Tag: pubmed

Behav Res Methods. 2026 Mar 30;58(4):96. doi: 10.3758/s13428-025-02928-4.

ABSTRACT

Meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) is a method to systematically synthesize results from primary studies, allowing the researchers to simultaneously examine multiple relations among variables by fitting a structural equation model to the pooled correlations. Incorporating dichotomous variables (e.g., having a specific disease or not) into MASEM poses challenges. While primary studies that investigate the relation between a dichotomous and continuous variable typically report standardized mean differences (e.g., Cohen’s d), in the specialized MASEM software it is not possible to directly include standardized mean differences. Instead, MASEM typically uses correlation matrices as input. A proposed solution is to convert the standardized mean differences to point-biserial correlations. Here lies a complication because, in contrast to a standardized mean difference, the point-biserial correlation depends on the distribution of group membership. Through three Monte Carlo simulation studies, we investigated which conversion formula is suitable when one wants to include a dichotomous variable in MASEM. We varied the prevalence, sampling plan, within-study sample sizes, and the distribution of participants over two groups. Our results show that which conversion is suitable, and which is not depends on the aim of the meta-analyst. Moreover, if the group distribution in the sample does not reflect the prevalence in the population, it is necessary to adjust the correlation between the continuous variables in the model. We have extended our freely available web application (Effect Size Calculator and Converter; https://hdejonge.shinyapps.io/ESCACO/ ) to fill the existing gap and to assist the meta-analyst with both the conversions and the adjustment.

PMID:41912908 | DOI:10.3758/s13428-025-02928-4

Sci Rep. 2026 Mar 30. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-46756-8. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41912895 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-46756-8

Dokl Biochem Biophys. 2026 Mar 30. doi: 10.1134/S1607672925700279. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

of the study was to obtain data on the safety of netakimab (NTK) in a population of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), including various somatic diseases, as well as to assess treatment retention during 2 years of observation in real world clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: -Patients were recruited for the study from August 2020 to December 2021 at 23 centers in the Russian Federation. The study included 137 patients who were prescribed netakimab therapy before enrollment. Clinical and medical history data for the first visit were entered retrospectively, and following visits at 12, 24, 52, 76, and 104 weeks of therapy were collected within the study. The average age of the patients 42.3 years, 34.3% of them with previous biologics therapy. RESULTS-: Median observation period was 104 weeks (range 1-137 weeks). At the end of the analyzed period (104 weeks of therapy), 85.5% (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 79.7-91.8) of patients continued treatment with netakimab. Retention on NTK therapy was slightly better in “bio-naïve” vs patients who received biologics earlier: 88.7% (95% CI: 82.3-95.5) and 78.9% (95% CI: 67.5-92.2), respectively, without significant differences between groups (p = 0.16). As many as 21 (15.3%) patients withdrew from study before visit 6. The main end-of-study reasons were lost to follow-up (7 (5.1%) patients) and treatment inefficacy (6 (4.4%) patients). The BASDAI (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index) and ASDAS-CRP (Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score with C-reactive protein) showed statistically significant decreases from baseline: by 3 times during the first 3 months of therapy and 2 times decrease during the first year of treatment. This trend continued in the second year of treatment, although with a lower rate of reduction. By week 104 of therapy, 52.9% (95% CI: 47.3-58.4) reached low disease activity (1.3 ≤ ASDAS < 2.1), 21.3% (95% CI: 12.8-29.8) had inactive disease (ASDAS < 1.3). Netakimab was well tolerated by patients: AEs, related to therapy according to the investigator’s opinion, were reported in 8 (6.0%) patients. CONCLUSIONS-: In real-world clinical practice, 85.5% of patients continued treatment with Netakimab at the end of 104 weeks. By 104 weeks 74% patients had low disease activity or inactive disease. Netakimab was well tolerated by most of patients.

PMID:41912852 | DOI:10.1134/S1607672925700279

Dokl Biochem Biophys. 2026 Mar 30. doi: 10.1134/S1607672925700255. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

to evaluate the effectiveness of long-term therapy with Russian rituximab (RTX) biosimilar in Sjögren’s disease (SjD) in real-life clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: -The retrospective study included 53 patients with SjD (Russian 2001 criteria and ACR/EULAR (American College of Rheumatology/European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology) 2016 criteria), observed at the Nasonova Research Institute of Rheumatology from 2017 to 2024 and receiving long-term RTX therapy (Russian biosimilar Acellbia®, BIOCAD). The signs of clinical and laboratory activity of the disease, stomatological and ophthalmological tests, as well as the incidence of new systemic manifestations and lymphomas were assessed dynamically. RESULTS: -The median duration of RTX therapy was 27 [19; 55] months, and the median total dose was 4 [3.5; 5.5] g. Before the therapy, 13 (25%) patients had recurrent parotitis, which was relieved in all patients during the therapy. Persistent enlargement of the salivary glands was observed in 10 (20.4%) patients, in 9 of them it was relieved. A significant increase in stimulated saliva flow was found (from 1.5 [0.5; 3] to 2.4 [1.4; 3.5] mL; p = 0.002), an increase in salivation was found in 51% of patients, stabilization in 28.6%, and deterioration in 20.4%. When assessing the ultrasound dynamics of the salivary glands, the size of hypoechoic avascular lesions significantly decreased (from 1.8 [1.3; 2.3] to 1.3 [1.1; 1.5] mm; p<0.001), and according to the ultrasound activity index, stabilization was noted in 67.4% of patients, improvement in 27.9%, and deterioration in 4.7% of patients. When assessing the dynamics of sialography, the size of cavities significantly decreased (from 1.5 [1.5; 2.5] to 1.0 [0; 1.5] mm; p < 0.001), and according to the assessment of sialographic stages, stabilization was noted in 67.5% of patients, improvement in 32.5% of patients, and deterioration was not noted in any patient. When assessing the lacrimal glands function, a significant increase in lacrimation was found according to the stimulated Schirmer’s test (from 6 [3.75; 12] to 8 [5; 15] mm; p = 0.005); an increase in lacrimation was noted in 38% of patients, stabilization in 40.6%, and a decrease in 21.4%. When assessing the tear break-up time, a tendency towards its increase was noted, but statistically insignificant (from 5 [3.75; 9.25] to 5.5 [4; 9] sec; p = 0.35). Corneal epitheliopathy during the therapy was relieved in 44% and persisted in 56% of patients; worsening of corneal epitheliopathy during the treatment was observed in a few patients, while no cases of ulcer formation or perforation of the cornea were recorded. During the therapy, a significant decrease in the levels of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, gamma globulins, IgG, IgA, IgM, rheumatoid factor, an increase in the C3 complement level, and the elimination of monoclonal gammopathy were observed, while the dynamics of the C4 complement level and cryoglobulinemia were multidirectional. The median duration of B lymphocyte depletion was 5 [4; 6] months, constant depletion could be maintained only in 59.6% of patients. During the therapy, the SjD systemic activity index (ESSDAI, EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Disease Activity Index) significantly decreased (from 5 [2; 8] to 1 [0; 3] points; p<0.001), and minimal clinically important improvement of this index was achieved in 66.6% of patients. During the observation, one patient developed a new skin lesion (lupus chilblain); no other new systemic manifestations or lymphomas were registered. CONCLUSIONS. : According to our retrospective study conducted in real-life clinical practice, long-term therapy with Russian RTX biosimilar in most cases (60-80%) led to stabilization or improvement of SjD manifestations. RTX can be used to treat not only systemic but also glandular manifestations of the disease. Given the lack of an optimal response to RTX therapy in a number of SjD patients, it is necessary to study the effectiveness of drugs that lead to a deeper depletion of B lymphocytes.

PMID:41912841 | DOI:10.1134/S1607672925700255

Dokl Biochem Biophys. 2026 Mar 30. doi: 10.1134/S1607672925700231. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Interleukin (IL)-6 plays an important role in the pathogenesis of comorbid rheumatoid arthritis (RA) depression. IL-6 inhibitors used to treat patients with RA may also have an antidepressant effect. THE OBJECTIVE-: of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of 24-week IL-6 inhibitor therapy with olokizumab (OKZ) in combination with or without psychopharmacotherapy (PPT) in patients with moderate to high RA activity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: -A total of 125 patients with RA were included, 102 (81.6%) of them were women. The average age of the patients was 48.5 ± 12.6 years; the majority of the patients (86.4%) had high RA activity and had shown ineffectiveness with stable 12-week therapy using conventional synthetic disease modifying antirheumatic drugs (csDMARDs). Additionally, 34 (27.2%) patients had shown inefficiency with one or more biological DMARDs. According to the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10), a psychiatrist diagnosed varying severity of depression (chronic or recurrent) in all patients during a semi-structured interview. At week 0, all patients were randomized using sequential numbers in a 2:2:1 ratio into one of three groups: in group 1, patients received csDMARDs + OKZ 64 mg subcutaneously once every 4 weeks (q4w) (n = 49); in group 2, patients received csDMARDs + OKZ 64 mg subcutaneously q4w along with PPT (n = 51); in group 3, patients received csDMARDs + PPT (n = 25). The study duration was 24 weeks. The severity of depression was assessed using the PHQ-9 (Patient Health Questionnaire 9) and MADRS (Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale) scales, and anxiety was assessed using the HAM-A (Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) scale. Projective experimental psychological techniques were also used.

RESULTS: -After 12 and 24 weeks of therapy, a significant decrease in the severity of depression and anxiety was observed in all patients’ groups. However, the differences between the final and initial values of the scales filled in by a psychiatrist were statistically significantly greater (p < 0.001) in the groups of patients receiving PPT: in group 2 (ΔMADRS_24-0 = -20.2 ± 6.57; ΔHAM-A_24-0 = -13.2 ± 5.68) and group 3 (ΔMADRS_24-0 = -17.8 ± 4.73; ΔHAM-A_24-0 = -13.4 ± 4.41), compared with the group 1 (ΔMADRS_24-0 = -5.42 ± 7.14; ΔHAM-A_24-0 = -4.58 ± 6.80). There were no significant differences between the groups according to the PHQ-9 depression questionnaire (in group 1, ΔPHQ-9_24-0 = -4.89 ± 4.87; in group 2, ΔPHQ-9_24-0 = -6.73 ± 4.97; in group 3, ΔPHQ-9_24-0 = -7.26 ± 5.58, respectively), despite a greater decrease in the severity of depression observed in the groups with PPT. According to a semi-structured interview with a psychiatrist and in accordance with the criteria of ICD-10 the proportion of patients without depression 24 weeks after the start of therapy was significantly higher in the groups receiving PPT: 84.3% in group 2, 100% in group 3, and 16.3% in group 1.

CONCLUSIONS: -In patients with moderate/high RA activity and comorbid depression, OKZ without PPT can lead to a decrease in the severity of depression or, less often, to a complete regression of depressive symptoms, mainly in patients with minor depression. OKZ therapy without PPT also reduces the severity of anxiety, but does not eliminate it completely. The combination of OKZ and PPT is optimal for achieving complete regression of depression and anxiety in this category of RA patients.

PMID:41912840 | DOI:10.1134/S1607672925700231

Brain Topogr. 2026 Mar 31;39(3):39. doi: 10.1007/s10548-026-01190-x.

ABSTRACT

Precise localization of auditory evoked fields (AEFs) from magnetoencephalography (MEG) data is very important for the functional understanding of the auditory cortex in medicine and cognitive neuroscience. The numerical solution of the field equations in the human head using the boundary element method (BEM) is a powerful tool for achieving this. The spatial resolution of the BEM is crucial for the achievable accuracy of localized neural sources. However, in classical BEM (as implemented, e.g., in MNE-Python), very high resolutions are impractical due to the associated prohibitive computational effort. In contrast, our recently introduced reciprocal boundary element fast multipole method (reciprocal BEM-FMM) allows for hitherto unprecedented spatial resolution of forward models. In this work, we employ reciprocal BEM-FMM to construct high-resolution forward models to localize AEFs. Simulated AEFs were generated using a direct BEM-FMM approach on realistic 40-tissue Sim4Life segmentations. Comparative analyses from simulated data demonstrate that high-resolution BEM-FMM forward models yield statistically superior source estimates relative to the 3-layer BEM. We also compare BEM-FMM forward models with source dipole resolution varying from 25,000 to 3,200,000 sources, and find that resolutions above 200,000 sources are sufficient for achieving accurate, high-resolution source estimates. We therefore recommend using the high-resolution reciprocal BEM-FMM to utilize high spatial anatomical precision for the modeling of neural activity.

PMID:41912838 | DOI:10.1007/s10548-026-01190-x

J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2026 Mar 29;54(6):104538. doi: 10.1016/j.jcms.2026.104538. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Safe separation of the pterygomaxillary junction (PMJ) is a critical step during Le Fort I (LF-I) osteotomy. The use of a pterygoid osteotome remains controversial due to its potential association with unfavorable fracture patterns and serious complications. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of pterygoid osteotome use on PMJ fracture patterns in horizontal and vertical planes using computed tomography (CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 83 patients who underwent LF-I osteotomy between 2022 and 2025 and had postoperative CT imaging within the first postoperative month. A total of 166 PMJs were evaluated by analyzing the right and left sides separately. Patients were divided into two groups according to pterygoid osteotome use. Preoperative cone-beam CT was used for anatomical measurements, while postoperative CT images were assessed to classify PMJ separation patterns in horizontal and vertical planes. Fracture patterns were compared between groups.

RESULTS: When analyzed separately by side, a statistically significant difference was observed only in left-sided horizontal fracture patterns, with a higher incidence of posterior maxillary sinus wall fractures (Type 3) in the osteotome-positive group (p < 0.05). When all PMJs were evaluated together, significant differences were found in both horizontal and vertical fracture patterns between groups (p < 0.05). Ideal separation along the pterygomaxillary fissure (Type 1) was more frequent in the osteotome-negative group (63.9%), whereas pterygoid plate fractures (Type 4) were more common in the osteotome-positive group (19.1%) (p = 0.002). High-level vertical fractures near the skull base were also significantly more frequent in the osteotome-positive group (14.9% vs. 5.6%, p = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS: Osteotomeless pterygomaxillary separation during down-fracture was associated with more ideal and complication-free fracture patterns in both horizontal and vertical planes. In contrast, pterygoid osteotome use was associated with an increased incidence of unfavorable fracture patterns. These findings support the consideration of osteotome-free techniques as a safe and effective alternative during LF-I osteotomy.

PMID:41911644 | DOI:10.1016/j.jcms.2026.104538

Accid Anal Prev. 2026 Mar 29;232:108522. doi: 10.1016/j.aap.2026.108522. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Spatiotemporal prediction of urban traffic crashes is an important basis for proactive safety management, yet many existing models have difficulty capturing both temporal dynamics and spatial dependence in an interpretable way. This study develops a hybrid framework that integrates Hankel-based Dynamic Mode Decomposition (Hankel-DMD) with a spatiotemporal graph neural network (STGNN) to predict short-term neighborhood-level crash counts. Daily crash records from 2019 to 2021 for 78 neighborhoods in Denver, USA are aggregated into a neighborhood-day matrix. Hankel-DMD is applied to this matrix to extract low-rank spatiotemporal modes that describe dominant trends and recurrent fluctuations. A graph neural network defined on a distance-correlation-based neighborhood graph then learns nonlinear residuals that correct the linear DMD prior and transmit information along the urban network. The proposed model is evaluated in a multi-step prediction setting with horizons of 1, 3, 5, and 7 days, and is compared with statistical time-series models, tree-based machine learning models, a pure Hankel-DMD model, and deep learning baselines including a STGNN. Across all horizons, the hybrid model achieves the lowest mean absolute error and root mean squared error, with improvements of about 17 to 30% in mean absolute error and 13 to 24% in root mean squared error relative to the best deep learning benchmark. Performance gains are consistent across high-, medium-, and low-risk neighborhood groups. Hankel-DMD eigenvalues and spatial modes reveal stable temporal and spatial structures in 2019 and 2021, together with clear deviations in 2020 associated with disrupted mobility patterns. These results show that dynamics-informed graph learning can provide accurate and interpretable crash risk forecasts at the neighborhood scale and can support targeted urban safety interventions.

PMID:41911624 | DOI:10.1016/j.aap.2026.108522

Cont Lens Anterior Eye. 2026 Mar 29;49(3):102648. doi: 10.1016/j.clae.2026.102648. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study investigated tear film parameters during the wear of two daily disposable contact lenses composed of different polymers and examined their association with symptoms of contact lens discomfort.

METHODS: A prospective, randomized, investigator-masked crossover study was conducted over two months with 20 participants wearing Somofilcon A or Verofilcon A daily disposable lenses. Tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive tear breakup time (NITBUT), and lipid layer thickness (LLT) were measured at the beginning of the study and after one month of wearing each lens type, both with lenses in-situ and after removal following at least six hours of wear. Symptoms were assessed using the Contact Lens Dry Eye Questionnaire (CLDEQ-8) and a visual analog scale (VAS). Differences in parameters between lens types and time points were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Associations between tear film parameters and subjective comfort scores were assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The NITBUT-average significantly improved with Verofilcon A (12.98 ± 4.27 s; p < 0.001) and Somofilcon A (12.30 ± 3.46 s; p < 0.001) compared to baseline (9.31 ± 3.29 s), with no significant difference between the lenses (p = 0.456). Significant changes in VAS comfort and CLDEQ-8 scores from baseline were observed for both lens types (p < 0.001). For Verofilcon A, CLDEQ-8 scores decreased, and VAS comfort increased while CLDEQ-8 scores negatively correlating with NITBUT-first break (r = -0.4637, p = 0.0455) and NITBUT-average (r = -0.5758, p < 0.001). i.e. a smaller CLDEQ-8 score (better comfort) associated with longer NITBUT.During Somofilcon A wear, CLDEQ-8 increased, and VAS comfort scores decreased, and VAS negatively correlated with NITBUT-first break (r = -0.5334, p = 0.018) and TMH (r = -0.4856, p = 0.0351).

CONCLUSIONS: Whilst better comfort with Verofilcon A was associated with improved NITBUT, correlations were moderate, and further studies are required to draw stronger conclusions. LLT showed no association with symptoms. Lens material and surface properties, along with ocular surface factors likely influence comfort outcomes.

PMID:41911617 | DOI:10.1016/j.clae.2026.102648

J Craniofac Surg. 2026 Mar 30. doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000012682. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Orbital fractures, which frequently involve the floor and medial wall, constitute a significant portion of craniomaxillofacial traumatic injuries. Failure to restore the orbital architecture can result in aesthetic and functional sequelae that significantly affect the patient’s quality of life. Three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction provided essential anatomic data, facilitating surgical planning and diagnosis.

METHODS: This study aimed to investigate 15 cases of patients who underwent surgical intervention for orbital fractures. Radiologic outcome assessment used 3D reconstruction measurements of orbital height, length, width, and globe projection, with the contralateral unaffected orbit as the anatomic control. The patient’s perception was evaluated postoperatively using the adverse effects checklist of the FACE-Q Eye Module.

RESULTS: Morphometric analysis demonstrated that orbital dimensions (height, width, and length) were either preserved or restored, exhibiting statistical stability. Preoperative orbital length asymmetry was eliminated postoperatively. However, the globe projection exhibited persistent statistical asymmetries in both the preoperative and postoperative periods compared with the contralateral side control. The patient perception assessment indicated a low frequency and low intensity of self-reported eye-specific adverse effects. The most frequently reported adverse event was ocular irritation.

CONCLUSIONS: Surgical reconstruction has been demonstrated to be an effective procedure for restoring fundamental orbital dimensions. However, the persistent statistical asymmetry in globe projection indicates the challenge in achieving complete normalization of globe position post-trauma. Surgical effectiveness can be complemented by the patient’s perspective to provide a comprehensive evaluation of functional and aesthetic results.

PMID:41911589 | DOI:10.1097/SCS.0000000000012682