Tag: statistics

Hear Res. 2026 Jul 29;480:109764. doi: 10.1016/j.heares.2026.109764. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study examined if the amplitude growth function (AGF) of the electrically evoked compound action potential (ECAP) can objectively predict the perceptual loudness growth function (LGF) in cochlear implant (CI) users.

METHODS: ECAP AGFs were measured in 16 CI users across all active electrodes using the MED-EL AutoART fine-grain procedure. Perceptual LGFs were obtained with psychophysical loudness scaling at stimulation rates between 150 and 1200 pulses per second (pps). A third experiment collected ECAP and LGF data simultaneously at 80 pps. Both physiological and perceptual functions were normalized to their dynamic ranges, and a power-law transformation was fitted to model the transformation between ECAP amplitude and perceived loudness. The effects of stimulation rate and electrode position on the model parameters were examined statistically, and the model’s predictive accuracy was assessed using a goodness-of-fit (R²) analysis.

RESULTS: Loudness growth functions showed a systematic rate dependency: shifting from compressive at 80 pps to expansive at 1200 pps. Electrode-specific effects were less pronounced. The power-law exponent increased significantly with stimulation rate (p < 10⁻¹⁵), indicating steeper loudness growth at higher rates. The transformation model was remarkably accurate predicting perceptual loudness: 66% of fits yielded R²>0.8 and 45% >0.9, demonstrating strong correspondence between physiological and perceptual growth functions.

CONCLUSIONS: A strong, systematic relationship exists between ECAP AGFs and perceptual loudness growth across stimulation rates in CI users. Modeling loudness growth from ECAP data provides a viable path toward objective, physiology-based individualization of compression functions in future CI fittings.

PMID:42566843 | DOI:10.1016/j.heares.2026.109764

Breast. 2026 Jul 22;89:104886. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2026.104886. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Axillary surgery for early breast cancer has become less aggressive. However, the optimal approach after neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) remains uncertain and depends on axillary response. Especially the significance of nodal micrometastases (ypN1mi) after NST regarding oncological outcome remains controversial. Our study retrospectively analyzed ypN1mi occurrence in five neoadjuvant GBG/AGO-B trials from 2012 to 2019.

METHODS: We analyzed 3211 high-risk early breast cancer patients from five neoadjuvant chemotherapy studies (GeparSepto, GeparOcto, GeparNuevo, GeparX, GeparOla). Patients who underwent breast surgery were analyzed based on type of axillary surgery, ypN1mi incidence, and its correlation with outcome.

RESULTS: 98.5% (3163/3211) of patients had breast surgery and axillary information data available. Before NST, 44.1% (1395/3163) had sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), 0.7% (22/3163) underwent axillary lymph node dissection (ALND), and 55.2% (1746/3163) had no axillary surgery. After NST, 65.3% (2057/3150) underwent axillary surgery: SLNB only in 19.4% (612/3150), targeted lymph node biopsy (TLNB) only in 0.2% (5/3150), targeted axillary dissection (TAD) in 0.9% (27/3150), ALND only in 40.9% (1288/3150), and completion ALND following SLNB, TLNB, or TAD in 4.0% (125/3150). Disease-free survival (DFS) was significantly reduced with hazard ratios (HR) of 2.53 (CI 1.63-3.92; p < 0.001) for ypN1mi and 2.43 (CI 1.98-3.00; p < 0.001) for ypN1 compared to ypN0. Likewise, HRs for overall survival (OS) were 3.17 (CI 1.77-5.68) for ypN1mi and 3.03 (CI 2.28-4.03) for ypN1.

CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that minimal axillary residuals after NST may affect DFS, DDFS and OS; however, further analysis is needed to assess other variables.

PMID:42566837 | DOI:10.1016/j.breast.2026.104886

J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2026 Aug 7;13(9):100647. doi: 10.1016/j.tjpad.2026.100647. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the patient-centered special care unit for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (SCU-B) in the Respectful Caring for the Agitated Elderly (RECage) study.

METHODS: A health-economic evaluation was performed alongside a controlled European multicenter three-year longitudinal cohort study enrolling 508 participants in a non-SCU-B cohort and SCU-B cohort. Health service resource use, costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and incremental cost per QALY gained were assessed.

RESULTS: Total QALYs were lower (-0.13; bootstrap-interval -0.23 to -0.02) and total costs were higher (€24,960; bootstrap-interval 14,870 to 35,090) in the SCU-B cohort. Base case and sensitivity analyses indicated the SCU-B was likely not cost-effective.

DISCUSSION: Widespread implementation as well as disinvestment of SCU-B cannot be recommended, given the uncertainty of the study results. We recommend a randomized study stratified by (local/county) region for conclusive evidence.

PMID:42566821 | DOI:10.1016/j.tjpad.2026.100647

Int J Orthop Trauma Nurs. 2026 Aug 6;62:101311. doi: 10.1016/j.ijotn.2026.101311. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To analyze discharge planning for older adults hospitalized due to fractures resulting from same-level falls, combining the investigation of associations between sociodemographic and clinical variables with a qualitative exploration of the processes and perceptions involved.

METHOD: A mixed-methods study conducted in a public hospital in the interior of Bahia and in home settings. A total of 142 medical records of older adults hospitalized for fractures (September 2022 to August 2023) were analyzed, and interviews were conducted with 16 participants after discharge. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson’s chi-square test (p < 0.05), while qualitative data were analyzed through content analysis.

RESULTS: Only 17 medical records included discharge instructions, which were generic and restricted to clinical aspects. Interviews revealed a predominance of lack of guidance on fall prevention and reports of ptophobia after discharge, leading to activity restriction and social isolation. An association was found between lower limb fractures and female sex, as well as the presence of two to three comorbidities; individuals aged 60 to 79 years showed a higher occurrence of upper limb fractures.

CONCLUSION: The findings point to the urgent need for structured, individualized, and multidisciplinary long-term planning. Nurse-led protocols that include guidance on fall prevention and psychosocial support are essential to prevent ptophobia and activity restriction, ensuring safe hospital-to-home transitions for older adults who have sustained fractures resulting from same-level falls.

PMID:42566810 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijotn.2026.101311

Radiography (Lond). 2026 Aug 7;32(6):103530. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2026.103530. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: People in prison experience significant health disparities and rely on acute hospitals for secondary care, including diagnostic imaging. Despite this, little is known about how diagnostic radiographers experience imaging people from prison in acute hospital settings. This study aimed to examine these experiences in the UK.

METHODS: This paper reports the Phase One survey dataset from the EXPOSE study, a wider doctoral programme. A cross-sectional survey was conducted as Phase One of a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study. Registered diagnostic radiographers in the UK with experience in imaging people from prison were recruited using convenience and snowball sampling. Data were collected via an online survey and analysed using descriptive statistics to identify patterns and variation in reported experiences. Phase Two qualitative findings will be reported separately.

RESULTS: Fifty-five diagnostic radiographers participated. Most reported high confidence and perceived ability to deliver comparable care. However, 40% indicated that knowledge of offence history influenced their professional approach to some extent. Physical restraints were commonly encountered, with inconsistent documentation of clinical risk. Workflow, radiation protection, MRI safety, and patient positioning were frequently affected. Communication practices were altered for many participants. Despite minimal reported impact on image quality, variability in practice was evident. Most participants reported no formal training and limited awareness of the equivalence of care principle, relying primarily on informal coping strategies.

CONCLUSION: Diagnostic radiographers reported sustaining imaging delivery despite security-related, operational and ethical challenges. The variability in restraint-related processes, information-sharing and local protocols identifies conditions that may threaten consistent, person-centred care.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Imaging departments should develop local pathways covering clinical-prison role boundaries, physical restraint decisions, proportionate information-sharing, modality-specific guidance, escalation and access to organisational support.

PMID:42566808 | DOI:10.1016/j.radi.2026.103530

Radiography (Lond). 2026 Aug 7;32(6):103532. doi: 10.1016/j.radi.2026.103532. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Iodinated contrast dosing in pediatric computed tomography (CT) traditionally relies on total body weight (TBW), which may result in excessive contrast administration, particularly in patients with higher adiposity. Lean body weight (LBW)-based protocols have shown promise in adults but remain underexplored in children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare contrast volume requirements and hepatic enhancement quality among three dosing protocols: LBW-based, TBW-based, and the Control Group (CG), based on the institutional standard for pediatric abdominal CT.

METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 66 patients (age 0-16 years) undergoing contrast-enhanced abdominal CT between September 2023 and August 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to receive iodinated contrast (iobitridol 350mg I/mL) dosed by: (1) LBW (0.63 g iodine/kg x LBW, calculated using Peters formula; n = 23), (2) TBW (0.46 g iodine/kg x TBW; n = 20), or (3) institutional control protocol (2 mL/kg x TBW, equivalent to 0.7 g iodine/kg; n = 23). Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA, ANCOVA, Scheirer-Ray-Hare, and Cohen’s Kappa tests with Likert scale were used.

RESULTS: The LBW group received lower median contrast volumes (27 mL; IQR, 10-80 mL) compared to the TBW group (34.5 mL; IQR, 18-78 mL) and the CG group (40 mL; IQR, 13-80 mL), although the differences did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). Notably, this reduction did not compromise hepatic enhancement, which remained comparable to the CG (552 ± 139 HU; P = 0.107).

CONCLUSION: Lean body weight may be a useful parameter for estimating contrast dose in pediatric abdominal CT, potentially reducing administered volumes without compromising diagnostic image quality.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These results provide early evidence that LBW-based dosing may support more individualized contrast administration in pediatric CT, potentially reducing exposure-related risks.

PMID:42566807 | DOI:10.1016/j.radi.2026.103532

J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2026 Aug 7:1-9. doi: 10.3171/2026.4.PEDS2659. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Although myelomeningocele (MMC) remains a leading cause of infant disability and death in many low- and middle-income countries, data regarding access to timely neurosurgical care remain limited. The goal of this study was to characterize sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with delayed presentation for neurosurgical repair of MMC in Zambian infants.

METHODS: Infants with MMC presenting to a major tertiary academic hospital in Lusaka, Zambia, for MMC repair between May 1, 2024, and October 21, 2025, were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. The primary outcome was delayed patient presentation for postnatal neurosurgical care, defined as > 72 hours from birth. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were fit to assess the impact of demographic and clinical factors on late presentation to this tertiary care center.

RESULTS: One hundred eighteen infants (53% male, n = 62) were enrolled, with 22% (n = 25) born prematurely. Seventy-one percent (n = 84) had a delayed presentation to the tertiary hospital. The median age at first neurosurgical evaluation was 8.0 (IQR 3.0-22.0) days. The median maternal age was 25.0 (IQR 20.0-30.0) years, with a median parity of 2 (IQR 1-4). Most mothers (67%, n = 79) had either no formal education or completed primary school only, and of those who answered the question, the majority were married (72%, 47/65). The self-reported median monthly household income was 16.56 (IQR 4.42-26.50) US dollars. The median distance from the primary referring center to the tertiary hospital was 414.9 (IQR 206.5-577.0) km. Preterm infants (OR 3.997, p = 0.027) and those who traveled ≥ 500 km to receive care (OR 5.085, p = 0.001) were more likely to present late, while those who received ≥ 1 antenatal ultrasound after 20 weeks’ gestation tended to have earlier presentation (OR 0.363, p = 0.032). No statistically significant association was found between late presentation and any of the following: maternal age at delivery, education level, marital status, parity, multiplicative increases in monthly household income, infant sex, and presence of any congenital anomalies or comorbidities (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Longer distances to care and preterm birth were associated with delayed patient presentation, while receipt of antenatal ultrasound was associated with earlier presentation. Further investigations aimed at enhancing antenatal and postnatal care, as well as improving transportation access to neurosurgical tertiary care services, are warranted.

PMID:42566797 | DOI:10.3171/2026.4.PEDS2659

JMIR Form Res. 2026 Aug 7;10:e87320. doi: 10.2196/87320.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Digital phenotyping-the use of continuous data streams from digital devices such as smartphones to assess behavioral, psychological, and physiological states-holds transformative potential for health monitoring and personalized care. However, real-time analysis of large multimodal data often exceeds mobile devices’ computational resources, leading most platforms to rely on sequential processing and cloud-based computation.

OBJECTIVE: We propose the Stanford Screenomics platform as a software reference architecture that uses a modular design to integrate parallel processing and edge computing, enabling scalable, real-time digital phenotyping on smartphones.

METHODS: Two prototype apps were developed: one following the parallel, on-device architecture (Stanford Screenomics platform) and another based on a traditional sequential, cloud-based design (traditional). Both processed identical multimodal data streams at the same intensity; only the location and sequence of computation differed. In two 48-hour experiments, performances were compared across four load profiles: low (≈10 MB/min), medium (≈30 MB/min), heavy (≈40 MB/min), and very heavy (≈60 MB/min). In the first experiment, offline resource performance was assessed under continuous simulated smartphone use. Virtual users completed six tasks in a fixed five-minute sequence: watching YouTube (Google LLC), reading eBooks, browsing TikTok (ByteDance Ltd), web surfing, listening to Spotify, and scrolling Instagram Reels (Meta). Minute-by-minute measurements of CPU usage (%), RAM usage (MB), battery drain (%/h), and data loss (%) were collected. Descriptive statistics (mean±SD) summarized performance, and independent t tests compared architectures. Data loss trajectories were analyzed to determine whether growth was linear or exponential under increasing load. In the second experiment, end-to-end phenotyping latency was evaluated over stable Wi-Fi. Five key-stage timestamps per trial tracked local writes, preprocessing, memory parsing, phenotype analysis, and intervention delivery. Total phenotype update time per trial was the primary outcome, and latency differences between architectures were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models, with IQRs reported to capture variability across load conditions.

RESULTS: The Stanford Screenomics platform consistently demonstrated lower CPU usage (3.9%-14.6% vs 10.5%-26.9%) and RAM usage (97-132 MB vs 101-155 MB) than the traditional, with reduced battery drain (0.9%-2.1%/h vs 1.4%-3.2%/h). Data fidelity was higher in the Stanford Screenomics, with shallow linear data loss (0.4%-1.5%/h) compared to exponential growth in the traditional (2%-7.1%/h), achieving up to 9.4× greater data retention under very heavy load. The Stanford Screenomics completed phenotype updates in 0.90 seconds under low load and 9.32 seconds under very heavy load, compared to 30.1-398.1 seconds for traditional, representing 34-43×faster processing with substantially narrower variability (IQR 0.3-6 s vs 11 s-5 min).

CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that the Stanford Screenomics platform architecture enables real-time, on-device digital phenotyping with high fidelity and low latency. This validated prototype architecture establishes a resilient foundation for the next generation of scalable, reliable, and context-aware deployment of real-world mobile health interventions on mobile devices.

PMID:42566795 | DOI:10.2196/87320

J Neurosurg. 2026 Aug 7:1-10. doi: 10.3171/2026.3.JNS252582. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of 3D 1H-MR spectroscopy (MRS)-guided metabolic boundary resection (MBR) on the extent of resection (EOR), surgical safety, and prognosis in glioblastoma.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from patients with IDH-wildtype glioblastoma who underwent resection at the authors’ hospital. Patients were divided into two groups based on surgical methods: the traditional boundary resection (TBR) group (neuronavigation + contrast-enhancing [CE] boundary resection) and the MBR group (3D 1H-MRS combined with neuronavigation + MBR). Demographic, perioperative, and follow-up data were collected and compared between the two groups. Cox proportional hazards regression and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were used to evaluate the effects of various clinical and treatment-related factors on patient survival.

RESULTS: The MBR group included 41 patients (mean age 54.17 ± 12.04 years, 65.85% male) with a mean tumor volume of 58.07 ± 20.63 cm3. The TBR group included 30 patients (mean age 56.86 ± 9.78 years, 63.33% male) with a mean tumor volume of 52.51 ± 24.06 cm3. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in tumor laterality, location, volume, and length of hospital stay. In the TBR group, 10 patients achieved supra-total resection (SpTR), 13 achieved gross-total resection (GTR), and 7 achieved subtotal resection (STR). In the MBR group, 25 patients achieved SpTR, 10 achieved GTR, and 6 achieved STR. The rate of SpTR was significantly higher in the MBR group compared to the TBR group (p = 0.021). Postoperative neurological deficits occurred in 1 patient (2.4%) in the MBR group (transient) and 2 patients (6.7%) in the TBR group (1 permanent). No significant difference in complication rates was observed (p = 0.369). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank tests demonstrated that the MBR group had significantly longer progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) compared to the TBR group (p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified EOR and surgical methods as independent prognostic factors.

CONCLUSIONS: Three-dimensional 1H-MRS combined with a neuronavigation system is used to guide glioblastoma resection along the metabolic boundary during surgery, which can lead to a more complete resection of the glioblastoma and improve the PFS and OS of patients. Compared to CE boundary resection, MBR appears to be a stronger prognostic factor for survival.

PMID:42566787 | DOI:10.3171/2026.3.JNS252582

J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2026 Aug 7:1-7. doi: 10.3171/2026.4.PEDS2682. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of intraoperative EEG during corpus callosotomy (CC) in pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE), with a particular focus on bisynchronization blockade and its correlation with long-term seizure outcomes.

METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of pediatric patients with DRE and injurious drop attacks who underwent CC between 2005 and 2024. Patients were stratified into three groups based on intraoperative scalp EEG findings: 1) > 50% bisynchronization blockade, 2) < 50% blockade, and 3) absent bisynchronization. Baseline clinical characteristics, surgical approach, and extent of CC were recorded. Seizure outcomes were assessed using Engel and International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) classifications with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Whether atonic seizures resolved postoperatively was also evaluated. Group comparisons were performed using Fisher’s exact test and Kruskal-Wallis rank-sum testing.

RESULTS: Forty-six patients met the inclusion criteria. The majority underwent complete CC (65%), most via an open approach (67%). At 1 year, freedom from atonic seizures (ILAE class 1Engel class I) was highest in the > 50% blockade group (70.0%) compared with the < 50% blockade (40.0%) and absent bisynchronization (25%) groups (p = 0.042). At last follow-up (mean 5.3 years), the > 50% blockade group similarly achieved significantly higher rates of atonic seizure freedom (ILAE class 1/Engel class I, 76%) compared with 0% in the < 50% blockade and 25% in the absent bisynchronization groups (p < 0.001). Outcomes for total seizure freedom varied and did not reach statistical significance between groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Achieving > 50% intraoperative bisynchronization blockade during CC was strongly associated with improved long-term atonic seizure freedom. These findings support the role of intraoperative EEG as a prognostic marker of effective seizure control.

PMID:42566786 | DOI:10.3171/2026.4.PEDS2682