Tag: pubmed

J Public Health Dent. 2026 Mar 10. doi: 10.1111/jphd.70052. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effects of dental sealant insurance coverage on trends in pit and fissure sealant (PFS) use, decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) rates, and filled teeth (FT) rates among Korean adolescents, using data from the Korean Youth Risk Behavior Survey (2005-2024) and the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2015).

METHODS: Data from participants aged 12-18 years were analyzed. The proportion of PFS use referred to the proportion of respondents who answered “yes” to the question “Have you received PFS in the past 12 months?” in the survey. DMFT and FT were classified based on oral examination criteria from 2007 to 2015. Statistical analyses were conducted using Joinpoint regression (version 4.8.0.1) and PROC SURVEYLOGISTIC in SAS 9.4 to estimate the annual percent change (APC), odds ratios, and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS: PFS use increased until 2018 (APC = +1.5%) and declined slightly thereafter until 2024, whereas DMFT and FT rates decreased from 2007 to 2015. Dental sealant insurance coverage was significantly associated with higher PFS use and lower DMFT and FT rates (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Dental sealant insurance coverage effectively improved oral health and reduced dental caries among Korean adolescents.

PMID:41807286 | DOI:10.1111/jphd.70052

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2026 Mar;35(3):e70344. doi: 10.1002/pds.70344.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) present significant obstacles for healthcare systems, impacting both patient safety and the effectiveness of treatments. Despite this, there is a scarcity of research on ADR reports in Sierra Leone, especially over long periods. This study aims to investigate the characteristics and reporting patterns found in the Sierra Leone pharmacovigilance database managed through VigiFlow.

METHOD: This study analyzes reports of ADRs from Sierra Leone’s national pharmacovigilance database, VigiFlow, spanning from January 2008 to December 2022. Data collected included patient demographics (age, sex), reporter characteristics (type of reporter, year of reporting), and ADR-specific information (suspected medication, indication, ADR types (MedDRA), seriousness, outcome, actions taken, and time to onset), and completeness score. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and the Kruskal-Wallis test with Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests were applied to identify patterns and associations within the dataset.

RESULTS: A total of 3381 individual case safety reports (ICSRs) were analysed. The majority of reports involved females (54.7%) and adults aged 18 to 44 years (51.4%). Reporting rates increased after 2015, peaking in 2021. The most frequently implicated medications were anti-infective drugs (40.7%) and antiparasitic medicines (34.1%), particularly ivermectin, albendazole, and vaccines for cholera and yellow fever. The most commonly reported ADRs were headache (13.2%), fever (12.2%), and diarrhoea (7.6%), primarily affecting the nervous system and general disorder classes. Pharmacists were responsible for 39.0% of reports and achieved the highest completeness score, with a mean of 0.78. Age was significantly associated with the seriousness, outcome, and onset time of ADRs (p < 0.001), while gender was significantly associated with onset time (p = 0.007).

CONCLUSION: ADR reporting in Sierra Leone has improved, with antiparasitic medicines and vaccines most frequently linked to reactions. Sustaining progress requires enhanced training, public engagement, and strengthened active pharmacovigilance to ensure completeness and patient safety.

PMID:41807284 | DOI:10.1002/pds.70344

Proc Inst Mech Eng H. 2026 Mar 10:9544119261422821. doi: 10.1177/09544119261422821. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Schizophrenia is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder with a significant impact on individual’s real-life functioning. It is characterized by abnormal asymmetry in the neural activities of the brain reflecting functional and cognitive impairment. The irregularities in the neural dynamics are well captured by Electroencephalogram (EEG) based complexity measures. In this work, automated detection of schizophrenia is attempted using EEG based asymmetric entropy analysis and convolutional neural networks (CNN) integrated with Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) classification model. The asymmetric entropy feature maps are extracted from EEG frequency bands across all channel pairs using approximate, differential, sample, Shannon and spectral co-occurrence matrix entropies and are subjected to classification using pre-trained Inception-V3 CNN-LSTM model and the performance measures are evaluated. It is found that the magnitude values of approximate and sample entropies are found to be high when compared to other entropies and exhibit significant discrimination between normal and schizophrenic subjects. It is also found that statistically significant inception features derived from the inter-channel asymmetric feature maps yield high values of accuracy, precision, and F1 score across various frequency bands. It is further observed that high classification accuracy of 94.11% and precision of 100% are obtained for delta band. The classification model utilizing inter-channel asymmetries could capture the functional alterations due to the pathological condition and helps in accurate detection of schizophrenia.

PMID:41807278 | DOI:10.1177/09544119261422821

Public Health Rep. 2026 Mar 10:333549261427670. doi: 10.1177/00333549261427670. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists suggested approaches, including upskilling and recruitment/hiring, to strengthen the workforce capacity in public health data science. We estimated the number of recently graduated data scientists who might be eligible for and potentially hirable into government public health jobs as a step toward filling data gaps in workforce planning.

METHODS: We used data from the National Center for Education Statistics to calculate the number of data science graduates in 2023. As a proxy for interest in government public health among graduates, we used data from the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health (graduation years 2015-2022). We multiplied the number of data science graduates from US academic institutions (from National Center for Education Statistics data) by the percentage of public health graduates who entered government public health employment (from Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health data) to estimate the number of data science graduates who might be eligible for and interested in government public health employment.

RESULTS: In 2023, 467 435 graduates were awarded a data science degree from a US institution. Depending on the government employment criteria, 8.3% to 15.7% of 96 578 public health graduates reported first-destination employment in government public health. The total number of data science graduates who might be eligible for and interested in government public health employment ranged from nearly 29 000 to >57 000.

CONCLUSIONS: These data contribute to the evidence base for public health workforce planning but are likely to be overestimates of supply. If the estimated supply of data scientists falls short of demand projections, staff data science upskilling and changes to academic curricula could be emphasized.

PMID:41807275 | DOI:10.1177/00333549261427670

J Oral Pathol Med. 2026 Mar 10. doi: 10.1111/jop.70131. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Oral leukoplakia (OL) is the most common oral potentially malignant disorder, defined as a white patch or plaque not attributable to other causes. While OL carries an inherent risk of malignant transformation, the underlying immunological changes remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to profile a broad panel of cytokines in saliva and plasma of OL patients in comparison to healthy controls, in order to elucidate local and systemic immunoinflammatory alterations associated with OL.

METHODS: Thirty patients with clinically and histopathologically confirmed OL and 30 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were enrolled. Detailed clinical examinations were performed, including lesion characterization and psychosocial assessments. Unstimulated whole saliva and peripheral blood samples were collected, and concentrations of 13 cytokines/chemokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8/CXCL8, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-18, IL-23, IL-33, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IFN-α2, and MCP-1/CCL2) were measured using a multiplex bead-based immunoassay. Group comparisons were performed using appropriate statistical tests (χ²/Fisher’s exact test for categorical variables and t-test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: OL patients (mean age 52.4 ± 10.7 years) and controls (59.9 ± 12.8 years) showed no significant differences in gender, socioeconomic status, or psychological scores. Salivary levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-8, and IL-18 were significantly lower in OL patients compared to controls (p < 0.01 for all), whereas other salivary cytokines (IFN-α2, IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-23, IL-33) showed no significant differences. In contrast, plasma levels of IFN-α2, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-17A, IL-18, and IL-33 were significantly higher in OL patients than in controls (p < 0.05), indicating systemic inflammation, while plasma IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-23 did not differ. No significant differences in salivary cortisol, liver enzymes, or hepatitis viral markers were observed between groups. Across histopathological subgroups, cytokine concentrations did not significantly differ between lesions graded as hyperkeratosis, OIN1, OIN2, or OIN3, although a trend toward higher plasma IL-6, IL-17A, and IL-18 levels was observed in cases with higher OIN grades.

CONCLUSION: These findings shed light on the inflammatory profile of OL. The decrease in salivary IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α, and MCP-1 may indicate a more suppressed local immune response, whereas the higher plasma levels of IL-6, IL-17A, IL-18, and IL-33 tend to be seen in lesions showing greater degrees of dysplasia. In particular, patients with higher OIN grades often display this systemic inflammatory shift, which may signal an increased risk of progression.

PMID:41807270 | DOI:10.1111/jop.70131

Mult Scler. 2026 Mar 10:13524585261423063. doi: 10.1177/13524585261423063. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Observational studies suggest an association between immune responses to Epstein-Barr virus nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA1) and multiple sclerosis (MS) risk. Nevertheless, a causal effect cannot be established, as confounding and reverse causation cannot be excluded.

METHODS: We performed a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to test whether higher anti-EBNA1 IgG levels causally influence MS risk, or vice versa. Genetic associations for anti-EBNA1 IgG were obtained from 7972 UK Biobank participants, and for MS from 115,803 individuals in the International MS Genetics Consortium. Given that most anti-EBNA1 IgG instruments lie in the pleiotropic major histocompatibility complex, we applied a robust cis-MR framework, sensitivity analyses, and external validation using genetic association from anti-EBNA1 IgG levels obtained from 914 French individuals.

RESULTS: A one standard deviation increase in genetically predicted anti-EBNA1 IgG levels was causally associated with a 69% higher MS risk (OR = 1.69 [95% CI: 1.28; 2.23], p < 0.001). Results were consistent across sensitivity analyses and showed no directional pleiotropy. External validation supported these findings. Reverse MR provided no evidence that MS influences anti-EBNA1 IgG levels (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: These results support a unidirectional causal effect of elevated anti-EBNA1 IgG levels on MS risk, reinforcing the role of EBV-related immune responses in MS pathogenesis.

PMID:41807267 | DOI:10.1177/13524585261423063

Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2026 Mar 9:S0901-5027(26)00080-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2026.02.021. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The fibula free flap (FFF) is commonly used in mandible reconstruction due to its good bone length and volume, and availability of a long vascular pedicle – the fibular artery (FA). In this study, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was utilized to evaluate the lower leg arteries in 130 patients (48 female, 82 male). The mean distance from the fibula head to the fibular artery (FA) origin was 72.8 mm, with significant differences between sexes (P=0.019) and sides in males (P=0.033). FA diameters were significantly larger in males (P=0.042); in females, right-side FA diameters were larger than left (P=0.002). While stenosis grades varied significantly by side for popliteal and tibial arteries, the FA remained consistent. However, females showed higher popliteal stenosis (P=0.028). Notably, the FA was the primary foot supply in 20% of cases (24.0% females, 17.7% males). DSA provides valuable information for preoperative planning and for safe and effective FFF transfer. This study adds to our understanding of the lower leg vessel anatomy, supporting surgeons in selecting the most suitable flap.

PMID:41807239 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijom.2026.02.021

J Natl Med Assoc. 2026 Feb 13:S0027-9684(26)00027-1. doi: 10.1016/j.jnma.2026.02.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into healthcare, offering opportunities to enhance clinical decision-making, efficiency, and patient outcomes.Despite rapid adoption, variability in AI use, confidence, and formal education acrosslevels of medical training and specialties remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patterns of AI usage, confidence, educational exposure, and perceptions of AI training across the medical hierarchy, with particular attention to differences between gastroenterology (GI) and internal medicine (IM) providers.

METHODS: A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was conducted at an academic tertiary care medical center. A 25-item REDCap-based questionnaire assessed AI use, frequency, confidence, formal education, regulatory awareness, and attitudes toward AI curriculum integration among medical students, residents, fellows, and attending physicians. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for analysis, with significance defined as p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Among 120 respondents, 83.5% reported AI use in clinical or educational activities, with 42.6% indicating daily use. Residents (92.3%) and medical students (87.8%) reported significantly higher AI use compared with attending physicians (61.5%). Overall, 73.7% of GI providers used AI; however, 47.3% reported low confidence, and none reported formal AI education. In contrast, 25% of IM providers had received structured AI training, and 56.1% were aware of HIPAA-compliant AI tools, compared with 15.8% of GI providers. All GI respondents (100%) supported the incorporation of formal AI education into medical curricula.

CONCLUSIONS: AI use is widespread across medical training levels, yet formal education, confidence, and regulatory awareness lag behind adoption, particularly among subspecialty providers such as gastroenterologists. These findings underscore the need for structured, specialty-specific AI education integrated throughout medical training to ensure safe, effective, and equitable use of AI in clinical practice.

PMID:41807208 | DOI:10.1016/j.jnma.2026.02.002

J Voice. 2026 Mar 9:S0892-1997(26)00046-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2026.01.044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To examine the correlation between obesity and patient tolerance to office-based laryngeal procedures (OBLP) using multiple indices for obesity.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review METHODOLOGY: The medical records of all patients who underwent OBLP via the trans-nasal approach between February 2025 and September 2025 were reviewed. OBLP were divided into three categories: laryngeal biopsy, laser therapy with or without intralesional steroid injection, and therapeutic injection with pharmaceutical or autologous agents (steroids, botulinum toxin, hyaluronic acid, and platelet-rich plasma). Demographic data included age, gender, history of smoking, reflux disease, allergy, voice diagnosis, body mass index (BMI), neck, and waist circumference. After the procedure, all patients were asked to fill out the IOWA satisfaction with anesthesia scale.

RESULTS: Forty-three males and 39 females, mean age 50.56 ± 16.60 years, were included in this study. These were divided into three subgroups: those with a BMI < 25 Kg/m² (n = 27), those with a BMI ranging between 25-29 Kg/m² (n = 33), and those with a BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m² (n = 22). All subgroups were matched by age, gender, history of smoking, and history of reflux. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean IOWA scores between the three subgroups (P = 0.009). Regression analysis accounting for various variables showed a mild significant negative association between neck circumference and IOWA satisfaction score. Subgroup analysis based on type of procedure showed a mild but significant negative association between IOWA score and BMI in those who underwent office-based laser therapy.

CONCLUSION: The results of this investigation showed a statistically significant difference in the mean IOWA score across subgroups of patients belonging to different BMI categories undergoing OBLP via the transnasal approach. There was also a significant, mild negative correlation between BMI and IOWA score in the subgroup who had laser therapy. These results might be useful for patient selection and counseling before OBLP.

PMID:41807203 | DOI:10.1016/j.jvoice.2026.01.044

J World Fed Orthod. 2026 Mar 9:S2212-4438(26)00014-7. doi: 10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.02.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In animal studies we have shown that the inflammatory response and rate of tooth movement triggered by orthodontic force reach a saturation point beyond which increased force produces no additional response. In addition, our previous clinical study found that adolescents and adults have different inflammatory response, tooth movement rates, and pain with increasing orthodontic forces. Based on these findings, our goal in this study was two-fold. First, to determine if there is a saturation point for the inflammatory response and tooth movement rates in orthodontics patients. Second, to determine if age impacts the saturation point.

METHODS: We conducted a non-randomized, single-center, single-blinded clinical study on two groups of healthy subjects who required first premolar extraction and canine retraction to correct their malocclusion. Adolescents (11-14 years old) and adults (21-45 years old) of both sexes were recruited and randomized within their age group (n = 4 per force) to receive one of the following four magnitudes of force during canine retraction: 50, 100, 150, and 200 cN Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from the distolabial crevice of the canine was collected to assay inflammatory marker levels before treatment and one day after beginning retraction. IL-1β, CCL2, and RANKL proteins were quantified using a slide-based protein array assay. Study models were used to assess canine retraction after 28 days of force application. Differences within and between treatment groups were assessed statistically.

RESULTS: We found that inflammatory cytokine levels and the rate of tooth movement reached its maximum at 100 cN or 150 cN for adults and adolescents respectively. Adolescents had lower cytokine levels at lower magnitude forces than adults, but the levels increased at higher magnitude forces, with adults reaching saturation sooner than adolescents. The rate of canine movement in 28 days was not significantly different between adolescents and adults at any force level. However, the rate was higher in adolescents for all force groups.

CONCLUSIONS: As in our animal studies, humans demonstrate a saturation point for inflammatory responses and the rate of tooth movement to orthodontic force. Adults reached saturation of the biological response earlier, while younger patients had a higher saturation point. This study has important clinical significance as it may guide orthodontists toward optimizing orthodontic forces and treatment duration, while reducing the risk of pathology arising from excessive forces.

PMID:41807199 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejwf.2026.02.002