Nevin Manimala

Am J Dent. 2026 Feb;39(1):2-7.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the laboratory effects of different whitening toothpastes on resin composite with respect to color change and surface roughness.

METHODS: A total of 50 disc-shaped specimens were prepared from a microhybrid composite (Zenchrom). The samples were randomly divided into five groups for the application of four different whitening toothpastes (Opalescence Whitening Toothpaste, Rocs Sensation Whitening, Luis Bien Active Carbon Toothpaste and Sparkly White Herbal Toothpaste) and one non-whitening toothpaste (Signal Anti-Caries Toothpaste) (n=10). For staining, the samples were kept in coffee solution. Then, all samples were brushed 5,000 strokes with a toothbrush device to simulate a 6-month brushing period. Color measurements of the specimens after staining and brushing were performed using a spectrophotometer. Surface roughness measurements were performed using a mechanical profilometer. The Shapiro-Wilk test, one-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis H test were used for the statistical analysis of the data (P< 0.05).

RESULTS: Following the brushing procedures, a significant increase in surface roughness was observed in all the samples (P< 0.05). When the roughness values were compared between the groups after 6 months of brushing, a statistically significant increase in surface roughness was observed with Signal Anti-Caries Toothpaste compared to Luis Bien and Opalescence (P< 0.05). In the evaluations of the color changes, all the toothpastes had whitening effects, but no statistically significant difference was detected between the toothpastes with respect to whitening performance (P> 0.05).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Whitening toothpastes may lighten the color of the resin composite tested, but they can also increase surface roughness. Therefore, dentists should guide patients in selecting appropriate toothpaste products.

PMID:41785021

Ann Clin Transl Neurol. 2026 Mar 5. doi: 10.1002/acn3.70360. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The Clinical Assessment Scale in Autoimmune Encephalitis (CASE) tracks disease severity in autoimmune encephalitis (AE), but no threshold for significant change exists. We aimed to determine the minimally clinically important difference (MCID) for CASE. Using our AE cohort, receiver operating characteristic analyses were anchored to ≥ 1-point improvement in mRS over 3-month intervals. Among 222 AE patients (77 NMDAR, 49 LGI1, and 113 seronegative AE), a 30% CASE reduction showed good discriminatory performance for mRS improvement in the first 6 months, particularly in NMDAR and seronegative subgroups. A 30% CASE reduction may standardize AE response definitions.

PMID:41784996 | DOI:10.1002/acn3.70360

Bone Jt Open. 2026 Mar 5;7(3):291-302. doi: 10.1302/2633-1462.73.BJO-2025-0382.R1.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a widely performed procedure, yet the clinical and functional outcomes of soft-tissue autografts compared with allografts remain unclear. While previous studies have focused on surgical techniques and failure rates, few have systematically analyzed functional outcomes following ACLR. This study aimed to assess medium-term functional patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) as the primary outcome and clinical outcomes as the secondary outcome following ACLR.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines and was pre-registered on the Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO). A comprehensive search of databases, including PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase, was conducted up to June 2024. Eligible studies included skeletally mature patients undergoing primary ACLR, with reported clinical and functional outcomes at minimum 24 months. Data were analyzed using random-effects models to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) and odds ratios (ORs).

RESULTS: Of 5,292 studies screened, 12 were included, encompassing 1,038 patients. Of the functional scores, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) outcomes (n = 930; SMD = 0.27; 95% CI 0.14 to 0.39; p < 0.001) and Tegner activity scores (n = 646; SMD = 0.18; 95% CI 0.03 to 0.34; p = 0.021) significantly favoured autografts, with Lysholm scores (n = 643; SMD = 0.14; 95% CI -0.02 to 0.29; p = 0.078) showing no significant differences between graft types. For clinical outcomes, Lachmann’s grades significantly favoured allografts (n = 346; SMD = -0.56; 95% CI -1.09 to -0.03; p = 0.037). Revision rates and graft re-tear rates did not differ significantly between graft types.

CONCLUSION: The study found that autografts and allografts yield variable functional and clinical outcomes in ACLR at minimum 24-month follow-up, with autografts showing modest yet statistically significant advantage in IKDC and Tegner activity scores, but not in Lysholm functional score at and beyond 24 months. However, Lachmann’s scores suggested better stability with allografts.

PMID:41784990 | DOI:10.1302/2633-1462.73.BJO-2025-0382.R1

JAMA. 2026 Mar 5. doi: 10.1001/jama.2026.0191. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41784970 | DOI:10.1001/jama.2026.0191

JAMA Netw Open. 2026 Mar 2;9(3):e260623. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0623.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41784965 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.0623

Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2026 Mar 5. doi: 10.1007/s40368-026-01187-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of molar incisor hypomineralisation (MIH) and investigate whether residual yellow-brown enamel opacities coexisting on the same tooth surface as clinically advanced MIH lesions are associated with severe clinical outcomes, including post-eruptive breakdown, atypical restorations, and atypical caries lesions.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study examined 680 schoolchildren aged 6 to 10 years from Bauru, Brazil, for MIH. Two trained and calibrated examiners performed the assessments using a modified version of the extended MIH index (MIH_e), which allows the simultaneous recording of multiple clinical features on the same tooth surface. Examinations were conducted under artificial lighting using school chairs, a mouth mirror, and a WHO probe. Descriptive statistics were used to report MIH prevalence and characteristics. Chi-square tests evaluated the association between the colour of residual demarcated opacities and the presence of post-eruptive breakdown, atypical restorations, and atypical caries lesions. The statistical significance level was 5%.

RESULTS: MIH was detected in 24.8% of the participants. The most frequently observed feature was yellow-brown demarcated opacity (45.5%), followed by white-creamy opacity (35.1%), post-eruptive breakdown (9.2%), atypical restorations (5.9%), and atypical caries lesions (5.3%). A statistically significant association (p < 0.05) was found between the colour of opacities and the presence of severe clinical outcomes, with yellow-brown opacities more commonly associated with them.

CONCLUSION: MIH prevalence in Bauru was high (24.7%). Yellow-brown residual opacities were statistically significantly associated with clinical severity, reinforcing their usefulness as indicators of more advanced MIH.

PMID:41784923 | DOI:10.1007/s40368-026-01187-x

Sports Med. 2026 Mar 5. doi: 10.1007/s40279-026-02403-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) provides the estimated lactate threshold (θ_LT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP) through visual identification of multivariate gas exchange and ventilatory profiles. Artificial intelligence tools, such as deep neural networks, can learn, replicate, and classify these patterns and potentially aid in θ_LT and RCP identification, removing the subjectivity of threshold detection. This study evaluated a set of deep learning models (Oxynet) pre-trained with more than 1200 CPET files and tested its performance against visual inspection of experts.

METHODS: Evaluation included three phases: In phase I, 50 simulated ventilatory and gas exchange CPET files were generated, mixed with 50 authentic files, presented sequentially and in randomized order to three independent evaluators, and judged to be real or fake. In phase II, a new set of 50 files were generated, θ_LT and RCP were identified by both Oxynet and the consensus of three experts, and these estimates were compared with known values. In phase III, a subset of 163 CPETs were used to fine-tune Oxynet, and its evaluation of 50 independent authentic ramp CPET files were compared with those of the three experts.

RESULTS: Experts correctly discriminated simulated from authentic data in 44% of cases (phase I). One-way ANOVA revealed no main effect of identified $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_2$ (known vs Oxynet vs human evaluators) for both θ_LT (p = 0.41) and RCP (p = 0.39) with ~ zero effect size for both θ_LT (ω² = 0.00) and RCP (ω² = 0.00) (phase II). Using real ramp-incremental data (phase III), the fine-tuned Oxynet identified the $\dot{V}{\text{O}}_2$ at 1944 ± 401 and 2555 ± 602 mL min^-1 for θ_LT and RCP, respectively. Expert evaluators identified these at 1900 ± 469 and 2581 ± 625 mL min^-1 with mean between-method biases of 45 mL min^-1 (p = 0.087) and – 26 mL min^-1 (p = 0.118).

CONCLUSIONS: Oxynet can be used as an accurate, reliable, and objective tool to identify or aid in the identification of exercise thresholds from gas exchange and ventilatory CPET data in healthy individuals.

PMID:41784915 | DOI:10.1007/s40279-026-02403-w

Infect Dis Ther. 2026 Mar 5. doi: 10.1007/s40121-026-01310-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The incidence of herpes zoster (HZ) is increasing globally. Despite the availability of a highly effective recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV), vaccination rates are still low in the United States, especially among racially and ethnically minoritized (REM) and socially vulnerable groups. There is an urgent need to identify obstacles to vaccination in these communities and develop effective strategies to increase confidence in the RZV.

METHODS: From August 2024 to December 2024, we conducted a community-based educational intervention in San Bernardino County, California, partnering with five churches in neighborhoods with high Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Social Vulnerability Index scores. The intervention included a 45-min presentation on HZ, its complications, and RZV recommendations. Participants aged 18 + completed pre- and post-surveys to assess attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors. Descriptive statistics summarized outcomes, while a two-proportion Z-test and Fisher’s exact test evaluated changes in vaccine literacy.

RESULTS: A total of 156 individuals completed the pre-intervention survey, and 134 completed the post-intervention survey. All identified as REM, with 99% in vulnerable neighborhoods. Sixty-three percent had at least one co-morbid illness, and 46% had received info about HZ or RZV before the session. At baseline, 57% believed they were at risk of HZ, but 75% found the education session “extremely effective” in reassessing their risk. Significant improvements in vaccine literacy, especially regarding disease and age-based recommendations, were observed, with correct responses increasing post-intervention (p < 0.05). Following the intervention, 82% reported a high likelihood of receiving RZV, and 90% a high likelihood of recommending it.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of a faith-based, community-led educational intervention to address barriers to RZV uptake among vulnerable REM populations. Using trusted community infrastructure can support equitable expansion of adult immunization programs to reduce preventable HZ disparities.

PMID:41784913 | DOI:10.1007/s40121-026-01310-x

Infection. 2026 Mar 5. doi: 10.1007/s15010-026-02757-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Candida endocarditis (CE) is a rare but highly lethal complication of candidemia, comprising 1-2% of infective endocarditis cases, yet associated with disproportionately high mortality. Large-scale contemporary data on predictors of in-hospital death remain limited.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the National Inpatient Sample (2016-2022) to identify adult CE hospitalizations. Weighted descriptive statistics described the cohort, and multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization costs.

RESULTS: Among 1280 CE hospitalizations, in-hospital mortality was 18.8%. Predictors of higher mortality included age 45-64 years (aOR 2.61; 95% CI 1.57-4.41) and ≥ 75 years (aOR 2.11; 95% CI 1.06-4.19), hematologic malignancy (aOR 33.5; 95% CI 12.3-101), surgical ventricular assist devices (aOR 45.7; 95% CI 8.25-284), femoral (aOR 12.9; 95% CI 4.78-36.0) or subclavian (aOR 22.4; 95% CI 5.65-82.7) central venous catheters, septic shock (aOR 9.47; 95% CI 6.21-14.8), embolic stroke (aOR 10.5; 95% CI 4.72-23.9), cardiogenic shock (aOR 3.69; 95% CI 1.61-8.51), and acute kidney injury (aOR 1.64; 95% CI 1.04-2.60). Valve intervention significantly reduced mortality (aOR 0.04; 95% CI 0.01-0.09). Non-survivors had longer hospital stays (median 24 vs. 19 days) and nearly double the hospitalization costs ($117,808 vs. $61,178).

CONCLUSIONS: In this nationally representative cohort, CE remained highly lethal, with age, malignancy, invasive devices, and critical complications driving mortality. Valve intervention conferred substantial survival benefit, underscoring the importance of early recognition, multidisciplinary care, and timely surgical evaluation.

PMID:41784858 | DOI:10.1007/s15010-026-02757-3

Clin Exp Med. 2026 Mar 5. doi: 10.1007/s10238-026-02096-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a leading cause of chronic pain and disability. Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is a systemic metabolic disorder that influences extra-hepatic conditions. Although cross-sectional studies link MAFLD to KOA, prospective evidence remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the longitudinal association between MAFLD, and KOA and assess the mediating role of inflammation. This study included 303,604 participants from the UK Biobank without baseline osteoarthritis. MAFLD was defined using the fatty liver index alongside metabolic criteria, fibrosis severity was assessed using the Fibrosis-4 score, and MAFLD subtypes were categorized. Incident KOA was identified through linked health records. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association. Mediation analysis evaluated the potential role of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Over a median follow-up of 13.67 years, 17,137 KOA cases occurred. MAFLD was associated with an 18% higher risk of KOA (HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.13-1.24), with risk increasing by fibrosis severity (P for trend < 0.001). Among subtypes, MAFLD-overweight/obesity showed a significant association with KOA (HR 1.19, 95% CI 1.14-1.25), while MAFLD-diabetes (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.96-1.16) and MAFLD-lean (HR 1.23, 95% CI 0.93-1.62) did not reach statistical significance. Additionally, hs-CRP explained 8.94% of the association between MAFLD and KOA. MAFLD was independently associated with higher KOA risk; inflammation partially mediates this association. These findings suggest MAFLD as a systemic metabolic condition affecting musculoskeletal health, supporting integrated management strategies.

PMID:41784857 | DOI:10.1007/s10238-026-02096-5