Nevin Manimala

J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2026 Aug 20:1-8. doi: 10.1044/2026_JSLHR-26-00035. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Laryngeal kinematics were examined under high-speed videoendoscopy to examine laryngeal motor control of persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed on 24 people with idiopathic PD and 24 age- and sex-matched controls as they produced repetitions of the utterance /ifi/ at self-induced levels of vocal effort (typical, mild, moderate, and maximum effort). Two kinematic measures of laryngeal motor control were measured during vocal fold adduction: spatiotemporal index (STI; adductory variability across repeated utterances) and asymmetry index (AI; ratio of deceleration to acceleration of adduction). Mixed-effects analysis of variance models were constructed to determine the main effects of group (PD, control), self-induced level of vocal effort, and their interaction.

RESULTS: Statistically significant main effects of group were found for STI, but not AI. No statistically significant effects of vocal effort level or its interaction with group were observed for either measure.

CONCLUSIONS: Larger STIs in people with PD are consistent with the increased production variability observed in other speech articulators. Neither laryngeal kinematic measure was modulated by vocal effort level. These findings indicate that the STI was sensitive to differences in laryngeal motor control impairment between people with and without PD.

PMID:42622553 | DOI:10.1044/2026_JSLHR-26-00035

J Med Eng Technol. 2026 Aug 20:1-19. doi: 10.1080/03091902.2026.2720510. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

EEG-based motor imagery (MI) discrimination is widely utilised in real-life applications, such as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), due to its non-invasive and comparatively cost-effective nature. However, traditional BCI systems typically rely on a uniform, broad frequency band or a standardised set of sub-bands to extract features. Consequently, they fail to account for distinct physiological variability across subjects, leading to significant classification performance degradation. To address this limitation, we propose a novel framework named subject-specific localised frequency fusion (SSLFF). The proposed method systematically searches for and selects optimal frequency sub-bands , while dynamically merging complementary spectral bands. In addition to this subject-specific frequency localisation, the framework integrates a time-localised feature extraction process. Unlike traditional approaches, the proposed method can operate effectively over a broader master frequency band without experiencing performance degradation, as it automatically isolates the optimal spectral parameters for each subject. Overall, the proposed framework achieves a statistically significant improvement in classification accuracy compared to alternative traditional methods, while maintaining exceptional robustness against variations in system parameters. In short, SSLFF try to address the fact that the learning of human brain varies from person to person and it incorporates subject specific tuning not only in the spatial filter and classifier, but also in frequency band selection and localised feature extraction, leading to a superior classification performance.

PMID:42622537 | DOI:10.1080/03091902.2026.2720510

Clin Appl Thromb Hemost. 2026 Jan-Dec;32:10760296261476817. doi: 10.1177/10760296261476817. Epub 2026 Aug 20.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThis study aimed to systematically review randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing oral anticoagulant (OAC) monotherapy with combination therapy of OAC plus single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT) in patients with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) and an indication for long-term anticoagulation.MethodsA systematic screening of the PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Central databases was conducted until 12 Mar 2026 to identify RCTs comparing OAC monotherapy with OAC plus SAPT in CCS patients. The primary endpoints were all-cause mortality and net adverse clinical events (NACE). Secondary endpoints included major bleeding, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and stroke. End point data were pooled using random-effect models, to generate hazard ratios (HR) and odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).ResultsSix RCTs involving 5048 patients were included. Pooled analysis showed that OAC monotherapy significantly reduced the risk of NACE compared to combination therapy (HR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.44-0.77). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality overall (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.51-1.10). OAC monotherapy substantially decreased major bleeding (HR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.32-0.70) and cardiovascular death (HR, 0.69; 95% CI 0.50-0.95) and there was no statistically significant difference in other secondary outcomes.ConclusionsCurrent evidence suggests that OAC monotherapy is a safer alternative to combination therapy in anticoagulated patients with CCS, without increasing ischemic risk.

PMID:42622532 | DOI:10.1177/10760296261476817

J Speech Lang Hear Res. 2026 Aug 20:1-20. doi: 10.1044/2026_JSLHR-25-00949. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the evidence on speech perception abilities of children with speech sound disorders (SSDs) to understand how the perceptual skills contribute to the diagnosis and characterization of SSDs.

METHOD: We conducted a systematic and meta-analysis by searching four electronic databases for studies published between 2017 and 2025 that examined the speech perception skills of children with SSDs. We qualitatively evaluated the included studies based on study characteristics and methodological quality and performed a meta-analysis for the eligible homogeneous studies.

RESULTS: Forty-nine papers met the inclusion criteria for the qualitative synthesis. Half of the studies featured identification tasks, while the other half featured discrimination, judgment, or neurophysiological paradigms. Methodological quality ranged from 74% to 96%. Seven homogeneous studies that used the forced-choice identification task were included for the meta-analysis. The pooled effect size based on 277 participants (SSD: n = 140, typically developing [TD]: n = 137) was statistically significant (Hedges’s g = 0.84, p < .001), indicating that the speech perception scores of children with SSDs are lower than those of TD children.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that children with SSDs show measurable deficits in speech perception, underscoring the clinical importance of assessing perceptual skills when diagnosing SSDs. Identification tasks currently provide the most consistent evidence, while emerging neurophysiological methods expand insight into underlying processing mechanisms. Recommendations for future research include examining perception in more natural listening conditions, such as speech perception in noise, and testing whether perceptual interventions can improve speech outcomes.

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.33246702.

PMID:42622531 | DOI:10.1044/2026_JSLHR-25-00949

ChemSusChem. 2026 Aug 27;19(16):e70982. doi: 10.1002/cssc.70982.

ABSTRACT

Theoretically, a wide variety of DESs can be formed through different combinations of components and their interactions. Among these, ChCl is most widely used in DES formulations. What accounts for the prominence of ChCl in DES formation? This study aims to analyze and address this question. A comparison with DESs based on other HBAs highlighted the favorable trade-offs of ChCl in the selected physicochemical properties. Additionally, the study constructed a machine learning model to evaluate the effects of different HBDs on the melting point of ChCl-based DESs. Machine-learning analysis indicated that the intrinsic thermal properties of HBD and the composition of the mixture were the most influential descriptors for melting point prediction. In addition, the local environments of selected functional groups provided complementary structural information associated with melting point variations. DFT calculations provided qualitative molecular-level interpretations consistent with these statistical associations. The presence of polyhydroxy and amide groups tends to lower the melting point, while the presence of polycarboxyl and cyclic structures tends to prevent a decrease in the melting point. These findings highlight the favorable trade-offs of ChCl in the aspects considered, providing useful context for the rational design and optimization of DES systems.

PMID:42622528 | DOI:10.1002/cssc.70982

Am J Clin Oncol. 2026 Aug 20. doi: 10.1097/COC.0000000000001364. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Cervical cancer is a leading female malignancy with high global morbidity/mortality, and remains high recurrence risk after standard treatment. Accurate prognostic feature identification is critical for personalized therapy and patient survival improvement, while traditional indicators and single biomarkers lack sufficient accuracy in prognostic prediction.

METHODS: In this population-based retrospective study, we analyzed 5392 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2015. Multivariable logistic regression and machine learning models were used to evaluate the associations between sociodemographic and clinical variables and overall survival.

RESULTS: The analysis identified that marital status, median household income, tumor grade (Grade Recode 2017), disease stage, and tumor size were collectively related to prognosis. Patients with lower socioeconomic status and residing in nonmetropolitan areas were found to have worse survival outcomes. A predictive model incorporating these variables, along with age and race, demonstrated acceptable discriminatory performance with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.70 in prognostic prediction.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested that both clinical and sociodemographic factors contributed meaningfully to prognosis in cervical squamous cell carcinoma, providing a basis for integrating these 2 types of factors in the development of stratified risk prediction tools that improve survival and quality of life.

PMID:42622523 | DOI:10.1097/COC.0000000000001364

J Prim Care Community Health. 2026 Jan-Dec;17:21501319261481241. doi: 10.1177/21501319261481241. Epub 2026 Aug 20.

ABSTRACT

IntroductionDepression is a common mental health disorder in the United States and associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. We assessed the association between language preferences on the frequency of depression screenings and follow-up actions within a primary care setting.MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center in 2019. Our exposure was patient preference to use a non-English language. Our primary outcome was a completed annual depression screening. We also assessed follow-up actions after a positive depression screen. We used multivariable logistic regression to predict the odds of having a depression screening while adjusting for age, sex, race and ethnicity.ResultsAmong 10,187 patient encounters, 4,049 (39.8%) received depression screening. English-preference patients were significantly more likely to complete screenings compared to non-English-preference speakers (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.25; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.80-2.81). Compared to white patients, Black patients were less likely to complete a depression screening (aOR 0.74; 95% CI 0.63-0.88). Follow-up actions were documented in 31.3% of patients with English language preference and 23.5% of non-English language preference.ConclusionsPatients with English language preference were more likely to complete a depression screening and receive follow-up actions following a positive screen compared to those with non-English language preference. System-level interventions to improve equitable screening and follow-up are necessary in primary care. Collaborative care models, bilingual providers, and culturally tailored care may help reduce these disparities.

PMID:42622522 | DOI:10.1177/21501319261481241

Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging. 2026 Aug;8(4):e250508. doi: 10.1148/ryct.250508.

ABSTRACT

Purpose To evaluate pulmonary arterial pulse wave velocity (PWV) derived from phase-resolved functional lung (PREFUL) MRI in participants with suspected pulmonary hypertension (PH), assess its association with established markers, and investigate its prognostic value for 12-month mortality. Materials and Methods This post hoc analysis of a prospective multicenter Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension Diagnosis Europe MRI (CHANGE MRI) study included participants with suspected chronic thromboembolic PH and complete PREFUL MRI between July 2016 and November 2023. PREFUL MRI-based two-dimensional images acquired at 1.5 T using spoiled gradient-echo sequences were used to calculate quantified perfusion, perfusion defect percentages, and PWV. Group comparisons were performed between PH and no PH and among PH groups using age- and sex-adjusted models (analysis of covariance framework). Spearman correlations with right heart catheterization and cardiac MRI parameters and associations with 12-month mortality were assessed using multivariable regression and Cox proportional hazard models. A P value less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results A total of 632 participants (median age, 66 years; IQR, 22 years; 368 [58%] female) were included. Of these, 415 had confirmed PH, and 13 died within 12 months. PWV was higher in pulmonary arterial hypertension than in chronic thromboembolic PH (2.76 m/sec ± 1.32 vs 1.84 m/sec ± 1.29; P < .001). In participants with PH, PWV was associated with mortality (hazard ratio, 2.28 per SD increase [1.47 m/sec]; P < .001). PWV showed independent associations with right ventricular ejection fraction (β = -0.024 m/sec per percentage point; P < .001) and perfusion defect percentage (β = 0.014 m/sec per percentage point; P = .02). Conclusion Pulmonary arterial PWV derived from PREFUL MRI was higher in PH and independently associated with right ventricular function and 12-month mortality. Keywords: Functional Lung MRI, Pulmonary Arteries, Lung ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02791282 Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2026.

PMID:42622518 | DOI:10.1148/ryct.250508

Scand J Prim Health Care. 2026 Dec;44(1):2715519. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2026.2715519. Epub 2026 Aug 20.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: General practitioners (GPs) play a crucial gatekeeping role in limiting inappropriate antibiotic use. Studies have found that activity-based remuneration of GPs, such as fee-for-service (FFS), is associated with increased antibiotic prescribing. The aim of this study is to compare changes in antibiotic use between patients that switch between GPs with different remuneration types.

METHODS: We use individual-level nationwide registries from 2008 to 2019. Patients who initiated a switch of GP during this period are included (N = 508 088). We apply a difference-in-differences design to compare patients that switch between GPs with different remuneration types to patients that switch between GPs with similar remuneration types (FFS/Capitation versus salary remuneration).

FINDINGS: Patients who switch to an FFS GP experience an increase in antibiotic use, whereas those who switch to a salaried GP show a decrease. Patients switching from a salaried GP to an FFS GP (compared with salaried-to-salaried switchers) experience a monthly increase of 85 defined daily doses (DDD) of antibiotics per 1 000 patients (SD = 20). Conversely, patients switching from an FFS GP to a salaried GP (compared with FFS-to-FFS switchers) reduce their monthly antibiotics use by 21 DDD per 1000 (SD =7).

INTERPRETATION: Our study indicates that GPs’ remuneration type affects patients’ antibiotic use, with FFS/CAP remuneration being associated with increased use of antibiotics. This relationship might be mediated by differences in consultation frequency, and systematic selection of GPs may also contribute to the observed differences.

PMID:42622517 | DOI:10.1080/02813432.2026.2715519

Geospat Health. 2026 Jul 23;21(2). doi: 10.4081/gh.2026.1511. Epub 2026 Aug 20.

ABSTRACT

Bayesian spatial models for disease mapping, such as Besag-York-Mollié (BYM) models, are widely used to model disease counts while accounting for spatial dependence. However, these models are not equipped to handle missing covariate values. Covariates are often partially observed, yet these models require separate imputation that ignores imputation uncertainty. We extend this Bayesian framework for disease mapping to accommodate missing covariates while modeling the disease counts. Missing covariate values are treated as unknown parameters that are estimated simultaneously with the other model’s parameters within the same Bayesian model. Evaluation on the benchmark Scottish lip cancer dataset demonstrates that the proposed model is effective in recovering the parameters of interest, compared with the complete-data BYM2 model under low-to-moderate missingness in a covariate.

PMID:42622504 | DOI:10.4081/gh.2026.1511