Category: Statistics

BJPsych Bull. 2026 Mar 2:1-7. doi: 10.1192/bjb.2026.10223. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND METHOD: Treatment non-adherence is a well-established predictor of relapse in schizophrenia, yet its broader clinical impact remains unclear. This study examines the association between clinician-recorded treatment non-adherence and clinical outcomes during the first year following a schizophrenia diagnosis. Using a bespoke natural language processing algorithm applied to anonymised electronic health records, we classified the recorded treatment adherence status of 2667 patients. Multivariable and Poisson regression analyses were conducted to assess associations of recorded treatment non-adherence with clinical outcomes.

RESULTS: Compared with the remainder, those classified as non-adherent had greater increases in recorded symptoms and higher frequency and duration of in-patient admissions and crisis care episodes. They were also prescribed a greater number of different antipsychotics and developed a greater number of recorded physical health comorbidities.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Treatment non-adherence is associated with markedly poorer clinical outcomes, emphasising the importance of early identification and targeted interventions to support adherence.

PMID:41766367 | DOI:10.1192/bjb.2026.10223

Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. 2026 Mar 1. doi: 10.1111/ajco.70093. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To explore the supportive care needs of people with cancer and their caregivers in South Australia and identify areas for service improvement.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted. Quantitative data assessed unmet needs across multiple supportive care domains, while qualitative responses provided contextual insights. Descriptive statistics and thematic content analysis were used to interpret findings.

RESULTS: Psychological and emotional needs emerged as key priorities and were frequently underpinned by unmet informational and practical needs. Emotional distress was prevalent across the sample, despite only a minority of respondents reporting that access to psychological services was an unmet need. Caregivers often reported that their emotional well-being was not prioritized, leading to stress and burnout. A significant unmet need for both groups was access to tailored, relevant information, especially regarding government entitlements and navigating the healthcare system. Practical and financial concerns, including fatigue, reduced functional ability, financial strain, and challenges accessing transport, were also common. These findings highlight that supportive care needs are interconnected, with gaps in one domain often exacerbating challenges in others.

CONCLUSION: Supportive care for people with cancer and their caregivers requires an integrated approach that embeds psychological support, delivers accessible and tailored information, and ensures equitable access to practical resources. Aligning services with the Australian Cancer Plan can help reduce disparities, improve engagement, and enhance overall well-being. Future longitudinal research should explore evolving needs, with a focus on underrepresented populations, including culturally and linguistically diverse groups, men, younger individuals, and people with rarer cancers.

PMID:41766360 | DOI:10.1111/ajco.70093

J Helminthol. 2026 Mar 2;100:e25. doi: 10.1017/S0022149X26101205.

ABSTRACT

Domestic cats are the only felines living exclusively with humans, making them ecologically invasive and widespread across terrestrial habitats. Their domestication stems from their rodent control abilities and companionship. However, they are susceptible to gastrointestinal parasites such as Ancylostoma spp., Toxocara cati, and Dipylidium caninum, causing issues like anaemia, vomiting, and sometimes death, especially in kittens. These parasites can also pose zoonotic risks, transmitting diseases like visceral and ocular larva migrants to humans. A total of 100 cats with no deworming history were examined over six months. The overall prevalence of intestinal helminths was 23.0%, with Ancylostoma spp. being the most common (11.0%), followed by Toxocara cati (7.0%), Taenia spp. (2.0%), and mixed infections (3.0%). The prevalence was higher in females (26.92%) than in males (18.75%). Age-wise, kittens under 6 months had the highest infection rate (36.17%), while cats aged 6-12 months showed the lowest (10.71%). Non-descriptive breeds exhibited a higher infection rate (34.88%) than descriptive breeds (14.03%). Most cats were kept in confined spaces (72.0%), with 57.0% being descriptive breeds. Cats were mostly fed a mix of cooked and commercial cat food (59.0%), while only 33.0% were vaccinated and 20.0% dewormed. Behavioural issues like licking (51.0%) and self-biting (13.0%) were noted. Only 41.0% of owners were aware of zoonotic disease risks from cats. Chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between infection rates and risk factors (variables) such as breed, age, diet, vaccination, and deworming status. Non-descriptive breeds, unvaccinated cats, and those fed vegetarian diets had significantly higher infection rates (p < 0.05). Unconfined housing also contributed to increased infection risk, though not statistically significant. The research was significant because it highlighted the public health risks, as many cat owners and pet lovers were unaware of the zoonotic potential of intestinal helminths in cats.

PMID:41766343 | DOI:10.1017/S0022149X26101205

Clin Chem Lab Med. 2026 Mar 2. doi: 10.1515/cclm-2026-0169. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41766327 | DOI:10.1515/cclm-2026-0169

Shanghai Kou Qiang Yi Xue. 2025 Dec;34(6):561-570.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(hUCMSCs) on the migration and osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation ability of human dental pulp stem cells(hDPSCs), the migration and tube formation ability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and their possible mechanisms.

METHODS: hUCMSCs, hDPSCs and HUVECs were cultured and identified, hUCMSC-sEVs and LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs were isolated and identified, HUVECs and hDPSCs were assigned to 4 kinds of treatments, including the negative control group(NC), the positive control group(PC), the hUCMSC-sEVs group and the LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group. Cell migration ability was detected by Transwell and wound healing assays. Tube formation capacity of HUVECs was assessed by tube formation experiment. The osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation ability of hDPSCs was evaluated by alizarin red staining and RT-qPCR. High-throughput small RNA sequencing was used to define miRNA profiles in sEVs.

RESULTS: hUCMSCs, hDPSCs, HUVECs, hUCMSC-sEVs and LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs were successfully isolated and identified. Compared with NC group, both LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group and hUCMSC-sEVs group promoted migration of hDPSCs, migration and tube formation of HUVECs. There was no significant difference between LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group and hUCMSC-sEVs group in promoting migration of hDPSCs (P＞0.05). LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group was stronger than hUCMSC-sEVs group in promoting migration and tube formation of HUVECs(P＜0.05). The calcium salt deposition in LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group and hUCMSC-sEVs group was higher than that in PC group, and the calcium salt deposition in LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group was higher than that in hUCMSC-sEVs group(P＜0.05). The mRNA expression levels of ALP, OSX, OCN and RUNX2 in PC group, hUCMSC-sEVs group and LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group were higher than those in NC group(P＜0.05), and hUCMSC-sEVs group and LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group were higher than PC group(P＜0.05). In addition, the expression levels of OCN and RUNX2 in LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group were higher than those in hUCMSC-sEVs group(P＜0.05), while there was no significant difference in ALP and OSX between LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group and hUCMSC-sEVs group(P＞0.05). The expression level of DSPP in PC group and hUCMSC-sEVs group was higher than that in NC group, but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05). The expression level of DSPP in LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs group was higher than that in PC group (P＜0.05). The most highly expressed miRNAs including hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-let-7a-5p, hsa-miR-100-5p, hsa-miR-26a-5p and hsa-miR-222-3p, and differentially expressed miRNAs including hsa-miR-199a-3p, hsa-miR-122-5p, hsa-miR-1246 and hsa-miR-615-3p were detected, which may be the key factors of LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs.

CONCLUSIONS: Small extracellular vesicles derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can promote migration and osteogenic/odontogenic differentiation of hDPSCs, as well as migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs, and LPS can enhance these effects, which may be related to miRNAs which are the most abundantly and diffferentially expressed in LPSpre-hUCMSC-sEVs.

PMID:41766305

Melanoma Res. 2026 Mar 2. doi: 10.1097/CMR.0000000000001092. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

To compare ultrasonographic and histopathological measurements of tumor size in enucleated eyes with choroidal melanoma and to evaluate the prognostic significance of tumor dimensions and morphological characteristics in a Serbian cohort. This retrospective study included 59 consecutive patients with histopathologically confirmed choroidal melanoma who underwent enucleation at the University Eye Hospital, Clinical Centre of Serbia. All ultrasonographic examinations, surgical procedures, and histopathological assessments were performed by single dedicated subspecialists. Preoperative B-scan ultrasonography was used to measure tumor base diameter and thickness, which were compared with postoperative macroscopic histopathological dimensions using paired statistical tests, Bland-Altman analysis, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Survival outcomes were assessed using Pearson and Spearman correlations and Kaplan-Meier analysis. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year, with some monitored for up to 5 years. Data are presented as mean ± SD. The mean ultrasonographic base diameter and thickness were 14.63 ± 3.98 and 10.34 ± 3.54 mm, respectively, compared with 18.04 ± 6.54 and 10.55 ± 3.72 mm on pathology. Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated good agreement for tumor thickness (mean difference 0.2 mm; limits of agreement -5.5 to +5.5 mm) and acceptable agreement for base diameter (mean difference 3.4 mm; limits -8.2 to +15.1 mm). ICC indicated moderate agreement for base diameter (0.501) and excellent agreement for thickness (0.843). Pathological thickness correlated significantly with shorter metastasis-free survival (r = -0.293, P = 0.024). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed significantly poorer survival for patients with T3-T4 tumors. Ultrasonography provides a reliable preoperative estimation of choroidal melanoma size, particularly for tumor thickness, although histopathology remains essential for prognostication. Survival patterns in this cohort align with international data, highlighting the relevance of tumor thickness and morphology and emphasizing the value of data from an underrepresented region.

PMID:41766297 | DOI:10.1097/CMR.0000000000001092

J Pediatr Orthop B. 2026 Mar 2. doi: 10.1097/BPB.0000000000001342. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hereditary multiple exostoses (HME) represent a rare skeletal disorder characterized by multiple osteochondromas, often leading to angular deformities in the lower limbs as well as leg length discrepancy (LLD), managed with tension band plates (TBP) for deformity correction. However, the utility of both angular deformity and LLD in HME has not been comprehensively evaluated. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 25 pediatric patients with HME who visited our institution and reached skeletal maturity between 2012 and 2024, assessing a total of 50 limbs. Surgical indications included patients aged greater than 10 years with an open growth plate, predicted LLD of greater than or equal to 20 mm at the skeletal maturity, and a mechanical axis zone (MAZ) greater than or equal to Zone 2. We categorized the outcomes into four groups: excellent [LLD < 10 mm; mechanical axis percentage (%MA) ≤ ±25%], good (LLD < 15 mm; %MA ≤ ±50%), fair (LLD < 20 mm or at least one limb classified as %MA ≤ ±100%), and poor (worse than the previous categories). We used paired t-tests for statistical analyses. Among the 17 surgically treated patients, TBP was performed on 27 limbs and 60 physes. In most cases, multisite and staged surgeries were required. Angular deformities improved significantly, with the mean hip-knee-ankle angle reduced from 7.8 to 2.7° (lower extremity < 0.01), and 92% of limbs achieved MAZ Zone 1. LLD was corrected from 17.6 to 5.6 mm (P < 0.01) at an average correction rate of 0.47 mm/month. The final outcomes were excellent, good, and fair or poor in 12, 11, and 2 patients, respectively. Major complications were not observed. TBP treatment is effective in correcting both angular deformity and LLD in patients with HME, offering a minimally invasive strategy for comprehensive correction of this complex skeletal dysplasia. Careful surgical planning and timing are essential and staged multisite procedures are often required.

PMID:41766296 | DOI:10.1097/BPB.0000000000001342

J Community Health Nurs. 2026 Mar 1:1-9. doi: 10.1080/07370016.2026.2636641. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine recent trends, disparities, and geographic variation in US mortality rates using National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Vital Statistics Rapid Release (VSRR) provisional estimates from 2022 through 2024, with attention to ongoing effects of COVID-19 and implications for public health planning.

DESIGN: Secondary analysis of nationally reported quarterly mortality data using a quantitative, descriptive epidemiological approach.

METHODS: Quarterly provisional mortality estimates were obtained from NCHS VSRR and supplemented with demographic and geographic data from CDC WONDER and COVID-19 mortality reports. Publicly available data required no institutional approval. Temporal trends were assessed from 2022 Q1 through 2024 Q3. Mortality rates were analyzed by sex and by state to identify demographic and regional disparities. Post-pandemic patterns were evaluated to assess indirect effects of COVID-19.

FINDINGS: Overall mortality declined from early 2022 through mid-2023, followed by a resurgence in 2024. Male mortality remained higher than female mortality across all quarters. Geographic disparities persisted, with elevated mortality concentrated in Appalachian and Southern states and lower rates in states with stronger healthcare infrastructure. The 2024 increase suggests continued vulnerability related to delayed chronic disease management, behavioral health challenges, and residual pandemic disruptions.

CONCLUSIONS: Although mortality declined after the acute phase of COVID-19, the 2024 rebound highlights ongoing health system strain and persistent inequities across the US.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Findings support targeted prevention, chronic disease monitoring, and equity-focused interventions to reduce post-pandemic mortality disparities and improve population health outcomes.

PMID:41766057 | DOI:10.1080/07370016.2026.2636641

J Clin Ultrasound. 2026 Mar 1. doi: 10.1002/jcu.70217. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this research was to quantitatively evaluate the vascular supply and tissue stiffness of the salivary glands-namely, the submandibular and parotid glands-in pregnant individuals throughout the three trimesters, employing superb microvascular imaging (SMI) and shear wave elastography (SWE).

METHODS: A longitudinal prospective study was executed involving 35 healthy pregnant women. Salivary gland ultrasonography was conducted during each trimester. The vascularization index (VI) was quantified using the two-dimensional SMI VI (2DcSMIVI) mode by manually delineating the glandular parenchyma. Glandular elasticity was measured through SWE in kilopascals (kPa) and meters per second (m/s). Statistical evaluations incorporated repeated measures ANOVA and the Friedman test (p < 0.05).

RESULTS: Submandibular gland stiffness showed significant trimester-based variations, with kPa values peaking in the second trimester and declining in the third (F(2,68) = 5.31, p < 0.05, η² = 0.13). Likewise, m/s values were elevated in the second trimester relative to the third (X² = 7.79, p < 0.05). In contrast, the stiffness and VI values of the parotid gland exhibited consistency across trimesters (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The dynamic shifts in submandibular gland stiffness, highlighted by a rise in the second trimester followed by a decrease in the third, most likely signify the hormonal and hemodynamic adaptations that come with pregnancy. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring salivary gland function in pregnant women and pave the way for future investigations into the diagnostic and prognostic implications of these changes. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the inaugural study demonstrating normative stiffness and vascularity parameters of salivary glands across each trimester of pregnancy.

PMID:41766051 | DOI:10.1002/jcu.70217

Sci Rep. 2026 Mar 1. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-41905-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Globally, road traffic injuries (RTIs) cause numerous tragedies such as serious economic loss to the community and death of young people. In Ethiopia, a large proportion of serious injuries result from RTIs and have become major causes of death in hospitals. However, there is insufficient research conducted on treatment outcomes of road traffic injuries and associated factors in the study area. The primary aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of poor treatment outcomes and identify associated factors among patients in the emergency departments of public hospitals in Awi Zone, Northwest Ethiopia. A facility-based cross-sectional study was employed in Awi Zone public hospitals, northwest Ethiopia. With a sample of Medical charts of 461 RTI patients were reviewed and data were collected between January 1, 2022 and June 30, 2024. Data were collected by using data collection checklist. Four nurses and one health officer were employed as data collector and supervisor respectively. Data were entered using Epi Data version 4.7 and cleaned, coded, and analyzed using SPSS version 27. Bivariate analysis was computed and variables with p-value < 0.25 were included in multi-variable logistic regression. The significant of statistical associations were tested using odds ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value < 0.05. Finally, the results were presented in texts, tables, and graphs. For this study, 461 study subjects of RTIs victims were enrolled. Among these, 49 (10.6%) patients had poor treatment outcomes. Patients aged 31-50 years [AOR = 0.091, 95% CI: 0.019-0.443], patient age > 50 years [AOR = 0.114, 95% CI: 0.021-0.606], absence of complication [AOR: 0.021; CI: (0.002-0.208)], and patients who received first aid [AOR: 0.340; CI: (0.123-0.938)] were significantly associated with poor treatment outcomes. The study showed a high rate of prognosis but still the poor outcome was not underestimated. Age, absence of complications, and first aid service were statistically significant factors that affect treatment outcomes. Therefore, health care providers should prioritize those RTI victims with complication, not received first aid service, and younger age groups.

PMID:41766044 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-41905-5