Category: Statistics

Arch Med Res. 2026 Apr 8;57(5):103415. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2026.103415. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Down syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability, results from trisomy 21 (T21). T21 can be regular or due to translocation, isochromosome, or mosaicism, among other chromosomal alterations. In Mexico, frequencies of these chromosomal variants reported internationally are used; therefore, national data are necessary.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequencies of cytogenetic findings in patients with DS referred to a research center in western Mexico over the past 31 years (1993-2024).

METHODS: Physical and digital records from the cytogenetics laboratory were reviewed to extract data from patients who were clinically diagnosed with DS, including date of birth, age at diagnosis, parental age at birth, Mexican state of origin, and karyotype. Descriptive statistics and a non-parametric test were used.

RESULTS: 3,238 patients were identified, of whom 3,124 were confirmed to have T21. Of those 94.17% had regular T21; 2.72% had T21 by Robertsonian translocation; 1.54% were mosaic; 0.93% had T21 by isochromosome; and 0.64% had T21 with other chromosomal alterations. Of the patients without T21, 105 had a normal karyotype without alterations, and nine showed other chromosomal alterations, mainly sex aneuploidies. The patients’ age at diagnosis was 1 year (ranging from newborn to 28 years), with maternal and paternal ages both averaging 34 years old (13-49 years and 15-69 years, respectively).

CONCLUSION: These findings align with international reports but differ slightly from local data, possibly due to sample size. This is the largest study of T21 chromosomal variant frequencies in the Mexican population.

PMID:41955674 | DOI:10.1016/j.arcmed.2026.103415

Nat Prod Res. 2026 Apr 9:1-11. doi: 10.1080/14786419.2026.2654631. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The root of Bupleurum scorzonerifolium (BSR) is a commonly used traditional Chinese medicine for treating fever, hepatitis, depression, etc. Currently, cultivated BSR has been widely used in clinical practice. However, its chemical components have not been systematically studied, and quality indicators remain unclear. In this study, the chemical composition of 13 batches of cultivated BSR was analysed using GC-MS and UPLC-Q-TOF/MS. A total of 89 volatile components and 68 non-volatile components were identified. Through multivariate statistical analysis, 11 chemical components with VIP > 1, p < 0.05, FC > 1 or FC < 0.5 were selected as potential markers. The quantitative methods for 3 volatile components (decyl acetate, dodecanal, and 1-dodecanol) and 3 saikosaponins (saikosaponins a, b₂, and c) were established using GC-MS and HPLC, respectively. These six components can serve as indicators for assessing the quality of cultivated BSR. These findings provide a theoretical basis for establishing a quality evaluation system for cultivated BSR and guiding its clinical application.

PMID:41955640 | DOI:10.1080/14786419.2026.2654631

Obstet Gynecol. 2026 Apr 9. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000006281. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate how epilepsy and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) affect contraceptive provision among females with Medicaid insurance.

METHODS: We obtained Medicaid claims data from 2016-2021 for females aged 12-51 years. We excluded individuals with diagnosis codes for menopause and those who underwent sterilization in 2016-2017. Using a validated definition of epilepsy, we identified females who met the criteria for epilepsy in 2016-2017, and we identified a comparison group of females enrolled in 2016-2017 who never met the criteria for epilepsy. We used International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes from previous claims studies to determine IDD diagnoses. We ascertained contraceptive prescriptions from 2018-2021. To evaluate the effects of epilepsy and IDD and their interaction on contraceptive prescription, we performed a multivariable logistic regression for prescription of any contraceptive method from 2018-2021. We performed similar logistic regressions for prescription of individual contraceptive methods from 2018-2021 among females prescribed any method of contraception.

RESULTS: Our final sample included 207,699 females with epilepsy and 3,573,052 females without epilepsy. The logistic regression for contraceptive prescription showed that, compared with females who did not have epilepsy or IDD, females with epilepsy were significantly more likely to be prescribed any contraceptive method (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.05, 95% CI, 1.04-1.06, P<.007), females with IDD were significantly less likely to be prescribed any contraceptive method (aOR, 0.57, 0.56-0.58, P<.007), and there was intermediate likelihood of contraceptive provision to females with co-occurring epilepsy and IDD (aOR, 0.83, 95% CI, 0.81-0.85, P<.007). There were statistically significant differences in prescription patterns for specific contraceptives among females with epilepsy alone, IDD alone, co-occurring epilepsy and IDD, and neither epilepsy nor IDD.

CONCLUSION: Epilepsy has a small and statistically significant effect on contraceptive prescription for females with Medicaid insurance, even when adjusting for confounders. There is a statistically significant interaction between epilepsy and IDD that affects overall contraceptive prescriptions and prescriptions for specific methods.

PMID:41955623 | DOI:10.1097/AOG.0000000000006281

JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2026 Apr 9;12:e81746. doi: 10.2196/81746.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Vaccination in early childhood is essential to prevent serious infectious diseases and protect community health. In the United States, 7 vaccines (diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis; polio; measles, mumps, and rubella; Haemophilus influenzae type b; hepatitis B; varicella; and pneumococcal conjugate) are recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for children aged 19-35 months, along with 3 others (hepatitis A, influenza, and rotavirus), which are recommended for full protection. Despite these guidelines, recent measles outbreaks in the United States have drawn attention to persistent gaps in coverage.

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study explores immunization patterns among children aged 19-35 months using provider-verified data from the National Immunization Survey-Child between 2010 and 2023.

METHODS: Survey-weighted logistic regression models were used to assess associations between vaccination status and social determinants of health, including child age group, maternal education, insurance status, birth order, and region. Separate survey-weighted logistic regression models were fit for each survey year from 2010 to 2023. We considered the complex survey design to calculate vaccination coverage rates and their CIs, accounting for clustering and stratification in the sampling methodology. A composite variable was created to measure full coverage of the 7 recommended vaccines, and within each year, models were estimated separately for each individual vaccine and for the 7-vaccine series composite outcome to identify vaccine-specific barriers to immunization.

RESULTS: Provider-verified response rates declined from 70.8% (17004/24013) in 2010 to 47.7% (18412/38619) in 2023, although the analytic sample size remained stable. Coverage for the Combined 7-Vaccine Series increased from 70.8% (11893/16798) in 2010 to 77.4% (13957/18032) in 2023. Older age was consistently associated with higher odds of complete vaccination (2010: odds ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% CI 1.02-1.19; 2023: OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.13-1.35), whereas lack of insurance and Hispanic origin were associated with lower uptake for selected vaccines. In 2022, uninsured children had 26% lower odds of complete vaccination compared with insured children (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.65-0.84). Higher income-to-poverty ratio was consistently associated with increased vaccination uptake, including influenza vaccination in 2020 (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.13-1.39). Regional and language-related disparities persisted across survey years.

CONCLUSIONS: Persistent socioeconomic and structural gradients in childhood vaccination coverage highlight the need for equity-focused immunization strategies that address insurance access, language barriers, and geographic disparities.

PMID:41955615 | DOI:10.2196/81746

JMIR Infodemiology. 2026 Apr 9;6:e74440. doi: 10.2196/74440.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental disorders, especially attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), have seen a marked rise in public attention, yet research on public opinion remains limited. Social media analysis offers real-time, unfiltered insights into public perceptions, enabling empirical examination of public attitudes and opinions.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the evolution of public opinion on ADHD and ASD between 2009 and 2023 by analyzing posts from X (formerly known as Twitter; X Corp), comparing perceptions across English and Spanish languages and against other mental health conditions.

METHODS: Posts mentioning keywords related to ADHD and ASD and control conditions (eg, depression, anxiety, insomnia, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, suicide, and substance use disorders) were collected from X between 2009 and 2023. The dataset included posts in both English and Spanish. Machine learning algorithms were then applied to classify post content into predefined categories, including volume of posts, engagement, personal experiences, trivialization, perceived causes, and perceived treatability. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used to assess for differences by language. Descriptive statistics were presented using tables and graphical representations.

RESULTS: A total of 852,990 posts were analyzed, including 511,510 (59.97%) in English and 341,480 (40.03%) in Spanish. Overall, post volume on mental health conditions increased across the study period. In English, posts about ADHD (97,084/511,510, 18.98%) and ASD (74,619/511,510, 14.59%) were among the most frequent, while of the 341,480 Spanish posts, there were 49,475 (14.49%) ASD posts, significantly outnumbering ADHD posts (n=18,223, 5.34%; chi-square test P<.001). Engagement analysis indicated a notable increase in likes and reposts per post over time, particularly after 2019, with ADHD-related posts in English experiencing peak engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, ASD posts had comparatively lower engagement across languages. Posts sharing personal experiences were more polarized in Spanish, with higher proportions of negative and positive experiences compared with English posts. Trivialization of mental illnesses was less common in Spanish posts than in English posts, particularly for ADHD (17,053/18,223, 93.59%; chi-square test P<.001) and ASD (41,933/49,475, 84.73%; chi-square test P<.001). User-perceived causes included multifactorial factors, biological or genetic factors, substance use, psychological susceptibility, acute psychosocial stressors, and COVID-19. Perceived treatability varied by language but consistently included high perceived incurability, limited improvement despite professional help, and low perceived self-manageability except for anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of social media discourse showed that ADHD attracted higher post volumes, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, often described with multifactorial causes including substance use and genetics. ASD consistently received lower engagement. Both language groups showed low trivialization, awareness of the chronicity of the illness, and limited support for the self-management of mental health conditions. These findings underscore social media’s value for capturing direct public perceptions to guide future educational and intervention efforts.

PMID:41955613 | DOI:10.2196/74440

Wiad Lek. 2026;79(2):425-432. doi: 10.36740/WLek/218722.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To content analysis the problem of thyroid disorders and thyroid gland pathology among adults in Ukraine and Ternopil region.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research was conducted during 2021-2025 in several stages on the base of scientific literature about endocrine system disorders. At the theoretical stage, the state of problem development in the scientific literature of oiodine deficiency was studied. 75 scientific papers were used for the analysis, which were searched for using the following keywords: goitre, hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, thyroiditis, iodine deficiency. Statistical data was also collected and analyzed on the incidence of iodine deficiency disorders among the adult population of Ukraine, particularly in the Ternopil region. International manuscripts and articles on the problem of oiodine deficiency diseases were studied also, such as: Diffuse goitre, Nodular goitre, Hypothyroidism, Postoperative hypothyroidism, Thyrotoxicosis, Thyroiditis; Ukraininan experience was analyzed and generalized.

CONCLUSION: Conclussions: The reason for iodine deficiency is the consequences of the Chernobyl accident and negative state of the environment due to a natural deficiency of iodine and other elements. The scientific report shows the need to inform about preventive and health-improving measures among the adult population, depending on regional characteristics.

PMID:41955604 | DOI:10.36740/WLek/218722

Wiad Lek. 2026;79(2):346-354. doi: 10.36740/WLek/217851.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To evaluate the anticancer, apoptotic, and antioxidant effects of Alo on A549 cells, both alone and in combination with CP, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the death of cancer cells.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The American Type Culture Collection’s (ATCC) normal HBL100 cells and human lung A549 cells were used in the investigation. The cells were split into four groups. Following a 72-hour incubation period, ELISA assays were used to quantify the levels of the DPP-4 enzyme, apoptotic regulators (Bax and caspase-3), and oxidative stress marker (malondialdehyde) in lung cancer cell and normal cell lines. One-way ANOVA with significance set at P < 0.05 were used in the statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Results: The findings showed that Alo reduced the activity of the DPP-4 enzyme in both cell lines (P < 0.0001). Molecular analysis showed a considerable increase in pro-apoptotic markers (BAX, Caspase-3). Higher amounts of malondialdehyde were indicative of increased oxidative stress in both monotherapy and combination. But in HBL 100 cells, Alo decreased BAX, caspase-3, and MDA levels.

CONCLUSION: ConclusionS: Alo has caused cancer cell death through a variety of mechanisms, such as DPP4 inhibition, apoptotic pathway activation, and oxidative stress enhancement based on DPP-4, BAX, caspase-3, and MDA measurements.

PMID:41955594 | DOI:10.36740/WLek/217851

Wiad Lek. 2026;79(2):336-345. doi: 10.36740/WLek/218724.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study the structural features of vascular plexuses of the cerebral ventricles at different stages of ontogenesis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The results of the study were obtained by examining the vascular plexuses of the ventricles of the human brain. Brain specimens from people aged up to 86 years were examined. Macro-, micro- and submicroscopic, light-optical, and statistical methods were used to establish the morphological features of the structure and innervation and to identify the nerve-receptor apparatus of the vessels and tissue substrate of the vascular plexuses of the human brain ventricles at different stages of ontogenesis.

RESULTS: Results: Research has shown that the vascular plexuses of the ventricles of the human brain consist of epithelium and connective tissue with a large number of blood vessels. The plexus has villous and non-villous parts. The epithelium is represented by light and dark cells of cubic and flattened shape. The stroma of the vascular p lexus consists of collagen fibrils, protofibrils, and fibers enclosed in the ground substance. Fibroblasts are located here singly and in groups. A large number of microvilli and cilia are found on the apical surface of epithelial cells. The nuclei of epithelial cells are located near the basement membrane of the epithelium and can take on various shapes. Contacts between epithelial cells are most often in the form of tight junctions. A small number of macrophages and mast cells are found at the border with epithelial cells. It should be noted that vascular plexuses, in terms of vascularization, are organs with dual blood supply (trophic and functional). The basis of the vascular plexus is formed by blood vessels, which, after entering the thickness of the plexus, branch off from the main vessels running along the plexus into a microcirculatory bed with a highly complex structure. We have established that the diameters of microvessels undergo changes during ontogenesis that correlate with changes in the plexus itself, occurring simultaneously with the development of the brain.

CONCLUSION: Conclussions: The basis of the vascular plexuses of the cerebral ventricles is formed by a collection of blood vessels – from muscular arteries to capillaries, which come into contact with the ependymal epithelium in the villi of the plexus. The microcirculatory bed is adapted to its connective tissue environment and is closely functionally related to the epithelium of the vascular organ. Capillaries with polar arrangement of fenestrated endothelial cells on the side of the vascular plexus epithelium predominate, indicating their active transport function and participation in the function of the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier as part of the blood-brain barrier. Microvessels undergo changes during ontogenesis that correlate with changes in the plexus itself, which occur simultaneously with the development of the brain and reflect the functional loads of the vascular plexus.

PMID:41955593 | DOI:10.36740/WLek/218724

Wiad Lek. 2026;79(2):328-335. doi: 10.36740/WLek/218720.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study the dynamics of morphofunctional development indicators in female cadets – future law enforcement officers – in the process of engaging in various types of motor activity during their academic training.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research involved 56 female cadets in their first to third training years. Two groups of female cadets were formed: an experimental group (EG, n = 27), whose members attended the university’s CrossFit sports club, and a control group (CG, n = 29), whose members did not engage in additional sports activities, but only participated in the traditional program during their sporting and mass-participation activities (SMPAs). Research methods: theoretical methods, biomedical methods, statistical methods.

RESULTS: Results: It was found that in female cadets who practiced CrossFit, all the parameters studied were significantly (p ≤ 0.05-0.001) better at the end of the research than in female cadets who practiced using the traditional SMPAs method by the BMI – 1.07 kg/m2, the SI – 4.36 %, the VI – 4.14 ml/kg, the RI – 2.99 c. u., HRRI – 7.4 s, HSTI – 6.8 c. u., PWC – 103.1 kgm/min, BF – by 0.4 %, and SHL – by 3.16 points. The analysis of the dynamics of the studied indicators during the academic training period showed that in the EG, unlike the CG, all studied indicators have a stable tendency to improve.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The data we obtained indicate that CrossFit training sessions effectively contribute to the improvement of the morphofunctional development of female cadets during their academic training for future law enforcement activities.

PMID:41955592 | DOI:10.36740/WLek/218720

Wiad Lek. 2026;79(2):281-288. doi: 10.36740/WLek/214411.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To study changes in the length of the anterior talo-fibular ligament (ATFL) by measuring it before and during manual inversion loading in the presence of symptoms of chronic ankle-foot joint instability.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in patients of two age groups: 20-29 and 30-39 years. The length of the ligament was determined sonographically in the neutral position and in the position of maximum inversion.

RESULTS: Results: According to the results of the study, the average length of the uninjured ATFL in men in the neutral position was 19.08±0.3 mm. With inversion loading, the length of the ligament increased to 19.65±0.3 mm. In women, the average length of the uninjured ATFL in the neutral position was 16.92±0.2 mm, with inversion loading – 17.37±0.2 mm. With joint instability, the average length of the ATFL on the side of the injury in the neutral position was 19.13±0.36 mm, with inversion loading – 20.35±0.44 mm. The statistical difference in the length of the ATFL between the neutral position and inversion loading on the side of the injury was 1.25±0.04 mm (p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The results of our study show that sonography with inversion loading is a highly sensitive, specific, and accurate imaging method that can be used to diagnose chronic ankle-foot joint instability.

PMID:41955587 | DOI:10.36740/WLek/214411