Nevin Manimala

Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2026 Jun 27. doi: 10.1186/s12955-026-02565-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although visual impairment (VI) is known to affect children’s development, there is limited evidence on how VI influences health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among children in Ghana. This study aimed to assess the relationship between childhood VI and HRQoL.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among children aged 2 to 18 years in selected districts of the Ashanti Region, Ghana. Comprehensive ocular assessments including visual acuity (VA), refraction, and anterior and posterior segment evaluations were performed. Health-related quality of life was measured using the PedsQL 4.0 across physical, emotional, social, and school functioning domains. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent-sample t-tests, and linear regression.

RESULTS: A total of 581 children participated (mean ± SD age: 8.64 ± 4.00 years), with females representing 53.0% of the sample. Both child-reported and parent-reported scores showed significantly reduced HRQoL among children with VI across all PedsQL domains compared with children without VI, with school (p < 0.001) and emotional (p = 0.005) functions of child-reported showing statistical significance. Presenting VI was a significant predictor of poor overall HRQoL in both simple (β= -10.351, p < 0.001) and multiple linear regression models (β= -5.650, p = 0.016). No significant associations (p > 0.05) were found between HRQoL and sociodemographic variables, including sex, age, ethnicity, work status, and health insurance.

CONCLUSIONS: Childhood VI is associated with substantial reductions in multiple dimensions of HRQoL. These findings underscore the need to strengthen early detection, clinical management, and school-based vision support services to improve pediatric eye care in Ghana.

PMID:42365291 | DOI:10.1186/s12955-026-02565-1

BMC Oral Health. 2026 Jun 27. doi: 10.1186/s12903-026-08978-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sufficient information is not available regarding the selection of ideal post and core types or the preferred method to access the subgingival margin to achieve optimal marginal integrity in the reconstruction of teeth with deep cervical lesions. This study aimed to evaluate how the position of the finish line and different post and core types, combined with deep marginal elevation (DME) and crown lengthening (CL) procedures, affect the marginal integrity of monolithic zirconia crowns in endodontically treated premolars.

METHODS: In the present laboratory experiment, 60 endodontically treated maxillary first premolars were assigned to six groups (n = 10): composite core supported by prefabricated fiber post (FP/CC) with DME (FP/CC-DME), composite core reinforced with polyethylene fiber (PEF/CC) with DME (PEF/CC-DME), cast post and core (CPC) with DME (CPC-DME), FP/CC-CL, PEF/CC-CL, and CPC-CL. Marginal integrity was assessed at the TheraCem-core, core-tooth, TheraCem-dentin, and TheraCem-enamel interfaces. Data were analyzed statistically (α = 0.05).

RESULTS: In the DME approach, the lowest marginal integrity was noted at the TheraCem-core and core-tooth interfaces in the CPC group, followed by FP/CC and PEF/CC (P < 0.05). In the CL approach, there was no significant variation among the groups (P > 0.05). With FP/CC, TheraCem-core, core-tooth, and TheraCem-dentin interfaces showed comparable marginal integrity (P > 0.05). With PEF/CC, the least marginal integrity was recorded at the TheraCem-dentin interface, followed by the TheraCem-core and core-tooth interfaces. With CPC, the TheraCem-core and core-tooth interfaces showed lower marginal integrity than dentin (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The type of post and core significantly affected the marginal integrity in the DME approach (PEF/CC > FP/CC > CPC) but not in the CL approach. DME, compared with CL, increased the marginal integrity with PEF/CC, decreased the marginal integrity with CPC, and did not affect the marginal integrity with FP/CC.

PMID:42365290 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-026-08978-0

Pregnancy Hypertens. 2026 Jun 27;45:101490. doi: 10.1016/j.preghy.2026.101490. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To identify latent trajectories of blood pressure throughout pregnancy and evaluate their associations with body mass index (BMI), physical fitness (estimated via oxygen uptake), and serum relaxin levels in a cohort of healthy pregnant women.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective inception cohort study. Group-based trajectory modelling was used to characterize systolic and diastolic blood pressure patterns across gestation. Multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of trajectory group membership.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Longitudinal trajectories of systolic and diastolic blood pressure during pregnancy.

RESULTS: A total of 492 women were included in early pregnancy. Three distinct and stable trajectories were identified for both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Nulliparous women and those with BMI >25 kg/m² had significantly increased odds of belonging to the highest blood pressure trajectory group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.47; 95% CI: 1.58-3.86 and aOR 1.61: 95% CI 1.04-2.49), respectively). No significant associations were observed between trajectory group membership and maternal age, physical fitness, or early-pregnancy serum relaxin concentrations.

CONCLUSIONS: Early pregnancy blood pressure may serve as a clinically relevant marker for gestational hypertension risk. Women with lower baseline readings may require less frequent antenatal monitoring, whereas those with elevated initial values could benefit from closer surveillance. Nulliparity and overweight status were associated with higher blood pressure trajectories, highlighting their relevance in antenatal risk stratification. Physical fitness and relaxin levels did not demonstrate predictive value in this context.

PMID:42364312 | DOI:10.1016/j.preghy.2026.101490

J Electrocardiol. 2026 Jun 25;98:154400. doi: 10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2026.154400. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) remains a leading cause of mortality, accounting for 300,000-400,000 deaths annually in the United States. Despite advances in device therapy, current approaches to risk stratification remain limited in both sensitivity and specificity. This reflects a broader challenge in medicine: predicting low-incidence, high-consequence events, where traditional statistical frameworks often fail to achieve meaningful clinical utility. In this review, SCA is examined as a model problem highlighting key conceptual and methodological challenges, including class imbalance, heterogeneity of mechanisms, ambiguity in defining cases and controls, and temporal variability in risk. Electrocardiography (ECG) is emphasized as a scalable modality capable of capturing important components of the substrate-trigger-autonomic triad. However, existing ECG-based markers have not translated into robust clinical tools and recent machine learning approaches have not yet overcome this translational gap. We argue that the central translational gap is not the absence of stronger predictors, but insufficient specification of the clinical decisions, target populations, and performance thresholds against which model utility should be evaluated. Within this framework, ECG feature selection should be matched to the mechanistic target: depolarization markers index structural substrate, repolarization markers capture dynamic electrical instability, and autonomic markers reflect modulatory state, each operating on distinct timescales. Population decomposition into mechanistically coherent subproblems, rather than pursuit of a single overarching prediction model, is likely to accelerate both performance and clinical translation. Lessons learned from SCA may extend broadly to other high-impact, low-frequency conditions in medicine.

PMID:42364311 | DOI:10.1016/j.jelectrocard.2026.154400

Prev Vet Med. 2026 Jun 27;254:106947. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2026.106947. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Bovine astrovirus (BoAstV) has been frequently detected in the feces of bovine calves irrespective of presence or absence of diarrhea. However, information on its epidemiological determinants, such as associations with host-level factors, diarrhea, age or species susceptibility, and farm-level factors such as housing, feed, disinfection, and weaning, remains limited. The present study aimed to identify potential animal- and farm-level risk factors associated with BoAstV and animal-level risk factors for diarrhea in cattle and buffalo calves. A total of 134 rectal swab samples (67 from diarrheic and 67 from healthy animals) were collected from 44 dairy farms in 13 districts in northern India. Data on farm management and animal health practices were obtained from farm owners using structured questionnaires. Of the screened calves, 23.1% were positive for BoAstV, and 34% of the farms were positive for BoAstV. Statistical analysis indicated a higher BoAstV detection in dewormed calves (34.9%) than in non-dewormed calves (12%), identifying this as a statistically significant risk factor (p < 0.05). Dairy farms that practiced early weaning had a statistically higher occurrence of BoAstV (66.7%) than those that did not (28.9%) (p < 0.05). This study found no association between the presence of BoAstV and diarrhea (p > 0.05). Furthermore, no significant associations were identified between age, sex, species, housing type, feeding practices, vaccination, or disinfection methods. When comparing the occurrence of diarrhea in bovine calves, age was identified as a potential risk factor (P < 0.05); however, the presence of diarrhea was not influenced by sex, species, or deworming status. These findings emphasize that BoAstV may circulate subclinically within dairy herds of North India, with deworming identified as a significant risk factor for viral presence. The findings support a multifactorial etiology of calf diarrhea involving complex interactions between management practices and multiple enteric pathogens.

PMID:42364303 | DOI:10.1016/j.prevetmed.2026.106947

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2026 Jun 24;286:113238. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113238. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The association between cultural identity and substance use varies across studies, highlighting the need to quantify this relationship and identify sources of variability. This meta-analysis quantified the relationship between cultural identity and substance use among North American Indigenous youth, tested potential moderators, and described measurement approaches and tribal nation representation.

METHOD: A systematic literature search identified 18 studies reporting a quantifiable association between cultural identity and substance use with samples of at least 75% Indigenous youth between the ages of 10 and 20 years. Random effects models were used to calculate pooled effect sizes (Pearson’s r), and meta-regressions assessed for potential moderating effects of age, sex, measurement approach, and living on a reservation.

RESULTS: Overall, there was no significant pooled association between cultural identity and substance use in Indigenous youth (r = -0.003, p = .86). Effects were similar across alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis. However, heterogeneity was high (I²=72%), and funnel plot asymmetry suggested possible publication bias (p = .04). Age, sex, living on a reservation, and measurement approach did not moderate the overall effect (p’s > .49). Tribal affiliation was largely not reported.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first meta-analysis to quantify the association between cultural identity and substance use among Indigenous youth. Although the overall pooled association was not statistically significant, this likely reflects limitations in how cultural identity is operationalized within quantitative research, leaving the question as to how cultural identity may impact substance use among Indigenous youth as of yet unanswered. Identifying which components of cultural identity are most relevant for Indigenous youth substance use will yield a better understanding of this relationship to inform the development of culturally sensitive interventions.

PMID:42364285 | DOI:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113238

Soc Sci Med. 2026 Jun 23;404:119519. doi: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119519. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and depression often co-occur, generating substantial health burdens. Social determinants may shape vulnerability to both conditions. Using a syndemic framework, this study examines the clustering of T2DM, depression, education, and place of birth in a large cohort in Piedmont, Italy.

METHODS: We analysed 861,300 males and 917,545 females aged 45-75 years from the Piedmont Longitudinal Study. T2DM and depression were identified from electronic health records; education was classified into three levels, and place of birth as Italy/high-income countries (HIC) versus low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Latent class analysis identified patterns of clustering. Cox proportional hazards models estimated associations of latent classes (LC) with emergency room (ER) access and all-cause mortality over five years.

RESULTS: Three LC were identified in both sexes. In both, the class with high comorbidity and low education had the poorest outcomes. Among males, this group had 31% higher ER use (95% CI 1.29-1.33) and 60% higher mortality (95% CI 1.55-1.66) than the reference. Among females, risks were 30% higher for ER use (95% CI 1.28-1.33) and 43% higher for mortality (95% CI 1.37-1.49). Migration background influenced outcomes differently: males from LMIC had lower mortality without higher ER use, while females showed slightly higher ER use but lower mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: T2DM and depression cluster with low educational level, with patterns differing by sex and migration background. The syndemic framework highlights the need for integrated interventions addressing both conditions and social determinants to promote health equity.

PMID:42364280 | DOI:10.1016/j.socscimed.2026.119519

Vaccine. 2026 Jun 27;88:128769. doi: 10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128769. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This open-label randomised phase 2 study aimed to determine whether a single versus two-dose BNT162b2 primary vaccination regimen in children 5 to 11 years old with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection was non-inferior in terms of immunogenicity and superior in terms of safety and reactogenicity.

METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either one or two doses, spaced 3 to 12-weeks. The primary endpoint was geometric mean ratio (GMR) of neutralizing antibodies against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 at 28 days post-vaccination with non-inferiority margin defined as a 1.5-fold change in geometric mean titers (GMT). Secondary endpoints included safety and reactogenicity profile and immunogenicity up to 12 months against wild-type and Variants of Concern (VOCs).

RESULTS: In total 31 participants from 3 European countries (median age 9, IQR7-10) were enrolled from May 2022 to January 2024, when the trial was prematurely terminated due to declining interest in COVID-19 vaccination among age-eligible children. Of these, 15 received two doses, and 16 received one. At day 28, GMT of neutralizing antibodies against wild-type SARS-CoV-2 was 1801.1 IU/mL(95%CI:1357.9-2388.9) in the two-dose arm and 1715.5 IU/mL(95%CI:1064.2-2765.4) in the single-dose arm. However, the non-inferiority of the single-dose could not be demonstrated (GMR:0.9; 95%CI:0.5-1.6). Titers remained above 100 IU/mL in both groups at 6 and 12 months. Both schedules elicited high anti-RBD IgG titers against wild-type and neutralizing titers against BA.5 variant at day 28. Eight participants (53%) in the two-dose arm and five (31%) in the single-dose reported a systemic adverse event grade ≥ 2 (P = 0.18) within 7 days of vaccination.

CONCLUSIONS: Both regimens induced robust and sustained immune responses consistent with the possibility that, in children with prior infection, a single dose functions immunologically as a booster of the humoral response. However, the premature termination renders the primary non-inferiority comparison statistically underpowered. The vaccine was well tolerated in both groups. EudraCT registration: 2021-005043-71.

PMID:42364277 | DOI:10.1016/j.vaccine.2026.128769

Am J Surg. 2026 Jun 27;260:117121. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2026.117121. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Constipation following bariatric surgery decreases patient satisfaction and quality of life while increasing healthcare utilization. We evaluate the impact of a preoperative educational handout on constipation-related communication (CRC) and emergency department (ED) visit frequency.

METHODS: Adult patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2022 and 2023 who either received or did not receive the handout were analyzed. Baseline demographics, medical comorbidities, and rates of CRC and ED visits within 180 days postoperatively were compared using inferential statistics. Number needed-to-treat (NNT) analyses were performed.

RESULTS: 400 patients were included (n = 176 No Handout, n = 224 Handout). Baseline characteristics were comparable. CRCs decreased from 18.8% to 9.4% (p = 0.006), and ED visits decreased from 5.7% to 1.8% (p = 0.035). The NNT for CRC and ED visits were 11 and 26 handouts, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of a low-cost preoperative educational handout significantly reduced postoperative healthcare use, representing a high-value intervention to improve patient outcomes and reduce system burden.

PMID:42364269 | DOI:10.1016/j.amjsurg.2026.117121

J Pediatr Nurs. 2026 Jun 27;90:271-277. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2026.06.022. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to examine the effect of psychological resilience on the caregiver burden among parents of children with special needs and the mediating role of internalized stigma.

METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional, correlational research design was used. The population consisted of 250 primary caregivers of children with special needs attending a Special Education and Rehabilitation Centre. A total of 235 parents (94%) voluntarily participated. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews between January-April 2025 using the Personal Information Form, the Brief Resilience Scale, the Affiliate Stigma Scale, and the Zarit Burden Interview. IBM SPSS v23 and AMOS v24 were used for statistical analyses. Mediation was tested using path analysis with the Maximum Likelihood estimation. The significance level was p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Psychological resilience showed a weak negative correlation with caregiver burden (r = -0.329) and a moderate negative correlation with internalized stigma (r = -0.412), while internalized stigma showed a moderate positive correlation with caregiver burden (r = 0.446) (p < 0.001). Internalized stigma significantly mediated the relationship (indirect effect = 0.188; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Enhancing psychological resilience reduces caregiver burden both directly and indirectly by decreasing internalized stigma.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Strengthening psychological resilience and reducing internalized stigma are critical for the sustainability of the caregiving process. Nurses can facilitate the establishment of social support networks among mothers/fathers who share similar experiences by forming parent support groups. Psychiatric and pediatric nurses can cooperate with psychologists, special education specialists, and social service workers to draw up a care plan that takes into account psychosocial factors such as psychological resilience and stigma.

PMID:42364267 | DOI:10.1016/j.pedn.2026.06.022