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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Long-Term Stability of Bone Graft After Implant Failure in Lateral Sinus Floor Elevation: A Retrospective Paired Study

Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2026 Jun;28(3):e70154. doi: 10.1111/cid.70154.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective paired cohort study aimed to compare the three-dimensional volumetric shrinkage of endo-sinus bone graft between failed and surviving implants after one-stage lateral sinus floor elevation (LSFE), and to assess the feasibility of implant replacement without additional augmentation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty failed implants were matched 1:1 with 20 surviving implants based on key clinical variables. Cone-beam computed tomography scans at five time points were analyzed to quantify graft volume and height changes. Surgical methods and clinical outcomes for implant replacement were also recorded. Paired t-test and repeated measures ANOVA were used to compare the radiographic outcomes.

RESULTS: The shrinkage rate of endo-sinus bone grafts was statistically comparable between failed and surviving implants (32.54% ± 20.68% vs. 21.93% ± 10.54% at 1-year follow-up, p > 0.05). Residual bone graft reached adequate height to support replaced implants. Most failed sites were successfully restored with direct implant replacement, and reinserted implants achieved a 90% survival rate over a mean follow-up of 45 months.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that implant failure after LSFE does not necessarily correlate with accelerated resorption of bone graft, supporting the feasibility of direct implant replacement without further grafting.

PMID:42056715 | DOI:10.1111/cid.70154

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Tracing Molecular Chronologies Onto Growing Biological Networks

Methods Mol Biol. 2026;2981:347-359. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4836-0_19.

ABSTRACT

Chronologies derived from phylogenetic reconstruction enable the tracing of evolutionary history onto networks that model the evolution of biological systems. Here, we outline protocols for constructing and analyzing time series of evolving biological networks, integrating molecular chronologies with dynamic network models to explore the evolution of structural and functional complexity. The methodology employs Pajek for network visualization and R packages for statistical tests to examine connectivity patterns, enabling the study of preferential attachment, degree distributions, and the interplay between long-term evolutionary trends and short-term adaptive dynamics. These approaches provide a framework for uncovering fundamental principles of molecular evolution across deep timescales.

PMID:42056703 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-4836-0_19

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Tracing the Origin and Evolution of the Secondary Structure of RNA

Methods Mol Biol. 2026;2981:323-345. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4836-0_18.

ABSTRACT

The root of the tree of life remains a controversial issue in the study of the origins and evolution of early life on Earth, and so is the origin and evolution of early biochemistry. Here, we describe the methodological procedures of reconstructing global phylogenies of early life based on RNA secondary structure, with the rooting of phylogenies developed and improved to ultimately gain insights into the deep evolution of ancient molecules. As an example, we explore the evolution of the transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules using statistical characters describing their structure. An evolutionary model of molecular accretion of tRNA modeled at the atomic level illustrates the experimental exercise.

PMID:42056702 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-4836-0_18

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

MD-Phylogeny: Constructing Statistically Supported Phylogenetic Trees from Protein Structures Using Molecular Dynamics

Methods Mol Biol. 2026;2981:275-290. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4836-0_15.

ABSTRACT

Phylogenetic tree construction from homologous sequences is a fundamental approach for studying evolutionary relationships. However, in cases where sequence similarity is too low to generate reliable alignments, comparison of protein structure provides an alternative means for inferring deep evolutionary relationships. MD-phylogeny is a method that integrates structural comparison with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to generate robust phylogenies for protein datasets within the twilight zone of sequence similarity. This approach uses well-established structural superposition methods for building trees from structure, with a method for generating structural variants using MD simulations, from which confidence scores analogous to bootstrapping can be derived.This protocol provides a step-by-step guide to performing MD-phylogeny, covering dataset selection, structural comparisons, tree construction, and the generation of statistical support through MD simulations.

PMID:42056699 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-4836-0_15

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Retrodiction in Evolutionary Genomics: A Philosophical Perspective

Methods Mol Biol. 2026;2981:1-12. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4836-0_1.

ABSTRACT

I begin with an intuitively plausible principle: if proposition H retrodicts or predicts that proposition D is true, then Pr(D|H) > ½. I then consider the difference between forward-directed and backward-directed conditional probabilities. Until the 1980s, population genetics theory was dominated by the former; the situation changed with the appearance of coalescent theory, which deploys the latter. A forward-directed probability model cannot retrodict, and a backward-directed model cannot predict. A Bayesian model will do both if it deploys both types of conditional probability. I then describe ideas from model selection theory in statistics that throw doubt on the idea that true models of a process will always be more accurate predictors or retrodictors than false models of that process. I then discuss theorems in information theory that show how the passage of time degrades information in a causal chain. The rate of information loss can be reduced and even cancelled by the branching process in phylogenetic trees. The separation of within-lineage from across-lineage assessments of information loss is an instance of Simpson’s paradox.

PMID:42056685 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-4836-0_1

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Phenocopies of 22q11.2DS: revealing genetic diversity in clinically suspected 22q11.2 deletion syndrome

Mol Cell Pediatr. 2026 Apr 30;13(1):24. doi: 10.1186/s40348-026-00236-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is one of the most common microdeletion syndromes, a substantial proportion of patients with clinically suspected 22q11.2DS (clin22q11.2) remain without a definitive diagnosis. While CNVs other than the typical 22q11.2 deletion have been identified in patients with clin22q11.2 (defined here as phenocopies of 22q11.2DS, or phen22q11.2), SNVs associated with phen22q11.2 are less well defined.

RESULTS: We aimed to investigate genetic variants associated with phen22q11.2 to achieve definitive diagnoses and improve clinical management in the clin22q11.2 cohort, while also comparing the phenotypic features of 22q11.2DS and phen22q11.2 to guide optimal diagnostic approaches. We assessed 336 consecutive pediatric patients from three centers presenting with clin22q11.2 according to Tobias criteria. Diagnostic testing included fluorescence in situ hybridization or multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification in all patients. In subsets of patients, additional investigations were performed as clinically indicated, including but not limited to karyotyping, chromosomal microarray analysis, and/or exome sequencing (ES) with CNV detection. To identify phenotypic differences, Fisher’s exact test and Chi-squared test were performed. Genetic abnormalities were identified in 127 patients, including 88 patients diagnosed with 22q11.2DS. Phen22q11.2 was identified in 39 patients, including de novo variants in 12 patients. Several SNVs were detected, including variants in recurrently affected genes, such as CHD7 (n = 4), TBX1 (n = 2), JAG1 (n = 2), as well as variants in genes implicated in rare and ultra-rare diseases. We also described several rare and previously unreported clinical features associated with variants linked to phen22q11.2. No statistically significant phenotypic differences were observed between patients with phen22q11.2 and those with 22q11.2DS.

CONCLUSIONS: Phen22q11.2 is genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous. The results support the use of ES with CNV analysis as a first-tier, high-throughput diagnostic approach in clin22q11.2, as comprehensive genomic testing is essential for improving diagnostic accuracy and optimizing both genetic counseling and clinical management in this population.

PMID:42056684 | DOI:10.1186/s40348-026-00236-1

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

A tutorial for calculating field-specific effect size distributions

Behav Res Methods. 2026 Apr 29;58(6):146. doi: 10.3758/s13428-026-03003-2.

ABSTRACT

Effect sizes are useful for understanding the magnitude of study results and for planning new studies via power analysis. However, despite their wide usage, effect sizes are often misinterpreted. This is mostly due to an over-reliance on general effect size benchmarks that were not intended for broad application across diverse research fields. Inaccurate effect size interpretations can lead to incorrect conclusions about the magnitude of study results and incorrect sample size estimates, thereby increasing the likelihood of false-positive results. This article introduces the ESDist R package, which is designed to calculate empirically derived effect-size benchmarks or a range of reliably detectable empirical effect sizes for a specific research question or field of interest by computing effect size distributions (ESDs). This package can be used on data that can be easily extracted from pre-existing meta-analyses to help researchers more accurately plan new studies or to better understand how an individual study might relate to other studies in their field. ESDist includes a set of features that make it easy to use in a priori power analysis. Moreover, the package includes a feature for estimating effect size benchmarks that account for publication bias and are weighted by effect sizes’ variances, which addresses existing limitations of using ESDs for study planning or interpretation.

PMID:42056646 | DOI:10.3758/s13428-026-03003-2

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Impact of a Trauma-Informed Intervention on Psychosocial and HIV Treatment Outcomes Among Older Adults Living with HIV: A Pilot Study

AIDS Behav. 2026 Apr 30. doi: 10.1007/s10461-026-05148-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A childhood sexual abuse (CSA) history is more prevalent among people living with HIV and may have lingering effects among older adults living with HIV (OALH). However, studies examining the impact of trauma-informed interventions among OALH are scant. The aim of the study was to determine the preliminary effect of the Coping with Childhood Sexual Abuse, HIV, and Aging (CoSHA) intervention on depressive symptoms, coping and ART adherence among OALH. Data were obtained from 28 OALH recruited from an immunology clinic and an AIDS service organization in South Carolina. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) models were used to determine the preliminary effect of the intervention on depressive symptoms, coping and ART adherence among OALH from baseline to 6-week, 3- and 6- month follow-up using intention-to-treat analysis. The intervention reduced depressive symptoms over the 6-month period (B=-9.13, 95% CI: -10.3, -8.00). There were also positive changes in planning coping (B = 0.73, 95% CI: -0.08, -1.54) and religious coping (B = 1.13, 95% CI: -0.08, 2.34), and ART adherence (B = 15.2, 95% CI: -0.95, 31.3) but these were borderline statistically significant. Future research should determine the impact of the CoSHA intervention in a full randomized controlled trial.

PMID:42056642 | DOI:10.1007/s10461-026-05148-9

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Bibliometric analysis of Alzheimer’s and dementia research in Latin America

Alzheimers Dement. 2026 May;22(5):e71395. doi: 10.1002/alz.71395.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Dementia is increasing rapidly in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), but research output remains limited. Tracking publication trends, themes, and collaborations is key to guiding regional research and policy.

METHODS: Bibliometric analysis was conducted on dementia-related publications from 21 LAC countries (1990 to 2024) using Scopus. Thirteen keywords identified relevant articles, classified into themes through artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted and manual review. Bibliometrix and VOSviewer assessed publication trends, country and institutional output, and collaboration networks.

RESULTS: Of 201,939 worldwide publications, 6003 (3%) included at least one LAC-affiliated author. Brazil produced 49.9% of all dementia publications, followed by Argentina and Mexico. Clinical scenarios (15%) and basic science (14%) dominated thematic output. Mexico, Argentina, and Chile led regional collaboration efforts.

DISCUSSION: Despite growth, dementia research in LAC remains concentrated in a few countries, with major thematic gaps and uneven collaboration. Strengthening cross-country partnerships, broadening research themes, and increasing investment in applied and policy-focused studies are essential.

PMID:42056639 | DOI:10.1002/alz.71395

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Chemical characteristics of rainwater and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) over an urban site in the middle Indo-Gangetic Plain

Environ Geochem Health. 2026 Apr 29;48(7):324. doi: 10.1007/s10653-026-03207-7.

ABSTRACT

Rainfall plays a key role in the removal of atmospheric pollutants (both particulate matter and gaseous pollutants) through wet scavenging and thus, the interaction between rain and atmospheric pollutants significantly influences the chemical composition of rainwater. Therefore, in this study, PM2.5 and rainwater samples were collected from an urban site in the middle Indo-Gangetic Plain, Varanasi (25.28° N, 82.96° E), India during January-December 2022. The water-soluble inorganic ions (WSIIs), as well as carbonaceous and nitrogenous species in PM2.5 and rainwater samples were analysed to understand their sources, seasonal variability, scavenging processes, and deposition fluxes. PM2.5 mass concentrations ranged from 15.5 to 279.3 µg m⁻3, with an annual mean of 91.6 ± 50.5 µg m⁻3, significantly exceeding the Indian NAAQS annual limit of 40 µg m⁻3. The total WSIIs (sum of concentrations of measured anions and cations) was 29.6 µg m⁻3 accounted for ~ 33% of the total PM2.5 mass and was dominated (66%) by secondary inorganic aerosols ( SO 4 2 , NO 3 and NH 4 + ), indicating strong anthropogenic influence. In rainwater, Ca2+, NH 4 + , and SO 4 2 were the major ions, contributing over 76% of total ionic content, with near-neutral pH (mean 6.6 ± 0.5) indicating effective neutralization by alkaline species. Seasonal variation showed higher ionic, dissolved organic carbon, and nitrogen concentrations during non-monsoon period, indicating pollutant accumulation under dry conditions whereas dilution during the monsoon. Wet deposition fluxes were consistently higher than dry deposition fluxes for all major ionic species. Relatively, high scavenging ratios, particularly for NO 3 and Ca2+, indicate efficient washout of both anthropogenic and crustal components, with below-cloud scavenging identified as the dominant mechanism. The relatively low NO 3 / SO 4 2 ratios in both rainwater (0.54) and PM2.5 (0.33) indicate predominant influence of stationary emission sources (e.g., coal/biomass burning and industrial emissions). Statistical analysis and diagnostic ratios further indicate contributions from biomass burning and anthropogenic activities (agriculture, vehicular emissions, and construction) for both rainwater and PM2.5 samples. Moreover, back-trajectory analysis supports the combined influence of local emissions and regional transport. Overall, our study demonstrates a strong coupling between PM2.5 composition and rainwater chemistry over the IGP and highlights the importance of wet deposition in controlling the overall deposition pattern over Varanasi.

PMID:42056635 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-026-03207-7