Statistical analysis
We performed all statistical analyses using the SPSS statistical
software package version 27.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Correlations
were calculated using Pearson’s correlation analysis, survival rates
were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method with the log-rank test, and
means were compared using the independent t-test and two-way analysis of
variance (ANOVA), where applicable. We report two-tailed p values
whenever possible, and present our findings with 95% confidence
intervals (CIs) when applicable. The homogeneity and normality of data
between groups were assessed with the Levene’s test and the
Shapiro–Wilk’s test, respectively.
This study is reported according to the STROBE guidelines.