Tag: statistics

J Contemp Dent Pract. 2025 Feb 1;26(2):119-126. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3831.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate and compare the treatment of excessive gingival display (EGD) with lip repositioning surgery (LRS), with or without presurgical Botox injection, using relapse as the primary outcome.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two periodontally healthy patients with EGD were recruited and allocated into two equal groups. The intervention group (n = 11) underwent LRS with Botox preinjection into the smile muscles 1-2 weeks before surgery, while the control group (n = 11) underwent only LRS. Participants were assessed for changes in gingival display and lip length at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, as well as for pain and satisfaction. The data were recorded and statistically analyzed.

RESULTS: The control group showed a statistically significant change in gingival display at 3 months (3.82 ± 2.09 mm) and 6 months (4.68 ± 1.72 mm) compared to baseline (5.91 ± 1.45 mm), but no significant changes at 9 months (5.55 ± 1.37 mm) and 12 months (5.64 ± 1.50 mm). The intervention group demonstrated a significant reduction in gingival display at 3 months (2.23 ± 1.29 mm) and 6 months (3.95 ± 1.39 mm), with stable results up to 12 months (4.27 ± 1.10 mm). The overall reduction in gingival display was significantly greater in the intervention group compared to the control group (1.86 mm, 0.27 mm, respectively). Patient satisfaction with the treatment was not significantly different between the two groups, except for willingness to repeat the procedure. Pain scores were significantly higher in the control group than in the Botox group at 24 h, with no significant differences at 3 and 7 days.

CONCLUSIONS: Botox pre-injection for LRS demonstrated its efficacy for management of EGD by enhancing lip length, reducing relapse, alleviating postoperative discomfort, and providing sustained results for 1 year.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This study addresses effective treatments for EGD, improving esthetics and confidence. By evaluating LRS with and without Botox, it offers practical insights that improves EGD and reduces relapse, resulting in increased patient satisfaction and sustained results over a year. How to cite this article: Ghoniem OM, Madkor GG, Darhous MS. Evaluating Lip Repositioning for the Treatment of Excess Gingival Display with and without Pretreatment with Botox: A Randomized Clinical Trial. J Contemp Dent Pract 2025;26(2):119-126.

PMID:40444504 | DOI:10.5005/jp-journals-10024-3831

J Chiropr Educ. 2025 May 31;39:eJCE-24-21. doi: 10.7899/JCE-24-21.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess chiropractic students’ opinions of their digital literacy proficiencies.

METHODS: A cross-sectional, quantitative, and exploratory study was conducted with 1st to 4th year bachelor of health sciences and 1st to 2nd year master of health sciences chiropractic students (n = 244) at the University of Johannesburg using an anonymous, self-administered online Likert-style questionnaire. The 41-item survey collected demographic data and students’ self-perceptions on 4 aspects of digital literacy skills, namely, information literacy (IL), information communications technology literacy (ICTL), information and communications technology utilization (ICTU), and media literacy (ML). Data were analyzed according to the 4 constructs.

RESULTS: The response rate was 57.78% (n = 141). The majority of students were 18-24 years of age and female and the highest year cohort was from 1st year master of health sciences chiropractic students. Students reported high levels of agreement within IL (M = 4.220; SD = .472), and ML (M = 4.271; SD = .507) constructs and lower levels of agreement within ICTL (M = 3.808; SD = .568) and ICTU (M = 3.762; SD = .562) constructs. Age and sex were not statistically significant; academic year was significant for IL only (p = .040). All 4 constructs exhibited acceptable internal consistency (IL: 0.862; ICTL: 0.830; ICTU: 0.840; ML: 0.844).

CONCLUSION: Gaps were highlighted in the perception of ICTL and ICTU skills in all chiropractic students and trends emphasizing differences between basic and higher order levels of digital literacy skills between junior and senior years of study, respectively. There is a need to bridge the gap in skills at department, faculty, and university levels.

PMID:40444473 | DOI:10.7899/JCE-24-21

J Chiropr Educ. 2025 May 31;39:eJCE-24-19. doi: 10.7899/JCE-24-19.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of burnout among chiropractic students in Malaysia, using the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey for Students (MBI-GS[S]).

METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at IMU University with 219 chiropractic students from semester 1 through semester 8. The MBI-GS(S) was utilized to assess burnout across 3 subscales: Exhaustion, Cynicism, and Professional Efficacy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and χ2 tests. Standardized residual analysis was performed as a posthoc step to identify which specific year(s) contributed to any significant χ2 results.

RESULTS: Of the 219 participants, 2.28% were classified as having a burnout profile under the 2016 method, while 10.04% met the burnout profile under the 2018 method. A χ2 test revealed no association between year of study and burnout using the 2016 method. In contrast, the 2018 method indicated a significant association (p = .004), driven primarily by a higher-than-expected frequency of burnout in Year 1 and a lower-than-expected frequency in Year 2.

CONCLUSION: Burnout is present among chiropractic students in Malaysia, with estimates differing by classification method. The 2018 method not only yielded a higher overall prevalence but also highlighted an association with year of study. These findings underscore the importance of choosing appropriate classification criteria and emphasize targeted interventions for students most at risk, particularly in their first year.

PMID:40444472 | DOI:10.7899/JCE-24-19

Mol Med Rep. 2025 Aug;32(2):216. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2025.13581. Epub 2025 May 30.

ABSTRACT

Following the publication of the above article, the authors have drawn to the Editor’s attention that a number of corrections are required to four figures featured in the above article, and a textual change is also required in the Results section. Concerning the textual change, in the last sentence of the first paragraph of the Results on p. 4, “…Schischk and 11 for Angelica sinensis (Oliv) Diels”, should have read as: “…Schischk and 10 for Angelica sinensis (Oliv) Diels”, as shown correctly in Fig. 1C on p. 5. Secondly, concerning the flow cytometric (FCM) data shown in the right‑hand flow chart in the second row of Fig. 5E, the authors have realized that these data were inadvertently copied across from the third flow chart in the first row of Fig. 4C. After examining their original data, the authors have realized that the second flow chart in the second row of Fig. 5E was misplaced (showing the results from the “siPARP1+H₂O₂” experiment), and the corrected version of this figure is presented in this corrigendum (the corresponding statistical graph shown in Fig. 5F has been replaced as well). Thirdly, concerning the western blot data shown in Fig. 8 on p. 11, the β‑actin internal reference proteins pertaining to the cleaved‑caspase‑3, PARP1 and cleaved‑PARP1 experiments were selected incorrectly for this figure. These data, and the corresponding statistical graphs shown in Fig. 8A‑D, have been corrected in the new version of Fig. 8 provided in this corrigendum. Fourthly, the FCM flow charts to represent the “3,200 µg/ml RJNTF” and “PJ34 inhibitor group” experiments in Fig. 9C on p. 12 were wrongly placed, and both these data and the corresponding statistical graphs have also been corrected in the revised version of Fig. 9 included in this corrigendum. Finally, in Fig. 10 on p. 13, “$” in Fig. 10D (relating to the statistical analysis of the data) should have been written as “ns”, and in the corresponding figure legend, “^$P<0.05 vs. RJNTF group” should have been written as “^nsP<0.05 vs. 1,600 µg/ml RJNTF group”. These corrections have been attended to in the revised version of Fig. 10 provided in this corrigendum. All the authors approve of the publication of this corrigendum, and the authors are grateful to the Editor of Molecular Medicine Reports for granting them the opportunity to publish this. The authors regret that these errors were included in the paper, and also apologize to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [Molecular Medicine Reports 29: 102, 2024; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2024.13226].

PMID:40444460 | DOI:10.3892/mmr.2025.13581

J Appl Gerontol. 2025 May 30:7334648251343329. doi: 10.1177/07334648251343329. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Studies have shown links between nutrition in older adults and marital status. Few studies explore the interaction of gender and marital status with a healthy diet in the US for older adults. Using a sample of oldest olds living in an independent, retirement community dwelling in Florida, we found a statistically significant difference in healthful diet between women and men, controlling for marital status, health status, social isolation, loneliness, and other covariates. We also found a significant negative relationship between healthful diet and widowhood (b = -3.85, p < .000). Likewise, older adults who were divorced or never married had lower healthful diet scores than those who were married or remarried (b = -7.31, p < .000), disability was associated with a lower healthful diet (b = -.30, p < .01), and loneliness was negatively associated with healthful diet. The results have important implications for medical advisers and those involved in providing support to these older adults.

PMID:40444447 | DOI:10.1177/07334648251343329

J Investig Med. 2025 May 30:10815589251348911. doi: 10.1177/10815589251348911. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to explore the potential causal relationship between frailty and allergic diseases through bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

METHODS: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected as instrumental variables from genome-wide association studies summary data. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the main analysis method, and MR-Egger regression and weighted median method were employed to complement the IVW results. Verification of the reliability of results using multiple sensitivity analysis methods.

RESULTS: The results of forward MR analysis revealed a statistically significant positive causal relationship between allergic asthma (AA) and frailty, as well as between atopic dermatitis (AD) and frailty; however, no causal effects were detected between allergic conjunctivitis (AC), allergic rhinitis (AR) and frailty. The results of reverse MR analysis indicated that frailty had a statistically significant positive causal effect with AD and AR, but no causal effect with AA or AC. The sensitivity analysis showed that the MR results were stable, with no heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found a bidirectional causal relationship between AD and frailty, a positive causal relationship between AA and frailty, an inverse causal relationship between AR and frailty, and no causal relationship between AC and frailty. In view of this, it may be recommended to promote routine frailty screening among patients with AD and AR to help identify high-risk individuals early. Additionally, appropriate interventions for frailty are crucial to reduce the risk of AA and AD.

PMID:40444436 | DOI:10.1177/10815589251348911

Andrology. 2025 May 30. doi: 10.1111/andr.70070. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Varicocoele is a common cause of male infertility, affecting spermatogenesis through increased testicular temperature, venous stasis, and oxidative stress. Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy improves semen quality, whereas intrauterine insemination is widely used for mild male factor infertility. The comparative efficacy of these treatments in varicocoele patients with mild semen abnormalities remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy and intrauterine insemination in improving clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in varicocoele patients with mild semen abnormalities and assess post-operative improvements in semen parameters following microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study involving 650 microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy patients from five medical centers and 700 intrauterine insemination patients from one center was conducted. Inclusion criteria included varicocoele diagnosed via ultrasonography, mild semen abnormalities (total motile sperm count ≥5 million), and at least one abnormal semen parameter. Primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Secondary outcomes included sperm concentration, motility, and total motile sperm count changes post-microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and logistic regression.

RESULTS: Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy patients demonstrated significant improvements in sperm concentration (35.2-43.3 × 10⁶/mL), motility (26%-38%), and total motile sperm count (18.8-34.9 × 10⁶, p < 0.001). Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were higher in the microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy group (35.23% and 31.08%) compared to the intrauterine insemination group (29.57% and 24.00%, p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy significantly increased pregnancy (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.12-1.83, p < 0.05) and live birth rates (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.21-2.02, p < 0.05).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy significantly enhances semen quality and achieves superior clinical pregnancy and live birth rates compared to intrauterine insemination for varicocoele patients with mild semen abnormalities. These findings suggest that microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy is a more effective treatment option, highlighting the importance of individualized treatment strategies and supporting the preferential use of surgical intervention in this specific patient population.

PMID:40444428 | DOI:10.1111/andr.70070

J Investig Med. 2025 May 30:10815589251348912. doi: 10.1177/10815589251348912. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IntroductionEach year, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) releases match outcomes data, highlighting trends, match rates, and competitiveness for each specialty. However, research on the demographics, temporal trends, and disparities among Nephrology applicants remains limited.MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed data from the NRMP for Hospice and Palliative Care fellowships from 2016 to 2024, including applicant demographics and match outcomes. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences and temporal trends were evaluated with Mann-Kendall tests, and statistical significance was set at p<0.05.ResultsAlthough the total number of training programs (p<0.001) and fellowship positions (p<0.001) increased from 2010 to 2024, the percentage of filled positions significantly declined from 94.1% in 2010 to 65.8% in 2024 (p=0.047). Females were less likely to apply for Nephrology compared to other fellowships (p=0.002) and had a lower match rate (p<0.001). White applicants were less likely to apply for Nephrology than other fellowships (p<0.001). US MD graduates had a significantly higher match rate than non-US MD graduates over the study period (p<0.001).ConclusionsDespite the annual increase in Nephrology training positions, declining applicant numbers have reduced fellowship competitiveness. Males, Asians, and non-US IMGs comprised the majority of trainees. Addressing pay, job opportunities, and gender disparities is crucial to sustaining the future Nephrology workforce in the US.

PMID:40444425 | DOI:10.1177/10815589251348912

Lupus. 2025 May 30:9612033251345648. doi: 10.1177/09612033251345648. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IntroductionSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) primarily affects women of reproductive age. In pregnant women, frequent antepartum and intrapartum monitoring is required to improve obstetric outcomes and reduce the risk of flares. This study describes the characteristics of pregnant women with SLE and their obstetric and disease outcomes.MethodsRetrospective descriptive cohort in a hospital in Bogotá, Colombia, from 1/January/2012 to 29/February/2024. The research was approved by the Ethics Committee. Descriptive statistics and univariate analysis by Fisher and Mann-Whitney U test were used.ResultsWe analyzed 29 pregnancies of 28 women with a median age of 28 years, high educational and socioeconomic level, belonging to the social security system, and residing in Bogotá. Most of them had been diagnosed with SLE before pregnancy (median disease duration of 60 months). Twenty percent had poly-autoimmunity. Overall disease activity was mild to moderate. Obstetric outcomes (e.g. preterm delivery) were associated with a moderate to severe SLEPDAI (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pregnancy Disease Activity Index) score in the second and third trimester (83%, p = .04), shorter disease duration (24 vs 96 months, p = .027) and proteinuria >1 g (40.91%, p = .03).ConclusionsThis study associates preterm delivery with factors such as proteinuria >1 g, shorter disease duration, and a moderate to severe score in the second trimester of pregnancy. A higher level of evidence is required to establish these associations with the causality of adverse outcomes in the Latin American population.

PMID:40444419 | DOI:10.1177/09612033251345648

J Clin Rheumatol. 2025 May 29. doi: 10.1097/RHU.0000000000002245. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) offers quantitative insights into synovitis by evaluating vascular changes. However, its potential to predict progressive bone destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains unclear. This study aimed to identify DCE-MRI parameters that predict joint deformity progression and establish their clinical relevance.

METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 24 RA patients undergoing DCE-MRI at baseline and after treatment initiation. Radiographic progression was assessed using the modified total Sharp score 1 year after the second DCE-MRI. Histogram analysis of the enhanced synovium was performed using a mathematical model to derive parameters, including β (washout rate) and signal enhancement ratio (SER). The differences in mathematical parameters between the groups were statistically evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS: Clinical factors, including 28-joint disease activity score (DAS28)-erythrocyte sedimentation rate and visual analog scale scores, were elevated in the progression group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.02, respectively). Patients with progressive bone destruction exhibited significantly higher posttreatment β and SER values (p = 0.023 and p = 0.03, respectively), reflecting delayed-phase curve patterns associated with angiogenesis and increased vascular permeability. No significant differences in the volume of enhanced synovium or Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score synovitis scores were observed. There was no difference between the groups in the change in clinical parameters.

CONCLUSION: Posttreatment β and SER values derived from DCE-MRI may serve as predictive markers of future bone destruction in RA. These findings highlight the potential of DCE-MRI in guiding therapeutic decisions. Future studies with larger cohorts and automated analysis methods are warranted to validate these results and enhance clinical feasibility.

PMID:40442895 | DOI:10.1097/RHU.0000000000002245