Category: Statistics

J Int Med Res. 2025 Jan;53(1):3000605241311450. doi: 10.1177/03000605241311450.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the relationship between the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), a condition often caused by obesity, which remains unclear.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey among adults in the United States (US) aged 20 to 65 years, covering the periods 2005 to 2008 and 2015 to 2018. The study included 8278 participants; we used multivariate logistic regression, restricted cubic splines, and subgroup analyses to explore the relationship between WWI and OSA.

RESULTS: After adjusting for all covariates, each unit increase in WWI was associated with a 30% increase in OSA prevalence (odds ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval: 1.20-1.40).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that WWI, an index reflecting abdominal obesity, can provide important insights into OSA risk assessment. Its strong association with OSA highlights its potential utility in predicting OSA prevalence, particularly among diverse subpopulations. The WWI was associated with a higher prevalence of OSA among US adults and may serve as a valuable tool for risk assessment, early screening, and intervention strategies in clinical practice.

PMID:39840466 | DOI:10.1177/03000605241311450

Chron Respir Dis. 2025 Jan-Dec;22:14799731241310895. doi: 10.1177/14799731241310895.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) services are increasingly using alternative programme delivery modes, for example telerehabilitation strategies including videoconferencing, to improve patient choice and accessibility. Although telerehabilitation results in improvements in core outcomes, the effect on knowledge attainment is not known. Aim: To observe the real-world responses of patients choosing to undergo videoconference PR to a matched control group choosing to undergo in-person PR, in terms of knowledge attainment. Methods: Using propensity score matching, 25 people with COPD who completed videoconference PR were matched 1:1 with a control group of 25 people with COPD who completed in-person PR. Knowledge attainment was measured using the Lung Information Needs Questionnaire (LINQ). Results: There was a statistically and clinically significant improvement in LINQ score in both groups (mean (95%CI): videoconference -3.2 (-4.7 to -1.6); in-person -3.0 (-4.5 to -1.4)), with no significant between-group difference (mean (95%CI): 0.2 (-2.0 to -2.4)). 76% and 80% of participants achieved the minimal important difference of the LINQ in the videoconference and in-person PR groups respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, this real-world service evaluation indicates that videoconference PR may be associated with similar improvements in knowledge attainment as in-person PR, but this requires corroboration due to the small sample size.

PMID:39840462 | DOI:10.1177/14799731241310895

J Oral Rehabil. 2025 Jan 22. doi: 10.1111/joor.13937. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: For restorative demands, increased vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) is sometimes necessary, as facial changes can be perceptible.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the perception of facial change due to increased VDO and associated soft tissue changes using 3D-scanned facial images.

METHODS: Forty participants with healthy dentition and no loss of VDO were recruited. The VDO was increased by 2, 4, 6 and 8 mm on a semi-adjustable articulator after maxillomandibular impressions. Facebow transfers were taken for each participant to create a personalised device. 3D facial scans were taken with the mandibular occlusal device in place, creating facial capture files from frontal, lateral and anteroposterior views for each scanned data. Sixty evaluators were recruited to consecutively cross-compare maximal intercuspal captures with increased VDO. To evaluate soft tissue changes with increased VDO, facial measurements, total face height, lower face height, lip width, lip height and nasolabial angle were measured thrice in 3D scan images using computer-aided design software. Statistical analysis entailed one-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: A 4-mm increase in the VDO showed the highest perceptibility for facial change, varying among evaluator groups. Total face height, lower face height and nasolabial angle increased with VDO, while lip width and height decreased. Each soft tissue measurement differed significantly (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: For 3D-scanned facial changes, a 4-mm increase in VDO was the most perceptible difference. Increased VDO affects facial changes.

PMID:39840459 | DOI:10.1111/joor.13937

Radiol Oncol. 2025 Jan 22. doi: 10.2478/raon-2025-0004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to investigate the reduction of hematoma risk during MRI-guided breast biopsies by evaluating position-dependent intervention parameters and characteristics of the target lesion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 252 percutaneous MRI-guided breast biopsies performed at a single center between January 2013 and December 2023. Two groups were built depending on the severity of relative hematoma formation (using a cut-off ≤ 7.62 cm³ or > 7.62 cm³). Potential influencing variables were assessed, such as patient demographics, interventional parameters related to anatomical landmarks, and lesion characteristics. Fisher’s exact test and Mann-Whitney-U-Test were used to calculate the statistical difference between groups of categorical, dichotomous, and continuous variables. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the strongest association with relative hematoma formation.

RESULTS: The univariate analysis showed that relatively larger hematoma occurred significantly more frequently when the patients were younger (P = 0.002), the relative distances from the target lesion to the nipple (P = 0.001) as well as alongside the access path (P = 0.001) were greater and when the vacuum-assisted biopsy system was used in contrast to the Spirotome® (P = 0.035). Multivariable logistic regression analysis also showed that these were independently associated with the occurrence of relatively larger hematomas. Epinephrine in the local anesthetic, lesion location classified by specific quadrant, and pathological findings did not influence the extent of the hematoma.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings underscore the importance of strategic procedural planning to minimize hematoma occurrence and enhance patient safety during MRI-guided breast biopsy procedures.

PMID:39840427 | DOI:10.2478/raon-2025-0004

World J Pediatr Congenit Heart Surg. 2025 Jan 22:21501351241305129. doi: 10.1177/21501351241305129. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Double outlet right ventricle (DORV) is a challenging congenital cardiac lesion to surgically master. We utilize computed tomography-guided-three-dimensional (3D) modeling/printing and novel in-house software to delineate anatomical relationships providing operative insight into the surgical approach. Our intent is to highlight this and showcase our technology.

METHODS: We have created a repository of 3D heart reconstructions allowing for review of DORV patients. 3D intraoperative software anatomical manipulation and physical 3D prints were used to gain insight into DORV anatomy with the assistance of an on-site 3D Lab. The software used (Arc 3D Model Viewer) was designed in-house by our 3D Lab, tested and refined through ongoing use by our cardiothoracic surgery team. It allows for the subtraction and addition of anatomical structures and rotation in all axes. Clinicians can pan into the heart and determine specific anatomical boundaries and relationships.

RESULTS: From 2010 to 2023, our program operated on 71 patients with DORV and our 3D lab has reconstructed 29 3D-hearts. Reconstructions were analyzed using Arc 3D Model Viewer. 3D reconstructions were viewed in our care conferences and intraoperatively allowing for discussion and determination of the optimal operative approach. Overall survival for DORV patients was 96% (68/71) with two mortalities in patients who did not receive 3D reconstructions.

CONCLUSION: 3D reconstruction has allowed decision-making to be moved out of the operating room into the preoperative planning phase. 3D reconstruction is now standard for all DORV patients in our surgical service. We hope to demonstrate this technology with our newly developed Arc 3D Model Viewer and summarize our clinical results.

PMID:39840424 | DOI:10.1177/21501351241305129

JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2025 Jan 21;11:e53549. doi: 10.2196/53549.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Women and sexual minority individuals have been found to be at higher risk for experiencing poor sleep health compared to their counterparts. However, research on the sleep health of sexual minority women (SMW) is lacking in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine sleep quality and social support for Chinese women with varied sexual identities, and then investigate the in-depth relationships between sexual identity and sleep.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional web-based survey. All participants completed a structured questionnaire containing a set of sociodemographic items referring to the social-ecological model of sleep health, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Social Support Rating Scale, and social relationships and environment domains of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-abbreviated short version. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationship between sleep quality and social support as well as the two domains of quality of life. Structural equation modeling analysis was used to explore the social-ecological relationships.

RESULTS: A total of 250 cisgender heterosexual women (CHW) and 259 SMW were recruited from July to September 2021. A total of 241 (47.3%) women experienced poor sleep quality and the rate was significantly higher in SMW than in CHW (55.2% vs 39.2%, P<.001). Around one-fifth of SMW reported low levels of social support, which was significantly higher than that of CHW (21.6% vs 5.6%, P<.001). Pearson correlations showed that overall sleep quality was significantly negatively associated with social support with weak correlations (r=-0.26, P<.001). The final structural equation modeling analysis with satisfactory fit indices identified 6 social-ecological pathways, showing that alcohol use, objective support, utilization of support, and perceived social relationship and environment quality of life played important roles in the sleep quality of individuals from their sexual identity.

CONCLUSIONS: SMW experienced poorer sleep quality compared to CHW. Further research is recommended to address the modifiable factors affecting sleep and then implement tailored sleep improvement programs.

PMID:39840408 | DOI:10.2196/53549

ScientificWorldJournal. 2025 Jan 10;2025:7232779. doi: 10.1155/tswj/7232779. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Background: While polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) is widely used in orthodontic appliances such as clear aligners and retainers, there is limited experimental data assessing its performance under functional stresses, such as those encountered during dental movements and palatal expansion. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the ability of PETG thermoplastic material to withstand deformation under functional and expansion forces, specifically within the context of orthodontic applications. Subjects and Methods: To estimate the firmness of the screw within the appliance, a universal Instron testing machine was used to record the forces released by each activation of the expander within the upper part of 10 clear modified twin blocks (MTBs) made from PETG and compare it with that released by 10 conventional twin blocks (CTBs). On the other hand, to determine the ability of the thermoplastic appliance to withstand the deformation during functional forces, a three-point bending test was used to investigate the response of both appliances under static loading. Independent samples t-test was used to compare the differences between groups. Results: Both CTB and MTB groups follow the same pattern of increase and decrease in the amount of mean load with the CTB group line showing a considerably higher amount of mean load reaching the peak (334.5 N) at turn 25 of screw activation while the peak of mean load for MTB group was equal to 252.6 N at turn 23. There was a statistically significant difference between the CTB and MTB groups in the three-point bending test (p=0.001). However, both appliances did not deform at the required force. Conclusions: The MTB can withstand both required expansion and functional load without deformation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06116500.

PMID:39840371 | PMC:PMC11748742 | DOI:10.1155/tswj/7232779

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2025 Jan 21. doi: 10.1039/d4cp04056b. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mesoporous silica exhibits a diverse range of applications owing to its pore structure and inter-pore correlation. Consequently, quantitative characterization of its mesoscopic structure is extremely crucial to reciprocate its potential applications. In this work, we utilized the chemical and aerosol routes to successfully synthesize granular, porous silica with an average pore size in the range of ∼5-10 nm and different degrees of structural correlation among its pores. To delve into their structural morphology, we employed complementary characterization techniques, including X-ray scattering, electron microscopy, and gas adsorption. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to obtain statistically averaged quantitative information about their porous network. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to identify their morphology and positional ordering. The information from these three different techniques was indeed complementary in nature. Thus, combining the comparative results from the detailed analyses using scattering, imaging and gas adsorption techniques is effective in providing an overall quantitative understanding about the morphology and pore correlations in this type of porous material with diverse pore structures.

PMID:39836466 | DOI:10.1039/d4cp04056b

Ecol Lett. 2025 Jan;28(1):e70023. doi: 10.1111/ele.70023.

ABSTRACT

Experiments have long been the gold standard for causal inference in Ecology. As Ecology tackles progressively larger problems, however, we are moving beyond the scales at which randomised controlled experiments are feasible. To answer causal questions at scale, we need to also use observational data -something Ecologists tend to view with great scepticism. The major challenge using observational data for causal inference is confounding variables: variables affecting both a causal variable and response of interest. Unmeasured confounders-known or unknown-lead to statistical bias, creating spurious correlations and masking true causal relationships. To combat this omitted variable bias, other disciplines have developed rigorous approaches for causal inference from observational data that flexibly control for broad suites of confounding variables. We show how ecologists can harness some of these methods-causal diagrams to identify confounders coupled with nested sampling and statistical designs-to reduce risks of omitted variable bias. Using an example of estimating warming effects on snails, we show how current methods in Ecology (e.g., mixed models) produce incorrect inferences due to omitted variable bias and how alternative methods can eliminate it, improving causal inferences with weaker assumptions. Our goal is to expand tools for causal inference using observational and imperfect experimental data in Ecology.

PMID:39836442 | DOI:10.1111/ele.70023

Clin Cancer Res. 2025 Jan 21. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-2753. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Orvacabtagene autoleucel (orva-cel; JCARH125), a CAR T-cell therapy targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), was evaluated in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients in the EVOLVE phase 1/2 study (NCT03430011). We applied a modified piecewise model to characterize orva-cel transgene kinetics and assessed the impact of various covariates on its pharmacokinetics (PK).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The population PK analysis included 159 patients from the EVOLVE study. Traditional piecewise models, employing a first-order expansion rate with or without lag time followed by a bi-exponential contraction phase, were compared with a modified model incorporating a cell number-dependent expansion phase aligned with cellular physiology. Covariates assessed encompassed baseline demographics, dose levels (50 to 600 × 106 CD3+ CAR+ T cells), prior/concomitant medications, baseline disease burden, and anti-therapeutic antibody (ATA) status.

RESULTS: Traditional piecewise models failed to accurately describe maximum orva-cel transgene level (Cmax) and underestimated the time to Cmax (Tmax). Our modified model incorporating a cell number-dependent expansion rate outperformed traditional models by 1) more accurately capturing the cellular expansion phase, and 2) yielding a Tmax that closely matches observed values. Additionally, dose level, percentage of plasma cells in bone marrow, and treatment-induced ATA were identified as statistically significant covariates and associated with orva-cel expansion and/or persistence.

CONCLUSIONS: Orva-cel PK were adequately described by the modified piecewise model incorporating a cell number-dependent expansion phase, which aligns closely with T cell biology.

PMID:39836430 | DOI:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-2753