Tag: statistics

J Gastrointest Cancer. 2025 Dec 4;56(1):237. doi: 10.1007/s12029-025-01364-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Approximately 35% of patients do not receive adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) after surgery for stage III colorectal cancer (CRC). We aimed to investigate the association between receipt of AC and sociodemographic and treatment factors.

METHODS: A retrospective case-control analysis of patients with stage III CRC who underwent radical resection was performed using data from the SEER registry (2010-2020). The main exposure was socioeconomic determinants, and the main outcome was receipt of AC. Multivariable binary logistic regression analyses were used to assess independent predictors of AC receipt.

RESULTS: A total of 81,720 patients (52.4% male; median age, 65 years) were included. Overall, 70.6% of tumors were colonic and 29.4% rectal. 41.7% of patients did not receive AC. Independent socioeconomic determinants of AC receipt were age < 50 years (OR: 2.36, p < 0.001), male sex (OR: 0.931, p = 0.002), Black race (OR: 1.12, p = 0.002), Hispanic ethnicity (OR: 1.13, p < 0.001), household income <$50,000 (OR: 1.16, p = 0.001), non-metropolitan residence (OR: 1.09, p = 0.035), and unmarried status (single-OR: 0.778, p < 0.001, divorced-OR: 0.87, p < 0.001, widowed-OR: 0.313, p < 0.001). Tumor characteristics associated with AC receipt included tumor location and size, perineural invasion, number of positive lymph nodes, and CEA levels. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.28-0.48) and neoadjuvant radiation therapy (OR: 0.42, 95%CI: 0.38-0.46) were associated with lower odds of receiving AC in patients with colon and rectal cancer, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Receipt of AC was less likely among elderly males and those who received neoadjuvant treatments. Black and Hispanic patients and patients with low household income were more likely to receive AC.

PMID:41343095 | DOI:10.1007/s12029-025-01364-z

Eurasian J Med. 2025 Oct 16;57(3):1-6. doi: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.25987.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the complication rates in femoral neck fractures treated with dynamic hip screw (DHS), with a focus on associations with age, gender, and fracture classification. Additionally, the impact of reduction quality on clinical outcomes was assessed.

METHODS: A total of 172 patients aged 21-65 years were retrospectively reviewed. Fractures were classified according to the AO and Powell angle classification systems. Reduction quality was assessed using the Garden index. Complication rates were analyzed based on reduction method, age group, gender, and fracture type.

RESULTS: A total of 172 patients were included. The overall complication rate was 7.5% (n=13), with nonunion (n=7), avascular necrosis (n=4), and implant failure (n=2) being the primary complications. Although complication and nonunion rates were higher in females, the differences were not statistically significant (P > .05). Similarly, no significant differences were observed between age groups (P > .05). However, unstable fractures (AO type B3) and high-angle fractures (Powell group 3) were significantly associated with increased complication rates (P < .05). Anatomical reduction significantly reduced complication rates compared to poor reduction (P < .01).

CONCLUSION: Fracture type and reduction quality were the most important factors influencing complications. In particular, unstable and high-angle fractures were associated with increased risk, and the quality of reduction had a direct impact on treatment success. Age and gender did not show a significant effect on complication rates. The DHS stands out as both a biomechanically and economically effective treatment choice.

PMID:41342249 | DOI:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.25987

Logoped Phoniatr Vocol. 2025 Dec 4:1-12. doi: 10.1080/14015439.2025.2591104. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In typically developing (TD) children, early gestures emerge before first words and predict spoken language. Language development in children with cochlear implants (CI) vary due to factors such as implantation age and exposure to spoken language, but variation is largely unexplained. Little is known about gestures in children with CI and how this is related to vocabulary. In this study, spontaneous use of gestures during assessment of receptive and expressive vocabulary was examined and related to vocabulary test results in ten children with CI, aged 25-39 months. The results were compared to those of individually age and sex matched TD children with normal hearing. All children were tested with the vocabulary test, the Picture Naming Game (PiNG). The test situation was video recorded to capture the children’s use of deictic, iconic, and conventional gestures. Children with CI had lower vocabulary scores and used fewer gestures than TD children. Observable but statistically non-significant relationships between gestures and vocabulary were found in children with CI, as well as between vocabulary score and implantation age. The findings indicate that gestures should be included in the assessment and intervention of young children with challenges in their development of spoken language.

PMID:41342244 | DOI:10.1080/14015439.2025.2591104

Eurasian J Med. 2025 Oct 23;57(3):1-7. doi: 10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.251103.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease. The most significant and prevalent complication of SSc is interstitial lung disease (ILD). It is difficult to monitor disease activity. In outpatient clinic conditions, C-reactive protein remains nonspecific and specific methods such as the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group take a long time. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of new inflammation markers obtained from blood parameters, which is a rapid and inexpensive method, in SSc patients with ILD.

METHODS: A total of 53 patients with SSc and 54 healthy subjects were included in this retrospective crosssectional study.

RESULTS: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), and pan-immune-inflammation values (PIV) were found to be higher in the patient group than in the control group. The lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) value was significantly lower in the patient group. Besides, these patients with ILD had significantly higher NLR, PLR, SII, and PIV values. The SIRI values were also high, but not statistically significant. The LMR value was found to be significantly lower. The SIRI values with 66% sensitivity and 66.7% specificity for SSc patients, and SII values with 75% sensitivity and 74.7% specificity for SSc patients with ILD can indicate disease activity.

CONCLUSION: The novel indices may prove superior to rudimentary indices by virtue of their capacity to more accurately reflect inflammatory activity in inflammatory connective tissue diseases, particularly those accompanied by fibrotic lung involvement. These indices have the potential to serve as a cost-effective predictive instrument.

PMID:41342238 | DOI:10.5152/eurasianjmed.2025.251103

Womens Health (Lond). 2025 Jan-Dec;21:17455057251399893. doi: 10.1177/17455057251399893. Epub 2025 Dec 4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Menstrual cycles are a natural part of many people’s health, yet are subject to stigma and misinformation, which can affect the experience of menstrual-related symptoms and overall well-being.

OBJECTIVES: The study explored how perceptions of the menstrual cycle are associated with symptom severity and their impact on daily life, including work, social activities, and intimate relationships.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional observational study.

METHODS: An anonymised online survey, distributed through social media, email, and newsletters. Participants aged 18 and older who menstruated in the previous 12 months were included. Demographic data, menstrual cycle characteristics, and self-reported symptom severity were collected. Perceptions of menstruation were measured using a 5-point Likert scale. Nonparametric statistical tests, including Kruskal-Wallis, chi-square, and Spearman’s rank-order correlation, were used for data analysis.

RESULTS: In total, 4735 responses were included in the analysis. Positive perceptions of menstruation were associated with lower reported pain levels and reduced disruption to daily activities, including work and academic performance. Notably, 90.71% reported that menstrual symptoms disrupted their work, with 31.8% taking time off in the past 12 months. Intimate relationships were affected for 84.31% of participants, with significant correlations between comfort in seeking support from partners and the disruption of intimacy (r_s(8) = -0.117; p < 0.001). Participants who viewed menstruation positively experienced fewer mental health symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, compared to those with negative perceptions. The study found that positive perceptions of the menstrual cycle were associated with less severe symptoms and a reduced impact on daily activities.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest an association between menstrual perceptions in shaping the experience of symptoms and their broader psychosocial impacts. Enhancing menstrual health literacy and promoting positive perceptions could improve individual health outcomes and societal attitudes. Future public health policies should integrate menstrual health education and supportive workplace policies to enhance the quality of life for those who menstruate.

REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

PMID:41342221 | DOI:10.1177/17455057251399893

Pharm Stat. 2026 Jan-Feb;25(1):e70057. doi: 10.1002/pst.70057.

ABSTRACT

Quantitative decision-making frameworks provide objective criteria for advancing a drug development program. Within this process, two types of decision error can occur: proceeding to the next phase and failing (incorrect go) or not proceeding when success would have been achieved (incorrect no-go). This paper discusses strategies to reduce these errors in the context of a phase 2/3 development programme by selecting an optimal go threshold, which minimises the combined risk of an incorrect go or incorrect no-go decision. If the importance of these two errors differs, we propose the use of a weighted decision error rate (WDER) to select the optimal go threshold. We explore the influence of the choice of weighting and the prior beliefs about the drug efficacy on the optimal decision rule and demonstrate how the WDER can guide phase 2 sample size determination, often resulting in a larger sample size paired with a more stringent go threshold for efficiency. We advocate for a new definition of the probability of success in phase 2, emphasizing that it should reflect the probability of making the correct decision about proceeding, rather than just the probability of advancing to phase 3. This approach ensures that decision-making in drug development is both robust and tailored, enhancing the risk-benefit assessment for each phase transition.

PMID:41342216 | DOI:10.1002/pst.70057

Restor Dent Endod. 2025 Nov;50(4):e41. doi: 10.5395/rde.2025.50.e41. Epub 2025 Nov 28.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to investigate how environmental conditions impact the setting time and microhardness of premixed calcium silicate-based sealers.

METHODS: The setting time and microhardness of three sealers (Endoseal MTA [MARUCHI], One-Fil [MEDICLUS], and Well-Root ST [VERICOM]) were evaluated under four environmental conditions: unsoaked, distilled water-soaked, phosphate-buffered saline-soaked, and pH 5-soaked gypsum molds (n = 12/group/condition). The setting time was measured with Gilmore needles, and microhardness was assessed using a Vickers tester after 3 days. Welch’s analysis of variance and Games-Howell post hoc tests were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The sealer type and environmental conditions significantly influenced setting time and microhardness (p < 0.001). The initial and final setting times were the shortest in the unsoaked samples. For Endoseal MTA and One-Fil, the unsoaked condition exhibited significantly shorter setting times than the soaked conditions. Well-Root ST exhibited significantly longer setting times in acidic conditions. Surface microhardness was highest in the unsoaked group (p < 0.001). Among the soaked groups, the phosphate-buffered saline-soaked group had the lowest hardness for Endoseal MTA, whereas the pH 5-soaked group exhibited the lowest hardness for One-Fil and Well-Root ST. Endoseal MTA consistently demonstrated a lower microhardness than the other sealers (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Moisture, pH, and solution chemistry influenced the setting time and microhardness of premixed calcium silicate sealers. Although acidic conditions generally prolong the setting time and reduce hardness, the effects vary based on the sealers used and the setting environment.

PMID:41342211 | DOI:10.5395/rde.2025.50.e41

JMIR Bioinform Biotechnol. 2025 Oct 8;6:e80735. doi: 10.2196/80735.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Approximately 90% of the 65,000 human diseases are infrequent, collectively affecting ~400 million people, substantially limiting cohort accrual. This low prevalence constrains the development of robust transcriptome-based machine learning (ML) classifiers. Standard data-driven classifiers typically require cohorts of more than 100 participants per group to achieve clinical accuracy while managing high-dimensional input (~25,000 transcripts). These requirements are infeasible for microcohorts of ~20 individuals, where overfitting becomes pervasive.

OBJECTIVE: To overcome these constraints, we developed a classification method that integrates three enabling strategies: (i) paired-sample transcriptome dynamics, (ii) N-of-1 pathway-based analytics, and (iii) reproducible machine learning operations (MLOps) for continuous model refinement.

METHODS: Unlike ML approaches relying on a single transcriptome per subject, within-subject paired-sample designs-such as pre- versus post-treatment or diseased versus adjacent-normal tissue-effectively control intraindividual variability under isogenic conditions and within-subject environmental exposures (eg, smoking history, other medications, etc), improve signal-to-noise ratios, and, when pre-processed as single- studies (N-of-1), can achieve statistical power comparable with that obtained in animal models. Pathway-level N-of-1 analytics further reduces each sample’s high-dimensional profile into ~4000 biologically interpretable features, annotated with effect sizes, dispersion, and significance. Complementary MLOp practices-automated versioning, continuous monitoring, and adaptive hyperparameter tuning-improve model reproducibility and generalization.

RESULTS: In two case studies of distinct diseases, human rhinovirus infection (HRV) versus matched healthy controls (n=16 training; n=3 test) and breast cancer tissues harboring TP53 or PIK3CA mutations versus adjacent normal tissue (n=27 training; n=9 test)-this approach achieved 90% precision and recall on an unseen breast cancer test set and 92% precision with 90% recall in rhinovirus fivefold cross-validation. Incorporating paired-sample dynamics boosted precision by up to 12% and recall by 13% in breast cancer and by 5% each in HRV. MLOps workflows yielded an additional ~14.5% accuracy improvement compared to traditional pipelines. Moreover, our method identified 42 critical gene sets (pathways) for rhinovirus response and 21 for breast cancer mutation status, selected as the most important features (mean decrease impurity) of the best-performing model, with retroactive ablation of top 20 features reducing accuracy by ~25%.

CONCLUSIONS: These proof-of-concept results support the utility of integrating intrasubject dynamics, “biological knowledge”-based feature reduction (pathway-level feature reduction grounded in prior biological knowledge; eg, N-of-1-pathway analytics), and reproducible MLOp workflows can overcome cohort size limitations in infrequent disease, offering a scalable, interpretable solution for high-dimensional transcriptomic classification. Future work will extend these advances across various therapeutic and small cohort designs.

PMID:41342203 | DOI:10.2196/80735

J Sci Food Agric. 2025 Dec 4. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.70365. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sideroxylon spinosum L., an endemic Moroccan species, holds significant ecological and socioeconomic importance. Drought stress severely affects plant survival by disrupting metabolic and physiological processes. This study aimed to investigate drought-induced metabolic changes and identify potential biomarkers in two S. spinosum L. ecotypes that contrast primarily in their climatic origins – Aoulouz (Alz, inland) and Lakhssas (Lks, coastal) – using metabolomic analysis.

RESULTS: Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis detected 700 and 600 peaks in Lks and Alz leaves, respectively, with 120 and 100 corresponding to known metabolites. Under drought stress conditions, statistical analysis (t-test, P < 0.05) identified 44 significant metabolites in Lks and 56 in Alz. According to the volcano plot (log₁₀(P) versus log₂ fold change), 34 metabolites were upregulated and 10 downregulated in Lks, whereas 25 were upregulated and 31 downregulated in Alz. The criteria for significance included a fold change ≥ 2.0 and false discovery rate < 0.05. Multivariate analyses showed clear separation between control and drought-stressed samples. Based on variable importance in projection scores and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses, ten potential drought-tolerance biomarkers were identified. In Alz, two upregulated metabolites (M65 (lupeol) and M102 (octadecane)) and three downregulated metabolites (M108 (octacosane), M123 (5-octadecene, E) and M200 (4-nitrobenzylidenenemalonic acid, diethyl ester)) were key. In contrast, Lks exhibited five upregulated biomarkers: M6 (hexadecanoic acid, methyl ester), M54 (1,3,6,10-cyclotetradecatetraene, 3,7,11-trimethyl-14-(1-methylethyl)), M88, M91 and M142. Metabolites M65 and M102 in Alz likely enhance cuticular integrity and reactive oxygen species scavenging, while M6 and M54 in Lks suggest a reliance on lipid signaling and energy metabolism for transient drought adaptation. However, the Lks ecotype could be less resilient under prolonged drought due to a greater ability to reallocation metabolism. These biomarkers offer valuable targets for breeding or biotechnological interventions.

CONCLUSION: This study offers valuable insights into the metabolic mechanisms involved in drought defense in S. spinosum L. and highlights specific biomarkers linked to drought tolerance. The Alz ecotype demonstrates enhanced resilience through cuticular reinforcement and oxidative stress mitigation, whereas the Lks ecotype relies on transient metabolic adjustments. These findings offer valuable insights and potential targets for improving drought tolerance in plants through future research. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID:41342197 | DOI:10.1002/jsfa.70365

Urologia. 2025 Dec 4:3915603251398256. doi: 10.1177/03915603251398256. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of single-session supine bilateral percutaneous nephrolithotomy (BPCNL) in patients with bilateral renal stones.

METHODS: We retrospectively identified patients from February 2019 to July 2023 with bilateral renal stones measuring >2 cm and <5 cm in their maximum dimension for each side mainly located in the renal pelvis that had been treated with single-session supine BPCNL. The stone-free rate was accepted when remaining fragments of ⩽ 2 mm were discovered by a computed tomography scan.

RESULTS: Fifty-two patients with bilateral renal stones measuring 2:5 cm in their maximum dimension for each side who had been treated with single-session supine BPCNL were included in the study; a statistically significant difference in serum creatinine level was detected on day 1 postoperatively (p < 0.0001) compared with the baseline values that became insignificant at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (p = 0.403 and 0.471 respectively). Also, statistically significant difference in glomerular filtration rate was detected at day 1 postoperatively (p < 0.0001) compared with the baseline values that became insignificant at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (p = 0.95 and 0.07 respectively implicating early renal affection that shortly returned to normal values. The mean operative time for both sides was 126.5 ± 22.9 min, and the mean hemoglobin drop after the procedure was 1.9 ± 0.99 g/dl. The primary stone-free rate was 75%, with 11.6% of the remaining patients had a residual insignificant stones >2 mm but still less than 6 mm. Finally, 13.4% of the patients needed ancillary procedures.

CONCLUSION: Single-session supine bilateral PCNL is both safe and effective for patients with bilateral renal stones. However, this is a complex procedure that should only be performed by expert surgeons in a tertiary centers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: (167) SPS/URS_008 retrospectively registered.

PMID:41342193 | DOI:10.1177/03915603251398256