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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Optimizing pediatric bronchiolitis management through an integrated hub-and-spoke network: evidence from a regional Italian experience

Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Feb 16;185(3):134. doi: 10.1007/s00431-026-06795-9.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to describe the implementation and functioning of a regional hub-and-spoke model (“Gaslini Diffuso”) for managing pediatric bronchiolitis in Liguria, Italy, during the 2023-2024 season, focusing on severity stratification, resource allocation, and outcomes. A retrospective observational study was conducted across one tertiary hub (IRCCS Istituto Giannina Gaslini, Genoa) and four affiliated spoke hospitals. Medical records of all patients aged 0-2 years hospitalized with bronchiolitis (ICD-9-CM 466.19) between October 2023 and March 2024 were reviewed. Demographic, clinical, microbiological, and treatment data were analyzed. Predictors of centralization to the hub were identified through multivariable logistic regression. A total of 562 patients were included (median age 95 days; 40.4% female). Most cases were mild to moderate, with 56.6% requiring respiratory support-mainly low-flow oxygen or HFNC-and only 2% requiring mechanical ventilation. Thirteen patients (2.3%) were admitted to the PICU, and no deaths occurred. Centralized patients (n = 10) were significantly younger (median 43.5 days) and had higher severity indicators, including elevated CO₂ and CRP levels, and longer respiratory support (median 5 vs. 3-4 days, p < 0.001). Independent risk factors for centralization were age < 60 days (OR 23.1, p = 0.004) and HFNC use (OR 20.5, p = 0.006). Spoke centers showed homogeneous adherence to referral criteria, though some variability in ancillary treatments persisted.

CONCLUSIONS: The Ligurian hub-and-spoke model demonstrated internal consistency between referral criteria and observed patient severity, supporting appropriate case stratification within the regional network. This integrated framework enhanced regional coordination and represents a scalable, sustainable model for pediatric respiratory disease management.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • Bronchiolitis is the leading cause of hospitalization in infants under two, with seasonal surges that may overwhelm pediatric services; management remains largely supportive. • Hub-and-spoke models have been proposed to optimize care and resource allocation, but real-world data on their clinical and organizational impact, especially post-COVID, is limited.

WHAT IS NEW: • This study evaluates, for the first time in Italy, the real-world implementation of a regional hub-and-spoke model (Gaslini Diffuso) for bronchiolitis management. • The model enabled effective stratification of disease severity, with high specificity in centralizing only the most critical cases, ensuring efficient use of pediatric intensive care resources.

PMID:41699321 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-026-06795-9

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Is there an association between distal femoral morphology and periprosthetic femoral fracture risk after Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty?

Int Orthop. 2026 Feb 17. doi: 10.1007/s00264-026-06756-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to determine whether distal femoral morphology (DFM) constitutes a risk factor for periprosthetic femoral fractures (PPFs) in a cohort of patients who underwent posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty (PS-TKA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients who had undergone primary PS-TKA, with a follow-up of minimum two years. Citak’s ratio was calculated, and patients were classified according to DFM. Univariate and multivariate statistical analysis was performed to identify PPFs risk factors. ROC analysis was performed to evaluate the ability of DFM to distinguish patients at risk for PPFs.

RESULTS: A total of 2452 patients 1644 female, 808 male were included in the analysis. The mean age of the participants was 70.2 years (SD = 6.4). PPFs were detected in 33 patients (1.35%). According to the Citak classification, patients were categorized as Group A (4/33, 12.1%), Group B (8/33, 24.2%), and Group C (21/33, 63.7%). DFM was significantly related to the PPFs rate (p = 0.001). The ROC curve analysis yielded an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.669 (CI 95% 0.580-0.758) for the DFM.

CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative evaluation of distal femoral morphology and management of osteoporosis may reduce the risk of fractures after PS-TKA.

PMID:41699317 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-026-06756-9

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Variability and uncertainty of data from genotoxicity test guidelines: what we know and why it matters

Arch Toxicol. 2026 Feb 17. doi: 10.1007/s00204-025-04277-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This review comprehensively examines the variability and uncertainty associated with test guideline (TG)-conform genotoxicity data and explores the respective implications for the integration of non-animal-methods (NAMs) into regulatory frameworks. Historical amendments to OECD TGs are mapped to reveal the method’s evolution that improves the scientific quality of the data but also explains data heterogeneity within available databases. An analysis of the major genotoxicity databases ECVAM, ISSMIC, and OASIS demonstrates substantial variability in genotoxicity calls. Using the EFSA genotoxicity database, which currently harbours the best-curated (meta-) data, we estimate that 22-77% of compounds exhibit similarity of replicate results below 85%, depending on the assay. The potentially most important variables statistically explaining variability and sensitivity were analysed. The practical limitations to identify them with high reliability and to define their optimum needs to be accepted as a qualitative baseline uncertainty. These findings underscore the necessity of contextualizing NAM performance evaluations within the intrinsic variability and uncertainty of animal and in vitro reference data. We propose that this variability is explicitly considered in the development and validation of NAM-based Integrated Approaches for Testing and Assessment. This review provides a critical foundation for regulators and scientists aiming to enhance the acceptance and utility of NAMs in genotoxicity assessment.

PMID:41699308 | DOI:10.1007/s00204-025-04277-9

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Association of first trimester peripheral blood count-derived immune markers with the risk of incident hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study

Hypertens Res. 2026 Feb 17. doi: 10.1038/s41440-026-02571-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Emerging evidence links maternal immune dysregulation to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), yet gestational immune alterations preceding symptom onset remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between first-trimester immune biomarkers and incident HDP risk across clinical subtypes. This retrospective cohort study enrolled pregnant women aged ≥18 years undergoing first-trimester antenatal screening at a tertiary hospital from March to November 2023. First-trimester peripheral immune markers-neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and platelets-were measured, with derived indices including neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio (MLR), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), and aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI). Outcomes included HDP, gestational hypertension (GHTN), and preeclampsia confirmed via electronic medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to evaluate the relationship between peripheral immune markers and outcomes. Among the 2739 pregnant women who met inclusion criteria, 195 developed HDP, including 96 GHTN and 99 preeclampsia. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that first-trimester neutrophils, monocytes, platelets, lymphocytes, SII, and AISI were independently and positively associated with HDP risk in a linear dose-response manner (all FDR P < 0.05), with platelets exhibiting the strongest association (OR T3 vs. T1: 2.20; per log-SD: OR = 1.55). Distinct biomarker profiles were identified between GHTN and preeclampsia: GHTN exhibited associations with neutrophils, platelets, SII, and AISI, while preeclampsia correlated with monocytes, platelets, lymphocytes, SII, and AISI (all FDR P < 0.05). Elevated first-trimester immune markers correlate with HDP, particularly platelet-related indices. Divergent immune signatures between GHTN and preeclampsia suggest subtype-specific pathophysiological mechanisms.

PMID:41699290 | DOI:10.1038/s41440-026-02571-2

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Collagen-binding probe PET/MR for distinguishing fibrotic from inflammatory strictures in Crohn’s disease

Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging. 2026 Feb 17. doi: 10.1007/s00259-025-07741-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and diagnostic performance of 68Ga-CBP8 PET/MR enterography for noninvasive detection of bowel collagen deposition and differentiation of inflammatory from fibrotic or mixed strictures in Crohn’s disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with stricturing Crohn’s disease scheduled for bowel resection or endoscopic biopsy were prospectively enrolled. PET/MR enterography was performed after intravenous administration of 68Ga-collagen binding probe 8 (68Ga-CBP8). Focal radiotracer uptake was defined as activity exceeding local background and anatomically corresponding to an MR-identified bowel stricture. Surgical and biopsy specimens underwent blinded pathologic evaluation for fibrosis. Descriptive statistics, sensitivity and specificity were calculated to assess diagnostic performance. Differences in SUVmax and SUVmax stricture-to-uninvolved bowel ratio between fibrotic and non-fibrotic segments were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Five patients (4 M, 1 F; median age: 50; IQR: 11) with seven strictured bowel segments (median length: 24 mm; IQR: 14) were included. Five segments (71.4%) demonstrated focal 68Ga-CBP8 uptake and were pathologically confirmed as mixed inflammatory-fibrotic strictures. Two segments (28.6%) showed no significant uptake and were confirmed as strictures devoid of fibrosis. 68Ga-CBP8 PET/MR enterography achieved 100% sensitivity for mixed inflammatory-fibrotic strictures and 100% specificity for non-fibrotic strictures. SUVmax and SUVmax stricture-to-uninvolved bowel ratio were higher in fibrotic than non-fibrotic segments (median SUVmax: 2.29 vs. 1.01; median ratio: 2.36 vs. 0.88), although without statistically significant differences (both p = 0.095).

CONCLUSION: 68Ga-CBP8 PET/MR enterography is a feasible noninvasive technique to assess bowel strictures in Crohn’s disease and may enable differentiation of inflammatory and fibrotic components.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT06252493. Date of first enrollment: 19 December 2023. Registered: 2 February 2024 (retrospectively registered).

PMID:41699282 | DOI:10.1007/s00259-025-07741-x

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Cancer statistics, 2026: divergent trends and the implementation gap

Nat Rev Clin Oncol. 2026 Feb 16. doi: 10.1038/s41571-026-01132-3. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41699272 | DOI:10.1038/s41571-026-01132-3

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Genetic counseling services for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer: patients’ experience and satisfaction with different service models

Eur J Hum Genet. 2026 Feb 16. doi: 10.1038/s41431-026-02031-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In the context of limited resources and growing demand, patients access genetic testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) through various service models, some of which include genetic counseling sessions. This study assessed the impact of these service models and participation in genetic counseling on patients’ experiences and satisfaction with the genetic testing process. A total of 501 patients undergoing genetic testing for HBOC completed a 35-item survey, which included the Genetic Counseling Satisfaction Scale, the Decision Regret Scale, and a modified Royal Marsden Satisfaction Questionnaire. Additional information was gathered from the medical records. Descriptive statistics and Fisher’s exact tests were employed for the analysis. Four aspects of the genetic testing experience differed between service models and attendance to genetic counseling: i) receipt of informational materials prior to testing, ii) information that additional discussions with the genetic team were possible, iii) clarity regarding the timeline for receiving results, and iv) explanation of how the results would be delivered. The service model and participation in genetic counseling seem to influence patients’ experiences with genetic testing for HBOC. However, satisfaction was generally high and decision regret was low across all service models, highlighting the promise of care models designed to enhance accessibility.

PMID:41699267 | DOI:10.1038/s41431-026-02031-y

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Factors associated with occult ipsilateral and contralateral nodal metastasis in resectable lateralized laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancies

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2026 Feb 16. doi: 10.1007/s00405-026-10069-3. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41699250 | DOI:10.1007/s00405-026-10069-3

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Theoretical Perspectives on the Minimal and Narrative Self in the Schizophrenia Spectrum: An Integrative Review

Wiley Interdiscip Rev Cogn Sci. 2026 Jan-Feb;17(1):e70023. doi: 10.1002/wcs.70023.

ABSTRACT

The self and its disorders in schizophrenia have been studied extensively over recent decades. Much of this literature is grounded in a bipartite understanding of the self, distinguishing the pre-reflective, minimal self from the reflective, narrative self. However, few studies have systematically examined the links between disturbances at these two levels of self. This integrative review addresses this gap by analyzing both theoretical and empirical contributions. Three theoretical models are described. The Structural model posits that minimal self-disorders hierarchically give rise to narrative self-disturbances and the schizophrenia phenotype, with a primarily pathogenic focus. The Dialectical model emphasizes reciprocal interactions between minimal and narrative self-disturbances, generating the schizophrenia phenotype with both pathogenic and salutogenic implications. The Contextual model highlights social, territorial, and biological dimensions of the self and its disorders in context. Empirical studies specifically addressing the mechanistic links between minimal and narrative self-disturbances remain scarce and preliminary. Overall, the literature appears preliminary and occasionally speculative, yet it suggests several promising avenues for future research and clinically relevant applications. This article is categorized under: Philosophy > Consciousness Psychology > Theory and Methods.

PMID:41699205 | DOI:10.1002/wcs.70023

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Which retrieval technique offers the highest success rate for fractured dental implant abutment screws while preserving implant integrity?

Evid Based Dent. 2026 Feb 16. doi: 10.1038/s41432-026-01213-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A COMMENTARY ON: Arshad M, Doust Mohammadi M, Habibzadeh S, et al. The efficacy of techniques for managing fractured dental implant abutment screws: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice. 2026:102226.

DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizing evidence from 53 studies (31 case reports, 14 technique papers, 7 in vitro studies, 1 finite element analysis) involving 576 dental implants with fractured abutment screws. The review evaluated multiple retrieval strategies and stratified outcomes by implant configuration, fracture location, and technique category.

CASE SELECTION: Fractured abutment screws in dental implants, regardless of loading status. Studies were included if they reported retrieval techniques (manual exploratory instruments, ultrasonic devices, mechanical modification approaches, or custom methods) and success rates for fragment removal.

DATA ANALYSIS: Pooled success proportions were calculated with 95% confidence intervals using random-effects modeling. Subgroup analyses compared external versus internal implant connections, fracture locations (coronal, within implant body, mixed, or apical), and technique categories (ultrasonic, instrument modification, screw modification with retrieval kits, and manual methods alone). Heterogeneity was quantified using I² statistics, and publication bias was assessed through Begg and Egger tests and funnel plots.

RESULTS: Overall in vitro retrieval success was 86% (95% CI: 0.75-0.94; I² = 88%). External implant connections achieved 100% retrieval success, compared with 80% for internal connections (P = 0.01). Screws fractured within the implant body had significantly higher success (95%; 95% CI: 0.90-0.99; I² = 40%) than mixed or deeper fractures (67%; 95% CI: 0.47-0.84; I² = 92%; P < 0.01). By technique, ultrasonic methods had the highest success at 97% (95% CI: 0.81-1.00; I² = 2%), followed by instrument modification combined with manual instruments at 96% (95% CI: 0.86-1.00; I² = 45%), screw modification with retrieval instruments at 82% (95% CI: 0.65-0.95; I² = 91%), and manual instruments alone at 71% (95% CI: 0.61-0.80; I² = 0%).

CONCLUSIONS: Fractured abutment screw retrieval success depends on fracture accessibility, implant connection type, and fracture depth. A stepwise strategy beginning with conservative techniques appears justified before advancing to more invasive or instrument-modifying approaches.

PMID:41699185 | DOI:10.1038/s41432-026-01213-3