Tag: pubmed

J Ultrasound. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1007/s40477-025-01113-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a non-invasive imaging method that does not use ionizing radiation, making it particularly useful for evaluating children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare LUS findings in children and adolescents with asthma exacerbation to those with controlled asthma.

METHODS: A prospective longitudinal observational study was conducted, following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for reporting observational studies.

RESULTS: Among patients with asthma exacerbation, 33 individuals were analyzed, and the study found that 51.5% of children in the exacerbation group had positive ultrasound findings, compared to only 12.1% in the controlled group. The calculated prevalence ratio was 2.27 (95% CI 1.46-3.55), with a p-value of 0.001, indicating a statistically significant difference in ultrasound findings between the two groups.

DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that lung ultrasound may be a useful tool for identifying changes in children with asthma exacerbations. The significantly higher prevalence of positive findings in the exacerbation group (51.5%) compared to the controlled group (12.1%) suggests that LUS has the potential to detect changes associated with asthma exacerbation. Further research, including multicenter studies, is needed to validate these findings.

CONCLUSION: LUS demonstrated a higher prevalence of positive findings during asthma exacerbations, suggesting potential clinical utility as an adjunctive tool in pediatric asthma assessment.

PMID:41619141 | DOI:10.1007/s40477-025-01113-9

Clin Exp Nephrol. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1007/s10157-026-02822-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Clinical nephrology research is increasingly challenged by the need to translate complex patient experiences, emerging biomarkers and treatments, and an expanding methodological tools into improvements in care. Clinical epidemiology provides a bridge between bedside questions and population science; however, its role is often narrowly perceived as clinical statistics rather than as a discipline centered on research conceptualization and design. In this invited review, I reflect on how clinical questions arising from routine nephrology practice can be systematically developed into clinically relevant research through a nephrologist-epidemiologist’s lens. First, drawing on our experience and illustrative examples, I describe how rethinking care processes through established frameworks-such as the structure-process-outcome model-can support clinicians in formulating answerable questions that matter to patients. Second, I expand the lens beyond traditional nephrology to incorporate perspectives from social medicine, emphasizing trust, hope, and patient-reported outcomes as integral components of chronic kidney disease care. Finally, this review highlights how clinical questions can be embedded within clinical research design frameworks to clarify research objectives across diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and etiology. In an era of rapid methodological diversification, the nephrologist-epidemiologist’s unique contribution may lie in cultivating a sharpened lens: the ability to discern relevant clinical questions and sustain deep clinical reasoning. By doing so, clinical epidemiology can continue to guide research that advances comprehensive and patient-centered kidney care.

PMID:41619140 | DOI:10.1007/s10157-026-02822-z

J Prev (2022). 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1007/s10935-026-00902-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Insufficient individual outdoor activity is common among older adults, yet research on the association between individual outdoor activity frequency and all-cause mortality among older adults remains limited. Therefore, we aimed to explore the association between individual outdoor activity frequency and all-cause mortality among older Chinese adults. We conducted a prospective cohort study using data from 8117 participants aged 65 years or above from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). Accelerated failure time (AFT) models were used to assess the longitudinal association between individual outdoor activity frequency and all-cause mortality by using time ratios (TRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses of the association were conducted by age, sex and residence. In addition, sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of main results. During a median follow-up period of 5.11 years, a total of 3893 (47.96%) participants died. Compared with participants who never engaged in individual outdoor activity, those who engaged rarely or sometimes (TR: 1.24, 95% CI: 1.10-1.40) and those who engaged regularly or almost every day (TR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.48-1.70) had a statistically significant longer survival time in the fully adjusted model. Subgroup analyses showed consistent associations in nearly all strata. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of main results. Frequent participation in individual outdoor activity was significantly associated with longer survival time among older Chinese adults. Our findings support encouraging older adults to engage in regular individual outdoor activity for longevity benefits.

PMID:41619132 | DOI:10.1007/s10935-026-00902-0

J Occup Rehabil. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1007/s10926-026-10367-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The National Workplace Psychological Health and Safety Standard (The Standard) recommends the use of a survey developed by Guarding Minds at Work (GM@W). However, its validity remains underexplored. This study has two objectives: (1) to evaluate the psychometric properties of the survey in assessing the Standard dimensions and (2) to examine validity across gender and industry.

METHODS: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was conducted on data from the GM@W survey to evaluate the factor structure and validity of the 13 dimensions. Group comparisons by gender and occupational groups were assessed using t-tests and ANOVA tests.

RESULTS: Across the 13 dimensions, most items demonstrated strong internal consistency and discriminant validity, with physical safety (r = 0.71) and organizational culture (r = 0.68) showing the highest internal consistency. While psychological competencies and physical safety were linked to positive mental health outcomes, challenges with workload management and balance remain prominent, especially for workers in healthcare and education. Group differences were observed, with women and workers in business, trades, and manufacturing reporting better psychosocial outcomes.

DISCUSSION: While the GM@W tool demonstrated internal consistency and improved convergent validity compared to previous versions, significant model misfit was observed across all sectors. High latent correlations and frequent violations of the Fornell-Larcker criterion reveal substantial construct overlap and empirical redundancy. The findings suggest that while individual constructs are reliable, the 13-factor structure faces challenges in achieving empirical distinctiveness. Capturing the diverse psychosocial experiences of a national workforce within a single psychometric instrument remains a complex task.

PMID:41619121 | DOI:10.1007/s10926-026-10367-x

Cogn Res Princ Implic. 2026 Jan 31;11(1):10. doi: 10.1186/s41235-026-00705-1.

ABSTRACT

When individuals collaborate, they often rely on momentary estimates of their own and their partner’s confidence (decision confidence) to guide collective decisions and achieve their goals. Through interaction, these confidence estimates tend to align over time. This process is known as confidence matching. More stable, dispositional trait confidence is also emerging as a key factor shaping the dynamics and outcomes of collaborative action. We examined how trait confidence and type of communication impact the accuracy of dyadic decisions, decision confidence, and the dynamics of decision confidence, including decision-specific confidence matching. In this study, 210 participants completed general knowledge tests individually and collaboratively, forming 105 dyads. The tests were completed under three communication conditions: isolated (no interaction), passive (viewing the partner’s response and numeric confidence rating), and active (verbal discussion). Participants assessed as high-trait or low-trait confidence were allocated to three types of dyads: low-trait (two low-trait members), mixed-trait (one low-trait and one high-trait member), or high-trait (two high-trait members) confidence dyads. Statistically controlling for cognitive ability, trait confidence moderated decision accuracy and decision confidence gains: dyads with mixed-trait or high-trait confidence showed greater decision accuracy improvements in the active than the passive communication condition compared to their individual decisions. Whereas low-trait confidence dyads benefited equally from active and passive communication. Collaboration increased decision confidence overall, especially for high-trait confidence dyads under active communication. Decision-specific confidence matching occurred rapidly in both passive and active communication but predicted decision accuracy gains only in the passive condition where participants had limited social information. Although active verbal communication led to the greatest overall decision accuracy, these gains were not driven by decision-specific confidence matching. Our findings highlight the critical role of trait confidence in shaping collaborative outcomes in dyads and extend previous research by showing that decision-specific confidence matching occurs naturally during verbal communication. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: When two people collaborate to make decisions, we often assume that “two heads are better than one.” However, the benefits of dyadic decision-making depend on how effectively group members share and interpret their confidence in judgments. Our study highlights trait confidence, an individual’s stable tendency to express confidence, as a critical yet often overlooked factor that shapes the success of dyadic decisions. We found that trait confidence moderates dyadic improvements in both decision accuracy and decision confidence. Importantly, the effectiveness of dyadic collaboration depends on the type of communication: verbal discussions maximized accuracy gains for dyads with high or mixed levels of trait confidence, whereas simpler, non-verbal exchanges were sufficient for low-trait confidence dyads. Additionally, we demonstrated that dyad members naturally align their levels of confidence (a process known as confidence matching) during verbal discussions. This extends prior research showing that the language used to express confidence becomes more similar over time and that confidence matching has previously been observed only under artificial, numeric rating contexts. These insights enhance our understanding of how individual differences in trait confidence and communication modes influence collaborative decisions, providing practical guidance for effectively structuring collaborative interactions and pairing partners in applied settings.

PMID:41619118 | DOI:10.1186/s41235-026-00705-1

Support Care Cancer. 2026 Jan 31;34(2):150. doi: 10.1007/s00520-026-10342-5.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of chemotherapy, affecting more than half of cancer patients. This scoping review aimed to summarize the incidence and factors associated with falls in patients with CIPN and to visually map the distribution of existing evidence, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the development of preventive measures and intervention strategies.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP Information (CQVIP), and Wan Fang Data. The search included articles published from database inception to August 16, 2024. To enhance the synthesis of evidence, a bubble plot-based evidence map was constructed.

RESULTS: A total of 11,649 records were identified, of which 19 studies were included. Most were quantitative non-randomized studies (n = 17): eight achieved a quality rating of 100%, eight scored 80%, and one scored 60%. Two studies were quantitative descriptive (one scored 80% and one scored 40%). Sixteen studies reported the incidence of fallers among CIPN patients, ranging from 5.6% to 57.4%. Seventeen studies examined fall-related factors in CIPN, which were categorized into 11 groups. Within the evidence map, high-quality and high-OR evidence was observed for CIPN symptoms/severity, advanced or unknown cancer stage, and chronic liver disease. CIPN-related factors were the most frequently reported, followed by demographic factors, suggesting that these domains, particularly those with both high quality and high OR, should be prioritized as targets for future intervention strategies. The adjusted odds ratios (ORs) ranged from 0.997 to 2.67.

CONCLUSION: Falls are common among patients with CIPN, with high-quality evidence primarily concentrated in the domains of CIPN-related burden, demographic and clinical characteristics of participants, and comorbidities. Future research should (1) conduct multicenter prospective longitudinal cohort studies with time-updated measurements of CIPN and treatment exposures, using standardized definitions of falls and observation windows; (2) strengthen outcome measurement by following COSMIN/Delphi recommendations, including the development of a gold-standard CIPN scale, specification of assessor qualifications, standardized training, and reporting of inter-rater reliability; and (3) re-examine currently unadjusted signals within rigorously controlled multivariable models.

PMID:41619098 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-026-10342-5

Metab Brain Dis. 2026 Jan 31;41(1):24. doi: 10.1007/s11011-026-01789-w.

ABSTRACT

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent difficulties in social communication and interaction, together with restricted and repetitive behaviors, interests, or activities. The diagnosis of ASD currently relies on comprehensive assessments of developmental history and behavioral patterns, as there are no validated laboratory tests for a definitive clinical diagnosis. While evidence-based interventions are largely restricted to educational and behavioral programs, many individuals with ASD and their caregivers explore complementary approaches, including dietary interventions. Among these, the gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet is one of the most frequently adopted strategies. A leading hypothesis posits that those increased concentrations of opioid peptides such as gluteomorphin and caseomorphin derived from the incomplete digestion of gluten and casein may contribute to the severity of ASD symptoms. It is further suggested that eliminating these dietary proteins could reduce opioid peptide concentrations in biofluids and improve clinical outcomes. The present systematic review was created by reviewers who searched PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, covering the period from January 1980 to March 2025. The search strategy combined standardized keywords and Medical Subject Headings terms. The search strategy included a combination of keywords commonly used in the literature to represent ASD, opioid peptides, and GFCF diets. A systematic literature search was carried out on PubMed and Web of Science and a total of 17 articles were included. Although preliminary findings from clinical and laboratory studies are promising, conclusive evidence regarding the efficacy of the GFCF diet remains lacking. This review aims to synthesize current findings on the relationship between opioid peptides and ASD, with a particular focus on the neurological effects of food-derived peptides and their potential role in therapeutic dietary interventions.

PMID:41619084 | DOI:10.1007/s11011-026-01789-w

Anat Sci Int. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1007/s12565-026-00918-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Although previous research has examined the first lumbar (L1) vertebra for sex estimation, studies focusing on its role in age estimation have been limited. This study expands on earlier work by investigating the morphological variations in shape and size of the L1 vertebra across different age groups within the Malaysian population. A sample of 440 abdominal CT images was collected from the Radiology Department at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. These images included adults aged 18 to 80, who visited the department in 2019. Twenty-seven 3D landmarks were marked on each L1 vertebra using digitized 3D CT scan images. Statistical analyses were performed using a geometric morphometric approach to evaluate age-related variations in the shape and size of the L1 vertebra. Principal Component Analysis identified 74 shape variables describing the shape of the L1 vertebra, with the first five principal components explaining 38.27% of the variance. The Canonical Variate Analysis scatter plot showed slight separation among the confidence ellipses for the three age groups, with significant p-values (p < 0.001). Procrustes ANOVA revealed significant differences in both the size and shape of the L1 vertebra across all age groups. Additionally, multivariate regression of shape on continuous age revealed a significant, biologically meaningful pattern (R² = 0.022, p = 0.001). This study shows that the size and shape of the L1 vertebra differ across various age groups. In elderly individuals, the L1 vertebra is characterized by longer spinous processes and shorter, flatter vertebral bodies. Conversely, younger individuals tend to have L1 vertebrae with shorter transverse spinous processes and taller vertebral bodies.

PMID:41619075 | DOI:10.1007/s12565-026-00918-w

Int Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 31;46(1):91. doi: 10.1007/s10792-026-03961-8.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of various types of topical anesthesia prior intravitreal injection in an effort to lessen adverse effects such as pain and subconjunctival bleeding.

METHODS: This randomized controlled study included 239 patients. All patients were randomly assigned to either receive: (1) Lidocaine gel 3% (Anaesthetic BL 3% gel), (2) Lidocaine gel 10% (Anaesthetic BL 10% gel), (3) Oxybuprocaine 0.4% eye drops (Localin), (4) Tetracaine HCl 1%, eye drops (Tetracaine) (5) A combined Oxybuprocaine 0.4% eye drops (Localin) and an ice patch. Patients’ discomfort, itching, burning and pain (using Visual Analog Scale), and bleeding size (using images) were measured one and ten minutes post-injection. Tolerability was calculated by averaging patients’ pain, discomfort, itching, and burning scores.

RESULTS: In the one- and ten-minute post-injection analyses, the groups receiving Tetracaine (0.60 ± 0.63, 0.50 ± 0.61) and the combined Oxybuprocaine and ice patch anesthesia (0.55 ± 0.66, 0.38 ± 0.58) had the lowest mean tolerability scores. In most parameters (discomfort burning, and pain scores) the Tetracaine and the combined Oxybuprocaine and ice patch anesthesia demonstrated the lowest mean scores. All subjective criteria assessed by the surgeon immediately following the injection were not found to be significantly different at any group, such as movements during injection (p = 0.19), complaints during injection (p = 0.56), complaints following injection (p = 0.21). Bleeding size (area or circumference) was not statistical different between groups.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a considerable reduction in pain and overall tolerability with Tetracaine or a combination of ice patch and Oxybuprocaine anesthesia. These findings may lessen patients’ discomfort and improve their tolerance.

PMID:41619065 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-026-03961-8

Cancer Causes Control. 2026 Jan 31;37(3):39. doi: 10.1007/s10552-026-02135-2.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the screening outcomes and cost of patient navigation (PN) to improve colorectal cancer (CRC) screening uptake of stool-based tests and colonoscopies in a safety net setting.

METHODS: We conducted a quantitative assessment of a PN program at MedStar, a nonprofit hospital system based in the Washington, DC area. We collected and analyzed data for the 2023 calendar year on sociodemographic characteristics of patients, screening test completion, barriers to screening, and the labor and non-labor costs of the PN program. The main outcome measures for this study included the number of patients navigated, overall screening uptake and follow-up procedure completion rates. We also calculated the cost of the PN program, the average cost per person navigated, and the cost per patient who completed a screening or follow-up procedure.

RESULTS: MedStar’s PN program navigated 1,287 patients, of whom 77.5% were reached and 43.5% completed screening or follow-up procedures. Another 20.9% of persons navigated were still in the process of completing screening or follow-up colonoscopies (e.g., awaiting appointments). The most common barriers reported were challenges related to bowel preparation (25.3%) and comorbidities (13.7%). The average cost per person to deliver navigation was $209.83, while the average cost per patient successfully navigated to complete procedures was $482.23.

CONCLUSION: PN is effective in increasing CRC screening and follow-up and this improvement can be achieved at a reasonable cost in safety net settings. Future research should investigate approaches to reach all patients referred for navigation and optimal approaches to address patient barriers.

PMID:41619063 | DOI:10.1007/s10552-026-02135-2