Category: Statistics

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 4. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-34849-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The rapid evolution of urban demographics necessitates advanced predictive modeling to optimize rail transit capacity and reliability. This study presents a novel age-sensitive demand forecasting and anomaly detection framework for Istanbul’s urban rail network, utilizing a comprehensive dataset of 721,328 passenger-trip records collected between 2021 and 2023. By engineering eleven spatiotemporal and transactional features, passengers are classified into four distinct age cohorts (< 20, 20-30, 30-60, 60+) to capture diverse mobility behaviors. The methodological approach benchmarks four classical linear classifiers, three gradient-boosting decision trees, and a tabular deep learning model (SAINT) against a proposed two-stage hybrid ensemble. This hybrid architecture integrates the deep representational capability of the SAINT Transformer with the categorical robustness of CatBoost, employing a stacking strategy enriched with calibrated uncertainty meta-features (entropy and maximum confidence). Rigorous evaluation using a chronological hold-out protocol demonstrates that the proposed ensemble establishes a new state-of-the-art performance, achieving a peak accuracy of 91.94% and a ROC-AUC of 0.9910, significantly surpassing the standalone SAINT (90.12%) and CatBoost (74.78%) baselines. The statistical significance of this enhancement is confirmed via McNemar’s test (p < 0.001), while five-fold time-series cross-validation verifies generalization stability. Furthermore, an unsupervised anomaly detection mechanism is introduced, achieving a ROC-AUC of 0.77 in distinguishing irregular latent patterns through synthetic perturbation validation. Post-hoc SHAP analysis elucidates the model’s decision-making dynamics, revealing that cumulative usage frequency primarily drives predictions for the working-age population, whereas consistent solo travel behavior characterizes the senior demographic. Consequently, this work delivers a robust, highly calibrated, and interpretable solution for intelligent transportation planning, offering actionable insights for real-time capacity management and operational resilience.

PMID:41486208 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-34849-9

J Orthop Surg Res. 2026 Jan 4. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-06622-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effect of medical ozone therapy on fracture healing in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 20 male Wistar-Albino rats were randomly divided into two groups as Control Group (n = 10) and Ozone Group (n = 10). The fracture model was created by bilateral femur transverse osteotomy and fixation with an intramedullary Kirschner wire. No medical treatment was applied to the control group, whereas Ozone gas at a dose of 1 cc/kg at a concentration of 20 µg/ml was administered intraperitoneally to the ozone group for 8 weeks. All groups were sacrificed at the end of the 8th week. Radiological examination was performed by direct radiography of all femurs. The left femurs of both groups were examined histopathologically (Hematoxylin-Eosin), immunohistochemically (BMP-7, Osteocalcin, Osteopontin, TRAP) and histochemically (Masson Trichrome). Biomechanical (3-point bending test) analysis was performed on the right femurs. The liver and kidneys were also examined histopathologically.

RESULTS: Radiographic (p = 0.008) and histopathological (p = 0.001) examinations revealed that fracture healing scores of the Ozone Group were significantly inferior compared to the Control Group. In the immunohistochemical examination, the positivity scores of BMP-7 (p = 0.009), Osteocalcin (p = 0.001) and Osteopontin (p = 0.023) were statistically significantly lower in the Ozone group compared to the control group, while the TRAP (p = 0.016) positivity score was significantly higher. In histochemical examination, Masson Trichrome positivity was found to be significantly lower in the Ozone group compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Biomechanical analysis revealed that fracture healing was lower in the Ozone group compared to the Control group in parameters Yield Force (p = 0.012), Yield at Elongation (p = 0.030), Maximum Force (p = 0.009), Maximum Elongation (p = 0.023), Maximum Stress (p = 0.045). As a result of the examination of possible side effects on liver (p = 1.000) and kidney (p = 0.181), no statistically significant difference was found between the groups.

CONCLUSION: Medical ozone therapy demonstrated a detrimental effect on fracture union, as evidenced by inferior radiological, histopathological, immunohistochemical, histochemical, and biomechanical outcomes. These findings indicate that systemic ozone treatment may adversely influence bone healing processes.

PMID:41486165 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-025-06622-1

BMC Geriatr. 2026 Jan 5. doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-06793-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health inequality is a global issue, with a particularly significant impact on older adults. In China, differences in the urban administrative hierarchy may lead to uneven allocation of public resources, resulting in the concentration of public resources in cities with higher administrative hierarchies and, consequently, health inequality among older adults. Therefore, this study aims to explore the relationship between urban administrative hierarchies and older adults’ subjective physical and mental health, while also analyzing the role of resource allocation mechanisms in shaping this dynamic.

METHODS: This study utilizes data from the China Family Panel Studies, the China City Statistical Yearbook, and the China Urban Construction Statistical Yearbook, employing a multi-dimensional fixed effects model, incorporating province, individual, and time variables, to evaluate the impact of the urban administrative hierarchy on the subjective physical and mental health inequality of older adults. The study considers medical and environmental resources as potential mediating variables and explores the moderating role of marketization.

RESULTS: The findings reveal a positive correlation between the urban administrative hierarchy and older adults’ subjective physical and mental health, with those in cities with higher administrative hierarchies enjoying higher quality of life and subjective health levels. This is primarily due to cities with higher administrative hierarchies owning medical and environmental resources. Furthermore, the level of marketization has a positive moderating effect on the positive relationship between urban administrative hierarchy and older adults’ mental health, but has no significant impact on physical health. Heterogeneity analysis by region and age indicates that the impact of the urban administrative hierarchy on the physical and mental health of older adults is more pronounced in economically less developed regions and among younger elderly individuals.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the inequalities in the subjective physical and mental health of older adults across cities with different administrative hierarchies in China. By providing more resources, cities with higher administrative hierarchies can significantly improve older adults’ life quality and subjective health. Meanwhile, marketization further strengthens the positive impact of urban administrative hierarchy on mental health. By introducing the urban administrative hierarchy as a macro-level political system into the study of individual health disparities, this research not only expands the analytical perspective on health inequalities among older adults, but also provides empirical support for understanding the current trends in elderly migration for retirement. Moreover, it offers valuable insights for global aging governance and promoting health equity.

PMID:41486144 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-025-06793-w

Clin Transl Oncol. 2026 Jan 4. doi: 10.1007/s12094-025-04174-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Triplet therapy with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), docetaxel, and darolutamide is approved for treating patients with metastatic castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC) based on the results of the ARASENS trial. However, no guideline exists for patient selection beyond patient fitness for chemotherapy, personal preferences, disease volume, and metastases presentation. Evidence on patient selection and treatment administration in clinical practice is scarce.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective, multicenter study conducted in Spain between November 2023 and June, 2024 in mCSPC patients selected for triplet therapy. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of patients at primary diagnosis, disease-related characteristics and symptoms at mCSPC diagnosis, and information on triplet therapy administration were collected. Descriptive statistics were used.

RESULTS: During the study period, 105 patients from 15 Spanish hospitals were included in the study. The median age was 66 years (range 44-85). Ninety-three patients (88.6%) had synchronous disease. Most patients had ECOG-PS 0/1 (90.4%). Ninety-two (87.6%) patients had high-volume disease and 96 (91.4%) high-risk disease. Five (4.5%), 70 (67.3%), and 29 (27.8%) patients had M1a, M1b, and M1c disease, respectively. Bone (77.1%) and pelvic lymph node (70.5%) were the most frequent metastatic locations. Docetaxel and darolutamide were simultaneously initiated in 39 (37.1%) patients.

CONCLUSION: As in the ARASENS trial, most patients offered triplet therapy in this representation of Spanish clinical practice were young and had synchronous disease. However, poorer disease characteristics, such as high-volume, high-risk disease, and involvement of visceral metastases, were more frequent. The rate of simultaneous initiation of darolutamide and docetaxel was low.

PMID:41485187 | DOI:10.1007/s12094-025-04174-8

Drugs Aging. 2026 Jan 4. doi: 10.1007/s40266-025-01275-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Global aging makes polypharmacy in older adults a critical concern. Pharmacist-led deprescribing shows promise, but lacks routine implementation. Japan introduced “the Medication Adjustment Support Fee (the Adjustment Fee)” in 2018 for deprescribing medications in patients with polypharmacy based on pharmacists’ recommendations.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate: (1) medication distribution among older patients; (2) medications most frequently deprescribed based on pharmacists’ recommendations; and (3) factors associated with successful deprescribing.

METHODS: This retrospective study analysed patients aged ≥ 65 years who had prescriptions dispensed for ≥ 60 days from 2069 community pharmacies (April 2020-September 2023). Eligibility for the adjustment fee required six or more oral medications for ≥ 4 weeks, with pharmacists receiving remuneration when two or more medications were deprescribed and sustained for ≥ 4 weeks. We examined: (1) medication distribution in older patients; (2) most frequently deprescribed medications based on pharmacists’ recommendations; and (3) factors associated with deprescribing using multi-level logistic regression.

RESULTS: Amongst 1,458,323 older patients, 36.9% (537,884) met the eligibility criteria for the adjustment fee, but only 0.08% had medications deprescribed based on pharmacist recommendations. At the pharmacy level, 10% of pharmacies (213/2069) claimed the fee at least once. The most frequently deprescribed medications were rebamipide (0.05%), mecobalamin (0.06%) and magnesium oxide (0.02%). Older age, higher number of medications taken, presence of a family pharmacist, and longer evaluation periods were significantly associated with claiming for the adjustment fee (p < 0.001 for all).

CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist-led deprescribing is infrequently implemented. Future studies could investigate the potential of strengthened incentives, enhanced collaboration, and robust protocols to optimize medication management in older adults.

PMID:41485177 | DOI:10.1007/s40266-025-01275-5

Clin Exp Med. 2026 Jan 4. doi: 10.1007/s10238-025-02013-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

As a novel dietary assessment tool, the dietary index for gut microbiota (DI-GM) measured food intake patterns that influenced GM balance. The association of DI-GM with advanced cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome (CKM) remained unclear. We aimed to explore the relationship between DI-GM and the advanced CKM risk. Participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007 and 2018 were included. The DI-GM was defined based on intake levels of 10 beneficial and 4 unfavorable foods. To assess the association of DI-GM with advanced CKM risk, we employed multivariate logistic regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression. About 13,226 eligible participants were enrolled. Multivariable logistic regression showed that each 1-point increment in the DI-GM and beneficial food scores were associated with a 6% (95% CI: 0.92-0.97) and 7% (95% CI: 0.90-0.97) reduction in advanced CKM risk, respectively. Unfavorable food scores showed no significant association with advanced CKM risk. ROC analysis indicated that compared with the baseline model, the addition of the DI-GM (AUC: 0.743 vs. 0.741; P = 0.013) and the beneficial food scores (AUC: 0.743 vs. 0.741; P = 0.005) significantly improved the discriminatory ability of the baseline model for advanced CKM. WQS regression further identified broccoli, soybeans, fermented dairy products, and dietary fiber as the key dietary components strongly associated with advanced CKM. The DI-GM can function as a promising tool for assessing advanced CKM risk. For the general population, especially individuals with metabolic risk factors, increasing the intake of broccoli, soybeans, fermented dairy products, and dietary fiber may help reduce advanced CKM risk.

PMID:41485164 | DOI:10.1007/s10238-025-02013-2

Orv Hetil. 2026 Jan 4;167(1):30-36. doi: 10.1556/650.2026.33440. Print 2026 Jan 4.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Mechanical circulatory support devices play a key role in stabilizing patients with end-stage heart failure and preparing them for heart transplantation. These devices significantly reduce waitlist mortality, especially in the pediatric population, where donor shortage and treatment challenges pose major difficulties.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to summarize domestic experiences with long-term mechanical circulatory support in pediatric patients and compare our outcomes with international data.

METHOD: We retrospectively analyzed data from 27 pediatric patients implanted with ventricular assist devices between 2008 and 2025. The patients were categorized into pulsatile and continuous-flow device groups. Anthropometric data, clinical status (INTERMACS profiles), organ perfusion, perioperative parameters, and long-term outcomes were evaluated.

RESULTS: The mean age of the 27 children was 9.14 years, with an average weight of 36.6 kg and an average height of 130 cm. The average duration of mechanical support was 217 days, significantly shorter in the pulsatile group compared to the continuous-flow group (141 vs. 312 days, p = 0.009). The pulsatile group consisted of younger and smaller patients (5.3 vs. 13.9 years, p<0,001; 21 vs. 56 kg, p<0.001). More than 70% of the patients were successfully bridged to transplantation, with rates of 66% in the pulsatile and 83% in the continuous-flow groups. Continuous-flow devices were associated with fewer complications (33% vs. 60%), and less need for intensive care ventilatory support (6 vs. 20 days). No significant differences were found in organ perfusion and immunological sensitization between the groups. Post-transplant rejection rates were low and similar in both groups.

DISCUSSION: Mechanical circulatory support represents a significant advancement in the care for advanced heart failure children. Continuous-flow devices show a more favorable complication profile. However, significant risks remain in lower-weight patients (e.g., under 1 year of age), reflecting current technological and protocol limitations.

CONCLUSION: The domestic use of mechanical circulatory support in pediatric patients is effective and enables successful transplantation. Continuous-flow devices offer advantages due to lower complication rates and feasibility of outpatient care. Larger prospective studies are needed to further improve outcomes. Orv Hetil. 2026; 167(1): 30-36.

PMID:41485160 | DOI:10.1556/650.2026.33440

Physiother Theory Pract. 2026 Jan 4:1-15. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2025.2608879. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic ankle instability (CAI) is often treated with strength and balance training, but pain and fear of re-injury can limit tolerance to high-intensity exercise. Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) allows strength gains under low loads and may serve as an alternative for these patients. However, current research lacks a systematic evaluation of BFRT in individuals with CAI, particularly comparing different training modalities.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the effects of BFRT on individuals with CAI through meta-analysis.

METHODS: Relevant randomized controlled trials were identified by searching eight databases (CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and PEDro) from their inception to October 17, 2025. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Publication bias was assessed with Egger’s test.

RESULTS: A total of 3206 records were identified, and 11 studies were included. Compared with control groups, BFRT improved anterior Y balance score [MD = 2.08, 95%CI (0.37 to 3.79), p < .05], posterolateral Y balance score [MD = 2.88, 95%CI (0.64 to 5.11), p < .05], and CAIT score [MD = 2.39, 95%CI (1.28 to 3.51), p < .05]. There was no statistical difference between the BFRT and control groups in overall Y balance score [MD = 1.48, 95%CI (-0.18 to 3.13), p > .05] and posteromedial balance score [MD = 0.30, 95%CI (-1.85 to 2.44), p > .05]. Subgroup analysis was conducted based on pressure type. BFRT of relative pressure improved CAIT scores and most balance measures except posteromedial. BFRT of absolute pressure significantly improved CAIT scores but showed no effects on Y-balance in any direction or overall score. The probability ranking indicated that relative pressure BFRT was superior to absolute pressure BFRT.

CONCLUSION: Training under blood flow restriction can improve ankle balance and stability in individuals with CAI through neuromuscular adaptations. Relative pressure is more effective than absolute pressure, emphasizing the need for individualized training. Further high-quality studies are required to confirm long-term effects and refine protocols.

PMID:41485135 | DOI:10.1080/09593985.2025.2608879

Alzheimers Dement. 2026 Jan;22(1):e71060. doi: 10.1002/alz.71060.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Socioeconomic inequality is a non-negligible risk factor for dementia. However, complex associations of individual socioeconomic status (ISES) and neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) with dementia risk have not been determined.

METHODS: In 327,641 adults aged 40-69 years from the UK Biobank, we estimated the separate, interactive, and joint associations of ISES and NSES with the risk of dementia and explored the role of inflammatory markers and metabolites.

RESULTS: Low ISES and low NSES were associated with higher risks of all-cause dementia and its subtypes. A stronger association between ISES and dementia was observed in those with low NSES. The subpopulation with disadvantages in both ISES and NSES showed the highest risk of dementia. Inflammatory markers (e.g., lymphocyte percentage) and metabolites (e.g., valine) mediated the associations of socioeconomic status (SES) profiles with all-cause dementia.

DISCUSSION: These findings underscore the importance of eliminating socioeconomic inequality at both individual and neighborhood levels for preventing dementia.

HIGHLIGHTS: Disadvantages in both individual socioeconomic status (ISES) and neighborhood socioeconomic status (NSES) are associated with higher risks of dementia. There are significant interactions between ISES and NSES on dementia risk. The low SES subpopulation with disadvantages in both ISES and NSES has the highest risk of dementia. Inflammatory markers and metabolites partially mediate the associations of socioeconomic status (SES) profiles with all-cause dementia. Narrowing socioeconomic inequality at both the individual and neighborhood levels may help prevent dementia.

PMID:41485131 | DOI:10.1002/alz.71060

J Orthop Res. 2026 Jan;44(1):na. doi: 10.1002/jor.70133.

ABSTRACT

Premature physeal closure occurs following trauma, cancer, or infection. Current treatments have poor success rates. With recent pediatric donor tissue availability, physeal allograft transfer (PAT) can now be considered. The purpose of this study was to study the safety and feasibility of PAT in a large animal model. The aim of this study is to gather foundational data to inform future studies into the efficacy of PAT. Physeal defects were created in the distal femur of nine female domestic swine and treated with PAT from two male donor pigs, cementation, or bone autograft. Viability was assessed. After 3 months, physes were visualized using CT and MRI. Integration, tissue composition, donor DNA presence, and microscopic appearance were evaluated. Physeal allografts demonstrated 93% viability after procurement and preservation. All animals reached the 3-months study endpoint without gross deformations. No physeal bars formed in any group. Cystic changes were seen in experimental and control femurs. All groups showed disorganized tissue architecture without growth plate recapitulation. High allografts viability and structural integrity after procurement support the potential of this treatment. Although no gross deformities were found, transferred physes demonstrate poor integration and incomplete repair. The lack of physeal bar formation in the control group limits the reliability of the animal model for studying physeal allograft transfer. Lastly, this study was designed as a feasibility study and lacks power to compare treatment effects statistically. The efficacy of PAT for preventing growth arrest remains undetermined.

PMID:41485130 | DOI:10.1002/jor.70133