Category: Statistics

Hum Brain Mapp. 2025 Dec 15;46(18):e70415. doi: 10.1002/hbm.70415.

ABSTRACT

Language processing has been traditionally associated with a network of fronto-parietal and temporal regions in the left hemisphere. Nevertheless, the ‘right language network’ (frontal, temporal and parietal regions homologous to the left language network) and the ‘multiple-demand network’ (MDN) are often involved in verbal semantic processing as well; however their role remains poorly understood. This is in part due to the inconsistent engagement of these latter two networks across linguistic tasks. To explore the factors driving the recruitment of the right language network and MDN during verbal semantic processing, we conducted a large-scale Activation Likelihood Estimation meta-analysis of neuroimaging studies. We examined whether the right language network is influenced by verbal stimulus type (sentences/narratives versus single words/word pairs) and whether this may be due to differences in semantic control demands and/or the presence of social content in the stimuli. Additionally, we investigated whether MDN recruitment depends on external task demands rather than semantic control demands. Our main findings revealed greater engagement of the right language network during the semantic processing of sentence/narrative stimuli, with distinct regions reflecting different functions: increased semantic control demands recruit the right inferior frontal gyrus. Instead, social content processing during a semantic task engages the right anterior temporal lobe, as well as the right posterior middle temporal gyrus. Finally, semantic processing engages the MDN, but only when external task (rather than semantic) demands increase.

PMID:41422378 | DOI:10.1002/hbm.70415

Microsurgery. 2025 Dec;45(8):e70160. doi: 10.1002/micr.70160.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Minimally invasive techniques for DIEP flap harvest, including transabdominal (TAPP) and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) approaches, have been reported to be beneficial in reducing morbidity; however, direct comparative synthesis between these methods remains scarce, limiting consensus on the optimal approach.

METHOD: Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central for prospective and retrospective studies on robotic or laparoscopic DIEP harvest in breast reconstruction. Cadaveric studies and non-DIEP procedures were excluded. Primary operative outcomes included harvest time, type of robot, fascial incision length, intramuscular length, and intraoperative complications, while secondary clinical outcomes were postoperative complications, length of stay, and pain. A structured narrative synthesis was conducted using pooled descriptive data, without inferential statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Ten studies were included, including six describing TAPP harvest, two robotic TEP, and two laparoscopic TEP. Reported unilateral reconstruction times averaged 442.6 ± 63.4 min for TAPP and 460.3 ± 90.4 min for TEP, while bilateral procedures averaged 682.6 ± 115.1 min for TAPP compared with 453.0 ± 81.5 min for TEP. Fascial incisions were longer with TAPP (3.75 ± 1.34 cm) compared to TEP (2.59 ± 0.49 cm), and intramuscular pedicle dissection length was greater in TAPP (4.1 ± 0.7 vs. 2.25 ± 0.27 cm). No study reported bowel injury or postoperative ileus, and overall complication rates-including vessel avulsion, flap loss, infection, and seroma-were similar. Postoperative pain scores were 1.9 ± 0.9 in TAPP versus 2.3 ± 0.9 in TEP, while hospital stay averaged 3.9 ± 1.3 days for TAPP and 4.5 ± 0.9 days for TEP.

CONCLUSION: Both TAPP and TEP appear safe and effective for minimally invasive DIEP flap harvest. Trends suggest bilateral TAPP requires longer operative times, while TEP results in shorter fascial incisions and had shorter intramuscular pedicle lengths. Pain and complication rates were comparable, although study heterogeneity and small sample sizes limit generalizability. Larger, prospective comparative studies are essential to better define technique selection.

PMID:41422373 | DOI:10.1002/micr.70160

Environ Geochem Health. 2025 Dec 20;48(2):62. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02941-8.

ABSTRACT

Air pollution is a major public health concern, particularly for young children who are vulnerable to its adverse effects due to their developing respiratory and immune systems. This study assesses spatial exposure risks for early childhood development centers (ECDs) in Gauteng, South Africa, by analyzing their proximity to major pollution sources. Geographic information systems were used to conduct buffer analysis, kernel density estimation (KDE) and spatial autocorrelation analysis (Global Moran’s I) to identify pollution hotspots and potential clustering of ECDs located in high-risk areas. Statistically, the results showed significant spatial clustering of ECDs around pollution sources (Moran’s I > 0, p < 0.05). Using secondary data, results show that Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni have the highest number of ECDs in high-risk zones, despite Tshwane having the most pollution sources. This highlights that exposure is not solely determined by the number of pollution sources but is influenced by spatial distribution and urban density. Integration of Sentinel-5P satellite NO₂ and SO₂ data further validated the pollution exposure patterns, with elevated NO₂ and SO₂ concentrations observed along dense urban and industrial corridors, aligning with KDE-identified clusters. Sedibeng showed lower pollutant levels and more unexposed ECDs, suggesting that urban planning and source dispersion may mitigate exposure risks. A risk map developed by overlaying KDE outputs of pollution sources and ECDs highlighted critical hotspots requiring urgent intervention. Overall, the results suggest that pollution exposure is influenced more by population density and spatial distribution of pollution sources than by the sheer number of pollution sources. These findings underscore the need for targeted environmental health interventions in areas with high exposure risk. Moreover, established buffer zones around pollution sources can support safer spatial planning of ECDs.

PMID:41422363 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02941-8

Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025 Dec 20. doi: 10.1007/s40368-025-01148-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the distribution and risk factors of oral inclusion cysts (OICs) at birth, estimate the prognosis and analyse the impact on breastfeeding and tooth eruption in the first year-of-life.

METHODS: A birth cohort study was conducted at Canoas University Hospital, southern Brazil, including 1181 mother-child dyads. Oral inclusion cysts were assessed at the hospital shortly after birth. Data on feeding practices and tooth eruption were collected at 6 and 12 months. A second clinical examination was performed at 12 months. Poisson regression with robust variance was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The prevalence of OICs at birth was 72.4% (95% CI 69.7-75.1%), with no significant differences across maternal or infant characteristics. Oral inclusion cysts had no impact on breastfeeding in the first hour of life or at 30 days (RR = 1.45; 95% CI 0.90-2.35), nor on the timing of tooth eruption (RR = 0.90; 95% CI 0.79-1.02). At 12 months, the prevalence of OICs was 1.5%.

CONCLUSION: OICs are common, transient findings in early infancy and do not affect breastfeeding or the eruption of primary teeth. Training healthcare professionals to recognise their benign nature can help prevent unnecessary treatments.

PMID:41422353 | DOI:10.1007/s40368-025-01148-w

Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 20. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-33485-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this exploratory study, we investigated longitudinal changes in whole, luminal, and stromal choroidal thickness (CT) during pregnancy and the postpartum period using widefield swept-source optical coherence tomography. Ten eyes of five healthy pregnant women were examined monthly from mid-pregnancy to delivery and, when possible, at least 1 year postpartum. CT was measured over a 20 × 23 mm area centered on the fovea and was analyzed using a grid of three concentric subfields defined by circles measuring 3, 9, and 18 mm in diameter. At 5 months’ gestation, the mean central CT was 258 ± 35 μm. For the right eye, the mean CT within the entire 18-mm circle showed a nonsignificant increase between 4 and 5 months of gestation (P = 0.078), followed by a significant decrease between 5 and 9 months (P = 0.038). After delivery, the choroid became thicker again, although this change was not statistically significant (P = 0.117). All subfields showed similar fluctuations. Thickness recovered partially postpartum, mainly reflecting changes in the luminal rather than in the stromal component. These findings suggest that pregnancy induces dynamic, reversible vascular changes in the choroid, which may reflect ocular adaptations to systemic circulatory alterations.

PMID:41422329 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-33485-7

Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 20. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-27886-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Modeling using statistical methods as ANOVA and design expert help in predicting, improving, and perfecting a system’s behavior by integration between all experimental data and different parameters, in addition to it doesn’t consume time or materials as the other techniques statistically independence. It investigates the adsorption effectiveness of mullite nanoparticles (MNPs) in removing methyl red dye (acid red 2) as azo benzene derivative dye. Many parameters as pH, dose, contact duration, and dye concentration were studied. The crystal structure, morphology, nanoscale and surface area of the adsorbent MNPs material were investigated using X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and transmission electron microscopy methods. The adsorbent had high crystallinity with particles size of 5 to 25 nm and an average equal 12.3 nm. In addition, it had mesoporous characteristics with high surface area (an average pore size of 7.224 nm, 93.71 m²/g of surface area, and 0.426 cm³/g of pore volume). Its contact angle is 115.3, which explains its hydrophobic character. By using a dosage of 0.05 g at pH 4, for 10 min and 800 rpm, more than 99% removal was achieved. Application of the adsorption isotherm and Kinetics, it follows pseudo-2nd order and the DKR isotherm of the removal procedure.

PMID:41422326 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-27886-x

Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 20. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-30630-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Obesity significantly contributes to insulin resistance and type 2 mellitus diabetes (T2DM), with both environmental and genetic factors influencing metabolic risk. Apolipoprotein A1 (APOA1), a key regulator of lipid metabolism, has genetic variants such as rs5069 that may affect metabolic profiles. This study investigated the association between APOA1 (rs5069) polymorphism and metabolic risk among euglycemic and T2DM obese individuals compared to healthy controls. Three hundred participants were enrolled and divided into healthy controls, euglycemic obese, and T2DM obese groups. Demographic, biochemical, and metabolic parameters including fasting blood sugar (FBS), HbA1c, lipid profile, HOMA-IR, TyG index, TyG-BMI, and METS-IR were assessed. APOA1 (rs5069) genotyping was conducted. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, chi-square tests, and principal component analysis (PCA). Obese individuals, particularly those with T2DM, showed significantly elevated insulin resistance markers, dyslipidemia, and metabolic indices (p < 0.001) compared to controls. The A allele of APOA1 (rs5069) was more frequent among obese participants. However, no significant differences in metabolic markers were observed among GG, GA, and AA genotypes within either obese group. PCA showed that metabolic variability was driven primarily by insulin resistance and lipid variables rather than genotype. While APOA1 (rs5069) genotype distribution varied across groups, it did not independently impact metabolic risk. Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia are the main contributors to metabolic disturbances in obesity, supporting the utility of non-invasive markers for early risk assessment.

PMID:41422312 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-30630-0

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Dec 20. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-03687-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is closely associated with cardiometabolic abnormalities. However, the role of a comprehensive index integrating multiple cardiometabolic parameters in OSA risk assessment remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential association between the Cardiometabolic Index (CMI) and OSA risk in a large-scale population cohort.

METHODS: Data were derived from the 2005-2008 and 2015-2018 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), with a total of 39,722 participants included. OSA was defined using self-reported indicators (e.g., daytime sleepiness, nocturnal choking/snoring) rather than objective criteria such as polysomnography (PSG). Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between CMI and OSA. Segmented regression and non-linear models were constructed to verify the non-linear relationship between the two variables. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to validate the stability of the results, and finally, subgroup analysis was conducted to investigate heterogeneity across different populations.

RESULTS: The study found a potential association between elevated CMI and OSA. Multivariate adjusted regression analysis showed that in Model 3, the continuous CMI variable was significantly associated with OSA risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.014, P = 0.024), and the OSA risk in the Q4 group (highest CMI quartile) was significantly higher than that in the Q1 group (lowest CMI quartile) (OR = 1.272, P < 0.001), showing a linear upward trend. The threshold for the association between CMI and OSA was 2.03: when CMI < 2.03, the OR was 1.50 (P < 0.001), while no statistically significant association was observed when CMI exceeded this threshold, indicating a significant “inverted L-shaped” non-linear relationship between the two. After PSM, the OSA risk in the Q4 group was 1.174 times that in the Q1 group (P = 0.018). Subgroup analysis revealed that the association between CMI and OSA might be stronger in populations without hypertension or stroke, especially among females.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found a non-linear positive association between CMI and OSA risk. Specifically, the OSA risk in the Q4 group was significantly higher than that in the Q1 group (OR = 1.272, P < 0.001). Additionally, the association was more prominent in young people, females, and populations without hypertension or stroke. These findings suggest that CMI may serve as a convenient indicator for early screening, particularly applicable to high-risk OSA populations with metabolic disorders. The results of this study provide a new perspective for public health interventions and clinical risk assessment of OSA.

PMID:41422298 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-025-03687-w

Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 20. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-32553-2. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41422285 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-32553-2

Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 20. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-32758-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oral hyaluronan has been reported to improve various aspects of skin physiology, but existing trials often lack methodological rigor, comprehensive outcome assessment, and diverse populations. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effects of sodium hyaluronate (SH) supplementation at two daily doses on skin parameters in healthy Caucasian adults. A total of 150 participants were randomized to receive SH (1.8 MDa) at 60 mg/day (SH60), 120 mg/day (SH120), or placebo for 12 weeks. Facial hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum, elasticity, wrinkle depth, skin gloss, colorimetric parameters, epidermal thickness, dermal density, red areas, and pore size were assessed at baseline and monthly. Subjective skin condition was evaluated every two weeks, and components of natural moisturizing factor (NMF) in forearm skin were quantified by LC-MS/MS. SH120 significantly enhanced skin hydration and elasticity, while reducing TEWL, sebum, and periorbital wrinkle depth versus placebo. It also improved skin structure by increasing epidermal thickness, dermal density, and NMF levels. SH60 showed similar but more modest effects. No changes were observed for colorimetric parameters, red areas, pore size, or gloss. In conclusion, oral SH supplementation improved multiple aspects of skin physiology, supporting its use as a functional food ingredient with measurable benefits for skin health and healthy aging.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT07065110 (retrospectively registered on 15 Jul 2025); EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) registry: EFSA202400027979 (prospectively filed on 06 Jun 2024).

PMID:41422283 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-32758-5