Tag: pubmed

Lasers Med Sci. 2026 Jul 10;41(1):141. doi: 10.1007/s10103-026-04915-3.

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Acupuncture with Dry Needling along with Routine Physical Therapy on clinical and functional outcomes in patients with Chronic Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome. An Assessor-blind Randomized Controlled trial was conducted at the Physical Therapy department of Rawal General & Dental Hospital, Pakistan. The study duration was June 2023 to November 2024. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was employed to produce a study sample of 100 individuals with Chronic Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome. The 100 eligible participants, with a mean age of 34 ± 7.21 years, were randomly allocated into two equal groups (n = 50 per group). Group A received Low-Level Laser Acupuncture and Routine Physical Therapy, while Group B underwent Dry Needling and Routine Physical Therapy. The outcomes of the study were pain intensity, neck disability, cervical range of motion, and health-related quality of life measured by the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Neck Disability Index, Goniometer, and SF-36 health survey questionnaire, respectively. The outcome measures were evaluated at three temporal points: the pre, mid, and post-treatment sessions. Each participant received a total of 18 treatment sessions. The IBM SPSS Statistics version 26.0 was used to analyze and interpret the results. The Mann-Whitney U test, Friedman test, and subsequent Wilcoxon signed-rank post hoc analyses with Bonferroni adjustment demonstrated statistically significant differences (p < 0.05 in all cases), both intergroup and intragroup over time. The Low-Level Laser Acupuncture and Dry Needling both proved to be efficient adjunct therapies to routine physical therapy for Chronic Cervical Myofascial Pain Syndrome for different durations of improvement.

PMID:42430011 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-026-04915-3

Mol Biol Rep. 2026 Jul 10;53(1):1139. doi: 10.1007/s11033-026-12328-2.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) remains a major global health burden characterized by progressive cardiac dysfunction and high mortality. Emerging evidence suggests that epigenetic modifications, especially DNA methylation of antioxidant-related genes, may influence the molecular mechanisms underlying heart failure. This study aimed to investigate the methylation status of the glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) promoter region in patients with HFrEF and to explore its associations with clinical and biochemical indicators.

METHODS: A total of 125 patients with HFrEF (LVEF < 50%) and 350 healthy controls were enrolled. Peripheral blood genomic DNA was extracted, and CpG methylation levels within the GPX4 promoter (FA3 and FA20 regions) were quantified using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Statistical analyses were performed using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and χ² tests. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) models were then applied to assess potential nonlinear dose-response relationships between methylation levels and clinical variables.

RESULTS: Methylation at GPX4_FA3_CpG_5 was significantly higher in HFrEF patients than in healthy controls (P = 0.019). Stratified analysis by NYHA class revealed increased methylation at GPX4_FA20_CpG_6 in patients with class I/II heart failure compared with those with class III/IV disease (P = 0.017). RCS modeling identified nonlinear U-shaped or multiphasic associations between GPX4_FA3_CpG_5 methylation and several clinical indicators, including total bile acid (TBA), fibrinogen (FG), fibrin degradation products (FDP), and eosinophil percentage (EO%). No significant associations were detected between GPX4 methylation and blood lipid or routine hematologic parameters.

CONCLUSION: In HFrEF patients, GPX4 promoter methylation is closely associated with clinical and biochemical alterations. Site-specific changes suggest that dysregulation of the GPX4-mediated antioxidant network and ferroptosis-related pathways may contribute to cardiac dysfunction. The nonlinear dose-response relationships with hepatic and coagulation markers indicate complex metabolic interplay. These findings support GPX4 promoter methylation as a potential epigenetic marker for HFrEF.

PMID:42430008 | DOI:10.1007/s11033-026-12328-2

Lasers Med Sci. 2026 Jul 10;41(1):144. doi: 10.1007/s10103-026-04937-x.

ABSTRACT

The use of lasers and light devices in dermatology has significantly increased in recent years due to their ease of treatment, predictable clinical efficacy, and minimal side effects. Numerous studies have explored the use of lasers in acne treatment, including Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser, pulsed dye laser (PDL), intense pulsed light (IPL), diode lasers, and laser-based photodynamic therapy. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and side effects of Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser, PDL, and IPL in the treatment of acne. This pilot study was a three-arm randomized controlled trial involving 36 patients with moderate to severe inflammatory acne. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups. Group 1 received three PDL laser treatments at two-week intervals, Group 2 received three IPL treatments at two-week intervals, and Group 3 received three sessions of Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser treatments at two-week intervals. A total of 36 patients were randomly assigned to three groups (PDL, IPL, and Q-Switched Nd: YAG 1064 nm laser) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of each treatment for inflammatory acne. No significant differences were observed in acne lesion counts or severity scores between the groups at any treatment session (P-values ranging from 0.06 to 0.92). Lesion counts and severity decreased significantly within each group over the course of the study. Acne-related disability, measured using the Cardiff Acne Disability Index (CADI), decreased significantly from baseline to two weeks after the third treatment session in all groups, indicating improved quality of life. No statistically significant difference was observed between the groups (P = 0.45). Adverse effects were minimal, with mild erythema reported by one participant in the PDL group, and the Nd: YAG group reported less pain during treatment compared to the others. All three treatment modalities were associated with improvements in acne lesion count, lesion severity, and CADI scores. The reduction in CADI scores indicated reduced acne-related disability and improved quality of life. However, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups. Therefore, PDL, IPL, and Nd: YAG may be considered promising short-term treatment options for inflammatory acne.

PMID:42430005 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-026-04937-x

Lasers Med Sci. 2026 Jul 10;41(1):147. doi: 10.1007/s10103-026-04854-z.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the effect of Interstitial photodynamic therapy (IPDT) on transplanted tumors of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells in nude mice. Twenty-four models of nude mice bearing A549 transplanted tumors were established, which were randomly and equally divided into four groups: the control group, the photosensitizer group, the laser group, and the IPDT group. Each group is treated according to the grouping principle. The tumor volume growth changes in each group were compared. The HE staining was performed to observe the pathomorphological changes of transplanted tumor cells in each group. The TUNEL assay was used to observe the apoptosis induced by IPDT. The qRT-PCR and western blot assays were used to detect the expression levels of Survivin, Caspase-3, Bax, Bcl-2, VEGF and HIF-1α genes in the transplanted tumor tissues. The results showed that the volume of the tumor volume in the IPDT group was noticeably smaller than that in the control, photosensitizer and laser groups, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). After HE staining of tumor tissues, there were various necrotic, disordered and foamy cells in the IPDT group. The cells in the other three groups were closely arranged with large hyperchromatic nuclei. The TUNEL assay revealed that more apoptotic cells with brown particles in the nucleus were found in the IPDT group. The results of qRT-PCR and western blot assays showed that compared with the other three groups, the expressions of Survivin, Bcl-2, VEGF, and HIF-1α in the IPDT group were decreased, while the expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax were increased. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). IPDT could significantly inhibit the growth of A549 transplanted tumors in nude mice, which is possibly related to down-regulating the expression of apoptotic factors Survivin and Bcl-2 genes, up-regulating the expression of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 genes, and down-regulating the expression of angiogenesis-related VEGF and HIF-1α genes.

PMID:42429993 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-026-04854-z

Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Jul 10;185(8):566. doi: 10.1007/s00431-026-07231-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk for developing positive cumulative fluid balance (CFB). Our goal was to study postoperative CFB in this population, its explanatory variables, and its effect on clinical outcomes during pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) stay and follow-up.

METHODS: Retrospective single center study of 200 consecutive children undergoing congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). A clinically relevant CFB was defined as ≥ 5% at the end of postoperative day 1 (CFB POD1 ≥ 5%).

RESULTS: A CFB POD1 ≥ 5% was observed in 36% of the patients. Lower weight and longer CPB time were identified as explanatory variables for developing CFB POD1 ≥ 5%. Patients with CFB POD1 ≥ 5% showed more acute kidney injury, higher vasoactive inotropic scores, and prolonged invasive ventilation and PICU length of stay (LOS). A 1% increase in CFB POD1 lengthened PICU LOS by 0.8 days (CI 0.588 – 1.001, p < 0.001). Furthermore, patients with CFB POD1 ≥ 5% had lower cardiac event free survival time (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that even a minor positive CFB ≥ 5% is common in pediatric cardiac patients and associated with adverse PICU outcomes. Lower body weight and prolonged CPB duration increased the risk for positive CFB, warranting close fluid monitoring. Positive CFB was also associated with cardiac events during long-term follow-up and may help identify patients at increased risk for a complicated clinical trajectory, underscoring the importance of timely recognition and structured cardiac follow-up.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • Positive cumulative fluid balance (CFB) is associated with adverse outcomes in critically ill pediatric patients, including those undergoing congenital heart surgery, though causality remains unclear. • Evidence on optimal fluid management and clinically relevant CFB thresholds remains limited.

WHAT IS NEW: • This study confirms that a seemingly minor CFB of 5% is common and associated with adverse outcomes in a heterogenous pediatric cardiac cohort. • Positive CFB was additionally associated with adverse long-term outcomes, identifying positive CFB as a potential early marker of a complicated clinical course.

PMID:42429980 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-026-07231-8

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2026 Jul 10;36(1):283. doi: 10.1007/s00590-026-04868-x.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mismatch between the curvature of the spine and the rods between mono-axial and poly-axial screws.

BACKGROUND: In ASD, pre-contoured rods are gaining attraction to help restore sagittal spinal alignment to ultimately improve the patient’s quality of life. However, studies have reported that the curvature of the spine does not correlate with that of the rod. One of the postulated reasons is the usage of poly-axial screws.

METHODS: 75 patients who have undergone ASD surgery between 2012 and 2024 with intra-operatively contoured rods were included. These patients were divided into two groups, based on the axiality of the screws they had being either mono-axial (group M) or poly-axial (group P).

RESULTS: Among all the included patients, there was a minimal difference of 2.5° (p = 0.06) in lordosis at L1S1 and 1.4° (p = 0.291) at L4S1. Looking solely at group M, the difference was 3.7° (p = 0.06) and 0.5° (p = 0.80) at L1S1 and L4S1 lordosis, respectively. In group P, the difference was 1.2° (p = 0.51) and 2.3° (p = 0.24) at L1S1 and L4S1 lordosis, respectively and therefore the curvature of the spinal column and the rod are highly correlated, and their mean mismatch is not statistically significant. Furthermore, there was no difference between group M and group P when comparing the rod-spine mismatch. A linear regression model to predict the mismatch between the spine and rod curvature controlling for the baseline and improvement in spinopelvic parameters revealed that a smaller baseline SS and L4S1, and a smaller L4S1 correction were all predictors of a greater mismatch at L4S1 between the spine and the rod.

CONCLUSION: Following surgery for ASD, mismatch between the spine and rod curvature remains whether mono-axial or poly-axial screws were utilized. Caution should be taken in patients with a hypolordotic lower lumbar lordosis where spine mobilization maneuvers such as osteotomies and interbodies may be necessary, even when pre-contoured rods are employed.

PMID:42429975 | DOI:10.1007/s00590-026-04868-x

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2026 Jul 10;146(1):254. doi: 10.1007/s00402-026-06403-3.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: To date, few studies have directly compared matched cohorts of patients with severe varus deformity undergoing UKA versus TKA. The current study seeks to address this gap. The hypothesis was that, in patients with deformity of > 15°, postoperative PROMs following UKA would be inferior to those achieved with TKA.

METHODS: Records of patients operated for UKA and TKA from January 2016 to December 2021 were evaluated, and the data for patients with deformity of ≥ 15° were selected. The UKA patients were then matched for age and gender with TKA patients. 52 matched pairs of patients were obtained. The HKA, mLDFA, MPTA were measured. OKS, SF12, and FJS were collected. The magnitude of change in the mLDFA and MPTA was assessed using the Estimated Marginal Means.

RESULTS: The mean follow-up times for UKA and TKA were 3.7 years and 5.5 years, respectively. The mean deformity correction (ΔHKA) was significantly greater in TKA (16.3° ± 4.5°) than UKA (10.6° ± 3.1°) (p < 0.001), with significant changes in mLDFA and MPTA (p < 0.001). In UKAs, 68% of patients demonstrated a postoperative HKA between 171.2° and 175.7°, whereas in TKAs, values clustered between 174.5° and 179.8°. Mann-Whitney U test demonstrated no statistically significant differences between the UKA and TKA cohorts across all assessed PROMs, including OKS, SF-12, and FJS (p > 0.05 in all). 98% of the UKA and 94% of the TKA cohort achieved excellent or good outcomes.

CONCLUSION: UKA performed in carefully selected patients with large varus deformities (> 15°) can provide satisfactory short- to mid-term outcomes. Although no statistically significant differences were observed in postoperative PROMs between the UKA and TKA groups, the current study was not designed or sufficiently powered to establish equivalence or detect subtle clinically meaningful differences between procedures. Greater deformity correction was achieved with TKA; however, UKA also resulted in substantial correction despite persistence of some residual varus in certain patients with severe preoperative deformity. Neither the severity of preoperative deformity nor the degree of postoperative residual varus demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with postoperative outcomes in this cohort.

PMID:42429970 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-026-06403-3

J Orofac Orthop. 2026 Jul 10. doi: 10.1007/s00056-026-00670-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The three-dimensional dentoskeletal effects of Haas versus hyrax rapid maxillary expanders (RMEs) in adolescents with maxillary transverse deficiency remain uncertain. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare their short-term skeletal and dental outcomes using three-dimensional measurements. Additionally, uncontrolled Haas studies were descriptively synthesized to contextualize within-group changes.

METHODS: Electronic searches (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, China National Knowledge Infrastructure) up to January 2025 identified eligible clinical studies in adolescents reporting three-dimensional outcomes. Comparative studies that directly evaluated the Haas versus hyrax appliances were incorporated into the quantitative synthesis, while single-arm or self-controlled studies applying the Haas appliance were included solely in the qualitative synthesis. Primary outcomes included midpalatal suture width, first molar and premolar interdental distances, buccal and lingual alveolar bone thickness at first molars, and first molar inclination.

RESULTS: Nine studies met inclusion criteria: seven comparative studies (Haas vs. hyrax; meta-analysis), two Haas-only (narrative synthesis). Across all six evaluated outcomes, pooled analyses revealed no statistically significant differences between the Haas and hyrax expanders. Substantial heterogeneity was observed for midpalatal suture width, first molar distance, and lingual alveolar bone thickness.

CONCLUSION: Current comparative evidence does not reveal statistically significant short-term differences between the Haas and hyrax expanders concerning the evaluated three-dimensional skeletal and dental outcomes. These findings suggest that the existing evidence does not substantiate clear superiority or inferiority of the Haas appliance compared to the hyrax appliance for the assessed outcomes.

PMID:42429959 | DOI:10.1007/s00056-026-00670-w

J Orofac Orthop. 2026 Jul 10. doi: 10.1007/s00056-026-00677-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism of class II correction using the Sander II (S-II) appliance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study, 102 class II patients (mean 10.46 years) treated with the S‑II appliance were compared to 64 untreated class II patients. Skeletal, dental, and occlusal parameters were evaluated using lateral cephalometric radiographs before (T0) and after treatment (T1). For the quantification of sagittal changes, the Pancherz sagittal occlusion analysis was applied. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA; significance level p < 0.05) and G*power (Heinrich-Heine University, Düsseldorf, Germany).

RESULTS: The annual treatment effects of the S‑II appliance (mean diff. of ∆ = T1 – T0 between both groups per year) were: a) sagittal correction of the skeletal class II relationship by -1.07 mm/year [(∆pog/OL_p) – (∆ss/OL_p)], achieved by anterior displacement of the mandible by 0.41 mm/year (∆pog/OL_p) and maxillary growth restriction by -0.66 mm/year (∆ss/OL_p). b) Retroinclination of the upper incisors by -0.75°/year (∆U1-NSL), -0.68°/year (∆U1-NA) and -0.68 mm/year [(∆is/OL_p) – (∆ss/OL_p)]. c) Maintenance of lower incisor inclination [(∆ii/OL_p) – ( ∆pog/OL_p): -0.18 mm/year]. d) Overjet correction by 1.58 mm/year (100%) as a result of 1.07 mm/year skeletal (68%) and 0.50 mm/year dental effects (32%). e) Molar correction of 0.90 mm/year (100%) mainly due to skeletal effects during mixed dentition.

CONCLUSION: In this study, the S‑II appliance effectively corrected overjet and class II molar relation by mainly skeletal effects (ventral displacement of the mandible, maxillary growth inhibition) and minimal dental effects (reclination of upper incisors). Functional treatment with the S‑II appliance may facilitate later orthodontic therapy as class II can be corrected without lower incisor proclination.

PMID:42429957 | DOI:10.1007/s00056-026-00677-3

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2026 Jul 10. doi: 10.1007/s00262-026-04471-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Reproductive hormones may influence immune responses to tumors. Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), CD4 +, and CD8 + T cell densities are markers of immune activity and breast cancer prognosis. We examined associations between lifetime reproductive hormone exposure, tumor immune infiltration, and survival among women with breast cancer.

METHODS: The study included invasive breast cancer cases in the Women’s Circle of Health Study and the Women’s Circle of Health Follow-up Study. Lifetime endogenous hormone exposure (LHEendo) was defined as reproductive years plus pregnancy duration minus breastfeeding duration; lifetime exogenous hormone exposure (LHEexo) was defined as the combined cumulative duration of oral contraceptive and hormone replacement therapy use. TILs were scored as ordered percentage values from 0 to 100% stromal area; CD4 + /CD8 + T cell densities were quantified by immunohistochemistry. TILs were modeled using ordinal logistic regression, and CD4 + /CD8 + T cell densities were modeled using gamma generalized linear models among participants with positive density values, with covariates selected by directed acyclic graphs. Overall survival was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models, and breast cancer-specific survival was assessed using Fine-Gray competing-risk models.

RESULTS: Among 1195 women with valid TILs measurements, 553 and 610 had CD4 + and CD8 + T cell density data, respectively. Across all tumor molecular subtypes, a 1-year increment of LHEendo was associated with a 2.85% decrease in CD8 + T cell density (95% CI – 5.14%, – 0.61%). LHEendo was associated with lower odds of being in a higher TIL level among women with hormone receptor (HR) + /HER2- tumors (OR = 0.977, 95% CI 0.957, 0.997), although the interaction by molecular subtype was not statistically significant. LHEexo was associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 0.979, 95% CI 0.960, 0.998). TIL-stratified analyses suggested that this association may be more apparent among women with TILs ≥ 50% (HR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.82, 0.99; P-interaction = 0.10).

CONCLUSIONS: Lifetime endogenous hormone exposure was associated with lower CD8 + T cell density overall, with exploratory findings of lower TIL levels among women with HR + /HER2- tumors. Lifetime exogenous hormone exposure was associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality, with possible variation by TIL levels.

PMID:42429947 | DOI:10.1007/s00262-026-04471-3