Category: Statistics

Front Psychol. 2026 Feb 26;17:1656208. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1656208. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This randomized controlled trial aimed to compare the effects of HIIT-30S protocols (30 s work/30 s rest) and Tabata protocols (20 s work/10 s rest) protocols on physical fitness and cognitive function in sedentary college students.

METHODS: Eighty-four undergraduates (19.07 ± 0.76 years; 34 males and 60 females) were stratified into HIIT-30S, Tabata, or moderate-intensity training (MICT) groups and completed 24 supervised sessions over 8 weeks. Physical outcomes included an 800-m run (cardiorespiratory endurance), push-ups/sit-ups (muscular endurance), 50-m sprint (speed), the Sitting Reach Test (flexibility), and heart rate recovery (cardiovascular recovery ability). Cognitive assessments encompassed the WAIS-IV core cognition (general intelligence), letter-number sequencing test (working memory), time management questionnaire (TMQ), emotion regulation questionnaire (ERQ), reaction time testing, and a 12 weeks follow-up comprehensive cognition questionnaire. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

RESULTS: HIIT-30S and Tabata outperformed MICT in all domains (P < 0.05). HIIT-30S elicited superior physical adaptations: 800-m run time decreased by -11.78 s, push-ups increased +9.29 reps, sit-ups increased +11.39 reps, 50-m sprint decreased -0.37 s, and HRR improved +12.66%. Tabata showed greater neurocognitive enhancements: WAIS-IV core cognition scores rose +10.47 points, letter-number sequencing scores rose +1.68 points, TMA scores rose +10.97 points, EMA scores rose +16.79 points, simple reaction time decreased -40.61 ms, choice reaction time decreased -65.15 ms, and Continuous Reaction time decreased -51.14 ms. At the 12-week follow-up, HIIT-30S maintained cognitive gains (+3.05%) with the greatest improvement compared to Tabata (+1.97%).

DISCUSSION: These findings indicate that the work-to-rest ratio is a key determinant of training effects, enabling protocol customization for specific individual fitness and cognitive aims.

PMID:41835882 | PMC:PMC12979124 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1656208

Front Psychol. 2026 Feb 27;17:1720303. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1720303. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pharmacy students often struggle with accurate self-assessment of learning outcomes. Many students overestimate exam performance, reflecting poor metacognitive awareness and overconfidence. This study examined the relationships between metacognitive awareness, self-confidence in grade predictions, and academic performance in pharmacy education, thus addressing how these factors interact without inferring causation.

METHODS: Pharmacy students (n = 151) at King Saud University participated in this study while enrolled in a Pathophysiology, Drug Action, and Therapeutics course. Surveys were pre-tested and post-tested twice at two midterm examinations to determine their self-reported metacognitive awareness and confidence. Students made predictions for future course grades. These self-tests were then contrasted to actual exam scores. Statistical analysis was performed using R software version 4.3.1, and students were categorized by metacognitive and confidence ability.

RESULTS: Despite underperforming on the first exam, students’ confidence in their grade predictions remained high. Students with better metacognitive awareness and well-calibrated confidence scored significantly higher on exams (p < 0.01). Metacognitive cognition and confidence were positively associated with academic performance (r = 0.467 and 0.361, p < 0.01), and with each other (r = 0.251, p < 0.01). Gender differences showed higher overall confidence and metacognitive cognition scores in males.

DISCUSSION: The results indicate that metacognition and confidence are critical for academic performance. These findings suggest that educational programs targeting self-evaluation warrant further investigation.

PMID:41835871 | PMC:PMC12982428 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1720303

Front Psychol. 2026 Feb 27;17:1744494. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1744494. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

L2 vocabulary learning of late bilinguals is characterized by the mediation of their L1, which may lead to differences in access efficiency and activation pathway among learners with different representational preferences. In the experiment, we used statistical methods to compare the importance of representational preferences with the well-investigated factors, i.e., L2 proficiency and cognitive style, on late bilinguals’ L2 lexical access. The results showed that representational preference was a more effective variable for subject classification. Furthermore, participants with different representational preferences were compared in response time to word translation judgment tasks. The results showed that participants with different representational preferences showed differences in lexical access efficiency, and those with imagistic preference also implied shifts in the access pathway between unfamiliar and familiar words.

PMID:41835864 | PMC:PMC12982423 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1744494

Front Psychol. 2026 Feb 26;17:1654996. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1654996. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Reliable and accurate measurement is fundamental to scientific progress; however, the dominant measurement practices in psychology, clinical psychology, and prediction research often lack rigor. Improving measures using Rasch Measurement Theory (RMT) offers advantages by fulfilling the key psychometric properties of unidimensionality, local independence of items, ordering of response categories, and invariance. Ordinal-level sum scores can be transformed into interval-level latent trait scores, thereby improving the measurement precision. However, the impact of using psychometrically advanced questionnaires with latent trait scores, as opposed to traditional sum scores, in predictive models is still unclear. This study evaluates whether using latent trait scores as predictors and outcomes, in accordance with RMT, improves predictive performance compared to using traditional sum scores when predicting treatment outcomes during psychological treatment.

METHODS: Self-rated symptom data from three different questionnaires, collected over the first 4 weeks of psychological treatment from 6,464 patients undergoing a 12-week treatment program, were used to predict post-treatment outcomes on the same questionnaires. This was done in two ways: (1) using sum scores as the questionnaires were originally developed and (2) using a reformulated, more psychometrically robust version of the questionnaires based on Rasch analysis, which was also shorter. The prediction models used were linear regression, Bayesian ridge regression, and random forest. Multiple imputations were used to address missing data, and nested cross-validation was employed for hyperparameter tuning and scoring.

RESULTS: Latent scores calculated using the psychometrically optimized shorter version, which comprises 23% of the full scale, showed similar predictive performance compared to the sum score of the full scale. Overall, there was a statistically significant but practically negligible difference of 0.007-0.008 in the root mean squared error (RMSE) when comparing the original sum score to the latent trait scores.

CONCLUSION: Initial findings comparing psychometrically improved questionnaires with the original ordinal sum scores within a predictive framework indicate that using latent trait scores derived from these improvements showed the predictive performance similar to the sum score of the full scale. The small differences suggest that the improved versions remain valuable owing to their enhanced psychometric qualities and the reduction in response burden by using considerably fewer items. Further research is needed to explore the use of latent trait scores compared to ordinal sum scores in predictive research.

PMID:41835861 | PMC:PMC12979473 | DOI:10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1654996

Int J Womens Health. 2026 Mar 10;18:588653. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S588653. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe surgical outcomes after different types of colorectal surgery for bowel endometriosis and to present the feasibility of LscPR in bowel endometriosis.

DESIGN: Retrospective analysis.

SETTING: Gynecological department at the Jinhua Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital.

INTERVENTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS: From January 2014 to November 2024, we recruited 320 patients with bowel endometriosis who underwent LscShR (n=108), LscDR (n=70), LscSgR (n=73), or LscPR (n=69).

MAIN RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 4.6 years (range: 1-10 years), one patient rejected subsequent treatment in the LscShR and LscSgR groups, respectively, and two patients were lost to follow-up in the LscDR group; a total of 316 women completed the follow-up questionnaire. The total complication rate was highest in the LscSgR group (16.67%), followed by the LscDR (5.88%), LscPR (4.35%), and LscShR (1.87%) groups, with a statistically significant difference (P = 0.002). BE recurrence was seen only in the LscShR (12.15%) and LscDR (7.35%) groups (P < 0.001). DIE recurrence rates were low and similar across all groups (P = 0.810), ranging from 1.45% (LscPR) to 4.41% (LscDR). The incidence of low anterior rectal resection syndrome in the LscPR group was similar to that of the LscShR and LscDR (P > 0.05) groups, and the parameter was significantly lower than that in the LscSgR group (P < 0.05);.The LscPR surgical method was associated with the most comprehensive postoperative symptom improvement, achieving the best overall BENS scores. The rectal sensory parameters (FRS, CRS, MRTS) and the operation time of the balloon extraction test in the LscPR group were similar to those in the LscDR and LscShR groups (P > 0.05), and significantly lower than those in the LscSgR group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of a retrospective study, our data suggest that LscPR is an effective approach for bowel endometriosis, associated with significant symptom improvement and fewer complications.

PMID:41835853 | PMC:PMC12988806 | DOI:10.2147/IJWH.S588653

Int J Womens Health. 2026 Mar 10;18:577906. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S577906. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether short-term postoperative estrogen-related therapy is associated with recurrence of intrauterine adhesions (IUA), endometrial polyps (EPs), and pregnancy outcomes in women with concomitant IUA and EPs.

METHODS: This single-center retrospective cohort study included women (18-45 years) diagnosed with both IUA and EPs who underwent concurrent hysteroscopic transcervical resection of adhesions (TCRA) and polypectomy from January 2019 to June 2024. Patients were grouped by postoperative regimen: (1) estradiol-dydrogesterone sequential therapy (Femoston; estradiol 2 mg/dydrogesterone 10 mg; 2-3 months), (2) combined oral contraceptive (Yaz; ethinylestradiol 0.02 mg/drospirenone 3 mg; 3 months), or (3) no hormonal therapy. Recurrence was confirmed by transvaginal ultrasound and/or hysteroscopy.

RESULTS: A total of 166 women were included (sequential therapy, n=47; COC, n=32; no hormone, n=87). Baseline polyp multiplicity differed among groups (P=0.003), with a higher proportion of multiple EPs in the COC group. Postoperative IUD/balloon placement also differed among groups (P=0.012). Overall recurrence rates were 6.6% for IUA and 4.8% for EPs. No statistically significant differences were observed among groups in postoperative menstrual changes, recurrence rates, time to recurrence, or pregnancy outcomes (all P>0.05). Follow-up duration did not differ significantly among groups.

CONCLUSION: In this retrospective cohort, no statistically significant differences were observed among short-term sequential estrogen-progestin therapy, COC use, and no hormonal therapy with respect to IUA recurrence, EP recurrence, or pregnancy outcomes. Short-term estradiol-dydrogesterone therapy was not associated with increased EP recurrence in women with IUA and a single EP. These findings are observational and should be confirmed in prospective studies.

PMID:41835848 | PMC:PMC12988797 | DOI:10.2147/IJWH.S577906

Int J Womens Health. 2026 Jan 8;18:546854. doi: 10.2147/IJWH.S546854. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Previous studies reveal that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection accelerates the progression of Human papillomavirus (HPV)-related diseases, but the results remain controversial. We conducted a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to evaluate the causal association between HPV infection and COVID-19 using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data from European ancestry populations.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Genetic summary data of HPV infection and COVID-19 were derived from the public GWAS meta-analysis and the COVID-19 host genetics initiative GWAS, respectively. The causal link between HPV infection and COVID-19 was evaluated by MR analysis with inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median methods. Additional MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) and MR-Egger regression methods were used to identify the potential pleiotropy of the instrumental variables (IVs). Bonferroni correction was used to account for the issue of multiple comparisons, leading to a statistically significant P-value of less than 0.004 (0.05/2*3*2).

RESULTS: There were no significantly causal links of HPV-16 or HPV-18 infection with COVID-19 infection, hospitalized COVID-19, or severe COVID-19 (all P>0.05). Furthermore, no significant causal effect of all three types of COVID-19 on HPV-16 and HPV-18 was observed in the reverse MR analyses (all P>0.05). MR-Egger regression and MR-PRESSO global test did not find the presence of horizontal pleiotropy between IVs of HPV infection and COVID-19.

CONCLUSION: This study shows that COVID-19 infection does not affect the risk of HPV-16/18 infection, nor does HPV-16/18 infection increase COVID-19 infection risk. It highlights the need to maintain routine health management and no change to HPV prevention strategies.

PMID:41835845 | PMC:PMC12983166 | DOI:10.2147/IJWH.S546854

Ther Adv Hematol. 2026 Mar 11;17:20406207261419953. doi: 10.1177/20406207261419953. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mutations in the FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) gene are present in approximately 30% of patients with newly diagnosed (ND) acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and are associated with worse therapy outcomes compared to the general AML population. Gilteritinib, a selective oral FLT3 inhibitor, is a promising treatment option for this patient population.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and efficacy of gilteritinib in combination with induction and consolidation chemotherapy in Asian patients with ND, FLT3-mutated (FLT3 ^mut+) AML.

DESIGN: This study was a phase I/II open-label, single-arm study. Herein, we present the final results from phase II.

METHODS: A total of 84 patients were enrolled in 33 centers across Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. All patients enrolled in phase II received induction and consolidation therapy with gilteritinib 120 mg/day plus chemotherapy (induction: ⩽2 cycles, idarubicin/cytarabine once-daily; consolidation: ⩽4 cycles, cytarabine twice-daily) followed by maintenance with gilteritinib 120 mg/day monotherapy (⩽26 cycles). The primary efficacy endpoint was the complete remission (CR) rate after induction therapy.

RESULTS: The primary endpoint of CR rate after induction was 50.0% (90% CI: 40.4-59.6). Gilteritinib in combination with chemotherapy achieved high composite CR (CRc; 86.6%, 95% CI: 77.3-93.1) rates after induction. The overall survival (OS) rate at 3 years was 71.6%, and the median OS was 48.2 months; however, due to the immaturity of the data, the median OS should be interpreted with caution. In addition, 51.2% of patients underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation during the study period. The safety profile of gilteritinib was as expected, and no new safety signals were identified.

CONCLUSION: Induction and consolidation with gilteritinib plus chemotherapy, and maintenance with gilteritinib monotherapy were well tolerated in ND patients in Asia with FLT3 ^mut+ AML and had favorable efficacy compared with historical data.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with the ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT02310321.

PMID:41835842 | PMC:PMC12982847 | DOI:10.1177/20406207261419953

Biophys Rep. 2026 Feb 28;12(1):52-63. doi: 10.52601/bpr.2025.250010.

ABSTRACT

We describe the statistical characteristics of optical speckle patterns formed by illuminating biological tissues, commonly called biospeckles. The predominant techniques used to gather information from the movement of speckle patterns are detailed. Using vegetable tissues, we monitored the senescence process and created vascularization maps of leaf tissues. The Fujii method, which has been modified, has emerged as the most effective approach for highlighting the biological activity across leaf tissues. This technique relies on the presence of fluid flow to create highly detailed maps of tissue microcirculation. The method of temporal contrast evaluation produced a significant spectral activity map, which allowed for the detection of both instant and invisible bruised tissue. The evaluation revealed that biological specimens can exhibit a unique time history of speckle pattern (THSP) patterns, which may serve as a biological signature for the sample. Additionally, an activity index was calculated to define the assay’s activity under different biological conditions, and the results were tested and verified across multiple samples.

PMID:41835815 | PMC:PMC12979931 | DOI:10.52601/bpr.2025.250010

Eur Heart J Open. 2026 Feb 18;6(2):oeag020. doi: 10.1093/ehjopen/oeag020. eCollection 2026 Mar.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: We compared the effects of ‘ablate and pace’ to pharmacological therapy on mortality and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), with or without heart failure (HF).

METHODS AND RESULTS: Articles were identified by searching PubMed, Central, and Embase until 30 June 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed observational and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ‘ablate and pace’ with pharmacological therapy and investigating outcomes of mortality and LVEF in patients with AF. An exclusion criterion was lack of a parallel study design. The primary outcomes were all-cause mortality and the mean difference (MD) in LVEF. Endpoints were assessed through meta-analyses computing relative risks (RRs) and MDs. The clinical diagnosis of HF was used to distinguish between patients with and without HF. Initially, 3837 studies were identified, of which 24 (n = 4292 patients) fulfilled the inclusion criteria, including 17 (n = 3261 patients) that focused on HF. Follow-up time varied from 3 to 96 months. Only in HF patients, ‘ablate and pace’ reduced mortality significantly with a risk reduction of 36% [RR, 0.64; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.49-0.85; P < 0.01; n = 10] as compared with pharmacological therapy. Except for two studies, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) was the chosen pace mode. The mortality reduction was independent of study design: RCTs (RR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.18-0.94; P = 0.04; n = 2) and observational studies (RR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.55-0.90; P = 0.01; n = 8). ‘Ablate and pace’ and pharmacological therapy were similar for the LVEF outcome (MD, 1.1; 95% CI, -1.6-3.8; P = 0.39; n = 16), which was independent of both HF and study designs (results not shown).

CONCLUSION: ‘Ablate and CRT’ reduced mortality in HF patients as compared with pharmacological therapy, which was supported by statistical associations in observational studies. A single RCT corroborated the finding.

PMID:41835811 | PMC:PMC12988461 | DOI:10.1093/ehjopen/oeag020