Statistical analysis
Survival curves were generated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and
survival was compared using the log-rank test. Statistical comparisons
between two groups and among three groups were conducted using Student’s
t test and one-way analysis of variance, followed by a Bonferroni post
hoc test, respectively. Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation
(SD). All statistical analyses were performed using JMP 14. software
(SAS Institute Inc., Tokyo, Japan). p values <0.05 were
considered statistically significant. Normality testing was performed
using the above statistical analysis.
Based on the hypothesis for the primary study endpoint of survival
rates, a sample size calculation was performed using G*Power, version
328. The effect size decided to be clinically
significant was 0.6. We permitted a type I error of α=0.05, and with the
alternate hypothesis, the null hypothesis would be retained with a type
II error of β=0.2. Sample size analysis resulted in the need for 30
animals. The final sample size for each group complies with the ARRIVE
guidelines22.