Tag: statistics

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 28;15(1):27487. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-12182-5.

ABSTRACT

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) is an increasingly important technique for treating liver-based malignancies. Personalized treatment planning and dosimetry are not yet possible due to poor imageability of existing TARE agents. This study presents the design and development of a cohort of imageable glass microspheres that are compatible with readily available imaging equipment, including single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and computed tomography (CT). A statistical modelling approach was used to investigate how the addition of holmium (Ho), a high atomic number and high k-edge element, to a Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (YAS) glass matrix impacts material properties such as density, CT imageability, and glass transition temperature (T_g). The microspheres demonstrated excellent radiopacity, with Hounsfield Unit (HU) values ranging up to ~ 19,800 at 70 kVp, high thermal stability, exhibiting T_g values up to 895 °C, no cytotoxic potential, and negligible ion leaching pre- and post-irradiation to 2600 GBq/g Ho-166, supporting their safety and efficacy for locoregional therapies. Statistical modelling elucidated how the fraction of holmium oxide content within the glass matrix impacts density, CT imageability, and T_g. The ability to visualize the microspheres intra- and post-operatively via CT and SPECT imaging, combined with stable radionuclide incorporation and high achievable specific activity, marks a significant advancement in TARE, and represents an opportunity to expand applicability to cancers beyond the liver.

PMID:40721936 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-12182-5

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 29;15(1):27531. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-11326-x.

ABSTRACT

Protein solubility problems arise in a wide range of applications, from antibody development to enzyme production, and are linked to several major disorders, including cataracts and Alzheimer’s diseases. To assist scientists in designing proteins with improved solubility and better understand solubility-related diseases, we introduce SOuLMuSiC, a computational tool for the fast and accurate prediction of the impact of single-site mutations on protein solubility. Our model is based on a simple artificial neural network that takes as input a series of features, including biophysical properties of wild-type and mutated residues, energetic values computed using various statistical potentials, and mutational scores derived from protein language models. SOuLMuSiC has been trained on a curated dataset of about 700 single-site mutations with known solubility values, collected and manually verified from original literature. It significantly outperforms current state-of-the-art predictors in strict cross validation: the Spearman correlation reaches 0.5 when solubility changes are represented categorically; for the subset with quantitative values, it increases to 0.7. SOuLMuSiC also shows good performance on external datasets containing high-throughput enzyme solubility-related data as well as protein aggregation propensities. In summary, SOuLMuSiC is a valuable tool for identifying mutations that impact protein solubility, and can play a major role in the rational design of proteins with improved solubility and in understanding genetic variants’ effect. It is freely available for academic use at http://babylone.ulb.ac.be/SoulMuSiC/.

PMID:40721931 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-11326-x

Neurocrit Care. 2025 Jul 28. doi: 10.1007/s12028-025-02327-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Low-field portable magnetic resonance imaging (pMRI) systems have been approved for clinical use, but their feasibility, efficacy, and most appropriate clinical application in children are unknown. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of pMRI in detecting acute brain injury (ABI) in critically ill children compared to conventional MRI (cMRI) and or computed tomography (CT).

METHODS: This prospective diagnostic accuracy study included children (1 month to < 18 years) admitted between May 2021 and June 2022 who underwent pMRI scans within a 24-h window of standard neuroimaging (CT or cMRI). pMRI images were assessed for quality of images and interpreted for findings by two independent pediatric radiologists blinded to the findings of the standard imaging modalities. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using sensitivity, specificity, and agreement statistics.

RESULTS: pMRI scans were successfully completed in 83% of the cases (73 of 88 patients) with a median scan time of 48 min (interquartile range 43-54 min), with no patient- or machine-related adverse event. Neuroimaging indications were seizures in 38 (52.1%), unexplained encephalopathy in 29 (39.7%), and focal neurologic deficits in 19 (26%) patients. Radiological findings of pMRI included edema in 28 (38.4%), hydrocephalus in 12 (16.4%), infarction in 13 (17.8%), midline shift in 12 (16.4%), and intraparenchymal hemorrhage in 7 (9.6%). The pMRI demonstrated good agreement with cMRI and CT scans for detecting edema (87% agreement, κ = 0.7), hydrocephalus (94% agreement, κ = 0.8) and intraparenchymal hemorrhage (87% agreement, κ = 0.6). Compared to cMRI, pMRI showed 72% agreement (κ = 0.41, P = 0.0002), with 98% specificity and 73% sensitivity for hydrocephalus. Overall agreement between the two observers for pMRI was 90% (κ = 0.81, P < 0.001). Image quality was adequate for T1-weighted (n = 58, 79.5%), T2-weighted (n = 61, 83.6%), diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) (n = 49, 67.1%), and apparent diffusion coefficient (n = 48, 65.8%) sequences. The highest number of uninterpretable images were for the DWI sequence (n = 9, 12.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: pMRI is a safe and feasible bedside imaging modality that shows promising results in diagnosing ABI in children.

PMID:40721912 | DOI:10.1007/s12028-025-02327-9

Am Surg. 2025 Jul 28:31348251363533. doi: 10.1177/00031348251363533. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundTube thoracostomy (TT) is a life-saving intervention that has a high complication rate. While many institutions continue drainage until <200 mL/day, there is little data on removal with higher output. This study aimed to determine whether TT removal with higher output on the day of removal is associated with complication of tube thoracostomy (CTT).Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective study of patients who underwent TT due to traumatic hemothorax/pneumothorax. Data on demographics, admission vital signs, injury details, treatment course, and output on day of removal was collected. Output was classified as HIGH (200-299 mL at removal) or LOW (<200 mL). The primary outcome variable was development of CTT, which was defined as re-accumulation of HTX/PTX, development of an empyema, subsequent TT, or need for thoracic surgery following tube removal.ResultsAfter applying exclusion criteria, we identified 315 patients for analysis. The average age was 41 years old, and 74% (233) were male. The mean duration of treatment with TT was 5 days. The mean output on the day of removal was 80 mL, with 10% having a volume between 200-299 mL on day of removal. Overall, 16% developed CTT. There was no difference in the rate of CTT after removal between HIGH and LOW groups. Multiple variable logistic regression showed only chest AIS was statistically significantly associated with CTT.DiscussionComplications after tube thoracostomy are common (16%), but patients with higher output were not more likely to develop a complication. Chest tubes can be safely removed with an output <300 mL/day.

PMID:40721901 | DOI:10.1177/00031348251363533

Behav Res Methods. 2025 Jul 28;57(9):241. doi: 10.3758/s13428-025-02754-8.

ABSTRACT

Eye tracking is widely used to study where spatial attention is allocated across stimuli. However, determining a sufficient and efficient number of participants for such studies remains a challenge. While clear guidelines have been established for many classical statistical tests, no straightforward participant sample size guidelines exist for the comparison of gaze distribution maps and area-of-interest analyses – two of the most prominent analyses in scene viewing studies. Just how many participants should be included for reliable and reproducible gaze estimations? We here utilized gaze data to a single static image, viewed by 1248 individuals (dataset 1), and gaze data to 200+ images, viewed by 84 participants each (dataset 2). Researchers can assess which of these datasets and analysis types most resemble their setup and determine their sample size accordingly. Although we cannot provide a one-size-fits-all sample size recommendation, we show progressively diminishing returns for a range of sample sizes and for two typical study types. For example, when using Normalized Saliency Score as a metric of distribution map similarity, a 5% relative increase requires increases in sample size from 13 $\to$ 20 $\to$ 34 participants (based on dataset 1) or from 10 $\to$ 16 $\to$ 32 participants (based on dataset 2). Alternatively, when analyzing the number of visits to certain areas of interest, a 25% decrease in outcome variance requires increases in sample size from 13 $\to$ 24 $\to$ 44. We provide easy-to-use guidelines and reference tables to determine scene viewing participant sample size for academics and industry professionals alike.

PMID:40721900 | DOI:10.3758/s13428-025-02754-8

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Jul 28;197(8):959. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14384-w.

ABSTRACT

Natural forest loss because of agricultural land expansions intensifies the conflicts between humans and grivet monkeys. This study examined the implication of forest loss on the human-grivet monkey’s co-existence challenge and existing mitigation strategies in East Wollega zone, southwestern Ethiopia. A multi-stage sampling technique was implemented, utilizing a purposive sampling method to select Sasiga district from 17 districts within the zone. Four villages were purposively selected using simple random sampling to select 204 households. In this study, the combination of geospatial technologies and a household survey was used. The land use and land cover (LU/LC) change was analyzed using geospatial technologies, while the household survey was investigated using descriptive statistics. For prioritizing the current human-grivet monkey conflict mitigation approaches, the weighted average index with a 6-point Likert scale was used. Results revealed that agricultural land is increasing considerably, while forests, grasslands, and shrublands were declining, which can reduce the availability of the grivet monkey diet in the natural habitat. The declining of diet availability leads to resource competitions with local communities. About 57.8% of the local communities reported the declining of the grivet monkey diet in the forest due to agricultural land expansions. Results indicate that the human-grivet monkey conflict is more severe than previously thought. To minimize human-grivet monkey conflict, the local communities were using scarecrows, crop guarding, chasing, and guarding dogs as the best mitigation approaches. This study underscores the need for scale-up multiple mitigation strategies to minimize human-grivet monkey conflict.

PMID:40721897 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14384-w

Int J Obes (Lond). 2025 Jul 28. doi: 10.1038/s41366-025-01844-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This meta-analysis compares outcomes of pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) using open (OPD), robotic (RPD), and laparoscopic (LPD) techniques in patients with and without obesity and resectable pancreatic cancer.

METHODS: Thirteen observational studies evaluating 30-day mortality and postoperative complications in patients that underwent PD were included. Outcomes included mortality, major complications (Clavien-Dindo classification), and specific surgical complications: postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), post-PD hemorrhage (PPH), delayed gastric emptying (DGE), and surgical site infections (SSI).

RESULTS: Patients with obesity had higher 30-day mortality rates (2.42% vs. 1.63%; OR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.35-2.08, p < 0.00001, I² = 0%) and major complications (23.3% vs. 17.12%; OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.27-2.46, p = 0.0007, I² = 52%) than patients without obesity. Obesity also increased the risk of POPF (21.9% vs. 13.76%; OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.69-2.46, p < 0.00001, I² = 26%), PPH (7.31% vs. 6.26%; OR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.07-1.94, p = 0.02, I² = 0%), and DGE (20.23% vs. 15.5%; OR: 1.98, 95% CI: 1.3-3.03, p < 0.00001, I² = 89%). SSI risk trended higher in patients with obesity but was not statistically significant (28.17% vs. 20.39%; OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 0.93-3.5, p = 0.08, I² = 90%). Among surgical techniques, patients with obesity who underwent OPD had higher risks of 30-day mortality (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.26-2.00, p < .0001), major complications (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.17-2.28, p = 0.004), and POPF (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.59-2.47, p < 0.00001) than patients without obesity. In the RPD group, obesity increased the risk of 30-day mortality (OR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.12-6.39, p = 0.03) and POPF (OR 3.32, 95% CI 1.68-6.57, p = 0.0006). In LPD, obesity was associated with a higher risk of POPF (OR 2.06, 95%CI 1.69-3.32, p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with obesity undergoing PD are at increased risk for 30-day mortality and major complications. OPD carries the highest overall risk, while RPD and LPD are linked to a greater POPF risk. These findings highlight the need for careful perioperative management in this high-risk population.

PMID:40721862 | DOI:10.1038/s41366-025-01844-z

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 28;15(1):27481. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-12723-y.

ABSTRACT

The deep-sea comprises diverse habitats and species whose characterisation provides crucial insights into the health and resilience of our oceans. Whereas direct sampling enables investigation of the vertical variability of the seafloor at small spatial scales, optical imaging allows for multi-scale assessment of the spatial distribution of (mega)benthos and substrates. However, modern seafloor imaging surveys typically generate thousands of images that are infeasible to manual annotation. Consequently, transforming these terabyte-scale datasets into actionable insights requires automated workflows. Here, we deployed two A.I workflows to automate the annotation of substrates and megafaunal taxa in seafloor images from the tropical North Atlantic. Clustering, feature space visualisation and multivariate statistical analysis techniques were used to classify the seafloor into habitats, estimate megafaunal distribution patterns, and to identify environmental drivers that influence observed patterns. We found that the seabed here formed seven clearly distinct clusters, with visible sub-partitions observed in each cluster. Investigations revealed a gradient of sediment disturbance due to biogenic activity, with images showing little-to-no sediment disturbance mapping to one half of the feature space, whereas images exhibiting visibly vigorous sediment reworking mapping to the other half of the feature space. Also, megafaunal abundances were 14 times higher in the shallower Eastern region of the seabed, potentially due to higher Particulate Organic Carbon flux and relatively warmer temperatures. Moreover, geographic clustering of megafauna was observed in topographically complex features such as slopes of submarine canyons and on top of seamounts, where heterogeneity created diverse microhabitats and unique niches that megafauna could exploit.

PMID:40721850 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-12723-y

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 28;15(1):27432. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-13177-y.

ABSTRACT

Multi-level trend analysis of extreme climate variables is an efficient method for in-depth investigation of the climate change impacts on ecohydrology. However, most of existing statistical methods do not reveal potential trends in different levels of data. In this study, a new approach namely Fuzzy Innovative Trend Analysis (FITA) was introduced that takes the advantages of fuzzy logic to improve and facilitate Innovative Trend Analysis (ITA) abilities to multilevel trend detection at Extreme Climate Indices (ECIs). Regarding the graphical nature of the proposed method, two new indices, namely Grow Percent (GP) and Total Grow Percent (TGP) were suggested for quantifying the power of trend at distinct levels. The FITA was utilized for trend detection at three levels of four important ECIs related to precipitation and temperature. To this end, long-term (1960-2021) daily temperature and precipitation observations at six meteorology stations across diverse climatic zones of Iran were used. The multilevel trends attained by the FITA were further compared to those of ITA, Mann-Kendall (M-K), and Sen’s slope (SS) tests. The results indicated that the FITA provides promising results with higher interpretability and reliability than its counterparts at all stations. The underlying high-resolution trends detected at certain stations also pointed out that the M-K and SS tests may yield in misleading interpretations when they are used for identifying trends in ECIs.

PMID:40721846 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-13177-y

Adv Rheumatol. 2025 Jul 28;65(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s42358-025-00468-1.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) often leads to decreased muscle strength and mass, impairing physical performance and causing disability. Interventions with resistance exercise (RE) is an effective non-pharmacological approach to mitigate these issues. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of interventions with RE on muscle strength, muscle mass, physical performance, physical disability, and quality of life (QOL) in SSc patients, as well as to assess its adherence and safety.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted based on a PICOS framework: Patient = Systemic Sclerosis; Intervention = Resistance exercise; Study design = Randomized clinical trials. Searches were performed across MEDLINE (PubMed), PMC, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, LILACS, and EMBASE up to January 2025.

RESULTS: Ten randomized clinical trials, including 422 participants (~85% female), were eligible for analysis. Participants’ ages ranged from 42 to 64 years, with body mass indices between 22.5 and 28.0 kg/m². The intervention period was standardized to 12 weeks. Interventions with RE significantly improved muscle strength (SMD = 2.76 kg; 95% CI, 1.32 to 4.20; p = 0.0002) and functional disability (SMD = -0.47; 95% CI, -0.93 to -0.00; p = 0.05) compared to controls. Interventions with RE also showed superiority in the physical component of QOL (SMD = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.04 to 0.81; p = 0.03). Although enhanced physical performance was observed, statistical pooling was not possible due to limited data. Interventions with RE had a low incidence of adverse events, but data on disease progression and adherence were insufficient.

CONCLUSION: Interventions with RE benefits muscle strength, physical function, and QOL in SSc patients, though optimal protocols and adherence strategies need further investigation. More robust studies are required to refine training methods and enhance clinical trial designs.

PMID:40721843 | DOI:10.1186/s42358-025-00468-1