Nevin Manimala

J Am Med Inform Assoc. 2025 May 24:ocaf075. doi: 10.1093/jamia/ocaf075. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains a challenge due to symptom variability and comorbidities. Linguistic analysis offers an innovative approach to identify PTSD symptoms and severity. This systematic review aimed at identifying linguistic features associated with PTSD, assessing the quality and limitations of existing studies, summarizing the predictive performance of identified models, and describing the clinical utility of these models.

MATERIALS: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases, resulting in the identification of 593 articles. After screening and eligibility assessment, 58 studies were included.

METHODS: Data extraction focused on study characteristics, methodology, and performance metrics. We assessed the risk of bias using the PROBAST and conducted both a narrative synthesis and a meta-analysis.

RESULTS: Linguistic features such as pronoun use, emotional valence, cognitive processing words, narrative length, discourse disorganization, temporal orientation, specific lexical fields (death, anxiety, sensory-perception details), and disfluencies were commonly investigated. The meta-analysis revealed a pooled area under the curve of 0.81, indicating the high performance of classification models. However, significant publication bias and heterogeneity were noted. Only 8 studies were rated with a low risk of bias, highlighting common issues such as inadequate control groups, unvalidated linguistic tools, unvalidated diagnosis tools, and low rigor in statistical analysis.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: Linguistic markers showed potential for enhancing PTSD diagnoses, but the contemporary research was limited by methodological inconsistencies and biases. Future research should focus on standardized tools, symptom-focused studies, and interdisciplinary collaboration to improve the robustness and clinical applicability of findings.

PMID:40411747 | DOI:10.1093/jamia/ocaf075

Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg. 2025 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s11548-025-03396-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study investigates the effectiveness of synthetic training data in predicting 2D landmarks for 3D intraoral reconstruction in cleft lip and palate patients. We take inspiration from existing landmark prediction and 3D reconstruction techniques for faces and demonstrate their potential in medical applications.

METHODS: We generated both real and synthetic datasets from intraoral scans and videos. A convolutional neural network was trained using a negative-Gaussian log-likelihood loss function to predict 2D landmarks and their corresponding confidence scores. The predicted landmarks were then used to fit a statistical shape model to generate 3D reconstructions from individual images. We analyzed the model’s performance on real patient data and explored the dataset size required to overcome the domain gap between synthetic and real images.

RESULTS: Our approach generates satisfying results on synthetic data and shows promise when tested on real data. The method achieves rapid 3D reconstruction from single images and can therefore provide significant value in day-to-day medical work.

CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that synthetic training data are viable for training models to predict 2D landmarks and reconstruct 3D meshes in patients with cleft lip and palate. This approach offers an accessible, low-cost alternative to traditional methods, using smartphone technology for noninvasive, rapid, and accurate 3D reconstructions in clinical settings.

PMID:40411726 | DOI:10.1007/s11548-025-03396-z

J Robot Surg. 2025 May 24;19(1):233. doi: 10.1007/s11701-025-02396-0.

ABSTRACT

Robotic bariatric surgery (RBS) is increasingly adopted worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the implementation and evolution of RBS at a high volume center over five years, focusing on operative time (OT), operating room (OR) efficiency, and cost outcomes. A prospective analysis was conducted on patients undergoing elective RBS between July 2021 and March 2025 at ARNAS G. Brotzu, Cagliari. Metrics included OT, OR session time, and surgical volume. Variables analyzed included OT, OR session time, and surgical volume. Efficiency metrics such as overall OR efficiency, defined as OR session time/OT (Eff1), and robotic console utilization, defined as OR session time/console time (Eff2) were derived. Cost analysis incorporated OR activation time, surgeon and material costs. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Pearson’s correlation, and linear regression. 100 robotic-assisted procedures were recorded. Robotic adoption increased from 4.06% in 2021 to 38.98% in 2025. A learning curve (LC) was identified, with a significant OT reduction after the first 34 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass cases (p = 0.001). Full robotic manual anastomosis showed a notable cost decrease in later cases (p < 0.0001). Increased surgical volume correlated with both reduced OT (r = – 0.58) and improved Eff1 (r = – 0.49, p = 0.005). However, Eff2 changes were not statistically significant (r = – 0.31, p = 0.09), underscoring the need for team-wide coordination. RBS in high-volume centers enhance OR efficiency and cost-effectiveness over time. The LC, surgical volume, and institutional workflows were key factors in optimizing efficiency, highlighting the importance of a collective LC for the entire surgical team.

PMID:40411713 | DOI:10.1007/s11701-025-02396-0

Eur Phys J E Soft Matter. 2025 May 24;48(4-5):27. doi: 10.1140/epje/s10189-025-00489-0.

ABSTRACT

A novel field theoretical approach towards modelling dynamic networking in complex systems is presented. An equilibrium networking formalism which utilises Gaussian fields is adapted to model the dynamics of particles that can bind and unbind from one another. Here, networking refers to the introduction of instantaneous co-localisation constraints and does not necessitate the formation of a well-defined transient or persistent network. By combining this formalism with Martin-Siggia-Rose generating functionals, a weighted generating functional for the networked system is obtained. The networking formalism introduces spatial and temporal constraints into the Langevin dynamics, via statistical weights, thereby accounting for all possible configurations in which particles can be networked to one another. A simple example of Brownian particles which can bind and unbind from one another demonstrates the tool and that this leads to results for physical quantities in a collective description. Applying the networking formalism to model the dynamics of cross-linking polymers in a mixture, we can calculate the average number of networking instances. As expected, the dynamic structure factors for each type of polymer show that the system collapses once networking is introduced, but that the addition of a repulsive time-dependent potential above a minimum strength prevents this. The examples presented in this paper indicate that this novel approach towards modelling dynamic networking could be applied to a range of synthetic and biological systems to obtain theoretical predictions for experimentally verifiable quantities.

PMID:40411700 | DOI:10.1140/epje/s10189-025-00489-0

CVIR Endovasc. 2025 May 24;8(1):48. doi: 10.1186/s42155-025-00557-8.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Assess incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) in patients treated with 8-10 mm Controlled Expansion diameter VIATORR® (VCX) versus 10 mm diameter first-generation VIATORR® (Legacy) stent-grafts.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Single-centre retrospective study (January 2015 to March 2024), including 132 adult patients with cirrhosis treated with TIPS due to complications of portal hypertension. Outcomes included post-TIPS new onset overt HE, ascites response, re-bleeding, mortality and portal pressure gradient (PPG) before and after TIPS. Comparisons used Chi square and Fisher´s exact test for categorical variables and Student´s t test or Mann-Whitney test for quantitative variables.

RESULTS: Indication for TIPS was refractory ascites (n = 82) and variceal bleeding (n = 50). The VCX group (n = 85) and the Legacy group (n = 47) had similar new onset overt HE: 37% (31/85) vs 43% (20/47), respectively (p = 0.31); mortality rates (34% [29/85]) vs 39% [18/47], respectively, p = 0.57) and re-bleeding (17% [6/35] vs 20% [3/15], respectively, p = 1.00). Median PPG reduction after TIPS was 10 mmHg (7 – 13) in the VCX group and 12 mmHg (9 – 15) in the Legacy group (p = 0.02). Subgroup analysis revealed post TIPS overt HE rate of 38% (19/50) in the VCX group vs 53% (17/32) in the Legacy group (p = 0.13), with refractory ascites as an indication. Shunt dysfunction rate was 7% (6/85) in the VCX group (stent thrombosis n = 6, stenosis or malpositioning n = 0) and 0% (0/47) in the Legacy group (p = 0.09).

CONCLUSION: VCX stent grafts induce an immediate lower PPG reduction, which might lead to more stent dysfunctions, but also to a reduction in post-TIPS HE.

PMID:40411691 | DOI:10.1186/s42155-025-00557-8

Discov Oncol. 2025 May 24;16(1):898. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-02712-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic thyroidectomies are commonly performed for thyroid cancer. Previous studies indicated that trans-areola approach is inferior in central lymph node dissection (CLND) due to clavicle protruding. The present study aimed to compare different surgical approaches of endoscopic thyroidectomies regarding surgical outcomes.

METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 153 patients underwent endoscopic thyroidectomies through oral and areola approaches from Nov. 2019 to Dec. 2022 in our institution, baseline information, surgical outcomes and postoperative complications were recorded and analyzed. For pooled data analysis, comprehensive searching was done to identify studies concerning comparison of endoscopic thyroidectomies. Basic information and surgical outcomes were extracted. RevMan 5.4 was used to analyze the pooled data. p < 0.05 was considered statistically different.

RESULTS: A total of 153 patients were included with 75 in oral, 78 in areola. The operative time was longer in oral compared with other two groups. Number of lymph nodes, positive lymph nodes, hospital stay, postoperative drainage and complications were not different between the two groups. For the systematic review, five studies of oral and areola comparisons containing 568 patients was finally included in the meta-analysis. The operative time was slightly longer in oral group. Number of positive lymph nodes were slightly larger in areola. The blood loss, lymph nodes, hospital stay and transient hoarseness were not different between oral and areola.

CONCLUSIONS: Oral demanded more operative time than other approaches. Lymph nodes, positive lymph nodes and hospital stay were similar between different groups. Areola was comparable with oral in lymph nodes and positive lymph nodes.

PMID:40411690 | DOI:10.1007/s12672-025-02712-y

J Occup Rehabil. 2025 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s10926-025-10302-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The importance, value, and benefits of fostering mentally healthy workplaces are well established. The Indicators of a Thriving Workplace (ITW) questionnaire measures a range of individual psychological and organisational factors as lead indicators of workplace mental health. The current study aimed to develop a valid summary set of indicators or domains of workplace mental health to enable comparisons across industries and sectors nationally.

METHODS: Exploratory factor analysis and principal components analysis were sequentially performed on survey data from two independent samples selected from a nationally representative and large (n = 9,947) cohort of Australian workers.

RESULTS: Five domains of workplace mental health aligning with the integrated approach to workplace mental health emerged and were confirmed: Leadership, Connectedness, Safety, Work Design, and Capability. When average domain scores were compared across industry, small but statistically significant differences were identified.

CONCLUSION: The validation of these domains positions the ITW questionnaire as the first comprehensive measure of workplace mental health and well-being that focuses on thriving as a positive construct for Australian workers. Further, industry-based Domain profiling could provide a basis for the prioritisation of efforts to improve workplace mental health, with successful initiatives and practices perhaps adaptable to other industries. Interventions addressing workplace mental health are likely to be more successful when they are industry specific, although interventions responding to mental health challenges in the workplace, such as those tackling mental health-related stigma, may require less cross-industry tailoring.

PMID:40411687 | DOI:10.1007/s10926-025-10302-6

Mol Neurobiol. 2025 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s12035-025-05074-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most common form of glaucoma worldwide and one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. Current therapies focus on intraocular pressure control despite substantial evidence on the importance of additional pathogenic mechanisms involved in neuronal repair and regeneration. Some of these mechanisms may be shared with and across other neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Joint analyses that address this pathogenic overlap can be leveraged to identify suspected neurodegenerative and neuroprotective pathways. In this study, we derived gene-level summary statistics from available genome-wide association studies for primary open-angle glaucoma and Alzheimer’s Disease and employed a multivariate analysis to identify genes with an effect on both neurodegenerative diseases. We assessed the influence of the prioritized genes using Mendelian randomization to obtain the effect of retina- and brain cortex-specific gene expression on primary open-angle glaucoma risk. We identified ten genes with evidence of a pleiotropic effect on primary open-angle glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease: TMCO1, ANXA11, ARHGAP27, PLEKHM1, CRHR1, KANSL1, LRRC37A, ARL17A, LRRC37A2, and CBY1. Additionally, gene expression in either the retina or brain cortex of TMCO1, ANXA11, ARHGAP27, PLEKHM1, KANSL1, LRRC37A, ARL17A, LRRC37A2, and CBY1 influenced POAG risk. These genes have known roles in neurodegeneration-associated pathways. Our analysis uncovered evidence of pleiotropy and gene expression as a mechanism impacting disease risk. Further investigation into these genes may yield valuable insights into their involvement in neurodegenerative pathways potentially informing new approaches for early detection, classification, and treatment strategies.

PMID:40411683 | DOI:10.1007/s12035-025-05074-2

MAGMA. 2025 May 24. doi: 10.1007/s10334-025-01253-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: AI-based MRI reconstruction techniques improve efficiency by reducing acquisition times whilst maintaining or improving image quality. Recent recommendations from professional bodies suggest centres should perform quality assessments on AI tools. However, monitoring long-term performance presents challenges, due to model drift or system updates. Radiologist-based assessments are resource-intensive and may be subjective, highlighting the need for efficient quality control (QC) measures. This study explores using image quality metrics (IQMs) to assess AI-based reconstructions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 58 patients undergoing standard-of-care rectal MRI were imaged using AI-based and conventional T2-weighted sequences. Paired and unpaired IQMs were calculated. Sensitivity of IQMs to detect retrospective perturbations in AI-based reconstructions was assessed using control charts, and statistical comparisons between the four MR systems in the evaluation were performed. Two radiologists evaluated the image quality of the perturbed images, giving an indication of their clinical relevance.

RESULTS: Paired IQMs demonstrated sensitivity to changes in AI-reconstruction settings, identifying deviations outside ± 2 standard deviations of the reference dataset. Unpaired metrics showed less sensitivity. Paired IQMs showed no difference in performance between 1.5 T and 3 T systems (p > 0.99), whilst minor but significant (p < 0.0379) differences were noted for unpaired IQMs.

DISCUSSION: IQMs are effective for QC of AI-based MR reconstructions, offering resource-efficient alternatives to repeated radiologist evaluations. Future work should expand this to other imaging applications and assess additional measures.

PMID:40411676 | DOI:10.1007/s10334-025-01253-3

Eat Weight Disord. 2025 May 24;30(1):43. doi: 10.1007/s40519-025-01752-1.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Food addiction involves excessive consumption of highly processed foods rich in salt, sugar, and fats driven by hedonic eating behaviors. Increased food addiction, especially among young adults, could potentially lead to eating disorders. Hence, the current study aimed to assess the magnitude and lifestyle determinants of food addiction in young adults from Mumbai, India METHODS: Healthy young adults (n = 354) aged 18-25 years were recruited using convenience sampling. Utilizing web-based platforms, the Yale Food Addiction Scale 2.0 was administered. Statistical analysis was performed with significance at a p value of ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS: The mean age of participants was (20.99 ± 1.94) years, and the magnitude of food addiction was 11.3%. Sociodemographic determinants such as age (p = 0.000), socio-economic status (p = 0.000), and education (p = 0.000), and lifestyle determinants such as BMI (p = 0.012), dietary habits (p = 0.000), sleep (p = 0.001), physical activity (p = 0.001), anxiety (p = 0.001), and depression (p = 0.000) were significantly associated with food addiction. However, after adjusting for sociodemographic factors, the relationship between lifestyle factors and food addiction became evident. The frequent consumption of specific unhealthy foods increased the risk (OR ≥ 1.0, p value ≤ 0.05), while the consumption of healthy foods reduced the risk (OR<1.0, p value ≤ 0.05) of food addiction.

CONCLUSION: The present study revealed a rising magnitude of food addiction and its determinants among Indian youth, highlighting the urgency of sensitization and designing targeted nutrition interventions to combat food-related addiction and hence reducing the risk of eating disorders.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, Descriptive Study.

PMID:40411674 | DOI:10.1007/s40519-025-01752-1