Tag: statistics

J Feline Med Surg. 2026 Jan 21:1098612X261418859. doi: 10.1177/1098612X261418859. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To report changes in serum creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations following treatment of feline hyperthyroidism with anti-thyroid medications and compare these biomarkers at baseline between cats that were and were not azotaemic after treatment.

METHODS: Retrospective study; hyperthyroid cats that were euthyroid (total thyroxine concentration (TT4) 7-40 nmol/L) at 1 month (T1) and/or 2-9 months (T2) following treatment were identified and grouped by renal status defined by serum creatinine concentrations post-treatment. Comparisons were made using non-parametric statistics, and the correlations assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Data are presented as median [minimum-maximum].

RESULTS: Nineteen hyperthyroid cats were included. At baseline, TT4 was negatively correlated with serum concentrations of creatinine (rs = -0.73; P<0.001) but not SDMA (rs = -0.42; P=0.074). Serum creatinine concentrations increased significantly at T1 and T2 (137 [97-241] μmol/L and 162 [76-251] μmol/L) compared to baseline (117 [62-216] μmol/L; P=0.003 and P<0.001 respectively), whereas serum SDMA did not change significantly at T1 but did increase by T2 (11 [8-29] μg/dL and 13 [9-24] μg/dL respectively) compared to baseline (12 [7-21] μg/dL; P=0.548 and P=0.039 respectively). There was no significant difference in baseline serum SDMA between cats that were azotaemic after treatment and those that remained non-azotaemic (12 [7-21] μg/dL, n=13 vs. 13 [11-19] μg/dL, n=6; P=0.42).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Serum SDMA concentrations are not helpful in predicting post-treatment azotaemia in initially non-azotaemic hyperthyroid cats treated with anti-thyroid medications, and might be influenced by factors other than glomerular filtration rate in hyperthyroidism.

PMID:41566222 | DOI:10.1177/1098612X261418859

BMC Bioinformatics. 2026 Jan 21. doi: 10.1186/s12859-025-06352-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Accurate acquisition of phenotypic data is critical for cataloguing and utilising genetic variation in cultivated crops, landraces, and their wild relatives. The collection of phenotypic data using handwritten notes often introduces errors which can and should be avoided. Electronic data collection is crucial for ensuring error prevention and data standardisation and thus ensuring high-quality, reliable data.

IMPLEMENTATION: This paper describes the development of GridScore NEXT, a new plant phenotyping application that significantly advances the state of the art for collecting field trial data in plant genetics, pre-breeding and crop improvement research. Building on its predecessor, GridScore, the development of GridScore NEXT was driven by real life, in the field interactions with expert user groups across a number of crops. This iterative design methodology allowed the development and testing of new features. Collaborators from the ‘Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development’ (BOLD) project, focusing on crops including rice, grasspea, and alfalfa, along with barley, potato, vegetable and blueberry teams, provided invaluable insights through training sessions and interviews and in the field use of the application.

RESULTS: Key improvements to GridScore NEXT include enhanced data collection tools, supporting individual plant phenotyping within plots and enabling new data types such as GPS coordinates and image traits. GridScore NEXT provides customisable user defined validation rules to help prevent errors and incorporates barcode scanning for accurate, efficient data capture. The application offers an increased toolbox of data visualizations over its predecessor including heatmaps and statistical box plots, which aid in identifying potential data issues and understanding trial performance in the field. GridScore NEXT is cross-platform and can operate without an internet connection, making it ideal for field use in remote areas. Its adoption has led to standardisation of methods, significant error reduction, and the timely sharing of data, enabling quicker decision-making in pre-breeding and characterisation experiments. GridScore NEXT is available under an open-source (Apache 2.0) licence and freely available to all with no restrictions. It offers self-hosting options for enhanced data security and privacy. GridScore NEXT shows broad applicability across a diverse range of not only plant phenotyping experiments, but any experiment that requires the collection of accurate data.

PMID:41566195 | DOI:10.1186/s12859-025-06352-5

Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2026 Jan 25;29(1):92-97. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn441530-20250415-00160.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To characterize the endoscopic severity distribution and clinical features of diversion colitis (DC) following curative resection for rectal cancer with concurrent ileostomy. Methods: This descriptive observational study enrolled patients who met the following criteria: (1) preoperative histopathological confirmation of primary rectal adenocarcinoma via colonoscopic biopsy; (2) curative rectal cancer surgery (open or laparoscopic) with simultaneous prophylactic loop ileostomy; (3) subsequent ileostomy closure; and (4) complete medical records of 1-month follow-up data after closure. Patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection or had inadequate bowel preparation precluding clear endoscopic mucosal visualization were excluded. Clinical data were retrospectively collected for 173 patients who underwent the aforementioned procedures at Peking University People’s Hospital between January, 2023 and December, 2024. Primary endpoints were the overall incidence of endoscopic DC, its severity distribution (mild, moderate, severe), and specific manifestations (edema, mucosal hemorrhage, and contact bleeding). Secondary endpoints included the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score [range 0-42; no LARS (0-20), minor LARS (21-29), major LARS (30-42)] and bowel function-related symptoms (abdominal pain, mucous stool, rectal bleeding before and after closure, and diarrhea after closure). Results: Among the cohort, 108 patients (62.4%) were male, with a median age of 67 years (IQR 59-73). Endoscopic assessment revealed a 100% overall incidence of DC. Moderate to severe edema was present in 113 patients (65.3%), mucosal hemorrhage in 105 (60.7%), and contact bleeding in 66 (38.2%). Based on DC severity scores, cases were classified as mild in 52 (30.1%), moderate in 72 (41.6%), and severe in 49 (28.3%). Compared to the mild/moderate DC group, the severe DC group had a significantly longer median time to stoma closure [5.7 months (IQR 3.8, 7.7) vs. 4.7 months (IQR 3.7, 5.9); Z=2.335, P=0.020] and higher C-reactive protein levels (P=0.002). The severe DC group also exhibited higher incidences of pre-closure abdominal pain [20.4% (10/49) vs. 8.1% (10/124); χ²=5.234, P=0.022] and post-closure rectal bleeding [18.4% (9/49) vs. 8.1% (10/124); χ²=3.813, P = 0.049]. Furthermore, the severe DC group had a higher median LARS total score [31 (IQR 27, 38) vs. 27 (IQR 15, 34); Z=2.370, P=0.018] and a significantly greater proportion of patients with clustered defecation [59.2% (29/49) vs. 37.1% (46/124); χ²=6.977, P=0.031]. There were no statistically significant in other defecation function related symptoms between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: DC is an extremely common finding after curative rectal cancer surgery with concurrent ileostomy. Severe DC is associated with a longer interval to stoma closure, elevated inflammatory markers, and inferior postoperative bowel function.

PMID:41566186 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn441530-20250415-00160

Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2026 Jan 25;29(1):76-82. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn441530-20251015-00382.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study processes and analyzes rectal MRI images of patients with mid-to-low rectal cancer using deep learning technology, and integrates these data with clinical baseline information to construct a fully automated end-to-end prediction model. The model is designed to assist colorectal surgeons in preoperatively assessing surgical difficulty and selecting the optimal surgical approach. Methods: We prospectively collected data from patients with mid-to-low rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) and had been graded according to the surgical difficulty system recorded in Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, between March, 2019 and May, 2025. Inclusion criteria: (1) age 18-75 years; (2) tumor lower edge within 10 cm of the anal verge as measured by rectal MRI; (3) pathologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma; (4) complete, accessible preoperative rectal MRI DICOM images; and (5) tumor invasion depth of T1-4aNanyM0. Exclusion criteria: (1) synchronous or metachronous multiple primary colorectal cancer with concurrent surgery; (2) Any surgery other than TME; (3) tumor involvement of surrounding organs requiring combined organ resection; (4) unfitness for laparoscopic surgery (e.g. extensive adhesions from previous abdominal surgery, contraindications to pneumoperitoneum for various reasons, etc.); and (5) Robot-assisted radical resection of rectal cancer. Included patients were divided into training and test datasets, and deep learning techniques (rectal MRI image annotation, image preprocessing, data augmentation, and feature extraction) were used for model construction. Results: A total of 366 patients were included, with 253 males. The median BMI was 24.1 (22.0, 26.6) kg/m², and the median distance from the tumor lower edge to the anal verge was 6.5 (4.7, 7.8) cm. A total of 288 patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Based on intraoperative difficulty grade, patients were divided into the difficult group (199 cases) and the nondifficult group (167 cases). Compared to the nondifficult group, the difficult group showed several statistically significant differences (all P<0.05): higher proportion of males [86.9%(173/199) vs. 47.9%(80/167), χ²=64.813, P<0.001]; higher BMI [25.4 (23.2, 27.6) kg/m² vs. 23.1 (21.2, 25.2) kg/m², Z=-6.082, P<0.001]; and higher proportion of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy [88.9% (177/199) vs. 66.5%(111/167), χ²=27.357, P<0.001]. However, there was no statistically significant differences in the distance from the tumor lower edge to the anal verge between the two groups [6.4 (4.7, 7.9) cm vs. 6.6 (4.7, 7.7) cm, Z=-0.001, P=0.999]. Importantly, our surgical difficulty prediction model achieved an accuracy of 0.729, a precision of 0.684, a specificity of 0.521, a recall of 0.915, an F1-score of 0.782, and an AUC of 0.83. Conclusions: We proposed a prediction model with reasonable accuracy using artificial intelligence that can assist surgeons in determining surgical difficulty and choosing the optimal surgery approach for mid-low rectal cancer.

PMID:41566184 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn441530-20251015-00382

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Jan 20;106(3):251-257. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20250612-01433.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the clinical features of different treatment strategies between patients with type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ spontaneous extracranial carotid artery dissection (sECD). To investigate the efficacy of different treatment methods. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 181 sECD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between June 2018 and February 2025, of whom 23 had bilateral involvement, resulting in a total of 204 dissected vessels. Based on the Borgess classification, 204 dissected vessels were categorized into 2 groups: type Ⅰ (intact intima, 71 vessels) and type Ⅱ (with an intimal tear, 133 vessels). Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months, and every 12 months thereafter via outpatient visits or readmission. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, imaging features, treatment regimens, and follow-up data were collected to analyze and compare the incidence of cerebral ischemic events, cerebral hemorrhage, and mortality during hospitalization and follow-up between the 2 groups. To observe the efficacy between surgical and conservative treatments as well. Results: A total of 181 patients aged (50±11) years were included, comprising 139 males and 42 females. Compared with type Ⅱ sECD, type Ⅰ were younger [48 (40, 56) vs 51 (44, 57) years, P=0.043] and had higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission and discharge [2 (0, 5) vs 0 (0, 3) points, P=0.029; and 0 (0, 2) vs 0 (0, 1) points, P=0.026, respectively]. The incidence of ischemic stroke was significantly higher in type Ⅰ sECD [60.6% (43/71) vs 43.6% (58/133), P=0.021]. Type Ⅰ sECD also exhibited a higher proportion of true lumen stenosis >70% [78.9% (56/71) vs 36.8%(49/133), P<0.001]. A total of 67 patients (71 vessels) underwent surgical treatment with a 100.0% (71/71) success rate and no perioperative complications. Among 114 patients (133 vessels) receiving conservative treatment, the cerebral ischemia recurrence rate was 3.7% (2/53) for type Ⅰ and 6.3% (5/80) for type Ⅱ, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). However, the complete and partial healing rates were higher in type I sECD than in type Ⅱ [88.7% (47/53) vs 30.0% (24/80), P<0.001]. Conclusions: Type Ⅰ sECD is more common in younger patients and is associated with a higher risk of severe ischemic stroke, yet it exhibits better healing rates with antithrombotic therapy. Surgical treatment intervention is safe and effective for both types.

PMID:41566170 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20250612-01433

Animal Model Exp Med. 2026 Jan 21. doi: 10.1002/ame2.70125. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aims to explore the establishment of an animal model of cardiac injury induced by trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a metabolite secreted by gut microorganisms, and to investigate its application in moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) intervention.

METHODS: C57BL6/J mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal mice (Nor, n = 15); mice administered TMAO (TMAO, n = 15); mice undergoing (Nor+MICT, n = 15); mice undergoing (MICT) and administered TMAO (TMAO+MICT, n = 15). Mice in the TMAO and TMAO+MICT groups received daily gavage of high-dose TMAO for 8 weeks, whereas those in the Nor+MICT and TMAO+MICT groups underwent MICT for 8 weeks (60 min per session, 5 days per week, at 50% maximal running capacity). Cardiac function was evaluated using ultrasound, myocardial histology was examined using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabolomics was employed for multivariate statistical and metabolic pathway analyses.

RESULTS: Relative to the Nor group, TMAO-treated mice exhibited significant weight loss, elevated heart rate, and reduced ejection fraction and left ventricular fractional shortening, indicating cardiac impairment. Importantly, the TMAO+MICT group demonstrated significant improvements in these parameters compared to the TMAO group, alongside distinct alterations in myocardial metabolic profiles. TMAO altered five metabolic pathways relative to controls, whereas MICT induced significant changes in three pathways in TMAO-treated mice.

CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of high-dose TMAO administration induced significant cardiac dysfunction in mice, which was effectively mitigated by MICT intervention. Consequently, this animal model serves as a valuable tool for investigating the mechanisms underlying the impact of MICT on cardiovascular diseases.

PMID:41566156 | DOI:10.1002/ame2.70125

Fam Pract. 2025 Dec 9;43(1):cmaf111. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmaf111.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Continuity of care (CoC) is linked to better outcomes. Particularly, older adults and those with chronic conditions, like type 2 diabetes (T2D) and dementia, may benefit from CoC. Individuals with a migration background (MB) face challenges in accessing adequate healthcare. Our aim was to study associations between MB and personal continuity of general practitioner (GP) care among older adults, and in subgroups with T2D and dementia.

METHODS: Observational cohort study (2013-8) based on electronic records from 48 Dutch general practices linked to data from Statistics Netherlands. We specifically compared adults who migrated to the Netherlands to those without MB. The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI; low/medium/high) was used to measure CoC. We used multilevel ordinal regression to estimate associations between MB and CoC, adjusted for follow-up time/age/gender/comorbidity/income/practice.

RESULTS: 46 663 individuals aged ≥50 years were included: 72.9% with no MB, 5.7% with Surinamese, 4.3% Moroccan, 2.7% Turkish, 5.1% European, and 9.3% other MB. Compared with those without MB, persons with a Moroccan MB had lower odds of having moderate or high CoC [odds ratio (OR) 0.81, 95% CI 0.74-0.89], and persons with a European MB had higher odds of having moderate or high CoC (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.26). Persons with a Moroccan MB in the T2D subgroup had lower odds of having moderate or high CoC (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.64-0.89). No differences were found in the dementia subgroup.

CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals inequalities in personal continuity of GP care by MB in the Netherlands. Interventions to improve CoC should actively incorporate MB groups to promote equitable CoC.

PMID:41566153 | DOI:10.1093/fampra/cmaf111

Orthop Surg. 2026 Jan 21. doi: 10.1111/os.70242. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Robotic-assisted technology has increasingly been applied in orthopedic surgery; however, its safety and efficacy in the treatment of scaphoid fractures remain controversial and lack high-level evidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to compare robotic-assisted techniques with conventional fluoroscopy-guided techniques in the treatment of scaphoid fractures.

METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, CNKI, VIP, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus. Randomized controlled trials and cohort studies comparing robotic-assisted and conventional fluoroscopy-guided screw fixation for scaphoid fractures were included. Primary outcomes included operative time, fluoroscopy frequency, frequency of guidewire adjustments, intraoperative blood loss, fracture healing time, postoperative Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Mayo functional score, and complication rates. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.

RESULTS: Compared with conventional fluoroscopy-guided techniques, robotic-assisted technology significantly reduced operative time, fluoroscopy frequency, frequency of guidewire adjustments, intraoperative blood loss, and fracture healing time (all p < 0.05). In addition, the Mayo functional score was significantly higher in the robotic-assisted group (p < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were observed between the two groups in postoperative VAS scores or complication rates (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Robotic-assisted technology demonstrates superior safety and efficacy compared with conventional fluoroscopy-guided techniques in the treatment of scaphoid fractures. It offers advantages in surgical efficiency, radiation reduction, fracture healing, and functional recovery, supporting its clinical application.

PMID:41566146 | DOI:10.1111/os.70242

Int Endod J. 2026 Jan 21. doi: 10.1111/iej.70104. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the impact of multiple apical periodontitis (AP) on the expression of TLR4/NF-κB pathway components, proinflammatory cytokine levels, and development of hepatic injuries in rats with and without chronic alcohol consumption.

METHODOLOGY: Thirty-two rats were assigned to four groups (n = 8): Control, AP, Alcohol, and Alcohol+AP. The Alcohol and Alcohol+AP groups received 25% ethanol solution. Multiple AP were induced through pulp exposure of four molars for 28 days. Following euthanasia, the jaws and livers were collected. Micro-computed tomography was used to confirm periapical lesions. Liver samples underwent histopathological analysis and ELISA assay to measure TLR4, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α levels. Histopathological evaluation was performed using hepatic stereology to assess hepatocytes, sinusoids, Kupffer cells, steatosis, leukocyte infiltrate, and necrosis. Statistical analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA followed by the Student-Newman-Keuls (p < 0.05).

RESULTS: Hepatic levels of TLR4 and NF-κB were significantly higher in AP and Alcohol+AP groups compared to Control and Alcohol groups (p < 0.05). IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly elevated in all experimental groups compared to the Control group (p < 0.05), with higher levels observed in the Alcohol+AP group compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). Experimental groups showed a significant reduction in hepatocyte density compared to the Control group (p < 0.05), while sinusoidal volume was significantly reduced in the AP group compared to the Control group (p < 0.05). Hepatic steatosis was absent in the Control and AP groups and there was no significant difference in the percentage of steatosis between Alcohol and Alcohol+AP groups (p > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the number of Kupffer cells among groups (p > 0.05) and leukocyte infiltrate was absent in all groups. Necrosis was significantly higher in the AP and Alcohol+AP groups compared to the Control and Alcohol groups (p < 0.05), with the Alcohol+AP group showing a higher percentage of necrosis compared to the AP group (p < 0.05). Hydropic degeneration, focal inflammatory infiltrates, and hepatocyte necrosis were observed in the AP and Alcohol+AP groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Multiple AP led to elevated TLR4, NF-κB, IL-6, and TNF-α levels and significant hepatic alterations including hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis. When combined with alcohol consumption, multiple AP exacerbated ethanol-induced liver damage.

PMID:41566139 | DOI:10.1111/iej.70104

Infect Dis Ther. 2026 Jan 21. doi: 10.1007/s40121-025-01297-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Malaria continues as a public health threat through symptomatic/febrile cases, asymptomatic and low-density infections of Plasmodium falciparum, P. vivax, and their mixed infections. Mixed infections have not been studied much regarding their burden, clinical manifestations, and implications, and therefore, this study was conducted.

METHODS: Febrile patients were recruited from four patient-care settings from June to November 2020 through the collection of dried blood spots (DBS) and their paired microscopy and/or rapid diagnostic test (RDT) data. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based molecular diagnosis of both parasite species was performed from genomic DNA isolated from the DBS. Clinico-demographic details were recorded from patients from one of the sites, wherein patients with mixed infections were telephonically followed for subsequent clinical development.

RESULTS: Out of the 1030 samples collected and analyzed, 27% (280) were infected with P. falciparum and/or P. vivax: 188 (18%) mono-P. falciparum, 6 (0.5%) mono-P. vivax and 86 (8%) mixed. None of the infections were detected by microscopy and/or RDT, meaning that all 27% were febrile sub-microscopic infections with 8% burden of mixed infections. The quality of microscopic slides was found to be unsatisfactory when a sub-sample of slides was cross-examined by level 1-competent microscopists. None of the nine mixed-infection patients from Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) reported recurrences or any clinical development during the 12-month follow-up. No clinically/statistically significant difference was observed between mono- and mixed infections.

CONCLUSIONS: A high 27% febrile sub-microscopic Plasmodium infections with 8% mixed infections represent a significant challenge for malaria elimination, considering the quality of microscopy and the fact that Madhya Pradesh is classified under category 1 in the National Strategic Plan for malaria elimination 2023-2027.

PMID:41566118 | DOI:10.1007/s40121-025-01297-x