Tag: pubmed

Cureus. 2026 Jul 15;18(7):e112736. doi: 10.7759/cureus.112736. eCollection 2026 Jul.

ABSTRACT

Background Developmental defects of enamel (DDE) are disturbances that occur during amelogenesis and may affect the quantity or quality of enamel. These defects may predispose affected teeth to dental sensitivity, caries, and esthetic concerns. Limited epidemiological data are available regarding the prevalence of DDE among Kashmiri children. Objective This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and distribution of DDE among children aged 3-12 years in the Kashmiri population using the modified DDE Index. Methods A hospital-based cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted among children aged 3-12 years attending the outpatient department (OPD) of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry at Government Dental College and Hospital, Srinagar, India. A total of 10,070 children were examined over a period of seven months. The modified DDE Index was used to assess enamel defects in both primary and permanent dentition. Buccal/labial, lingual/palatal, and occlusal/incisal surfaces were examined. Demographic variables, including age group as well as dentition type (primary and permanent), were recorded to evaluate their association with the prevalence and distribution of enamel defects. Data were analyzed using Python version 3.8 (Python Software Foundation, Fredericksburg, VA), and a chi-square test was applied for statistical analysis. Chi-square test of independence demonstrated a statistically significant association between DDE prevalence and dentition type (primary and permanent dentition) (p = 0.0001). Results Among the 10,070 children examined, 1,208 children demonstrated DDE involving 3,308 teeth. The prevalence of DDE was highest in the 9-12-year age group (2570, 77.69%), followed by the 6-9-year age group (696, 21.03%) and the 3-6-year age group (42, 1.2%). Permanent incisors were the most commonly affected teeth (2162, 65.35%), followed by permanent molars (754, 22.79%). Demarcated opacities (DEO) were the most prevalent enamel defect (816, 49.28%), followed by hypoplasia (408, 24.64%) and diffuse opacities (DIO) (324, 19.57%). Chi-square analysis demonstrated a statistically significant association between age groups (3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 years) and the distribution of DDE (p < 0.05). It also revealed a statistically significant variation in the distribution of developmental enamel defects between primary and permanent dentition and across different categories of permanent teeth, including molars, canines, premolars, and incisors (χ² = 361.92, p < 0.0001). Conclusion DDE was predominantly observed in permanent incisors and molars among Kashmiri children, with DEO being the most common defect type. The findings highlight the need for preventive and early intervention strategies to reduce the burden of DDE in pediatric populations.

PMID:42603046 | PMC:PMC13475951 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.112736

Orthop Rev (Pavia). 2026 Aug 12;18:165086. doi: 10.52965/001c.165086. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-associated low back and pelvic pain is a common musculoskeletal condition associated with substantial pain, impaired mobility, and functional limitation during pregnancy. Pharmacologic pain management is constrained by maternal and fetal safety considerations, increasing reliance on conservative musculoskeletal interventions.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020. PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from database inception through February 2026. Eligible studies included pregnant women with pregnancy-associated low back pain, pelvic girdle pain, or mixed lumbopelvic pain syndromes receiving conservative musculoskeletal interventions. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and functional disability assessed using validated instruments. Random-effects meta-analysis using standardized mean differences with Hedges g correction and 95% confidence intervals was performed.

RESULTS: Six randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis, of which four studies involving 254 participants contributed directly extractable data for the primary quantitative meta-analyses. Conservative musculoskeletal interventions were associated with significant reductions in pain intensity (SMD -0.85, 95% CI -1.18 to -0.53; P < 0.001; I² = 34%) and functional disability (SMD -0.84, 95% CI -1.31 to -0.37; P < 0.001; I² = 66%). Subgroup analysis demonstrated numerically larger pain effects for device-assisted interventions, followed by acupuncture-based and manual or manipulative approaches, although subgroup differences were not statistically significant (P = 0.26). One trial was judged at high risk of bias, while the remaining studies were classified as having some concerns.

CONCLUSIONS: Conservative musculoskeletal interventions were associated with improvements in pain intensity and functional disability among women with pregnancy-associated low back and pelvic pain. However, limited trial numbers, methodological heterogeneity, and risk of bias constrain treatment-specific conclusions. Larger, adequately powered, methodologically rigorous randomized controlled trials are needed to inform higher-confidence clinical recommendations.

PMID:42603043 | PMC:PMC13475796 | DOI:10.52965/001c.165086

Cureus. 2026 Jul 15;18(7):e112727. doi: 10.7759/cureus.112727. eCollection 2026 Jul.

ABSTRACT

Background Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and fine-needle non-aspiration cytology (FNNAC) are commonly used techniques for the evaluation of thyroid lesions. Differences in smear quality, cellular preservation, and diagnostic performance between these methods remain a subject of interest. Our study compared FNAC and FNNAC in thyroid lesions using histopathological examination as the reference standard. Methodology A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 110 patients with clinically palpable thyroid swellings, of whom 75 patients who underwent thyroid surgery with available histopathological examination were included in the final analysis. Both FNAC and FNNAC were performed on the same lesion during the same sitting. Smears were assessed for adequacy, cellular preservation, and diagnostic categorization using the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology. Histopathological examination served as the reference standard for cytohistological correlation and assessment of diagnostic performance. Results The mean age of participants was 42.88 ± 13.59 years. Superior smear quality was observed in 55 (73.3%) FNAC samples and 59 (78.7%) FNNAC samples. Bethesda Category II lesions constituted the majority of cases with both techniques. FNNAC reduced the proportion of indeterminate lesions and identified a higher proportion of malignant lesions. Histopathology revealed 53 (70.7%) benign and 22 (29.3%) malignant lesions. FNNAC demonstrated a stronger correlation with histopathological diagnosis and showed better preservation of cellular architecture with less blood contamination. Diagnostic accuracy was numerically higher with FNNAC (63, 84.0%) than with FNAC (58, 77.3%), with corresponding sensitivities of 11 (50.0%) and 9 (40.9%), respectively; however, the difference in diagnostic accuracy was not statistically significant (McNemar’s test, p = 0.228). Conclusions Both FNAC and FNNAC are effective techniques for the cytological evaluation of thyroid lesions. FNNAC demonstrated higher smear quality, improved cellular preservation, higher specificity, and numerically higher overall diagnostic accuracy than FNAC. Although the difference in diagnostic accuracy was not statistically significant, FNNAC may serve as a valuable alternative or complementary technique for improving smear quality in thyroid cytology.

PMID:42603037 | PMC:PMC13475714 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.112727

Dement Neuropsychol. 2026 Aug 14;20:e20250349. doi: 10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2025-0349. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Early detection of possible cognitive decline (PwCD) is crucial for preserving function and independence in aging.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether dual-task and functional assessment tools can help detect cognitive impairment in older adults without prior diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with healthy older adults (≥60 years). The following exclusion criteria were adopted: neurological diseases with motor deficits, severe functional limitations, mobility aid use, and inability to walk six meters unaided. Assessments included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Verbal Fluency (VF), Pfeffer Functional Activities Questionnaire, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Sit-to-Stand Test (STS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Step Test, and dual-task TUG (TUGdt) using animal naming (TUGdt-NA) and serial subtraction (TUGdt-S7). Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann-Whitney U, ꭓ² tests, and logistic regression (p≤0.05).

RESULTS: Among 144 participants, 89 were classified as healthy and 55 as PwCD. Most were female (90.9%), black (57.7%), with an average of 11.04 years of education. Groups did not differ in age, gender, or comorbidities. The PwCD group had lower education (p=0.01), more black individuals (p=0.03), and scored significantly worse on all cognitive tests (p<0.0001) and TUGdt (NA: p=0.040; S7: time p=0.027; accuracy p<0.001). No differences were found in STS, Step Test, BBS, or total Pfeffer scores; however, the PwCD group showed greater instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) impairment.

CONCLUSION: The ability to perform dual tasks appears to be associated with functional capacity.

PMID:42603030 | PMC:PMC13475946 | DOI:10.1590/1980-5764-DN-2025-0349

Ann Pediatr Cardiol. 2026 Jul-Aug;19(4):364-373. doi: 10.4103/apc.apc_22_26. Epub 2026 Jul 31.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Friedreich’s ataxia (FA) is a hereditary neuromuscular disorder with cardiac involvement as the leading cause of death. This study examines the progression of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) biomarkers in FA-associated cardiomyopathy and their relationships with clinical outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective, single-center study included FA patients with at least one CMR. CMR assessment included segmental late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction (EF), LV wall thickness, native T1 mapping, and extracellular volume (ECV) fraction. Linear mixed-effects regression models were used to assess CMR parameters in relation to each other and time.

RESULTS: Fifteen patients (mean age: 22.7 ± 7.6 years) and 37 CMRs were evaluated over an average of 11.0 ± 5.0 years from neuromuscular symptom onset. LV thickness was most notable along the septum, while LGE was localized to the LV free wall. Native T1 and ECV were globally elevated. Six (40%) patients demonstrated LGE, and those negative at baseline remained negative. LGE increased by 0.5 segments per year ( P = 0.25), and LVEF declined by 0.73%/year ( P = 0.06); however, neither reached statistical significance. LV thickness, native T1, and ECV did not change significantly. Maximal LV thickness correlated with cardiac symptoms ( P = 0.04) and cardiac medications ( P = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS: In this exploratory study, CMR demonstrated patterns of septal hypertrophy, lateral wall fibrosis, and trends toward declining ventricular function. Findings were largely nonsignificant and should be considered hypothesis-generating. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to clarify the role of CMR in disease progression and clinical management.

PMID:42603024 | PMC:PMC13475841 | DOI:10.4103/apc.apc_22_26

Front Vet Sci. 2026 Jul 30;13:1857111. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2026.1857111. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare survival to discharge and long-term outcomes in dogs and cats with acute-on-chronic kidney disease (ACKD) compared to acute kidney injury (AKI) treated with renal replacement therapy (RRT) and to identify factors associated with outcome.

DESIGN: Retrospective observational design.

SETTING: Single referral hospital.

ANIMALS: 136 client-owned animals (67 dogs and 69 cats) treated with RRT between 2017 and 2024.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: This retrospective observational cohort study reviewed medical records from a referral hospital. Animals were classified as having ACKD (n = 66) or AKI (n = 70). Short-term survival was evaluated as survival to discharge, restricted mean survival time (RMST) and logistic regression models. Long-term survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis, RMST and Cox proportional hazards models. Animals with ACKD were older than those with AKI (10.4 ± 3.9 years vs. 6.3 ± 3.3 years; p < 0.0001) and had higher serum creatinine concentrations at discharge (3.38 ± 1.16 mg/dL vs. 2.81 ± 2.92 mg/dL; adjusted p = 0.0073). Survival to discharge was 53% (35/66) for ACKD and 70% (49/70) for AKI. Short-term survival did not differ significantly between groups (log-rank p = 0.089). Among animals survived to discharge, RMST was shorter for ACKD. Median survival time for the ACKD group was 57 days overall and 33 days for dogs.

CONCLUSION: Although statistically significant differences were not identified, dogs and cats with ACKD had lower survival to discharge and numerically shorter long-term survival than animals with AKI. Nevertheless, 53% of RRT-treated animals with ACKD survived to discharge, demonstrating that short-term survival is achievable in selected ACKD patients.

PMID:42603023 | PMC:PMC13475998 | DOI:10.3389/fvets.2026.1857111

Cureus. 2026 Jul 15;18(7):e112732. doi: 10.7759/cureus.112732. eCollection 2026 Jul.

ABSTRACT

Facial nerve (FN) dysfunction remains a clinically important complication of parotidectomy, even when recovery is ultimately complete. Traditional nerve identification relies on anatomic dissection, selective stimulation, and, in many cases, intraoperative monitoring (IONM). These approaches may be limited when anatomy is distorted. This study evaluated the feasibility, safety, and utility of autofluorescence-guided FN identification during parotidectomy. A retrospective case series was conducted in 18 patients who underwent superficial or total parotidectomy for parotid gland tumors. All procedures were performed by the same surgical team using standard operative technique and selective electrical nerve stimulation. Near-ultraviolet (NUV) autofluorescence imaging was obtained immediately after FN exposure and before further dissection. Raw grayscale and real-time colored overlay images were acquired. Quantitative image analysis was performed using manually selected regions of interest to measure nerve and background intensities, nerve-to-background ratio, longitudinal signal homogeneity, and apparent branch width. Given the case series design, findings were summarized using descriptive statistics. The cohort included 18 patients, 15 women and 3 men, who underwent superficial or total parotidectomy for parotid neoplasms. Final pathology showed pleomorphic adenoma in 15 cases and carcinoma in 3 cases, with deep lobe involvement in 1 case. Autofluorescence imaging generated clear contrast between the FN and surrounding tissue on grayscale and colored overlay views. Mean native grayscale nerve intensities ranged from 244.3 to 247.4 px, compared with background intensities of 41.7 to 45.8 px, yielding nerve-to-background ratios of 5.40 to 5.86. Colored overlay rendering increased the maximum nerve-to-background ratio to 10.16. Longitudinal signal remained uniform, with coefficients of variation (CVs) ranging from 0.028 to 0.043. No postoperative FN paralysis occurred, and all patients had House-Brackmann grade I function at six months. In this retrospective case series, autofluorescence-guided FN imaging during parotidectomy was feasible and provided consistent visual contrast between nerve and surrounding tissue without identified imaging-related safety concerns. These findings support further study of this approach as a useful adjunct to standard FN identification strategies.

PMID:42603020 | PMC:PMC13475775 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.112732

J Grad Med Educ. 2026 Aug;18(4):489-494. doi: 10.4300/JGME-D-25-01024.1. Epub 2026 Aug 14.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Preference signaling in the residency application process was introduced in the 2021 application cycle and, as of the 2026 residency Match cycle, is used by 27 specialties. Originally intended to help applicants indicate genuine interest in programs, its role has expanded to include mitigating overapplication.

OBJECTIVE: To assess how the number of signals allotted influences application numbers across specialties.

METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of US Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) data from 22 signaling specialties between 2022 and 2026. Specialties were grouped by number of signals allotted: high (≥20), medium (8-19), low (≤7). The primary outcome was change in average applications per applicant within specialty. The secondary outcome was estimated financial impact using the ERAS tiered fee schedule.

RESULTS: Among 70 111 applicants across 22 specialties (high n=6; medium n=8; low n=8), high-signal specialties uniformly reduced applications per applicant (mean, -28.3; range, -47.4 to -2.15). Medium and low tiers showed mixed effects, with an increase in applications per applicant in several specialties. Overall, signaling was associated with an estimated net cost reduction of $7,387,754 across all participating specialties. All high-signal specialties generated cost reduction ($2,991,059 total), whereas 8 medium- and low-signal specialties incurred net cost increases.

CONCLUSIONS: Substantial reductions in application volume and costs have occurred following implementation of preference signaling, with the high-signal approach reliably leading to a decrease in applications submitted.

PMID:42603005 | PMC:PMC13475771 | DOI:10.4300/JGME-D-25-01024.1

Aging Brain. 2026 Aug 6;10:100165. doi: 10.1016/j.nbas.2026.100165. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Our aim was to investigate the change in brain glucose metabolism with [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([¹⁸F]FDG PET) in amyloid beta positive and negative amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) patients. We investigated associations between change in [¹⁸F]FDG uptake and cognitive functioning in aMCI patients over up to 3 years. Twenty patients underwent [¹⁸F]FDG PET (15 men and 5 women, mean age 73.0 years, SD 6.3 at baseline) within a short time interval from [¹⁸F]Flutemetamol PET. The patients were classified as amyloid positive vs. negative based on the amyloid PET marker [¹⁸F]Flutemetamol uptake. Patients were examined with brain MRI and cognitive tests at baseline and after 3-year follow-up or earlier if the patient had converted to probable Alzheimer’s disease. [¹⁸F]FDG data was analysed with automated region-of-interest analysis and voxel-based statistical parametric mapping (SPM). [¹⁸F]FDG uptake nor change of [¹⁸F]FDG uptake over time differed between amyloid positive and negative groups. However, the amyloid positive patients exhibited significant decline in MMSE scores over three years while the amyloid negative patients maintained stable MMSE level over time. The amyloid positive group had poorer episodic memory scores at baseline and follow-up, and significantly slower processing speed at follow-up as well as significantly more negative change over time in language functions compared to amyloid negative patients. Moreover, we found that [¹⁸F]FDG uptake was positively associated with cognition in the whole aMCI patient group. Together, our results suggest that brain glucose metabolism in aMCI is independent of amyloid pathology, and probably reflects other brain degenerative processes.

PMID:42602999 | PMC:PMC13475694 | DOI:10.1016/j.nbas.2026.100165

Drug Des Devel Ther. 2026 Aug 10;20:617418. doi: 10.2147/DDDT.S617418. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endometriosis is a chronic, oestrogen-dependent inflammatory disorder associated with elevated systemic oxidative stress. Current medical therapies are limited by significant side effects and high recurrence rates, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Edaravone (3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one) is a clinically approved synthetic free radical scavenger with established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, representing a candidate for drug repurposing in endometriosis.

METHODS: Ten female Wistar Albino rats underwent surgical endometriosis induction using the Vernon and Wilson method. After four weeks, lesion sizes were measured at a second laparotomy using a digital calliper (baseline). Animals were randomly allocated to an edaravone-treated group (n=6; 3 mg/kg/day subcutaneously for 28 days) or a saline control group (n=4). Lesion sizes were re-measured at a third laparotomy and tissue samples were collected for histological examination (haematoxylin and eosin staining). Between-group changes were compared using the Mann-Whitney U-test.

RESULTS: In the edaravone group, mean lesion size decreased from 2.40 ± 0.52 mm to 1.91 ± 0.54 mm (mean change: -0.50 mm; -17.0%). In the control group, mean lesion size increased from 4.47 ± 1.89 mm to 4.79 ± 2.02 mm (mean change: +0.32 mm; +7.09%). Baseline lesion size was larger in the control group than in the edaravone group, and this imbalance should be considered when interpreting the findings. The between-group difference in absolute lesion size change was statistically significant (Mann-Whitney U-test, p = 0.0095; rank-biserial r = 1.00), although the within-edaravone change was not statistically significant (p = 0.3125) and the between-group difference in percentage change did not reach significance (p = 0.114). Histological examination revealed active endometrial glands within fibrous stroma in control animals, whereas edaravone-treated implants showed predominantly fibrotic tissue with markedly reduced or absent glandular structures.

CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, edaravone-treated animals showed reduced lesion size relative to controls; however, the within-group reduction was not statistically significant, baseline lesion size differed between groups, and no mechanistic markers were measured. These preliminary, hypothesis-generating findings should be interpreted with caution and warrant larger, adequately powered, mechanistically comprehensive studies before any therapeutic potential of edaravone in endometriosis can be inferred.

PMID:42602974 | PMC:PMC13475553 | DOI:10.2147/DDDT.S617418