of l-thyroxine (25 mcg L-thyroxine, treatment group) versus a standard/regular dose (1.6 mcg/kg) of l-thyroxine (control group) during the month of Ramadan.

METHODS: This study is a randomized controlled clinical trial that included patients with hypothyroidism. Eligible participants (n = 103) were randomly allocated to the treatment group and the control group. Both groups attended five visits before, during, and after Ramadan. Several tests were conducted, including thyroid function, lipid profile, HbA1c, and vitamin D.

RESULTS: One of the most significant findings of the present study is that the extra dose of 25 mcg of L-thyroxine during Ramadan maintained the TSH levels of patients within the normal reference range, i.e., 0.55-4.78 mIU/L, at each visit during and after Ramadan without the need to wait 30 min before the meal. The mean TSH values were comparable between the treatment group and the control group during the five visits (visit 1, 3.00 ± 2.44 and 3.45 ± 3.02; visit 2, 3.62 ± 3.21 and 3.74 ± 2.74; visit 3, 4.19 ± 3.85 and 4.89 ± 2.92; visit 4, 3.54 ± 2.96 and 5.15 ± 4.26; and visit 5, 3.61 ± 3.05 and 3.32 ± 2.57, respectively).

CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated that the extra dose of L-thyroxine had a positive effect on keeping the TSH levels of patients in the normal reference range at each visit during and after Ramadan. However, in the control group, the mean TSH levels were higher than the normal range at visits 4 and 5.

PMID:40265165 | PMC:PMC12011575 | DOI:10.3389/fendo.2025.1513904

Front Physiol. 2025 Apr 8;16:1530195. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2025.1530195. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the effects of 8-week interventions based on two variants of typical exercises, namely, high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and high-intensity plyometric training (HIPT), on body fat (BF%), blood pressure, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). In addition, the sustainability of the effects after another 8 weeks was assessed.

METHODS: The project was designed as a randomized controlled trial with eight groups of participants (two variants, two sexes, and two groups (experimental and control)) and was conducted in a school physical education (PE) program. The outcomes analyzed were the BF%, systolic (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and CRF expressed in terms of maximum oxygen uptake (VO_2max). A total of 307 healthy adolescents participated in this study and were randomly assigned into the two groups. During the 8 weeks, the participants completed two exercise sessions each week with progressively increasing volumes. For the first 2 weeks, the sessions involved four rounds of 20 s of intense effort followed by 10 s of rest; this increased to six rounds during weeks 3-4 and eight rounds during weeks 5-8. The HIPT program was based on plyometric exercises, whereas the HIIT was based on bodyweight resistance exercises.

RESULTS: Multidimensional analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated a statistically significant second-order interaction (time × variant × group: Ʌ = 0.943, F = 2.20, p < 0.027, η² _pG = 0.057, d = 0.25), confirming the changes in the BF%, SBP, DBP, and VO_2max dependent on the type of intervention and group assignment. The ANOVA results revealed significant main and interaction effects for BF%, SBP, and DBP, with time and the HIIT variant as the main contributors (BF%: F = 3.911, p = 0.023, η² _pG = 0.001, d = 0.04 vs. F = 9.900, p < 0.001, η² _pG = 0.001, d = 0.03; SBP: F = 31.801, p < 0.001, η² _pG = 0.012, d = 0.16 vs. F = 8.939, p = 0.003, η ² _pG = 0.026, d = 0.16; DBP: F = 3.470, p = 0.033, η² _pG = 0.002, d = 0.06 vs. F = 4.982, p = 0.026, η² _pG = 0.014, d = 0.12). The second-order interaction for VO_2max (time × sex × group: F = 6.960, p = 0.001, η² _pG = 0.003, d = 0.05) indicated that the improvements over time were not related to the training variant. Although these effects were small (low eta values), post hoc tests (all comparisons in post-intervention, p > 0.05) showed that both the HIIT and HIPT groups exhibited beneficial changes compared to controls; however, no statistically significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups. Furthermore, the observed improvements were maintained through the 8-week follow-up period, as demonstrated by no significant changes between the post-intervention and follow-up measurements (p > 0.05). Discriminant analysis showed that BF% and SBP were the key variables for the two exercise variants in men, with HIPT yielding greater reductions in SBP and HIIT resulting in more pronounced decreases in BF%.

DISCUSSION: In conclusion, both HIIT and HIPT interventions effectively improved health-related parameters, providing valuable enrichment to the PE lessons in schools. These benefits were also sustained for at least 8 weeks post-intervention.

PMID:40265155 | PMC:PMC12011756 | DOI:10.3389/fphys.2025.1530195