Category: Statistics

J Virol. 2026 Apr 27:e0022526. doi: 10.1128/jvi.00225-26. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The ongoing adaptive evolution of Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is characterized by the continued emergence of variants with increased transmissibility and the ability to escape infection- and/or vaccine-induced immunity. This sustained antigenic evolution has necessitated updates to COVID-19 vaccine compositions to better match circulating viral variants. To optimize protection against emerging variants, a reliable means of predicting the immune escape of novel variants is needed to enable at-risk preparation of new vaccine strain compositions. Herein, we describe the development and applications of a quantitative risk calculator that predicts relative immune escape of SARS-CoV-2 variants using a statistical modeling framework. The approach integrates large-scale, experimentally derived spike-antibody epitope and escape maps with serum neutralization data generated using pseudotyped viruses and clinical sera. By aggregating site-level escape information into a strain-level metric, the calculator enables the grouping of antigenically related SARS-CoV-2 variants to guide strain selection for at-risk vaccine design and preparation, in anticipation of seasonal strain change recommendations by global public health agencies and the WHO. Here, we demonstrate the utility of this framework through retrospective and prospective strain selection exercises for the XBB.1.5-, JN.1/KP.2-, and LP.8.1-adapted mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccines during the 2023-2026 seasons, respectively. In all cases, model predictions were largely supported by clinical immunogenicity data and aligned with subsequent recommendations by global public health agencies.IMPORTANCEWe present a framework to estimate the relative immune escape potential of emerging variants by integrating previously published experimental epitope-level escape data with serum neutralization measurements. By consolidating mutation-level effects into a strain-level metric, this approach enables classification of antigenically similar variants. Retrospective and prospective applications demonstrate that model-based assessments are consistent with observed immunogenicity data. This framework provides a practical tool to support preparedness efforts by informing at-risk vaccine development activities in advance of seasonal strain selection guidance.

PMID:42037411 | DOI:10.1128/jvi.00225-26

Biol Open. 2026 Apr 15;15(4):bio062411. doi: 10.1242/bio.062411. Epub 2026 Apr 27.

ABSTRACT

Over the last 15 years, an optical density (OD-based) technique to quantify bacterial killing assays (BKAs) has been steadily gaining in popularity. This technique uses spectrophotometry to quantify bacterial growth, rather than the colony counts (CFUs) used previously, and reduces the time, resources, and variability inherent to the assay. However, we argue that the OD-based method relies on assumptions that are not true of all immune components, such as leukocytes, and that methods may not be interchangeable. We performed a targeted literature review focused on the methodology of BKAs across vertebrate taxa in ecoimmunology. We then compared the CFU and OD-based methods using leukocytes isolated from Mojave desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) and analyzed the quantification method and bactericidal ability using correlation and agreement statistics. Our results suggest poor agreement between techniques, and that immunological processes in cell-based BKAs are likely changing the optical properties of the cultures.

PMID:42037363 | DOI:10.1242/bio.062411

Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Apr 25;43(2):421-427. doi: 10.7507/1001-5515.202504010.

ABSTRACT

With the increasing aging worldwide, the age-related neurodegenerative diseases are becoming more and more prevalent. Brain age, as a critical biological marker for assessing normal brain aging and indicating disease progression, has been widely applied in the early diagnosis and evaluation of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease (PD). This paper systematically elaborates on three types of methods for PD brain age prediction: statistical methods, traditional Machine learning (ML), and Deep learning (DL), from the perspectives of methodological overview and clinical application of PD brain age predication. For the first aspect, the PD brain age prediction workflow, statistical methods, ML methods, and DL methods are sequentially outlined; in the second aspect, the current clinical application status of the three types of PD brain age prediction methods is introduced. Finally, a summary and outlook are provided. This review not only provides important references for research on PD brain age prediction, but also offers novel approaches for evaluating human brain health, thus holding significant scientific and clinical value.

PMID:42037347 | DOI:10.7507/1001-5515.202504010

Sheng Wu Yi Xue Gong Cheng Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Apr 25;43(2):221-226. doi: 10.7507/1001-5515.202511040.

ABSTRACT

Compared to non-absorbable medical devices, the design and evaluation of repeated exposure systemic toxicity tests for absorbable medical devices present unique challenges. This article discusses the special considerations for conducting such tests on absorbable medical devices. Based on regulatory documentation, scientific literature and practical experience, and focusing on the degradation and metabolic characteristics of absorbable medical devices, the analysis summarizes personalized test design strategies from key aspects such as test duration and data collection points, exposure routes, dose design, sample preparation, and pathological examination. This article proposes the following points: ① the test duration should cover the in vivo degradation and absorption process of the medical device material, with multiple data collection points established according to the product’s degradation kinetics to reveal the time-effect relationship of toxic responses; ② the exposure route must closely simulate clinical use, as it directly affects the metabolic pathways and toxicological manifestations of degradation products; ③ dose group design should move beyond the traditional “limit test” approach by employing multiple dose groups to uncover potential dose-response relationships; and ④ result evaluation requires appropriate statistical methods to integrate pathological data from different dose groups, determine the relationship between toxic responses and the test samples, and analyze the relevance of toxic responses to clinical applications to guide clinical practice. This article provides a specific and practical reference for the accurate and objective assessment of repeated exposure systemic toxicity risks associated with absorbable medical devices.

PMID:42037323 | DOI:10.7507/1001-5515.202511040

Elife. 2026 Apr 27;15:e111163. doi: 10.7554/eLife.111163.

ABSTRACT

Apparent neural encoding of future words may arise from the statistical structure of language itself, rather than from predictive computations in the brain.

PMID:42037295 | DOI:10.7554/eLife.111163

Cell Physiol Biochem. 2026 Apr 24;60(2):199-212. doi: 10.33594/000000862.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study aimed to apply ultra-broadband micromechanical ultrasound (UMUS) for correction of myelosuppression caused by the cytotoxic effects of cyclophosphamide without limiting its antitumor efficacy.

METHODS: The study included animals bearing transplanted Ehrlich carcinoma. Cyclophosphamide (CP) was administered once daily for three consecutive days starting on day 8 of tumor growth at a cumulative dose of 330 mg/kg per mouse. After completion of CP administration, a subset of animals was exposed to UMUS irradiation once daily for five days. Control groups included mice without tumors and tumor-bearing mice not exposed to CP or UMUS. Tumor growth kinetics were analyzed, and quantitative parameters of peripheral blood, bone marrow, and spleen were determined.

RESULTS: The obtained data indicate that UMUS exposure does not reduce the antitumor efficacy of CP but is associated with enhanced recovery of the hematopoietic system and exerts a positive effect on bone marrow regeneration. This is confirmed by a statistically significant increase in the number of cells in specific bone marrow hematopoietic pools, including myelokaryocytes, blast cells, erythroid, lymphoid, and megakaryocytic cells.

CONCLUSION: UMUS exposure was associated with accelerated recovery of multiple hematopoietic lineages in the bone marrow following cyclophosphamide-induced injury, without compromising antitumor efficacy.

PMID:42037274 | DOI:10.33594/000000862

Turk J Ophthalmol. 2026 Apr 27;56(2):74-80. doi: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2026.53912.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the visual, refractive, tomographic, and aberrometric outcomes of epithelial-island corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL) treatment in halting progression in keratoconic eyes with thin corneas.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of consecutive patients with advanced keratoconus who had a thinnest corneal thickness (TCT) of <380 μm as measured by anterior segment optic coherence tomography and underwent epithelial-island CXL. The procedure involved tomography-guided customized epithelial debridement, followed by corneal saturation with iso-osmolar and hypo-osmolar riboflavin solutions and ultraviolet-A irradiation (30 min, 3.0 mW/cm²). Best spectacle-corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), manifest refraction (MR), slit lamp biomicroscopy, corneal tomography, corneal aberrometry, and endothelial cell count (ECC) were evaluated before CXL and at postoperative months 12 and 24.

RESULTS: The study included 10 eyes of 9 patients with a median age of 29.5 (range, 17-51) years. The median postoperative follow-up time was 24.0 (12.0-108.0) months. The median preoperative TCT was 324.0 (232.0-380.0) μm. Preoperatively, the median CDVA was 1.00 (0.70-1.80) logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, MR spherical equivalent was -18.00 (-25.00 to -6.00) diopters (D), maximum keratometry value was 84.75 (59.80-99.00) D, vertical coma was -1.068 (-6.428 to 0.613) D, and ECC was 2568 (2021-2750) cells/mm². At postoperative year 1 and year 2, there were no statistically significant changes in any of these parameters (all p>0.05). No significant haze, endothelial cell loss, or any other clinically significant adverse event was encountered in any of the eyes.

CONCLUSION: Epithelial-island CXL seems to be an effective alternative treatment modality in halting progression in keratoconic eyes with thin corneas. Further studies with a longer follow-up and a larger sample size would help to establish the long-term safety and efficacy of this treatment modality.

PMID:42037249 | DOI:10.4274/tjo.galenos.2026.53912

Int J Dent Hyg. 2026 Apr 26. doi: 10.1111/idh.70071. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, there is a trend to promote the use of natural materials in dentistry. One of these compounds that has lately grown significantly in relevance in clinical research is Pelargonium Graveolens.

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of Pelargonium Graveolens leaves extract for children in comparison with the commonly used chlorhexidine. There are no previously available studies concerning the anti-microbial activity of Pelargonium Graveolens leaves.

MATERIALS AND METHOD: Sixty participants with mild to moderate gingivitis were randomly allocated in a ratio of 1:1 to receive twice-daily mouthwash for 3 weeks (30 with a novel herbal mouthwash containing Pelargonium Graveolens AuNPs as a study group and 30 children with chlorhexidine as a control group). Clinical parameters (plaque index and gingival index) were assessed at the baseline (before the use of mouthwash), and then they were assessed 3 times at one-week intervals after the first assessment through the period of the study. On the other hand, microbiological examination was done using supragingival plaque sampling with a curette for those participants at the baseline and three weeks after the use of the mouthwash.

RESULTS: After completing the intervention, although the study group had lower plaque scores compared to the control group, the difference was statistically significant. On the other hand, the study group had a significant reduction in the gingival index scores compared to the control group (p = 0.000). The microbiological analysis revealed that the treatment mouthwash significantly depleted the count of S. mutans in the last visit.

CONCLUSION: The novel Pelargonium Graveolens AuNPs mouthwash was effective in improving (PI) and (GI), which mean improve oral health status. Rinsing with Pelargonium Graveolens AuNPs mouthwash reduced the count of oral Streptococcus mutans significantly in children.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov on April 15, 2023, with ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT05816512.

PMID:42036760 | DOI:10.1111/idh.70071

Int J Dent Hyg. 2026 Apr 26. doi: 10.1111/idh.70066. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to compare the effectiveness of hands-on toothbrushing training alone or in conjunction with conventional oral health education (OHE) or with the use of the 21-Day FunDee chatbot on the caregiver’s oral hygiene care and plaque control for young children.

METHODS: A quasi-experimental, parallel, three-group pretest-posttest designed study was applied. The participants included 213 pairs of caregivers and children aged 6-30 months. Each group consisted of 71 pairs of caregivers and children. Participants were divided into three groups: Gr. I was the Hands-On (HO) in-person tooth brushing practice group, Gr. II was the Hands-On and Poster (HO + PO) group with in-person tooth brushing practice and OHE via posters and Gr. III was the Hands-On and Chatbot group (HO + CB) with in-person tooth brushing practice and 21-Day FunDee chatbot media. Oral examinations and a structured questionnaire compared oral hygiene behaviours, oral health perceptions, knowledge and plaque levels among the three groups at baseline and 35-45 days subsequently. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the difference between the three groups on plaque reduction.

RESULTS: The majority of caregivers were Muslim mothers. The plaque score reduction was 0.34 ± 0.30, 0.50 ± 0.23 and 0.52 ± 0.25 for Gr. I, II and III, respectively. Compared with the Hands-On group, there was a statistically significant difference in plaque reduction for the Hands-On and Poster group (p-value = 0.039) and the Hands-On and Chatbot group (p-value = 0.047). The baseline frequency of tooth brushing was an important determinant for plaque reduction (p-value = 0.007). However, there was no significant association between baseline knowledge, protection-motivation theory perceptions or educational levels regarding plaque reduction. Both conventional OHE and 21-Day FunDee chatbot media received high user satisfaction ratings.

CONCLUSION: Caregiver-assisted toothbrushing, combined with either conventional oral health education or chatbot support, significantly improved oral hygiene care and plaque control in young children compared with hands-on toothbrushing training alone.

PMID:42036756 | DOI:10.1111/idh.70066

Zoonoses Public Health. 2026 Apr 26. doi: 10.1111/zph.70061. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Human brucellosis remains a persistent zoonotic and occupational health challenge in endemic regions of the Middle East. Despite long-standing national control efforts, limited region-specific evidence is available from southeastern Iran. This study described the demographic characteristics, exposure patterns, temporal and seasonal trends and spatial distribution of laboratory-confirmed human brucellosis in districts covered by the Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences between 2019 and 2023.

METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using routine surveillance records of all confirmed brucellosis cases. Demographic, occupational and exposure variables were summaried using descriptive statistics, and associations were assessed using Pearson’s χ² test. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to identify factors associated with reported livestock contact. Annual and cumulative incidence rates per 100,000 population were calculated using official district census data, and spatial patterns were examined using GIS-based mapping.

RESULTS: A total of 758 confirmed cases were recorded, with a mean age of 34.7 years. Females (61.3%) and rural residents (86.4%) predominated. Housewives (43.4%) and livestock farmers (33.2%) represented the main occupational groups. Reported exposures included consumption of unpasteuried dairy products (87.2%) and direct animal contact (81.9%). Livestock farming (OR 3.01; 95% CI: 1.74-5.21) and unpasteuried dairy consumption (OR 1.86; 95% CI: 1.13-3.06) were independently associated with livestock contact. Incidence peaked during spring and summer, with an overall declining trend over the study period. Higher cumulative incidence was observed in Sarbaz, Iranshahr and Dalgan districts.

CONCLUSION: Human brucellosis remains endemic in southeastern Iran, disproportionately affecting rural populations engaged in traditional livestock practices. Strengthened One Health interventions including expanded livestock vaccination, community-based food safety education and integrated cross-sectoral surveillance are required to reduce transmission and disease burden.

PMID:42036729 | DOI:10.1111/zph.70061