Tag: statistics

BMJ Public Health. 2026 Feb 27;4(1):e003531. doi: 10.1136/bmjph-2025-003531. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Inadequate housing and living conditions underpin significant health and wellbeing inequality in Australia, particularly for Indigenous people. This review aimed to define infectious disease (ID) outcomes used to measure the health impact of inadequate housing in Australia within a research context.

DESIGN: A systematic review of published studies following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

DATA SOURCES: Four online databases were searched in May 2024 with no date restrictions using terms relating to housing, ID and Australia. Results were screened in Covidence.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies were included if they measured both housing exposures and ID outcome variables among any population group in Australia. Both quantitative and qualitative designs were considered.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted from 81 studies. Exposures and outcomes were classified according to the Healthy Living Practices (HLPs) and the International Classification of Primary Care (ICPC-2) body system classes, respectively. Acute infections and chronic post-infectious sequelae were considered ID outcomes. Descriptive statistics were calculated and ID-HLP associations were synthesised and narratively described. Methodological quality was assessed from both biomedical and Indigenous perspectives using relevant appraisal tools.

RESULTS: Most studies (79%) were published within the past 25 years and more than half (60%) involved remote-living Indigenous children and families. A total of 176 measured ID outcomes and 571 ID-HLP associations were tested. Exposures were frequently related to the negative effects of crowding (HLP5), unsafe wastewater treatment/drinking water (HLP3) and reduced capacity for washing people (HLP1). Skin, respiratory and digestive system infections were the most common ID outcomes, followed by eye and ear infections and post-infectious cardiovascular sequelae. Studies relied on intensive data collection methods and bespoke definitions.

CONCLUSIONS: Substantial research has described ID outcomes associated with inadequate housing in Australia. However, high-quality evidence is lacking, and methodological heterogeneity between studies limits the synthesis and actionability of this work. We recommend prospective classification of housing exposures according to the HLPs and encourage the exploration of routinely collected primary care data. Agreed measurement approaches and data collection tools that are consistent with Indigenous Data Sovereignty principles would add value.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024541393.

PMID:41789367 | PMC:PMC12959062 | DOI:10.1136/bmjph-2025-003531

Chem Sci. 2026 Feb 26. doi: 10.1039/d6sc00250a. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) assemble bioactive peptides from various building blocks. The binding pocket residues governing building block specificity have allowed prediction of NRPS products but not design of specificity. A reason for this failure has been ignorance of NRPS multispecificity. Here, we employ a hydroxamate assay (HAMA) to determine multispecificity for mutant libraries of the adenylation (A-)domain in module SrfAC of surfactin synthetase. A multispecific version of SrfAC is developed and its functional flexibility probed by fully randomizing 15 residues around the active site. We identify mutations with profound impact on specificity revealing remarkable evolvability and explain the effect of a selected mutant by computational modelling. Statistical analysis of the specificity divergence caused by 285 point mutations has revealed an outstanding influence of three sequence positions on specificity, which provides a roadmap for NRPS engineering. Our results suggest that promiscuity drives neofunctionalization of A-domains and mimicking this process will help to design valuable peptides in the lab.

PMID:41789360 | PMC:PMC12959268 | DOI:10.1039/d6sc00250a

Am J Dent. 2025 Feb;39(1):47-52.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of different infection control barriers used with light curing units (LCU) on the shear bond strength (SBS) of glass ceramics with various translucencies and thicknesses during adhesive cementation.

METHODS: 60 extracted molar teeth cut in halves mesio-distally to obtain 120 enamel surfaces. Lithium disilicate blocks (GC, Initial Lisi Blocks); 30 High Translucency (HT) 0.5 mm, 30 Low Translucency (LT) 0.5 mm, 30 HT 1.0 mm, 30 LT 1.0 mm discs with 3 mm diameter were produced (n=120). Samples were categorized into three groups according to the infection control barriers (n=40): 1-LCU without barrier, 2-Disposable barrier on LCU (Pinnacle Cure Sleeve), 3-LCU wrapped with stretch film. The SBS test was performed after thermocycling. Failure modes were determined at x20 and classified and statistically analyzed (P< 0.05).

RESULTS: Differences between all the groups were significant (P< 0.001). The highest SBS values were obtained as HT LCU 0.5 mm, LT LCU 0.5 mm, HT Sleeve 0.5 mm and LT Sleeve 0.5 mm, respectively. Highest SBS values were seen in HT LCU 0.5 mm (16.51± 0.68), while LT 1.0 mm stretch (10.76± 1.37) showed the lowest values. Mostly mixed failures occurred in the 0.5 mm sample groups showing higher SBS values.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: While the application of a sleeve on a LCU may slightly reduce the shear bond strength values of glass ceramics, it can still be beneficial for the cementation of these materials as it helps prevent cross-infection.

PMID:41785028

Am J Dent. 2026 Feb;39(1):31-36.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of the resin-based substrate shade and the single-shade resin composite thickness on color matching ability.

METHODS: Discs (Ø6 x 2 mm) made from a conventional resin composite (Z350 XT) simulated high- (B1B), medium- (A3B), and low-luminosity (C3B) substrates. Each disc (n=10) received sequential increments of the following single-shade resin composites: Palfique Omnichroma (PO) or Vittra APS Unique (VU), at thicknesses of 0.5, 1 and 2 mm. Color parameters [CIEL*a*b*, Vita Scale (SGU), ΔEab, and ΔE₀₀] were determined for conventional resin composite and post-application measurement of single-shade resin composite thicknesses. Statistical analyses included the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn, Friedman, or Nemenyi tests (α= 0.05).

RESULTS: The ΔEab and ΔE₀₀ values were significantly lower for PO than for VU (P< 0.05). At 1 mm, a decrease in L* values were observed for both resin composites and substrates (P< 0.05). The lowest ΔSGU values were recorded on the high-luminosity substrate (B1B), regardless of the applied thickness (P< 0.05).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Single-shade resin composites did not completely match the resin substrate. Palfique Omnichroma outperformed Vittra APS Unique in all aspects, particularly in showing less overall color change, and especially when applied over high-luminosity resin substrates.

PMID:41785026

Am J Dent. 2026 Feb;39(1):21-24.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prevalence of acute periapical abscesses (PAs) in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs).

METHODS: Integrated data of hospital patients was used. Data from the corresponding diagnosis codes for Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis (UC), and PAs were analyzed by querying the appropriate ICD-10 codes in the database.

RESULTS: Out of 7,455 Crohn’s patients, 121 were affected with acute PAs. Out of 7,352 UC patients, 115 were affected with acute PAs. In both diseases, females were more affected than males, and whites were more affected than African Americans and other ethnicities. The odds ratio (OR) for acute PAs in patients with Crohn’s disease was 2.69. The OR for acute PAs in patients with UC was 2.51. The difference in prevalence compared to the total hospital patient population was statistically significant (P< 0.0001). In Crohn’s patients, after adjustment for smoking and diabetes co-morbidities, the OR for acute PAs was 1.51 and 2.08, respectively. The difference in prevalence as compared to the total hospital patient population was statistically significant (P< 0.001) and (P< 0.0001), respectively. In UC patients, after adjustment for smoking and diabetes co-morbidities, the OR for acute PAs was 1.44 and 1.46, respectively. The difference in prevalence as compared to the total hospital patient population was statistically significant (P< 0.005).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinicians should be cognizant of the possible higher prevalence of periapical abscesses in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases.

PMID:41785024

Am J Dent. 2026 Feb;39(1):2-7.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the laboratory effects of different whitening toothpastes on resin composite with respect to color change and surface roughness.

METHODS: A total of 50 disc-shaped specimens were prepared from a microhybrid composite (Zenchrom). The samples were randomly divided into five groups for the application of four different whitening toothpastes (Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste, Rocs Sensation Whitening, Luis Bien Active Carbon Toothpaste and Sparkly White Herbal Toothpaste) and one non-whitening toothpaste (Signal Anti-Caries Toothpaste) (n=10). For staining, the samples were kept in coffee solution. Then, all samples were brushed 5,000 strokes with a toothbrush device to simulate a 6-month brushing period. Color measurements of the specimens after staining and brushing were performed using a spectrophotometer. Surface roughness measurements were performed using a mechanical profilometer. The Shapiro-Wilk test, one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for the statistical analysis of the data (P< 0.05).

RESULTS: Following the brushing procedures, a significant increase in surface roughness was observed in all the samples (P< 0.05). When the roughness values were compared between the groups after 6 months of brushing, a statistically significant increase in surface roughness was observed with Signal Anti-Caries Toothpaste compared to Luis Bien and Opalescence (P< 0.05). In the evaluations of the color changes, all the toothpastes had whitening effects, but no statistically significant difference was detected between the toothpastes with respect to whitening performance (P> 0.05).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Whitening toothpastes may lighten the color of the resin composite tested, but they can also increase surface roughness. Therefore, dentists should guide patients in selecting appropriate toothpaste products.

PMID:41785021

Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2026 Mar 5. doi: 10.1002/acn3.70360. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Clinical Assessment Scale in Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE) tracks disease severity in autoimmune encephalitis (AE), but no threshold for significant change exists. We aimed to determine the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) for CASE. Using our AE cohort, receiver operating characteristic analyses were anchored to ≥ 1-point improvement in mRS over 3-month intervals. Among 222 AE patients (77 NMDAR, 49 LGI1, and 113 seronegative AE), a 30% CASE reduction showed good discriminatory performance for mRS improvement in the first 6 months, particularly in NMDAR and seronegative subgroups. A 30% CASE reduction may standardize AE response definitions.

PMID:41784996 | DOI:10.1002/acn3.70360

Bone Jt Open. 2026 Mar 5;7(3):291-302. doi: 10.1302/2633-1462.73.BJO-2025-0382.R1.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a widely performed procedure, yet the clinical and functional outcomes of soft-tissue autografts compared with allografts remain unclear. While previous studies have focused on surgical techniques and failure rates, few have systematically analyzed functional outcomes following ACLR. This study aimed to assess medium-term functional patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as the primary outcome and clinical outcomes as the secondary outcome following ACLR.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was pre-registered on the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase, was conducted up to June 2024. Eligible studies included skeletally mature patients undergoing primary ACLR, with reported clinical and functional outcomes at minimum 24 months. Data were analyzed using random-effects models to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS: Of 5,292 studies screened, 12 were included, encompassing 1,038 patients. Of the functional scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) outcomes (n = 930; SMD = 0.27; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.39; p < 0.001) and Tegner activity scores (n = 646; SMD = 0.18; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.34; p = 0.021) significantly favoured autografts, with Lysholm scores (n = 643; SMD = 0.14; 95% CI -0.02 to 0.29; p = 0.078) showing no significant differences between graft types. For clinical outcomes, Lachmann’s grades significantly favoured allografts (n = 346; SMD = -0.56; 95% CI -1.09 to -0.03; p = 0.037). Revision rates and graft re-tear rates did not differ significantly between graft types.

CONCLUSION: The study found that autografts and allografts yield variable functional and clinical outcomes in ACLR at minimum 24-month follow-up, with autografts showing modest yet statistically significant advantage in IKDC and Tegner activity scores, but not in Lysholm functional score at and beyond 24 months. However, Lachmann’s scores suggested better stability with allografts.

PMID:41784990 | DOI:10.1302/2633-1462.73.BJO-2025-0382.R1

JAMA. 2026 Mar 5. doi: 10.1001/jama.2026.0191. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41784970 | DOI:10.1001/jama.2026.0191

JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Mar 2;9(3):e260623. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0623.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41784965 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0623