BioMed, Volume 6, Issue 2 (June 2026) – 5 articles

Background/Objectives: The performance of musical wind instruments imposes significant neuromuscular and biomechanical demands on the stomatognathic system. Depending on the mouthpiece type, wind instruments are divided into four classes, which may have distinct impacts on the instrumentalists’ quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate musicians’ self-perception regarding the impact caused by wind instruments practice on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), jaw functional limitations, and chronic pain. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 71 wind instrumentalists (52% female; mean age 24.16 years; mean practice history of 12.8 years) using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14), the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS), and the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS). Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Musicians in Class 1 (clarinet/saxophone) and Class 4 (transverse flute) reported the worst OHRQoL and chronic pain scores. Orofacial pain in the jaw, temple, or ear was reported by 66% of the participants. Joint sounds (36%) and closed jaw locking (26%) showed a significant association with female gender; however, this relationship is highly confounded by the strong female clustering in Class 4 (85%) and Class 1 (63%). Behavioral and practice habits significantly influenced outcomes: higher daily study duration (mean 170.31 min), the absence of relaxation exercises, and a willingness to endure physical discomfort for technical progress (73.2%) were significantly associated with lower quality of life and greater functional limitations (mastication and mobility). Performance anxiety, warm-up exercises, and practice intensity peaks showed no significant relationships with OHRQoL. Conclusions: Wind instrument practice severely impacts jaw function and musicians’ well-being. These findings underscore the need for interdisciplinary preventive interventions, including targeted ergonomic training, structured rest protocols, and jaw relaxation exercises, alongside oral public health initiatives that recognize wind musicians as an occupationally vulnerable group. Full article

Nodal T-follicular helper cell lymphomas comprise a biologically similar but morphologically diverse family of T-cell neoplasms, including angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, nodal T-follicular helper cell lymphoma, follicular-type, and nodal TFH lymphoma, not otherwise specified. Despite recurrent molecular alterations involving RHOA, IDH2, TET2, and DNMT3A, the diagnosis of TFH lymphomas remains challenging because of their mimicry of other lymphoid neoplasms and reactive lymphadenopathy. A key pitfall is confusion with classical Hodgkin lymphoma, as admixed Epstein–Barr virus-positive large B-cells with Reed–Sternberg cell-like morphology and immunophenotype can be found in TFH lymphomas. Similarly, follicular-type TFH lymphoma is often misclassified as follicular B-cell lymphoma unless T-cell lineage is investigated by immunophenotyping and the absence of BCL2 or BCL6 rearrangement is established. The ‘not otherwise specified’ category should be reserved for cases with proven T-follicular helper immunophenotype but lacks definitive angioimmunoblastic or follicular architecture. Comparing current frameworks, 5th edition of the World Health Organization classification permits rare CD4/CD8 double negative cases, while International Consensus Classification requires CD4 positivity. Some of these distinctions may appear taxonomic as all T-follicular helper T-cell lymphoma subtypes share molecular alterations, prognosis, and treatment approach. However, these classifications are meaningful from the perspective of a histopathologic diagnosis as a wrong diagnosis may lead to ineffective treatment approach. Accurate recognition of these lymphomas prevents misclassification, avoids inappropriate regimens, and ensures eligibility for proper clinical trials. A structured approach integrating morphology, multiparameter immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, and molecular testing provides the best safeguard against diagnostic pitfalls and refines classification across subtypes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiovasc{Citation}ular disease accounts for 50% of chronic kidney disease (CKD) mortality, yet fewer than 40% of patients achieve guideline LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) targets on statins. Injectable lipid-lowering therapies (ILLTs)—PCSK9 inhibitors and inclisiran—offer 50–70% LDL-C reductions but lack comprehensive CKD-specific evidence synthesis. This systematic review evaluated ILLT efficacy, safety, and implementation across kidney function stages including dialysis. Methods: Following PROSPERO registration (CRD42024612594), we searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Google Scholar (1995–August 2025). Two reviewers independently screened studies using PICOS criteria: adults with CKD stages G3-G5, dialysis, or transplant recipients receiving injectable lipid therapies. Primary outcomes were LDL-C percentage change and major adverse cardiovascular events. Quality was assessed using NIH tools. Given heterogeneity, we performed narrative synthesis following SWiM guidance. Results: Eight studies (n = 28,013) met the criteria. The FOURIER trial demonstrated that evolocumab achieved 58–59% LDL-C reductions across kidney function strata (interaction p = 0.77) with preserved cardiovascular benefit (HR 0.82–0.89). Absolute risk reduction was greater in advanced CKD (2.5% vs. 1.7%), reflecting higher baseline rates. Pharmacokinetic studies showed no eGFR-exposure correlation requiring dose adjustment; evolocumab was not removed by haemodialysis. Inclisiran achieved a 67–80% PCSK9 reduction and a 35–58% LDL-C reduction across renal groups, with twice-yearly maintenance dosing. Both classes reduced non-HDL-C (45–50%), apoB (40–45%), and lipoprotein(a) (20–25%). Safety was favourable, with mild injection-site reactions (< 5%); no renal decline signals emerged. Conclusions: Evidence for injectable lipid-lowering therapies in CKD are driven largely by a single large post hoc subgroup analysis (FOURIER) and small phase 1–2 PK/PD studies, with minimal dialysis representation and no transplant data. These agents appear to provide substantial LDL-C reductions across CKD stages G3–G5 without dose adjustment, but cardiovascular and renal outcome data in advanced CKD and dialysis remain limited and should be interpreted cautiously. Full article

Background/Objectives: Influenza, RSV, and SARS-CoV-2 co-circulate and evolve under immune and therapeutic pressures, complicating decision-making for both vaccine formulation and antiviral use. Fragmented, pathogen-specific sequencing approaches limit cross-virus comparability. Methods: We applied a standardized, multiplexed, amplicon-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) workflow to 34 diagnostic specimens (Ct < 35) positive for influenza A/B, RSV-A/B, or SARS-CoV-2. Sequencing libraries were generated and run on an Illumina MiSeq platform (2 × 250 bp). Although the wet-lab workflow is standardized across pathogens, consensus generation and annotation utilized two different analysis environments: Geneious Prime for influenza and MicrobioChek for RSV and SARS-CoV-2. Quality metrics included genome breadth and depth of coverage. Results: Near-complete genomes (mean coverage ≥98%) were recovered for all samples. Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 sequences clustered in clade 6B.1A; A(H3N2) clustered in subclade 3C.2a1b.2a.2; and influenza B belonged to the Victoria lineage V1A.3a.2. RSV sequences were assigned to Nextclade clades A.D.5.1, A.D.1.10, A.D.2.1, and A.D.3 (RSV-A) and to B.D.4.1.3 and B.D.E.1 (RSV-B), consistent with the ON1 (RSV-A) and BA (RSV-B) genotypes prevalent in recent seasons. Clinically relevant mutations included changes in the influenza HA site and neuraminidase substitutions, RSV F-protein polymorphisms, and spike protein substitutions associated with recent Omicron sublineages (L455F/S, F456L) in SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: A unified amplicon–NGS approach yields harmonized genomic data across respiratory viruses, enabling timely detection of antigenic drift and resistance markers while supporting integrated, cross-pathogen surveillance. Full article