Tag: pubmed

Atherosclerosis. 2026 Jul 25;420:121859. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2026.121859. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mosaic loss of chromosome Y (mLOY) is the most common acquired somatic mutation in men and has been linked to multiple age-related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. However, its association with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD) remains poorly understood. We aimed to investigate the relationship between hematopoietic mLOY and incident symptomatic PAD in a large population-based male cohort.

METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal cohort study including 171 698 male participants from the UK Biobank who were free of PAD history. mLOY was assessed using leukocyte-derived genotyping data and modelled separately in three forms: binary (No/Yes), three level (No/Moderate/Substantial), and continuous (per 1-SD increase). Cox proportional-hazards models were used to analyze the association between mLOY and incident symptomatic PAD. Restricted cubic spline models were applied to evaluate nonlinear relationships. We also examined the joint associations and potential interactions between mLOY and genetic susceptibility (PAD polygenic risk score), smoking status, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP), diabetes and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 15.3 years, 3785 participants developed symptomatic PAD. In fully adjusted Cox models, each SD increase in mLOY percentage was associated with 5% increased risk of incident symptomatic PAD (HR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02-1.07). Similarly, mLOY defined as ≥10% mLOY was associated with 37% increased risk of symptomatic PAD (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.18-1.60). No statistically significant interactions were observed between mLOY and PAD genetic susceptibility, smoking status, CHIP status, or eGFR (all P for interaction >0.05). However, a significant interaction was observed between mLOY and diabetes status (P for interaction = 0.013), with a stronger association observed among participants without diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS: Hematopoietic mLOY is associated with an increased risk of incident symptomatic PAD in men, independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Assessement of mLOY status may therefore have the potential to improve PAD risk stratification and identify high-risk individuals who would benefit most from early lifestyle modifications and preventive pharamacological treatments.

PMID:42508147 | DOI:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2026.121859

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2026 Jul 17;270:109579. doi: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2026.109579. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Spinal metastatic disease incidence has increased due to advances in radiation and chemotherapy that improve survival. Surgical treatment includes separation surgery, for decompression of neural elements from the tumor to allow for post-operative stereotactic radiation versus maximal tumor resection via corpectomy. Data is mixed on whether more invasive corpectomy for tumor resection provides significant benefit over less invasive separation surgery.

METHODS: A retrospective review of 100 consecutive patients was performed, 60 underwent corpectomy and 40 were treated with instrumented separation surgery. Demographics, tumor characteristics, clinical and radiographic data, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS: Both groups had similar baseline characteristics in terms of age, cancer type, and preoperative function. Postoperatively, both groups had similar functional outcomes while corpectomy was associated with a significant correction (p = 0.02) in kyphosis by 4 ° compared to separation surgery which was neutral (0 °). The median overall survival did not significantly differ between the two groups. Poor neurologic function was associated with shorter survival. Reoperation rate did not statistically differ between the two groups. The separation surgery group had a higher rate of reoperation for tumor progression, but it did not reach significance (p = 0.057).

CONCLUSION: Compared to separation surgery, corpectomy offers similar functional outcomes with improved segmental kyphosis correction, with possible survival benefit. However, this comes at the cost of added surgical complexity, reflected in greater operative time and need for transfusion. In the right candidate, corpectomy may be favored due to improved anterior column reconstruction and reduced oncologic burden.

PMID:42508137 | DOI:10.1016/j.clineuro.2026.109579

Food Chem. 2026 Jul 22;525(Pt 3):150497. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.150497. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Conventional coffee production faces sustainability challenges. Coffee cell cultures (CC) are a promising alternative coffee raw material. This study investigated the composition of CC in comparison to conventional green coffee beans (GB) using untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics approaches. The lipid content (g/100 g) of GB was approximately four times higher than that of CC with triglycerides as the predominant lipid class identified followed by diterpenes. Additionally, differences were observed in the diterpene profiles of CC and GB. CC accumulated more thiamine and choline but lower contents of caffeine, trigonelline, and alpha-tocopherol compared to GB. The detected carbohydrates of statistical significance between CC and GB were mostly monosaccharides. This study provides information on the bioactive metabolites in CC, demonstrates the possibility of tailor-made coffee products from CC, and encourages further optimization of the production process of CC to enable development of sustainable, healthy coffee beverages for the future.

PMID:42508117 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2026.150497

Nurse Educ Pract. 2026 Jul 16;95:104932. doi: 10.1016/j.nepr.2026.104932. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To translate, culturally and linguistically adapt and validate the psychometric properties of the Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing Instrument, for the Portuguese cultural context.

BACKGROUND: The integration of caring practices with technological and informatics knowledge is central to advancing nursing and requires a refined understanding of the interaction between human care and technology-enabled practice. In this context, the importance of an instrument capable of assessing technological competence in nursing care becomes evident. The Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing Instrument (TCCNI-RePract), evaluates this competence across two dimensions: perception and practice.

DESIGN: The study followed a two-phase design consisting of qualitative translation and quantitative psychometric validation phases.

METHODS: This methodological, exploratory, cross-sectional study evaluated the psychometric properties of the TCCNI-RePract in a Portuguese sample (n = 257, non-random). Transcultural adaptation followed established guidelines to assess the instrument’s validity, reliability and sensitivity. Descriptive statistics, Cronbach’s alpha and factor analysis were performed.

RESULTS: The Portuguese version of the TCCNI_RePract instrument consists of two scales: an 18-item Perception dimension and a 21-item Practice dimension, both organized within a three-factor model that explains 54% and 62% of the total variance, respectively. The Perception and Practice dimensions demonstrated high internal consistency, with Cronbach’s alpha values of 0.89 and 0.94.

CONCLUSION: The instrument demonstrates strong psychometric properties to assess technological competence as caring in nursing and can be used as a reliable and effective measure in the Portuguese health system.

PMID:42508113 | DOI:10.1016/j.nepr.2026.104932

Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2026 Jul 27;322:120566. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2026.120566. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intelligence quotient (IQ) plays a significant role in assessing neurodevelopment. However, the effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenols or air pollution on intelligence quotient in preschool children remain unclear.

METHODS: A total of 231 mother-child pairs were from Guangxi Zhuang Birth Cohort. Single- and multiple-pollution methods were performed to examine the effects of prenatal exposure to bisphenols and air pollutants on IQ in preschool children, including generalized linear models, restricted cubic spline (RCS), principal component analysis (PCA), quantile G-computation (Qgcomp), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR).

RESULTS: In generalized linear model, prenatal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) (β=-3.55; 95%CI: -7.04, -0.06) and bisphenol F (BPF) (β=-12.68; 95%CI: -21.31, -4.05) was negatively associated with working memory index (WMI) in preschool children. Similarly, prenatal tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) exposure was associated with lower verbal comprehension index (VCI) (β=-4.23; 95%CI: -7.90, -0.57), FRI (β=-5.59; 95%CI: -9.88, -1.30), WMI (β=-5.40; 95%CI: -9.47, -1.32), processing speed index (PSI) (β=-4.79; 95%CI: -9.25, -0.33), and full-scale IQ (FSIQ) (β=-4.38; 95%CI: -7.92, -0.84). Among air pollution, higher O₃ exposure was correlated with lower VCI (β=-138.44; 95%CI: -198.55, -78.34), visuospatial index (VSI) (β=-64.41; 95%CI: -126.53, -2.29), WMI (β=-93.59; 95%CI: -162.67, -24.50), and FSIQ (β=-114.85; 95%CI: -173.79, -55.92). Furthermore, prenatal exposure to PM_2.5 and PM₁₀ was correlated with decreased VCI (PM_2.5: β=-45.64; 95%CI: -82.77, -8.51 and PM₁₀: -61.85; 95%CI: -107.36, -16.35) and FSIQ (PM_2.5: β=-49.76; 95%CI: -85.57,-13.95 and PM₁₀: β=-60.23; 95%CI: -104.28, -16.19). After gender stratification, the above effects were more significant in boys. In Bayesian kernel machine regression, prenatal exposure to the mixtures of 10 pollutants (5 bisphenols and 5 air pollutants) or 5 air pollution components was associated with less VCI, VSI, WMI, and FSIQ, and an inverted U-shaped association was found between these mixtures and FRI.

CONCLUSIONS: Prenatal exposure to both single and mixed bisphenols and air pollutants may decrease the IQ of preschool children. These adverse effects appear to be more pronounced in boys and exhibit a nonlinear exposure-response relationship. This work offers epidemiological support for public health interventions that reduce co-exposure to multiple pollutants during pregnancy.

PMID:42508106 | DOI:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2026.120566

Int Orthod. 2026 Jul 27;24(4):101217. doi: 10.1016/j.ortho.2026.101217. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the surface morphology and time-dependent antimicrobial effectiveness of antibiotic-loaded silver and gold nanoparticle coatings, with or without polyethylene glycol, applied to anodized titanium orthodontic mini-implants.

METHODS: Twenty-eight Ti-6Al-4V mini-implants (ARROW) were divided into four groups: Ti-AgNP-PEG-CM (Group A), Ti-AgNP-CM (Group B), Ti-AuNP-PEG-CM (Group C), and Ti-AuNP-CM (Group D). After anodization and SILAR nanoparticle deposition, the surface morphology was examined by HR-SEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM), the chemical composition was analysed by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and crystallographic phase characterisation was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis was quantitatively evaluated at 6, 24, 48, and 72hours using a standard colony-forming unit (CFU/mL) assay. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: PEG-containing groups demonstrated lower surface roughness on AFM and more homogeneous surface morphology on SEM. XRD suggest crystalline fcc nanoparticle deposition in respective groups. ATR-FTIR spectra showed characteristic bands attributable to PEG (1070-1110cm^-1) and clindamycin-related functional groups (600-3400cm^-1) across the coated groups. Group C achieved the lowest average colony counts for both S. aureus. Coating over time showed a significant interaction (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Ti-AuNP-PEG-CM demonstrated the most effective antibacterial performance against both test organisms throughout the 72-hour evaluation period. Although direct drug-release kinetics were not measured in this study, PEG emerged as an important formulation factor across nanoparticle types. These findings support further in vivo evaluation of PEG-based nanocomposite coatings to reduce early peri-implant bacterial colonization.

PMID:42508092 | DOI:10.1016/j.ortho.2026.101217

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2026 Jul 27. doi: 10.1002/jmri.70466. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Erectile dysfunction (ED) and anxiety have a well-documented bidirectional relationship, with anxiety affecting up to 37% of men with ED. While vascular and endocrine mechanisms are well studied, the central nervous system underpinnings linking anxiety to psychogenic ED (pED) remain unclear.

PURPOSE: To delineate the neural circuitry through which anxiety potentiates erectile dysfunction.

STUDY TYPE: Retrospective case-control study.

POPULATION: About 62 male patients (Age: 45.4 ± 12.3) with confirmed pED and 64 age- and education-matched healthy male controls (Age: 46.1 ± 14.7).

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3.0 T; T2*-weighted gradient-echo echo-planar imaging sequence.

ASSESSMENT: Task-based fMRI was performed using the Hariri picture-matching task with negative and neutral emotional stimuli; state anxiety was measured with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and erectile dysfunction severity was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF); all assessments were conducted by trained research staff following standardized protocols.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Whole-brain activation analysis, seed-based Granger causality mapping, and serial mediation analysis were conducted, with significance set at p < 0.05 and family-wise error correction for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS: pED patients showed significant hypoactivation in the right amygdala and occipital cortex during negative emotion processing. In the pED group, amygdala activation significantly correlated with state anxiety (r = -0.54) and ED severity (r = -0.53). Medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) was identified as the primary upstream regulator of amygdala activity. Elevated state anxiety showed both direct and indirect statistical associations on erectile function via the mPFC-amygdala pathway.

CONCLUSION: Dysfunction of the mPFC-amygdala circuit is associated with the relationship between state anxiety and pED. This circuit represents a novel therapeutic target for pED management.

STAGE OF TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

PMID:42508052 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.70466

Przegl Epidemiol. 2026 Jun 19;80(1):133-148. doi: 10.32394/pe/217294. Epub 2026 Mar 12.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Condom use effectively prevents sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies, and reduces psychological distress associated with concerns about the consequences of sexual activity.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to develop and conduct an initial psychometric evaluation of the Condom Sabotage Victimisation Scale (CSVS-5), a measure designed to capture non-consensual and coercive experiences in which individuals are persuaded or forced to engage in sexual intercourse without condom use.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We developed an eight-item preliminary scale based on a literature review of condom use resistance (CUR) tactics. Data were collected in Poland in May 2025 as part of the POLARES project. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Of 1,265 respondents, 767 adults who had been sexually active in the past 12 months met the inclusion criteria. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on a test subsample, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on a verification subsample.

RESULTS: Analyses supported a single-factor model of the CSVS-5, comprising five items with statistically significant standardised regression weights (p < 0.001; CFA loadings 0.598-0.962). The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.900). The total score ranges from 0 to 15, with higher values indicating greater victimisation. The mean score for the total sample was 0.45 (SD = 1.86), with means of 0.38 (SD = 1.79) for women and 0.61 (SD = 1.99) for men (p = 0.003). Gender differences unfavourable to women were observed among individuals not in a stable relationship.

CONCLUSIONS: The Condom Sabotage Victimisation Scale (CSVS-5) is a five-item instrument with robust psychometric properties. Its brevity renders it particularly suitable for use in multifaceted observational epidemiological studies, as well as in intervention research focused on STI/HIV prevention and sexual violence.

PMID:42508049 | DOI:10.32394/pe/217294

Int Endod J. 2026 Jul 27. doi: 10.1111/iej.70242. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Condensing osteitis is a radiopaque periapical condition associated with chronic low-grade inflammatory stimuli of endodontic origin. Despite being frequently observed in dental practice, its reported prevalence varies considerably due to methodological and diagnostic inconsistencies across studies.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of condensing osteitis in dentate populations undergoing radiographic examination.

METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science and Embase up to March 2026. Observational studies reporting the prevalence of condensing osteitis were included. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. A random-effects meta-analysis with logit transformation was applied. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted and certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE.

RESULTS: Ten studies including 17 285 individuals were analysed. Based on patient-level data, the pooled prevalence of condensing osteitis was 3.9% (95% CI: 2.8%-4.9%). Substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 96%). Subgroup analyses based on age and diagnostic criteria did not explain the heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings. No evidence of publication bias was detected (Egger’s test, p = 0.761). The overall certainty of evidence was rated as very low.

CONCLUSIONS: Condensing osteitis is a radiographically detectable periapical finding with an estimated prevalence of approximately 4%. However, variability in diagnostic criteria and study methodologies limits the reliability of prevalence estimates. Standardised diagnostic definitions and improved methodological consistency are needed in future research.

REGISTRATION: International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO): CRD420261354628.

PMID:42508034 | DOI:10.1111/iej.70242

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2026 Jul 27. doi: 10.1002/jmri.70441. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced cardiac remodeling (EICR) may share features with early cardiomyopathy, thereby rendering differentiation challenging with conventional imaging modalities. Identification of novel imaging biomarkers would be useful. Given that intracardiac hemodynamics is closely associated with EICR, its assessment may hold clinical importance. Four-dimensional flow MRI (4D Flow MRI) enables quantification of ventricular flow components, which may provide a complementary hemodynamic perspective alongside conventional structural and functional assessment.

PURPOSE: To characterize biventricular intracardiac flow components in marathon athletes and examine their associations with cardiac structural remodeling.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective.

POPULATION: Fifty-one marathon athletes and 51 age- and sex-matched sedentary controls.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Steady state free precession cine and 4D Flow MRI sequences at 3.0 T.

ASSESSMENT: Left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volumes, myocardial mass, cardiac function, geometry indices, and intracardiac flow components (direct flow, delayed ejection, retained inflow, and residual volume) were quantified and compared between athletes and controls. Exploratory path modeling was used to examine hypothesized relationships among group (athletes vs. controls), cardiac structure, and intracardiac hemodynamics after adjustment for age and sex.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Univariable analysis; Correlation analysis; Exploratory path modeling. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS: Compared with controls, athletes exhibited significantly lower direct flow in both ventricles (LV: 28.18% ± 7.93% vs. 31.68% ± 6.24%; RV: 29.90% ± 7.04% vs. 33.60% ± 8.33%) and significantly higher residual volume (LV: 25.92% ± 5.30% vs. 22.02% ± 5.24%; RV: 32.45% ± 6.72% vs. 25.38% ± 6.50%). Multiple significant associations were observed between biventricular flow components and cardiac structural/functional metrics. In the path model, all path coefficients were significant and remained so after age/sex adjustment.

CONCLUSION: EICR may involve an intracardiac hemodynamic phenotype characterized primarily by decreased direct flow and increased residual volume. Both of these hemodynamic features are coupled with cardiac structural remodeling.

EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2.

TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

PMID:42508032 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.70441