Category: Nevin Manimala

Perit Dial Int. 2026 Jan 21:8968608251413925. doi: 10.1177/08968608251413925. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Care teams and patients want to know what happens next, and researchers have put together a lot of tools, such as predictive models, to help them predict the future. While these researchers are well-intentioned, the tools they develop are not always helpful. Most researchers know enough to perform various tests of their predictive models, such as statistical tests that answer the question: “Are the predictions based on this model better than a coin flip?” We urge researchers to add another test to their existing lists: “Does this model tell care teams anything they don’t already know?”

PMID:41564328 | DOI:10.1177/08968608251413925

Dentomaxillofac Radiol. 2026 Jan 21:twag006. doi: 10.1093/dmfr/twag006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To compare the measurement accuracy of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), high-resolution ultrasound (US), and intraoral scanning (IOS) with the gold-standard direct method in the measurement of peri-implant bone defects.

METHODS: Forty standard-threaded and thirty-eight aggressive-threaded (Aggressor®) implants-identical in diameter and length (4.3/10 mm) but differing in macro-thread design-were placed into bovine rib bones in vitro. Dehiscence, 2/3-wall, and 4-wall (circumferential) defects were prepared around the implants. Each defect was measured for maximum width, depth, and height using CBCT, US, IOS, and direct manual measurement. Analyses were performed using the General Linear Model (ANOVA). A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Intra-operator and inter-operator agreement showed high reliability (Gage R&R below 10%). For maximum width, defect type (F = 894.81, p < 0.001), method (F = 6.76, p < 0.001), and implant type (F = 5.39, p = 0.021) were significant. For maximum depth, defect type (F = 861.12, p < 0.001) and method (F = 3.39, p = 0.018) were significant. For maximum height, method (F = 12.62, p < 0.001) and defect type (F = 38.91, p < 0.001) were significant. The model demonstrated high explanatory power for width (R2=75.9%) and depth (R2=76.6%) measurements but lower for height (R2=20.7%). CBCT provided the most consistent results relative to direct measurements, followed by US, whereas IOS showed greater deviations.

CONCLUSIONS: CBCT showed the highest agreement with direct measurements, followed by US, while IOS exhibited greater variability. Defect type and measurement modality were the primary determinants of accuracy. These findings indicate that CBCT and US can be considered reliable tools for assessing peri-implant bone defects.

PMID:41564309 | DOI:10.1093/dmfr/twag006

JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Jan 21;15:e90010. doi: 10.2196/90010.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41564303 | DOI:10.2196/90010

JMIR Med Inform. 2026 Jan 21;14:e81048. doi: 10.2196/81048.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Opioids are a widely prescribed class of medication for pain management. However, they have variable efficacy and adverse effects among patients, due to the complex interplay between biological and clinical factors. Pharmacogenetic testing can be used to match patients’ genetic profiles to individualize opioid therapy, improving pain relief and reducing the risk of adverse effects. Despite its potential, the pharmacogenetic testing uptake (use of pharmacogenetic testing) remains low due to a range of barriers at the patient, health care provider, infrastructure, and financial levels. Since testing typically involves a shared decision between the provider and patient, predicting the likelihood of a patient undergoing pharmacogenetic testing and understanding the factors influencing that decision can help optimize resource use and improve outcomes in pain management.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop machine learning (ML) models, identifying patients’ likelihood of pharmacogenetic uptake based on their demographics, clinical variables, medication use, and social determinants of health.

METHODS: We used electronic health record data from a single center health care system to identify patients prescribed opioids. We extracted patients’ demographics, clinical variables, medication use, and social determinants of health, and developed and validated ML models, including a neural network, logistic regression, random forest, extreme gradient boosting (XGB), naïve Bayes, and support vector machines for pharmacogenetic testing uptake prediction based on procedure codes. We performed 5-fold cross-validation and created an ensemble probability-based classifier using the best-performing ML models for pharmacogenetic testing uptake prediction. Various performance metrics, uptake stratification analysis, and feature importance analysis were used to evaluate the performance of the models.

RESULTS: The ensemble model using XGB and support vector machine-radial basis function classifiers had the highest C-statistics at 79.61%, followed by XGB (78.94%), and neural network (78.05%). While XGB was the best-performing model, the ensemble model achieved a high accuracy (32,699/48,528, 67.38%), recall (537/702, 76.50%), specificity (32,162/47,826, 67.25%), and negative predictive value (32,162/32,327, 99.49%). The uptake stratification analysis using the ensemble model indicated that it can effectively distinguish across uptake probability deciles, where those in the higher strata are more likely to undergo pharmacogenetic testing in the real world (320/4853, 6.59% in the highest decile compared to 6/4853, 0.12% in the lowest). Furthermore, Shapley Additive Explanations value analysis using the XGB model indicated age, hypertension, and household income as the most influential factors for pharmacogenetic testing uptake prediction.

CONCLUSIONS: The proposed ensemble model demonstrated a high performance in pharmacogenetic testing uptake prediction among patients using opioids for pain. This model can be used as a decision support tool, assisting clinicians in identifying patients’ likelihood of pharmacogenetic testing uptake and guiding appropriate decision-making.

PMID:41564302 | DOI:10.2196/81048

JMIR Med Educ. 2026 Jan 21;12:e71628. doi: 10.2196/71628.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cancer immunotherapy represents a transformative advancement in oncology, offering new avenues for treating malignancies by harnessing the immune system. Despite its growing clinical relevance, immunotherapy remains underrepresented in undergraduate medical education, particularly in curricula integrating foundational immunology with clinical application. To address this gap, we developed and implemented a fully online elective for fourth-year medical students focused on core immunology concepts, immunotherapy mechanisms, Food and Drug Administration-approved treatments, immune-related adverse events, and patient-centered therapeutic decision-making.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an asynchronous-synchronous online cancer immunotherapy elective in improving medical student knowledge, engagement, and critical-thinking skills. We hypothesized that participation in the elective would be associated with perceived improvements in knowledge and clinical preparedness and inform future strategies for integrating cancer immunotherapy into medical curricula.

METHODS: We conducted a mixed methods study with fourth-year medical students enrolled in a 2-week elective at a US medical school. The curriculum included a self-paced foundational module, online discussion board, and a capstone oral presentation requiring students to propose a novel immunotherapy approach. Participants completed pre- and postcourse quizzes assessing immunotherapy knowledge and an anonymous postcourse Likert-scale survey. Quantitative data were summarized descriptively, and Likert responses were reported using medians and IQRs. Due to the small sample size, 2-tailed unpaired t tests comparing pre- and postcourse quiz averages were underpowered to detect statistically significant differences. Qualitative data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis with investigator triangulation.

RESULTS: A total of 35 students completed the elective, and 20 submitted the postcourse survey (response rate: 57%). Across all Likert-scale items, students reported a median response of 5 (Strongly Agree), with IQR values ranging from 0 to 1, indicating uniformly positive perceptions and minimal variability in their evaluation of the course. Descriptively, average postcourse quiz scores were higher than precourse scores, suggesting improved conceptual understanding. Qualitative thematic analysis revealed three major themes: (1) increased confidence engaging with complex immunotherapy mechanisms, (2) appreciation for the flexibility and interactivity afforded by the hybrid asynchronous-synchronous model, and (3) enhanced understanding of the real-world clinical application of immunotherapy across interdisciplinary settings.

CONCLUSIONS: Descriptive quantitative and qualitative findings suggest that a targeted online cancer immunotherapy elective may enhance learners’ perceived knowledge and critical-thinking capacity related to emerging cancer therapies. The course’s hybrid structure offered flexibility, accessibility, and potential scalability. As immunotherapy continues to expand in clinical practice, this model provides a promising framework for integration into medical curricula. Future work should include larger cohorts and longitudinal follow-up into residency to more rigorously assess educational impact.

PMID:41564300 | DOI:10.2196/71628

JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Jan 21;15:e72682. doi: 10.2196/72682.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pericoronitis is a common pathological condition associated with mandibular third molars that may cause pain and discomfort. This condition may be chronic, exhibiting episodic symptoms that last for a few days to weeks and recurring multiple times in less than a year. The operculum covering the erupting mandibular third molars may become obscured by the eruption of maxillary third molars. Such recurrent traumas might exacerbate the symptoms and lead to ulcerations. With clinical monitoring at regular intervals and with the help of radiographic examinations, clinicians can develop the most effective treatment plan.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to determine the association between mandibular third molar position and recurrent pericoronitis.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study will include 200 patients having partially impacted mandibular third molar with recurrent pericoronitis. Patients aged 18-40 years with occurrence of pericoronitis will be included in this study. The impacted tooth’s side and the symptoms associated with pericoronitis will be recorded during clinical examination. All these patients will be evaluated using panoramic radiographs to assess the position of the unerupted/impacted mandibular third molar.

RESULTS: The duration of this study will be 6 months from October 2025 to April 2026. Approval for this study has been granted by the institutional ethics committee of Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research (deemed to be university), Sawangi, Wardha (DMIHER (DU)/IEC/2024/53). In panoramic radiographs, the impaction status of the mandibular third molar will be evaluated based on Winter’s and Pell and Gregory classification systems. Patients’ data will be recorded and analyzed for statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: The detection of the position and intervention at the early stage for pericoronitis in individuals with impacted third molars is vital.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/72682.

PMID:41563821 | DOI:10.2196/72682

Cancer. 2026 Feb 1;132(3):e70262. doi: 10.1002/cncr.70262.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown significant efficacy, a common side effect is cutaneous immune-related adverse events (irAEs). This study focuses on exploring the association between specific human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles and the development of cutaneous irAEs in melanoma patients undergoing ICI monotherapy and combination therapy. As certain HLA types are indicative of susceptibility to autoimmune diseases, it was hypothesized that HLA typing could serve as a potential screening tool for identifying patients at increased risk for developing irAEs.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of 515 patients with melanoma who underwent ICI therapy, either as monotherapy or in combination, and had HLA typing available. This analysis spans from 2003 to 2023 with a focus on cutaneous irAEs. Statistical analyses were conducted to assess the association between HLA alleles and irAEs.

RESULTS: Our analysis revealed that the HLA-B*51:01 allele was associated with a higher risk of cutaneous irAEs after adjusting for ICI regimen (hazard ratio: 1.71 [95% CI, 1.12-2.61], p = .013.) CONCLUSION: This is the largest study to link an HLA allele with ICI-induced cutaneous irAEs. The findings may support the use of HLA typing as an initial screen for developing irAEs, providing a simple, straightforward metric that can be rapidly performed on patients prior to initiation of ICIs. However, further research is needed across different cancer and toxicity types.

PMID:41563778 | DOI:10.1002/cncr.70262

JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jan 2;9(1):e2552953. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.52953.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Interpersonal violence perpetrated against transgender and gender-diverse people is prevalent across many settings and may contribute to substantial health disparities.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of overall, physical, sexual, and psychological violence against transgender and gender-diverse adults globally.

DATA SOURCES: Studies were identified through PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central, LILACS, PsycINFO, gray literature, and conference abstracts. Secondary searches of article references and relevant systematic reviews for articles published between January 1, 2010, and January 2, 2023, without language or geographical restrictions were performed.

STUDY SELECTION: Articles presenting quantitative data on interpersonal violence prevalence against transgender and gender-diverse adults using any study design and from any geographic region were included. Review articles, editorials, commentaries, studies that included minors and did not disaggregate data by age, studies that did not disaggregate data by gender identity, and studies with fewer than 10 participants were excluded. Full texts of potentially eligible articles were independently assessed for inclusion by 2 independent reviewers, with differences resolved through consensus.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: This study followed the PRISMA 2020 and MOOSE reporting guidelines. Prevalence data were extracted independently in duplicate and pooled using random-effects meta-analysis.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The lifetime and recent pooled prevalences of physical, sexual, and overall physical or sexual interpersonal violence against transgender and gender-diverse populations globally, as formulated prior to data collection, were estimated. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 values and examination of 95% prediction intervals. For analyses composed of single studies, the unadjusted crude prevalence and 95% CI were presented.

RESULTS: A total of 94 studies published in 137 of the 29 987 identified articles (65 608 participants) were included in this review. Estimates from 98 articles were pooled in meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of physical or sexual violence was 64.23% (9 studies; 95% CI, 47.38%-78.17%) for lifetime and 59.81% (2 studies; 95% CI, 11.73%-94.34%) for recent. The pooled prevalence of lifetime physical violence was 35.89% (45 studies; 95% CI, 28.97%-43.46%), and that of sexual violence was 32.70% (40 studies; 95% CI, 25.20%-41.20%).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this systematic review and meta-analysis of interpersonal violence experienced globally by transgender and gender-diverse adults, a high prevalence was found, which should be addressed through evidence-based prevention and response strategies.

PMID:41563760 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.52953

JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jan 2;9(1):e2554793. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.54793.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: The 2022 Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and the subsequent legal restrictions to abortion have prompted national discussion about the importance of abortion access for maternal health. A commonly cited statistic in these debates, based on data from 1998 to 2005, is that the risk of death associated with childbirth is approximately 14 times higher than that of abortion.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the ratio of pregnancy-related to abortion-related mortality using updated data (2018-2021), capturing increased detection of maternal death and increased safety of abortion since the original estimate.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study included all births (live and stillbirths) and pregnancy-related deaths from the National Vital Statistics System from 2018 to 2021. The number of abortion related deaths was obtained from the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System, and the number of abortions was obtained from the Guttmacher Institute. Data were analyzed between February and October 2025.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Pregnancy-related deaths were identified using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes A34, O10 to O95, O96, O98 to O99. Pregnancy- and abortion-related mortality ratios were calculated per 100 000 births and abortions, respectively, per year and overall. To calculate the ratio, the pregnancy-related mortality rate per 100 000 births was divided by the abortion-related mortality rate per 100 000 abortions. Sensitivity analyses excluded ICD-10 codes commonly misclassified as pregnancy related and COVID-19-related deaths.

RESULTS: During the period between 2018 and 2021, there were 14 902 571 births and 3 662 580 abortions. The mean ratio between pregnancy-related and abortion-related mortality was 69.6 (range, 52.9-105.2). Excluding nonspecific causes of pregnancy-related death, the mean pregnancy- to abortion-related mortality ratio was 52.9 (range, 38.2-74.2). Further excluding COVID-19-related mortality, the ratio was 44.3 (range, 34.5 to 74.2).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cross-sectional study found that the ratio of pregnancy- to abortion-related mortality from 2018 to 2021 ranged from 44.3 to 69.6, at least 3 times higher than the ratio of 14.7 calculated using data from 1998 to 2005. These findings suggest that by taking away the option to end a pregnancy, abortion bans force pregnant people to take on the increased health risks associated with continued pregnancy.

PMID:41563758 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.54793

JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Jan 2;9(1):e2554809. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.54809.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: People with HIV experience higher rates of frailty and falls than age-matched people without HIV.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the life-years lost, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) lost, and costs attributable to prefrailty, frailty, and falls among people with HIV and viral suppression in the United States.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This decision analytic modeling study used the Frailty Policy Model, a microsimulation model, to project lifetime health and cost outcomes associated with frailty and falls among people with HIV in the United States. The model simulated individuals representing people with HIV and viral suppression in the United States aged 40 years and older in 2022, and results were scaled to the estimated population size of 521 994 individuals. Simulation model parameters were drawn from the Advancing Clinical Therapeutics Globally (ACTG) A5322 Study, the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS)/Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) Combined Cohort Study, and published literature. Data analysis was conducted from November 2023 to October 2025.

EXPOSURES: Prefrailty, frailty, and falls.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Life-years lost, QALYs lost, and costs attributable to prefrailty, frailty, and falls.

RESULTS: The simulated individuals representing people with HIV and viral suppression had a mean (SD) age of 56 (10) years; 25% were female; 41% had prefrailty, and 7% had frailty. The model projected that the simulated individuals would have a remaining life expectancy of 20.3 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 19.7-20.8) years, with a mean of 12.0 (95% UI, 11.2-12.8) years with prefrailty or frailty and 10.1 (95% UI, 8.2-12.1) falls per person. Scaled to the population level, the model projected that there would be 31 000 (95% UI, 16 000-57 000) life-years lost, 214 000 (95% UI, 130 000-292 000) QALYs lost, and $5.0 (95% UI, $3.2-$7.2) billion in lifetime costs attributable to prefrailty. There would be 1 352 000 (95% UI, 84 000-3 336 000) life-years lost, 1 091 000 (95% UI, 209 000-2 500 000) QALYs lost, and $8.8 (95% UI, $4.7-$14.2) billion in lifetime costs attributable to frailty. There would be 183 000 (95% UI, 120 000-266 000) life-years lost, 141 000 (95% UI, 94 000-198 000) QALYs lost, and $3.4 (95% UI, $2.2-$4.8) billion attributable to falls.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this decision analytic modeling study of frailty and falls among people with HIV and viral suppression, the lifetime QALYs lost and costs attributable to frailty and falls were substantial. These findings highlight the potential clinical and economic benefits that could result from interventions to identify, prevent, and treat frailty and falls among people with HIV.

PMID:41563756 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.54809