Tag: nevin manimala

Int J Speech Lang Pathol. 2026 Feb 14:1-13. doi: 10.1080/17549507.2026.2618243. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: There is limited research into the current practices and factors that may influence speech-language pathologists in the prescription and utilisation of assistive technology to support return to work goals for people with cognitive communication disorder post traumatic brain injury.

METHOD: An exploratory cross-sectional survey of speech-language pathologists in Australia and the UK who work with adults with traumatic brain injury was completed. Mixed method analysis identified the types of assistive technology used by clinicians, and highlighted barriers and facilitators to prescribing assistive technology. Descriptive statistics, reflexive thematic analysis, and content analysis were employed to analyse survey responses.

RESULT: Sixteen speech-language pathologists reported employing a range of assistive technology devices and applications to support communication and memory difficulties. Reflexive thematic analysis resulted in a central organising concept of ‘a nuanced approach’ with five themes. Content analysis highlighted barriers to assistive technology use that were consistent with previous research related to their design and function, service provision, and awareness and information.

CONCLUSION: Surveyed clinicians primarily prescribed familiar devices and inbuilt or downloadable applications. The prescription and use of assistive technology by surveyed clinicians is multifaceted, involving considerations of the individual and workplace barriers and facilitators to determine its utility.

PMID:41689428 | DOI:10.1080/17549507.2026.2618243

Eur J Neurol. 2026 Feb;33(2):e70463. doi: 10.1111/ene.70463.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sleep and sleep disorders (SD) have a major impact on brain (neurological and psychiatric), body and societal health. Despite this, the epidemiological and economic burden of SD have not been sufficiently analyzed. This study investigates the epidemiology and costs of SD across 47 European countries and identifies knowledge gaps in the literature.

METHODS: Systematic literature reviews on PubMed (between January 2010 and April 2023) and expert communications identified relevant epidemiological and cost-of-illness (COI) studies on five major SD: insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), narcolepsy, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). Four epidemiological parameters, including prevalence, were investigated. Economic analyses stratified direct, indirect, and informal care costs, and employed an imputation procedure that accounts for several country-specific economic factors. Costs were expressed as purchasing power parity (PPP)-adjusted 2019 Euros.

RESULTS: Eleven COI and six epidemiological studies were identified. Estimated prevalence for OSA, insomnia, RLS, narcolepsy, and RBD in the adult population was 18%, 10%, 3%, 0.03%, and 0.009%, respectively. Economic data were exclusively available for high-income Europe. OSA was the most costly SD (€184 billion), followed by insomnia (€158 billion), RLS (€79 billion), narcolepsy (€905 million), and RBD (€436 million). Direct and indirect costs contributed 48% and 52%, respectively, with no available data on informal care costs.

CONCLUSIONS: The unexpected high prevalence and substantial economic burden associated with SD contrast with the universally neglected role of sleep health and SD in public health strategies. More research on the burden of SD is needed.

PMID:41689412 | DOI:10.1111/ene.70463

Biomark Med. 2026 Feb 14:1-9. doi: 10.1080/17520363.2026.2628972. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Low-grade inflammation remains a clinical concern in virally suppressed people living with HIV-1 (PWH). Identifying reliable biomarkers is essential for monitoring inflammation-related risk.

METHODS: This exploratory cross-sectional study evaluated NF-κB p65 as a biomarker in 60 virally suppressed HIV-1 infected individuals and 60 controls. NF-κB p65 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (HS-CRP) levels were quantified. Statistical analyses were performed in R (v4.3.2) using multivariable logistic regression model, adjusting for age, gender, HS-CRP, and socio-economic status. Predictive performance was assessed using AUC, calibration, and decision curve analysis. Additional analysis includes principal component analysis (PCA), k-means clustering, and linear regression was performed.

RESULTS: NF-κB p65 levels were significantly elevated in PWH than controls (p < 0.001), while HS-CRP was not independently associated. NF-κB p65 remained the strongest predictor of low-grade inflammation (OR = 2.3, AUC = 0.816) than HS-CRP. The model demonstrated good calibration and clinical utility. PCA and k-means clustering revealed heterogenous inflammatory profiles, and NF-κB p65 showed a borderline inverse association with CD4+ T cell counts. Low SES was also linked to increased inflammation (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: NF-κB p65 is a promising biomarker for monitoring subclinical inflammation in virally suppressed HIV-1 infection.

PMID:41689410 | DOI:10.1080/17520363.2026.2628972

Int J Cancer. 2026 Feb 14. doi: 10.1002/ijc.70382. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Salivary gland malignancies (SGM) are heterogeneous regarding origin, biology and prognosis. We investigated patterns of clinical and pathological features and outcome differences attributable to standardized decision making for treatment pathways before and after establishing our multidisciplinary tumor board (MDTB) in 2007. We retrospectively analyzed data of electronic health records, the Saxon cancer registry and the clinic’s tumor database (1990-2024). Statistical analysis included contingency tables, Pearson’s chi-squared tests for categorical, Student’s t test for numerical data, Kaplan-Meier cumulative survival plots and log-rank tests for time-dependent outcome measures. Among 200 patients, 83 were diagnosed before and 117 since 2007. Treatment modalities included surgery in 93% of cases, with 33.5% receiving adjuvant radiotherapy and 12.5% receiving adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy. We observed disease progression in 50% of patients. Locoregional free survival was superior since 2007 (p = .035). Distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) decreased related to earlier detection of distant metastasis (M1) linked to prevention of deaths from the index cancer in patients with M1 at diagnosis or relapse (rM1) since 2007 (p = .120). Moreover, conditional OS was not affected for patients with M1/rM1 diagnosis by numerically increased detection of distant metastasis since 2007 (p = .574). MDTB decision making at a certified cancer center is accompanied by increasing numbers of diagnosis of SGM and better locoregional control but not DMFS due to higher metastasis detection rate and treatment. Despite excellent and numerically improved disease-specific survival, 10-years OS remained similar.

PMID:41689399 | DOI:10.1002/ijc.70382

Muscle Nerve. 2026 Feb 14. doi: 10.1002/mus.70167. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve (MN) is a key parameter for confirming carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with ultrasound. This study evaluates the performance of a convolutional neural network (CNN) with a 2D U-Net architecture for automated MN CSA segmentation in both healthy individuals and patients with CTS. Automated segmentation supports large-scale analysis, improves standardization across centers, and may serve as a foundation for future diagnostic tools.

METHODS: Three hundred static ultrasound images from 50 healthy participants and 300 from 74 patients with CTS were used to train and validate a five-layer U-Net model. Each CSA measurement was performed in triplicate. Model performance was evaluated using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and by comparing automated with manually annotated CSA values. Prospective evaluation was conducted on a small, unseen dataset and on data acquired using a different ultrasound system.

RESULTS: Manual CSA measurements showed excellent repeatability (ICC 0.982). The model achieved high DSCs (0.95 in controls, 0.96 in CTS) and showed no statistically significant difference from manual CSA measurements (p = 0.227). Segmentation inaccuracies in the test set were primarily attributable to minor contouring differences at the epineurial border. On unseen data, errors occurred in more proximally scanned images or scans showing intraneural hyperechogenicity.

DISCUSSION: In line with current literature, a CNN with a 2D U-Net architecture demonstrates strong potential for MN segmentation on static ultrasound images. However, reduced accuracy on unseen data suggests overfitting. Further validation is required to ensure robustness across anatomical and technical variation before clinical implementation.

PMID:41689395 | DOI:10.1002/mus.70167

Colorectal Dis. 2026 Feb;28(2):e70390. doi: 10.1111/codi.70390.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Colorectal mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is challenging due to its unique pathophysiology and increasing incidence in younger populations. Treatment guidelines for early-onset MAC remain unclear, with clinical decisions often based on extrapolated data from classical adenocarcinoma. We aimed to assess the association between the extent of surgical resection and systemic therapy in patients with early-onset colonic MAC and survival.

METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of patients aged 20-50 with stage II-III colonic MAC using the SEER database (2000-2020). We evaluated overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) based on surgical resection (segmental vs. extended) and systemic therapy, using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS: The cohort included 2553 patients (58.5% male; mean age 42.7 years). Segmental resection was performed in 27.6%. Extended resection was more commonly performed in right-sided and stage III disease. Systemic therapy was administered to 62.1%, predominantly for stage III disease with unfavourable tumour features. Systemic therapy was associated with improved restricted mean 5-year CSS (51.7 vs. 47.8 months, p = 0.041) and OS (51.1 vs. 45.9 months, p = 0.008) in stage III, but not stage II, disease. Extended resection was associated with a modest survival benefit for CSS (56.5 vs. 54.3 months, p = 0.027) and OS (56.0 vs. 53.3 months, p = 0.007) in stage II, but not stage III, disease.

CONCLUSION: Systemic therapy was associated with a significant survival benefit in patients with stage III early-onset MAC, supporting its role as a cornerstone of treatment despite the histology’s presumed chemoresistance.

PMID:41689391 | DOI:10.1111/codi.70390

Colorectal Dis. 2026 Feb;28(2):e70401. doi: 10.1111/codi.70401.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The incidence of surgical site infections (SSIs) has been reported to be significantly higher in colorectal surgeries compared to other surgical procedures. Wound protectors have been developed to help reduce the incidence of SSIs by creating a barrier between the incisional wound and the contaminated surgical field, but their efficacy remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the use of wound protectors reduces the incidence of SSIs in patients undergoing open colorectal surgery.

DATA SOURCES: A comprehensive literature review was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane databases from inception to January 2025.

STUDY SELECTION: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of wound protectors for reducing the incidence of SSIs in patients undergoing open colorectal surgery.

INTERVENTIONS: The intervention consisted of wound protectors (e.g., Alexis O-ring wound retractors, plastic ring drape).

MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: The main outcome was SSI. We pooled risk ratios (RRs) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) using a random effects model. Statistical analysis was performed using R software (version 4.4.2).

RESULTS: We included 6 RCTs comprising 666 patients, of whom 327 (49 %) were randomised to the wound protectors’ group. The mean follow-up duration was 30 days post-operatively. The incidence of SSIs was significantly lower in the intervention group (RR 0.44; 95% CI 0.22-0.88; p = 0.021). Subgroup analysis of four RCTs evaluating Alexis-O ring wound retractors showed a significantly lower incidence of SSIs in the experimental group (RR 0.21; 95% CI 0.09-0.48; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Wound protectors were associated with a significantly lower incidence of SSIs in patients undergoing open colorectal surgery.

PMID:41689388 | DOI:10.1111/codi.70401

Neurol Res. 2026 Feb 14:1-16. doi: 10.1080/01616412.2026.2628609. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To compare clinical sensitization phenotype (CSP) and neuropathic-like pain features (NLPF) in patients with cervicogenic headache (CGH) and asymptomatic controls, and, within CGH group, to examine their associations with psychological distress, sleep quality, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS: In this case-control study, 39 patients with CGH and 36 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were evaluated between July and October 2025. CSP and NLPF were assessed using Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI) and pain-DETECT questionnaire. Headache impact, neck disability, psychological distress, sleep quality, and HRQoL were evaluated using Headache Impact Test (HIT-6), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Jenkins Sleep Scale (JSS), and SF-36.

RESULTS: CGH patients showed significantly higher CSI, HIT-6, NDI, HADS, and JSS scores than controls (all p < 0.001), indicating a pronounced CSP, greater disability, and increased psychosocial burden. Although pain-DETECT scores were higher in CGH group, between-group difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.074); however, a moderate effect size suggested potential clinical relevance. Within CGH group, CSI scores correlated strongly with HADS (r = 0.68), NDI (r = 0.64), and JSS (r = 0.59). Regression analyses showed that CSI scores were independently associated with pain-DETECT scores (B = 0.275, p = 0.008), while pain-DETECT (B = 0.986, p = 0.008) and JSS scores (B = 0.910, p = 0.037) were independently associated with CSI levels.

DISCUSSION: CSP and NLPF represent interrelated clinical pain phenotypes in CGH and are associated with greater disability, psychological distress, and sleep disturbance.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07292181, Registration date: 3 July 2025.

PMID:41689387 | DOI:10.1080/01616412.2026.2628609

Cutan Ocul Toxicol. 2026 Feb 14:1-7. doi: 10.1080/15569527.2026.2630770. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Human beta-defensin 2 (hBD-2) is an antimicrobial peptide upregulated by IL-17A and TNF-α, important in skin immunity and inflammation. While hBD-2 is elevated in psoriatic skin, its systemic expression and clinical significance remain unclear, particularly in psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

OBJECTIVES: To compare serum hBD-2 levels among patients with psoriasis vulgaris, PsA, and healthy controls, and to evaluate its correlation with disease severity and inflammatory markers.

METHODS: This case-control study included 66 patients with psoriasis, 30 with PsA, and 67 healthy controls. Serum hBD-2, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were measured. Psoriasis severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Median serum hBD-2 levels were significantly higher in psoriasis and PsA groups compared to controls (p < 0.001), but no significant difference was found between the two patient groups (p: 0.223). In the psoriasis group, hBD-2 showed no significant correlation with PASI (r: 0.218, p: 0.095), CRP (r: 0.158, p: 0.277), or ESR (r: 0.129, p: 0.369). CRP and ESR were significantly higher in the PsA group than in other groups (p < 0.001 and p: 0.002, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: Although serum hBD-2 is elevated in psoriasis and PsA, it does not correlate with clinical or laboratory disease activity in psoriasis. These findings suggest that hBD-2 may reflect local cutaneous immune activation rather than systemic inflammation.

PMID:41689371 | DOI:10.1080/15569527.2026.2630770

J Anim Breed Genet. 2026 Feb 14. doi: 10.1111/jbg.70041. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The primary objective of this study was to estimate the variance and covariance components, genetic parameters, and genetic trends for key reproductive traits in Murciano-Granadina (MG) dairy goats reared under Iranian breeding conditions. Data were collected over 6 years (2016-2021) from a commercial dairy goat farm located in the Chahshahi region of Kerman Province, southern Iran. The analysed reproductive traits included age at first service (AFS), age at first kidding (AFK), kidding interval (KI), gestation length (GL), service period (SP) and dry period (DP). The dataset comprised 7573 animals with detailed pedigree information involving 337 sires and 3772 dams. The flock was reared under standardised nutritional and management conditions within an intensive breeding system, ensuring optimal conditions for reliable genetic parameter estimation. Variance component and genetic parameters were estimated by Bayesian inference fitting a univariate animal model using the GIBBS1F90 program. Direct heritability estimates ( $h_a^2$ ) ranged from low to moderate, with GL showing the highest $h_a^2$ (0.23 ± 0.03), followed by DP (0.12 ± 0.05), AFK and AFS (both 0.12 ± 0.03). KI had a low $h_a^2$ of 0.10 ± 0.02, while SP showed the lowest estimate (0.007 ± 0.001), suggesting stronger environmental and management influences on this trait. Repeatability was moderate for GL (0.45 ± 0.06) and DP (0.19 ± 0.04), but low for SP (0.04 ± 0.01), reflecting variable trait consistency across parities. Genetic and phenotypic trend analyses revealed minimal, statistically non-significant (p > 0.05) fluctuations in all reproductive traits. The study demonstrates that reproductive traits in Murciano-Granadina goats under Iranian breeding conditions exhibit low to moderate $h_a^2$ , yet maintain sufficient additive genetic variance to allow for potential genetic improvement through selection.

PMID:41689355 | DOI:10.1111/jbg.70041