Tag: nevin manimala

BMC Med. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12916-026-04716-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sex and gender influence medical decision making, yet little is known about how the sex of a consultant shapes the prescribing behaviour of female primary care physicians (PCPs). This study examined whether consultant sex affects female PCPs’ likelihood of following recommendations that conflict with clinical guidelines and explored the factors underlying trust in consultants.

METHODS: We conducted a web-based experimental study using case vignettes on sleeping medication and antibiotics. A total of 482 female PCPs in England were randomly assigned to conditions with no recommendation or with recommendations from male or female consultants. The outcomes included prescribing decisions, confidence, perceived difficulty, and effort.

RESULTS: In the absence of recommendations, female PCPs rarely prescribe non-guideline medications, reflecting cautious baseline behaviour. Consultant recommendations increased prescribing across both vignettes, with higher rates in both consultant conditions than in the control condition (sleeping medication: 43.3% male vs. 33.6% female vs. 30.4% control, χ²(2, N = 482) = 6.61, p = 0.037; antibiotics: 14.9% male vs. 14.5% female vs. 5.3% control, χ²(2, N = 482) = 9.55, p = 0.008). Regression analyses confirmed that both male and female consultant recommendations significantly increased the odds of prescribing antibiotics compared with the control condition (male: OR = 3.33, 95% CI [1.43-7.76]; female: OR = 3.29, 95% CI [1.39-7.79]). Only the male consultant’s recommendation significantly increased the prescribing of sleeping medication (OR = 1.89, 95% CI [1.13-3.15]), whereas the female consultant’s recommendation had no significant effect (OR = 1.22, 95% CI [0.71-2.10]). However, direct comparisons between male and female consultants were not statistically significant. Across conditions, participants generally reported high confidence in their decisions and perceived low difficulty and effort. Consultant recommendations in the antibiotic vignette were associated with lower confidence and higher perceived difficulty and effort.

CONCLUSIONS: Consultant recommendations, independent from consultant’s sex, increased the likelihood of non-guideline prescribing among female PCPs. The absence of statistically significant differences between male and female consultants suggests that the presence of a recommendation itself may be more influential than consultant sex. Strengthening physicians’ confidence and supporting guideline-based decision-making may help reduce susceptibility to social influence.

PMID:41735981 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-026-04716-z

BMC Oral Health. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12903-026-07974-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effect of laser photobiomodulation on the structural integrity and degradation resistance of two types of platelet-rich fibrin membranes: Leukocyte- and Platelet-Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) and Titanium-Prepared Platelet-Rich Fibrin (T-PRF). Structural changes in the fibrin network were assessed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and light microscopy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Our study was performed on 15 systemically healthy individuals and four L-PRF and four T-PRF membranes obtained from each individual, totaling 120 samples. L-PRF was prepared first using standard vacuum glass tubes. Two weeks later, new blood samples were collected from the same individuals, and T-PRF membranes were prepared using sterile titanium tubes to enhance biocompatibility. Both membrane types were obtained by centrifugation at 2700 revolutions per minute (rpm) for 12 min. Two of the four membranes were treated with a diode laser device at a wavelength of 980 nanometers (nm) and a power of 0.5 W (W) in continuous mode for 3 min at a distance of 1-2 milimeters (mm). The other two membranes were not lasered. One of the laser treated L-PRF and T-PRF membranes was cut in half and stored under appropriate conditions for histological examination and SEM analysis. The other membrane was separated for degradation. The same procedures were performed for L-PRF and T-PRF membranes without laser treatment.

RESULT: Laser-treated L-PRF and T-PRF membranes showed lower degradation percentages compared to non-laser-treated membranes, but this difference did not reach statistical significance (p > 0.05). However, when laser treated L-PRF and T-PRF membranes were compared, the degradation percentage was significantly higher in L-PRF membrane (p < 0.05). Histologic examination showed that the fibrin network structure of the laser-applied L-PRF and T-PRF membrane groups was significantly denser than the non-laser-applied groups (p < 0.05). SEM analysis revealed that the fibrin network was denser, thicker and more complex in the laser-applied L-PRF and T-PRF membrane groups.

CONCLUSION: In this study, the biostimulative effect of laser increased the fibrin network thickness, cross-link structure and density of L-PRF and T-PRF membranes. When the degradation percentages on the membranes were evaluated, no significant difference was observed between the groups.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Understanding how laser photobiomodulation affects the structure and degradation resistance of both L-PRF and T-PRF membranes can guide clinicians in selecting the most suitable autologous biomaterial for enhancing wound healing and regenerative outcomes in dental procedures. The structure of PRF membranes used in dentistry can be improved using the biostimulative effect of the laser. This application may increase the use of these autologous and easily obtainable materials in treatments.

PMID:41735954 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-026-07974-8

BMC Med Educ. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12909-026-08858-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Subspecialty choice plays a pivotal role in physicians’ career satisfaction and professional trajectory. However, decision regret regarding subspecialty selection has been underexplored, despite its potential impact on well-being and retention.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 615 young and middle-aged physicians (aged 25-55) from secondary and tertiary hospitals in China. Participants completed an online questionnaire including the Decision Regret Scale (DRS), a simplified Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ), and Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC). Statistical analyses involved ANOVA, Spearman’s correlation, and multivariate linear regression to identify factors associated with decision regret.

RESULTS: Among participants, 9.4% reported high regret, 37.6% moderate regret, and 53.0% low regret. Higher regret was significantly associated with male gender (P = 0.039), younger age (P = 0.019), and higher professional title (P = 0.003). Regression analysis revealed that greater burnout (B = 1.521, P < 0.001) predicted higher regret, while higher job satisfaction (B = – 0.339, P < 0.001) and resilience (B = – 0.588, P = 0.001) were protective factors.

CONCLUSION: Nearly one in five young and middle-aged Chinese physicians experience high regret in subspecialty choice, influenced by gender, age, burnout, satisfaction, and resilience. Targeted interventions addressing these factors may mitigate regret and enhance physician well-being and retention.

PMID:41735953 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-026-08858-9

BMC Pediatr. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12887-026-06583-2. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41735929 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-026-06583-2

BMC Infect Dis. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12879-026-12576-4. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41735928 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-026-12576-4

BMC Cancer. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12885-026-15779-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the malignant tumors, and postoperative recurrence or metastasis is a key factor to the survival of patients.

METHODS: Patients who underwent colorectal cancer surgery between January 2016 and December 2020 were included. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analysis statistically, including recurrence or metastasis, liver metastasis, lung metastasis and death respectively.

RESULTS: 419 cases of colorectal cancer were included in the clinical study according to the screening criteria. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that Mesocolon fascia infiltration (OR,2.769; 95%CI, 1.374-5.579, P = 0.004), Total number of lymph nodes (OR,0.949; 95%CI, 0.99-0.988, P = 0.011), The number of metastatic lymph nodes (OR,1.173; 95%CI, 1.063-1.294, P = 0.001), Tumor TNM stage (P < 0.001), were independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence or metastasis of colorectal cancer. Mesocolic fascia infiltration (OR,3.113; 95%CI, 1.209-8.015, P = 0.019) and TNM stage (P = 0.014) were independent risk factor for postoperative liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. TNM stage of tumor (P = 0.037) was an independent risk factor for pulmonary metastasis after colorectal cancer surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: Multifactor logistic regression analysis showed mesocolon fascia infiltration, total number of lymph nodes, the number of metastatic lymph nodes and tumor TNM stage were independent risk factor for postoperative recurrence and metastasis of colorectal cancer.

PMID:41735923 | DOI:10.1186/s12885-026-15779-9

BMC Public Health. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12889-026-26680-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Air pollution remains one of the most significant environmental health threats in urban areas. Ground-level O₃, a secondary pollutant formed through photochemical reactions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) under sunlight, can lead to serious respiratory and cardiovascular effects. This study aimed to quantify the short-term mortality and economic burden attributable to O₃ exposure in Qom, central Iran, during the summer of 2019, providing local evidence to support air quality management policies.

METHODS: Hourly O₃ concentration data were collected from the Qom Environmental Protection Agency for April to August 2019. After data cleaning and interpolation, the daily maximum 8-h average O₃ concentration was calculated. Health impact and related economic burden were estimated using the U.S. EPA’s BenMAP-CE model (version 1.5.8.11). Relative risk (RR) and baseline incidence (BI) values for cardiovascular and respiratory mortality were obtained from previous epidemiological studies. The Value of Statistical Life (VSL) was adjusted for Iran’s gross domestic product (GDP) to estimate the economic cost. Descriptive statistics and concentration-response functions were applied to determine avoidable deaths and associated losses.

RESULTS: The mean 8-h maximum O₃ concentration during the study period was 0.16 ppm, exceeding the EPA guideline (0.07 ppm) by 2.18 times. Short-term exposure at this level was linked to an estimated 239 premature deaths, including 190 from cardiovascular and 49 from respiratory diseases. The highest impact was observed in adults aged 30-39 years. The total economic loss attributed to these deaths was approximately 43.6 million USD, indicating a substantial burden on public health and the economy.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the urgent need for effective air quality management in Qom. Reducing emissions of O₃ precursors such as NOx and VOCs, especially during warm months, could yield considerable public health and economic benefits. Localized assessments using tools like BenMAP-CE can inform evidence-based policymaking and contribute to sustainable urban development.

PMID:41735903 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-026-26680-2

BMC Med Res Methodol. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12874-026-02812-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To address the challenge of constructing valid confidence intervals (CIs) for Poisson means in biomedical low-count experiments (e.g., radiation or molecular counting) with known background signals, where existing methods yield overly conservative intervals due to constraints in parameter space.

METHODS: We propose a fiducial framework that redefines the fiducial distribution by adjusting for conditional probability within the restricted parameter space. This computationally efficient approach eliminates empty intervals and leverages parameter constraints to ensure frequentist validity.

RESULTS: Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed CIs are narrower than conventional methods while maintaining nominal coverage probabilities, particularly near boundary conditions. The method was validated using three real-world biomedical/physics datasets.

CONCLUSION: The fiducial approach provides a robust, statistically efficient solution for Poisson mean inference in restricted spaces. It offers improved precision without compromising coverage, making it highly suitable for analyzing low-count data in biomedical and physical sciences.

PMID:41735893 | DOI:10.1186/s12874-026-02812-5

BMC Psychiatry. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12888-026-07897-2. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41735884 | DOI:10.1186/s12888-026-07897-2

BMC Pediatr. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1186/s12887-026-06616-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Motor skills of school-age children have an impact on learning, school results, and leading a healthy life. However, prevalence rates of motor developmental delays are increasing. Still there is a lack of understanding interrelationships between developmental domains of preschool aged children.

METHODS: We used data from the project “GIF MV”, a prospective dynamic cohort study. In this study, cross sectional data was used from the survey year 2023. To detect developmental delays of pre-schoolers a standardized, objective and valid screening method was used (“Dortmund Developmental Screening for Preschools-Revision (DESK 3-6 R)”). We determined associated variables for fine and gross motor developmental risks in preschoolers using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (n = 7,542 children).

RESULTS: Fine motor risks were observed in 16.8% of the children (gross motor risks: 12.2%). A gross motor developmental risk was strongest associated with a fine motor developmental risk (and vice versa). Nevertheless, gender and almost all other developmental domains are statistically significantly associated with motor developmental risks, e.g., with developmental risks in the DESK domains “Basic competencies in mathematics” (OR: 4.34, 95% CI: 2.03; 9.27) and “Attention and concentration” (OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.8; 7.91).

CONCLUSION: Since analysis on variables revealed statistically significant associations between motor risks and risks in the remaining developmental domains and gender, activities designed to promote motor skills should include more than just motor developmental domains.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered on 29 October 2018 in the German Clinical Trial Register (ID: DRKS00015134).

PMID:41735878 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-026-06616-w