Tag: statistics

BMC Oral Health. 2026 Jul 24;26(1):1335. doi: 10.1186/s12903-026-09358-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This in vitro study aimed to compare and analysis degree of Manufacture accuracy and geometric discrepancy measurements of Cobalt-Chromium (C0-Cr) bar joint attachment supporting a mandibular complete overdenture fabricated directly by Direct Laser Sintering (DMLS) and indirectly fabricated by conventional casting of 3D printed resin pattern using Co-Cr alloys with the same reference design.

METHODS: A total of twelve bar joint attachment for two implant-retained mandibular overdentures were fabricated through additive manufacturing process indirectly by using 3D printed resin pattern and directly by using DMLS (n = six for each group). All the sample specimens of metal bars were scanned and superimposed with the reference STL reference design by using the Geomagic Control X software program.

RESULTS: There was no significant statistical difference in manufacture accuracy and geometric discrepancy in the bars fabricated by DMLS compared to indirectly 3D-printed conventional Co-Cr bars in mandibular implant retained overdenture. The Casted group has a mean of 0.1128 ± 0.006, while the DMLS group has a mean of 0.1206 ± 0.01. There was no significant difference between the groups, Regarding Internal Discrepancy, the Casted group shows a mean of 0.1659 ± 0.118, and the DMLS group has a mean of 0.1678 ± 0.035. The research indicates no significant difference between the groups for this variable.

CONCLUSION: No significant difference in Manufacture accuracy and geometric discrepancy of direct laser sintering versus cast 3D printed resin pattern of Co-Cr bars in mandibular implant retained complete overdenture.

PMID:42493783 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-026-09358-4

Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2026 Jul 23:25785478261472294. doi: 10.1177/25785478261472294. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cervicogenic headache (CGH) is a secondary disorder caused by cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction in the cervical vertebrae, with involvement of the upper three cervical segments. The pain initiates in the neck and is often intensified by head or neck movements. This condition imposes a considerable socioeconomic burden, affecting both community well-being and public health systems.

OBJECTIVE: To explore how high-power laser therapy influences pain intensity, suboccipital muscle activity, functional disability, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with CGH.

METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 40 participants (both males and females) diagnosed with CGH for a duration of at least 6 months, experiencing unilateral neck pain radiating to the suboccipital region. Participants were randomly allocated into two equal groups. The study group (A) received high-power Laser therapy in addition to a conventional physical therapy program, while the control group (B) received a placebo laser alongside the same conventional physical therapy program. Both groups received 3 times per week for 6 weeks, with each session lasting approximately 45-60 min. Outcome measures included the visual analog scale for pain intensity measurement, electromyography (EMG) to assess suboccipital muscle myoelectric activity, the Headache Impact Test-6 questionnaire to assess participants’ functional health and well-being, the Neck Disability Index to assess functional impairment, and the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey to evaluate QoL. Assessments were performed before and after the intervention (6 weeks).

RESULTS: Group A showed statistically significant improvements in pain intensity, EMG parameters, functional disability, headache impact, and QoL compared with Group B.

CONCLUSIONS: High-power laser therapy, when used alongside conventional physiotherapy, may be an effective approach for reducing symptoms and improving functional outcomes in patients with CGH.

PMID:42493768 | DOI:10.1177/25785478261472294

J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2026 Jul 23. doi: 10.1007/s11239-026-03359-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and liver cirrhosis is challenging due to competing risks of thrombosis and bleeding. While direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have emerged as alternatives to warfarin, their comparative safety and effectiveness in cirrhosis remain incompletely defined. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network. Adult patients (≥ 18 years) with AF and cirrhosis receiving DOACs or warfarin were identified. Propensity score matching (1:1) was performed to balance baseline characteristics. The primary outcomes were hepatic decompensation and ischemic stroke within 1 year. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality, major bleeding, intracranial hemorrhage, gastrointestinal bleeding, and all-cause hospitalization. Survival (Kaplan-Meier) analysis and hazard ratios were estimated. After propensity score matching, 2,522 matched pairs (5,044 patients) were included. Over 1-year follow-up, hepatic decompensation occurred in 8.8% of DOAC patients and 11.1% of warfarin patients, with a significantly lower risk observed in the DOAC group (HR 0.79, 95% CI 0.67-0.95; p = 0.010). Ischemic stroke occurred in 2.9% of DOAC patients and 2.4% of warfarin patients, with no statistically significant difference between groups (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.85-1.75; p = 0.289). All-cause mortality was lower in the DOAC group (17.7% vs. 20.3%; HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.99; p = 0.035). No significant differences were observed in major bleeding (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.70-1.02), intracranial hemorrhage (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.59-1.62), gastrointestinal bleeding (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.77-1.23), or all-cause hospitalization (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.97-1.12). In patients with atrial fibrillation and cirrhosis, DOAC use was associated with lower risks of hepatic decompensation and all-cause mortality compared with warfarin, while no significant difference was observed in ischemic stroke or other safety outcomes. Given the observational design and modest absolute differences, these findings should be interpreted as associative and hypothesis-generating rather than causal or definitive.

PMID:42493734 | DOI:10.1007/s11239-026-03359-4

J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2026 Jul 23. doi: 10.1007/s11239-026-03349-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sodium bicarbonate has recently emerged as an alternative additive to purge flow in microaxial blood pumps, offering local antithrombotic effects. However, the systemic effects of additive bicarbonate on coagulation remain incompletely defined. Here, we examined the effect of sodium bicarbonate at varying concentrations (10^{– 2}-10^{– 5}M) on select coagulation parameters to define systemic versus local effects. Fresh human whole blood from healthy adults (N ≥ 4 per assay) was incubated with sodium bicarbonate over a range of concentrations (10^{– 5}-10^{– 2}M). Coagulation and thrombus formation was assessed via whole blood clotting time (WBCT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), prothrombin time (PT), rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and total thrombus analysis (T-TAS). Sodium bicarbonate at concentrations 10^{– 3}M or less, did not induce significant changes in WBCT, aPTT, PT, ROTEM clot stiffness, or thrombus formation. Notably, at higher bicarbonate concentrations (10^{– 2}M) WBCT was delayed (2.5 ± 0.5 min; p = 0.02), aPTT showed a moderate delay (3.9 ± 2.2 s; p > 0.05), ROTEM revealed increased clot stiffness at 10 min (1.7 ± 0.3 mm; p = 0.004) with high concentrations (10^{– 2} M) and a moderate decrease in thrombus formation (33.5 ± 21.9Kpa∙min; p > 0.05). Sodium bicarbonate, at concentrations encountered during intravenous (IV) use or expected systemic dilution during Impella purge use, was not associated with statistically significant alterations in global coagulation or platelet thrombosis in this in vitro study. Supraphysiologic levels, consistent with via intra-device purge flow in the device microenvironment, produced measurable but mild changes to clotting time and stiffness. These findings underscore the safety and lack of confounding effect of low dose systemic bicarbonate on systemic coagulation, while supporting mechanisms of local device-based antithrombotic efficacy.

PMID:42493731 | DOI:10.1007/s11239-026-03349-6

Clin Oral Investig. 2026 Jul 24;30(8):358. doi: 10.1007/s00784-026-07022-3.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether dentin pre-treatment with bioactive glass F18 suspensions modifies dentin surface characteristics and influences the bond strength of bioceramic and epoxy resin-based endodontic sealers.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Extracted human root canals were treated with distilled water, PBS or Bioglass F18 suspensions (2.5%, 5%, or 10%). Dentin surface morphology and elemental composition were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Bovine dentin specimens were treated with distilled water or 5% F18 and filled with a bioceramic (Bio-C Sealer) or epoxy resin-based sealer (AH Plus) for interfacial and mechanical analyses. The material-dentin interface was evaluated by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy after PBS immersion. Push-out and tensile bond strength tests were performed. Statistical analysis was performed using appropriate parametric or non-parametric tests according to data distribution. The level of significance was set at α = 0.05.

RESULTS: Bioglass F18 promoted the deposition of bioactive material on the dentin surface, with comparable effects observed at 5% and 10% concentrations. All F18 concentrations significantly increased the bond strength of both sealers compared with controls (p < 0.05). In tensile testing, dentin pre-treatment with 5% F18 resulted in significantly higher bond strength (p < 0.05). AH Plus exhibited higher bond strength than Bio-C Sealer in both mechanical tests (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Dentin pre-treatment with Bioglass F18 enhanced dentin bioactivity and improved the sealer-dentin adhesion for both Bio-C Sealer and AH Plus. The effects were concentration-dependent across different outcomes, with 5% F18 showing favorable performance in tensile bond strength and comparable behavior to 10% F18 in push-out testing.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dentin pre-treatment with Bioglass F18 may improve sealer-dentin interfacial performance under in vitro conditions and could represent a potential adjunctive approach in root canal sealing strategies, pending further long-term and in vivo investigations.

PMID:42493722 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-026-07022-3

Braz J Microbiol. 2026 Jul 24;57(1):215. doi: 10.1007/s42770-026-02015-6.

ABSTRACT

Endotoxin contamination remains a critical challenge in recombinant protein production using Gram-negative bacteria, particularly for intracellularly expressed, positively charged proteins prone to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) binding. This study introduces an efficient upstream strategy for LPS removal before the cell disruption, aimed at reducing the endotoxin contamination load in the downstream purification process. A recombinant cationic protein (named as 4mer-S3-DP) was expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21 (DE3), and biomass was treated with varying concentrations and incubation times of Tris-HCl and EDTA, as defined by a central composite design (CCD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Endotoxin levels in inclusion bodies (IBs) were quantified using a chromogenic Limulus Amebocyte Lysate (LAL) assay, and statistical modelling was performed to optimize treatment conditions. The final quadratic model demonstrated high predictive accuracy, and response surface analysis revealed that both insufficient and excessive treatment conditions could increase endotoxin contamination. Optimal conditions, consisting of 70 mM Tris-HCl for 30 min and 60 mM EDTA for 5 min, achieved a 2.7-log reduction in endotoxin levels (99.8%) without compromising protein integrity, as confirmed by SDS-PAGE analysis. Experimental validation of the optimum criteria predicted by this model showed no significant difference between predicted and observed endotoxin levels of IBs. This upstream intervention as a simple and effective endotoxin removal approach before the cell lysis could be adaptable to other recombinant proteins expressed in Gram-negative bacterial.

PMID:42493718 | DOI:10.1007/s42770-026-02015-6

Qual Life Res. 2026 Jul 23;35(9):232. doi: 10.1007/s11136-026-04339-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Maternal mental health has been linked to a range of offspring outcomes; however, population-based evidence examining intergenerational associations across multiple health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domains over the life course remains limited. This study examines associations between maternal mental health and offspring HRQoL using nationally representative longitudinal data from Australia.

METHODS: We used data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The analytic sample comprised 8,737 offspring linked to 4,966 mothers. Three offspring’s HRQoL outcomes were examined: mental health and general health domain of the SF-36 instrument and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Maternal mental health was measured using the SF-36 mental health domain. Associations were estimated using weighted linear regression models with standard errors clustered at the maternal level, adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Gender differences were examined using interaction terms.

RESULTS: Higher maternal mental health was significantly associated with better offspring mental health in fully adjusted models (β = 0.485 SD, p < 0.001). Higher maternal mental health was also associated with better offspring general health (β = 0.458 SD, p < 0.001). For psychological distress, higher maternal psychological distress was associated with higher offspring psychological distress (β = 0.419 SD, p < 0.001). Higher maternal mental health was also positively associated with offspring psychological distress (β = 0.216 SD, p < 0.001); however, this reflects differences in measurement constructs (higher distress scores indicate worse outcomes) and should be interpreted cautiously. Associations remained statistically significant after covariate adjustment and did not differ by offspring gender.

CONCLUSIONS: Maternal mental health is associated with multiple dimensions of offspring HRQoL across the life course. These findings highlight maternal mental health as an important correlate of offspring health and underscore the relevance of family-centred, preventive strategies aimed at reducing intergenerational inequalities in mental health.

PMID:42493691 | DOI:10.1007/s11136-026-04339-0

Pediatr Int. 2026 Jan-Dec;68(1):e70491. doi: 10.1111/ped.70491.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since the onset of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, changes in the severity of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection have been reported in Japan. However, few studies have compared the severity of RSV infection before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aimed to compare the severity of RSV infection before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in two pediatric hospitals in Hanshin in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.

METHODS: This retrospective study included patients aged ≤ 15 years hospitalized with RSV infection in Hyogo Prefectural Amagasaki General Medical Center and Hyogo Prefectural Kobe Children’s Hospital between January 1, 2019, and July 31, 2023. Patient characteristics during the pre-pandemic (January to December 2019), pandemic (January 2020 to December 2022), and post-pandemic (January to July 2023) periods were compared.

RESULTS: The pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission rate was significantly higher during the post-pandemic period (26.1%) than during the pre-pandemic period (13.6%) (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients who received any form of respiratory support (tracheal intubation, noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation, or high-flow nasal cannula) was significantly higher during the post-pandemic period (26.9%) than during the pre-pandemic period (16.1%) (unadjusted odds ratio: 1.92, 95% confidence interval: 1.23-3.04; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS: In children hospitalized with RSV infection, the PICU admission rate and respiratory support requirements were significantly higher during the post-pandemic period than during the pre-pandemic and pandemic periods. Ongoing monitoring of clinical severity is needed to ensure effective prevention of RSV infection and optimal medical resource allocation.

PMID:42493684 | DOI:10.1111/ped.70491

J Neurooncol. 2026 Jul 23;179(1):13. doi: 10.1007/s11060-026-05717-x.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The prognosis for patients with glioblastoma after failure of first-line therapy is poor. Despite this, the standard of care for patients with recurrent disease is not well-defined. Here we report on the use of salvage therapies in glioblastoma using real-world data.

METHODS: Data were extracted from the BRAIN Registry for patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (Grade 4, IDH wild-type) between 09/2019 and 01/2024. Only patients who received salvage therapies following a documented date of recurrence/progression were included. Relevant descriptive and intergroup statistics were used, with survival calculated using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression used for multivariate analyses.

RESULTS: 275 patients were identified. Median age was 61 (range:23-88) years, with 56% being ECOG 0-1 at recurrence. Median time to progression was 7.6 months with 65% recurring/progressing during first-line therapy. Systemic therapy (85%) was most utilised with 67% receiving single-agent bevacizumab. Outcomes in this subgroup were similar to clinical trial data. 29% patients underwent re-resection with 58% of these then receiving systemic treatment. Compared with no surgery, patients who underwent re-resection were younger (p = 0.02), of better performance status (p = 0.006) and more likely to have recurred post completing first-line therapy (p = 0.001). Few patients (n = 9) received re-irradiation with median of 15 months between radiation events. Median post-progression survival (PPS) was 9.5 months. After adjustment for confounders, there was no difference in PPS for patients who underwent re-resection versus systemic therapy alone (p = 0.242). The survival differences observed between treatment modalities likely reflect patient factors influencing treatment selection and were impacted by small subgroup sizes.

CONCLUSION: Systemic therapy is most utilised in the salvage setting, predominantly bevacizumab. Certain patient characteristics were associated with re-resection. Re-irradiation was rarely used.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: ACTRN12618001959268.

PMID:42493681 | DOI:10.1007/s11060-026-05717-x

Metabolomics. 2026 Jul 23;22(4):131. doi: 10.1007/s11306-026-02453-1.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Assessing batch correction methods remains a major challenge in metabolomics, as no consensus currently exists for a generic and reliable evaluation strategy. Given the strong influence of batch effects on downstream statistical analyses, establishing a robust framework for their assessment is crucial to ensure result reproducibility and validity.

METHODS: This study presents a comprehensive workflow that combines innovative numerical indicators and diagnostic plots to assess multiple dimensions of batch correction performance. It relies on a newly developed indicator, the Batch Conformity Index (BCI), a multivariate, covariance-aware metric quantifying within- and between-batch variability. Complementary visualization tools, including single and multiblock factorization methods, hierarchical clustering and convex hull representations, provide interpretable global diagnostics. These are complemented by compound-level analyses employing classical univariate metrics such as the coefficient of variation, and intra/inter-batch dispersion indices. The workflow also integrates chemistry-based validation via isotopic ratio consistency to ensure that corrections preserve true biochemical information, enabling the detection of potential overfitting or overcorrection.

RESULTS: The benefits offered by the proposed strategy were illustrated by comparing two widely used correction methods, i.e. LOESS and ComBat, applied to a large-scale serum metabolomics dataset. The results highlighted the complementary strengths and limitations of each method, successfully captured by the proposed workflow, thus providing an objective and interpretable basis for method evaluation.

CONCLUSION: The developed framework offers a unified strategy for evaluating batch correction reliability across multivariate, univariate, and chemical dimensions, representing a significant step toward standardized and reproducible metabolomics data harmonization.

PMID:42493665 | DOI:10.1007/s11306-026-02453-1