Category: Statistics

Langmuir. 2026 Jan 20. doi: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c05989. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A unified energetic framework for Lewis acid-base interactions at solid surfaces is developed through a new model, which integrates linear, amphoteric, and polarization contributions of the polar adsorption enthalpy (-ΔH^p) into a quadratic thermodynamic expression by introducing explicit coupling and curvature terms, allowing simultaneous representation of donor-acceptor charge transfer, mutual polarization, and surface deformation (-ΔH_p) = K_ADN + K_DAN – KDN × AN + K_2A(DN)² +K_2D(AN)², where AN and DN are respectively the acceptor and donor numbers of solvents, K_A and K_D represent the Lewis acid and base coefficients of the solid, K is the coupling amphoteric constant, whereas K_2A and K_2D are the new second order surface parameters, respectively representing the quadratic curvature terms for acid and base centers. Using inverse gas chromatography (IGC), adsorption energetics were investigated on a broad range of solids─silica, alumina, ZnO, Zn, PMMA, β-zeolite, Rh-doped zeolites, and PMMA/silica hybrid interfaces. Statistical analysis (R², RMSE, AIC, BIC) across hierarchical models (2-5 parameters) revealed a universal convergence toward the five-parameter formulation, yielding R² ≥ 0.97 and significantly reduced RMSE values. The inclusion of amphoteric coupling (K) and bidirectional curvature (K_2A, K_2D) terms was found essential to reproduce experimental linearity and capture the physical duality of real surfaces. The new model thus transforms adsorption thermodynamics from an empirical linear model into a physically interpretable, statistically validated law. This formulation provides a unified energetic basis for describing the amphoteric and polarizable nature of oxides, polymers, and hybrid materials, and offers a predictive platform for future studies on temperature-dependent adsorption and electronic structure-surface energy correlations.

PMID:41558035 | DOI:10.1021/acs.langmuir.5c05989

Med Care. 2026 Jan 20. doi: 10.1097/MLR.0000000000002286. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine changes in persistent emergency department (ED) use by adult frequent ED (FED) users over time comparing prepandemic versus peripandemic periods, and to identify distinct characteristics of individuals who remained FED users over time during the pandemic versus the prepandemic era.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, secondary, longitudinal analysis in Texas, following 2 cohorts of ED users over 36 months (cohort 1: March 2017-February 2020; cohort 2: March 2019-February 2022). The main outcomes were whether a baseline FED (≥9 ED visits/12 mo) user remained a FED user persistently over the next 24 months and whether they were persistent FED users prepandemic or peripandemic. Multivariable regressions estimated changes in persistent FED use across cohorts and assessed differences between individuals who remained persistent FED users during the pandemic compared with the prepandemic period.

SETTING: All-payer Texas Hospital ED Research Data File from 2016 to 2022.

RESULTS: About 1 million individuals had at least one ED visit in the baseline years, totaling 4.6 million visits. Overall, FED users accounted for 8% of all ED users but over 40% of visits. Although more than half of FED users at baseline exhibited persistent FED use over the next 24 months, there was a 7% decline in the proportion of return FED users after the onset of COVID-19 which was statistically significant (AOR=0.82; 95% CI=0.80-0.84), and this effect was more pronounced when patients with any COVID-19-related ED visit during the study period were excluded (AOR=0.10; 95% CI=0.09-0.11). Individuals aged 45 years or older, those with congestive heart failure and diabetes with complications, and those with public insurance (when COVID-19-related visits were excluded) had higher odds of remaining persistent FED users during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS: Many FED users will seek ED care for multiple years, given their medical complexity. Future research should identify heterogeneous subgroups among persistent FED users to tailor interventions towards their needs.

PMID:41558015 | DOI:10.1097/MLR.0000000000002286

ACS Nano. 2026 Jan 20. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5c19908. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Recently, nanocrystals in the regime of vanishing quantum confinement─termed bulk nanocrystals (BNCs)─have demonstrated optical gain characteristics. While their high-power lasing performance was demonstrated convincingly, the photophysics at low and intermediate powers─where charge-carrier populations are discrete─remain unexplored. Using single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array technology, we resolve the dynamics and energetics of six multicarrier excited states in individual CdSe/CdS core/shell BNCs, containing up to four electrons and two holes. Each state exhibits bimodal emission, indicative of thermal equilibrium between closely spaced electron and hole levels, confirmed via temperature-dependent single-particle measurements. Quantification of radiative and nonradiative decay channels reveals strongly suppressed Auger recombination through both the negative- and positive-trion pathways. We present a model that combines statistical scaling of rate constants with Fermi-Dirac thermal occupations of electron and hole levels, bridging the transitional regime between quantum-confined and bulk nanocrystals, and providing a comprehensive framework for understanding this emerging class of materials.

PMID:41558004 | DOI:10.1021/acsnano.5c19908

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2026 Dec;22(1):2611475. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2025.2611475. Epub 2026 Jan 20.

ABSTRACT

The global rise in preterm infants presents specific challenges for hepatitis B prevention. Although hepatitis B vaccination is recommended, detailed understanding of immunogenicity patterns and influencing factors requires further investigation. We analyzed 699 preterm infants completing the hepatitis B vaccination series to assess immunogenicity via geometric mean concentration (GMC) and seroprotection rate (SPR). The regimen was highly immunogenic, with an overall SPR of 99.43% (GMC: 986.36 mIU/mL) and 95.28% of infants achieving high-level protection (anti-HBs ≥100 mIU/mL). Though SPR was consistently high across subgroups, notable GMC variations emerged: infants with gestational age <28 weeks markedly higher GMC (3,735.59 mIU/mL) than more mature subgroups. Statistically significant GMC differences were noted between immunization protocols, with uniform schedules yielding higher values (1,281.26 mIU/mL) than mixed approaches (691.91 mIU/mL; P < .001). Preterm infants of HBsAg-positive mothers maintained a high SPR (96.55%) despite a lower GMC (572.18 mIU/mL). This study confirms that hepatitis B vaccination induces a robust immune response at 1 to 2 months post-vaccination in preterm infants. Observed variations in antibody response magnitude related to vaccine expression system may inform optimization of initial vaccination strategies for preterm populations.

PMID:41557957 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2025.2611475

J Med Internet Res. 2026 Jan 20;28:e78311. doi: 10.2196/78311.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gender concordance (GC) between patients and physicians has been linked to trust and satisfaction in traditional health care. However, its role in telemedicine, especially in culturally complex settings like India, is underexplored. In India’s culturally diverse and gender-sensitive context, understanding GC becomes particularly relevant for specialties such as gynecology, dermatology, psychiatry, and urology, where discussions often involve intimate or stigmatized concerns. Despite rapid telemedicine expansion, little empirical evidence exists on whether GC affects patient-reported outcomes in this context.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined whether GC significantly influences patient satisfaction and self-reported recovery in teleconsultations across India, with a focus on specialty-specific effects in culturally sensitive specialties.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 286,196 anonymized teleconsultation records from a national telemedicine platform (January 2023-December 2024) spanning across 20 medical specialties using binary logistic regression. Records missing gender or satisfaction data were excluded from the analysis; recovery analyses included only consultations with completed day-21 follow-up surveys (n=1170, 0.4%). Outcomes included patient satisfaction (ratings 4-5 on a five-point scale) and self-reported recovery at follow-up. Logistic regression models (Stata 17.0) tested associations between GC and outcomes, controlling for consultation time, duration, and physician experience. Subgroup analyses were conducted for the top 5 specialties. Each record included key data on consultation duration, timing, physician experience, specialty type, patient satisfaction rating, and self-reported recovery status. The study excluded the pediatrics specialty from the analysis to control for the parental bias.

RESULTS: Of the 286,196 consultations, 164,008 (60.4%) were gender-concordant. Overall, 261,213 of 286,196 (91.3%) patients reported good satisfaction. GC had a statistically significant negative association with patient satisfaction (odds ratio [OR] 0.87, 95% CI 0.85-0.90; P<.001). Across gender, the male doctor received higher satisfaction. In gynecology, female patient-female doctor pairs had significantly higher odds of reporting recovery (OR 4.53, 95% CI 0.8-25.3; P=.099). Overall, consultation timing (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.998-0.999; P<.001) and patient satisfaction (OR 20.13, 95% CI 12.06-35.38; P<.001) were stronger predictors of self-reported recovery than GC.

CONCLUSIONS: GC in telemedicine has a context-dependent impact. While it does not independently predict clinical recovery, it meaningfully shapes patient satisfaction. These findings highlight that gender sensitivity training and context-specific communication approaches may enhance telemedicine experiences in culturally sensitive domains. Integrating awareness of gender dynamics into telehealth design and policy could strengthen patient trust and engagement in virtual care. Future research should explore specialty-specific dynamics and improve follow-up response rates to better assess clinical outcomes.

PMID:41557951 | DOI:10.2196/78311

JMIR Form Res. 2026 Jan 20;10:e59474. doi: 10.2196/59474.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tooth decay is an important public health concern affecting individuals of all ages. Dietary intake is critical to tooth decay prevention as both the types of foods and beverages consumed and how food and beverages are consumed (eg, frequency) can impact risk. Foods and beverages can both protect against and promote tooth decay.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore information targeted to the public on diet and tooth decay available from websites of professional organizations and regulatory bodies in Canada and the readability of this information.

METHODS: Canadian websites of regulatory bodies and professional organizations for dietitians, oral health professionals, nurses, and physicians in Canada were thoroughly searched by 2 researchers (MF and JL) from June to August 2020 for information related to diet and tooth decay targeted to the public. Web pages were downloaded and underwent content analysis using NVivo software (version 12; QSR International). For each website, approximately 2 web pages focused on diet and tooth decay were selected to undergo readability testing.

RESULTS: Overall, 213 web pages from 23 websites were found to contain information on diet and tooth decay. Of the 23 websites analyzed, 12 (52%) were from dental organizations, 7 (30%) from dental hygiene organizations, and only 1 (4%) from a dietitian organization. Messaging was present on numerous web pages focusing on diet and tooth decay and those that have other focuses (eg, oral hygiene tips for infants and children and general oral health tips). Messaging depth varied across all web pages, ranging from general advice (eg, consume a “healthy diet”) to specific recommendations (eg, amount of juice to consume per day). Many web pages targeted parents and school-aged children; fewer web pages targeted other age groups (eg, adolescents and older adults). Three major themes were identified: Foods, Beverages, and Behaviors to Limit; Foods, Beverages, and Behaviors to Choose; and Mixed and Other Unclear Messages. The most frequently discussed topic was sugar (mentioned in 67% of web pages). Sugar was often discussed in the context of limitation, infant feeding, and strategies for tooth-friendly consumption. The average Flesch-Kincaid grade level was 7.1 (SD 1.8), which exceeds the grade 6-level recommendation.

CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of web pages found that diet and tooth decay was heavily discussed throughout websites for Canadian health professional organizations, with many web pages targeting parents and school-aged children. The readability of many analyzed web pages was above the recommended grade 6 reading level. The development of comprehensive national guidelines related to diet and tooth decay would be helpful to ensure that consistent and clear messaging is available on this topic.

PMID:41557943 | DOI:10.2196/59474

Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2026 Jan 1;81(1):25-26. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000001486. Epub 2026 Jan 19.

ABSTRACT

Mitochondrial dysfunction can cause a multitude of systemic diseases, and thus, the origin of such dysfunction is of great interest to many clinicians and researchers. Part of mitochondrial dysfunction can be explained by mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which can be measured both in somatic and germline cells. As the average maternal age continues to increase, determining if mutations in mtDNA increase with age is an important aspect of reproductive health care. This study was designed to assess the frequency of de novo mutations in mtDNA in oocytes based on age, compared with the frequency of mutations in somatic cells. This study used high-quality, full-length mtDNA sequences for 22 individuals between the ages of 20 and 42, obtaining samples from blood, saliva, and oocytes. Duplex sequencing was used to identify variants in mtDNA; median mtDNA enrichment was 85.4%, 0.7%, and 4.0% and a median duplex consensus sequence (DCS) depth of 1440X, 78X, and 158X for oocytes, blood, and saliva, respectively. There were 3525 high-confidence variants identified across all samples. Across age groups and geographic regions, there were significantly fewer mutations in oocytes compared with blood and saliva. When predicting the probability of a mutation in mtDNA as a function of age, there were significant increases in mutation frequency in blood and saliva, but not in oocytes (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.688, respectively). Comparing different age groups, mutation frequency was higher in blood and saliva in older women compared with younger women, but there was no significant difference in oocyte mutation frequency. Within oocyte mtDNA, mutations were more frequent in the D-loop than in the “coding region” for each age group, consistent with previous literature. This remained true in several different analyses of regions of mtDNA, though no significant differences were found related to age. A total of 109 de novo mutations were located at confirmed disease-associated sites, with 32 variants in 29 positions. Lower proportions of disease-related mutations were present in oocytes compared with blood or saliva, suggesting preferential selection for oocytes against mutations. Hotspots for variants were identified in each type of cell, showing 58 sites overlapping between cell types; 40 of these were in the D-loop, 4 in rRNA, 4 in tRNA, and 10 in protein-coding regions. This supports the previous finding of high mutation frequency in the D-loop for oocytes. These results indicate that there is no increase in mutation frequency in oocytes as women age, though there was an increase in mutation frequency in both blood and saliva. This contrasts with previous literature in animal models that showed either continuous increases in mutation frequency with age or increases up to a certain age after which there was a plateau. The age group of this study was limited to 20-42, meaning that there could be an increase in mutation frequency that occurs either before or after this time period in humans. This is the first study to use duplex sequencing, and thus the most accurate to date in terms of pinpointing variants and mutation sites. Future research should focus on validating these results with similar methods as well as implementing duplex sequencing of pedigrees to form a more complete picture.

PMID:41557930 | DOI:10.1097/OGX.0000000000001486

Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2026 Jan 1;81(1):18-19. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000001482. Epub 2026 Jan 19.

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in the United States is estimated at 3%, with around 300,000 patients undergoing surgical correction of POP annually. Surgical correction of POP often includes hysterectomy, and a potential risk of this procedure is unexpected pathology. Previous literature has shown the risk of premalignancy or malignancy in patients having procedures for benign indications to be 0.22% to 2.6%; understanding this risk is important when counseling patients as well as when considering preservation of the uterus. There is limited evidence, however, surrounding the rate of abnormal pathology at POP repair for racially and ethnically diverse populations. Preliminary evidence has suggested that rates may be higher in racial or ethnic subgroups, and this study was designed to assess this possibility. The purpose of this study was to provide a rate for abnormal uterine, cervical, fallopian tube, and ovarian pathology in a diverse population of nononcologic patients undergoing surgery for symptomatic POP. This was a retrospective study using data from an urban academic medical center. Inclusion criteria were patients above the age of 18 undergoing hysterectomy for POP between January 2018 and June 2023. Exclusion criteria were a primary indication for hysterectomy that did not include POP, patients who did not have a hysterectomy, patients who only received care from a benign gynecologist, and patients who had a known premalignant or malignant gynecologic lesion. The final analysis included 229 patients without a known premalignancy or malignancy before hysterectomy for POP. This cohort included 36% Hispanic individuals, 17% non-Hispanic Black individuals, and 38% non-Hispanic White individuals. A total of 75% of patients were postmenopausal, and ~23% had experienced abnormal bleeding. Incidence of unexpected pathology was 1.7%. Patients with abnormal findings included 2 patients with endometrial carcinoma (1 non-Hispanic black, 1 non-Hispanic White) and 2 patients with cervical dysplasia (1 non-Hispanic White, 1 Hispanic). These results indicate that the rate of unexpected malignancy was 1.7% in this cohort, much higher than the expected rate of 0.9%. This risk estimate may be useful in counseling patients who desire uterine preservation when undergoing surgical reconstruction for POP. Previous recommendations have indicated that in asymptomatic individuals, endometrial biopsy or evaluation is not necessary due to the low risk of unexpected malignancy, but if there is suspicion, such as abnormal uterine bleeding, greater age, menopausal status, hypertension, anemia, or weight loss, then endometrial assessment should be considered. This study’s estimated risk of unexpected malignancy does not necessarily impact these recommendations, but does emphasize that care should be taken to assess all symptoms and counsel patients accordingly. Future research should focus on characterizing risks and benefits of uterine preservation in all ethnic and racial groups, and on estimating possible elevated risks in these groups.

PMID:41557925 | DOI:10.1097/OGX.0000000000001482

Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2026 Jan 1;81(1):12-14. doi: 10.1097/OGX.0000000000001485. Epub 2026 Jan 19.

ABSTRACT

The sex chromosome trisomies (SCT), including XXY, XYY, and XXX, are common chromosomal aneuploidies associated with increased risk for early developmental delays and later neurodevelopmental disorders. Precise data on the timing and variability of early milestones in this population remain limited, so despite rising rates of prenatal SCT diagnosis, clinicians and families lack clear, evidence-based expectations for early motor and language development. This study aims to quantify the spectrum of early developmental milestones in infants with SCT and compare their timing with well-established standards for unaffected children to better contextualize early developmental risk. This analysis used data from the eXtraordinarY Babies Natural History Study, a prospective cohort of prenatally identified infants with SCT followed from infancy through early childhood. Between 2 and 36 months of life, parents reported easily observable gross motor and expressive language milestones, and clinicians validated these findings at regularly scheduled study visits as part of a broader assessment of development and health trajectories. A total of 12 milestones were collected for each participant: 8 gross motor skills and 4 expressive communication milestones. To compare these values with a normative reference group, data were retrieved from the Denver II Scales, the WHO Motor Development Study, and the Primitive Reflex Profile. Analyses assessed the median age of acquisition, variance, and differences across SCT karyotypes, as well as the proportion of children who fell outside CDC milestone expectations. Among 298 infants with SCT (174 with XXY, 50 with XYY, and 74 with XXX), results showed a later median age of acquisition for 9 of the 12 milestones evaluated, including rolling front to back, sitting, cruising, walking, running, cooing, babbling, first words, and 2-word phrases. There was also greater variance in milestone timing for the SCT group compared with the reference population, with extended upper percentiles across most skills indicating a wider range of typical achievement. While these delays were statistically significant, there was considerable overlap between the SCT group and the general pediatric population, and only a minority of infants met the CDC criteria for developmental delay. Differences across SCT karyotypes were small and generally not significant, although children with XXY achieved several skills slightly earlier than those with XYY or XXX. These findings provide an evidence-based schedule for early motor and language milestones in infants with SCT to aid early childhood surveillance and counseling. The later median age of acquisition and greater variability observed across all SCT conditions support the need for periodic developmental assessment beyond guidelines for the general population to identify children requiring additional support earlier. Although many infants with SCT will experience developmental trajectories similar to unaffected peers, this study shows that they remain at higher developmental risk and may benefit from increased monitoring, clearer parent guidance, and earlier referral for intervention when indicated.(Abstracted from Pediatrics (2025) 156 (2): e2024068773. doi: 10.1542/peds.2024-068773.).

PMID:41557922 | DOI:10.1097/OGX.0000000000001485

Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2026 Jan 1;81(1):7-8. doi: 10.1097/01.ogx.0001179552.76476.7c. Epub 2026 Jan 19.

ABSTRACT

The number of births achieved through a gestational carrier has been increasing. Yet few studies have looked at the mental health outcomes for gestational carriers. Pregnancy increases vulnerability to mental illness, and population-based data suggest that gestational carriers have higher rates of severe maternal morbidity than women in traditional pregnancies. Current guidelines emphasize selecting gestational carriers with stable family supports and requiring psychological evaluation before pregnancy, as up to half of women with prior severe mental illness relapse during pregnancy or postpartum. Risk factors for gestational carriers include emotional separation from the newborn, relationships with intended parents, and societal scrutiny. The aim of this study was to assess the risk of new-onset mental illness among gestational carriers compared with women who conceived unassisted and those who conceived using in vitro fertilization (IVF). This was a population-based study of births >20 weeks of gestation in women between 18 and 50 years of age from 2012 through 2021 in a universal health care system in Ontario, Canada. Excluded were women with a history of an infertility diagnosis or prior mental illness, and a medical condition that would preclude them from selecting a gestational carrier. The primary outcome was new-onset mental illness, such as a mood disorder, anxiety disorder, psychosis, substance use disorder, self-harm event, or other mental illness, based on ≥2 outpatient visits or ≥1emergency department visit or hospital admission. A total of 767,406 pregnancies were included in the analysis. Of these, 97.6% were conceived unassisted, 2.3% conceived by IVF, and 0.1% used a gestational carrier. Gestational carriers were more likely to be parous [91.2% vs. 57.9% (unassisted conception) and 34.1% (IVF)] and live in lower-income areas [23.4% vs. 21.9% (unassisted) and 12.1% (IVF)]. They also have a higher rate of obesity [36.1% vs. 17% (unassisted) and 17.1% (IVF)] and chronic hypertension [3.2% vs. 1.6% (unassisted) and 2.9% (IVF)]. After a median (IQR) follow-up of 4.5 (2.3 to 7.2) years, new-onset mental illness occurred in 236 gestational carriers compared with 195,022 women who conceived unassisted [6.9 vs. 5.2 per 100 person-years; incidence rate ratios (IRRs), 1.43; 95% CI, 1.26 to 1.63) and with 4704 women receiving IVF (6.9 vs. 5.0 per 100 person-years; adjusted IRR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.47). The median (IQR) time from the estimated date of conception to a diagnosis of mental illness was 2.39 (1.11 to 4.19) years for gestational carriers versus 2.29 (1.02 to 4.34) years for those who conceived unassisted and 2.72 (1.11 to 4.82) years for those who used IVF. In conclusion, gestational carriers are more likely to be diagnosed with mental illness than women who conceive unassisted or use IVF. This study highlights the importance of enhanced mental health screening and support for gestational carriers.(Abstracted from: JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(7):e2523428.).

PMID:41557919 | DOI:10.1097/01.ogx.0001179552.76476.7c