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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Implementation and Optimization of a Random Illumination Microscope: towards Robustness for Microscopy Core Facility

Biol Cell. 2026 Mar;118(3):e70060. doi: 10.1111/boc.70060.

ABSTRACT

Super-resolution microscopy has become an indispensable tool for investigating molecular architectures in their native cellular environment. However, most super-resolution techniques face limitations that prevent rapid, deep imaging of live samples. Random Illumination Microscopy (RIM), based on natural laser speckle illumination, is a method of choice to overcome these challenges. RIM combines laser speckle illumination at the optical resolution with an algorithm that exploits the statistical invariance of speckle patterns. In this approach, a stack of hundreds of random speckle images is acquired using a random diffusive element and then processed to reconstruct the super-resolved optical section. The invariant statistical properties of speckle patterns, which persist even as they diffuse through biological samples, enable deep-tissue imaging. Additionally, the wide-field configuration of both illumination and detection ensures high acquisition speeds and minimal sample photodamage. Here, we present the implementation of our RIM prototype within a microscopy core facility. We describe the system setup, characterization, and optimization, identifying the key elements required for its reliable operation. As a proof of concept, we also provide biological examples demonstrating the prototype’s performance in resolving subcellular structures.

PMID:41797562 | DOI:10.1111/boc.70060

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Does anticholinergic medication use on presentation to a rural memory clinic predict cognitive or functional decline over one year?

J Alzheimers Dis. 2026 Mar 9:13872877261424232. doi: 10.1177/13872877261424232. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundAnticholinergic medications carry increased risk of worsening cognition, particularly in patients with dementia.ObjectiveCognitive and functional scores of patients were compared at 1-year follow up after cessation of prior anticholinergic medications to those who were not taking anticholinergics at baseline to assess whether prior anticholinergic use affected dementia prognosis in memory clinic patients.MethodsLongitudinal data from 578 consecutive patients with diagnoses including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal and vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, mild cognitive impairment and dementia due to non-AD etiologies compared patients taking anticholinergic drugs to those taking none at intake. Anticholinergic drugs were discontinued in all patients at initial visit. Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) were administered at intake and 1-year follow up.ResultsBetween the no-anticholinergic and anticholinergic groups, MMSE at baseline did not significantly differ when the entire sample was compared. In addition, MMSE score change between baseline and follow-up did not significantly differ. Similarly, no significant differences were observed between groups in FAQ at baseline or in FAQ change between timepoints. Subgroup analysis of only those with AD yielded statistically significant differences in initial MMSE. However, these groups had statistically similar follow-up MMSE. Although initial FAQ scores were similar, there were significant differences in follow-up FAQ in patients with AD.ConclusionsFindings suggest that patients with AD presenting on anticholinergic medications may do worse cognitively and functionally than those who were never on anticholinergics despite baseline discontinuation. Anticholinergic medication use in older adults should be approached cautiously.

PMID:41797557 | DOI:10.1177/13872877261424232

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Individuals’ Perceptions of the Efficacy, Quality, and Safety of Care Accessed via a Telemedicine Platform: A Retrospective Analysis of Survey Data

Telemed J E Health. 2026 Jan 18:15305627261416295. doi: 10.1177/15305627261416295. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The use of telemedicine, including direct-to-consumer telemedicine, has increased significantly, yet there are concerns about the quality and safety of care accessed via this model. The current study retrospectively analyzed survey data from individuals about their perceptions of the efficacy, safety, and quality of care they accessed through a telemedicine platform.

METHODS: An online survey, originally intended for the purposes of quality improvement, was sent to individuals who had accessed treatment via a national telemedicine platform. The survey, made available between June 30, 2025 and July 3, 2025, consisted of 22 questions that queried individuals about their experience with the platform. Data were de-identified and retrospectively analyzed, with descriptive statistics used to report on the number and percentage of participants who indicated agreement with survey items.

RESULTS: The survey was completed by 2,399 participants. Overall, participants (>80%) reported a positive experience pertaining to the quality and safety of care accessed via the platform. The majority (>90%) of participants reported a positive experience with the online clinical intake and with providers on the platform. Participants consistently (>90%) rated their overall experience with the platform as equal to or better than prior in-person health care experiences. There was variability with regard to participants’ awareness of specific safety practices implemented by the platform.

DISCUSSIONS: Our findings indicate that the majority of individuals who engaged with the telemedicine platform had positive perceptions of the efficacy, quality, and safety of the care they received and viewed the experience as rivaling care they had previously received in an in-person setting.

PMID:41797533 | DOI:10.1177/15305627261416295

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Uneven Access: How Rurality and State Policies Shaped Telehealth Provision to Medicaid Enrollees, 2020-2021

Telemed J E Health. 2026 Jan 13:15305627251412737. doi: 10.1177/15305627251412737. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses how providers delivered telehealth services to pregnant Medicaid enrollees, using multistate Medicaid claims data. It also examines how provider rurality and state-level telehealth policies influenced provision.

METHODS: We analyzed claims data on telehealth provision from the Transformed Medicaid Statistical Information System Technical Analytic File from January 2020 to April 2021. Monthly telehealth provision was estimated for family physicians, obstetricians and gynecologists, nurse practitioners, and physician associates, and variations therein were examined by rurality and state policy.

RESULTS: Telehealth provision peaked in April 2020, when 19.5% of providers delivered at least one telehealth service. At the peak in April 2020, rural providers were less likely to provide telehealth than urban providers (15.2% vs. 20.6%), and states with telehealth-supportive policies saw higher provision of telehealth by providers (20.9%) than those without (14.3%). Throughout the study period, rural providers from all specialties in nonsupportive policy states showed the lowest telehealth provision.

CONCLUSIONS: Provider location rurality and state policy environments significantly influenced telehealth provision. Sustained policy support is essential to ensure equitable access to perinatal care.

PMID:41797521 | DOI:10.1177/15305627251412737

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Age-specific melanoma risk associated with nevi: a pooled analysis from the M-SKIP project

J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2026 Mar 9. doi: 10.1111/ddg.15992. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the association of melanoma risk with total-body nevus count and the presence of atypical nevi in younger (< 40 years) and older (> 60 years) individuals.

METHODS: A pooled analysis was conducted within the M-SKIP project, based on multiple melanoma case-control studies. Associations were assessed through study-specific odds ratios (ORs), adjusted for potential confounders.

RESULTS: Nine case-control studies were included, analyzing common nevi (2,674 melanoma cases/2,343 controls) and atypical nevi (2,459 cases/1,740 controls). High common nevus count was associated with increased melanoma risk in both younger (summary [s]OR = 2.56; 95% CI 1.64-4.01; I2 = 31%) and older individuals (sOR = 2.06; 95% CI 1.06-4.00; I2 = 67%), with no significant age-group difference (p = 0.57). In contrast, younger individuals exhibited a markedly higher risk of melanoma associated with the presence of at least one atypical nevus (sOR = 4.84, 95% CI 2.18-10.76; I2 = 65%) compared to older individuals (sOR = 1.71 95%CI 1.07-2.74; I2 = 39%), with a p value for the difference of 0.02.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest age-specific differences in melanoma risk associated with nevus burden. Specifically, atypical nevi are a stronger risk factor in younger individuals. This could have significant implications for prevention strategies and clinical management, in particular for better identification of high-risk groups for targeted secondary prevention efforts.

PMID:41797512 | DOI:10.1111/ddg.15992

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Clinician Satisfaction With Pharmacogenomics Clinical Services at a Multistate Health System

Clin Transl Sci. 2026 Mar;19(3):e70520. doi: 10.1111/cts.70520.

ABSTRACT

Pharmacogenomics (PGx) utilizes genetic information to optimize medication management. Barriers to PGx implementation include limited confidence and knowledge in applying results, time constraints, and financial barriers. Clinical services across health systems vary greatly with differing consultative PGx service models. Most research on clinicians and PGx has been centered around attitudes and perspectives, with limited data regarding clinician satisfaction with PGx clinical services. An internally developed survey was created to assess clinician satisfaction with PGx services across a single health system. A survey was deployed to 645 clinicians (physicians, advanced practice providers, and genetic counselors) who utilized PGx clinical services (ordered PGx testing or a referral to the PGx clinic) within the past 3 years. Surveys were distributed via secure email in June 2025. A total of 36 out of 645 clinicians participated in the survey, which is noted as a limitation. Respondents tended to be satisfied (“somewhat satisfied” or “very satisfied”) across several clinical service domains (e.g., process of ordering PGx testing, integration into the electronic health record, and return of PGx results). Pharmacist notes and clinical decision support yielded the highest satisfaction. Most clinicians reported PGx results have positively impacted patient outcomes. Nearly half of respondents noted experiencing barriers in explaining PGx results to patients. The PGx clinic may help mitigate barriers in explaining PGx results to patients. Overall, responding clinicians were satisfied with the majority of PGx clinical services.

PMID:41797503 | DOI:10.1111/cts.70520

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Diabetes Knowledge and Medication Adherence Among High-Risk Type 2 Diabetic Patients in a Rural Area in Vietnam: A Cross-Sectional Study

Clin Transl Sci. 2026 Mar;19(3):e70517. doi: 10.1111/cts.70517.

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide, especially in developing countries such as Vietnam; however, data on diabetes knowledge and medication adherence among Vietnamese high-risk T2DM patients, particularly those living in the rural areas, remains scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of diabetes knowledge and medication adherence, along with their relationship, among high-risk T2DM patients in a rural area of Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Quang Thanh General Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in Nghe An Province, Vietnam, between May and July 2024. Diabetes knowledge and adherence were assessed using the Vietnamese versions of the Spoken Knowledge in Low Literacy Patients with Diabetes (SKILLD) and the General Medication Adherence Scale (GMAS), respectively. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between diabetes knowledge and medication adherence. A total of 230 high-risk, T2DM patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in the study. The mean age was 67.9 ± 6.6 years, while 43.9% were male. The mean SKILLD score was 36.7 ± 20.03, with 82.6% classified as having low diabetes knowledge. For medication adherence, the mean GMAS score was 30.4 ± 3.07, with 16.1% of patients classified as being non-adherent. Binary logistic regression showed that better knowledge significantly increased the likelihood of medication adherence (OR = 8.3, 95% CI: 1.1-64.8, p = 0.043). In conclusion, diabetes knowledge was low among Vietnamese high-risk T2DM patients. A strong relationship existed between high diabetes knowledge and better medication adherence.

PMID:41796060 | DOI:10.1111/cts.70517

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Review of Existing Approaches and Potential Role of Pharmacometrics in the Interpretation of Prognostic Circulating Serum Biomarkers in Advanced NSCLC

Clin Transl Sci. 2026 Mar;19(3):e70494. doi: 10.1111/cts.70494.

ABSTRACT

Circulating serum biomarkers have prognostic value in patients with advanced NSCLC, yet their potential still remains underappreciated at present. This review discusses classical approaches of biomarker data analysis, highlighting gaps, and summarizing current methodologies to evaluate the relationship between serum biomarkers and clinical outcome in advanced NSCLC. Showcased for serum biomarker data exploitation of a phase III study in advanced NSCLC patients, this review also promotes and offers perspectives on how to analyze and interpret longitudinal biomarker data using pharmacometric approaches for potential implementation into clinical practice.

PMID:41796056 | DOI:10.1111/cts.70494

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Understanding the relationship of social anxiety with alcohol use and alcohol-related problems in young people: A meta-analysis

Addiction. 2026 Mar 8. doi: 10.1111/add.70345. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Social anxiety is associated with disparate alcohol-related outcomes among young people. This meta-analysis synthesised the literature to determine what factors (e.g. impulsivity) may account for variance in these outcomes.

METHODS: Empirical studies reporting the correlation of social anxiety with alcohol use and/or alcohol-related problems (ARPs) among young people (aged 13-29 years) were identified through a systematic literature search. Five random-effects meta-analyses were performed for ARPs, problematic alcohol use, frequency, quantity and quantity by frequency index measures of alcohol use. Seventy studies were included with 233 effect sizes extracted. The average age was 20 years (n = 38 517; 66.2% female).

RESULTS: Social anxiety was negatively associated with index alcohol use [number of studies (k) = 28, r = -0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI) = -0.08 to -0.03, t = -4.04, P < 0.001] but statistically non-significant with quantity (k = 21, r = 0.00, 95% CI = -0.04 to 0.05, t = 0.18, P = 0.86) or frequency (k = 18, r = -0.01, 95% CI = -0.06 to 0.05, t = -0.29, P = 0.78) of alcohol use. Social anxiety was statistically significantly positively associated with ARPs (k = 45, r = 0.13, 95% CI = 0.10-0.16, t = 9.93, P < 0.001) and problematic alcohol use (k = 23, r = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.01-0.11, t = 2.68, P = 0.01). Impulsivity was a statistically significant moderator, such that, as the correlation of impulsivity with social anxiety increased, the association of social anxiety with index alcohol use positively increased. Subgroup analyses for ARPs measure used were also statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: Young people with elevated social anxiety appear to drink less alcohol than their peers, but report more problematic alcohol use and alcohol-related problems. Impulsivity may clarify unexpected patterns of lower alcohol consumption, although conclusions remain tentative due to methodological constraints.

PMID:41796042 | DOI:10.1111/add.70345

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Analysis of the Reasons for the Inconsistent Opinions on the Mental Disability Assessments

Fa Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2025 Dec 25;41(6):585-592. doi: 10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2024.141001.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the factors contributing to inconsistent opinions on assessments of mental disability degrees caused by traumatic brain injury (TBI).

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 50 cases of re-assessment of mental disability caused by TBI at Forensic Medicine Center of Sun Yatsen University from 2018 to 2019. General demographic information of the assessed individuals, TBI conditions, and initial and re-assessment opinions were collected. Descriptive statistics, Spearman correlation analysis and generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the differences in mental disorder diagnosis and disability degrees between initial and re-assessment. The reasons for inconsistent opinions were analyzed.

RESULTS: The inconsistency rate for two mental disability assessment opinions was 70.0% (including only mental disorder diagnosis were inconsistent, only disability degrees were inconsistent and both inconsistent). The responses to questioning, memory, intelligence, emotional activities, volitional behavior activities, and self-awareness during the assessment were correlated with the location of the cerebral malacia foci caused by TBI. There were significant differences between the two assessments in the degree of impairment to some mental symptoms and the living ability.

CONCLUSIONS: The reasons for the inconsistent opinions on the two assessments may be: (1) depending on different brain imaging information (including changes in brain imaging information in the recent three months, and the location of cerebral malacia foci); (2) examiners have different understandings of the degree of damage caused by mental disorders; (3) examiner’s assessment of the degree of impairment in living ability varies.

PMID:41796032 | DOI:10.12116/j.issn.1004-5619.2024.141001