Int J Epidemiol. 2026 Feb 18;55(2):dyag032. doi: 10.1093/ije/dyag032.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:41886063 | DOI:10.1093/ije/dyag032
Bioprocess Biosyst Eng. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1007/s00449-026-03301-1. Online ahead of print.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:41886061 | DOI:10.1007/s00449-026-03301-1
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1007/s10096-026-05472-x. Online ahead of print.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:41886045 | DOI:10.1007/s10096-026-05472-x
Discov Oncol. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1007/s12672-026-04899-0. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The safety of COVID-19 vaccination during radiotherapy remains a concern among oncologists. This study investigates whether vaccination increases the risk of radiation-induced lung injury (RILI) in breast cancer patients.
METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 157 breast cancer patients treated with radiotherapy between April 2021 and October 2022. Lung injury was assessed through post-treatment imaging and correlated with COVID-19 vaccination status.
RESULTS: Of 157 patients, 70 (44%) developed radiologic signs of radiation induced lung injury. Most patients (85%) were vaccinated. Statistical analysis revealed no significant association between vaccination status and injury risk (Chi-square p = 0.3569; logistic regression p = 0.646, OR = 1.063, 95% CI: 0.821-1.383). A non-significant trend toward reduced injury was noted in the two-dose subgroup.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the commencement of radiation therapy is not associated with an increased likelihood of pulmonary toxicity. Although a slight protective effect was observed with two vaccine doses, it was not statistically significant. The retrospective nature of the study and the limited sample size necessitate the execution of larger, prospective, long-term follow-up studies to elucidate the underlying immunological mechanisms.
PMID:41886012 | DOI:10.1007/s12672-026-04899-0
Eur Radiol. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1007/s00330-026-12486-8. Online ahead of print.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:41885926 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-026-12486-8
Eur Radiol. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1007/s00330-026-12401-1. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluates the safety and effectiveness of ethanol embolosclerotherapy for musculoskeletal and soft tissue arteriovenous malformations. Thirty-three studies comprising 920 patients were included. Symptom resolution or improvement was achieved in 96% (95% CI: 92-98%) of patients after multiple treatments and in 25% (95% CI: 16-37%) following a single treatment. Outcomes were more favourable in younger patients (SMD = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.02-0.68, p = 0.04) and varied by anatomical site, with lower success rates in hand/foot lesions. Major adverse events occurred in 2% (95% CI: 1-3%) of treatments. Clinical (Schöbinger type II vs III lesions) and angiographic (Cho-Do type II vs III lesions) classifications did not significantly predict outcomes. These findings support ethanol embolosclerotherapy as an effective treatment for arteriovenous malformations, particularly in younger patients. KEY POINTS: Question What is the overall effectiveness and safety of ethanol embolosclerotherapy in treating high-flow arteriovenous malformations? Findings Ethanol embolosclerotherapy improved or resolved symptoms in 96% of patients, with major adverse events occurring in only 2% of treatments. Clinical relevance The results provide strong evidence for the continued use of ethanol embolosclerotherapy in the treatment of arteriovenous malformations and support earlier intervention when possible. This review offers clinicians a summary reference of treatment practices used across multiple centres.
PMID:41885924 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-026-12401-1
JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Mar 26;15:e84068. doi: 10.2196/84068.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Chemsex, defined as the intentional use of psychoactive substances to enhance sexual experiences, is associated with increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), mental health harms, and disruptions in continuity of care, particularly among men who have sex with men. In Brazil, health services lack an integrated, stigma-sensitive care pathway (CP) for prevention, clinical management, and harm reduction. Embedding a CP within the Health Care Network (HCN) is essential to organize access, continuity, and quality of care.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to develop an evidence-informed CP for people who engage in chemsex, grounded in the needs of users, managers, and health professionals within the HCN, and supported by educational tools and implementation strategies.
METHODS: This sequential multimethod study is guided by the Knowledge-to-Action framework. Phase 1 (predevelopment) focuses on establishing partnerships and mapping the local context. Phase 2 (Knowledge Creation) includes (1) cross-sectional surveys with adults from the general population (target n≈1600) to estimate chemsex prevalence and associated factors, and with managers (n≈54) and health professionals (n≈135) to assess knowledge, attitudes, practices, barriers, and stigma; (2) a scoping review following established methodological guidelines; and (3) triangulation and concept mapping to integrate quantitative and qualitative findings. Data will be collected via REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture), online and in person, during testing events. Quantitative analyses will involve descriptive statistics and regression models. Interviews and focus groups will undergo thematic analysis supported by Nvivo software. Educational products will be developed and evaluated for appearance, content, and usability by experts using a content validity index ≥0.78 as a cutoff. Phase 3 (Action Cycle) includes adapting knowledge to the local context, co-designing and validating the CP with stakeholders, piloting implementation in priority municipalities, and establishing monitoring processes. Process indicators (eg, number of trained professionals, educational activities, rapid tests performed, and app engagement) and outcome indicators (eg, STI testing and linkage to care, service use across the HCN) will be monitored through official information systems.
RESULTS: Ethical approval was obtained in April 2025. Recruitment and data collection began in June 2025 through online and in-person strategies. By December 2025, 3061 individuals had been screened online, and 1723 participants had undergone rapid testing for STIs. Data collection is expected to conclude by June 2026, followed by data cleaning and preliminary analyses between April and June 2026, inferential and qualitative analyses between July and September 2026, and CP development and validation between October and December 2026.
CONCLUSIONS: This protocol will generate a CP tailored to chemsex and validated educational resources to support harm reduction, mental health, and STI prevention within the HCN. Findings are expected to inform inclusive policies, reduce stigma, and strengthen care coordination within Brazil’s Unified Health System.
INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/84068.
PMID:41885921 | DOI:10.2196/84068
J Med Internet Res. 2026 Mar 26;28:e80517. doi: 10.2196/80517.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The integration of patient-generated health data (PGHD) into health care has the potential to significantly transform patient care and clinical practice. PGHD includes health-related data created by patients, enabling the collection of health data beyond traditional health care settings. The Veterans Health Administration (VA) has taken proactive steps to incorporate PGHD into health care through its Share My Health Data (SMHD) mobile app. Launched in 2023, the SMHD app allows veterans to securely share data from their personal digital health devices with the VA for clinical and research use. However, data characterizing patients who use such tools in real-world health care systems are lacking, creating an evidence gap for implementing PGHD-informed care equitably.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of patients using the VA SMHD mobile app, which allows veterans to share PGHD with the VA.
METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of veterans who began using SMHD between October 2023 and September 2024 (n=3157, “SMHD users”). We collected demographic information, including age, sex, race/ethnicity, and rurality, and clinical information, including physiological and mental health conditions, from VA administrative data. We compared characteristics of SMHD users to a 10% random sample of veterans from the same underlying administrative data cohort that had never used the app (n=632,187, “nonusers”). Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests, independent t tests, and multivariable regression to assess the relationship between use and key characteristics.
RESULTS: Middle-aged veterans were more likely to be SMHD users (40-49 years: odds ratio [OR] 1.55, P<.001; 50-59 years: OR 1.37, P<.001), while veterans aged 60 years and over were less likely (60-69 years: OR 0.72, P<.001; ≥70 years: OR 0.24, P<.001). Female (OR 1.23, P<.001) and married (OR 1.31, P<.001) veterans were more likely to be SMHD users than male and unmarried veterans. In contrast, Black or African American (OR 0.62, P<.001) and rural (OR 0.82, P<.001) veterans were less likely to be SMHD users than White and urban veterans. Veterans in higher-income zip codes (OR 1.36, P<.001) were more likely to have used the app than those in lower-income zip codes. Clinically, SMHD users were more likely to have a service-connected disability (OR 1.81, P<.001), multiple physiological conditions (OR 1.86, P<.001), and multiple mental health diagnoses (OR 1.35, P<.001) versus none.
CONCLUSIONS: Veterans who used the SMHD app differed significantly from nonusers across several demographic and clinical characteristics. These insights identify specific demographic and clinical subgroups with higher and lower app adoption, providing an evidence base to inform targeted implementation and outreach and support strategies to promote enhanced engagement in PGHD-informed care.
PMID:41885918 | DOI:10.2196/80517
J Forensic Nurs. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000604. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Vaginal and cervical evidence collection is central to sexual assault medical forensic examinations (SAMFEs), yet comparative DNA outcomes for speculum-assisted versus blind swab techniques remain limited.
AIM: To compare blind swab and speculum-assisted vaginal/cervical collection methods with respect to male DNA outcomes to support patient-centered decision-making.
METHODS: Secondly, de-identified forensic medical and law enforcement data were analyzed. Outcomes included Y-screen positivity, Y-STR profile generation, and CODIS eligibility.
RESULTS: Among 117 analyzable cases, no statistically significant differences were observed between collection methods for any DNA outcome (all P>0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Blind swab collection produced DNA outcomes comparable to speculum-assisted methods in this pilot study. Findings should not be interpreted as equivalent but suggest blind swabbing may be a reasonable option for some patients.
PMID:41885911 | DOI:10.1097/JFN.0000000000000604
J Glaucoma. 2026 Mar 17. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000002715. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
PRCIS: Masks have a multi-factorial impact on intraocular pressure measured with the Goldmann tonometer, reaching clinical significance in one-third of patients. Before making clinical decisions, repeated measurements without a mask or other tonometers should be considered.
PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of wearing face masks on intraocular pressure (IOP), the only manageable factor today in glaucoma, a blinding disease. Given the recurrent global outbreaks of respiratory infections (e.g., COVID-19, RSV, and measles), mask use remains a crucial measure to reduce transmission.
METHODS: A prospective, randomized, controlled, and blinded clinical study. Adult patients without corneal pathologies or hypotony were recruited in the glaucoma clinic. Each patient underwent IOP measurements using the Goldmann applanation tonometer under three conditions: with a surgical mask, KN95 mask and without a mask as the control.
RESULTS: 47 patients (94 eyes) with various types of glaucoma, were enrolled. Past ocular history included an average of IOP-lowering medications of 1.7±1.5 (range 0 to 5), 25.5% had prior laser treatment for IOP control, and 19.1% had previously undergone glaucoma surgery. The mean difference in IOP readings between the masks ranged from 0 to 7.5 mm Hg with no statistical significance, P=0.116. No significant differences were found based on gender (P=0.560), laterality (P=0.384), number of IOP-lowering medications (P=0.730), history of previous glaucoma laser treatment (P=0.456), or surgery (P=0.425). Sixteen patients (34.0%) exhibited an IOP difference of 3 mm Hg or more between the conditions, although not statistically significant (P=0.546).
CONCLUSION: Masks exert inconsistent effects on IOP measurements. In approximately one-third of patients the differences reached clinical significance, although not statistically significant. These variations are presumably influenced by multiple factors, such as mask fit to facial structure, positioning, and alterations in breathing patterns while wearing masks.
PMID:41885902 | DOI:10.1097/IJG.0000000000002715