Tag: statistics

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2025;53(1):88-93. doi: 10.36740/Merkur202501112.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To investigate the role of thymidine phosphate and IL-6 in the pathogenesis and survival rate in women with breast cancer..

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: Sixty women diagnosed with breast cancer (with age ranging between 25-65 years) were included in the current study. Of these, 40 women relapse after 6 months of follow up, while 40 patients were non-relapsed.

RESULTS: Results: Statistical analysis pointed out that thymidine phosphorylase may be significantly increased in relapsed women comparing to non-relapsed women (4.48±0.24 ng/ml and 1.12±0.18 ng/ml respectively, p value <0.0001). Regarding IL-6, the current study also found that IL-6 tends to be increased in relapse BC comparing to non-relapsed BC (8.6±0.92 pg/ml vs. 6.82±1.14 pg/ml respectively, p-value<0.0001. There was a high significant positive correlation between thymidine phosphorylase and IL-6 (r=0.368; p-value <0.01). The sensitivity and specificity in predicting relapse in breast cancer were 0.83 and 0.64 for TP and 0.78, and 0.65 respectively.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: It is suggested that thymidine phosphate activity and IL-6 serum levels after six months of follow up, have a dual synergistic impact on the pathogenesis of relapse for BC. These biomarkers can also be used in the prediction of relapse rate in women diagnosed with BC.

PMID:40063916 | DOI:10.36740/Merkur202501112

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2025;53(1):81-87. doi: 10.36740/Merkur202501111.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: To investigate the impact of the improved Working Program of the academic subject “Special Physical Training” on the dynamics of indicators of cadets’ physical and psycho-emotional state in their training process..

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The research, which was conducted in 2023-2024, involved 167 male cadets of the 3rd and 4th training years of National Academy of Internal Affairs (Kyiv, Ukraine). Two groups were formed: the experimental group (EG, n = 86), whose cadets studied according to the improved Working Program of the academic subject area referred to as “Special Physical Training,” and the control group (CG, n = 81), whose cadets studied according to the existing Working Program. Research methods: bibliosemantic, pedagogical experiment, testing, methods of mathematical statistics.

RESULTS: Results: The research found that at the end of the experiment, most of the studied indicators of physical and psycho-emotional state in the EG cadets were significantly better than in the CG cadets. The most pronounced effect of the training sessions with the improved Working Program was found in the indicators of anxiety, neuro-emotional stability, self-confidence, stress resistance, and endurance of future law enforcement officers.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: A high level of these indicators will ensure the formation of law enforcement officers’ psychophysical readiness for extreme conditions. It will help to improve the efficiency of their performance of service tasks under martial law.

PMID:40063915 | DOI:10.36740/Merkur202501111

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2025;53(1):12-19. doi: 10.36740/Merkur202501102.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate and correlate psychosocial risks and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) faced by nurses in the hospital work environment..

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 nurses (response rate: 56%) working in a General Hospital of Central Greece, from January to March 2023. A self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection, which included demographic information, characteristics of the nursing unit, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire Version III (COPSOQ III), and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

RESULTS: Results: No statistically significant differences were found between individual factors and the COPSOQ scales under examination, except for gender. Professional characteristics, however, were associated with psychosocial risks. For example, an increase in the number of nurses was positively associated with work demands. Conversely, night shifts were negatively associated with freedom of movement, as was the length of employment with opportunities for career development and the assessment of leadership quality. No statistically significant differences were found between MSDs and individual factors. Regarding the correlation between psychosocial risks and MSDs, the study revealed several associations among COPSOQ scales, such as work demands, work-life balance, freedom of movement, social support from colleagues and supervisors, job insecurity and satisfaction, interactions with others, health assessment, and mental exhaustion, with the occurrence of MSDs in body areas such as the neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, upper back, and ankles.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The hospital work environment entails numerous psychosocial risk factors, and ensuring its safety requires their identification and evaluation. Interventions such as ergonomics training, acquiring ergonomic equipment, avoiding manual lifting, and training on the use of patient handling devices can increase risk awareness, reducing the frequency and intensity of musculoskeletal pain.

PMID:40063906 | DOI:10.36740/Merkur202501102

Pol Merkur Lekarski. 2025;53(1):5-11. doi: 10.36740/Merkur202501101.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Aim: The purpose was to determine the morphological features of collagen fibers of the dermis and regenerate filling the cavity of the experimental skin wound during its closure by different methods..

PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: The experimental study was conducted on 60 rats of the WAG population weighing 250-300 grams. Five groups were formed (12 rats in each group). Rats of groups 1-4 underwent a 1.5 cm long skin incision on the lateral surface of the neck. The formed defect in rats of group 1 was sutured with an interrupted suture, in group 2 it was sutured with an intradermal suture, in group 3 it was closed with skin glue based on 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, in group 4 it was welded with an electrocoagulator PATONMED EKVZ-300 (Ukraine). Group 5 included intact rats that did not undergo any manipulations. On the 7th and 14th day, 6 animals were removed from the experiment in groups 1-4. In group 5, all animals were removed from the experiment on the 7th day. The material for morphological study was a skin sample from the lateral surface of the neck. Histological, histochemical, morphometric and statistical research methods were used.

RESULTS: Results: In survey microscopy, collagen fibers located in the regenerate and surrounding dermis, in cases of experimental wound closure with nodal or intradermal sutures, had different directions of location, mostly looked thickened, and were interconnected, which led to the disappearance of intercellular spaces. In cases of wound closure with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate-based skin glue or by welding with the PATONMED EKVZ-300 electrocoagulator, collagen fibers looked mostly thinned, chaotically arranged in a dense intertwining network. The density of collagen fibers in the regenerate and the surrounding dermis did not differ depending on the different methods of wound closure. The collagen content in the collagen fibers of the regenerate increased on day 14 compared to day 7 for all methods of experimental wound closure. In cases of wound closure using a nodal or intradermal suture, the collagen content was higher compared to cases when the wound was closed with 2-octyl cyanoacrylate-based skin glue or by welding with the PATONMED EKVZ-300 electrocoagulator. In the collagen fibers of the dermis surrounding the wound, the collagen content was higher in cases of wound closure with a nodal or intradermal suture. In cases of wound closure using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate-based skin glue or by welding with the PATONMED EKVZ-300 electrocoagulator, the collagen content in the dermis surrounding the regenerated tissue corresponded to the control value.

CONCLUSION: Conclusions: Closing the surgical wound with a nodular or intradermal suture is likely to lead to the formation of skin scars in the future. In cases of wound closure using 2-octyl cyanoacrylate-based skin glue or by welding with the PATONMED EKVZ-300 electrocoagulator, all conditions for the manifestation of organotypic skin regeneration are formed.

PMID:40063905 | DOI:10.36740/Merkur202501101

PLoS One. 2025 Mar 10;20(3):e0319102. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0319102. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis aims to provide synthesized evidence to determine whether pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block is superior to local anesthetic infiltration in controlling postoperative pain in total hip arthroplasty.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: PubMed, EMBASE, Web of science, and the Cochrane library will be systematically searched from their inception to December 30, 2024. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the analgesic effects of PENG block with local anesthetic infiltration for total hip arthroplasty will be included. The time to first analgesics requirement (analgesia duration) will be the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes will include the postoperative analgesics consumption over 24 hours, visual analog scale (VAS) scores at rest and movement, and the incidence of adverse effects. Statistical analysis will be conducted by RevMan 5.4 software.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not applicable. The results of this study will be publicly published.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024590888.

PMID:40063895 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0319102

PLOS Digit Health. 2025 Mar 10;4(3):e0000744. doi: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000744. eCollection 2025 Mar.

ABSTRACT

The lack of sensitive objective outcome measures for hand dexterity is a barrier for clinical assessment of neurological conditions and has negatively affected clinical trials. Here, we clinically validate a new method for measuring hand dexterity, a novel hand worn sensor that digitises the Finger Tapping Test. The device was assessed in a cohort of 180 healthy controls and 51 people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and compared against rating scales and traditional measures (Nine Hole Peg test and grip dynamometry). 14 features were extracted from the device and using a logistic regression algorithm, a 0-100 dexterity performance score was generated for each participant, which accounted for age/sex differences. The device returned objective ratings of a participant’s hand dexterity (dominant, non-dominant and overall score). The average overall dexterity performance score in all healthy participants was 88 ± 17 (mean ± standard deviation). The overall dexterity score was statistically significantly worse in participants with ALS (age/sex matched healthy subset: 80 ± 20, ALS: 45 ± 32, p-value < 0.0001). The device also had a higher completion rate, (94% dominant hand) compared to the traditional measures (82% dominant hand). This test and scoring system have been validated and the regression model was developed using a framework that is potentially applicable to any relevant condition. This device could act as an objective outcome measure in clinical trials and may be useful in improving patient care.

PMID:40063887 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pdig.0000744

PLoS One. 2025 Mar 10;20(3):e0306266. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306266. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Climate change impacts require us to reexamine crop growth and yield under increasing temperatures and continuing yearly climate variability. Agronomic and agro-meteorological variables were concorded for a large number of plantings of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in three growing seasons over several years from semi-tropical Queensland. Using the Queensland government’s SILO meteorological database matched to sowing dates and crop phenology, we derived planting specific agro-meteorological variables. Linear and nonlinear statistical models were used to predict duration of vegetative and pod filling periods and fresh yield using agro-meteorological variables including thermal time, radiation and days of high temperature stress. High temperatures over 27.5∘C and 30∘C in the pod fill period were associated with a lower fresh bean yield. Differences between specific bean growing sites were examined using our bespoke open source software to derive agro-meteorological variables. Agronomically informed statistical models using production data were useful in predicting time of harvest. These methods can be applied to other commercial crops when crop phenology dates are collected.

PMID:40063884 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0306266

Eur J Prev Cardiol. 2025 Mar 10:zwaf135. doi: 10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf135. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Current risk prediction models, such as the Norwegian NORRISK 2, explain only a modest proportion of cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidence. This study aimed to develop improved sex-specific models for predicting the 10-year CVD risk as well as sex- and age-specific thresholds for intervention.

METHODS: Data from 31,946 participants (40-79 years) without prior CVD were analyzed. Data were randomly split into a training set (for estimation) and a test set (for model evaluation). An extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model was used to identify the most important predictive variables. Next, prediction models were developed on the training set for each sex separately using XGBoost and logistic regression. The models were evaluated on the test set using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) and precision recall (PR) curves. Finally, age- and sex-specific thresholds for intervention were explored.

RESULTS: All traditional risk factors included in NORRISK 2 and the European SCORE2 model were important predictors for males, but not for females. Potential new risk predictors were identified. The XGBoost model improved CVD risk prediction for males: 0.013- and 0.012-unit increase in ROC-AUC compared to NORRISK 2 and SCORE2 respectively, and 12% and 11% increase in PR-AUC respectively. For females, neither the XGBoost nor logistic regression model performed significantly better than NORRISK 2 and SCORE2. Age- and sex-specific thresholds showed an improvement in sensitivity compared with NORRISK 2-suggested thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS: By employing statistical learning and incorporating sex-specific risk factors, we propose improved risk prediction models for CVD in males. Introducing sex-specific thresholds for intervention could enhance CVD prevention for both sexes.

PMID:40063873 | DOI:10.1093/eurjpc/zwaf135

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2025 Mar 10;19(3):e0012918. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012918. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic had unprecedented global impact on health and society, highlighting the need for a detailed understanding of SARS-CoV-2 evolution in response to host and environmental factors. This study investigates the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 via mutation dynamics, focusing on distinct age cohorts, geographical location, and vaccination status within the Indian population, one of the nations most affected by COVID-19.

METHODOLOGY: Comprehensive dataset, across diverse time points during the Alpha, Delta, and Omicron variant waves, captured essential phases of the pandemic’s footprint in India. By leveraging genomic data from Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID), we examined the substitution mutation landscape of SARS-CoV-2 in three demographic segments: children (1-17 years), working-age adults (18-64 years), and elderly individuals (65+ years). A balanced dataset of 69,975 samples was used for the study, comprising 23,325 samples from each group. This design ensured high statistical power, as confirmed by power analysis. We employed bioinformatics and statistical analyses, to explore genetic diversity patterns and substitution frequencies across the age groups.

PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The working-age group exhibited a notably high frequency of unique substitutions, suggesting that immune pressures within highly interactive populations may accelerate viral adaptation. Geographic analysis emphasizes notable regional variation in substitution rates, potentially driven by population density and local transmission dynamics, while regions with more homogeneous strain circulation show relatively lower substitution rates. The analysis also revealed a significant surge in unique substitutions across all age groups during the vaccination period, with substitution rates remaining elevated even after widespread vaccination, compared to pre-vaccination levels. This trend supports the virus’s adaptive response to heightened immune pressures from vaccination, as observed through the increased prevalence of substitutions in important regions of SARS-CoV-2 genome like ORF1ab and Spike, potentially contributing to immune escape and transmissibility.

CONCLUSION: Our findings affirm the importance of continuous surveillance on viral evolution, particularly in countries with high transmission rates. This research provides insights for anticipating future viral outbreaks and refining pandemic preparedness strategies, thus enhancing our capacity for proactive global health responses.

PMID:40063870 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pntd.0012918

Eur Radiol. 2025 Mar 10. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11449-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Recognising bone injuries in children is a critical part of children’s imaging, and, recently, several AI algorithms have been developed for this purpose, both in research and commercial settings. We present an updated systematic review of the literature, including the latest developments.

METHODS/MATERIALS: Scopus, Web of Science, Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were queried for studies published between 1 January 2011 and 6 September 2024 matching search terms ‘child’, ‘AI’, ‘fracture,’ and ‘imaging’. Retrieved studies were evaluated, and descriptive statistics were collated for diagnostic performance.

RESULTS: Twenty-six eligible articles were included; seventeen (17/26, 65.%) of these were published within the last two years. Six studies (6/26, 23.1%) used open-source datasets to train their algorithm, the remainder used local data. Sixteen studies (16/26, 61.5%) evaluated a single joint (wrist, elbow, or ankle); multiple bones within the appendicular skeleton were assessed in the other ten studies. Seven articles (7/26, 26.9%) related to the performance of a commercial AI tool. Accuracy of AI models ranged from 85.0 to 100.0%. Six studies (6/26, 23.1%) evaluated the accuracy of human readers with and without AI assistance, of which two studies found a statistically significant improvement when humans were assisted by AI. The largest pool of human readers in any paper consisted of 11 readers of varying experience.

CONCLUSION: The pace of research in AI fracture detection in children’s imaging has increased. Studies show high accuracy of AI models, but proof of clinical impact, cost-effectiveness, and any socioeconomic or ethical bias are still lacking.

KEY POINTS: Question AI model development has rapidly increased in recent years. We present the latest developments in AI model diagnostic accuracy for paediatric fracture detection. Findings Studies now demonstrate performance improvement when AI is used to assist human interpretation of paediatric fractures, especially when aiding junior radiologists. Clinical relevance Studies show high accuracy for AI models; however, further research is needed to evaluate AI across diverse age groups, bone diseases, and fracture types. Evidence of real-world patient benefit for AI and any socioeconomic or ethical bias are still lacking.

PMID:40063108 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11449-9