Category: Statistics

Anal Bioanal Chem. 2025 Feb 4. doi: 10.1007/s00216-025-05751-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The commutability of three certified reference materials for Cd, Cr, Hg, Ni, Pb and Tl in blood was evaluated for the combination of digestion ICP-MS with dilution ICP-MS or dilution GFAAS using the difference in bias approach. Maximum non-commutability bias (MANCB) was derived from the median of the tolerance limits set by six proficiency testing (PT) providers. The evaluation showed that this criteria are too strict and that either unfeasible high number of measurements or a larger MANCB is required to demonstrate commutability. The effect of increasing the MANCB on the maximum tolerable measurement uncertainty was found small to moderate demonstrating the commutability of the materials when used as a calibrator. Also the inclusion of the uncertainty of non-commutability into the measurement uncertainty resulted in only small increases of the measurement uncertainty, demonstrating the suitability of the materials for trueness control and method validation. The bias of the three CRMs was for most elements within the 99% confidence limits of the bias of the patient samples, demonstrating the suitability of the materials for statistical quality control.

PMID:39904899 | DOI:10.1007/s00216-025-05751-0

Childs Nerv Syst. 2025 Feb 4;41(1):106. doi: 10.1007/s00381-025-06762-z.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of pediatric patients with thoracolumbar spinal fractures and the characteristics of associated injuries.

METHODS: Sixty-one patients under 18 years old with thoracolumbar spinal fractures were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups: ≤ 8 years (Group 1) (n = 13) and > 8 years (Group 2) (n = 43). Patients were analyzed for age, gender, fracture type, fracture level, etiology, and associated injuries.

RESULTS: The mean age was 158.7 (± 53.1) months, and the male/female ratio was 1.26. The most common fracture etiology was motor vehicle accidents (39.4%) and falls from height (18%). There was no correlation between the fracture type, the number of fractured vertebrae, and age. The most common associated injury was orthopedic injuries (34.3%). In Group 2, associated injuries developed more frequently in the presence of a major fracture, whereas in Group 1, associated injuries could occur even in isolated minor fractures. In Group 1, intrathoracic injuries associated with fractures (36.4%) were significantly higher than in Group 2 (4.2%). Surgical intervention was required in 9.8% of patients.

CONCLUSION: Although thoracolumbar spinal fractures are rare in children, they are essential because preventable accidents essentially cause them and can have devastating consequences. There are significant differences in epidemiologic and clinical features between age groups. In this study, we have shown that even minor thoracolumbar vertebral fractures may be accompanied by associated injuries in children under 8 years of age. In contrast, major fractures are more frequently related to other organ injuries in older children. This may be because more severe trauma is required for a fracture of the thoracolumbar spine, which is more flexible and elastic in young children compared to adolescents. Our study has provided current and essential results regarding the etiology of pediatric thoracolumbar spine fractures. More multicenter studies are needed to understand the characteristics of thoracolumbar fractures in pediatric patients.

PMID:39904893 | DOI:10.1007/s00381-025-06762-z

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2025 Dec;21(1):2460272. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2025.2460272. Epub 2025 Feb 4.

ABSTRACT

The approach of neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer, which involves administering systemic treatment prior to primary surgery, has undergone substantial advancements in recent decades. This strategy is intended to reduce tumor size, thereby enabling less invasive surgical procedures and enhancing patient outcomes. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of research trends in neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer from 2009 to 2024. Using data extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection, a total of 3,674 articles were analyzed to map the research landscape in this field. The analysis reveals a steady increase in publication output, peaking in 2022, with the United States and China identified as the leading contributors. Key institutions, such as the University of Texas System and MD Anderson Cancer Center, have been instrumental in advancing the research on neoadjuvant therapy. The study also highlights the contributions of influential authors like Sibylle Loibl and Gunter von Minckwitz, as well as major journals such as the Journal of Clinical Oncology. Emerging research topics, including immunotherapy, liquid biopsy, and artificial intelligence, are gaining prominence and represent potential future directions for clinical applications. This bibliometric analysis provides critical insights into global research trends, key contributors, and future developments in the field of neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer, offering a foundation for future research and clinical practice advancements.

PMID:39904891 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2025.2460272

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2025 Feb 4;74(3):103. doi: 10.1007/s00262-025-03951-2.

ABSTRACT

As a type of “cold tumor” with limited immune cell infiltration, ovarian cancer has historically shown limited efficacy in immunotherapy. In this study, we report that exosomes from ovarian cancer can specifically target omentum which is the predilection site for ovarian cancer to metastasize and combat subsequently implanted tumor. Furthermore, we found a substantial increase in the proportion of CD3 + T cells, particularly CD8 + T cells, within the omental tissue where exosomes homed. This increase was accompanied by a significant enhancement in granzyme B levels within CD8 + T cells. Additionally, there was a notable elevation in the concentration of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) in peripheral blood. In vitro results indicated that exosomes could be internalized by dendritic cells (DCs), promote DC differentiation, and subsequently induce the production of granzyme B and IFN-γ in T cells. Surprisingly, we also observed high expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) in the omentum. Therefore, we discovered whether combining PD-L1 blockade led to further tumor regression. However, although the combination group showed complete tumor regression, this difference did not reach statistical significance. But in general, we emphasize that in the case of pre-injection, exosomes have great potential to combat the famous “cold tumor”, ovarian cancer, via targeting omentum and activating anti-tumor immunity, offering a novel avenue for overcoming ovarian cancer.

PMID:39904884 | DOI:10.1007/s00262-025-03951-2

Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2025 Feb 4. doi: 10.1007/s12223-025-01243-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A recently discovered source for infection of slaughter pigs, and thus entry for bacteria into the food chain, is the installed drinking equipment in lairage pens of pig abattoirs. To mitigate this, nano-coating of stainless steel, currently used in human medicine fields as well as in other parts of the food chain, appears as promising technology. In this study, silicon dioxide nano-coating was applied to six drinkers and installed for one and three months in a lairage of a pig abattoir, while results were compared with those of drinkers that had not been nano-coated. Laboratory examination of eight sample types related to the drinkers was conducted for total aerobic plate count, Enterobacteriaceae count, Pseudomonas spp. count, Salmonella presence, pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica presence, Listeria monocytogenes presence and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus presence. The nipple drinker, which the pigs take into their mouth for drinking, was then examined using scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis. The nano-coating did not produce statistically significant reductions in the loads or presence of these bacteria compared to the same but uncoated drinking equipment used under the same conditions. Further studies should focus on the implementation of combined methods, such as nano-coating and sanitary treatment, as well as modifications to the coating itself, to produce meaningful reductions of the bacterial loads on/in abattoir lairage drinking equipment.

PMID:39904879 | DOI:10.1007/s12223-025-01243-x

Brain Imaging Behav. 2025 Feb 4. doi: 10.1007/s11682-025-00975-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Here, we explore the relationship between transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and brain-behavior interactions. We propose that tDCS perturbation allows for the investigation of relationships between brain volume and behavior. We focused on the hippocampus (HPC) and cerebellum (CB) regions that are implicated in our understanding of memory and motor skill acquisition. Seventy-four young adults (mean age: 22 ± 0.42 years, mean education: 14.7 ± 0.25 years) were randomly assigned to receive either anodal, cathodal, or sham stimulation. Following stimulation, participants completed computerized tasks assessing working memory and sequence learning in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) environment. We investigated the statistical interaction between CB and HPC volumes. Our findings showed that individuals with larger cerebellar volumes had shorter reaction times (RT) on a high-load working memory task in the sham stimulation group. In contrast, the anodal stimulation group exhibited faster RTs during the low-load working memory condition. These RT differences were associated with the cortical volumetric interaction between CB-HPC. Literature suggests that anodal stimulation down-regulates the CB and here, those with larger volumes perform more quickly, suggesting the potential need for additional cognitive resources to compensate for cerebellar downregulation or perturbation. This new insight suggests that tDCS can aid in revealing structure-function relationships, due to greater performance variability, especially in young adults. It may also reveal new targets of interest in the study of aging or in diseases where there is also greater behavioral variability.

PMID:39904871 | DOI:10.1007/s11682-025-00975-1

J Robot Surg. 2025 Feb 4;19(1):60. doi: 10.1007/s11701-025-02222-7.

ABSTRACT

Robotic right colectomy (RRC) has been researched and compared in the past to the laparoscopic approach (LRC). However, it remains unclear whether RRC outperforms LRC in patients aged 65 or older with colon cancer or adenoma. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to compare the short-term outcomes of RRC to LRC in this particular age group. PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched for related literature. Studies and data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Inverse variances weighted mean differences (WMD) with random effects model were used for continuous values, and odds ratios (OR) with random effects model using the Mantel-Haenszel’s formula were used for dichotomous values. Heterogeneity using Higgins I² and p values were calculated. A sensitivity analysis was performed for operative duration and number of harvested lymph nodes. In total 382 patients, 157 in RRC and 225 in LRC, were included in this study. A statistically significant increase of 43.91 min [95%CI: 19.61, 68.22], P = 0.001, was observed regarding operative duration in the RRC group, compared to LRC, but with high heterogeneity, I² = 89%. However, a statistically significant decrease of 42% [OR = 0.58 (0.34, 0.98), P = 0.04, I²=2%] was observed with regard to overall complications in RRC compared to LRC. Non-significant differences between the two approaches were observed in the number of harvested lymph nodes [WMD = 0.44 (95%CI: -3.94, 4.82), P = 0.85, I² = 52%], wound infections [OR = 0.63 (95%CI: 0.11, 3.52), P = 0.60, I² = 13%], rate of ileus [OR = 0.29 (95%CI: 0.08, 1.00), P = 0.05, I² = 0%], length of hospitalization [WMD = 0.18 (95%CI: – 0.74, 1.11), P = 0.70, I² = 0%], and anastomotic leakage [OR = 0.52 (95%CI: 0.09, 3.11), P = 0.47, I² = 0%]. The results of the operative duration and number of harvested lymph nodes remained statistically significant and non-significant, respectively, after sensitivity analysis. Robotic right colectomy appears to require a longer operative duration, but possibly offers lower rates of overall complications, compared to laparoscopic right colectomy in patients ≥ 65 years of age. Due to the lack of studies identified in the literature, and the ones included being non-randomized, no solid conclusions can be drawn and cautious interpretation of the results is advised. Future studies are necessary to further examine both short- and long-term outcomes. Prospero registration: CRD42024603354.

PMID:39904868 | DOI:10.1007/s11701-025-02222-7

Int Endod J. 2025 Feb 4. doi: 10.1111/iej.14207. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate whether performing apical patency (AP) poses a risk for the development of osteonecrosis in rats treated with the antiresorptive drugs Zoledronic Acid (ZA) or Denosumab (DMAB).

METHODOLOGY: Forty-two male Wistar rats were divided into six groups according to the medication administered and whether apical patency was performed (n = 7): ZA, ZA-AP, DMAB, DMAB-AP, and the control groups CON and CON-AP. The ZA and ZA-AP groups received 0.125 mg/kg of ZA, while the DMAB and DMAB-AP groups received 0.25 mg/kg of DMAB, both administered via intraperitoneal injection twice a week for 4 weeks. One week after completing drug administration, endodontic access was performed on the distal occlusal fossa of the lower left first molars in all animals. AP was carried out in the distal canal of the ZA-AP, DMAB-AP, and CON-AP groups using a size 10 K-file with the aid of an electronic apex locator, extending beyond the apical foramen. In the other groups, the file was inserted up short of apex as determined by electronic apex locator measurement. Coronal sealing was performed and after 21 days, the animals were euthanized, and visual analysis, micro-CT, and histopathological assessments were conducted to evaluate the presence or absence of osteonecrosis. Statistical analysis was performed using frequency statistics and a GLM multivariate ANOVA model followed by Tukey’s test with significance at p < .05.

RESULTS: None of the animals exhibited bone exposure or other clinical signs associated with medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. No cortical bone destruction, periosteal reaction, or bone sequestration was observed in the micro-CT or histopathological assessments. Medication significantly influenced some micro-CT parameters (p < .05), while the apical patency alone did not (p > .05). When interacting with medication*apical patency, the ZA-AP group showed a significantly lower percentage of bone volume and bone mineral density compared to the ZA group, a tendency not observed in DMAB groups (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS: Apical patency in rats treated with zoledronic acid or denosumab did not cause osteonecrosis of the jaw, only micro-CT changes in bone microarchitecture that cannot be linked to osteonecrosis in zoledronic acid treated animals.

PMID:39904856 | DOI:10.1111/iej.14207

Ann Surg Oncol. 2025 Feb 4. doi: 10.1245/s10434-025-16950-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pylorus-preserving partial pancreatoduodenectomy (ppPD) is a treatment for tumors of the pancreatic head. Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) is one of the most common complications following ppPD. In a retrospective analysis, intraoperative endoluminal pyloromyotomy (PM) was shown to be associated with a reduction in DGE rates.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effect of intraoperative endoluminal PM on DGE after ppPD.

METHODS: Patients undergoing ppPD were randomized intraoperatively to receive either PM or atraumatic stretching of the pylorus prior to creation of the duodenojejunostomy. The primary endpoint was the rate of DGE within 30 days after surgery.

RESULTS: Sixty-four patients were randomly assigned to the PM group and 64 patients were assigned to the control group. There were no differences between the two groups regarding baseline characteristics. The DGE rate was 59.4% (76/126). In two patients (1.6%) DGE was not assessable. The most common DGE grade was A (51/126, 40.5%), followed by B (20/126, 15.9%) and C (5/126, 4.0%). The rate of DGE was 62.5% in the PM group versus 56.3% in the control group (odds ratio 1.41, 95% confidence interval 0.69-2.90; p = 0.34). The complication rate did not differ between both groups (p = 0.79) and there were no differences in quality of life on postoperative day 30.

CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative endoluminal PM did not reduce the rate or severity of DGE after ppPD compared with atraumatic stretching of the pylorus.

PMID:39904851 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-025-16950-5