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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Bridging Oncology and Rehabilitation: A High School Curriculum Model for Early Exposure to Interdisciplinary Cancer Care

J Cancer Educ. 2025 Aug 26. doi: 10.1007/s13187-025-02715-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cancer rehabilitation remains underutilized despite its value in addressing survivorship-related impairments. Early exposure to interdisciplinary cancer care, including oncology and physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), is limited, particularly for students underrepresented in medicine (URiM). This study evaluated the impact of a novel interdisciplinary workshop introducing oncology and cancer rehabilitation, designed specifically to address the persistent educational and workforce disparities faced by URiM students. A half-day, in-person workshop was conducted in April 2025 at a medical school in New York City. The curriculum included lectures, case-based learning, a procedural suturing session, and a mentorship panel. Pre- and post-workshop surveys assessed self-reported knowledge and confidence in oncology, cancer rehabilitation, and clinical skills. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and unpaired t-tests. Of 160 pre-workshop survey respondents, 94 attended, with 73 completing post-workshop surveys (77.6% response rate). Over half of participants identified as URiM (53.3%). Significant improvements (p < 0.001) were observed across key domains, including confidence in cancer diagnosis (5.6 to 58.9%), understanding oncologist responsibilities (18.1 to 68.5%), oncology-PM&R collaboration awareness (8.8 to 71.2%), and procedural confidence in suturing (12.5 to 63.0%). A single-day interdisciplinary workshop significantly improved knowledge and confidence in oncology and cancer rehabilitation among high school students. Such targeted early-exposure initiatives could enhance diversity, address educational disparities, and improve awareness in the cancer care workforce.

PMID:40856965 | DOI:10.1007/s13187-025-02715-x

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Development of a machine learning-based risk prediction model and analysis of risk factors for docetaxel-induced bone marrow suppression in breast cancer patients

Int J Clin Pharm. 2025 Aug 26. doi: 10.1007/s11096-025-01989-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide. Docetaxel-based chemotherapy is commonly used for treatment, but its clinical application is often constrained by hematologic toxicity, particularly severe bone marrow suppression. The early identification of high-risk patients is essential to prevent complications and optimize therapeutic outcomes. Machine learning offers advanced capabilities for risk prediction by capturing complex patterns beyond those of traditional statistical models.

AIM: This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with bone marrow suppression in breast cancer patients receiving docetaxel-based chemotherapy, and to develop and validate predictive models using machine learning algorithms.

METHOD: This retrospective case-control study included 119 patients with breast cancer treated with docetaxel-based chemotherapy at the Hainan Hospital of Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, from January 2020 to December 2024. Patients were divided into bone marrow suppression (n = 57; WHO grades II-IV) and non-suppression (n = 62; grades 0-I) groups based on WHO toxicity criteria. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors. Three prediction models, logistic regression, random forest, and AdaBoost, were constructed and evaluated. A five-fold cross-validation with 50 repetitions was performed to ensure model stability and reliability.

RESULTS: Multivariate analysis revealed that a low baseline lymphocyte count (OR = 4.95, 95% CI 1.62-17.0), decreased white blood cell (WBC) count (OR = 0.62, 95% CI 0.40-0.9), and reduced prealbumin level (OR = 0.98, 95% CI 0.97-0.99) were significantly associated with severe bone marrow suppression (all p < 0.05). Among the models, AdaBoost achieved the best overall performance (AUC = 0.81; specificity = 94%; accuracy = 77%). The random forest model showed the highest sensitivity (83%), while logistic regression was more interpretable but demonstrated a lower predictive ability (AUC = 0.69).

CONCLUSION: Pretreatment lymphocyte count, WBC count, and prealbumin level are reliable predictors of docetaxel-induced bone marrow suppression. The AdaBoost model demonstrates high specificity (94%) in identifying low-risk patients, supporting accurate risk stratification and personalized care in breast cancer treatment.

PMID:40856959 | DOI:10.1007/s11096-025-01989-x

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Lomitapide, a Microsomal Triglyceride Transfer Protein Inhibitor, in Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Efficacy and Safety

Cardiovasc Drugs Ther. 2025 Aug 26. doi: 10.1007/s10557-025-07764-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is a rare and life-threatening genetic disorder characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and early-onset atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Lomitapide, a microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP) inhibitor, decreases LDL-C independent of LDL receptor function, providing an alternative treatment in this population. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of lomitapide in patients with HoFH through a systematic review and meta-analysis of available clinical evidence.

METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science through March 2025. Observational studies and clinical trials reporting on lipid profile changes and safety outcomes in HoFH patients receiving lomitapide were included. Outcomes were pooled using random-effects models, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.

RESULTS: Eight studies comprising both adult and pediatric patients (n = 209) were included. Lomitapide significantly reduced LDL-C levels by 49.27%, total cholesterol by 46.05%, and apolipoprotein B by 51.01%. Reductions were also observed in triglycerides, VLDL-C, and non-HDL-C. HDL-C remained relatively unchanged. Adverse events were mostly gastrointestinal, with a 14% discontinuation rate. The overall quality of studies ranged from fair to good.

CONCLUSIONS: Lomitapide demonstrates substantial efficacy in reducing LDL-C and other atherogenic lipids in HoFH patients, with an acceptable safety profile. These findings support its role as an adjunctive therapy in this population, though further randomized controlled trials are warranted to validate long-term safety and effectiveness.

PMID:40856940 | DOI:10.1007/s10557-025-07764-4

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Cardiovascular Aging: From Molecular Mechanisms to Targeted Therapies

Mol Diagn Ther. 2025 Aug 26. doi: 10.1007/s40291-025-00812-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular aging is a complex biological process involving progressive cellular and molecular changes that impair heart and vascular function. This review evaluates both fundamental mechanisms and therapeutic strategies, focusing on how recent advances in pharmacology, gene therapy, and regenerative medicine can be translated into clinical practice to mitigate age-related cardiovascular decline. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of peer-reviewed studies from 2000 to 2023, examining molecular pathways of cardiovascular aging and their modulation through pharmacological, genetic, and lifestyle interventions. The review prioritized clinical trials, translational research, and meta-analyses to assess therapeutic efficacy and safety. Current evidence highlights the effectiveness of senolytic drugs such as dasatinib and quercetin in reducing age-related cardiovascular dysfunction, while rapamycin and metformin show promise in improving cardiac longevity through metabolic regulation. Gene therapies, including clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based interventions, demonstrate potential in preclinical models for cardiac regeneration. Stem cell therapies and nanotechnology-based drug delivery systems are emerging as innovative approaches to enhance tissue repair. In addition, lifestyle modifications such as Mediterranean diet adherence and exercise significantly improve vascular health in aging populations. However, challenges remain in drug delivery, patient-specific responses, and long-term safety of novel therapies. The integration of targeted pharmacological treatments, advanced regenerative techniques, and personalized lifestyle interventions represents a transformative approach to managing cardiovascular aging. Future research should focus on optimizing therapeutic combinations, refining delivery methods, and validating biomarkers for clinical monitoring. A multidisciplinary strategy combining these advances will be essential to improve cardiovascular outcomes in aging populations.

PMID:40856932 | DOI:10.1007/s40291-025-00812-7

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Short-term outcomes of the PreserFlo MicroShunt in Japanese patients with exfoliation glaucoma: a comparison with primary open-angle glaucoma using propensity score matching

Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2025 Aug 26. doi: 10.1007/s10384-025-01265-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of initially implanted PreserFlo MicroShunt (PMS) in Japanese patients with exfoliation glaucoma (XFG). Using propensity score matching, intraocular pressure (IOP) control rates were compared between patients with XFG and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study.

METHODS: This study reviewed 31 eyes of 31 patients with XFG who underwent initial PMS implantation with mitomycin C. IOP, medication scores, and corneal endothelial cell density (CECD) were assessed preoperatively and at up to 6 months postoperatively. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to estimate the 6-month survival rate, defined as an IOP reduction of > 20% from baseline and an IOP < 15 mmHg. The incidences of needling, reoperation, and complications were also assessed. IOP control was compared between XFG and propensity-score-matched POAG patients using the log-rank test.

RESULTS: At 6 months, the mean IOP had decreased significantly, from 22.3 ± 6.6 to 14.7 ± 6.6 mmHg, and the medication score had declined from 4.5 to 1.4. CECD decreased from 2127 to 1902 cells/mm2, although this was not statistically significant. The complete success rate (without any glaucoma medications or intervention) was 48%. Postoperative complications included anterior chamber hemorrhage and choroidal detachment. Needling was performed in nine eyes (29.0%), and additional surgery was performed in five eyes (16.1%). Compared to POAG patients (11.9 mmHg), XFG patients had higher postoperative IOP (14.8 mmHg) and higher medication scores (0.5 vs 1.4, p = 0.04) and a lower success rate (62.2% vs 41.7%).

CONCLUSIONS: PMS in Japanese patients with XFG resulted in a significant IOP reduction over 6 months, with a relatively favorable safety profile. However, its efficacy was slightly inferior to that in POAG, implying potential differences in PMS responsiveness between glaucoma subtypes.

PMID:40856918 | DOI:10.1007/s10384-025-01265-5

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Management of Erythrodermic Psoriasis with Systemic Therapies: A Systematic Review

Am J Clin Dermatol. 2025 Aug 26. doi: 10.1007/s40257-025-00977-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Erythrodermic psoriasis (EP) is a severe and rare variant of psoriasis. Clinical features include scaling and erythema affecting more than 75% of body surface area, associated with systemic symptoms such as lymphadenopathy, arthralgia, fever, fatigue, dehydration, serum electrolyte disturbances, and tachycardia, making this condition a potentially life-threatening disease. Differential diagnosis can be challenging, encompasses atopic dermatitis, cutaneous adverse drug reaction, and advanced cutaneous lymphoma. Following a correct diagnostic framing, appropriate systemic treatment must be initiated. Unfortunately, there are no recent up-to-date guidelines and standardized treatment options for EP are still lacking.

OBJECTIVE: To review the current reported systemic treatment options for EP.

METHODS: This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, and based on a search in MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library for articles in English from first available publication to 9 November 2024.

RESULTS: In all, 145 studies were included in the review. Case reports and case series are the main available work, reporting heterogeneous outcomes and effectiveness with nonbiologic and biologic systemic agents. Among non-biologic systemic treatments, methotrexate and cyclosporin are the most widely reported as treatment for EP, showing clinical response in over 60% of cases, with cyclosporine offering a faster onset of action and being suitable for acute management. Available randomized controlled trials include patients with EP treated with etretinate, infliximab, certolizumab-pegol (CZP), Ixekizumab, guselkumab, risankizumab, and deucravacitinib. However, these trials were not specifically designed for erythrodermic psoriasis, and the sample size of EP patients included is limited, resulting in reduced statistical power and limiting the reliability of the findings. Among TNF-α inhibitors, infliximab is the most reported agent, with data on 103 patients. Certolizumab pegol (CZP) also showed promising results, with PASI 75 achieved in over 80% of patients at 52 weeks. A retrospective analysis comparing infliximab, adalimumab, etanercept, ustekinumab, and efalizumab found TNF-α inhibitors to be superior to other biologic classes. Regarding IL-17 inhibitors, secukinumab is the second most frequently studied biologic, with 93 patients reported. It demonstrated rapid efficacy, achieving PASI 75 in more than 80% of patients by week 8. A head-to-head comparison with ixekizumab showed comparable outcomes. Among IL-23 inhibitors, risankizumab led to PASI 90 in over 75% of patients at week 16, suggesting high efficacy despite more limited data.

CONCLUSIONS: Non-biologic systemic drugs appear to be a rational first-line therapy, with cyclosporine showing good results in managing the acute phase and methotrexate being effective in maintaining remission. In the case of contraindications or treatment failure of traditional systemic therapies, among biologic drugs, the rapidity of action, safety, and limited evidence of efficacy are in favor of IL-17 inhibitors and risankizumab. However, the findings we report are limited by the evidence available in current literature, which is characterized by low statistical power.

PMID:40856907 | DOI:10.1007/s40257-025-00977-1

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Cortico-Cancellous Collagenic Porcine Bone for Alveolar Ridge Preservation: A Cohort Comparative Study

Clin Implant Dent Relat Res. 2025 Aug;27(4):e70085. doi: 10.1111/cid.70085.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The primary aim of this study was to compare the histomorphometric characteristics of two different cortico-cancellous collagenic porcine bone (CCPB) formulations combined with a stabilizing agent used for alveolar ridge preservation (ARP), and the secondary aim was to evaluate and compare clinical and aesthetic outcomes of dental implants placed in augmented sites.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, cohort-comparative study conducted on patients requiring a tooth extraction followed by ARP and subsequent implant placement. Tooth extractions were performed trying to reduce the surgical trauma as much as possible, and then ARP was performed using two different formulations of CCPB combined with a thermogel in different ratios (50:50 hand-mixed and 80:20 pre-mixed). After 4 months of healing, implant placement was performed, and a bone biopsy was retrieved from the surgical site for histomorphometric analyses. Implants were rehabilitated 3 months following placement with screw-retained crowns, then patients were re-evaluated 1 year following prosthetic loading.

RESULTS: We report the clinical and histomorphometric outcomes of 20 patients divided into the two study groups (10 patients per group). ARP performed with a hand-mixed biomaterial in a 50:50 ratio had higher percentages of newly formed bone (36.15% vs. 27.18%) when compared to a pre-mixed biomaterial in an 80:20 ratio, even though the difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.064). Implants placed in ARP-treated sites showed a very low mean marginal bone loss at the 1-year follow-up in both experimental groups (0.06 ± 0.15 mm in the 50:50 group and 0.25 ± 0.35 mm in the 80:20 group) with no statistically significant differences (p = 0.42), as well as the aesthetic outcomes assessed through the pink aesthetic score.

CONCLUSIONS: Both biomaterials showed effective and favorable outcomes, and the histomorphometric differences observed in our sample did not have any impact on the final clinical and aesthetic outcomes.

PMID:40853738 | DOI:10.1111/cid.70085

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The Anatomy of Lower Eyelid Fat Pad Vasculature as Found in Lower Eyelid Blepharoplasties

Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025 Aug 23. doi: 10.1097/IOP.0000000000003018. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The vasculature within the lower eyelid fat pads in bilateral lower eyelid blepharoplasty (BLLB) surgery is not well described. Characterization of vasculature may help prevent excessive bleeding by describing the locations where pre-emptive cautery may be indicated. We hypothesize that during BLLB, vasculature is most often encountered within the nasal fat pads compared with the central and lateral fat pads.

METHODS: Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent BLLB by a single surgeon was performed. Patients were included if they underwent transconjunctival BLLB with documentation of the encountered intrafat vasculature (I-FV). I-FV was defined as the vessels coursing through the nasal, central, and lateral fat pads and excludes the fine vasculature in the surrounding fat pad shea th. If I-FV was present, it was recorded as “mild,” “moderate,” or “large.” If no vasculature was observed, “minimal” vasculature was documented.

RESULTS: A total of 222 lower eyelids of 111 patients were included. About 78% (173/222) of lower nasal fat pads contained I-FV, which was statistically higher than the 15% (33/222) of lateral (p < 0.001) and 5% (10/222) of central fat pads (p < 0.001). Symmetry in the presence or absence of I-FV between the left and right sides was found in 65% (72/111) of patients.

CONCLUSIONS: During BLLB, I-FV is most prevalent in the nasal fat pads than in the central or lateral fat pads. We recommend extra caution and potential pre-emptive cautery when manipulating the nasal fat pad to prevent bleeding. The pattern of vasculature encountered on the first operative site may provide insight into the contralateral side.

PMID:40853729 | DOI:10.1097/IOP.0000000000003018

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The Impact of the Spatial Distribution of Ventricular Extrasystoles on Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Recipients

Pacing Clin Electrophysiol. 2025 Aug 25. doi: 10.1111/pace.70033. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Premature ventricular complexes (PVC) are a common phenomenon observed in both normal and pathological heart conditions. However, they do not always behave in the same way. Different PVCs present with varying QRS morphologies, mechanisms, and origin sites. These differences may imply distinct prognoses. To date, the impact of the three-dimensional distribution of PVCs across the heart on the prognosis of ICD recipients has not been adequately investigated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted an ambidirectional cohort study. Patients underwent two twelve-lead ambulatory ECG recordings during follow-up. The spatial distribution of PVCs was analyzed using the algorithm proposed by Kuchar et al. The impact of this spatial distribution on clinical variables was assessed using mixed generalized models.

RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were enrolled, with a mean follow-up time of 41.12 ± 13.48 months. All patients underwent two 12-lead ambulatory ECG recordings. The median PVC count was 91.5. PVCs were classified according to the algorithm proposed by Kuchar et al. PVCs arising from exit sites located in the intermediate left ventricle were associated with a higher number of therapies (odds ratio [OR]: 4.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.19-19.26; p = 0.028) and prolonged QRS duration. PVCs with exit sites located in the septal region were associated with higher NYHA functional classes (OR: 2.22 [95% CI: 1.08-4.44]; p = 0.030). No statistically significant interaction was found between PVC topography and gender, number of ATP episodes, ATP success rate, or number of shock episodes.

CONCLUSION: The spatial distribution of PVCs influenced the prognosis of ICD recipients.

PMID:40853721 | DOI:10.1111/pace.70033

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Algorithmic Risk Assessment and Expert Evidence

J Law Med. 2025 Jul;32(2):294-297.

ABSTRACT

Risk assessment is an important component of many areas of the law, including criminal law. Forensic psychologists and psychiatrists are sometimes called upon to provide evidence of the risk of future criminal activity through identifying and measuring risk factors with the aid of tools that use scales based on statistical or actuarial risk prediction. At present, there is an emphasis on “structured professional judgment” which combines the use of risk assessment tools with clinical judgment. However, the development of risk assessment tools by private companies using algorithms that are not released to the public raises both ethical and legal issues that are highlighted in this column.

PMID:40853693