Nevin Manimala

Cogn Res Princ Implic. 2026 Mar 6;11(1):20. doi: 10.1186/s41235-026-00708-y.

ABSTRACT

Contemporary language learning applications such as Duolingo and Rosetta Stone often introduce vocabulary through guessing-with-feedback exercises in which learners match words and pictures. We investigated whether that process might yield a pretesting effect-that is, the phenomenon where guessing with correct answer feedback (pretesting) enhances memory. Across four experiments, adult online learners engaged in multiple-choice pretesting to learn Spanish word translations shown in word-image (Experiments 1-2) or image-word (Experiments 3-4) format. Relative to a read-only condition, pretesting yielded statistically significant performance improvements on subsequent cued recall (Cohen’s d = 0.18-0.40) and, in most cases, multiple-choice tests (d = 0.25-0.67), regardless of whether test formats were separately presented or intermixed. Participants also reported preferring pretesting over reading for learning second-language vocabulary, especially for word-image learning. Together, these findings extend the pretesting effect to visual and verbal materials, offering theoretical insights and substantiating word-image and image-word guessing-based approaches of language learning.

PMID:41790401 | DOI:10.1186/s41235-026-00708-y

Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2026 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s40368-026-01188-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Refugee families often arrive in Europe full of hope after facing many challenges. It is known that a significant proportion of them suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and that this is associated with bad health status, including oral health in adults. While it is known that refugee children have poor dental health, it remains unclear if this is related to their mental health. We aimed to find out if children’s PTSD status was associated with their dental health. We further examined if parental mental health is associated with children’s dental health.

METHODS: The study is part of the German INterCuLtUral Child DevelopmEnt Studies (INCLUDE). Dental and psychological examination of n = 44 children between 1.5 and 6 years was conducted. Dental health was assessed with dmft value and O’Leary Plaque Index (PI). The Child and Adolescent Trauma Screening was applied to test for PTSD symptoms in children. Parental mental health was assessed with the refugee health screener (RHS). Descriptive analyses and multiple linear regression were performed to test the association between child’s PTSD and dental health with parental mental health.

RESULTS: Mean dmft value was 4.98 (± 3.69), mean PI was 40.92 (± 14.76). PTSD was detected in 30% of the children. There were no statistically significant differences between children with and without PTSD symptoms pertaining dental health. Linear regression yielded child’s age and parental RHS score to be positively associated with child’s dmft value.

CONCLUSIONS: Children’ had poor dental health status, regardless of the presence of PTSD. Parental mental health was associated with child dental health. Interventions and programs for refugee children should consider parental mental health as well.

PMID:41790396 | DOI:10.1007/s40368-026-01188-w

Wien Med Wochenschr. 2026 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s10354-026-01134-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Inpatient acute geriatric wards provide care for older patients with multiple morbidities who require treatment due to acute events, with a focus on maintaining or restoring independence. Geriatric patients need treatment that takes into account medical, functional, psychological, and social aspects. In 2005, the Association for Quality in Geriatrics and Gerontology (QiGG) developed a uniform documentation standard for process control and quality assurance in acute geriatric inpatient care, which is used by many acute geriatric wards in Austria. Aim of this study was to conduct a reliable, systematic analysis of data collected in 2024 from acute geriatric wards in Austria, taking into account gender-specific differences, in order to provide transparency on the geriatric care situation and thereby generate a basis for scientific analysis, evidence-based planning, and managing of future care structures.

METHODS: Patient characteristics, therapeutic services, length of stay, and geriatric assessment parameters (self-care ability, mobility, social history, polypharmacy) were analyzed from data of 7545 patients from 15 acute geriatric wards in Austria in 2024. Data were collected using the digital Benchmarking and Reporting System CDS-BARS, and analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: More than 50% of the patients were admitted to acute geriatric wards within 2 weeks of the acute event. Overall, almost twice as many women as men were admitted. On average, patients had around 7.6 functional impairments upon admission. Most patients remained in the acute geriatric ward for 15 to 21 days and achieved a demonstrable and quantifiable improvement in their self-care abilities and mobility during their stay. A total of 90.5% of patients who lived at home before their stay returned home afterwards.

CONCLUSION: This study underscores the importance of acute geriatric wards in an aging society and the need for continuous development of acute geriatric structures.

PMID:41790386 | DOI:10.1007/s10354-026-01134-x

Updates Surg. 2026 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s13304-026-02592-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The management of descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is challenging due to diagnostic delays and a lack of consensus on optimal therapeutic. While the Endo classification describes anatomical extent, its link to patient outcomes remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic utility of the Endo classification and identify key factors predictive 90-day mortality and prolonged hospitalization. We performed a retrospective, single-center cohort study spanning 2015-2025 that included 52 consecutive patients with descending necrotizing mediastinitis who were managed surgically. Demographic characteristics, clinical features, Endo classification, operative approaches, and postoperative outcomes were systematically evaluated. Univariable regression and correlation analyses were applied to determine factors associated with 90-day mortality and length of postoperative hospital stay. The cohort (median age 54 years, 65.4% male) had an 11.5% 90-day mortality rate. The Endo classification guided surgical approach but was not significantly associated with mortality or hospital stay. Instead, preoperative hypoalbuminemia (odds ratio (OR) 1.29 per 1 g/L decrease, p = 0.032), postoperative white blood cell count (OR 1.40 per × 10⁹ decrease, p = 0.046) and odontogenic of infection (OR 0.122, p = 0.026) were significant risk factors for mortality. A shorter symptom-to-diagnosis interval (r = – 0.386, p = 0.008) and the presence of empyema (median stay 34.5 vs. 25.5 days, p = 0.020) were independently associated with a longer postoperative hospital stay. In lower mediastinitis (Types IIA-C), a thoracic approach was associated with a lower incidence of the composite outcome (reoperation/death) compared to a transcervical approach (9.1% vs. 33.3%), though this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.227). In DNM, physiological reserve and disease tempo are more powerful prognostic indicators than anatomical extent alone. A fulminant presentation and nutritional status are key prognostic indicators. These findings support a management paradigm that integrates early physiological optimization with tailored surgical intervention and postoperative care based on disease extent.

PMID:41790373 | DOI:10.1007/s13304-026-02592-z

Drug Saf. 2026 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s40264-026-01661-x. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41790353 | DOI:10.1007/s40264-026-01661-x

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2026 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37566-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with increasing rates of diagnosis and potential links to environmental exposures. Metals are known neurotoxicants that may exacerbate ASD symptom presentation. Our study focused on children aged 3-10 years clinically diagnosed with ASD who have lived in Alabama since birth. Spatial analysis assessed metal distribution and clustering patterns, and Spearman correlation was used to evaluate associations between air toxic metals and ASD symptom presentation. Spatial analysis of airborne metals across Alabama showed considerable spatial variability and hot spots, mostly in central Alabama and surrounding counties. ASD symptom presentation showed moderate positive correlation with cadmium, chromium, and lead, weak positive correlation with manganese, and weak negative correlation with mercury. Proximity and statistical analysis showed 73% of the participants lived within 5 km of an industrial site; those living more than 10 km away had much lower ASD scores, and proximity was a strong predictor of ASD symptoms. Our findings show that children in Alabama may be exposed to multiple air toxic metals at different exposure windows, and industrial emissions and residential proximity to pollution sources are potential environmental contributors to increased ASD symptom presentation.

PMID:41790349 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-026-37566-6

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2026 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37536-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Soil contamination with heavy metals remains a major environmental concern in post-conflict Mosul City, posing risks to agriculture, ecosystems, and human health. This study investigated seasonal and interannual variations in cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), chromium (Cr), and nickel (Ni), along with key soil properties (pH, electrical conductivity, and salinity), across urban soils during 2022-2023 by applying multivariate statistics and ArcGIS-based spatial analysis. Severe contamination was identified in 39.47% of the study area (S3, S4, and S7), while high contamination affected an additional 40.09% (S6 and S8); the remaining 20.43% (S1, S2, and S5) showed moderate contamination. Soil pH remained relatively stable, whereas electrical conductivity, salinity, and heavy metals particularly Pb, Zn, Cr, and Ni exhibited higher variability. Strong inter-metal correlations and principal component analysis indicated dominant anthropogenic influences, with heavy metals forming one principal component and EC-salinity another. Seasonal variations were evident in 2022, most likely associated with rainfall-driven leaching, but were negligible in 2023 under drier conditions. Spatial patterns reflected the combined influence of soil properties, climatic conditions, and human activities. These findings highlight the persistence of soil contamination in post-conflict Mosul and underscore the need for immediate remediation in high-risk zones, continued monitoring in moderately contaminated areas, and adaptive land management practices to reduce environmental and health risks. The integrated multivariate-spatial framework offers a transferable approach for assessing soil contamination in conflict-affected urban environments.

PMID:41790348 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-026-37536-y

J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2026 Mar 6. doi: 10.1007/s11239-026-03239-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to describe the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) for the treatment of cancer-associated thrombosis in patients with extreme bodyweights. This was a single center, retrospective cohort study of adult patients on therapy for at least 6 months. The primary efficacy outcome of this study was to describe the time to first recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) within 6 months, compared between treatment and across weight cohorts. The primary safety objective was to describe the time to first major bleeding (MB) event within 6 months of starting therapy, between treatment types and among the weight groups. Secondary outcomes included incidence of recurrent VTE, MB, clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) and the rate of VTE- or bleeding-related mortality. The time to recurrent VTE was comparable between all groups. In the BMI cohort, the time to first MB was 19.5 times longer for DOACs compared to LMWH in the overweight population (p = 0.007) and to first MB or CRNMB was 11.98 times longer (p = < 0.0001). In the weight cohort, the time to first MB or CRNMB was 14.63 times longer for DOACs compared to LMWH in the overweight population (p = 0.011) and 6.41 times longer in the normal weight population (p = 0.0009). There was an insufficient number of patients in the underweight group to perform statistical analysis. The results suggest that in overweight patients, DOACs have similar efficacy and fewer bleeding complications than LMWHs.

PMID:41790331 | DOI:10.1007/s11239-026-03239-x

Metabolomics. 2026 Mar 6;22(2):32. doi: 10.1007/s11306-026-02414-8.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Gliomas represent the tumors of the central nervous system that originate from glial cells. Overall survival predictions and treatment regimen selection are based on accurate tumor diagnosis and grading. However, the diagnosis of glioma remains critically dependent on either invasive biopsies or advanced imaging.

OBJECTIVE: This exploratory study aims to assess the diagnostic potential of urine specimens for discriminating gliomas from controls and identify the dysregulated pathways in a North Indian cohort. Urine is an ideal non-invasive candidate, requires no prior preparation, and considerably increases patient compliance.

METHOD: Urine samples from 50 glioma patients were analysed with ¹H NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopy and compared with those of healthy controls. Statistical analysis was performed in MetaboAnalyst 6.0 to identify significantly perturbed metabolites. Diagnostic performance was assessed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, and the Random Forest model was used to evaluate classification accuracy. Pathway enrichment and topology analysis based on the KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) database were performed to identify dysregulated pathways.

RESULTS: ¹H NMR metabolic analysis of urine samples revealed seven statistically significant (p < 0.05) metabolites namely acetate, pyruvate, creatinine, dimethylamine, glutamine, alanine and carnitine. This panel of metabolites displayed excellent diagnostic capability with an Area Under the Curve of 0.90 as measured by a multivariate ROC curve. The random forest model efficiently differentiated glioma from control samples using significant metabolites. Disruption in the primary energy pathways of the body and in the metabolism of major amino acids was observed in the pathway analysis.

CONCLUSION: Integration of these urinary signatures into current clinical practice can serve as an additional diagnostic tool and a non-invasive screening method for populations at risk. They can also be monitored in real time, thus aiding in adaptive treatment strategies and therapy assessment.

PMID:41790324 | DOI:10.1007/s11306-026-02414-8

Int Ophthalmol. 2026 Mar 6;46(1):146. doi: 10.1007/s10792-026-04029-3.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate pre-treatment optical coherence tomography (OCT) biomarkers in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and to assess changes in these parameters and their impact on visual prognosis one year after intravitreal (IV) anti-VEGF and steroid treatment.

METHODS: This retrospective study included 250 eyes of 250 patients with DME. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and routine ophthalmologic examinations were evaluated at baseline and at 4, 6, and 12 months after treatment. Spectral-domain OCT biomarkers assessed were central macular thickness (CMT), serous retinal detachment (SRD), disorganization of retinal inner layers (DRIL), hyperreflective dots (HRD), integrity of the ellipsoid zone (EZ) and external limiting membrane (ELM), intraretinal cyst (IRC) size, vitreomacular adhesion (VMA), epiretinal membrane (ERM), and macular cube volume (MCV). Patients were classified according to letter gain as good (> 10 letters), moderate (5-10 letters), or poor (< 5 letters) responders. Statistical analyses included one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests with post-hoc multiple comparisons.

RESULTS: BCVA improved significantly at 4, 6, and 12 months after treatment (p < 0.001). Mean CMT, IRC, HRD, and MCV values showed significant reductions at all follow-up visits (p < 0.001). The good responder group had significantly lower baseline BCVA and higher baseline CMT, IRC, and HRD values (p < 0.001). In contrast, the poor responder group showed a significantly higher baseline presence of DRIL (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: IV anti-VEGF and dexamethasone treatments provide significant anatomical and functional improvement in DME. High baseline CMT, HRD, and IRC values may indicate a favorable visual prognosis, whereas the presence of DRIL at baseline is associated with limited visual gain. Providing accurate prognostic information at treatment initiation may improve patient compliance.

PMID:41790319 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-026-04029-3