Tag: statistics

J Holist Nurs. 2026 Apr 16:8980101261439580. doi: 10.1177/08980101261439580. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Purpose of StudyThis study aimed to determine the effect of a holistic intervention, integrating painting, and music activities, on the perceived stress and burnout levels of nurses working in frontline conditions during extraordinary crises.Design of StudyA quasi-experimental pretest/post-test control group design was utilized, grounded in holistic nursing principles.Methods UsedThe intervention consisted of three online art-based sessions designed to facilitate emotional expression and cognitive relief. Data were collected from nursing staff via an introductory form, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Burnout Scale (BS). Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, including nonparametric tests and effect size calculations.FindingsFor the intervention group, the BS median values showed a significant improvement following the sessions (p < .05), moving from a pretest median of 3.00 to 4.00 (indicating lower burnout). While PSS scores decreased from 33.00 to 31.50, this change did not reach statistical significance (p > .05). Participants in both groups reported a high baseline interest in music.ConclusionsNurses experience dangerously high levels of burnout during prolonged extraordinary circumstances. Short-term, holistic art-based interventions can significantly reduce perceived burnout. Integrating creative arts into the workplace serves as a vital holistic strategy to enhance psychological resilience and work-life quality.

PMID:41989161 | DOI:10.1177/08980101261439580

Dent Med Probl. 2026 Mar-Apr;63(2):311-322. doi: 10.17219/dmp/202962.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The current treatment for patients with myalgia comprises splint therapy (ST), cognitivebehavioral therapy (CBT), psychological treatment, and education.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of relax-psycho-breathing therapy (RPB) and ST in women with myalgia, and to evaluate the efficacy of occlusal splint and/or behavioral therapy in the management of muscle pain.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study, designed as a randomized controlled trial (RCT), involved 105 women aged 25-55 years with pain in the masticatory muscles during the 30 days prior to examination. Myalgia was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) Axis I. The clinical examination assessed muscle and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain intensity, TMJ sounds, maximum mouth opening (MMO), and deviation in mouth opening and mandibular movement. After an initial assessment, at the 2nd visit (V2), the 25 patients from the 1st group were introduced to RPB: relaxation techniques; breathing patterns; psychological-behavioral instruction; muscle exercise therapy; puffing therapy; and self-massage. The 2nd group of patients received a custom-made, thermoplastic, flatplane relaxation splint placed on the mandible. The efficacy of treatment in all subjects was evaluated at 2 follow-up visits (V3 and V4).

RESULTS: In cases of muscle pain, pain during function, TMJ and muscle tenderness, and headache attributed to TMD, a statistically significant difference between the RPB and ST groups was observed only at the final follow-up visit. No significant differences between the 2 groups were found for MMO.

CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in myalgia following treatment suggests that both RPB exercises and ST are equally effective. However, considering the cost and duration of myalgia therapy, comprehensive care incorporating relaxation techniques may be a preferable first-line approach rather than ST alone.

PMID:41989134 | DOI:10.17219/dmp/202962

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2026 Apr 16:11206721261440985. doi: 10.1177/11206721261440985. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundPediatric Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) is a rare autoimmune condition primarily associated with Graves’ disease. Although usually milder than adult TED, it can still cause functional and psychological morbidity. Pediatric management remains unclear due to the absence of specific guidelines and concerns about treatment-related risks such as growth suppression.MethodsWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines, searching MEDLINE, Embase, and Emcare from inception to March 2024. Studies included interventional and observational reports involving patients ≤18 years with TED. Data were synthesized narratively and quantitatively. Meta-analyses were conducted using random-effects models, with heterogeneity assessed via I² statistics and meta-regression. Primary outcomes included visual acuity (VA), proptosis, Clinical Activity Score (CAS), and adverse events.ResultsThirty-two studies comprising 810 pediatric patients (mean age 11.7 years, 64.8% female) were included. The most common symptoms were exophthalmos (99.5%), eyelid retraction (73.1%), and dry eye (66.3%). Treatments ranged from antithyroid drugs and corticosteroids, to orbital decompression and biologics. Meta-analysis showed mean exophthalmos reductions of 4.69 mm for decompression, 4.25 mm for steroids, and 1.75 mm for biologics. Substantial heterogeneity and low certainty of evidence limited interpretability. Interventions were performed earlier than recommended, with no significant adverse effects reported.ConclusionsDespite most pediatric TED cases being mild, a subset of patients requires more intensive management. This review, comprising predominantly of case reports and case series with very low certainty evidence, reveals gaps between practice and recommendations, highlighting the need for pediatric-specific guidelines informed by systematic evidence.

PMID:41989129 | DOI:10.1177/11206721261440985

Psychol Rep. 2026 Apr 16:332941261441834. doi: 10.1177/00332941261441834. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Childhood maltreatment (CM), particularly emotional neglect and abuse, has been associated with an increased risk of anxiety and less favorable psychotherapy outcomes in adulthood. Impairments in personality functioning are a significant mechanism mediating this relation. This naturalistic cross-sectional study examined the mediating role of personality functioning in the relation between CM and anxiety symptoms in a clinical adult sample. A total of 335 adult patients starting individual psychotherapy completed intake self-report questionnaires about CM experiences, personality functioning, and anxiety symptoms. We assessed the two dimensions of personality functioning described in Section III of the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), specifically, self-functioning and interpersonal functioning. Bootstrapped mediation analyses were conducted to evaluate the mediating role of personality functioning in the association between each CM type and anxiety symptoms. 64.2% of the sample reported at least one type of CM. Personality functioning explained 73% of the total effect of CM on anxiety symptoms. Only emotional abuse and emotional neglect showed significant total effects. Emotional abuse retained a direct effect, while emotional neglect was fully mediated by personality functioning. Both personality functioning dimensions were significant mediators, yet self-functioning had a larger impact. Psychotherapeutic interventions targeting impairments in personality functioning are essential for treating anxiety symptoms in adults with CM. Findings emphasize the importance of trauma-informed, personalized interventions, and CM prevention strategies.

PMID:41989126 | DOI:10.1177/00332941261441834

J Chem Phys. 2026 Apr 21;164(15):154703. doi: 10.1063/5.0319735.

ABSTRACT

Graphene oxide (GO) exhibits rich chemical heterogeneity that strongly influences its structural, thermal, and mechanical properties, yet quantitatively linking reduction chemistry to heat transport remains challenging. In this study, we develop a machine-learned neuroevolution potential (NEP) trained on an existing density functional theory dataset [El-Machachi et al., Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 63, e202410088 (2024)], achieving reasonable accuracy at a computational cost much lower than the existing machine-learned and empirical potentials. Leveraging this potential, we perform large-scale molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to model the thermal reduction of GO across realistic structural domains. Using the homogeneous nonequilibrium MD method with a proper quantum-statistical correction scheme, we find that reduced GO exhibits strongly suppressed thermal conductivities, ranging from a few to tens of Wm-1 K-1, substantially lower than pristine GO without defects and far below graphene. Moreover, the thermal conductivity of reduced GO increases moderately with increasing OH/O ratio, except at the highest oxidation level (O/C = 0.5), where this trend inverts, while decreasing significantly with increasing O/C ratio, a trend strongly correlated with the fraction of recovered graphene-like structures. Our study provides a computationally tractable and predictive atomistic machine learning framework for exploring how chemical structure governs heat transport in heterogeneous carbon materials.

PMID:41989114 | DOI:10.1063/5.0319735

Anal Chem. 2026 Apr 16. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.6c00512. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In this response, we address key points by commentators on our previous article, “Unsupervised Machine Learning for Differential Analysis in Proteomics” (DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c03117), concerning the choice and characteristics of statistical testing and machine learning (ML) in differential proteomics. We clarify that while certain ML methods are statistically grounded, many operate on distinct nonparametric principles, offering an alternative approach when data violate standard distributional assumptions or exhibit complex multivariate structures. We also want to clarify our position that ML is proposed not as a replacement for established statistical frameworks but as a valuable expansion of the analytical toolbox, particularly useful in exploratory analysis or with heterogeneous data. We emphasize methodological pluralism, advocating for the combined use of ML and statistical methods across different stages of research, from hypothesis generation to confirmatory testing, to better address the diverse challenges in precision proteomics and to enrich biological discovery.

PMID:41989104 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.6c00512

ESC Heart Fail. 2026 Apr 16:xvag108. doi: 10.1093/eschf/xvag108. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter therapies offer new treatment options for patients with both mitral regurgitation (MR) and tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, the optimal treatment pathway in patients with combined MR and TR is not completely understood.

AIMS: This analysis evaluated the natural TR progression after mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (MTEER) with the MitraClip System in patients with MR and TR from the EXPANDed studies.

METHODS: EXPANDed is a pooled cohort from the EXPAND and EXPAND G4 studies. This study includes patients who had severe TR, achieved procedural success with MTEER, and received no direct TR intervention. Echocardiographic assessments were performed independently by echo core lab. Baseline characteristics, 1-year outcomes, and associations with TR improvement were reported based on 30-day TR severity following MTEER.

RESULTS: Of those with evaluable TR data at 30 days (N=160), 73% (N=116) improved to ≤moderate TR, while 28% (N=44) had ≥severe TR. The ≤moderate TR group had a lower prevalence of atrial fibrillation (68% vs 89%, p=0.009), numerically lower LV ejection fraction (49% vs 56%, p=0.07), and larger LV dimensions (LVEDV: 137.5±73.4 vs 107.9±44.8 ml, p=0.01). TR reduction was sustained in 86% of ≤moderate TR patients, while 45% of ≥severe TR patients improved to ≤moderate at 1 year. In the ≤moderate TR group, significant and larger improvements in NYHA functional class (p<0.0001) and KCCQ-OS score (Δ = +30.6±25.7, p<0.0001) were observed through 1 year. One-year mortality was numerically lower in the ≤moderate TR group (12.4% vs 22.3%) though not statistically significant (HR=1.92 [0.77, 4.79], p=0.16). Lower LVEF and larger baseline LV size were associated with TR improvement post-MTEER.

CONCLUSIONS: Early TR improvement to ≤moderate was observed in almost 3/4 of the population and was associated with significant symptomatic relief. Patients with both severe MR and TR, particularly those with LV dilation, may experience TR improvement following MTEER.

PMID:41989098 | DOI:10.1093/eschf/xvag108

Disabil Rehabil. 2026 Apr 16:1-16. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2026.2647439. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Although rehabilitation is vital for cerebral palsy (CP), in Indonesia, where the prevalence is high, practices are understudied. This study aimed to describe rehabilitation practice, explore perceptions of service delivery, and examine how dosage correlated with perceptions to inform strategies.

METHODS: A total of 233 Indonesian therapists (83% physiotherapists; 17% occupational therapists) completed an anonymous online survey between February and April 2025. Survey developed from existing literature and validated through expert review. The survey captured dosage and perceptions of service-related factors (Likert scale). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlations.

RESULTS: Therapists reported using both recommended evidence-based practices (e.g., mobility training) and non‑recommended practices (e.g., neurodevelopmental therapy). Rehabilitation typically lasted 30-45 min, 1-2 times/week, with limited agreement on strong evidence-based practice (EBP) exposure, adequate workforce, and families’ financial readiness. Therapy time correlated with positive perceptions of EBP exposure (p < 0.001, r = 0.305), skill set (p = 0.001, r = 0.244), infrastructure (p = 0.001, r = 0.239), and workforce (p = 0.002, r = 0.231). Moreover, institutional support for training showed the strongest association with greater EBP exposure (p < 0.001, r = 0.700).

CONCLUSION: In Indonesia, rehabilitation practice stays below recommended dosages, mirroring trends elsewhere. Barriers include families’ financial constraints, limited workforce, and insufficient exposure to EBP. Institutional support for training is vital for improving therapy and EBP adoption. Increasing the therapist workforce through new programs could enhance the delivery of CP services.

PMID:41989062 | DOI:10.1080/09638288.2026.2647439

Anal Chem. 2026 Apr 16. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c06848. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In their recently published article (DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c03117), Xu et al. argue that the detection of differentially abundant proteins in proteomic experiments should go beyond traditional statistical methods and should leverage unsupervised machine learning for anomaly detection. Shedding light on this category of methods is insightful, and the reported performances are promising. However, we believe the benchmarking angle of this article is restrictive. First, the reported performance increments are associated with overstated theoretical differences. Second, an excessive focus on the performances could lead proteomic investigators to undermine their usual elicitation of the biological question. As both reasons pertain to the researchers’ empowerment of machine learning tools and of computational workflows, we believe it is important to formulate complementary guidelines.

PMID:41989059 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.5c06848

Perfusion. 2026 Apr 16:2676591261429813. doi: 10.1177/02676591261429813. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundOpen pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA) carries a high risk of neurological complications due to cerebral hypoperfusion and ischemia-reperfusion injury. Systemic cooling during extracorporeal circulation may not sufficiently reduce brain temperature. Combining systemic and targeted head-neck cooling may enhance neuroprotection.MethodsIn this single-center retrospective study, 22 PEA patients were analyzed. All underwent deep systemic hypothermia (22-24°C). Eleven received adjunctive external head cooling using the Aurora head-neck device, and eleven used ice packs (Control). Cerebral oxygenation was monitored with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were measured preoperatively and postoperatively.ResultsCerebral desaturation events (rSO₂ < 40%) occurred in 22.2% of Aurora patients versus 77.8% of Controls (p = 0.030). Postoperative NSE levels were lower in the Aurora group; however, the difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.087).ConclusionDual-modality cooling combining extracorporeal hypothermia and targeted head-neck cooling improved intraoperative cerebral oxygenation and were associated with lower postoperative NSE levels; however, due to the limited sample size, no definitive conclusions regarding neuronal injury can be drawn.

PMID:41989018 | DOI:10.1177/02676591261429813