Software version

The SPSS software (version 19.0, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) and MedCalc software (version 15.8, Mariakerke, Belgium) were used for statistical analysis. Continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation or as ranges. Classification data were compared using the chi-square test or the Fisher exact test, while continuous variables were compared using the independent-samples t-test. The receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to comparatively analyze the diagnostic value of the four guidelines. The areas under the curve (AUCs) of the diagnostic ability of the four risk-stratification systems were calculated, and the Cochran Q-test and z-test were used for statistical analysis. The best cutoff values were obtained from the ROC analyses, and the corresponding sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy (ACC) were calculated. Two-sided P < 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance.

Comparisons of means between the normally distributed semi-quantitative values for infected and uninfected PHVs were performed with paired Student’s t-test. Statistical analyses were performed on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 22. Additional ROC analysis was performed with MedCalc software version 16.4.3.

Continuous variables were checked for normal distribution by visual inspection of the bar graph, frequency of distribution and performing the Shapiro–Wilk normality test. Variables that were normally distributed were reported as the mean and standard deviation, whereas non-normally distributed variables were expressed as the median (range). Friedman Test was used to analyse differences within subjects and Dunn’s post hoc test was applied. The significant level was set at 5%. According to a priori power analysis (Power = 80%, α = 0.05), based on previously reported data on HR and MAP variations in dogs treated with a similar anaesthesia protocol [7 (link)], ≥4 subjects needed to detect significant effects. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc Software version 12.6.1.0 and Dell Statistica Software version 13.1.

The detection rate (number of patients with at least 1 positive finding) was plotted against the absolute PSA level. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to evaluate differences between single groups (e.g., Gleason score, ADT) and to evaluate differences in PSA levels between groups with pathologic uptake and groups without pathologic uptake. The χ² test was used to compare proportions. All tests were 2-sided, and a level of significance (α) of 5% was used. Statistical analyses were conducted with MedCalc software, version 17.8.6.

The statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc software version 12.3.0.0 (MedCalc Software Ltd, Ostend, Belgium). The descriptive statistical analysis was performed for the injection time and the injection speed in the three IOP groups. Mean values, standard deviation (SD), median values and ranges were calculated. For the injection time, a test for normal distribution was performed for all 3 groups using the Shapiro-Wilk test and the visual inspection of Q-Q plots. Because the data were normally distributed, a parametric approach was chosen to assess the significance of differences between the three groups. A levene’s test was performed and equality of variances between the three groups was shown.
The ANOVA test was used to examine the mean values of all groups for statistical differences. A post-hoc analysis using Scheffé-test was then performed to compare the groups pairwise. The significance level was set at p<0.05.