Nevin Manimala

Disabil Rehabil. 2026 Jan 10:1-25. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2611576. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on gait and brain alteration in cerebral palsy (CP) children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: MEDLINE, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and Cochrane were searched in February 2024 and updated in 9 October 2025. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with CP participants under 18, rTMS or tDCS intervention, and gait assessment were included. The risk of bias was assessed, and a meta-analysis was conducted using random-effect models.This review was registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024555049).

RESULTS: 21 studies met the inclusion criteria. tDCS led to significant improvements in velocity (MD = 0.17, 95% CI = 0 to 0.35), gross motor function measure (GMFM), and functional independence. However, changes in other parameters such as step length, and cadence were not statistically significant and showed high heterogeneity. rTMS also improved overall motor function and walking performance in several studies, though data variability prevented meta-analysis. Both methods were safe and well-tolerated.

CONCLUSION: Both interventions showed promise for improving velocity and GMFM in children with CP. However, due to inconsistent findings across other gait parameters and substantial heterogeneity, further large-scale, standardized RCTs with neuroimaging assessments are needed.

PMID:41518074 | DOI:10.1080/09638288.2025.2611576

Colorectal Dis. 2026 Jan;28(1):e70358. doi: 10.1111/codi.70358.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Neoadjuvant treatment for rectal cancer has evolved markedly with the growing adoption of total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), organ-preservation strategies and selective omission of radiotherapy. Recent trials support risk-based personalization, but its application in real-world settings remains poorly documented. The aim was to describe current neoadjuvant treatment practices for mid-low rectal cancer in French expert centres and identify tumour- and patient-related factors influencing decisions.

METHOD: This observational study included patients with non-metastatic rectal adenocarcinoma ≤10 cm from the anal verge, discussed in tumour boards (October 2022 to March 2023) across GRECCAR centres. Tumours were classified as early, intermediate-risk or locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Neoadjuvant treatments were analysed according to tumour extension, location and age.

RESULTS: Among 463 patients from 27 centres, the most frequent regimen was induction chemotherapy, mainly FOLFIRINOX, followed by long-course chemoradiotherapy (CRT) (65%). This approach was used in 51%, 66% and 71% of patients in the early, intermediate-risk and LARC groups, respectively (p = 0.0060). TNT was more frequently administered for low- than mid-rectal cancers, especially in LARC (86% vs. 71%, p = 0.016). In patients >75 years, CRT + consolidation chemotherapy and radiotherapy alone were proportionally more frequent. Among the early rectal cancers, those treated with induction chemotherapy + CRT had more advanced features than those treated with CRT alone (cT3: 80% vs. 43%, cN+: 62% vs. 10%, tumour size: 3.4 vs. 2.3 cm; all p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: TNT with induction chemotherapy is the predominant neoadjuvant approach in French expert centres. Tumour classification, location and patient age significantly influence treatment choices, reflecting a shift towards personalized context-specific care.

PMID:41518072 | DOI:10.1111/codi.70358

Appl Neuropsychol Child. 2026 Jan 10:1-8. doi: 10.1080/21622965.2025.2611932. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sensory processing plays a critical role in children’s ability to engage in social interactions and participate in daily activities. This study examines the associations between sensory processing skills, social skills, and participation in kindergarten children. A total of 88 children aged 4-7 years were included. The Sensory Processing Measure (SPM), Social Skills Scale (SSS), and Child and Adolescent Participation Scale (CASP) were completed by parents. The SPM total score was significantly negatively correlated with social cooperation (r = -.45, p < .001), self-regulation (r = -.51, p < .001), and assertion (r = -.42, p < .001). Similarly, significant negative correlations were observed between SPM and CASP in home (r = -.55, p < .001), community (r = -.43, p < .001), and school (r = -.44, p < .001) settings, as well as with home and community living activities (r = -.34, p = .001). Regression analysis showed that both sensory processing (β = -.37, p < .001) and social skills (β = .39, p < .001) were statistically significant predictors of participation, explaining 43.4% of the variance (R² = 0.434, F = 30.318, p < .001). These findings highlight the importance of early identification and intervention for addressing sensory processing issues, thereby enhancing participation and social development in early childhood.

PMID:41518063 | DOI:10.1080/21622965.2025.2611932

Am J Biol Anthropol. 2026 Jan;189(1):e70202. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.70202.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Traits found in a skeletal sample are frequently used to infer qualities of the living population from which the skeletons were drawn. However, traits observed in a mortality sample may exhibit biological mortality bias in that they may not accurately represent the same traits in the living sample. The purpose of this research was to assess biological mortality bias in deciduous tooth emergence, a trait that is used to estimate chronological age in skeletal samples.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data on clinical tooth emergence were collected from longitudinal studies of Javanese, Guatemalan, and Bangladeshi children that included a living sample (those who survived through the study) and a mortality sample (those who died during the study). Parametric hazards analysis was used to test for differences in the timing of tooth emergence between the living and mortality samples.

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the living and mortality samples for Bangladesh and Java, although there was a trend toward delayed emergence in the Bangladesh mortality sample. The Guatemalan mortality sample exhibited advanced emergence of the posterior dentition for the mortality sample. No evidence of biological mortality bias was found in pooled analyses of the Bangladesh and Java samples or pooled analyses of all three samples.

DISCUSSION: We found limited evidence that deciduous tooth emergence in a mortality sample (e.g., a skeletal series) would differ from the timing of emergence in the living population from which the mortality sample was drawn.

PMID:41518048 | DOI:10.1002/ajpa.70202

Med Teach. 2026 Jan 10:1-10. doi: 10.1080/0142159X.2025.2604240. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) tools into medical education presents new opportunities for enhancing students’ research skills and scientific writing. However, concerns remain about the potential for cognitive disengagement and the ethical use of AI when lacking appropriate educational supervision. This study aimed to evaluate a novel educational strategy combining structured AI assistance with mentor guidance to support narrative review writing among third-year medical students.

METHODS: A structured framework was implemented during the endocrine module, involving AI-assisted objective formulation, mentor-guided objective refinement, literature search and summarization, review drafting followed by AI-assisted rephrasing. Students worked in groups, each supervised by a trained mentor. A validated questionnaire assessed student perceptions across four domains: framework and guidelines, AI-generated objectives, skills developed and mentor role, and overall satisfaction. Descriptive statistics were performed and chi-square tests evaluated associations between perceptions and AI tool usage (ChatGPT vs. DeepSeek).

RESULTS: Eighty-seven students completed the survey. Perceived improvement in research readiness was observed; confidence in literature searching rose from 29.8% to 69%, while 75.8% reported increased familiarity with PubMed/Google Scholar. Most students (80.5%) expressed satisfaction with the AI mentor hybrid approach, and 82.8% agreed it prepared them for future research. There were no significant differences in perceived outcomes between AI tools used. Mentor involvement was deemed essential by 69% of students, and a minority believed AI alone could replicate the same outcomes. Common challenges included limited access to articles and peer collaboration difficulties, while key learning outcomes included improved summarization and ethical AI use.

DISCUSSION: This study supports the integration of AI tools within a structured, mentor-guided educational framework to enhance critical evaluation and scientific writing in medical education. Human oversight and mentorship drive skill development and minimize the risk of unmoderated AI use in academic settings.

PMID:41518042 | DOI:10.1080/0142159X.2025.2604240

J Esthet Restor Dent. 2026 Jan 10. doi: 10.1111/jerd.70104. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the tensile bond strength of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) hybrid abutments bonded to titanium (Ti) and chromium-cobalt (Cr-Co) bases using two adhesive systems or the heat-pressing technique.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety PEEK abutments were fabricated using titanium or cobalt-chromium bases: 60 milled from BioHPP blocks and cemented with MKZ Primer-DTK or Monobond Plus-Multilink Hybrid (n = 15) and 30 produced by heat-pressing technique. Tensile bond strength was measured and failure modes were evaluated under a stereomicroscope. Statistical analysis was performed using two-way robust ANOVA with Bonferroni correction (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: Both the bonding method and the interaction between method and base materials had a statistically significant effect on bond strength (p < 0.001). The heat-pressing technique resulted in higher bond strength than the resin cement groups (p < 0.001). The highest bond strength was observed in the Cr-Co heat-pressed group (124 MPa) (p < 0.001). All failures in the cemented groups were adhesive type. In the Cr-Co heat-pressed group, failures were cohesive and mixed. In the titanium heat-pressed group, failures were adhesive and mixed.

CONCLUSION: The heat-pressing technique significantly improved the bond strength of PEEK abutments compared with resin cementation. Cr-Co bases also demonstrated favorable bonding with PEEK using the heat-pressing technique.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The heat-pressing technique improved the bond strength of PEEK abutments to titanium and cobalt-chromium bases.

PMID:41518024 | DOI:10.1111/jerd.70104

J Esthet Restor Dent. 2026 Jan 10. doi: 10.1111/jerd.70082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the influence of head posture on the accuracy of occlusal contacts at maximum intercuspal position (MIP) recorded by an intraoral scanner.

METHODS: Occlusal contacts of 46 individuals were initially located using articulating film (8 μm, Accufilm, FastCheck; Parkell). The located contacts were digitized with an intraoral scanner (IOS, Trios 4; 3Shape) by obtaining maxillary and mandibular scans. Bilateral virtual occlusal records in MIP were acquired by setting the dental chair in two different positions: upright (90° to the horizontal plane) and supine (0° to the horizontal plane). In both positions, occlusal contacts were also recorded using a digital occlusal analysis system (T-Scan Novus, Tekscan). Two calibrated examiners evaluated occlusion attribution, using the digitized contacts from the articulating film as the reference. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by pairwise multiple comparisons (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: Head posture did not significantly affect the proportion of coinciding occlusal contacts at MIP between the reference and those identified by the IOS and the digital occlusal analysis system, both for the full arch and individual sections. The digital occlusal analysis system, however, recorded a higher number of false occlusal contacts in the supine position compared to the upright position.

CONCLUSIONS: The use of IOS to locate the occlusal contacts at MIP was not impacted by the evaluated head postures. In contrast, head posture had a significant effect on the recordings obtained with the digital occlusal analysis system.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Intraoral scanning provides reliable MIP acquisition in both upright and supine positions. However, digital occlusal analysis is sensitive to changes in head posture; therefore, recording in the upright patient position is recommended for greater accuracy.

PMID:41518020 | DOI:10.1111/jerd.70082

Stress. 2026 Dec 31;29(1):2612332. doi: 10.1080/10253890.2025.2612332. Epub 2026 Jan 10.

ABSTRACT

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after exposure to a traumatic event, leading to debilitating symptoms, including avoidance, hypervigilance, and functional impairment. There is a paucity of effective therapies to treat PTSD, partially due to the difficulty in identifying consistent underlying mechanisms. Using a modified single prolonged stress (mSPS) paradigm combined with single housing to induce both acute fear conditioning and chronic stress in mice, we developed a novel analysis method to robustly define a PTSD-like phenotype based on the criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V). Following mSPS exposure, C57BL/6NHsd mice underwent behavioral testing to examine each of the criteria of PTSD according to the DSM-V. Specific parameters with the largest effect sizes between mSPS and non-mSPS mice were chosen. Absolute z-scores were generated for each behavioral parameter, and mSPS mice whose z-scores were outside the 85th confidence interval for at least one parameter for each of the eight criteria were defined as susceptible; the remainder of the exposed mice were considered resilient. Finally, resilient mice were evaluated for anhedonia and hyperlocomotive behaviors. The results demonstrated that a PTSD-like phenotype can be robustly defined in mice based on all 8 DSM-V criteria. Importantly, 29.76% of mSPS mice were classified as susceptible, which is similar to the incidence observed in humans exposed to trauma. This novel behavioral analysis method may assist in better defining a PTSD-like phenotype, identifying a more robust population, which may help facilitate the discovery of the underlying mechanism(s) of PTSD and its association with other comorbidities.

PMID:41518007 | DOI:10.1080/10253890.2025.2612332

Clin Transl Sci. 2026 Jan;19(1):e70419. doi: 10.1111/cts.70419.

ABSTRACT

Amyloid-beta (Aβ) plaque brain clearance is one of the promising disease-modifying treatment approaches to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). ABBV-916, an anti-amyloid antibody, was being developed as an early AD disease-modifying treatment. A phase 1, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled single ascending dose (SAD) study investigated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and immunogenicity of ABBV-916 in healthy participants. Five groups of participants were enrolled and randomized 6:2 to receive ABBV-916 (100, 300, 1000, or 3000 mg) or placebo by intravenous (IV) infusion or subcutaneous (SC) injection (300-mg dose only). After dosing, participants were followed for 20 weeks for assessments. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were collected after dosing 1000 mg IV for determination of ABBV-916 levels in the CSF. ABBV-916 single doses up to 3000 mg were well tolerated in healthy participants. No clinically significant laboratory findings, amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, or serious adverse events were reported. The ABBV-916 PK profile exhibited dose-related increases in maximum concentration and area under the plasma concentration-time curve with terminal elimination half-life ranging from 29 to 40 days across the cohorts. The estimated absolute bioavailability after SC dosing was 51%. The average CSF-to-serum partition ratio was 0.12% (range 0.10%-0.21%). Positive anti-drug antibody was detected in < 7% of participants, which was transient, at low titer, and did not affect ABBV-916 PK. This study demonstrated desirable safety, tolerability, and PK profile of ABBV-916 after single-dose administration in healthy participants. The data supported further evaluation of ABBV-916 multiple IV and SC doses in patients with AD.

PMID:41517979 | DOI:10.1111/cts.70419

BMC Nutr. 2026 Jan 9. doi: 10.1186/s40795-025-01229-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Unfavorable perinatal complications, such as low-birth-weight infant, premature infant, and small for gestational age (SGA), continue to be significant community health emergencies in low- and middle-income nations. These results are mainly influenced by insufficient maternal diet quality and social inequality, and income disparity. Though several studies have researched these relations, there is a limited synthesis of their joint effect on prenatal results, underlining the essential of inclusive assessment.

OBJECTIVE: This scoping review is designed to map and make accessible statistics on maternal diet quality and social and economic factors in relation to intimidating delivery consequences among expectant mothers in developing countries.

METHODS: Re-examine the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. An exhaustive examination was performed in PubMed, Science Direct, MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, Google Scholar, and MedRxiv for investigations published between January 2000 and December 2024. Revision quality was assessed by the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to ensure methodological consistency and rigor.

RESULTS: Eighty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Suboptimal dietary variety (≤ 5 food classifications per day) was importantly connected with underweight and premature at birth (AOR: 2.45; 95% CI: 1.55-3.87). Skipping meals was expected premature delivery (AOR: 2.62; 95% CI: 1.41-4.89), whereas food insufficiencies amplified the threat of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (AOR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.02-4.63). Narcotics misuse, uneducated, low income, being a country dweller, and reduced judgment self-sufficiency were reliably associated with associated effect.

CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition during pregnancy and social exclusion, and poverty-stricken conjointly impact pregnancy outcomes in low- and middle-income countries. Integrated policies combining nutrition-specific interventions with socioeconomic empowerment are critical to improving maternal and neonatal health.

PMID:41514381 | DOI:10.1186/s40795-025-01229-5