Nevin Manimala

Quintessence Int. 2026 Feb 3;0(0):0. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b6881272. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cervical margin relocation (CMR) is a non-invasive technique using composite resin to elevate the interproximal floor beneath indirect restoration, improving margin integrity and tooth vitality.

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated periodontal outcomes of CMR, like pocket depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP), as well as restorative outcomes.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched included PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science with keywords like ‘Cervical Margin Relocation,” “Deep Margin Elevation,” and ” Proximal Box Elevation,”. Meta-analyses assessed PD and BOP, analyzing heterogeneity with I² statistic.

RESULTS: After sensitivity analysis, CMR does not appear to worsen periodontal PD or BOP in periodontally healthy or stabilized patients when proper isolation and restorative protocols are followed. The standardized mean difference for PD is -0.60 (95% CI [-0.94, -0.27], p = 0.001), with heterogeneity reduced to I² = 0%; and BOP also showed (OR: 0.06, 95% CI [0.01, 0.44]), with I² = 0%. These findings reflect the periodontal tolerance to properly executed CMR. Material selection affected marginal adaptation, with glass-ceramic bonding yielding the best outcomes. Composite margin elevation was effective for deep cavities, surpassing ceramic onlays, and subgingival resin composites enhance periodontal health.

CONCLUSION: CMR is effective for managing subgingival margins and compatible with periodontal health when appropriate materials are used. Material selection impacts marginal adaptation, and long-term follow-up is essential for measuring durability, offering valuable insights for clinical practice.

PMID:41631460 | DOI:10.3290/j.qi.b6881272

Biometrics. 2026 Jan 6;82(1):ujaf176. doi: 10.1093/biomtc/ujaf176.

ABSTRACT

In the present study, we examine long-term population-level effects on episodic memory of an intervention over 15 years that reduces systolic blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. A limitation with previous research on the potential risk reduction of such interventions is that they do not properly account for the reduction of mortality rates. Hence, one can only speculate whether the effect is due to changes in memory or changes in mortality. Therefore, we extend previous research by providing both an etiological and a prognostic effect estimate. To do this, we propose a Bayesian semi-parametric estimation approach for an incremental threshold intervention, using the extended G-formula. Additionally, we introduce a novel sparsity-inducing Dirichlet prior for longitudinal data, that exploits the longitudinal structure of the data. We demonstrate the usefulness of our approach in simulations, and compare its performance to other Bayesian decision tree ensemble approaches. In our analysis of the data from the Betula cohort, we found no significant prognostic or etiological effects across all ages. This suggests that systolic blood pressure interventions likely do not strongly affect memory, either at the overall population level or among individuals who would remain alive under both the natural course and the intervention (the always survivor stratum).

PMID:41631433 | DOI:10.1093/biomtc/ujaf176

Biometrics. 2026 Jan 6;82(1):ujag002. doi: 10.1093/biomtc/ujag002.

ABSTRACT

Motivated by the need for flexible and interpretable models to handle circular data, this paper introduces a semiparametric regression model for a circular response that can include both linear and circular covariates in its parametric and nonparametric components. Rather than imposing a particular parametric distribution on the error term, we adopt a circular quasi-likelihood function, which is useful when the underlying distribution is unknown. We discuss the asymptotic properties of the resulting estimators and a backfitting algorithm for model fitting. We evaluate the finite-sample performance of our proposal through simulations and illustrate its advantages for assessing the genetic effect on the migratory patterns of willow warblers. This offers new insights into how specific genomic elements can influence migratory behaviour.

PMID:41631432 | DOI:10.1093/biomtc/ujag002

Biometrics. 2026 Jan 6;82(1):ujag004. doi: 10.1093/biomtc/ujag004.

ABSTRACT

The Cox proportional hazards model (Cox model) is a popular model for survival data analysis. When the sample size is small relative to the dimension of the model, the standard maximum partial likelihood inference is often problematic. In this work, we propose the Cox catalytic prior distribution for Bayesian inference on Cox models, which extends a general class of prior distributions originally designed to stabilize complex parametric models. The Cox catalytic prior is formulated as a weighted likelihood of the regression coefficients derived from synthetic data and a surrogate baseline hazard constant. This surrogate hazard can be either provided by the user or estimated from the data, and the synthetic data are generated from the predictive distribution of a fitted simpler model. For point estimation, we derive an approximation of the marginal posterior mode, which can be computed conveniently as a regularized log partial likelihood estimator. We prove that our prior distribution is proper and the resulting estimator is consistent under mild conditions. In simulation studies, our proposed method outperforms standard maximum partial likelihood inference and is on par with existing shrinkage methods. We further illustrate the application of our method to a real dataset.

PMID:41631431 | DOI:10.1093/biomtc/ujag004

Respir Care. 2026 Feb 3:19433654251405270. doi: 10.1177/19433654251405270. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prone positioning is a recommended therapy for patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS; however, the optimal duration of this maneuver is still unknown.

METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing clinical outcomes of extended (≥24 h) versus traditional prone positioning (16-24 h) of adults with moderate-to-severe ARDS receiving invasive mechanical ventilation.

RESULTS: Ten studies involving 2,412 subjects met the inclusion criteria, including one randomized controlled trial and 9 observational studies, all with COVID-19-related ARDS. Extended prone positioning was associated with reduced mortality compared with the traditional approach (risk ratio [RR]: 0.76, 95% CI 0.66-0.86, I² = 12.8%). Sensitivity and subgroup analyses confirmed consistency across risk of bias, baseline P_aO2/F_iO2, and PEEP levels. No differences were found in duration of mechanical ventilation (mean difference [MD]: 2.43 days, 95% CI -1.06 to 5.92, I² = 70%) or ICU stay (MD: 1.31 days, 95% CI -1.07 to 3.68, I² = 55%). The extended strategy was associated with a higher incidence of pressure injuries (RR: 1.30, 95% CI 1.02-1.65, I² = 56%) but no differences in device displacement or hemodynamic instability. Certainty of evidence was rated as low to very low.

CONCLUSIONS: Extended prone positioning was associated with reduced mortality in ARDS but increased risk of pressure injuries, without impact on ventilator duration or ICU stay. While this strategy appears feasible and potentially beneficial, further randomized trials are warranted to confirm its role in routine practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO no. CRD42024529311.

PMID:41631378 | DOI:10.1177/19433654251405270

G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2026 Feb;27(2):154-155. doi: 10.1714/4636.46473.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41631336 | DOI:10.1714/4636.46473

G Ital Cardiol (Rome). 2026 Feb;27(2):154. doi: 10.1714/4636.46472.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41631335 | DOI:10.1714/4636.46472

Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2026 Dec;17(1):2617838. doi: 10.1080/20008066.2026.2617838. Epub 2026 Feb 3.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: A host of cross-sectional studies have identified problematic substance use and post-traumatic stress symptoms as risk factors for repeated interpersonal violence (revictimization) in college samples. However, it remains unclear which factors are associated with revictimization for patients who meet diagnostic criteria for both substance use disorder (SUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The identification of factors associated with revictimization is an important step towards preventing violence against people with psychiatric disorders and can inform treatment.Method: Data were based on the Treatment of PTSD and Addiction (TOPA) study, a randomized controlled trial including N = 209 patients that received inpatient and outpatient treatment for SUD and PTSD. We selected participants who had experienced interpersonal victimization at baseline (N = 203) and assessed revictimization across the 9-month follow-up period. Revictimization included: physical violence, violence with a gun, sexual violence, and ‘other unwanted sexual experience’. The risk factors we investigated were severity of PTSD, severity of alcohol and drug use disorder, interpersonal difficulties, sex, and age. We analysed the data using logistic regression analyses with multiple imputation for missing data.Results: Physical violence was the most common type of revictimization during the study period (26.0%), closely followed by ‘other unwanted sexual experience’ (20.0%). The severity of PTSD and age were univariate predictors for revictimization; however, only age was robustly related to revictimization while accounting for other study variables. We conducted sensitivity analyses with complete cases and observed data.Discussion: Approximately two in five individuals experienced revictimization across the 9-month follow-up period, underscoring it as a clinically relevant issue. Since age emerged as the only risk factor for revictimization in our sample, future research should focus on identifying modifiable factors associated with age, e.g. impulsivity and novelty seeking. These factors may be addressed in interventions aimed at reducing the risk of revictimization.

PMID:41631319 | DOI:10.1080/20008066.2026.2617838

Niger J Clin Pract. 2026 Jan 1;29(1):97-104. doi: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_307_25. Epub 2026 Feb 3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mentorship is a key element of postgraduate medical training, offering academic, professional, and psychosocial support that positively influences trainee success and wellbeing. Understanding both mentor and mentee perspectives is crucial to enhancing mentorship programs.

AIM: To evaluate the mentorship experience of mentors and mentees in the Family Medicine Residency Program in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and identify strengths and areas for improvement.

METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from September to December 2023 across Family Medicine Training Centers in Riyadh. We used an online self-administered questionnaire to collect data on demographics, prior mentoring experience, perceived support, mentor qualities, and satisfaction. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v21.0 with descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests to explore associations.

RESULTS: Of 183 participants (84 mentees, 99 mentors), 70.2% of mentees and 65.7% of mentors reported satisfaction with their mentoring experience. Both groups identified clinical rotations, exam preparation, and problem solving as the higher areas of support. Mentees reported lower support in work-life balance (45.2%) and emotional/psychological wellbeing (41.7%). Good communication and trustworthiness were the most valued mentor qualities. Female mentees were significantly more comfortable discussing difficult issues (P = 0.045). While 73.3% of mentors believed their role positively impacted mentees’ development, only 44.4% felt they had sufficient time for mentoring.

CONCLUSION: The program demonstrates strengths in overall satisfaction and academic support but shows gaps in emotional and holistic support. Recommendations include structured mentor training, protected time, gender-sensitive approaches, and regular feedback to enhance program effectiveness.

PMID:41631312 | DOI:10.4103/njcp.njcp_307_25

Niger J Clin Pract. 2026 Jan 1;29(1):50-56. doi: 10.4103/njcp.njcp_602_25. Epub 2026 Feb 3.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: Colorectal cancer represents the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests distinct biological differences between right-sided colon cancer (RCC) and left-sided colon cancer (LCC), although their prognostic significance remains controversial.

AIMS: To compare clinicopathological features and oncological outcomes between RCC and LCC following mesocolic resection and to identify independent prognostic factors.

SETTING AND DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a tertiary center between January 2010 and December 2020.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 948 patients with colon adenocarcinoma underwent curative resection and were categorized as RCC (n = 335) or LCC (n = 613), with analysis of demographic, pathological, and survival data focusing on overall survival and disease-free survival endpoints.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Continuous variables were compared using t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Categorical variables were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression was performed to identify prognostic factors.

RESULTS: RCC patients were older (62.6 ± 14.8 vs 59.3 ± 14.4 years, P < 0.001) and more frequently female (48.1% vs 37.0%, P < 0.001). RCC tumors showed more aggressive characteristics: poor differentiation (15.8% vs 7.7%), advanced T-stage (97.6% vs 83.9%), and higher KRAS mutations (53.4% vs 37.4%) (all P < 0.001). At median follow-up of 78.4 months, RCC demonstrated inferior survival with OS 79.1% vs 85.0% (P = 0.031) and DFS 74.0% vs 78.0% (P = 0.042). Multivariate analysis confirmed right-sided location as an independent adverse prognostic factor (Hazard Ratio = 1.45, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.05-2.01, P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS: RCC showed more aggressive features and worse survival than LCC, suggesting tumor sidedness as an independent prognostic factor.

PMID:41631306 | DOI:10.4103/njcp.njcp_602_25