Discov Oncol. 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1007/s12672-026-04909-1. Online ahead of print.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:41966662 | DOI:10.1007/s12672-026-04909-1
Category: Statistics
Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign
EJNMMI Phys. 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1186/s40658-026-00867-3. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Continuous bed motion (CBM) allows flexible extension of the scan range compared to conventional step‑and‑shoot (S&S) acquisition but has not yet been evaluated in long axial field‑of‑view (LAFOV) PET/CT. This study systematically assessed the impact of CBM on image quality, noise, and quantitative performance in the Biograph Vision Quadra LAFOV PET/CT using multi‑phantom and patient scans compared to S&S.
METHODS: A uniform tube phantom and a NEMA IEC phantom, positioned centrally and off-centre, were scanned across bed speeds (2.8-50 mm/s), sensitivity modes and scan ranges (106 and 150 cm) to evaluate image uniformity, axial count profiles, noise and contrast recovery coefficients (CRC). Ten oncological patients receiving [18F]PSMA-1007 or [18F]FDG underwent sequential CBM (2.8 mm/s, 378 s) and S&S (300 s) scans. Image noise, net true counts, and liver and lesion SUV values were compared using paired statistics and Bland-Altman analysis, along with PSMA expression scores.
RESULTS: For comparable count statistics and image noise, CBM required a prolonged acquisition (378 s) to match the S&S (300 s) protocol, resulting in comparable image quality for phantoms and patients. CRC and image uniformity were preserved across all evaluated conditions, even at the FOV’s axial edge (50.5 cm) for 8.4 mm/s (22 mm sphere: CRC 76% S&S vs. 71% CBM). In patient scans, minor differences in axial count profiles, net true counts, and SUV values (SUVmean bias – 0.1 (liver) and – 0.8 (lesions)) did not affect clinical scores.
CONCLUSIONS: The prolonged CBM protocol provides image quality and quantitative performance comparable to S&S in LAFOV PET/CT. While the reconstructed image range remains constrained by CT coverage, the patient scan comparison with 106 cm scan range, together with extended range phantom measurements, indicate that CBM can support scan range extension beyond 106 cm without compromising diagnostic accuracy.
PMID:41966653 | DOI:10.1186/s40658-026-00867-3
Abdom Radiol (NY). 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1007/s00261-026-05425-0. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the value of tumor volume reduction rate (VRR) measured by enhanced CT, compared with RECIST 1.1 criteria, in evaluating the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy(NACI) for patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC), and its impact on prognosis.
METHODS: This retrospective study included 107 gastric adenocarcinoma patients. VRR and RECIST 1.1 response were calculated from pre-treatment and post-treatment CT. Interobserver agreement was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC), while correlation with pathological tumor regression grade (TRG) and diagnostic performance (ROC analysis) were assessed. The optimal VRR cut-off was determined. Prognostic value was evaluated via survival analysis.
RESULTS: The ICC for the tumor VRR was 0.966 (95% CI: 0.951-0.977), which was significantly higher than the ICC for the tumor longest diameter reduction rate (0.701, 95% CI: 0.590-0.785). VRR showed a moderate negative correlation with TRG (r= -0.389, P < 0.001), which was significantly better than the weak correlation between RECIST 1.1 and TRG (r = 0.196, P = 0.043). The area under the curve (AUC) for VRR in predicting major pathological response was significantly higher (AUC = 0.7953) than that for RECIST 1.1 (AUC = 0.6127, P = 0.0017). Survival analysis showed that grouping based on VRR (2-year PFS: 69.4% vs. 37.8%, P = 0.018) and TRG (2-year PFS: 82.8% vs. 46.2%, P = 0.0029) significantly distinguished patient prognosis, whereas RECIST 1.1 criteria did not (P = 0.74). The combined model integrating VRR and TRG failed to provide more refined prognostic stratification. Among patients with TRG 2-3, whether VRR was greater than 47.4% did not significantly stratify prognosis (P = 0.7935).
CONCLUSIONS: (1) The tumor VRR demonstrates significantly superior observer agreement compared to the RECIST 1.1 criteria. (2) The correlation with TRG and diagnostic efficacy of VRR before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy are significantly superior to RECIST 1.1 criteria. (3) Regarding 2-year PFS, both VRR and TRG are effective indicators for prognostic evaluation after this treatment regimen, whereas RECIST 1.1 criteria lack statistical significance for 2-year PFS. (4) The combined model of VRR and TRG did not enable more precise prognostic stratification, indicating a need for further research.
PMID:41966643 | DOI:10.1007/s00261-026-05425-0
J Gastroenterol. 2026 Apr 12. doi: 10.1007/s00535-026-02412-6. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Durvalumab plus gemcitabine-cisplatin (GCD) has become a standard first-line therapy for advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC) following the TOPAZ-1 trial. However, whether the survival benefit observed in trial-eligible patients can be generalized to broader real-world populations remains uncertain. We evaluated the impact of TOPAZ-1 eligibility on the effectiveness of GCD in routine clinical practice.
METHODS: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, 610 patients with unresectable or recurrent BTC treated with first-line GCD (n = 268) or gemcitabine-cisplatin (GC) (n = 342) at 19 Japanese institutions were analyzed. Patients were classified according to TOPAZ-1 eligibility criteria. Overall survival (OS) was compared between treatment groups in the entire cohort and stratified by eligibility status. Multivariable Cox models were constructed separately for eligible and ineligible patients.
RESULTS: Among 610 patients, 324 (53.1%) met TOPAZ-1 eligibility criteria. In the overall cohort, GCD was associated with longer OS than GC (median, 13.7 vs 11.3 months; p = 0.009). Among eligible patients, GCD significantly improved OS compared with GC (18.0 vs 13.1 months; p = 0.004), whereas no significant difference was observed among ineligible patients (10.8 vs 10.0 months; p = 0.675). However, the interaction between treatment and TOPAZ-1 eligibility was not statistically significant (p for interaction = 0.162).
CONCLUSIONS: In this real-world cohort, the survival benefit of GCD appeared to be primarily observed in patients meeting TOPAZ-1 eligibility criteria. Trial-based eligibility may influence the magnitude of benefit from immunochemotherapy in advanced BTC, underscoring the importance of patient selection in routine practice.
PMID:41966637 | DOI:10.1007/s00535-026-02412-6
Ultrasonics. 2026 Mar 26;165:108058. doi: 10.1016/j.ultras.2026.108058. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
This study examined the effectiveness of incorporating ultrasonic mid-air haptic feedback into a three-dimensional multiple object tracking (3D-MOT). A custom-built ultrasonic phased array generated mid-air tactile stimuli within an 8 × 8 × 10 cm region, synchronized with a Unity-based interactive training game involving dynamic ball-catching tasks. This work assigned 20 healthy adult volunteers to the experimental (with haptic feedback) or control (without haptic feedback) groups. In addition, we assessed the cognitive and motor-cognitive performance before and after the intervention using lab-based and field-based cognitive control tasks (e.g., the flanker task) to examine potential transfer effects. The results showed that the experimental group demonstrated significantly faster learning progress by bleaching 26% more red spheres by day 6, and reaching performance stability 3 days earlier. Mixed-design ANOVA confirmed statistically significant differences in training trends (p = 0.035) and level scores (p = 0.051), with medium to large effect sizes. Besides, although both groups demonstrated improved cognitive control performance (i.e., reduced flanker effect in reaction time [RT]) following the intervention in the lab-based task, only the experimental group showed a further reduction in the flanker effect of RT at the perceptual-cognitive level on the field-based task (p = 0.003). This finding suggests that cognitive training with haptic feedback simulating somatosensory cortex activity may yield greater benefits for cognitive control processing during a motor task. This study showed that integrating ultrasonic haptic feedback meaningfully enhances visuospatial training outcomes, and offers a scalable, hands-free solution for cognitive rehabilitation, underscoring the promise of multisensory approaches to optimize cognitive health.
PMID:41966617 | DOI:10.1016/j.ultras.2026.108058
Vet Anaesth Analg. 2026 Feb 28;53(3):101217. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2026.101217. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the isoflurane-sparing effect and the intra- and postoperative analgesic efficacy of an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in pigs undergoing elective laparoscopic ovariectomy.
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomised, blinded clinical study ANIMALS: A total of 35 female pigs.
METHODS: Pigs were randomly allocated to TAP or control groups. Premedication consisted of azaperone 1 mg kg-1, xylazine 1.5 mg kg-1, butorphanol 0.2 mg kg-1, and ketamine 5 mg kg-1 intramuscularly. Anaesthesia was induced with ketamine ± thiopental intravenously and maintained with isoflurane. A three-injection-point per hemiabdomen ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed with 1% lidocaine, 0.1 mL kg-1 per point. No sham injection was performed in controls. Baseline heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded before surgery at 1.0% end-tidal isoflurane (FE´Iso). Anaesthetic requirements were adjusted by a blinded investigator if HR and MAP deviated 20% from baseline. Ketamine 1 mg kg-1 was administered for ventilator asynchrony. Postoperative pain was assessed using the UNESP-Botucatu pig composite acute pain scale. Pigs scoring ≥ 6/18 were given oral paracetamol 30 mg kg-1. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS: After excluding nine pigs,12 were analysed in the TAP group and 14 in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found comparing overall isoflurane requirements (mean ± standard deviation FE´Iso area-under-the-curve: 7.12 ± 0.89 versus 7.19 ± 1.04 in TAP and control groups, respectively p = 0.775). Median postoperative pain scores (interquartile range) were 1 (1-4) in the TAP group and 1 (0-2) in controls. No significant differences were found in rescue analgesia requirements intra- (p = 0.759) or postoperatively (p = 0.867).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Ultrasound-guided TAP block is a feasible technique in pigs. With the methodology used, no isoflurane-sparing effect of the TAP block was detected.
PMID:41966612 | DOI:10.1016/j.vaa.2026.101217
Vet Anaesth Analg. 2026 Mar 20;53(3):101226. doi: 10.1016/j.vaa.2026.101226. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the sedative effect of three doses of intranasal midazolam in the tropical screech owl (Megascops choliba).
STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized experimental study.
ANIMALS: A group of 30 clinically healthy adult Megascops choliba.
METHODS: Owls were randomly assigned to one of three groups (n = 10). Each group was administered intranasal midazolam at doses of 2 mg kg-1, 4 mg kg-1, or 6 mg kg-1. Sedation was assessed using a composite numerical rating scale (0-12). Righting reflex and recovery times were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple comparisons tests to compare sedation onset, depth, and duration among doses. Data are reported as median (interquartile range). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: Onset time in seconds was significantly faster with 4 mg kg-1 [32.5 (16.2-42.5) seconds] and 6 mg kg-1 [29.5 (21.8-40.2) seconds] compared with 2 mg kg-1 [77.0 (51.0-104.5) seconds; p = 0.010]. Median sedation scores over the observation period were lower in the 2 mg kg-1 group [5.5 (3.7-5.8)] than in the 4 and 6 mg kg-1 groups [7.2 (6.9-7.4) and 8.1 (7.7-8.4), respectively; p < 0.001]. No adverse effects were observed.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intranasal midazolam at 4-6 mg kg-1 produced rapid, effective, and well-tolerated sedation in Megascops choliba, with no observable adverse effects. These findings contribute to optimizing sedative protocols for Strigiformes and support its practical value as a simple and efficient option for use in clinical and field settings.
PMID:41966611 | DOI:10.1016/j.vaa.2026.101226
J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2026 Apr 10;13(6):100564. doi: 10.1016/j.tjpad.2026.100564. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Given the growing global public health burden of Alzheimer’s disease, this study used the Bayesian network meta-analysis to assess the effects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on cognitive function in the population with Alzheimer’s disease.
METHODS: Two investigators screened the literature from English databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science) and three major Chinese bibliographical databases (China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, and VIP Database). We assessed the risk of bias and publication bias of the selected literature. Subsequently, a Bayesian network meta-analysis and meta-regression were conducted to further investigate the comparative efficacy of different interventions on cognitive outcomes.
RESULTS: A total of 4788 cases were initially identified. Photobiomodulation [SMD=0.66, 95%CrI (0.29, 1.02)], enriching environment [SMD=0.69, 95%CrI (0.08, 1.31)], pharmacological therapy [SMD=0.36, 95%CrI (0.17, 0.55)], cognitive stimulation therapy [SMD=0.32, 95%CrI (0.11, 0.55)] and exercise therapy [SMD=0.28, 95%CrI (0.06, 0.51)] showed considerable enhancements in cognitive function among individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Photobiomodulation and enriching environment stood out, with their effects more potent than those of other therapies, as indicated by the surface under the cumulative ranking curve – photobiomodulation clocked in at 87.3%, while enriching environment scored 83.8%, versus pharmacological therapy’s 54.7%.
CONCLUSIONS: Among the interventions evaluated, photobiomodulation and enriching environment were associated with better improvements in cognitive function than pharmacological therapy. Exercise therapy and cognitive stimulation therapy also demonstrated beneficial effects. Music therapy showed no statistical difference from the control group. In addition, the research developed an innovative approach to contrast pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2025 CRD420251075628. Available from https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251075628.
PMID:41966601 | DOI:10.1016/j.tjpad.2026.100564
Clinics (Sao Paulo). 2026 Apr 10;81:100922. doi: 10.1016/j.clinsp.2026.100922. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Hospitalization can generate stress and anxiety and lead to depression. Music therapy has been used in hospital environments to promote patient well-being. However, scarce research has examined heterogeneous groups using the single-session format. This controlled clinical trial aimed to compare the effects of three methods of single-session music therapy on reducing anxiety and depression in hospitalized adult patients with diverse endocrine disorders.
METHOD: Participants (n = 222) were non-randomly distributed into three experimental music therapy groups (compositional, songwriting, and receptive) and a control group. The instruments used were the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS; pre-and post-test).
RESULTS: The experimental groups presented a statistically significant decrease in the HADS scores (p < 0.05) compared with the control group. Participants in the experimental groups reported an enhancement in well-being.
DISCUSSION: Single-session music therapy interventions, mainly the receptive method, had a positive impact on reducing anxiety and depression in a heterogeneous group of hospitalized adult patients with endocrinopathies.
PMID:41966590 | DOI:10.1016/j.clinsp.2026.100922
J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2026 Apr 10;54(7):104560. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2026.104560. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Mandibular condylar head fractures remain controversial with respect to optimal management. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared closed treatment and open reduction and internal fixation for intracapsular condylar head fractures. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and was prospectively registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD420261292186). Electronic databases were searched up to 31 December 2025. Randomized and non-randomized comparative studies with a minimum follow-up of three months were included. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I and RoB 2 tool, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE framework. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed where appropriate. Nine studies, including 547 patients, of which two were randomized trials, met the inclusion criteria. In the ORIF group, pre- and postoperative maximum mouth opening improved by a pooled mean difference of 19.70 mm (95% CI 3.22-36.18 mm), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 97.9%). In the closed treatment group, the pooled mean improvement was 14.91 mm (95% CI -2.58 to 32.41 mm), with similarly high heterogeneity (I2 = 98.3%). Direct comparison of postoperative maximum mouth opening demonstrated a small statistical difference favoring ORIF (mean difference 2.72 mm; 95% CI 0.28-5.17 mm; I2 = 32.9%). Open reduction and internal fixation was associated with lower odds of postoperative occlusal discrepancy (odds ratio 0.14; 95% CI 0.03-0.79; I2 = 68.1%). The pooled proportion of TMJ-related morbidity after closed treatment was 11% (95% CI 4-25%; I2 = 75.7%); a pooled estimate for ORIF was not feasible. The pooled incidence of facial nerve weakness was 3% (95% CI 1-8%; I2 = 0%) for standard preauricular approaches and 23% (95% CI 14-35%; I2 = 62.0%) for modified preauricular approaches. Implant removal occurred in 4% of cases (95% CI 1-14%; I2 = 24.0%). Radiological outcomes were heterogeneous and synthesized descriptively. The certainty of evidence ranged from low to very low. The differences observed were modest and should be interpreted cautiously. Both treatment strategies remain acceptable options pending higher-quality comparative evidence.
PMID:41966579 | DOI:10.1016/j.jcms.2026.104560