Tag: statistics

J Toxicol. 2025 Dec 30;2025:6638848. doi: 10.1155/jt/6638848. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the acute toxicity of essential oils with repellent potential, diethyltoluamide (DEET), and cypermethrin on Porcellio laevis.

METHODS: Randomized preclinical trial with a factorial and controlled arrangement on three essential oils (Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha piperita, and Cymbopogon citratus) at 0.1%, 1%, and 10%, respectively, DEET at 10% and cypermethrin at 0.1%. Each experimental group consisted of 10 specimens, 2-3-mm-long, of P. laevis. Toxicity was measured by specimen mortality at 3, 24, and 48 h postexposure. Nonparametric inferential statistics were used to compare mortality between the groups. The InfoStat/E software, Version 2020, was used for analysis.

RESULTS: Essential oils at concentrations of 0.1% and 1% showed similar toxicity to each other (mortality of 10%-20%) but significantly lower compared to cypermethrin and DEET (mortality of 100%). However, essential oils at 10% reached median mortality rates above 70%. Likewise, similar effects were observed at concentrations of 0.1% and 1.0% and at 24 and 48 h. The LC 50 at 24 h was 7.8% (CI 95%: 5.2-9.8), 6.1% (CI 95%: 4.9-7.4), and 9.8% (CI 95%: 8.9-10.6) for E. globulus, M. piperita, and C. citratus, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The evaluated essential oils showed lower acute toxicity compared to DEET and cypermethrin, depending on concentration and time.

PMID:41498104 | PMC:PMC12767039 | DOI:10.1155/jt/6638848

Osteoporos Sarcopenia. 2025 Dec;11(4):137-144. doi: 10.1016/j.afos.2025.11.002. Epub 2025 Nov 29.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The effectiveness of combining romosozumab (ROMO) with denosumab (Dmab) remains uncertain. We compare the six-month effects of Dmab plus monthly ROMO versus Dmab plus daily teriparatide (TPTD) on bone mineral density (BMD) in treatment-naïve postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 26 treatment-naïve postmenopausal women with primary osteoporosis. Participants received either a monthly regimen of ROMO and Dmab (N = 14) or a daily regimen of TPTD plus Dmab (N = 12). BMD at the lumbar spine, total hip, and femoral neck was measured at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum levels of C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) and procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (P1NP) were assessed at the same intervals.

RESULTS: Both regimens significantly improved lumbar spine BMD at 6 months (ROMO + Dmab: +9.75%; TPTD + Dmab: +7.42%). Improvements in total hip and femoral neck BMD were modest and similar between groups (∼2%). Serum CTX and P1NP were significantly suppressed in both groups at 3 months, but P1NP suppression waned in the TPTD + Dmab group by 6 months. No statistically significant differences in BMD or marker changes were detected between the two regimens.

CONCLUSIONS: Both combination therapies effectively improve lumbar spine BMD over 6 months. The ROMO + Dmab regimen yielded numerically greater increases with fewer injections.

PMID:41498097 | PMC:PMC12766607 | DOI:10.1016/j.afos.2025.11.002

Cancer Manag Res. 2025 Dec 31;17:3349-3358. doi: 10.2147/CMAR.S556061. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the development trend of prognostic nutritional index and psychosomatic symptom clusters (multidimensional fatigue, generalized anxiety, difficulty in emotional regulation) in patients with lung cancer, and to analyze their correlation and predictive relationship.

METHODS: One hundred and eighty-five patients with lung cancer were selected as the research objects using the convenience sampling method. The prognostic nutritional index and psychosomatic symptom cluster were followed up at T1, T2, and T3 after the operation. Repeated measures ANOVA and cross – lag model were used for statistical testing.

RESULTS: A total of 185 questionnaires were distributed, and 7 invalid questionnaires were excluded, with an effective recovery rate of 96.22%. The results of repeated measurement showed the scores of prognostic nutritional index (F = 3.342, P = 0.031), multidimensional fatigue (F = 5.362, P < 0.001), generalized anxiety (F = 6.003, P < 0.001), and emotional regulation difficulties (F = 0.885, P = 0.420) at the three time points. Results of the cross – lag model: The level of prognostic nutritional index negatively predicted multidimensional fatigue symptoms (T1→T2: β = – 0.415, P = 0.003; T2→T3: β = – 0.433, P = 0.005) and generalized anxiety symptoms (T1→T2: β = – 0.364, P = 0.007; T2→T3: β = – 0.350, P = 0.012). The prognostic nutritional index at T2 significantly and negatively predicted emotional adjustment difficulties at T3 (T1→T2: β = 0.158, P = 0.151; T2→T3: β = – 0.233, P = 0.024). While in the psychosomatic symptom cluster, only multidimensional fatigue negatively predicted the prognostic nutritional index at the next node (T1→T2: β = – 0.314, P = 0.003; T2→T3: β = – 0.342, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The prognostic nutritional index of patients with lung cancer after surgery is closely related to the psychosomatic symptom cluster. The prognostic nutritional index has a negative predictive effect on the psychosomatic symptom cluster, and the multidimensional fatigue symptom also has a negative predictive effect on the prognostic nutritional index.

PMID:41498094 | PMC:PMC12766116 | DOI:10.2147/CMAR.S556061

Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2025 Dec 31;30(6):804-815. doi: 10.5603/rpor.109846. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The main treatment method for head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs) is surgery in combination with radiotherapy or chemoradiation. However, the tumor heterogeneity and tumor microenvironment are issues of radiotherapy success. Due to this fact, the radioresistance process is not fully understood and seems to be a challenge for current oncology.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Radiotherapy treated HNSCC patients were divided into two groups based on the overall survival and excluding those with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection or treated with chemotherapy or targeted therapy. Next, groups were compared based on the clinical-pathological and transcriptome data (RNAseq) from The Cancer Genome Atlas Project (TCGA) using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) software and GraphPad Prism toll.

RESULTS: A model was created, consisting of two contrasting groups of patients: effective treatment group (ETG, n = 34) and ineffective treatment group (ITG, n = 31) for radiotherapy. Patients in the ITG group had a significantly shorter progression-free interval (PFI) than the ETG group, with a median of 266 days (p < 0.0001). Between the ETG and ITG groups, no differences (p > 0.05) were observed in clinical and pathological parameters, except perineural invasion (p = 0.0068) and the presence of a new tumor event after initial treatment (p < 0.0001). Molecular pathway analysis showed that ITG patients had statistically significantly increased expression of genes associated with DNA repair.

CONCLUSIONS: We observed that our model, consisting of two groups, differed at the molecular level in genetic changes. Moreover, the presented model and its characterization showed that it was potentially useful for searching for potential biomarkers.

PMID:41498084 | PMC:PMC12768031 | DOI:10.5603/rpor.109846

Rep Pract Oncol Radiother. 2025 Dec 31;30(6):796-803. doi: 10.5603/rpor.108577. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) of the extremities has a particularly poor prognosis compared to other primary sites due to an increased rate of alveolar histology, higher rate of metastasis, and the extent of regional lymph node involvement. To date there are few assessments comparing upper extremity (UE) to lower extremity (LE) RMS of the extremities using population-based registry, so we sought to compare survival between UE and LE RMS.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, cases of RMS of the UE and LE diagnosed between 2000-2020 were collected. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were completed for one-and five-year survival. Log-rank and Cox regression analyses were completed to compare UE versus LE survival.

RESULTS: A total of 641 cases were included, of which 221 (34.5%) were UE and 420 (65.5%) were LE. On log-rank tests, UE survival was longer than LE survival (p = 0.021). The one-year survival rate was greater for the UE (88.7%) compared to the LE (81.4%) (p = 0.020) but similar at five-years. Cox regression analysis showed no difference in survival between UE and LE primary site (hazard ratio = 1.172, p = 0.322).

CONCLUSIONS: In comparing UE and LE RMS survival, UE survival was greater at one-year, but not on adjusted analyses. These findings contribute to the few prior assessments of outcomes between UE and LE RMS, though direct comparisons between UE and LE should be included in future prospective studies.

PMID:41498078 | PMC:PMC12767979 | DOI:10.5603/rpor.108577

J Pediatr Clin Pract. 2025 Oct 16;18:200190. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedcp.2025.200190. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) has dramatically increased, and illegally manufactured fentanyl may be a significant contributor. The optimal treatment approach for an infant experiencing severe withdrawal from fentanyl is unknown. Our aim was to decrease the mean length of stay (LOS) by 20% over 19 months for infants with NOWS by implementing a transitional phase before establishing our modified Eat, Sleep, Console (ESC) model of care.

STUDY DESIGN: A multidisciplinary team used quality improvement methodology to improve treatment of NOWS in 2 phases, each adapted to fentanyl’s complex pharmacology. Beginning May 2023, a hybrid Finnegan/ESC protocol was implemented to address hospital barriers for a year before initiating full ESC management. Data were collected on infants >35 weeks of gestational age admitted to a level III neonatal intensive care unit. Primary metrics included LOS and total days/doses of morphine. Rates of apnea and naloxone were used as balancing measures. The LOS was plotted on a statistical process control chart and the data were summarized with descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Outcomes were analyzed for 217 infants. The aim was exceeded with a mean LOS reduction of 29% (hybrid) and 49% (ESC). On average, decreased morphine days (22.5, 11.2, 6.9, P < .001) and doses (162, 63, 14, P < .001) also were observed. No significant apnea occurred, nor was naloxone used.

CONCLUSIONS: This quality improvement project provides a successful fentanyl-adapted ESC model that may be adopted to decrease postnatal morphine usage and LOS.

PMID:41498060 | PMC:PMC12766099 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpedcp.2025.200190

J Biomed Opt. 2026 Jan;31(1):018001. doi: 10.1117/1.JBO.31.1.018001. Epub 2026 Jan 5.

ABSTRACT

SIGNIFICANCE: Pleural photodynamic therapy (PDT) faces significant dosimetry challenges due to complex light distribution patterns within the pleural cavity, where integrating sphere effects dominate light propagation. Accurate prediction of light fluence rate distributions is essential for optimizing treatment protocols and improving therapeutic outcomes in this emerging clinical application.

AIM: The aim is to quantitatively analyze light fluence rate distributions in pleural PDT using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations in various cavity geometries and tissue optical properties, providing essential data for treatment planning.

APPROACH: Graphics processing unit-accelerated MC simulations ( ${10}^8\text{photons}$ ) using MCmatlab analyzed light distribution in spherical cavities (radii 0.2 to 10 cm) and anatomically realistic lung cavity models (volume = 2 L) with point sources. Simulations include a range of tissue optical properties ( ${\mu }_a$ : 0.1 to $1.0{\mathrm{cm}}^{–1}$ ; ${\mu }_s^{‘}$ : 5 to $40{\mathrm{cm}}^{–1}$ ) for a flat-cut fiber source inside a realistic three-dimensional (3D) lung geometry, including realistic thoracotomy access openings and different fill media (air versus saline). Experimental validation is made using isotropic detectors in the same 3D-printed lung phantom with varying optical properties.

RESULTS: MC statistical uncertainties averaged 1.9% across all voxels. Spherical cavities ( $r=4\mathrm{cm}$ ) demonstrated highly uniform scattered light distribution along cavity-tissue boundaries (distribution uniformity 4.9%), whereas anatomically realistic lung phantoms showed greater heterogeneity (49.9%). Scattered light fluence rate per source power ( ${\varphi }_s/S$ ) strongly correlated with tissue optical properties, particularly scattering coefficients. Source position minimally affected scattered light patterns, though direct components remained position-dependent. Side openings reduced scatter fluence near access points, with saline-filled cavities showing slightly higher fluence rates than air-filled cavities.

CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that patient-specific factors including cavity geometry, tissue optical properties, and surgical access considerations significantly influence light distribution in pleural PDT. The quantitative relationships established between these parameters and fluence patterns provide essential data for developing personalized treatment planning protocols to optimize therapeutic light delivery.

PMID:41498054 | PMC:PMC12768299 | DOI:10.1117/1.JBO.31.1.018001

Occup Ther Int. 2026 Jan 4;2026:4450215. doi: 10.1155/oti/4450215. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The prospective, historically controlled study evaluated whether a collaborative practice (CP) model between nurses and occupational therapists improves activities of daily living (ADLs) and reduces the use of disposable absorbent products and physical restraints in hospitalized older patients.

METHODS: Data from the historical control group (n = 72), who received usual care, were collected from medical records, and the intervention group (n = 46), who participated in the CP-based intervention, was recruited in a community-based care ward in a regional hospital. The CP model was designed to facilitate collaborative planning for improving ADLs between nurses and occupational therapists. Outcome measures included disposable absorbent product use, physical restraint use, and the functional independence measure (FIM). Assessments were conducted at admission and discharge. Propensity score matching was applied to balance baseline characteristics between groups and to reduce potential confounding factors.

RESULTS: Propensity score matching generated 45 pairs (“historical controls,” n = 45, and “interventions,” n = 45). Although physical restraint use was reduced in both groups (p ≤ 0.007), the use of disposable absorbent products in the intervention group was significantly reduced compared to the historical control group (p = 0.020). Additionally, significant interaction effects were observed between time and group for all FIM scores, indicating greater improvements in ADLs in the intervention group, with moderate to large effect sizes (p ≤ 0.013, partial η ² ≥ 0.068).

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the positive impact of a CP model between nurses and occupational therapists in improving ADLs and reducing disposable absorbent product use in older patients. These findings suggest that this model of CP enhances the quality of geriatric care. Trial Registration: UMIN Clinical Trials Registry number: UMIN000047072.

PMID:41498052 | PMC:PMC12765810 | DOI:10.1155/oti/4450215

N Am Spine Soc J. 2025 Aug 10;24:100782. doi: 10.1016/j.xnsj.2025.100782. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum (LF) contributes significantly to the development of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), a serious and often disabling disease predominantly affecting the aging population. Histologic changes in the ligament and the tissue mediators that drive these alterations have been described, but their spatial distribution within the ligament remains unclear. Understanding these changes may enable future interventions to slow ligament degeneration and disease progression. To date, no study has comprehensively described the distribution of pathological changes within individual ligaments.

METHODS: This study combined histopathobiochemical analysis and micromechanical mapping of healthy and degenerated human LF specimens obtained perioperatively from 57 patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery (38 with LSS and 19 controls). Ligament samples were analyzed histologically for vascular density, presence of inflammatory infiltrates, and chondroid metaplasia using morphometric software and immunohistochemical staining. Mechanical properties, including stiffness (Young’s modulus) and contact pressure, were measured via nanoindentation using the Hysitron BioSoft In-Situ Indenter system. Samples were spatially mapped across 9 anatomical zones of the LF to investigate regional variation. Statistical analyses compared these parameters between spinal segments (L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1), between LSS and control groups, and evaluated age-related trends.

RESULTS: The central region of the LF exhibited significantly higher vascularity and stiffness compared to peripheral regions. Areas showing chondroid metaplasia and inflammation demonstrated increased vascularization, characteristic of LSS pathology. Although vascular density and mechanical stiffness were elevated in LSS patients versus controls, these differences did not reach statistical significance. Age-related trends differed between groups: stiffness increased with age in controls but decreased in LSS patients.

CONCLUSIONS: The greatest changes in vascularization and stiffness occur in the central region of ligamentum flavum. Understanding these localized alterations may support future development of targeted therapies to slow or prevent disease progression.

PMID:41498049 | PMC:PMC12766084 | DOI:10.1016/j.xnsj.2025.100782

Ann Appl Stat. 2024 Mar;18(1):683-703. doi: 10.1214/23-aoas1807. Epub 2024 Jan 31.

ABSTRACT

Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is used throughout the world to estimate prevalence and population size for hidden populations. Although RDS is an effective method for enrolling people from key populations in studies, it relies on a partially unknown sampling mechanism, and thus each individual’s inclusion probability is unknown. Current estimators for population prevalence, population size, and other outcomes rely on a participant’s network size (degree) to approximate their inclusion probability in the sample from the networked population. However, in most RDS studies, a participant’s network size is attained via a self-report and is subject to many types of misreporting and bias. Because design-based inclusion probabilities cannot be exactly computed, we instead use the term visibility to describe how likely a person is to be selected to participate in the study. The commonly used successive sampling population size estimation (SS-PSE) framework to estimate population sizes from RDS data relies on self-reported network sizes in the model for the sampling mechanism. We propose an enhancement of the SS-PSE framework that adds a measurement error model for visibility used in place of the self-reported network size and a model for the number of recruits an individual can enroll. Inferred visibilities are a way to smooth the degree distribution and bring in outliers as well as a mechanism to deal with missing and invalid network sizes. We demonstrate the performance of visibility SS-PSE on three populations from Kosovo sampled in 2014 using RDS. We also discuss how the visibility modeling framework could be extended to prevalence estimation.

PMID:41498046 | PMC:PMC12768521 | DOI:10.1214/23-aoas1807