Tag: statistics

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-36444-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is usually associated with aging and parity, but repetitive intra-abdominal pressure during physical activity can also trigger its onset in young women. Horseback riding, despite potential benefits for pelvic floor strengthening, may also contribute to pelvic floor strain and urinary symptoms. The study included 100 Polish women aged 21-54 engaged in horse riding, both recreational (85%) and professional (15%). Participants were divided into three age groups and screened for urinary incontinence symptoms. Quality of life was assessed with validated questionnaires (IIQ-7, UDI-6SF) and a custom 25-item survey covering equestrian practice, reproductive history, urinary symptoms, and general health. Statistical analyses were performed in R using non-parametric tests, correlation, and logistic regression. Stress urinary incontinence was reported by 36% of participants, significantly impairing quality of life. Women with higher BMI, older age, and childbirth history demonstrated increased symptom prevalence and higher IIQ-7 and UDI-6 scores (p < 0.05). Training type, frequency, and duration were not significantly associated with outcomes, except for shorter riding experience, which correlated with higher UDI-6 scores. Logistic regression identified age (OR = 1.07) and BMI (OR = 1.16) as risk factors, while greater height reduced SUI odds (OR = 0.92). Urinary incontinence is a relevant issue among female horse riders, negatively affecting physical, social, and emotional well-being. Age, BMI and childbirth history play crucial roles in the incidence of SUI symptoms. The longer the training experience, the lower is reported urinary incontinence distress. Preventive measures such as pelvic floor training, individualized physiotherapy, and interdisciplinary care may reduce symptom burden and support longer professional activity. Raising awareness and encouraging early intervention are essential to improving athletes’ quality of life.

PMID:41548020 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-36444-y

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-36430-4. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41548001 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-36430-4

NPJ Vaccines. 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1038/s41541-026-01374-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The association between vaccine efficacy (VE) and force of infection (FoI) remains incompletely understood. Previous analyses have been primarily based on trial-level summary data-not accounting for the effect of time and constrained by the number of trials. Here, we leverage individual-level data from three phase 3 randomized, placebo-controlled COVID-19 vaccine trials-the COVE trial (Moderna, CoVPN3001), the AZD1222 trial (AstraZeneca, CoVPN3002), and the ENSEMBLE trial (Janssen/Johnson & Johnson, CoVPN3003)-and contemporaneous geographic-location-specific SARS-CoV-2 surveillance data from the start of the pandemic through November 14, 2021 (including the blinded follow-up periods of the trials) to conduct five cohort- and vaccine-specific analyses: COVE (U.S.), AZD1222 overall (U.S. + non-U.S.), AZD1222 U.S., ENSEMBLE overall (U.S. + non-U.S.), and ENSEMBLE U.S. In AZD1222 U.S., higher VE was associated with higher FoI (p = 0.01). In ENSEMBLE overall, lower VE was marginally associated with higher FoI (p = 0.21), further supported by a region-specific analysis. In COVE, AZD1222 overall, and ENSEMBLE U.S., no VE-FoI association was found. These findings highlighted a new perspective: the VE-FoI association appears complex, potentially influenced by FoI levels, with patterns suggesting an inverted U-shaped relationship, showing a positive association at low FoI levels and a negative association at high levels.

PMID:41547989 | DOI:10.1038/s41541-026-01374-3

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-35029-z. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41547981 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-35029-z

Eye (Lond). 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1038/s41433-025-04222-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This systematic review and meta-analysis assesses the effect of unilateral selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and ocular hypertension (OHT) eyes on contralateral eye intraocular pressure (IOP). A literature search was performed in PubMED, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. We included all English randomised controlled trials, retrospective and prospective cohort studies, cross-sectional studies and case series published between 29 August 2004 and 29 August 2024 that performed unilateral SLT in POAG or OHT eyes with contralateral eye IOP reported at least 3 months after SLT. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Meta-analysis was performed using the random-effects model and presented as forest plots. 9 studies (478 eyes) were included in the final pooled analysis, which demonstrated a mean contralateral IOP reduction of 1.85 mmHg (95% CI [1.23, 2.47]) 3-6 months after SLT. Subgroup analysis found a mean contralateral IOP reduction of 2.21 mmHg (95% CI [1.06, 3.36]) and 2.29 mmHg (95% CI [1.30, 3.29]) 3-6 months following 360° (4 studies, 264 eyes) and 180° SLT (2 studies, 55 eyes) respectively; there was no significant difference between both groups (p = 0.91). Meta-correlation analysis of 3 studies (160 eyes) found moderate positive correlation between IOP reduction in SLT-treated and contralateral eyes at 3-6 months (pooled Pearson’s R = 0.65, 95% CI [0.54, 0.73]). Our meta-analysis suggests statistically significant contralateral IOP reduction 3-6 months following unilateral SLT, which was correlated with IOP reduction of SLT-treated eyes. These findings may have implications on future SLT studies and real-life clinical practice.Review Registration The protocol for this review was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD420251013653).

PMID:41547974 | DOI:10.1038/s41433-025-04222-1

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-35598-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The levator ani muscle (LAM), crucial for pelvic organ support, can develop defects that contribute to pelvic floor disorders (PFD) like pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Factors such as childbirth, aging, and menopause increase the risk of LAM damage. While MRI is commonly used to assess LAM, most studies use the supine position, potentially underestimating POP severity. Upright MRI offers a more accurate view of pelvic floor support under natural conditions. The aim of this study was to compare the pelvic floor support across four groups of women-nulliparous, parous premenopausal, parous postmenopausal, and women with POP, by analysing pubococcygeus muscle (PCM) and iliococcygeus muscle (ICM) defects and the iliococcygeus angle (ICA) using a tiltable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. Sixty-three women were included and divided into 4 groups: 15 nulliparous (Nulli), 15 parous-premenopausal (Par-pre), 15 parous-postmenopausal (Par-post) and 18 patients with minimum stage 2 prolapse of the anterior vaginal wall or uterus (POP). Women underwent supine and upright MRI scans. PCM and ICM defects were assessed on both the supine and upright scans. Defects were categorized as “none”, “minor” or “major” following previously established guidelines. Using upright MRI scans and manual segmentation of the LAM, the ICA was determined in 5planes from anterior to posterior. Statistical testing was performed using one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test. The results show that nulliparous women had no PCM defects. Par-pre, Par-post and POP groups showed varying rates of major PCM defects (7.7%, 16.7%, and 68.8% respectively). Minor ICM defects were present in all groups (21.4% (Nulli), 61.5% (Par-pre), 66.7% (Par-post), and 55.3% (POP)), but only the POP group had major defects (43.8%). The ICA was significantly sharper (p < 0.001) in the POP group compared to other groups. A decrease in pelvic floor support, assessed by PCM damage in supine and ICM damage and a sharper total ICA done in upright, was measured in the POP population, as compared to healthy women. Minor muscle defects were common across all groups, but major defects exclusively in POP patients. This fundamental insight on muscle quality adds to our anatomical knowledge on the occurrence of POP.

PMID:41547955 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-35598-z

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 17;16(1):2187. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-09826-x.

ABSTRACT

Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) exhibits remarkable electronic and optical properties, making it a candidate of interest for various electronic and optoelectronic applications. We investigate the polarization-angle dependence of individual optical phonons as a function of layer number in MoS₂ using polarized Raman spectroscopy. The MoS₂ layers are grown using 200 mm-scale atomic layer deposition (ALD) on 200 mm silicon wafers. For multilayer MoS₂ samples (> 3 monolayers, ML), the polarization-angle-resolved intensity profiles of both the out-of-plane A1g and in-plane E¹_2g phonon modes followed the well-known Raman polarization selection rules. However, in thinner samples (≤ 2 ML), deviations from these rules are observed for the E¹_2g phonon intensity, whereas the A_1g phonon intensity remains the same regardless of layer number. As the number of layers decreased, the polarization anisotropy of the E¹_2g phonon mode increased, which is likely linked to stacking disorder and misalignment between the MoS₂ layers. Raman and XPS analysis further support these findings. The stoichiometry of MoS₂ improved with increasing number of layers, and the oxide/Mo ratio decreased correspondingly. This study highlights the potential for 200 mm-scale integration of these 2D materials in optoelectronic devices, offering valuable insights into their structural and optical properties.

PMID:41547952 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-09826-x

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-32717-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although the risk of progression varies, a subset of patients with idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS) eventually develop myeloid malignancies. Early identification of high-risk patients is crucial for timely intervention and optimized clinical management. This study aimed to develop a machine learning-based model to predict the progression of ICUS to myeloid malignancies. We retrospectively analyzed data from 1274 patients who underwent bone marrow examination at Asan Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea, between January 2000 and December 2021 and met the diagnostic criteria for ICUS. Among these patients, 36 (2.82%) progressed to myeloid malignancies. We developed a predictive model using the extreme gradient boosting algorithm, incorporating clinical, laboratory, and cytogenetic features. The model achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.780, with enhanced performance after integrating PubMedBERT to extract insights from unstructured text data from bone marrow examination reports. Additionally, we applied SHapley Additive exPlanations to generate individualized risk scores, estimate progression probabilities, and visualize key predictive features, enabling personalized risk assessment. In conclusion, we developed a machine learning-based model predicting ICUS progression to myeloid malignancies. This model could serve as a valuable tool for personalized risk stratification and tailored patient monitoring in clinical practice.

PMID:41547901 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-32717-0

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1186/s13756-025-01696-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a leading cause of healthcare-associated morbidity and mortality, with a significant portion being preventable. Despite this, BSIs remain common, particularly in Australian hospitals. Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Queensland has implemented a surveillance program that focuses on the preventability of BSIs, with continuous loop, real-time audit-feedback to teach clinicians about preventable factors and possible actions. This study evaluated the program’s implementation and impact on reducing infections.

METHODS: A Type I hybrid implementation-effectiveness design was used, combining interrupted time series analysis of BSI data from 2002 to 2023 and focus group discussions with the Infection Management Service team members and ward-based clinicians. Interrupted time series analysis was used to assess the impact of the Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) prevention initiative introduced in November 2011. Statistical analysis employed segmented regression using negative binomial regression with robust standard errors. Focus group data were analysed via the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).

RESULTS: The intervention resulted in an immediate, but non-significant, reduction in SAB monthly rates (incidence rate ratio, IRR = 0.839, 95% CI: 0.653-1.078), and a declining trend in monthly rates was also noted postintervention (IRR = 0.998, 95% CI: 0.996-1.000). Focus group feedback identified enablers, including effective collaboration and challenges such as needing to address inconsistent documentation and differing perceptions of the program’s intent.

DISCUSSION: The program’s focus on preventability was associated with a reduction in SAB rates and a sustained downward trend over time. While these changes did not reach conventional thresholds for statistical significance, the magnitude and direction of effects, together with qualitative feedback on improved collaboration and targeted prevention strategies, indicate potential for broader application.

PMID:41547893 | DOI:10.1186/s13756-025-01696-2

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 17. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-30930-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Indian halibut Psettodes erumei (Family Psettodidae), a primitive lineage of flatfishes exhibiting both sinistral and dextral morphs, provides a unique model for examining the evolutionary significance of morphological asymmetry in flatfishes. This study tested whether eye-sidedness influences somatic growth, body shape, and reproductive traits in P. erumei from the western Arabian Gulf. A total of 215 individuals were collected between 2020 and 2022, with sinistral and dextral morphs occurring in near-equal proportions. Model selection based on Akaike weights revealed that sex, rather than eye-sidedness, was the primary factor influencing length-weight relationships and growth, with females attaining significantly larger asymptotic lengths. Eye-sidedness had no detectable effect on gonadosomatic index patterns or length at 50% maturity. While Procrustes regression detected statistically significant differences in body landmarks and semilandmarks between morphs, these differences were minor and likely biologically negligible. Overall, the results support the hypothesis that eye-sidedness in P. erumei does not confer a measurable evolutionary advantage and imply that differences in developmental mechanisms, rather than adaptive advantages, played a primary role in fixing directional asymmetry in most flatfish lineages. Future research into the molecular and developmental pathways governing eye-sidedness will be essential for understanding why the vast majority of flatfish species exhibit monomorphic asymmetry.

PMID:41547882 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-30930-5