Category: Statistics

Arthropod Struct Dev. 2026 Aug 4;94:101558. doi: 10.1016/j.asd.2026.101558. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sexually dimorphic coloration is common in Lepidoptera. In addition to differences in pigmentation, Lepidopterans also exhibit sexually dimorphic structural coloration. Lycaenidae are unique among Lepidoptera due to the presence of a multilayer pepper-pot photonic structure located within the body of their cover scales. While sexually dimorphic pepper-pot structures in Lycaenidae have previously been observed between male blue scales and female melanic scales, the nature of sexually dimorphic photonic structures within non-pigmented scales has yet to be examined in detail. In this study, we examined the morphology and reflective capabilities of cover scales from the sexually dimorphic postdiscal forewing region of summer form Celastrina neglecta (W. H. Edwards, 1862) (Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae) specimens to determine the basis of sexually dimorphic structural coloration in the species. Wing region and single-scale reflectance were compared based on spectrometry. Scale morphology was compared based on scanning electron, transmission electron, and light microscopy. Wing region analyses revealed that males and females possess statistically different wing region reflectance. Males exhibit high reflectance of violet (400-450 nm) and low reflectance in the 451-750 nm range, while females exhibit lower reflectance of violet and higher reflectance in the 451-750 nm range. Single-scale analyses revealed both blue and clear cover scales in the region of interest. While male and female scales exhibit similar reflective properties, females possess more clear scales in the dimorphic region than males. Morphological analyses indicate that the ridges and cross-ribbing of clear scales are more densely packed than their blue counterparts. Additionally, blue scales exhibit a fully developed pepper-pot photonic structure within the scale lumen, while clear scales possess irregular photonic structures that are frequently absent from the scale lumen.

PMID:42551101 | DOI:10.1016/j.asd.2026.101558

Injury. 2026 Jul 31;57(10):113547. doi: 10.1016/j.injury.2026.113547. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Muscle contusion injuries frequently cause inflammation, hypoxia, and impaired regeneration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy have been proposed as potential treatments for enhancing muscle recovery. This study aimed to investigate the effects of PRP and HBO therapy on muscle regeneration following contusion injury and assess their potential synergistic effect.

METHODS: A controlled laboratory study was conducted using a muscle contusion model in sixty C57BL6J mice, which were divided into five groups: control, sham, HBO, PRP, and PRP+HBO. HBO therapy was administered at 2.5 atm for 25 min, three cycles per day over 10 days, while PRP was injected twice, on days 1 and 6. Muscle regeneration was evaluated using histological staining, immunofluorescence, muscle wet weight, and contractile function tests, including assessments of fast-twitch and tetanic strength.

RESULTS: The results demonstrated that HBO treatment alone showed statistically significant improvements in the number of regenerating myofibers and tetanus strength, compared to the sham group. However, the magnitude of the HBO treatment effects might not have been as substantial as those observed in the PRP and PRP+HBO groups. PRP and PRP+HBO significantly increased regenerating myofiber counts compared to the sham group (P < 0.001) and prevented muscle atrophy, as shown by higher muscle wet weights (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: PRP and PRP+HBO mitigated the adverse effects of muscle contusion in mice, with PRP + HBO potentially exerting a synergistic effect in restoring fast-twitch strength and improving tetanus strength to levels seen in uninjured muscles.

STUDY DESIGN: Level III, Controlled Lab Study.

PMID:42551085 | DOI:10.1016/j.injury.2026.113547

Animal. 2026 Jul 9;20(9):101899. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2026.101899. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Baicheng-You chicken is an indigenous Chinese breed known for its superior egg quality and stress resistance, yet the genetic basis of these traits is not fully understood. This study investigated the genomic architecture of 10 egg quality traits in 1 002 Baicheng-You chickens using whole-genome resequencing. The estimated genomic heritabilities for these traits ranged from 0.30 to 0.83. Genome-wide association studies identified 30 single nucleotide polymorphisms reaching genome-wide significant or suggestive association thresholds, which were mapped to 386 candidate genes, including ALAS1, LCORL, and CTNNBL1. Functional enrichment analysis indicated these genes are primarily involved in developmental patterning and embryonic skeletal system morphogenesis. To prioritise candidate variants, statistical fine-mapping using the Sum of Single Effects method (SuSiE) was integrated with epigenomic data (H3K27ac and ATAC-seq). Furthermore, the activity-by-contact model prioritised putative regulatory variants within enhancer regions on chromosomes 20 and 6 that may contribute to the regulation of eggshell colour and thickness, respectively. These findings improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating egg quality and provide potential genetic markers for breeding programmes in indigenous poultry.

PMID:42551065 | DOI:10.1016/j.animal.2026.101899

J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2026 Aug 4;54(10):109849. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2026.109849. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of local photobiomodulation (LPBM) and vascular photobiomodulation (VPBM) on early bone healing after alveolar bone grafting (ABG) in patients with cleft lip and palate (CLP). Eighty-seven CLP patients (104 cleft areas) underwent secondary ABG with autogenous bone from the mandibular symphysis or iliac crest. Eighty-seven patients with CLP, corresponding to 104 grafted alveolar cleft sites, were included from two independent clinical protocols conducted at the same craniofacial rehabilitation center. LPBM was evaluated in patients with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP), whereas VPBM was evaluated in patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP). In each protocol, the PBM group was compared with the corresponding control group, which received simulated laser application. All patients underwent secondary ABG with autogenous bone harvested from the mandibular symphysis or anterior iliac crest, according to the established surgical protocol of the hospital. LPBM was performed using a GaAlAs laser (880 ± 10 nm, 100 mW, 4 J per point) applied in continuous mode at 14 standardized extraoral points. VPBM was performed using a red-spectrum laser (660 ± 10 nm, 100 mW), applied over the radial artery for 10 min in patients aged 9-17 years and 15 min in adults, corresponding to total energies of 60 J and 90 J, respectively. Irradiation was performed immediately after surgery (T0) and 24 h postoperatively (T1). Standardized periapical radiographs were obtained preoperatively and 2 months after ABG (T2). Cleft morphology was assessed by measuring height and width using digital calipers. Bone bridge formation was evaluated at T2 using the Chelsea scale. Statistical analysis included one-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis, and logistic regression tests (α = 0.05). LPBM showed a higher proportion of favorable Chelsea classes (80%) than control (45%) and VPBM (37.5%) groups (p < 0.05). No differences were found between donor sites or baseline cleft dimensions. VPBM results were similar to control values. LPBM enhanced bone bridge formation after ABG, suggesting a stimulatory effect on bone repair. VPBM, under the tested parameters, did not improve outcomes.

PMID:42551061 | DOI:10.1016/j.jcms.2026.109849

Health Policy. 2026 Jul 28;172:105717. doi: 10.1016/j.healthpol.2026.105717. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hospitals are known to have a significant carbon footprint, particularly in high-income countries, yet evidence on patients’ view regarding mitigation initiatives within hospital policy is limited.

OBJECTIVE: To examine patients’ perspectives on a Dutch hospital-led environmental sustainability policy related to healthy nutrition, waste reduction, sustainable mobility, and disease prevention by lifestyle interventions.

METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in October 2024 among members of a patient panel from a Dutch tertiary University Medical Centre. The survey included four closed-ended questions and one open-ended question on important environmental sustainability initiatives. Descriptive statistics were used, associations between demographics (sex, age, education) and perceived importance were assessed using Chi-square tests and logistic regression. Qualitative responses underwent thematic content analysis.

RESULTS: Of the 2473 invited patients, 1285 (52%) responded to the closed-ended questions and 742 (30%) provided open-ended responses. Disease prevention was rated most important (88%), followed by waste reduction (82%), healthy nutrition (76%), and sustainable mobility (58%). Older age and level of education were significantly associated with perceived importance. Additional themes for hospital policy include medication use, energy consumption, and awareness.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients generally support environmental sustainability initiatives in hospital-led policy, particularly those promoting disease prevention, waste reduction, and healthy nutrition. They also identify opportunities for policy development, such as circularity strategies to retain the value of health care products and health promotion strategies focusing on nutrition and lifestyle. Future research should explore how patients wish to participate in shared decision-making on environmental sustainability.

PMID:42551053 | DOI:10.1016/j.healthpol.2026.105717

Prosthet Orthot Int. 2026 Aug 5. doi: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000574. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Population-level data on people with limb loss (PwLL) are needed for effective prosthetic provision and rehabilitation. These data are rare in low- and middle-income countries, and low- and middle-income countries are routinely dealt with as homogenous entities.

OBJECTIVES: Here, we investigate intranational variation in PwLL populations in Sri Lanka using long-term routinely collected data from prosthetic and orthotic (P&O) clinics.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study.

METHODS: Until 2009, Sri Lanka experienced a 26-year civil war affecting primarily northern/eastern districts. Published data from 2 P&O centers in northern (Jaffna Jaipur Centre for Disability Rehabilitation, JJCDR; 1987-2018) and central (Centre for Handicapped, CFH; 1987-2024) districts were compared to investigate intranational variation in PwLL demographics and temporal trends. Summative statistics, χ2, and Mann-Whitney U tests (α < 0.05) were used to quantify differences.

RESULTS: Major differences included a larger population of males at the CFH (88.8%) compared with the JJCDR (77.4%) and-although war-related amputations were most common at both clinics-there were relatively more war-related amputees at the JJCDR (CFH: 44.8%; JJCDR: 62.7%). In addition, the JJCDR had a higher proportion of patients registered and injured in the same district (CFH: 62.22%; JJCDR: 66.11%).

CONCLUSIONS: Intranational variation in PwLL populations exists in Sri Lanka as evidenced by differences in populations between northern and central P&O clinics. This points toward differences in provisional needs and temporal health/societal trends underlying limb loss, which must be considered when provisioning health services.

PMID:42551032 | DOI:10.1097/PXR.0000000000000574

Prosthet Orthot Int. 2026 Aug 4. doi: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000570. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Telehealth was more widely utilized in various medical field over the world since the COVID-19 pandemic. It could be an option to meet the growing health service demand. Objectives: This study aims to identify patient’s expectation and satisfaction in Telehealth as an alternative follow-up format.

STUDY DESIGN: Fifty patients presenting Hospital Department of Prosthetics and Orthotics were recruited to complete a questionnaire. Methods: The questionnaire evaluated subject’s expectation and satisfaction towards Telehealth in 5-point scale with result analysed with Fisher Exact test.

RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed that: (1) shorter travel time and waiting time greatly encouraged subject to attend Telehealth; (2) body part exposure to camera, risk of diagnosis error, network and technological issue; (3) No significant satisfaction difference between Telehealth and traditional face-to-face follow-up subjects.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in Hong Kong to evaluate patient’s feedback to Telehealth service in orthotic treatment. The findings could speed up the implementation of Telehealth into P&O treatment and improve the overall service quality.

PMID:42551026 | DOI:10.1097/PXR.0000000000000570

Prosthet Orthot Int. 2026 Aug 4. doi: 10.1097/PXR.0000000000000571. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Clinical evidence substantiating the advantages multi-grip myoelectric hand prosthesis over conventional myoelectric hand prosthesis in daily life remains inconclusive.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to assess the efficacy of using a multi-grip myoelectric hand prosthesis after utilizing a conventional myoelectric hand prosthesis.

STUDY DESIGN: A before-and-after, multi-center, observational study included adults with complete hand amputation using a standard myoelectric hand prosthesis for more than 4 weeks.

METHODS: Patients were assessed at T0 with their standard myoelectric hand prosthesis, after a 4 to 6 weeks training and trial period with a multi-grip myoelectric hand prosthesis (T1) and then after an 8 to 10 weeks period of wearing (T2). The primary outcome measure was the change of upper limb function via the Orthotics and Prosthetics Users’ Survey (OPUS). Results: twenty-two participants were prescribed a definitive multi-grip hand myoelectric prosthesis. On average, the duration since amputation was 6.5 ± 11.4 years. Traumatic causes accounted for 77.3% (17/22) of the cases. The upper limb function component score of the OPUS exhibited a mean increase of 6.2 ± 10.8 points (95% CI 1.5 to 11.0) from T0 to T2. Statistically significant improvements were also noted in the quality-of-life component of OPUS, the Quick DASH score, and overall satisfaction with prosthesis.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the transition from using daily living standard myoelectric hand prosthesis to using a multi-grip myoelectric hand prosthesis yielded improvements in functionality, quality of life, and overall satisfaction (self-drafted) among individuals with complete hand amputation.

PMID:42551018 | DOI:10.1097/PXR.0000000000000571

JMIR Form Res. 2026 Aug 4;10:e98984. doi: 10.2196/98984.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) is increasingly used in digital health research to capture behaviors, symptoms, and psychological states in real time and in natural environments, offering advantages over traditional retrospective measures in terms of ecological validity and reduced recall bias. Despite the potential of EMA for advancing mobile health and digital phenotyping apps, accessible technical solutions that enable researchers without software engineering expertise to design and deploy EMA studies remain limited.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to (1) describe the development and core features of a sensor-based mobile app for assessment and tracking (SMAAT), a research platform for designing and deploying mobile surveys and EMA studies, and (2) report initial usability findings from a cross-sectional study using a novel swiping response format.

METHODS: SMAAT consists of a web-based dashboard for researchers and companion iOS (Apple Inc) and Android (Google) apps for participants, providing a visual survey builder, multiple notification schedules (including fixed, random, interval, event-based, and geofenced prompts), gamification mechanics, and tools to monitor participant compliance. To evaluate the platform in use, we conducted a between-participants cross-sectional study in which 97 university students and 132 online panel participants completed blocks of binary questions on smartphones using either a swiping or tapping response format, followed by usability and user-experience questionnaires.

RESULTS: In the cross-sectional study, SMAAT supported successful study setup, enrollment, and survey completion across both iOS and Android devices without major technical problems, and participants in both samples completed the full protocol in a single session. Performance on the binary tasks was generally high, with swiping and tapping showing broadly comparable response-time and accuracy patterns, and no clear disadvantages for swiping or consistent effects of response orientation. Usability and pragmatic user-experience ratings were high across conditions, with no meaningful differences between swiping and tapping, while Prolific participants reported higher usability and pragmatic quality than students. Hedonic ratings descriptively favored swiping, although this difference did not reach conventional statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: SMAAT is a flexible smartphone-based research platform for configuring and deploying mobile surveys and EMA studies with diverse item types and notification logics. Initial findings show that SMAAT can support reliable cross-sectional data collection across heterogeneous devices and samples, and that a swipe-based response format can be implemented without compromising task performance, usability, or pragmatic user experience relative to tapping.

PMID:42551009 | DOI:10.2196/98984

JMIR Ment Health. 2026 Aug 4;13:e88388. doi: 10.2196/88388.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted a critical need for effective population mental health approaches to target the most prevalent disorders (eg, depression) during periods of elevated community distress. The effectiveness of remotely delivered and web-based interventions should be investigated to identify and innovate high-quality models for population mental health service delivery.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective investigated the effectiveness of adding Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Resilience (MBCT-R)-a live, online, synchronous, remotely delivered, group-based intervention-to Cambridge Health Alliance MindWell (CHA-MW), a web-based population health screening and stratified support program, compared with CHA-MW alone, on depression symptom severity. The secondary objective evaluated adding internet Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (iCBT)-an asynchronous, web-based, individual, digital intervention-to CHA-MW, compared with CHA-MW alone.

METHODS: Participants (N=97) were randomized in a 2:2:1 ratio to receive MBCT-R+CHA-MW (n=37), iCBT+CHA-MW (n=41), or CHA-MW alone (n=19) in a 3-arm randomized clinical trial, from May 2021 to September 2022 in an urban public safety net hospital outpatient setting. CHA-MW served as a low-intensity control condition. For the MBCT-R+CHA-MW arm, MBCT-R was an 8-session program mildly adapted from MBCT to address COVID-19-related risks for depression. For the iCBT+CHA-MW arm, iCBT was a 6-session curriculum added to CHA-MW. All study procedures, including regular mental health symptom screenings, were conducted remotely or via a web-based platform. The primary outcome was change in depression symptom severity during the 24-week study period using an intention-to-treat approach that used generalized linear mixed-effects models to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of MBCT-R+CHA-MW vs CHA-MW over time. A secondary analysis compared iCBT+CHA-MW vs CHA-MW on depression severity. Completer analyses were conducted (per-protocol 6+ sessions). The secondary outcome was mental health visit utilization frequency during the study period.

RESULTS: Both MBCT-R+CHA-MW (mean difference -14.1, 95% CI -21.0 to -7.2) and CHA-MW (mean difference -15.2, 95% CI -21.8 to -8.6) had significant reductions in depression symptom severity, with no statistically significant between-group differences. iCBT+CHA-MW (mean difference -12.7, 95% CI -17.4 to -8.1) also reduced depression symptoms but without between-group differences when compared with CHA-MW. Intervention completion rates were low (MBCT-R: 30% and iCBT: 24%), and completers demonstrated significantly greater reductions in depression severity than noncompleters (mean difference -8.5, 95% CI -16.2 to -0.8). Overall mental health clinician visits by group had no statistically significant differences. CHA-MW had the largest increase in participants with new psychopharmacology treatment visits during the 24-week study (CHA-MW +21%, MBCT-R +10%, and iCBT -5%).

CONCLUSIONS: MBCT-R+CHA-MW, iCBT+CHA-MW, and CHA-MW were each effective in treating depression, without any intervention demonstrating superiority in intention-to-treat analyses. CHA-MW was as efficacious during the COVID-19 pandemic as more resource-intensive interventions that demanded greater time and effort from participants. Low completion rates for MBCT-R and iCBT during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to these results.

PMID:42551008 | DOI:10.2196/88388