Nevin Manimala

Ginekol Pol. 2026 Apr 24. doi: 10.5603/gpl.105702. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to investigate serum alarin levels during the 24th to 28th weeks of gestation in women with newly diagnosed gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and to explore the possible correlation between alarin levels and maternal and neonatal clinical outcomes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study including 64 women with pregnancies complicated by GDM and 64 women with healthy pregnancies (control group) was performed. Serum alarin levels were quantified using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, and their diagnostic utility was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Furthermore, the relationships between alarin levels and various clinical parameters were statistically analysed.

RESULTS: The mean maternal serum alarin levels were notably elevated in the GDM group compared to the control (12.3 ± 1.4 ng/mL vs 7.8 ± 0.8 ng/mL; p < 0.05). ROC curve analysis demonstrated a high discriminatory capacity, with an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI: 0.77-0.92). However, no statistically significant correlations were observed between alarin levels and obstetric or neonatal parameters, including gestational age at delivery, polyhydramnios, preterm birth, hypertensive complications, fetal growth restriction, APGAR scores and NICU admissions.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the possible role of alarin as a promising biomarker for the identification of GDM.

PMID:42028676 | DOI:10.5603/gpl.105702

Scand J Caring Sci. 2026 Jun;40(2):e70247. doi: 10.1111/scs.70247.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To obtain information on what kinds of patient safety incidents were reported between different healthcare organisations, which professional groups reported them, and what kind of development measures were planned to prevent recurrence of the patient safety incidents.

DESIGN: The data of this retrospective register study consisted of interorganisational patient safety incident reports (n = 1225) entered in the electronic incident reporting system from 2015 to 2021.

METHODS: The reports were sent to the university hospital from other healthcare organisations belonging to the university hospital’s specific catchment area in Finland. Numeric data were analysed using descriptive statistical methods and open-ended answers reporting development measures (n = 139) with inductive content analyses.

RESULTS: The majority of reported incidents between organisations were related to information flow and management (57%). The second most reported concerned medication, fluid therapies, blood transfusions, contrast, and marker patient safety incidents. Most of the reports were prepared by nurses, followed by physicians and other stakeholders. Many of the patient safety incidents reported were categorised as insignificant or low risk (67%). The type of incidents was usually ‘incidents occurring to the patients’, causing minor risk to the patient. Only a few interorganisational development measures were suggested.

CONCLUSIONS: Collaboration between healthcare organisations should be improved to ensure timely and high-quality information transfer regarding the safe continuity of patient care. Incidents should be regularly reviewed and the planning of preventive measures for recurrent incidents should be conducted by interorganisational multi-professional teams, with the information in each organisation being disseminated at the unit level to improve safe care pathways.

IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: To avoid variations in patient safety incident risk assessment and increase its reliability, the risk assessment should be performed by qualified assessors.

IMPACT: This study showed that patient data transfer with adequate documentation and communication must be ensured for the continuity of care and patient safety. Development of interorganisational collaboration between professionals is needed to safeguard patient transfers from one healthcare organisation to another and ensure the patient’s integrated care pathway.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

PMID:42028670 | DOI:10.1111/scs.70247

Clin Trials. 2026 Apr 24:17407745261439661. doi: 10.1177/17407745261439661. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although the analysis of event-based clinical trials commonly relies on assumptions about the underlying hazard functions, in practice it is rare to see estimates of those functions.

METHODS: I describe conventional and novel methods for estimating the hazard function using discrete and discretized continuous survival models. The conventional approach involves parametric modeling; the novel approach applies Bayesian model averaging to flexible modeling by splines or fractional polynomials. I evaluate the methods in a Monte Carlo study and illustrate them in the analysis of three historical clinical trials.

RESULTS: Although flexible models can capture features of the hazard functions-such as multimodality-that parametric models miss, they are not foolproof. Spline modeling was generally the most reliable, in the sense of yielding good coverage probabilities for the mean and median with modest loss of efficiency. In the examples, the discreteness of the measurements-days, weeks, or months-had little effect on the shape of estimated hazard functions. All three data sets showed some evidence of departure from the proportional hazards assumption, but in only one did a test for proportionality detect this departure.

CONCLUSION: Flexible parametric models, estimated in the Bayesian model averaging framework, offer a robust approach to recovering the shape of the hazard function. Analyses of three clinical trial databases suggest that visualization of the hazard function can be a valuable adjunct to conventional survival analysis.

PMID:42028665 | DOI:10.1177/17407745261439661

Anthropol Anz. 2026 Apr 24. doi: 10.1127/anthranz/1961. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Urban slums are characterized by informal settlements, poor living conditions and inadequate access to basic amenities. Poverty remains the largest structural determinant of health, with an increasing concentration of economically disadvantaged populations in urban areas. The present study aims to evaluate the somatotype and body fat percentage of adult inhabitants living in the urban slums of Guwahati using standardized anthropometric measurements. Assessment of somatotype provides valuable insight into body composition patterns and their potential association with susceptibility to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in both sexes, thereby facilitating early risk identification. A total of 1,078 adults of 1860 years of age participated in the study. They were from eight slum settlements in Guwahati, representing a heterogeneous population comprising speakers of Bihari, Bengali, Assamese, and Punjabi, along with a small proportion of Telugu-speaking individuals. Anthropometric assessments included linear dimensions, circumferences (girth measurements), skinfold thicknesses, and skeletal breadths. Somatotype classification of the participants was performed using the HeathCarter method and analysed with R Statistical Software. The findings indicate that the maximum stature recorded among both males and females residing in the Guwahati slums was higher than the reported average adult height for the state of Assam. Endomorphic Mesomorph as the most prevalent somatotype indicating higher muscle and fat components with greater risk of obesity and metabolic disorders. The inhabitants face risks associated with both their somatotype and their fat percentage. Age-related declines in physical activity collectively may be is contributing to increased adiposity among the slum residents. Educating the slum residents may play a significant role in helping to understand about their overall health and active lifestyle.

PMID:42028655 | DOI:10.1127/anthranz/1961

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2026 Apr 24:trag042. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/trag042. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: There are scant and variable data concerning the incidence of malaria in infants in endemic areas. This study evaluated the impact of maternal antimalarial treatment given postpartum on malaria incidence and growth/development in infants from coastal Papua New Guinea (PNG).

METHODS: In an open-label, randomised controlled trial conducted in Madang Province, PNG, 183 mothers were randomised to no treatment (NT) or to artemisinin combination therapy (ACT) with further random allocation to artemether-lumefantrine or dihydroartemisinin-piperaquine. Their infants were assessed monthly over the next 6 months including for malaria identified by microscopy and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS: Of 151 infants who completed study procedures, 2 developed slide-positive malaria (1 Plasmodium falciparum, 1 Plasmodium vivax; 1.3% [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.2 to 5.2]). Three others had PCR-detected infections (two P. falciparum, one P. vivax). The overall 6-month incidence of slide-/PCR-positive malaria was 3.3% (95% CI 1.2 to 8.0). Four of the five cases occurred in infants whose mothers were randomised to NT. There were no statistically significant between-group differences in infant growth and developmental milestones.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of malaria in early infancy in coastal PNG is low and infections are typically asymptomatic. Postpartum maternal ACT did not influence infant growth or development.

PMID:42028647 | DOI:10.1093/trstmh/trag042

Cytometry B Clin Cytom. 2026 Apr 24. doi: 10.1002/cyto.b.70034. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Two flow cytometry methods are used for stem cell (CD34⁺) enumeration; single platform (SP) and dual platform (DP). While several studies reported comparable results, others suggested superiority of the SP method. This study evaluated variations between both methods using a modified workflow. A total of 54 fresh and thawed specimens, including mobilized peripheral blood, apheresis products, and umbilical cord blood, were analyzed using both methods. High concordance between SP and DP methods was observed for absolute viable CD34⁺ counts in fresh and thawed specimens (p = 0.088 and 0.427, respectively), as well as for CD34⁺ viability (p = 0.085 and 0.801). Absolute viable WBC counts were comparable between methods in thawed specimens (p = 0.124), whereas a modest statistical variation was observed in fresh specimen group (p = 0.039), largely influenced by umbilical cord blood samples. Variation in absolute viable CD34⁺ counts remained within clinically acceptable limits, with median variations of 2.4 for fresh and 1.4 for thawed samples. SP and DP methods demonstrated high concordance for absolute viable CD34⁺ enumeration and CD34⁺ viability in fresh and thawed specimens. Although a modest variation in viable WBC counts was observed in fresh samples, this did not affect CD34⁺ enumeration and remained clinically acceptable. While SP provides a standardized approach, the DP method offered greater gating flexibility, with fewer technical resources required, and was approximately 70% more cost-effective, supporting its use as a practical alternative in appropriate laboratory settings.

PMID:42028634 | DOI:10.1002/cyto.b.70034

Biomol Biomed. 2026 Apr 24. doi: 10.17305/bb.2026.14164. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Asthma has been associated with early vascular changes that elevate the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) serves as a non-invasive marker for subclinical atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. However, existing literature presents conflicting results regarding CIMT measurements in asthmatic patients. This study aims to evaluate whether CIMT is elevated in asthma patients compared to healthy controls and to explore potential modifiers. We conducted a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines, performing a literature search across PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and the WHO VHL. We calculated pooled standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to assess the differences in CIMT values. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic, and subgroup analyses and meta-regression were utilized to identify sources of heterogeneity. Our review included a total of 10 studies. The analysis indicated significantly higher CIMT values in asthma patients compared to healthy controls, with a pooled SMD of 0.65 (95% CI: 0.19 to 1.12, p = 0.005). A limited number of studies addressed various factors, such as disease severity and the use of inhaled corticosteroids, which may influence CIMT measurements. Notably, asthmatic patients, particularly children and adolescents, exhibited higher CIMT values compared to healthy controls, suggesting a potential association with subclinical atherosclerosis in this demographic. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to the observational nature of the included studies and the risk of residual confounding. Further longitudinal research is necessary to elucidate the effects of disease characteristics and treatment on vascular health.

PMID:42028627 | DOI:10.17305/bb.2026.14164

SAR QSAR Environ Res. 2026 Apr 24:1-12. doi: 10.1080/1062936X.2026.2659325. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Water solubility is an important factor in environmental and toxicological science because it determines the mobility, bioavailability, and potential for absorption by living organisms. Higher solubility often correlates with greater environmental mobility, and toxicity is often inversely related to solubility. In this work, the solubility of 4453 compounds in water was examined using quantitative structure-property relationships (QSPR). The effectiveness of the Monte Carlo method, the correlation intensity index (CII), and the Las Vegas algorithm for developing organic compound solubility models is assessed using CORAL software. Both factors (CII and the Las Vegas algorithm) have been shown to improve the statistical quality of the model set for the calibration and validation sets. The average coefficient of determination for the validation set is 0.94 ± 0.01.

PMID:42028609 | DOI:10.1080/1062936X.2026.2659325

J Oral Rehabil. 2026 Apr 24. doi: 10.1111/joor.70200. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is an autoimmune disease that can involve the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between clinical signs and symptoms of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and TMJ inflammation, as detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children and adolescents with JIA.

METHODS: Monocentric cross-sectional observational study. Consecutive JIA patients underwent clinical dental examination following the Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD) and performed MRI examination when the presence of signs and/or symptoms was detected. TMJ involvement was assessed using MRI parameters. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics, using parametric statistical tests for normally distributed data and non-parametric statistical tests for other variables. Associations between TMD signs/symptoms and MRI findings were investigated using appropriate statistical tests. Adjustment for multiple comparisons was performed using a false discovery rate approach. A p-value < 0.05 after correction was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Seventy-six JIA patients were included. In unadjusted analyses, multiple associations emerged between clinical findings and MRI signs of TMJ involvement. After correction for multiple comparisons, TMJ sounds remained significantly associated with protrusion limitation, and mandibular deviation patterns were significantly associated with inflammatory MRI findings, particularly synovial thickening and bone marrow edema. Other associations did not retain statistical significance after adjustment and should be considered exploratory.

CONCLUSIONS: Dental and TMD evaluations revealed correlations with MRI findings of TMJ involvement. Application of TMD screening at JIA onset might make it possible to detect TMJ-related early signs of arthritis in patients with JIA.

PMID:42028608 | DOI:10.1111/joor.70200

Colorectal Dis. 2026 May;28(5):e70461. doi: 10.1111/codi.70461.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Colon cancer treatment has evolved significantly through earlier detection, less invasive surgery, optimised perioperative care and shortening chemotherapy duration from 6 to 3 months in 2017. These multidisciplinary improvements may contribute to better health-related quality of life (HRQoL), yet population-based data on their real-world impact on HRQoL and functional outcomes remain limited.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the Dutch Prospective PLCRC cohort, including patients with stage I-III colon cancer who completed patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) at 12 or 24 months post-diagnosis. HRQoL was assessed using EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29 and the LARS score. Patients diagnosed in 2014-2016 (Group A) were compared with those from 2017 to 2019 (Group B). Propensity score matching (1:4) was applied for age, sex and tumour stage. Multivariable analyses were adjusted accordingly, minimally important differences (MIDs) guided clinical relevance and the values were compared with Dutch population values.

RESULTS: A total of 1,749 patients were included in the analysis. Following propensity score matching, no clinically meaningful differences in the EORTC QLQ-C30 functional or symptom scales were observed at 12 months post-diagnosis between patients diagnosed in 2014-2016 (Group A) and those diagnosed in 2017-2019 (Group B). At 24 months, Group B demonstrated a modestly better QLQ-C30 summary score (mean difference + 1.3; 95% CI: 0.6-1.9), as well as statistically significant but clinically negligible improvements in role and cognitive functioning, and lower reported levels of fatigue, appetite loss and financial difficulties. Functional outcomes assessed via QLQ-CR29 and LARS score were comparable between groups, with a non-significant trend towards fewer major LARS cases in Group B at 24 months (14.6% vs. 19.9%; p = 0.068).

CONCLUSION: Dutch colon cancer patients reported good HRQoL and functional outcomes up to 2 years post-diagnosis, with no clinically relevant differences between 2014-2016 and 2017-2019. These findings suggest a consistently high standard of care nationwide. Ongoing monitoring remains essential to address individual symptom burden and evaluate the impact of evolving treatment strategies.

PMID:42028607 | DOI:10.1111/codi.70461