Tag: nevin manimala

Eur J Mass Spectrom (Chichester). 2026 May 22:14690667261454102. doi: 10.1177/14690667261454102. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The stability of key Orbitrap analyzer parameters-specifically, the absence of parasitic spectral signals and the maintenance of constant ultra-high vacuum (UHV) pressure-is critically dependent on the quality of its quartz insulators. However, results from testing over 500 production units in 2025 indicate that the occurrence of disqualifying anomalies (spectral spikes and UHV pressure jumps) is not merely a function of general quartz quality but is deterministically linked to specific, localized defects introduced during assembly. A clear differentiation of root causes was established: Spectral spikes showed a statistically significant correlation (p < .001) with defects (micro-cracks, chips) on the quartz insulators of the external injection (IE) and detection (DE) electrodes, as well as on the quartz spacer ring. In contrast, UHV pressure jumps were almost exclusively (97% of cases) caused by mechanical damage and contamination on the quartz insulators of the central electrode power contact (Buchse-ZE). Critical defects on the latter included contamination and scoring from the mounting bolt, indentation marks from the spring contact, and other manufacturing micro-damage. These defects act as potent local outgassing sources. The implementation of targeted 100% optical inspection of these critical zones, supported by photographic documentation, along with modified assembly procedures, led to the practical elimination of these anomalies in a subsequent validation batch of 100 units.

PMID:42171991 | DOI:10.1177/14690667261454102

Egypt Heart J. 2026 May 22;78(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s43044-026-00752-5.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Cardiac rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary intervention designed to improve functional capacity and quality of life in patients with cardiovascular diseases. However, its impact on anthropometric and functional parameters remains an important area of study. This study evaluates the effects of a cardiac rehabilitation program on body mass index, abdominal circumference, blood pressure, heart rate, energy expenditure measured in METs, and NYHA functional classification.

METHODS: An observational pre-post study without a control group was conducted with 287 patients diagnosed with cardiovascular disease who completed a cardiac rehabilitation program. Anthropometric and functional variables were measured before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis included paired-sample t-tests and the Wilcoxon test for NYHA classification, with a significance level of p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Significant reductions were observed in BMI (pre: 27.79 ± 4.31 kg/m²; post: 27.11 ± 4.09 kg/m²; p < 0.001) and abdominal circumference (pre: 100.38 ± 11.16 cm; post: 97.33 ± 12.28 cm; p < 0.001). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased (p < 0.001). An increase in energy expenditure measured in METs was found (pre: 7.89 ± 2.68; post: 10.52 ± 2.63; p < 0.001), as well as in maximum heart rate. Additionally, NYHA functional classification improved (Z = -9.356, p < 0.001) with a reduction in the proportion of patients in classes III and II and an increase in class I.

CONCLUSION: The cardiac rehabilitation program resulted in significant improvements in body composition, blood pressure, functional capacity, and NYHA classification. These findings support the importance of cardiac rehabilitation as an effective strategy in managing patients with cardiovascular diseases. Further strategies should be implemented to improve adherence and assess the long-term impact of the intervention.

PMID:42171984 | DOI:10.1186/s43044-026-00752-5

Gastric Cancer. 2026 May 22. doi: 10.1007/s10120-026-01755-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Homologous recombination deficiency (HRD), a genomic instability phenotype resulting from impaired DNA repair, has been associated with increased tumor immunogenicity in several solid tumors. However, its clinical relevance in metastatic gastric cancer (mGC), particularly in the context of immunotherapy-containing regimens, remains unclear.

METHODS: This study included 139 GC patients with nivolumab plus chemotherapy as first line between May 2022 and May 2024 and underwent tissue-based NGS (n = 116); a smaller subset additionally underwent ctDNA-based NGS (n = 24). HRD was defined by the presence of pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in predefined homologous recombination repair (HRR) genes. Treatment outcomes, and molecular characteristics were compared according to HRD status based on tissue- and/or circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) NGS results.

RESULTS: Among 116 patients who underwent tissue-based NGS, HRD-positive tumors (14.7%) were significantly associated with longer progression-free survival (PFS; median 23.1 vs. 9.6 months; p = 0.032) to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) plus chemotherapy and overall survival (OS; median not reached vs. 17.9 months; p = 0.027). HRD positivity remained an independent favorable prognostic factor for OS in multivariate analysis (HR: 0.247; 95% CI 0.071-0.859; p = 0.028). HRD-positive tumors showed higher frequencies of high tumor mutational burden (TMB) and microsatellite instability (MSI)-high tumors. However, exploratory analysis of ctDNA-based HRD in a small subset did not demonstrate a statistically significant association with survival outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Tissue-based HRD positivity was associated with favorable survival outcomes and may provide complementary prognostic information in mGC patients with nivolumab plus chemotherapy as first line.

PMID:42171983 | DOI:10.1007/s10120-026-01755-6

Clin Transl Oncol. 2026 May 22. doi: 10.1007/s12094-026-04376-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate contemporary practice patterns in prostate cancer radiotherapy (RT) in Turkiye, with a particular focus on the adoption of hypofractionated and ultrahypofractionated regimens, and to identify factors influencing fractionation preferences among radiation oncologists specialized in uro-oncology.

METHODS: A cross-sectional, web-based survey consisting of 14 items was distributed to registered members of the Turkish Society for Radiation Oncology (TROD) Uro-Oncology Working Group between September and December 2024. The questionnaire assessed physician demographics, institutional characteristics, technological infrastructure, prostate cancer patient volume, preferred RT fractionation across predefined clinical scenarios, and perceived rationales and barriers to hypofractionation. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize responses, and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently associated with hypofractionation use. Analyses were performed using SPSS version 23.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY).

RESULTS: The survey achieved a response rate of 42.9% (n = 54). Most respondents had ≥ 11 years of clinical experience (96.2%), and 43.7% were employed in private institutions. Advanced RT technologies were widely available, including intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) (92.6%), volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) (85.2%), stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)-capable platforms (88.9%), and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-based image guidance (85.2%). Hypofractionation was most frequently preferred in low- and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, whereas conventional fractionation predominated in high-risk disease, pelvic irradiation, and adjuvant or salvage settings. In palliative scenarios, hypofractionation was overwhelmingly favored. On multivariable analysis, treating more than 11 new prostate cancer patients per month was independently associated with increased use of hypofractionated RT (p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS: Despite high technological readiness and increasing adoption of hypofractionation among specialized uro-oncology practitioners, Turkish radiation oncologists exhibit caution in high-risk and postoperative settings. Higher clinical volume significantly drives the transition to shorter regimens, suggesting that clinical experience is a key catalyst for closing the evidence-practice gap.

PMID:42171982 | DOI:10.1007/s12094-026-04376-8

Clin Transl Oncol. 2026 May 22. doi: 10.1007/s12094-026-04306-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) constitute a heterogeneous population of immature bone marrow cells that have been demonstrated to exert immunosuppressive effects in various cancers. However, research on their role in breast cancer remains limited.

METHODS: We selected peripheral blood samples from 236 breast cancer patients with complete clinical and pathological data who met inclusion criteria, and from 33 healthy individuals undergoing routine health examinations, all enrolled at the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2021-2022. Flow cytometry was employed to detect peripheral blood MDSCs, promyelocytic bone marrow-derived suppressor cells (PMN-MDSCs), monocytic bone marrow derived inhibitory cells (M-MDSCs), and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in peripheral blood, while analyzing their association with clinical-pathological characteristics of breast cancer patients.

RESULTS: Results showed that compared with healthy individuals, breast cancer patients exhibited significantly higher levels of MDSCs and Treg cells in peripheral blood (P< 0.05). After multivariate adjustment for potential clinical confounders, these differences did not reach statistical significance (Adjusted P > 0.05). Among breast cancer patients, those with lymph node metastasis exhibited significantly higher levels of MDSCs cells compared to those without lymph node metastasis (P< 0.05). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that combined detection of MDSCs + Perineural invasion (PNI) demonstrated higher diagnostic value than either MDSCs alone, suggesting enhanced sensitivity for clinical management in breast cancer.

CONCLUSION: This study confirms that peripheral blood MDSCs have certain value in the identification of lymph node metastasis in early breast cancer and have the potential to serve as a predictive factor for lymph node metastasis. The predictive model constructed by integrating MDSCs levels with the key pathological feature of perineural invasion (PNI) has good predictive performance. Ultimately, the assessment of MDSC expression holds substantial promise as a reliable biomarker to guide clinical decision-making and monitor patient prognosis.

PMID:42171980 | DOI:10.1007/s12094-026-04306-8

J Autism Dev Disord. 2026 May 22. doi: 10.1007/s10803-026-07347-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study investigated the risk of ASD and ADHD in children who have survived hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), one of the common conditions during birth resulting in neonatal brain injury.

METHODS: A population-based cohort study analyzed electronic medical records of term infants with HIE born in public hospital in Hong Kong from 1st January 2004 to 31st December 2018 with followed-up until 31st Dec 2024. The association of HIE with ADHD and ASD was examined using log-binomial regression models adjusting sequentially for age, sex, and socioeconomic status (SES).

RESULTS: A total of 533,230 children were included of which 349 cases had a diagnosis of HIE. Compared to children without history of HIE, the RR of ADHD in children with HIE was 1.94 (CI 1.40-2.68, p < 0.001) in the unadjusted model, 1.83 (CI 1.32, 2.52, p < 0.001) when adjusting for age & sex, and 1.84 (CI 1.34, 2.55, p < 0.001) when adjusting for age, sex and socioeconomic status (SES). The relationship between ASD and HIE did not reach statistical significance, RR = 1.58 (p = 0.08, CI 0.93, 2.68) adjusted for age, sex and SES. A significant interaction effect was found between HIE and the age of mothers, the RR of ADHD was 4.25 (CI 2.14, 8.46) in mothers under 24 years of age.

CONCLUSION: Children with HIE, especially those born to younger mothers, were associated with elevated risk of ADHD. The relationship between ASD and HIE remained inconclusive, suggesting the need for further research to clarify this potential association.

PMID:42171963 | DOI:10.1007/s10803-026-07347-8

J Cross Cult Gerontol. 2026 May 22;41(2):31. doi: 10.1007/s10823-026-09580-1.

ABSTRACT

Perceived barriers and motivational factors may influence the adherence of older adults to physical exercise. Considering these variables, this study investigated the association between barriers and motivation for physical exercise among older adults. This cross-sectional study included 225 older adults engaged in physical exercise at private gyms, senior fitness centers, and sports centers in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil. The Exercise Motivation Inventory (EMI-2) and the Questionnaire on Barriers to Physical Activity Practice in Older Adults (QBPAFI) were used. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, multiple regression, and cluster analysis. Results indicated that older adults attending sports centers reported higher perceptions of physical, social, and belief-related barriers, as well as lower motivation for physical condition and social recognition, compared to those from gyms and Senior Fitness Academies (p < 0.05). Regression analyses revealed that higher weekly exercise duration was the strongest predictor of motivation, and higher frequency was associated with lower belief-related barriers. Women reported more external barriers, while men were more motivated by competition (p < 0.05). Cluster analysis revealed two distinct profiles: Cluster 1 (“low motivation and moderate perception of barriers,” n = 78) and Cluster 2 (“high motivation and low perception of barriers,” n = 147). Individuals in Cluster 2 reported more weekly exercise hours (p = 0.002), suggesting that higher motivation and lower perceived barriers are linked to greater adherence. Social and motivational barriers negatively affect adherence, while belief-related barriers may serve as incentives for disease prevention.

PMID:42171951 | DOI:10.1007/s10823-026-09580-1

Behav Res Methods. 2026 May 22;58(6):169. doi: 10.3758/s13428-026-03036-7.

ABSTRACT

Count data in the psychological and health sciences are often characterized by an excess of zero values, a feature known as zero inflation. While traditional zero-inflated models, such as the zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) and zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB), were developed to handle such data, they present challenges for applied researchers. Standard count models can produce biased estimates, and the dual-parameter output of traditional zero-inflated models provides conditional effects for a latent-at-risk subpopulation, complicating interpretation and often failing to answer research questions about the entire population directly. To address these limitations, marginalized zero-inflated (mZI) models directly estimate the population-averaged effect, yielding a single, interpretable coefficient for each predictor’s overall effect. However, the adoption of mZI models has been hindered by the lack of an accessible software package. The current study has two objectives: first, it provides a tutorial on the theory, estimation, and interpretation of marginalized zero-inflated models. Second, it introduces mzim, a new R package designed to make both marginalized zero-inflated Poisson (mZIP) and Negative Binomial (mZINB) models readily accessible. Using an empirical example on self-reported youth abuse experiences, we demonstrate a complete workflow with the mzim package and compare the results from the mZINB model to traditional approaches, highlighting the practical benefits of the marginalized framework for applied researchers.

PMID:42171937 | DOI:10.3758/s13428-026-03036-7

Discov Ment Health. 2026 May 22. doi: 10.1007/s44192-026-00449-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Mental health problems are increasingly prevalent among school-aged children and adolescents, underscoring the need for teacher-inclusive mental health interventions.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the association between sociodemographic and socioemotional factors and resilience among teachers, prior to their participation in a school-based intervention aimed at strengthening socioemotional competencies.

METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 693 teachers from 56 public schools in Amazonas, Boyacá, and Vaupés, Colombia. Teachers completed standardized instruments including the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Compassion Scale (ECOM), and Prosocial Personality Battery (PSB), along with mental health screeners for anxiety (HARS), depression (Whooley), and PTSD (PCL-C). Descriptive statistics, bivariate analyses, and multivariate linear regressions were used to assess associations between socioemotional factors and resilience scores.

RESULTS: The mean age was 47.13 years (SD = 9.91); most were female (65.95%). Median resilience score was 76 (IQR = 69-86). Teachers from Vaupés showed higher resilience, while those from Boyacá had lower scores. Higher compassion (ECOM: β = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.10-0.36) and prosociality scores (PSB: β = 0.43; 95% CI: 0.31-0.54) were independently associated with increased resilience. Conversely, higher anxiety levels (HARS: β = -0.22; 95% CI: -0.39 to – 0.06) and a positive depression screen (Whooley: β = -2.46; 95% CI: -5.18 to 0.25) were associated with lower resilience scores. Age and sex were not independently associated with resilience in the adjusted model.

CONCLUSIONS: Mental health programs in school settings should prioritize teacher well-being as a central component for promoting student mental health outcomes. Findings underscore the relevance of addressing socioemotional skills and resilience in educators, particularly in contexts affected by armed conflict.

PMID:42171929 | DOI:10.1007/s44192-026-00449-w

Adv Health Sci Educ Theory Pract. 2026 May 22. doi: 10.1007/s10459-026-10547-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT offer new opportunities to support medical students’ learning through interactive questioning and instantaneous feedback. However, while ChatGPT may facilitate learning engagement through its accessibility, ChatGPT’s potential to foster higher-order thinking and sustained engagement remains underexplored. This study explored how ChatGPT-facilitated questioning relates to medical students’ cognitive engagement and motivation in a first-year foundational science module, integrating Self-Determination Theory, Expectancy-Value Theory, and Bloom’s Taxonomy as learning frameworks. A study was conducted among medical students pursuing a cardiovascular physiology course. Students generated course-related questions and used ChatGPT to obtain answers, which were subsequently evaluated by instructors. 31 student questions were independently coded by two reviewers according to Bloom’s cognitive domains. Perceived autonomy, competence, relatedness, interest/enjoyment, and task value were collected using validated Self-Determination and Expectancy-Value Theory-based tools. Student-generated questions were coded according to Bloom’s cognitive domains, and open-ended feedback on the strengths and limitations of ChatGPT was synthesised through conventional content analysis. Survey results indicated higher perceived autonomy, competence, and task value among ChatGPT users compared with non-users, although differences were not statistically significant. Most student-generated questions also reflected lower to intermediate cognitive levels – ‘Understand’ (41.9%), and ‘Apply’ (45.2%), with few reaching ‘Analyse’. Qualitative insights highlighted ChatGPT’s efficiency, accessibility, and cognitive support, alongside concerns regarding accuracy, superficial engagement, and limited interpersonal interactions. Integrated results suggest that ChatGPT may support self-directed motivation and learning but does not consistently facilitate higher-order thinking and social relatedness without instructor mediation. ChatGPT may offer benefits for medical education by supporting autonomy and perceived usefulness. However, motivation alone is insufficient to promote higher-order thinking. ChatGPT should be facilitated by educators to transform artificial intelligence use from information retrieval into reflective, dialogic inquiry. Integrating ChatGPT within collaborative learning may strengthen analytical reasoning and relational engagement in early medical training.

PMID:42171923 | DOI:10.1007/s10459-026-10547-7