Category: Statistics

Educ Psychol Meas. 2025 Sep 14:00131644251368335. doi: 10.1177/00131644251368335. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sequential procedures have been shown to be effective methods for real-time detection of compromised items in computerized adaptive testing. In this study, we propose three item response theory-based sequential procedures that involve the use of item scores and response times (RTs). The first procedure requires that either the score-based statistic or the RT-based statistic be extreme, the second procedure requires that both the score-based statistic and the RT-based statistic be extreme, and the third procedure requires that a combined score and RT-based statistic be extreme. Results suggest that the third procedure is the most promising, providing a reasonable balance between the false-positive rate and the true-positive rate while also producing relatively short lag times across a wide range of simulation conditions.

PMID:40959735 | PMC:PMC12433998 | DOI:10.1177/00131644251368335

Physiother Can. 2025 Feb;77(1):106-112. doi: 10.3138/ptc-2023-0012. Epub 2023 Sep 20.

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This study examined the differential pattern of obesity between men and women with severe OA of the knee or hip joint. The relationship between creatinine, a pro-inflammatory parameter and obesity, sex, and site of joint involvement was examined. Method: This study involved a secondary analysis of prospectively collected data of patients who underwent hip or knee arthroplasty. Results: Data of 5,130 patients (1,989 males, 39%, 3,141 females, 62%), mean age: 66 (11) were used for data analysis. Of these patients, 2,038 patients underwent hip and 3,092 patients underwent knee arthroplasty. Prevalence of obesity (grade I and II) was higher in the TKA group as compared with THA group (55% vs. 38%) with the prevalence of morbid obesity (Grade II) being twice as many in the TKA group (27% vs. 14%), p < 0.001. There was a statistically significant association between obesity and site of joint involvement (p < 0.001) and for the interaction between sex of the patient and site of arthritis (p < 0.001). In the TKA group, the sex factor was the only factor that was related to the pre-op creatinine level (p < 0.001). In THA group, both sex (p < 0.001) and obesity (p = 0.002) showed an association with pre-op creatinine. Conclusions: This study provides further evidence that obesity has a multifaceted interaction with osteoarthritis with a differential pattern in hip and knee joints. Creatinine considered as a pro-inflammatory factor appears to have a differential role in hip and knee OA.

PMID:40959719 | PMC:PMC12392844 | DOI:10.3138/ptc-2023-0012

Trials. 2025 Sep 16;26(1):341. doi: 10.1186/s13063-025-08995-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Morbidity due to anastomotic leakage is a major concern in transthoracic oesophagectomy. The aim of this randomised trial is to evaluate whether a circumferential suture reinforcement of the stapled end-to-side anastomosis in robot-assisted minimally invasive Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy (RAMIE) leads to a reduced incidence of anastomotic leakages in the postoperative course.

METHODS/DESIGN: This is a multi-centre randomised, double-blind, superiority trial with an adaptive sample size design undergoing RAMIE for malignant tumours. Patients will be randomised 1:1 into two study arms. In study arm A, participants will receive a standard circular-stapled end-to-side oesophagogastric anastomosis, while in study arm B, the anastomosis will have a circumferential suture reinforcement. The primary endpoint is the rate of anastomotic leakage. Secondary endpoints are incision-to-suture time, duration of circumferential suture reinforcement, anastomotic stenosis rate, postoperative morbidity and mortality, and quality of life.

DISCUSSION: This randomised controlled trial will assess the impact of circumferential suture reinforcement of the oesophagogastric anastomosis on short-term outcomes and quality of life of patients undergoing robot-assisted minimally invasive Ivor-Lewis oesophagectomy.

TRIAL REGSITRATION: DRKS00034787. Registered on 7 October 2024.

PMID:40958134 | DOI:10.1186/s13063-025-08995-4

Eur J Sport Sci. 2025 Oct;25(10):e70038. doi: 10.1002/ejsc.70038.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the associations between ovarian hormones, symptoms, sleep characteristics and nocturnal physiology in female athletes. Twenty-four National Rugby League Indigenous Women’s Academy athletes (naturally cycling: n = 11 and mean age: 21 ± 3 years; hormonal contraception: n = 13 and mean age: 22 ± 3 years) completed a 5-week training camp. During the camp, oestradiol and progesterone concentrations were analysed at three timepoints according to naturally cycling and hormonal contraception groups. Symptoms and subjective sleep were measured daily. Athletes were instructed to wear an Oura ring throughout the camp for sleep and nocturnal heart rate (HR) and HR variability (HRV) measures. Statistical analyses included linear mixed models and Pearson’s correlations. Neither objective (Oura ring) nor subjective (survey) sleep characteristics were associated with oestradiol or progesterone concentrations. In the naturally cycling group, a higher number of total symptoms were associated with a longer sleep onset latency (r = 0.88, 95% CI [0.60, 0.97]) and increased light sleep (r = 0.75, 95% CI [0.28, 0.93]). Higher oestradiol concentrations were significantly associated with fewer symptoms (estimate ± SE: -0.007 ± 0.002 symptoms, p = 0.003). Luteal days were associated with higher average nocturnal HR and lower HRV than follicular menstrual cycle days (estimate ± SE: 4 ± 0.57 bpm, p < 0.001; estimate ± SE: -7 ± 2.13 ms, p < 0.001, respectively). Negligible to moderate correlations were observed between sleep and total symptoms experienced by athletes using hormonal contraception. In conclusion, sleep measures were not significantly associated with ovarian hormone concentrations. A higher number of total symptoms were associated with sleep disturbance in naturally cycling athletes. To optimise sleep, female athletes may benefit from monitoring and managing menstrual cycle symptoms.

PMID:40958133 | DOI:10.1002/ejsc.70038

Knee Surg Relat Res. 2025 Sep 16;37(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s43019-025-00290-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Implant design in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has evolved considerably, with recent developments focusing on reproducing native knee kinematics. Some implants now feature anatomically and physiologically accurate articular surface geometries. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of different implant designs on knee kinematics using the same cadaveric specimens to ensure consistent comparison. We hypothesized that implant designs incorporating features intended to replicate native joint anatomy, such as the kinematic retaining (KR) design, would more closely reproduce physiological knee kinematics.

METHODS: TKA was performed on nine Thiel-embalmed cadaveric knees with mild medial osteoarthritis, using three implant designs from the Physica system: KR, cruciate retaining (CR), and medial congruent (MC) designs. All procedures were performed using a mechanical alignment technique, with both the posterior tibial slope and femoral rotational angle standardized at 3°. The posterior cruciate ligament was preserved throughout the evaluation of all implant designs. A navigation system was used to collect detailed kinematic data. Evaluations were conducted after trial component placement, focusing on anteroposterior, mediolateral, and compression-distraction positions, as well as rotational angles. From these knee status data, femoral rotational kinematics relative to the tibia and the anteroposterior translation of both femoral condyles during flexion were also calculated.

RESULTS: No significant differences in flexion and extension angles were observed between the groups. The KR group presented the greatest mean femoral external rotation relative to the tibia throughout the range of motion among the groups; however, there were no statistically significant differences. The CR and MC group showed significantly reduced anteroposterior translation of the lateral condyle compared with the native knee (p = 0.021 and 0.003, respectively). Furthermore, the anteroposterior translation of the lateral femoral condyle was significantly greater in the KR group than in MC groups (p = 0.021). In the KR group, six of nine knees exhibited medial pivot motion, compared with three in the CR group and four in the MC group.

CONCLUSIONS: Using identical cadaveric specimens and navigation-based analysis, we identified distinct kinematic profiles associated with each implant design. Notably, the KR implant demonstrated kinematics approximating native knee motion; however, these findings remain preliminary and warrant further clinical validation.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

PMID:40958131 | DOI:10.1186/s43019-025-00290-5

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Sep 16;17(1):265. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01307-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease and obesity-related comorbidities are key factors addressed by metabolic-bariatric surgery (MBS). Although High intensity interval training (HIIT) has been proven effective in healthy cohorts, limited evidence exists regarding HIIT and adherence towards HIIT after MBS. This study aims to test feasibility and cardiorespiratory effect of HIIT after MBS.

METHODS: 201 patients undergoing MBS were included in a four-week training protocol with 3 training groups (B-D) including different HIIT protocols on a bicycle designed for patients with obesity and one control group (A) at a university medical center in Germany. Ergometry with estimated VO2max, maximum blood lactate, maximum resistance, time spent on ergometer, and heart rate were performed prior to and after 4 weeks of training.

RESULTS: A significant effect of the four-week training could be shown through reduction of heart rate at 100 W, increase of maximum blood lactate, and maximum resistance when comparing the training groups to the control group (Δ 9,67 BPM; Δ 1.02 mmol/l; Δ 12 W respectively, all p < 0.05) However, adherence of the recruited patient group was very low, shown by a notably high drop-out rate of 78.1% overall (44 patients completed training). The majority of patients dropped out prior to the first training session.

CONCLUSIONS: HIIT bicycle training in post-MBS patients is possibly very effective, however, adherence is extremely low. Although this study shows promising results, an effect on large patient groups cannot be expected if improvement of adherence and a wide range of training methods are not addressed first.

STUDY REGISTRATION: German Registry for Clinical Trials (DRKS) trial registration number DRKS00024939 on 20/09/2021.

PMID:40958128 | DOI:10.1186/s13102-025-01307-y

Crit Care. 2025 Sep 16;29(1):396. doi: 10.1186/s13054-025-05645-8.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40958116 | DOI:10.1186/s13054-025-05645-8

BMC Infect Dis. 2025 Sep 16;25(1):1110. doi: 10.1186/s12879-025-11521-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute respiratory infections (ARI) exhibit varying lethality rates, influenced by individual and population factors. This retrospective study aimed to analyse infection frequency, clinical characteristics, and factors associated with lethality in hospitalized patients with seasonal ARI pathogens.

METHODS: Virological and demographic data of hospitalized patients ≥ 18 years who tested positive for at least one ARI viral pathogen (Influenza, Adenovirus, Coronavirus, human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), Parainfluenza, Rhinovirus, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and SARS-CoV-2) were collected from 07/2022 to 04/2023 at a German tertiary care hospital. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse factors influencing lethality. Univariate comparisons examined pathogen-specific differences in length of stay and lethality.

RESULTS: Among 1,657 hospitalized patients with at least one detected ARI pathogen, 89 (5.5%) passed away. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant association between advanced age and lethality (OR = 1.05 per year, p < 0.0001). Patients infected with ARI pathogens other than SARS-CoV-2 or hMPV exhibited a heightened risk of lethality compared to those with Influenza. While statistical significance was reached only for Adenovirus (OR = 5.99, p = 0.049), elevated risk of lethality was also observed among hospitalized patients infected with Coronavirus (OR = 2.22), RSV (OR = 2.18), and more than one pathogen (OR = 2.07).

CONCLUSIONS: Lethality rates varied among the examined ARI pathogens. Compared to Influenza, Adenovirus, Coronavirus, and RSV showed elevated lethality rates and an increased risk of intrahospital death among ARI-infected patients. RSV emerged as a notable concern for hospitalized adults. Additionally, age also arises as a significant risk factor for lethality associated with ARI during hospitalization.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study is a retrospective analysis of fully anonymized routinely collected patient data and does not require registration in a clinical trial registry.

PMID:40958111 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-025-11521-1

BMC Oral Health. 2025 Sep 16;25(1):1408. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-06782-w.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to correlate the dimensions of the maxillary sinus in CBCT-reformatted panoramic radiographs to the greater palatine canal geometry and its neighbor structures in CBCT multiplanar images, so considering the limitations of the current study, we could use panoramic radiographs as an alert tool before performing a variety of implant surgical and dental procedures concerning the Greater Palatine Canal (GPC).

METHODS: The GPC pathway and its neighbor structures were assessed in a sample of 48 CBCT Egyptian adult patients’ images (24 females and 24 males) in the three orthogonal planes and correlated to the height, width and hypothetical surface area of the maxillary sinus (MS).

RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference in sagittal planes among genders regarding GPC pathway, as Type a was the most prominent GPC pathway among females (an antero-inferior direction) in contrast to male cases that shown Type c (posterior-inferior direction, then an anterior-inferior direction) pathway. Male patients had significantly lower GPC angle than female patients (P = 0.022). Males had greater mean values of MS height, width & hypothetical surface area than females. The greater the GPC angle in sagittal plan, the lesser MS height, width & hypothetical surface area. In addition, MS of greater height had more posterior extension (depth).

CONCLUSION: Considering the restrictions of the current retrospective study, the current study illustrated a significant correlation between maxillary sinus (MS) dimensions and greater palatine canal (GPC) anatomy, specifically the GPC pathway and angle. Larger MS (especially height) correlated with GPC with more posterior pathway and lesser angle, which is sex-based association. These findings are with great clinical significance to minimize the risk of GPC neurovascular bundle iatrogenic injury during interventions dealing with posterior maxilla, particularly sinus lifts, implant planning, due to potential impingement from MS expansion.

PMID:40958094 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-06782-w

ACS Appl Mater Interfaces. 2025 Sep 16. doi: 10.1021/acsami.4c20938. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

An alternative method for fabricating planar surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) sensors, offering enhanced performance compared to conventional drop-casting techniques, is presented. We synthesized stable gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with an average diameter of 16 ± 2 nm and developed two types of SERS sensors using pyro-electrohydrodynamic jet printing (p-jet) technology. The first sensor, printed on a glass substrate, featured a corona pattern with sensing areas aligned to the laser spot size, enabling efficient sampling with minimal material waste. The second sensor, fabricated on a dithiol-functionalized gold substrate, demonstrated uniform nanoparticle coverage. SERS activity was evaluated using p-Mercaptoaniline (pMA), yielding intense and reproducible spectra. Raman imaging confirmed consistent SERS activity, uniform nanoparticle distribution, and sensor stability. Statistical analysis indicated high reproducibility in sensor dimensions and shapes, underscoring the potential of p-jet microprinting as a cost-effective, stable, and scalable method for producing high-performance SERS sensors suitable for diverse applications.

PMID:40958078 | DOI:10.1021/acsami.4c20938