Category: Statistics

Front Neurol. 2026 Jan 20;17:1718736. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2026.1718736. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS) are both inflammatory demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system, sharing many similarities in clinical manifestations. However, they differ significantly in terms of etiology, pathological mechanisms, treatment, and prognosis. Since early clinical differentiation can be challenging, achieving an accurate diagnosis at the initial stage of disease onset is particularly critical. Therefore, a thorough analysis of patients’ clinical characteristics is of great importance in assisting clinicians with early diagnosis and treatment, ultimately contributing to improved patient outcomes.

METHODS: Clinical data were collected for patients who were first diagnosed with NMOSD or MS at the General Hospital and the Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Hospital of Ningxia Medical University between January 2018 and January 2022. Collected information included demographic data, past medical history, initial clinical symptoms, physical examination findings, laboratory tests, imaging studies, and three types of evoked potentials. Patients were followed up for relapse during remission, presence of residual symptoms, medication use, and scores on the Extended Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The clinical characteristics of the two diseases were summarized and the results subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS: This study conducted a comparative analysis across multiple indicators, comprehensively revealing significant differences in the clinical characteristics of NMOSD and MS. The results showed that the proportion of female patients was significantly higher in the NMOSD group (86.2%) compared with the MS group (69.0%), with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.035). In terms of clinical manifestations, NMOSD patients more frequently presented with comorbid autoimmune diseases, initial symptoms, and neurological signs at admission, all of which were more severe and common than in MS patients, with statistically significant differences. The severity of neurological dysfunction in NMOSD patients during the acute phase was also markedly greater than that observed in MS patients, as confirmed by comparisons of the EDSS scores. Laboratory examinations further demonstrated fundamental differences between NMOSD and MS in cerebrospinal fluid characteristics, specific antibodies, and other serological markers, providing important evidence for differential diagnosis. In addition, imaging and electrophysiological findings indicated that MS lesions were predominantly located in the brain, whereas NMOSD lesions mainly involved the optic nerve and spinal cord. Notably, NMOSD patients exhibited more extensive spinal cord involvement and more frequent impairment of the visual pathway.

CONCLUSION: Although NMOSD and MS share many similarities in clinical symptoms, they differ substantially in their fundamental characteristics, as reflected in demographic features, clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging findings, as well as prognosis. Compared with MS, NMOSD patients are typically older at disease onset, have a higher proportion of females, and experience more frequent relapses and greater disability. In terms of imaging, MS lesions are predominantly distributed in the brain, whereas NMOSD mainly involves the optic nerve and spinal cord. Therefore, early differentiation between the two diseases in clinical practice is essential for developing targeted treatment strategies and ultimately improving patient outcomes.

PMID:41641327 | PMC:PMC12864107 | DOI:10.3389/fneur.2026.1718736

HLA. 2026 Feb;107(2):e70588. doi: 10.1111/tan.70588.

ABSTRACT

Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a critical treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), yet the risk of treatment failure still persists. Chimerism analysis serves as a potential tool for predicting disease recurrence and survival rates, but its specific role has not yet been clearly defined. This study aimed to explore the role of decreased T-cell and bone marrow (BM) chimerism in predicting post-transplant relapse and survival in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). The study subjects were 305 AML and ALL patients who underwent allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, from January 1, 2018, to September 1, 2023. We monitored the chimerism rate at monthly intervals after transplantation until either patient relapse or the end of follow-up. T-cell and BM chimerism were tested at the same time points. Relapse probabilities were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared with the log-rank test. Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon test was used to assess the impact of T-cell and BM chimerism levels on survival probabilities. In AML patients, our analysis revealed no significant correlation between the presence of initial mixed chimerism (at Day +30 post-transplantation) and the relapse rate. Among patients with ALL, the number with initial mixed chimerism was insufficient for statistical analysis. In AML patients whose bone marrow chimerism rate decreased first (n = 13) had a higher relapse rate and a lower survival rate than those whose T-cell chimerism rate decreased first (n = 11) (p < 0.01). In patients with ALL, there was no significant difference in the relapse or survival rates between patients whose bone marrow chimerism rate decreased first (n = 12) and those whose T-cell chimerism rate decreased first (n = 15) (p > 0.05). While a decrease in bone marrow chimerism effectively predicts AML relapse, T-cell chimerism demonstrates lower predictive efficacy. Further research is necessary to identify reliable predictors for relapse in ALL patients. The integration of chimerism analysis with other prognostic indicators, along with early monitoring and preemptive intervention, may enhance patient survival and quality of life.

PMID:41639877 | DOI:10.1111/tan.70588

BMC Public Health. 2026 Feb 4. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26499-x. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41639845 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26499-x

BMC Oral Health. 2026 Feb 4. doi: 10.1186/s12903-026-07720-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in orthognathic surgery-particularly the adoption of virtual 3D planning and patient-specific 3D-printed splints-have improved surgical precision, reduced operative time, and enhanced predictability of outcomes. Despite these developments, accurate intraoperative positioning of the mandibular condyle, especially the condylar head, during bilateral sagittal split osteotomy (BSSO), remains a major challenge. Although multiple techniques for condylar positioning have been proposed, their impact on postoperative condylar head position and joint space morphology has not been comprehensively assessed. This study aimed to evaluate postoperative changes in condylar head position and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) space using a Procrustes algorithm, and to investigate potential effects of surgeon handedness.

METHODS: A retrospective cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis was conducted on 40 patients (24 female, 16 male) who underwent orthognathic surgery. The cohort comprised 27 patients with Angle Class II and 13 with Angle Class III malocclusion. Eighteen patients underwent bimaxillary procedures, and 22 underwent monomaxillary osteotomies. Condylar position and joint space dimensions were measured, and Procrustes shape analysis was applied to quantify TMJ space deformation. Statistical tests assessed positional changes and correlations with skeletal class, displacement, and surgeon handedness.

RESULTS: Significant postoperative changes were observed, with a bilateral reduction in cranial distances, reflecting a more caudal condylar head position, and a significant widening of the cranial joint space on the right side. Procrustes analysis confirmed measurable deformation of anterior and posterior TMJ compartments. Condylar heads were frequently positioned dorsally during initial registration, and results suggest that surgeon handedness may systematically influence condylar positioning.

CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative condylar head position and TMJ space morphology are influenced by intraoperative handling, with surgeon handedness emerging as a potential contributor. Incorporating shape analysis methods such as Procrustes algorithms into future digital workflows may improve condylar positioning strategies and enhance surgical outcomes in BSSO.

PMID:41639816 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-026-07720-0

BMC Urol. 2026 Feb 5. doi: 10.1186/s12894-025-02018-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) are the main curative options for localized prostate cancer (PCA). However, both may significantly affect patients’ quality of life (QoL).

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively compare post-treatment QoL after at least 24 months of follow-up between bladder-neck- and nerve-sparing RALRP and IMRT in patients with intermediate-risk localized PCA.

METHODS: A total of 164 patients treated between October 2016 and May 2023 were analyzed (104 RALRP; 60 IMRT). QoL was evaluated using the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC-2002). Urinary, bowel, sexual, and hormonal domains were compared using appropriate statistical tests .

RESULTS: Baseline demographics were similar between groups. The mean age was 68.82 ± 6.72 years in the RALRP group and 68.89 ± 7.81 years in the IMRT group. IMRT patients reported better sexual function (p < 0.05), but this advantage was counteracted by hormonal side effects due to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Urinary continence was comparable (p > 0.05), whereas irritative urinary symptoms were more common in IMRT (p < 0.001). Bowel function and overall satisfaction were significantly better in RALRP (both p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: After ≥ 24 months of follow-up, RALRP provided superior bowel and hormonal outcomes, while IMRT yielded slightly better sexual function scores. Overall satisfaction favored RALRP.

PMID:41639812 | DOI:10.1186/s12894-025-02018-9

BMC Ophthalmol. 2026 Feb 4. doi: 10.1186/s12886-026-04637-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The increasing prevalence of refractive errors in children has raised interest in exploring potential associations with physical development. This study aimed to explore a potential relationship between refractive status and growth parameters among children aged 7-10 years.

METHODS: A multistage stratified random sampling method was adopted to select 1260 primary school students in Pinggu District of Beijing in 2023, to measure their height and weight to calculate the body mass index (BMI). The height-for-age z-score (HAZ) and body mass index z-score(z-BMI) were calculated using the Least Mean Squares (LMS) method. Cycloplegic refraction was performed to determine spherical equivalent (SE). Ocular biometric data were collected, including axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD). The ratio of AL to average corneal curvature (AL/CR) were calculated. Group comparisons used χ² test, t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze correlations between HAZ, z-BMI and ocular parameters.

RESULTS: The myopia rate was 21.19% and increased with age. Compared to girls, boys had significantly longer AL, deeper ACD, steeper CR, and higher AL/CR. As myopia severity increased, AL lengthened, ACD deepened, CR steepened and AL/CR increased. In the overall group, HAZ showed a positive correlation with AL (β = 0.208, Adjusted R²=0.084) and CR (β = 0.201, Adjusted R²=0.049), z-BMI showed a positive correlation with AL (β = 0.136, Adjusted R²=0.084) and AL/CR (β = 0.108, Adjusted R²=0.014), and a negative correlation with SE (β=-0.069, Adjusted R²=0.007). In the emmetropia group, pre-myopia group, and myopia group, HAZ showed a positive correlation with both AL and CR, while z-BMI demonstrated a positive correlation with AL.

CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study suggests that accelerated physical growth shows statistically significant but clinically modest correlations with axial elongation and myopia development. The findings do not demonstrate causal relationships between growth and refractive changes. AL/CR appears to be a key biometric predictor of refractive error. These hypothesis-generating results underscore the potential value of growth monitoring in myopia prevention and for further investigation into distinct physiological pathways in ocular development.

PMID:41639800 | DOI:10.1186/s12886-026-04637-8

BMC Geriatr. 2026 Feb 5. doi: 10.1186/s12877-026-07126-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Due to advanced morphological tissue degradation and chemical alterations resulting from putrefaction, challenges arise in identification as well as in histopathological and toxicological examinations. Consequently, it has been debated that autopsies performed on decomposed bodies may have limited diagnostic and forensic value and may not always yield satisfactory results. With this study, we aimed to mitigate concerns and biases in the literature-particularly the view that autopsy has limited value in decomposed geriatric cases-and to delineate the diagnostic yield, contributory value, and limits of applicability of autopsy and histopathological evaluation.

METHODS: We examined 88 decomposed bodies cases arising from non-traumatic, in-home deaths among geriatric individuals. Detailed evaluations were conducted of autopsy, histopathological, toxicological, identification, medical history, and scene investigation findings. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), version 25.0 (Chicago, IL, USA).

RESULTS: 83.0% of the cases were male, and the mean age was 70.9 years. 85.2% lived alone, and 70.5% had a history of chronic disease. On histopathological examination, the coronary arteries were the tissues most resistant to autolysis. Toxicological analysis detected therapeutic-range concentrations of pharmaceutical agents in 56.8% of cases and endogenous ethanol in 21.6%. Identification was achieved via DNA comparison analyses in 29.5% of cases. A cause of death was established in 69.3% of cases; the most common non-traumatic cause of death was cardiovascular diseases (48.9%).

CONCLUSION: Contrary to common presumptions, forensic autopsy and histopathological examinations of decomposed bodies in our study successfully determined the cause of death in a substantial proportion of cases (69.3%), a finding that is broadly consistent with the literature. In particular, the systematic histopathological evaluation of tissues resistant to autolysis-such as the coronary arteries and myocardium-combined with modern toxicological analyses and the integrated assessment of scene investigation findings and medical history data, enables a forensically satisfactory determination of the cause of death.

PMID:41639798 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-026-07126-1

BMC Microbiol. 2026 Feb 4. doi: 10.1186/s12866-026-04810-5. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41639761 | DOI:10.1186/s12866-026-04810-5

BMC Med Res Methodol. 2026 Feb 4. doi: 10.1186/s12874-026-02779-3. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41639760 | DOI:10.1186/s12874-026-02779-3

J Health Popul Nutr. 2026 Feb 4. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-01219-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to clarify between serum calcium and mortality in osteoarthritis (OA) patients using NHANES data (2003-2018).

METHOD: A total of 1,249 adults with OA were included. Mortality outcomes were ascertained through linkage to the National Death Index (NDI). Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the independent association of serum calcium concentration with the risk of death. We used a two-stage Cox proportional hazards model to elucidate the nonlinear relationship between serum calcium concentration and the risk of death in patients with OA. Stratified analyses were performed to identify patients at higher risk.

RESULTS: During follow-up (median: 9.7 years), 220 all-cause deaths occurred (56 CVD-related, 64 cancer-related). After adjusting for relevant variables, serum calcium concentration showed an inverse linear association with all-cause and CVD mortality. Although smoothed curve fitting visually suggested U-shaped and L-shaped patterns for all-cause and CVD mortality, respectively, formal tests for nonlinearity did not reach statistical significance (P for log-likelihood ratio > 0.05). Specifically, the risk was elevated at lower calcium levels and stabilized or showed a non-significant increase at higher levels. In the piecewise linear model, serum calcium below 9.50 mg/dL was inversely associated with all-cause mortality, where each 1 mg/dL increase was associated with a 48% lower risk (HR 0.52, 95% CI: 0.30-0.91). Above 9.50 mg/dL, the association was non-significant (HR 1.09, 95% CI: 0.51-2.35). A similar L-shaped pattern was observed for CVD mortality below the inflection point (HR 0.26, 95% CI: 0.09-0.74). However, formal likelihood ratio tests comparing the threshold model with a linear model did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05), indicating that the data do not provide strong evidence against a linear association.

CONCLUSION: Our primary analysis supports an inverse linear association between serum calcium and mortality in OA patients. Although exploratory analyses revealed potential non-linear patterns visually, these were not statistically confirmed. Therefore, the overall relationship is best characterized as linear within the observed range, with lower serum calcium associated with higher mortality risk. Therefore, these findings highlight a potential optimal range for serum calcium but require verification in future studies designed to confirm nonlinearity and assess the clinical utility of calcium management.

PMID:41639742 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-025-01219-0