Category: Statistics

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2025 Oct 3. doi: 10.1111/nyas.70037. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Rhythm is ubiquitous in human culture and in nature, but hard to capture in all its complexity. A key dimension of rhythm, integer ratio categories occur when the relationship between temporal intervals can be expressed as small-integer ratios. Recent work has found integer ratio categories in most human musical cultures and some animal species’ vocalizations or behavioral displays. But biological systems are noisy, and empirically measured intervals rarely form an exact small-integer ratio. Here, we mathematically assess whether a leading integer ratio analysis method makes valid statistical and biological assumptions. In particular, we (1) make the temporal properties of empirical ratios explicit, both in general and for the typical use in the literature; (2) show how the choice of ratio formula affects the probability distribution of rhythm ratios and ensuing statistical results; (3) guide the reader to carefully consider the assumptions and null hypotheses of the statistical analysis; and (4) present a comprehensive methodology to statistically test integer ratios for any null hypothesis of choice. Our observations have implications for both past and future research in music cognition and animal behavior: They suggest how to interpret past findings and provide tools to choose the correct null hypotheses in future empirical work.

PMID:41043082 | DOI:10.1111/nyas.70037

Am Surg. 2025 Oct 3:31348251385106. doi: 10.1177/00031348251385106. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In the practice of breast surgery, positive margins are a troublesome pathologic finding associated with an increased risk of local recurrence and the recommendation of re-excision. For this reason, there is an emphasis placed on negative margins for breast surgeries. In this study, we analyze surgical resident involvement in breast cancer operations and associations with margin status.MethodsA retrospective study was completed of adult female patients who underwent a lumpectomy by a single surgeon. The surgeries were categorized by resident involvement in the surgical procedure. Other variables assessed were cancer type, grade, size, neoadjuvant chemotherapy use, and oncoplastic surgery. Variables were evaluated to determine what associated with a positive margin.ResultsWhen comparing cases with and without resident involvement, no statistically significant differences were noted in patient age (65.46 ± 1.76 years vs. 66.14 ± 9.31 years, P = .560), neoadjuvant therapy (11.8% vs. 8.0%, P =.273), and tumor size (12 mm vs. 13 mm, P =.871). The number of positive margins did not differ statistically whether a resident was involved or not (20.3% vs. 16.7%, P =.420). The only variable associated with increased positive margins was adenocarcinoma mixed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) and pure DCIS, which was associated with the greatest proportions of positive margins.DiscussionUnlike some previous studies, our data reinforces it is safe to involve residents in breast conservation surgery. Specifically, program year did not significantly impact margin status. Thus, surgical training should continue to involve residents in breast surgery without fear of providing suboptimal care.

PMID:41043064 | DOI:10.1177/00031348251385106

Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2025 Oct 3:1-8. doi: 10.1080/15569527.2025.2564432. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is a vascular tumour with four main clinical types-classic, endemic, iatrogenic, and epidemic-all linked to infection by human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8). This retrospective cohort study assessed the relationship between demographic factors and clinical characteristics in 73 patients with biopsy-proven KS treated at a single dermatology centre between 2009 and 2023. Demographic and clinical data, including age, gender, birthplace, blood type, smoking, alcohol use, HIV status, tumour site, and disease stage, were collected and statistically analysed. Most patients were male (77%), with a mean age of 61 years, and the classic KS subtype predominated (86%). The majority (75%) had tumours localised to the extremities. HIV-positive status was diagnosed in 14% of cases and was strongly associated with non-extremity tumour location and increased visceral involvement. Notably, blood type showed a significant association with tumour localisation: 0Rh- and ARh- blood groups were less common in KS patients with extremity tumours. This is the first study to demonstrate a significant relationship between blood group and KS tumour site, introducing a novel epidemiological association. Smoking and alcohol consumption were each significantly linked to higher HIV positivity rates. Patients from the Mediterranean region had a higher frequency of HIV-positive KS, although birthplace did not correlate with disease stage. No associations were observed between gender and disease type. The study is limited by its retrospective design and missing data for certain variables, but it identifies potentially novel patterns-including a possible link between blood group and tumour location-and confirms known associations, such as HIV status with advanced disease. These findings underscore the complexity of KS presentation and suggest that demographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors may shape disease patterns. Prospective, multicentre studies are needed to validate these findings and guide personalised approaches to KS management.

PMID:41043032 | DOI:10.1080/15569527.2025.2564432

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2025 Oct 3:11206721251383750. doi: 10.1177/11206721251383750. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundTo examine the correlation between Humphrey visual field analyzer and an automated virtual reality perimetry test (Oculera visual field analyzer) in glaucoma patients and healthy individuals.MethodsThis prospective, single-center study was conducted on 93 eyes of 93 patients, 55 of whom were glaucoma patients (glaucoma group) and 38 healthy subjects (normal group). HFA II (24-2, Swedish Interactive Threshold Algorithm) and Oculera (24-2, Oculera Interactive) tests were applied to all participants. Mean deviation (MD), pattern standard deviation (PSD), and visual field index (VFI) values of both devices were obtained. The correlation between the two devices was evaluated by statistical analyses of MD, PSD, and VFI.ResultsThe MD values were -6.36 dB (-31.8 to 2.27) for HFA II and -5.80 dB (-29.1 to 2.2) for Oculera. The difference between MDs of Oculera and HFA II was -0.56 dB. Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a statistically significant difference in MD values between Oculera and HFA II (p < 0.001). However, there was a strong correlation between MDs (r = 0.932 and p < 0.001). With this, the results of the Bland-Altman analysis evaluating the agreement between the two tests showed that the differences between the MD measurements were not within the acceptable error range and that the results of the devices could not be used interchangeably. A strong correlation was found between the two devices in terms of PSD and VFI values (r = 0.752, r = 0.910, respectively).ConclusionsThe current findings are promising for the future use of Oculera in the diagnosis and follow-up of glaucoma patients.

PMID:41043010 | DOI:10.1177/11206721251383750

Europace. 2025 Oct 3:euaf251. doi: 10.1093/europace/euaf251. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) score was recently developed to predict bleeding risk in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) receiving oral anticoagulants. However, limited data show inconsistent results comparing its performance to the conventional HAS-BLED score in Asian populations with non-valvular AF receiving DOACs.

METHODS: We enrolled 21,142 patients with non-valvular AF receiving DOACs from a multicenter database in Taiwan (June 2012-December 2021). The primary endpoint was major bleeding events. Major bleeding events were defined according to the ISTH criteria. Areas under receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) were calculated for each score, with differences assessed using DeLong test.

RESULTS: A total of 21,142 AF patients (mean age 75.9±11.0 years; 41% female) treated with DOAC were included in the analysis. Major bleeding events occurred in 681 patients in one-year follow-up (3.66%/year). There were 82(0.43%/year) intracranial hemorrhage event occurred. Both the DOAC and HAS-BLED scores are associated with a significant risk of major bleeding event, with only modest predictive performance (AUC <0.7). The DOAC score showed a slightly but statistically significantly higher AUC compared with the HAS-BLED score (AUC:0.670, [95 %CI:0.650-0.689]) vs. 0.642, [0.623-0.663]; P<.001). Results from several reclassification analyses favored the DOAC score. Both the two scores showed a good calibration for the low to intermediate risk categories, while the two bleeding risk scores both overestimate the risk of major bleeding risk for the high risk categories. Subgroup analyses indicated that the superiority of DOAC score over HAS-BLED score is primarily driven by elderly patients (≥75 years) and prediction in risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

CONCLUSIONS: The DOAC score, which employs a more granular scoring system compared to the HAS-BLED score, may enable finer bleeding risk discrimination among Asian patients with non-valvular AF receiving DOAC therapy.

PMID:41043006 | DOI:10.1093/europace/euaf251

Br J Surg. 2025 Oct 3;112(10):znaf186. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znaf186.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) quality registries monitor various outcomes, enabling the assessment of hospital performance in comparison with national benchmarks. However, if there is considerable between-surgeon outcome variation, surgeon-level feedback may be better suited. The aim of this study was to assess the extent to which patient-, surgeon-, and hospital-level factors contribute to the variation in outcomes after MBS.

METHODS: All primary procedures registered in the Dutch MBS quality registry between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2023 were included. Outcomes included severe postoperative complications, reoperation, prolonged length of stay (LOS), readmission, textbook outcome, and achieving ≥25% total weight loss within 1 year. Multilevel logistic regression models were built for each outcome, including all available patient characteristics, operating surgeon, and hospital, to determine the variance explained by patient-, surgeon-, and hospital-level factors.

RESULTS: In total, 30 610 patients were included, operated on by 144 surgeons in 19 hospitals. Hospital-level factors contributed most to the explained variance for all outcomes, ranging from 59.6% for reoperation to 90.3% for prolonged LOS. Surgeon-level factors explained less variance, ranging from 3.2% for prolonged LOS to 28.2% for reoperation. Patient characteristics explained the least, ranging from 4.4% for textbook outcome to 13.1% for severe postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION: Variation in outcomes is mostly explained by hospital factors, rather than surgeon factors, supporting hospital-based performance feedback. The results suggest that the pre- and postoperative trajectory and perioperative care may affect MBS outcomes more than patient characteristics or surgical team performance.

PMID:41042995 | DOI:10.1093/bjs/znaf186

Przegl Epidemiol. 2025 Oct 3;79(2):300-310. doi: 10.32394/pe/205497. Epub 2025 Jul 2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is a major public health threat, with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria from the Enterobacteriaceae family classified by the WHO as critical priority pathogens. The COVID-19 pandemic affected global antibiotic consumption patterns, potentially influencing the resistance of ESBL(+) strains and the frequency of bacterial infections in hospitals.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the trends in the prevalence of infections caused by ESBL-producing bacteria (Enterobacteriaceae family) in a district hospital in the Lower Silesian Voivodeship during the peri-pandemic period (2017-2023) and assess the relationship between antibiotic consumption and changes in resistance.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using microbiological and pharmacological data from the Healthcare Complex in Oława. 34,629 clinical specimen cultures from 77,829 hospitalized patients were analyzed. The study focused on Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Enterobacter spp. with an ESBL resistance mechanism. The consumption of β-lactam antibiotics from Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System groups J01C and J01D was assessed. Statistical trend and correlation analysis was applied.

RESULTS: The incidence of ESBL(+) bacterial infections showed no significant trends. The pre-pandemic prevalence of ESBL(+) strains was low (6.42%-24.49%), rising to 56.25% in 2020 and peaking at 100% in 2021-2022. In 2023, resistant isolates declined to 77.50%. A 50.2% increase in β-lactam antibiotic consumption (J01D, mainly cephalosporins) was recorded in 2020. The highest proportion of ESBL(+) infections occurred in non-surgical wards (40.97%) and long-term care facilities (25.88%).

CONCLUSIONS: Data analysis from 2017-2023 revealed no significant trends in incidence of ESBL(+) infections but an increase in β-lactam resistance. In 2020, the prevalence of ESBL(+) strains and antibiotic consumption, especially cephalosporins, increased. However, the lack of a significant correlation between antibiotic consumption and resistance suggests that other factors, such as resistant strain transmission or persistent colonization, play a crucial role. These findings highlight the need for enhanced resistance monitoring and rational antibiotic stewardship strategies.

PMID:41042965 | DOI:10.32394/pe/205497

Indian J Dent Res. 2025 Apr 1;36(2):228-235. doi: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_682_24. Epub 2025 Oct 1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: C-shaped root canal morphology presents significant challenges in endodontic treatment due to its complex anatomy. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the prevalence of C-shaped canal anatomy in mandibular second premolars and examined the influence of geographic variation on prevalence rates.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, systematically searching five electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, prospective, and observational studies on C-shaped canal prevalence in adult mandibular second premolars.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: A random-effects model in RStudio software was used to calculate the pooled prevalence and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of C-shaped canals.

RESULTS: The pooled prevalence based on participants was 1.31% (CI: 0.68-2.53; I² = 90%; P < 0.01). Based on the number of teeth, the prevalence was 0.96% (CI: 0.46-2.00; I² = 93%; P < 0.01), also with high heterogeneity. Geographic analysis showed the highest prevalence in South America 5.83% (CI: 0.57-40.04; I² = 95%; P < 0.01) and the lowest in Australia 0.42% (CI: 0.31-0.93).

CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated variability in the prevalence of C-shaped canals, with a pooled estimate of 1.31% based on participant-level data and 0.96% based on tooth-level assessment. The substantial heterogeneity observed across studies highlights the morphological diversity of root canal systems. Geographic differences were observed, with the highest prevalence in South America and the lowest in Australia. These findings underscore the importance of region-specific diagnostic vigilance.

PMID:41042605 | DOI:10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_682_24

Indian J Dent Res. 2025 Apr 1;36(2):213-218. doi: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_354_23. Epub 2025 Oct 1.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Desensitizing agents are commonly used to minimize dentin hypersensitivity caused by tooth whitening procedures. The objective was to evaluate the evolution of enamel colour and porosity after home-use tooth whitening with and without a desensitizing agent.

METHODS: Individual trays with different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (HP) or carbamide peroxide (CP) bleaching agents were tested with and without prior use of a desensitizing agent. Whitening efficacy was evaluated by spectrophotometer, and the enamel surface alteration was examined by scanning electron microscope. The one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey’s post hoc test was used to assess differences in the colour variations among the groups, independently for the middle third, cervical third, and grouped thirds. The paired t-test was used to assess the differences in colour variation between the middle third and the cervical third, independently for each of the groups.

RESULTS: The analysis of colour variation (ΔE) showed that there was no statistical difference among the groups with or without application of a desensitizer (P > 0.05). The change in enamel morphology was proportional to the concentration of the bleaching agent. The microscopy images obtained from the groups using a desensitizer prior to the bleaching agent were similar to those of the groups in which the bleaching agent was used alone.

CONCLUSIONS: The association of home bleaching agents with a desensitizing agent did not influence the final result of the bleaching procedure.

PMID:41042604 | DOI:10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_354_23

JMIR Res Protoc. 2025 Oct 3;14:e66202. doi: 10.2196/66202.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is 1 of the 3 leading causes of maternal mortality worldwide. Unfortunately, its exact pathogenesis is still unclear. Published metabolomic and gene expression analyses point to coenzyme A (CoA) restriction in the placenta as a factor underpinning the observed complications of preeclampsia, but this hypothesis has never been tested.

OBJECTIVE: This pilot study aims to discover evidence supporting the CoA-restriction hypothesis through 2 avenues. The first of these involves developing a procedure for the quantitative determination of metabolites to discover if harmful metabolites are elevated in patients with preeclampsia, while the second seeks to emulate the onset of CoA restriction in cultured cells.

METHODS: This manuscript provides a rationale and a protocol for a clinical study and laboratory experiments to test the hypothesis. The methods have 3 key aspects. Phase 1 comprises optimization of assays of 5 key metabolites arising from CoA restriction, namely L-leucine, ketoisovalerate, ketodeoxycholate, oleic acid, and sphingosine-1-phosphate. Phase 2 comprises recruitment of patients to obtain serum samples to measure the metabolites, and phase 3 comprises culturing and treating trophoblast cells to induce CoA restriction and test the effects of the metabolites on the cells. Patients with preeclampsia and healthy controls will be recruited based on World Health Organization criteria for preeclampsia. Exclusion criteria include multiple pregnancies, premature rupture of membranes, and various medical complications. Blood samples will be collected and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS) to quantify key metabolites associated with CoA restriction. For trophoblast cell studies, BeWo cells will be cultured under conditions likely to induce CoA restriction, including hypoxia and human chorionic gonadotropin supplementation, and will also be treated with the key metabolites to determine what effect they might have. Cell viability, apoptosis, energy metabolism, and gene expression (focusing on genes involved in CoA synthesis and metabolism) will be assessed. Statistical analysis will involve 2-tailed t tests or Mann-Whitney U tests to compare metabolite concentrations between patients with preeclampsia and controls. A correlation matrix will be used to explore associations between metabolite levels and patient characteristics.

RESULTS: Institutional review board ethics approval has been obtained for this study. Patient recruitment started April 1, 2025. The 5 metabolites have been purchased in synthetic form and used to optimize the HPLC/MS assays in preparation for receiving blood samples. The trophoblast cell-line culture is being optimized.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study will demonstrate that key metabolite concentrations can be quantified using HPLC/MS and indicate if CoA restriction is associated with preeclampsia. If so, this provides a significant, novel avenue for research into the treatment and prevention of the disease.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/66202.

PMID:41042598 | DOI:10.2196/66202