Tag: pubmed

Schizophr Bull. 2026 Aug 20;52(5):sbag077. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbag077.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Positive and negative symptoms are core features of schizophrenia and key indicators of antipsychotic efficacy. We aimed to explore the relationship between antipsychotic doses and changes in positive/negative symptoms.

STUDY DESIGN: We reviewed the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group register (updated on July-26-2024) and prior systematic reviews to identify fixed-dose randomized controlled trials that assessed the monotherapy effects of 21 antipsychotic drugs in acute schizophrenia. The primary outcome measure was the average change in positive and negative symptoms from the studies’ baseline to endpoint, calculated using standard mean differences as the effect size metric. Dose-response relationships were analyzed using random-effects meta-analyses with restricted cubic splines.

STUDY RESULTS: Finally, a total of 165 studies were identified. 112 studies with 385 dose arms (37 096 participants) reported positive or negative symptoms and were evaluated in meta-analyses. Most antipsychotics showed parallel dose-response curves for positive and negative symptoms, with a smaller magnitude of effect on negative symptoms-except a few drugs, in particular partial dopamine agonists which had at least equal effect sizes for positive and negative symptoms. In most cases both curves declined until reaching an inflection point, then plateaued or efficacy decreased.

CONCLUSIONS: The effects of antipsychotics on negative symptoms are smaller than those on positive symptoms, at least in studies of mostly acutely exacerbated patients. Nevertheless, the dose-response curves for both types of symptoms are relatively parallel. This information can assist clinicians in dosing antipsychotics and has implications for the understanding of the antipsychotic mechanism.

PMID:42667248 | DOI:10.1093/schbul/sbag077

Schizophr Bull. 2026 Aug 20;52(5):sbag147. doi: 10.1093/schbul/sbag147.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND HYPOTHESIS: Individuals with schizophrenia are at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and diabetes-related complications. Whether the detection of hyperglycemia in individuals with schizophrenia is followed by timely clinical action remains insufficiently understood. We hypothesized that glucose-lowering drug (GLD) treatment would be initiated later in individuals with schizophrenia with elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) than in matched individuals without schizophrenia, and that this delay would be reflected in worse HbA1c trajectories.

STUDY DESIGN: We identified all individuals with schizophrenia aged ≥30 years at the time of the first elevated HbA1c (≥48 mmol/mol) in nationwide Danish registers. These individuals were matched on age, sex, year of elevated HbA1c, and baseline HbA1c with up to five individuals without schizophrenia. In the year following the detection of elevated HbA1c, we compared time to GLD treatment between individuals with and without schizophrenia using a Cox proportional hazard model. Mean HbA1c levels over time were illustrated graphically and compared using linear mixed-effects models.

STUDY RESULTS: We identified 1527 individuals with schizophrenia and 7492 matched comparison individuals. In the year following detection of elevated HbA1c, schizophrenia was associated with a slower rate of GLD treatment initiation (hazard rate ratio [HRR] = 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-0.94). Consistently, HbA1c decreased more slowly among individuals with schizophrenia. Notably, schizophrenia was associated with a slower rate of GLD treatment initiation among males (HRR = 0.82, 95%CI: 0.74-0.90) but not females (HRR = 0.99, 95%CI: 0.87-1.11).

CONCLUSIONS: Schizophrenia was associated with a slower rate of GLD treatment initiation and slower reductions in HbA1c following detection of elevated HbA1c, particularly among males.

PMID:42667247 | DOI:10.1093/schbul/sbag147

J Vis Exp. 2026 Aug 28;(234). doi: 10.3791/71709.

ABSTRACT

Cellular behaviour and morphology are usually influenced by various intra- and extracellular factors in a microbial community. Different approaches available to study microbial communication could be tedious and/or require specialised facilities and expertise. Here, two complementary contactless co-culture approaches are described, the membrane insert well plate co-culture assay and the Cell-Free Supernatant (CFS)-based assay, which are based on morphological transition as a measurable response to investigate the role of various factors in a given inter-species interaction. The membrane insert well plate system, while permitting diffusion of extracellular molecules, allows real-time interaction between physically separated species. In comparison, the CFS-based assay provides a simplified, scalable approach for evaluating responses to conditioned media. The protocol presented here includes standardized procedures for culture preparation, generation of conditioned supernatants, assay setup, microscopy, image acquisition, quantitative morphometric analysis using Fiji, and statistical evaluation. This has been demonstrated with an example of fungal morphological response to intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The methods presented here offer accessible and adaptable alternative tools for studying novel microbial interactions in a community, and could be readily extendable to investigate mechanisms underlying multi-species co-existence in a community.

PMID:42667226 | DOI:10.3791/71709

J Vis Exp. 2026 Aug 28;(234). doi: 10.3791/72116.

ABSTRACT

Compound acid chemical peeling is widely used to treat acne vulgaris (AV), but the biological mechanisms underlying its clinical effects remain incompletely understood. We hypothesized that compound acid chemical peeling would improve acne severity and would be associated with changes in the skin microbiome and a reduction in local inflammatory responses in patients with moderate AV. This study aimed to investigate the clinical, microbiological, and inflammatory effects of compound acid peeling in this population. We carried out a prospective, split‑face, randomized trial enrolling 30 patients with moderate AV. One hemiface received compound acid peeling twice weekly for 3 weeks (6 total sessions), followed by a 9‑week observation period. The contralateral hemiface received no treatment for the first 3 weeks and then underwent the same peeling protocol for 3 weeks, with a 6‑week follow‑up. Outcome measures included the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS), patient self‑assessment, standardized facial imaging, skin biopsy with immunohistochemistry, bacterial DNA extraction, PCR amplification, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Patients showed a statistically significant improvement in GAGS scores (P < 0.001). Facial imaging analysis revealed reductions in redness and porphyrin readings. Immunohistochemical staining for interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-6, IL-17, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) was reduced. Skin microbiome alpha diversity decreased, with a notable decrease in the relative abundance of Staphylococcus (P < 0.05). Throughout the study, no adverse events were reported. Compound acid peeling was effective and well-tolerated during the observation period and was associated with changes in the skin microbiome and local inflammatory marker staining.

PMID:42667203 | DOI:10.3791/72116

J Vis Exp. 2026 Aug 28;(234). doi: 10.3791/71894.

ABSTRACT

Short-term associations of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)-enriched oral nutritional supplementation (ONS) with hematological, nutritional, and immune-inflammatory outcomes were evaluated in a retrospective cohort of 87 malnourished or nutritionally at-risk patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. During a 3-week observation period, 46 patients received omega-3 PUFA-enriched ONS plus dietary counseling, whereas 41 received dietary counseling alone. The groups differed at baseline in tumor site, body-weight status, and recent weight loss, whereas oncological treatment category and supportive treatment did not differ statistically. Unadjusted change analyses showed a smaller decline in neutrophil (NE) count in the ONS group (P for Δ = 0.007), whereas between-group differences in white blood cell (WBC) and platelet (PLT) changes were not statistically significant. The larger reductions in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) in the control group coincided with greater declines in NE and PLT and were therefore not interpreted as evidence of an anti-inflammatory benefit. In linear regression models adjusted for the corresponding baseline value, tumor site, and weight-loss status, ONS receipt was associated with higher week-3 body weight (adjusted difference, 1.49 kg; 95% CI, 0.58-2.39; P = 0.002), body mass index (BMI) (0.51 kg/m²; 95% CI, 0.19-1.02; P = 0.002), WBC (1.08 × 10⁹/L; 95% CI, 0.24-1.92; P = 0.012), and NE count (0.97 × 10⁹/L; 95% CI, 0.30-1.64; P = 0.005). Adjusted NLR was also higher in the ONS group (adjusted difference, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.07-1.13; P = 0.028), whereas PLT, C-reactive protein (CRP), PLR, SII, albumin (ALB), and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) did not differ significantly. Thus, receipt of omega-3 PUFA-enriched ONS was associated with a potential myeloprotective effect and more favorable short-term weight outcomes, but not with a consistent reduction in systemic inflammation.

PMID:42667193 | DOI:10.3791/71894

Eur J Oral Sci. 2026 Aug 29:e70136. doi: 10.1111/eos.70136. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This systematic review investigated the osteogenic effects of platelet concentrate (PRF/PRP) when combined with non-autogenous graft materials in sinus lift procedures. Key characteristics assessed included platelet concentration, total platelet dose, leukocyte content, and fibrin-network structure. A comprehensive search of EMBASE OvidSP, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library was conducted in April 2026, resulting in the inclusion of 25 articles. Studies were broadly categorized according to whether they reported enhanced osteogenic outcomes or not: positive studies (n = 15) and negative studies (n = 10). A key finding is that positive studies used a higher total platelet dose than negative studies (8.02 × 10⁹ vs. 3.67 × 10⁹). A subgroup meta-analysis of eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that the five high-dose studies, using approx. ≥10 × 10⁹ platelets, demonstrated a significant increase in new bone formation (effect size: 1.04; p < 0.01). In contrast, the three low-dose studies showed a modest but nonsignificant effect (effect size: 0.49; p = 0.355). However, the difference between the two subgroups was not statistically significant. Available evidence suggests that higher platelet doses, particularly around ≥10 × 10⁹ platelets, may be associated with more favorable osteogenic outcomes. However, this dose should not be interpreted as a clinically validated threshold.

PMID:42667174 | DOI:10.1111/eos.70136

J Rural Health. 2026 Jun;42(3):e70218. doi: 10.1111/jrh.70218.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Increasing population longevity has led to greater demand for home and community-based services (HCBS) to assist older adults as an alternative to institutional care. Despite the recognized benefits of HCBS, there are significant differences in their availability and utilization between rural and urban communities. This study aimed to (1) compare rural and urban caregivers of older veterans in terms of searching for and receiving services and (2) examine differences in expressed interest in various service types.

METHODS: Five hundred and eleven older veterans’ caregivers completed an online survey on various HCBS. Rural-Urban Commuting Area codes (RUCA) were utilized to determine rurality, and data were analyzed using chi-squares, t-tests, and logistic regressions.

FINDINGS: There were no differences in service interest between urban and rural caregivers. However, there were differences between the services searched for and those received. Urban caregivers were less likely than rural caregivers to seek respite. Urban caregivers also reported receiving more services than rural caregivers.

CONCLUSION: This study indicates that rural and urban caregivers’ interest in services is similar; however, rural veterans receive fewer HCBS than their urban counterparts. This study highlights potential gaps in the service pathway for rural caregivers. It provides insights into which specific services might benefit from targeted interventions to improve access and utilization for veterans in rural areas. The findings directly inform evidence-based resource allocation, targeted program development, and policy interventions designed to mitigate rural-urban disparities in caregiver support.

PMID:42667160 | DOI:10.1111/jrh.70218

Womens Health (Lond). 2026 Jan-Dec;22:17455057261485000. doi: 10.1177/17455057261485000. Epub 2026 Aug 29.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundGlobally, intimate partner violence and sexual violence (IPV/SV) are prevalent among women and can lead to numerous and overlapping service needs. Co-located service models for IPV/SV aim to reduce burden on survivors and increase timely engagement in services by streamlining access to immediate and longer-term support. These models involve multiple cross-disciplinary partners and require a high level of tailoring and adaptation to the local and agency context. Consequently, fidelity measurement approaches need to be adaptive.ObjectivesThis study redefines co-located IPV/SV centers (e.g., Family Justice Centers) as complex health interventions and applies the form and function matrix advanced within the field of implementation science.DesignThe current study uses cross-sectional data collected as part of a larger formative evaluation testing protocols for an implementation study and outcome evaluation.MethodsA researcher-developed adaptive fidelity survey was administered to agency leaders from six co-located IPV/SV centers to determine the core functions and adaptable forms of co-located service models along with the necessary infrastructural support. Univariate statistics and a descriptive content analysis approach were used to analyze the survey data.ResultsSurvey findings showed that there are core services, partners, infrastructure, and processes that many or most respondents believed to be essential to the functioning of the co-located center. However, respondents also believed that implementation of these elements could vary without diminishing the effectiveness of the model.ConclusionsFindings highlight that there are many ways to accomplish the same function, which underscores the need for a flexible and adaptive measurement approach to capturing fidelity in function and variation in form. This study adds to the research on limitations of fidelity assessment for complex health interventions and suggests focusing on the hypothesized relationships between structural elements of the model and intermediary outcomes.

PMID:42667157 | DOI:10.1177/17455057261485000

J Nurs Manag. 2026;2026(1):e8900636. doi: 10.1155/jonm/8900636.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To examine the associations of interpersonal justice with work engagement and burnout among hospital nurses in Japan, and to test whether job satisfaction moderates these relationships.

DESIGN: A cross-sectional study using structural equation modeling (SEM), grounded in job demands-resources framework.

METHODS: Survey data were collected between 2016 and 2017 from 2773 nurses across 10 Japanese hospitals. Interpersonal justice was operationalized using workplace fairness and gender equality indicators. Work engagement and burnout were measured using study-specific indicators. SEM was used to test direct and moderated pathways, with theoretically justified modifications to the measurement model resulting in acceptable fit (RMSEA = 0.052; CFI = 0.987; TLI = 0.976; SRMR = 0.023).

RESULTS: Interpersonal justice was independently associated with higher work engagement (β = 0.28, p < 0.001) and lower burnout (β = -0.28, p < 0.001). Job satisfaction also predicted both outcomes but did not moderate the effects of interpersonal justice. These findings suggest that fair and equal work environments support nurse well-being regardless of overall job satisfaction.

CONCLUSION: Interpersonal justice represents an important component of healthy work environments that may inform management interventions aimed at strengthening the nursing workforce in Japan and similar contexts.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nurse managers and healthcare leaders can help promote nurse well-being by fostering fair and equal workplace interactions through transparent decision-making, equitable workload allocation and promotion practices, inclusive leadership, and mechanisms for addressing discrimination and unfair treatment. Such efforts may support higher work engagement, lower burnout, and a more sustainable nursing workforce.

PMID:42667141 | DOI:10.1155/jonm/8900636

Inquiry. 2026 Jan-Dec;63:469580261483969. doi: 10.1177/00469580261483969. Epub 2026 Aug 29.

ABSTRACT

Administration of comprehensive geriatric assessment is time-consuming and labor intensive. A new instrument, the Integrated Self-Screening Instrument for Geriatric Health Testing (INSIGHT), was developed to quickly identify common geriatric problems. The present study evaluated the clinimetric properties of the INSIGHT. Content Validity Index (CVI) was measured via expert review. Older adults (≥65 years) attending geriatric outpatient visits for the first time (N=224) completed the INSIGHT. Internal consistency was calculated using McDonald’s ω, greatest lower bound, and Cronbach’s α. Factor structure was evaluated using parallel analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA) based on domain scores. After two rounds of expert review, scale-level CVI/universal agreement was 0.95, and all scale-level CVIs/average were 1.00. Using the INSIGHT, 15.2% of the 224 participants had no potential health problems identified, while 14.3% had one, and over 70% had ≥ two. Internal consistency was good (> 0.8), and EFA confirmed unidimensionality with all domain factor loadings >0.3. The INSIGHT demonstrates good content validity, internal consistency, and unidimensional structure, supporting its reliability for rapid geriatric health screening.

PMID:42667136 | DOI:10.1177/00469580261483969