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13 pages, 263 KB  
Article
Associations of Long-Term PM2.5 Exposure and Physical Activity Levels with Metabolic Syndrome and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Cross-Sectional Study in Chiang Mai, Thailand
by Sothida Nantakool, Busaba Chuatrakoon, Kochaphan Phirom, Cattaleeya Sittichoke and Supatcha Konghakote
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(6), 2241; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062241 (registering DOI) - 16 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Although the adverse metabolic effects of PM2.5 and the health benefits of physical activity are well-established, evidence on whether physical activity modifies the association between PM2.5 exposure and metabolic syndrome or health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains limited. Methods: This [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Although the adverse metabolic effects of PM2.5 and the health benefits of physical activity are well-established, evidence on whether physical activity modifies the association between PM2.5 exposure and metabolic syndrome or health-related quality of life (HRQoL) remains limited. Methods: This observational analytical cross-sectional study examined the modifying effect of physical activity on the associations between long-term PM2.5 exposure and metabolic syndrome and HRQoL in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and to explore these associations across physical activity levels using stratified analyses. A total of 347 participants (209 from higher PM2.5 areas and 138 from lower PM2.5 areas) were recruited in Chiang Mai between March and May 2024. Metabolic syndrome was assessed using blood tests and anthropometric measurement, while HRQoL was evaluated using the Thai version of the SF-36 questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for metabolic syndrome. HRQoL differences were analyzed using generalized linear models with robust standard errors. Interaction between PM2.5 exposure and physical activity was assessed to examine potential effect modification. All models were adjusted for age, sex, BMI, smoking status, and educational level, with additional stratified analyses across physical activity levels. Results: Higher long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with lower odds of metabolic syndrome (OR = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.14–0.83) but was not associated with HRQoL. Physical activity was not independently associated with either outcome, and no interaction between PM2.5 exposure and physical activity was observed. In stratified analyses, the inverse association between PM2.5 exposure and metabolic syndrome was observed only among individuals with high physical activity, while significantly lower HRQoL scores were observed among those with moderate and high physical activity levels. Conclusions: Higher long-term PM2.5 exposure was associated with lower odds of metabolic syndrome and lower HRQoL. Physical activity was not independently associated with these outcomes, and no interaction between PM2.5 exposure and physical activity was observed. Stratified analyses suggested variation in these associations across physical activity levels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Epidemiology & Public Health)
44 pages, 1449 KB  
Systematic Review
Psychometric Properties of the Breast Cancer Awareness Measure (Breast-CAM): A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Andrea Fejer, Mohammad Amin Atbaei, Afshin Zand, Timea Varjas and Zsuzsanna Kiss
Cancers 2026, 18(6), 956; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18060956 (registering DOI) - 15 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Breast cancer awareness is essential for early detection and timely help-seeking among women and represents a key component of multidisciplinary breast cancer prevention. The Breast Cancer Awareness Measure (Breast-CAM) is widely used to assess awareness of breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Breast cancer awareness is essential for early detection and timely help-seeking among women and represents a key component of multidisciplinary breast cancer prevention. The Breast Cancer Awareness Measure (Breast-CAM) is widely used to assess awareness of breast cancer symptoms, risk factors, and screening behaviors. Its measurement quality across populations has not yet been comprehensively evaluated. As Breast-CAM is a population-reported measurement instrument, evaluation using a standardized framework for measurement properties is required. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the psychometric properties of the Breast-CAM across diverse populations and cultural adaptations, in accordance with COSMIN (COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments) methodological standards. Methods: Major bibliographic databases and trial registries were systematically searched for peer-reviewed English-language studies published between 2010 and 2025 that evaluated at least one psychometric property of the Breast-CAM in adult women. Methodological quality was assessed using the COSMIN Risk of Bias checklist. Measurement properties were evaluated according to COSMIN criteria, and the certainty of evidence was graded using a modified GRADE approach. Meta-analysis was performed when data were sufficiently comparable. Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria for narrative synthesis, of which eleven were included in a meta-analysis, representing fourteen cultural adaptations of the instrument. A descriptive random-effects meta-analysis of reported Cronbach’s α yielded a pooled estimate of 0.89 (95% confidence interval 0.85–0.92). This value should be interpreted cautiously, as structural validity was frequently insufficient across cultural adaptations, limiting interpretation of internal consistency according to COSMIN guidance. Other measurement properties, including reliability and measurement error, were frequently inadequately assessed or unreported. The certainty of evidence ranged from very low to moderate. Conclusions: Content validity was generally rated as sufficient, although certainty of evidence was low. Despite the high pooled α estimate, the reliability of Breast-CAM cannot be firmly established because structural validity was frequently insufficient across cultural adaptations. In accordance with the COSMIN ceiling rule, internal consistency was not considered sufficient in the absence of adequate structural validity. Key measurement properties, including test–retest reliability, measurement error, and responsiveness, were rarely evaluated. Further high-quality psychometric studies, particularly in culturally diverse populations, are needed to address these gaps and support appropriate use of the instrument in research and public health practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Perspectives in the Management of Breast Cancer)
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15 pages, 1647 KB  
Article
Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk and Incidental Coronary Artery Calcification on Routine Chest Computed Tomography
by Zeynep Atceken, Sezer Kula, Irem Sena Konakci, Cetin Atasoy, Aylin Pihtili and Yüksel Peker
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(6), 2230; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062230 (registering DOI) - 15 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity; however, its relationship with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis detected incidentally on routine chest computed tomography (CT) remains incompletely defined. We aimed to evaluate the association between questionnaire-based OSA risk and moderate-to-severe coronary artery [...] Read more.
Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity; however, its relationship with subclinical coronary atherosclerosis detected incidentally on routine chest computed tomography (CT) remains incompletely defined. We aimed to evaluate the association between questionnaire-based OSA risk and moderate-to-severe coronary artery calcification (CAC) in patients without known cardiac disease undergoing non-contrast chest CT for non-cardiac indications. Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 268 consecutive adults undergoing routine non-contrast chest CT were included. OSA risk was assessed using the Berlin Questionnaire (BQ) and a modified BQ (mBQ), excluding hypertension and obesity components. CAC was quantified using the Agatston method on non-gated CT images, and moderate-to-severe CAC was defined as a score > 100. Multivariable logistic regression models were adjusted for age, sex, smoking status, alcohol use, obesity, lung disease, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Results: Moderate-to-severe CAC was substantially more prevalent among patients at high risk for OSA than among those at low risk (43.1% vs. 12.0%, p < 0.001). In unadjusted analyses, high-risk OSA was strongly associated with CAC > 100. After multivariable adjustment, BQ-defined high-risk OSA remained independently associated with moderate-to-severe CAC (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.74, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29–5.78, p = 0.008). Similar results were observed with the mBQ (adjusted OR 2.62, 95% CI 1.27–5.41, p = 0.009). Increased snoring intensity was also independently associated with CAC > 100 (adjusted OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.07–4.72, p = 0.032). Conclusions: Questionnaire-defined high-risk OSA is independently associated with moderate-to-severe incidental CAC detected on routine chest CT. These findings support the integration of sleep-related risk assessment into opportunistic cardiovascular imaging frameworks and highlight the potential role of thoracic CT in multidimensional cardiovascular risk stratification. Full article
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16 pages, 1585 KB  
Article
Association of Sex, Age, and Inflammatory Cell Counts with Complicated Acute Appendicitis
by Said José Serrano Guzmán, Carlos Leyber Vargas Juárez, Marcos Hernández Gómez, José Roberto Luis Vásquez, Sergio Roberto Aguilar Ruiz, Juan Carlos Ramos Martínez, Joscelin Amaranta Macías Ríos, Edgar Gustavo Ramos Martínez, José Luis Cano Pérez, Jesús David Guzmán Ortiz, Martha Silvia Martínez Luna and Leticia Lorena Hernández González
Pathophysiology 2026, 33(1), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathophysiology33010022 (registering DOI) - 14 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Sex and age influence inflammatory responses, but researchers have not fully characterized their combined association with complicated acute appendicitis (CAA). This study assessed the independent and interactive associations of sex, age, and inflammatory cell counts with CAA. Methods: We conducted a retrospective [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Sex and age influence inflammatory responses, but researchers have not fully characterized their combined association with complicated acute appendicitis (CAA). This study assessed the independent and interactive associations of sex, age, and inflammatory cell counts with CAA. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 708 patients with histopathologically confirmed uncomplicated appendicitis (UAA) or CAA. We analyzed demographic and clinical data, including preoperative complete blood counts, stratified by sex. We used multivariable logistic regression models with interaction terms to evaluate associations and possible effect modification by sex and age. We explored the direction and magnitude of these interactions by estimating marginal predicted probabilities. Results: The incidence of CAA was significantly higher in men than in women. In men with CAA, complete blood count analysis showed elevated neutrophil and monocyte counts and reduced lymphocyte counts. Male sex (odds ratio (OR) 2.197, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.610–2.999), continuous age (1.017, 1.002–1.033), lymphocyte count (0.656, 0.526–0.820), monocyte count (1.551, 1.036–2.321), and platelet count (1.004, 1.001–1.006) were independently associated with CAA. Interaction analysis revealed significant interactions between neutrophils and both sex and age (p < 0.05), while lymphocyte counts showed significant interaction with age but not with sex. Conclusions: This study provides new insight into complex sex- and age-related immune cell patterns in CAA and may inform future diagnostic and management strategies by highlighting immune profile variability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Pathophysiology)
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15 pages, 741 KB  
Article
The Association Between Amniocentesis and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes in Pregnancies with Normal/Reportable Test Results: An Indication-Based Comparison with Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing
by Burak Bayraktar, Hakan Golbasi, Melda Kuyucu, Ceren Golbasi, Ibrahim Omeroglu, Kaan Okan Alkan, Sevim Tuncer Can, Miyase Gizem Bayraktar and Atalay Ekin
Diagnostics 2026, 16(6), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16060867 (registering DOI) - 14 Mar 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: To compare the maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies undergoing amniocentesis with those undergoing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), within a cohort of women with comparable clinical indications, aiming to evaluate differences in adverse outcomes in a risk-indicated population. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: To compare the maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes of pregnancies undergoing amniocentesis with those undergoing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), within a cohort of women with comparable clinical indications, aiming to evaluate differences in adverse outcomes in a risk-indicated population. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, pregnancy outcomes of 2044 pregnant women who underwent amniocentesis and 7668 pregnant women who underwent NIPT were evaluated using single-center data. The analysis was restricted to pregnancies with normal/reportable test results and without structural or genetic anomalies. Pregnancy loss outcomes were evaluated in the full cohort, while perinatal outcomes were analyzed among cases with available delivery data (377 amniocentesis and 2063 NIPT cases). Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes, including miscarriage, intrauterine fetal demise (IUD), preterm birth (PTB), pregnancy-induced hypertensive diseases (PIHDs), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), and low APGAR scores (<7), were evaluated. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for potential confounding factors, and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. Results: Amniocentesis was associated with a significantly higher risk of an adverse outcome compared to NIPT in this risk-indicated cohort. The likelihood of miscarriage was significantly higher in the amniocentesis group (aOR: 1.91, 95% CI: 1.17–3.14, p = 0.025), as was the risk of IUD (aOR: 4.10, 95% CI: 2.05–8.20, p < 0.001). PTB risk was also increased (aOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.53–2.51, p < 0.001). LBW was significantly more prevalent in the amniocentesis group (aOR: 7.73, 95% CI: 5.40–11.05, p < 0.001), and the likelihood of delivering a SGA neonate was also increased (aOR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02–2.06, p = 0.040). A 1st-minute APGAR score < 7 was also more frequent in the amniocentesis group (aOR: 1.51, 95% CI: 1.06–2.16, p = 0.022), although the association with 5th-minute APGAR scores < 7 did not reach statistical significance (aOR: 1.45, 95% CI: 0.83–2.52, p = 0.193). Overall, the risk of composite maternal and perinatal adverse outcomes (aOR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.41–2.22, p < 0.001) as well as composite fetal and neonatal adverse outcomes (aOR: 1.97, 95% CI: 1.50–2.58, p < 0.001) was significantly higher in the amniocentesis group compared to the NIPT group. No significant association was observed for PIHD, GDM, or ICP. Conclusions: Our findings showed that, apart from fetal loss, amniocentesis may be associated with adverse perinatal outcomes such as PTB, LBW, SGA and low APGAR scores. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Diagnosis and Prognosis)
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13 pages, 1195 KB  
Article
Outcomes Following Antifungal Treatment for Candida Growth in Bile Cultures Collected During Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
by Grace Charpentier, Kevin Andrew Smith, James E. Slaven, Theresa O. Emeli, Rachel G. Susler, Hamed Chehab, Mark A. Gromski, Haseeba Khan, Samir K. Gupta and Nicolas Barros
J. Fungi 2026, 12(3), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof12030208 (registering DOI) - 14 Mar 2026
Abstract
Candida species are frequently detected in bile cultures during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but their clinical significance and the value of antifungal treatment remain unclear. We performed a retrospective single-center cohort study of adults with growth of Candida species from bile cultures collected [...] Read more.
Candida species are frequently detected in bile cultures during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), but their clinical significance and the value of antifungal treatment remain unclear. We performed a retrospective single-center cohort study of adults with growth of Candida species from bile cultures collected by ERCP performed between 2010 and 2023. We compared inpatients who received vs. those who did not receive antifungals within one week of ERCP and a subgroup with acute cholangitis. The primary outcome was a composite of death and invasive candidiasis within one year. Secondary outcomes included death, invasive candidiasis, and rehospitalization. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) was performed using baseline characteristics. Adjusted hazard ratios and odds ratios were calculated. Among 197 inpatients, 51 (25.9%) received antifungals. At one year, the primary outcome occurred in 23 of 51 patients (45.1%) receiving antifungal therapy and in 67 of 146 patients (45.9%) who did not; the IPTW-adjusted hazard ratio was 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.69–1.27; p = 0.66). No significant differences were seen in the acute cholangitis subgroup (n = 117). In this study, antifungal therapy was not associated with improved survival, lower rates of invasive candidiasis, or fewer readmissions. Findings support a conservative, stewardship-oriented approach to managing Candida-positive bile cultures in the absence of invasive disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Pathogenesis and Disease Control)
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12 pages, 2240 KB  
Article
Thrombophilia and Folate Cycle Gene Polymorphisms in the Development of Ischemic Stroke After COVID-19
by Didora Kadirovna Khaydarova, Nodirjon Kadirovich Khaydarov, Sanobar Nizamovna Rakhmatova, Nilufar Kahhorovna Salomova, Visola Furkatovna Gaffarova, Qunduz Abdullo Qizi Sadulloyeva, Dilshod Izbilloyevich Sadullayev, Mukhammadjon Kahramon Ugli Berdiyev, Bakhodir Igamovich Djumayev, Nodirabegim Akbarovna Shukrulloeva, Ferangiz Shuxratovna Mukhamadieva, Ibodov Bekzod Abdusattotovich and Dibar Tadjiyevna Khodjieva
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2650; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062650 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 124
Abstract
COVID-19 not only affects the respiratory system but also increases the risk of cerebrovascular complications, including ischemic stroke. Experimental and clinical data suggest that cytokine dysregulation and polymorphisms of thrombophilia-related genes (MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR) may jointly promote hypercoagulation, endothelial dysfunction, and thromboinflammation, [...] Read more.
COVID-19 not only affects the respiratory system but also increases the risk of cerebrovascular complications, including ischemic stroke. Experimental and clinical data suggest that cytokine dysregulation and polymorphisms of thrombophilia-related genes (MTHFR, MTR, and MTRR) may jointly promote hypercoagulation, endothelial dysfunction, and thromboinflammation, thereby contributing to post-COVID ischemic stroke. This study included 160 patients treated at Zangiota Infectious Diseases Hospitals (2021–2023): 60 patients with ischemic stroke in the acute or post-COVID period (experiment group), 50 COVID-19 patients without ischemic stroke (comparison group), and 50 ischemic stroke patients without COVID-19 (control group). Clinical–neurological and immunological parameters were assessed, and polymorphisms in thrombophilia/folate cycle genes (MTHFR C677T, MTR, and MTRR) were genotyped by PCR/real-time PCR. Statistical analysis included χ2 tests, t-tests, logistic regression with odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI); Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium was verified. A strong association was identified between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and ischemic stroke on the background of COVID-19 (OR = 5.4; 95% CI: 2.1–13.8; p < 0.001). The TNF-α rs1800629 polymorphism was also significantly associated with COVID-19-related cerebrovascular events (OR = 3.27; 95% CI: 1.4–7.6; p = 0.006). Carriage of two or more minor alleles produced a synergistic effect, markedly increasing the risk of post-COVID ischemic stroke (OR = 5.59; 95% CI: 2.3–13.6; p < 0.001). These polymorphisms were linked to hyperhomocysteinemia, endothelial dysfunction, and mechanisms contributing to multifactorial arterial ischemic events. The combined assessment of thrombophilia and folate cycle-related genotypes and clinical indicators may provide a potential framework for improved risk stratification. Polymorphisms in MTHFR may appear to represent important genetic determinants of ischemic stroke following COVID-19, particularly in the context of arterial ischemic mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
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22 pages, 52674 KB  
Article
Lightweight Deep Learning for Automated Dental Caries Screening from Pediatric Oral Photographs
by Nourah Alangari and Nouf AlShenaifi
Diagnostics 2026, 16(6), 862; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16060862 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 101
Abstract
Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) affects a substantial proportion of young children worldwide, and timely screening is essential for early intervention and referral. While deep learning has shown promise for automated dental diagnostics, many existing approaches rely on computationally heavy models that limit [...] Read more.
Background: Early childhood caries (ECC) affects a substantial proportion of young children worldwide, and timely screening is essential for early intervention and referral. While deep learning has shown promise for automated dental diagnostics, many existing approaches rely on computationally heavy models that limit deployment in community and mobile settings. This study investigates whether compact convolutional neural networks can achieve clinically meaningful performance for screening dental caries from oral photographs. Methods: We curated a dataset of 435 intraoral images from children aged 3–14 years, annotated by licensed dentists, and performed patient-level stratified splitting to prevent data leakage. Three convolutional neural networks (ResNet-18, MobileNetV3-Small, and EfficientNet-B0) were fine-tuned using ImageNet-pretrained weights and comparatively evaluated for the detection of dental caries from oral photographs. Models were trained with class-weighted cross-entropy loss and evaluated on a held-out test set using sensitivity, specificity, balanced accuracy, ROC-AUC, and PR-AUC with bootstrap 95% confidence intervals. Results: ResNet-18 achieved the highest balanced accuracy (0.929), weighted F1-score (0.954), and perfect sensitivity (1.00), while EfficientNet-B0 achieved the strongest threshold-independent discrimination with the highest ROC-AUC (0.978) and PR-AUC (0.990). MobileNetV3-Small maintained competitive performance (ROC-AUC 0.952; PR-AUC 0.976) with substantially lower computational complexity. Conclusions: In addition to performance evaluation, we incorporated an interpretability analysis using Grad-CAM to examine model decision behavior. The resulting attribution maps predominantly highlighted clinically relevant tooth regions associated with caries, providing evidence that the models rely on meaningful dental features rather than background artifacts. These results demonstrate that compact, deployment-friendly architectures can achieve clinically meaningful performance for ECC detection, supporting their suitability for scalable, real-world screening applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3rd Edition: AI/ML-Based Medical Image Processing and Analysis)
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13 pages, 1440 KB  
Article
Non-Cardiac Comorbidities in Acute Heart Failure: Phenotype-Specific Insights from Sub-Saharan Africa
by Umar G. Adamu, Samantha Nel, Confidence Makgoro, Muzi Maseko and Nqoba Tsabedze
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(6), 2202; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062202 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 70
Abstract
Background: Non-cardiac comorbidities (NCCs) are highly prevalent among patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (HF). However, data from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on their distribution across HF phenotypes and association with in-hospital outcomes remain limited. Methods: We prospectively enrolled adults hospitalized with acute HF [...] Read more.
Background: Non-cardiac comorbidities (NCCs) are highly prevalent among patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (HF). However, data from sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on their distribution across HF phenotypes and association with in-hospital outcomes remain limited. Methods: We prospectively enrolled adults hospitalized with acute HF at a tertiary centre in South Africa between February and November 2023. Ten NCCs were assessed and patients were categorized according to comorbidity burden. The primary outcomes were all-cause in-hospital mortality and length of stay. Multivariable regression and sensitivity analyses were performed to identify predictors of outcomes. Results: Of the 406 patients (mean age 54.9 ± 15.8 years; 51% women), HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) accounted for 63%, HF with mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFmrEF) for 15%, and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) for 21%. The most common NCCs were diabetes (47%), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (46%), obesity (45%), and anaemia (33%). Two-thirds had ≥2 NCCs. The median hospital stay was 8 days (IQR: 5–12) and in-hospital mortality was 3.4% (p > 0.05 across NCC groups). Higher heart rate predicted longer hospitalization, while renin angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) therapy was associated with shorter stay. Lower Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) score (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.009; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.003–1.015) and higher log-transformed NT-proBNP were independently associated with increased in-hospital mortality (aOR 1.85; 95% CI: 1.07–3.50; p = 0.026). Total comorbidity burden was not independently associated with length of stay or in-hospital mortality. Conclusions: Non-cardiac comorbidities are common in acute HF in SSA, and functional status and clinical markers were the strongest predictors of length of stay and in-hospital mortality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cardiology)
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13 pages, 629 KB  
Article
Care Partner Physical Activity Attitudes and Practices on Perceived Physical Activity Benefits for Older Adults
by Oluwaseun Adeyemi, Tracy Chippendale, Gbenga Ogedegbe, Joshua Chodosh and Dowin Boatright
World 2026, 7(3), 46; https://doi.org/10.3390/world7030046 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 95
Abstract
Background: Care partners play a critical role in supporting physical activity among older adults. This study assesses how care partners’ attitudes to and engagement in physical activity relate to their perceived benefits of physical activity for older adults. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, [...] Read more.
Background: Care partners play a critical role in supporting physical activity among older adults. This study assesses how care partners’ attitudes to and engagement in physical activity relate to their perceived benefits of physical activity for older adults. Methods: For this cross-sectional study, 305 care partners completed validated surveys on the perceived benefits of physical activities among older adults (outcome), attitudes towards, and practices of physical activities (predictors). For all three surveys, higher scores indicate greater perceived benefit, more positive attitudes, and greater engagement in physical activities. We assessed the relationship between the predictor and outcome variables using multivariable quantile regression models adjusted for sociodemographic, caregiving, and health-related covariates. We reported the adjusted median difference (aMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The population was predominantly young adults (18–34 years, 58%), female (53%), who had been providing caregiving services for three or more years (43%). The median perceived physical activity benefit for older adults, personal attitude toward physical activity, and physical activity practice scale scores were 60.0 (52.0–66.0), 29.0 (25.0–33.0), and 33.0 (28.0–39.0), respectively. After adjusting for covariates, a unit increase in both attitude towards physical activity (aMD: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.96–1.33) and physical activity practice (aMD: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.45–0.75) was associated with increased median score of perceived benefit of physical activity among older adults. Conclusions: Care partners with positive attitudes and greater engagement in their personal physical activity perceive physical activities as beneficial for older adults. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Health, Population, and Crisis Systems)
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26 pages, 2418 KB  
Article
The Marshall–Olkin Power Half-Logistic Distribution for Reliability Modeling of Degradation Data Under Generalized Hybrid Censoring
by Ridab Adlan, Hanan Haj Ahmad and Mohamed Aboshady
Mathematics 2026, 14(6), 973; https://doi.org/10.3390/math14060973 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 123
Abstract
The prediction of material lifetime is central to nanomaterial engineering and reliability analysis. We propose the Marshall–Olkin Power Half-Logistic (MOPHL) distribution, obtained by applying a Marshall–Olkin transform to the Power Half-Logistic baseline. We derive core properties—including moments, hazard rate characterization, and Rényi entropy—and [...] Read more.
The prediction of material lifetime is central to nanomaterial engineering and reliability analysis. We propose the Marshall–Olkin Power Half-Logistic (MOPHL) distribution, obtained by applying a Marshall–Olkin transform to the Power Half-Logistic baseline. We derive core properties—including moments, hazard rate characterization, and Rényi entropy—and develop inference under generalized progressive hybrid censoring. Estimation is carried out via maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods using a Metropolis–Hastings sampler. Asymptotic results, Fisher information, and corresponding confidence/credible intervals are provided. A Monte Carlo study assesses bias, the mean squared error, and coverage across censoring scenarios and hazard regimes. In a case study on hydroxylated fullerene degradation, MOPHL outperforms nine competing models in goodness-of-fit and predictive reliability. We also report the mean time to failure and mean residual life to support engineering decision-making. The proposed framework offers a tractable and robust tool for degradation analysis under censored data, with applicability to materials, mechanical components, biomedical devices, and environmental monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Reliability Estimation and Mathematical Statistics, 2nd Edition)
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14 pages, 939 KB  
Article
Comparative Renal Outcomes and Effectiveness of Non-Vitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin in Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Insights from Real-World Data
by Karatpetch Tongkate, Thoranis Chantrarat, Pornwalai Boonmuang, Weerayuth Saelim, Narisa Ruenroengbun and Junporn Kongwatcharapong
Medicina 2026, 62(3), 532; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62030532 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 179
Abstract
Background and Objectives: While non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) show better renal preservation than warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients, real-world evidence within Asian populations remains limited. This study compared the renal outcomes between NOACs and warfarin in Thai patients [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: While non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) show better renal preservation than warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients, real-world evidence within Asian populations remains limited. This study compared the renal outcomes between NOACs and warfarin in Thai patients with NVAF. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted among NVAF patients who received either NOACs or warfarin from two university hospitals in Thailand from January 2015 to December 2019. The primary outcome was a ≥30% decline in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with a doubling of the serum creatinine (SCr), while acute kidney injury (AKI) and incidence rate of stroke and systemic embolism event (SEE) were secondary outcomes. All outcomes of each NOAC versus the warfarin group were analyzed using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: A total of 1456 patients were enrolled. During a follow-up period of 24 months, NOACs were associated with a lower risk of a ≥30% decline in the eGFR than warfarin after inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and multivariable adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 0.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45–1.00, p = 0.050). No significant differences were observed between NOACs and warfarin regarding the doubling of SCr (aHR 0.64, 95% CI 0.24–1.72, p = 0.373) or AKI (aHR 0.69, 95% CI 0.41–1.17, p = 0.169), although a trend toward a lower risk was noted in the NOAC group. Similarly, a trend toward a lower risk of the incidence rate of ischemic stroke and SEE were observed in the NOAC group (aHR 0.49, 95% CI 0.22–1.10, p = 0.084). Conclusions: In real-world data, NOACs may be associated with a lower eGFR decline and lower doubling of SCr and AKI than warfarin. Additionally, NOACs may reduce the risk of ischemic stroke and SEE, supporting their potential benefit over warfarin in both renal and thromboembolic outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cardiology)
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12 pages, 630 KB  
Article
Subconcussive Head Injuries Negatively Affect Academic Achievement in Adolescent Males
by Michael A. Carron, Lauren E. Caplick and Vincent J. Dalbo
Children 2026, 13(3), 399; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13030399 - 13 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: To determine the effects of a subconcussive head injury on adolescent student academic achievement assessed by grade point average (GPA). Methods: The study utilised an experimental (subconcussive head injury, n = 45) and a matched pair control group (n [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: To determine the effects of a subconcussive head injury on adolescent student academic achievement assessed by grade point average (GPA). Methods: The study utilised an experimental (subconcussive head injury, n = 45) and a matched pair control group (n = 45). Data were collated at baseline (i.e., the term prior to sustaining a subconcussive head injury) and the term the subconcussive head injury occurred. Subconcussive head injuries were preliminarily assessed onsite by a registered nurse and diagnosed by a general practitioner using established protocol. The average subconcussive head injury occurred 26.93 ± 15.22 days prior to the exam period, which is when all graded assessments/examinations occurred. All participants (N = 90) were adolescent males (age: 14.04 ± 1.48 years) in grades 7–12 (grade: 8.62 ± 1.51). An independent t-test was used to test for potential between group differences at baseline. Separate dependent t-tests were used to test for the effects of a subconcussive head injury on GPA in the experimental group and the effects of time on GPA in the control group. Standardised Cohen’s d with 95% confidence intervals were used to quantify the meaningfulness of the potential between or within group differences. Results: Non-meaningful, non-significant differences were revealed for all variables between the experimental and control group at baseline. A subconcussive head injury resulted in a meaningful and significant decrease in GPA (d = −0.417, 95% CI = −0.720 to −0.110, small, p = 0.008); while a non-meaningful, non-significant increase in GPA occurred in the matched pair control group (d = 0.037, 95% CI = −0.256 to 0.329, trivial, p = 0.808). Conclusions: Our findings provide initial evidence suggesting the need for return to learn protocols to consider subconcussive head injuries. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Global Pediatric Health)
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10 pages, 231 KB  
Article
Perceived Isolation on the Self-Compassion Scale Is Associated with the Binge-Eating/Purging Subtype in Severe Anorexia Nervosa: A Retrospective Exploratory Study
by Fumiya Miyano, Nobuyuki Mitsui, Shuhei Ishikawa, Ryo Okubo and Takahiro A. Kato
Psychiatry Int. 2026, 7(2), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/psychiatryint7020063 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 199
Abstract
This study aimed to examine the differences in self-compassion (SC) subcomponents between anorexia nervosa (AN) subtypes, the restricting type (ANR) and binge-eating/purging type (ANBP), with a focus on perceived isolation and self-judgment. This retrospective exploratory study included 40 patients with AN at a [...] Read more.
This study aimed to examine the differences in self-compassion (SC) subcomponents between anorexia nervosa (AN) subtypes, the restricting type (ANR) and binge-eating/purging type (ANBP), with a focus on perceived isolation and self-judgment. This retrospective exploratory study included 40 patients with AN at a Japanese tertiary hospital. The participants completed the Self-Compassion Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire. Between-group comparisons were conducted using t-tests, and logistic regression was used to examine associations with the AN subtype. Compared with the ANR group, the ANBP group was older at the time of assessment, had a longer illness duration, and showed significantly more depressive symptoms, more severe eating pathologies, and lower SC scores. Specifically, patients with ANBP had significantly higher scores on the negative SCS subscales of self-judgment and isolation, indicating greater self-criticism and perceived isolation. In logistic regression analyses adjusting for the EDE-Q mean score, higher isolation scores were significantly associated with the ANBP subtype (odds ratio = 3.28, 95% confidence interval: 1.37–9.63, p = 0.01). In this exploratory sample, perceived isolation was more prominent in ANBP and may reflect affective and interpersonal difficulties related to this subtype. These findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and warrant replication in larger (ideally multi-site and longitudinal) samples. If replicated, targeting these self-compassion dimensions may inform the development of subtype-sensitive interventions. Full article
21 pages, 1684 KB  
Article
Gastric Neoplasm Risk with DPP-4 Inhibitors, GLP-1 Receptor Agonists, and SGLT2 Inhibitors: Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Trials
by Chao-Ming Hung, Chih-Wei Hsu, Bing-Syuan Zeng, Mein-Woei Suen, Jiann-Jy Chen, Bing-Yan Zeng, Andre F. Carvalho, Brendon Stubbs, Yen-Wen Chen, Tien-Yu Chen, Shih-Pin Hsu, Hung-Yu Wang, Chih-Sung Liang, Yu-Kang Tu and Ping-Tao Tseng
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2619; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062619 - 13 Mar 2026
Viewed by 113
Abstract
Whether the risk of gastric neoplasm is modified by newer glucose-lowering therapies—dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs), and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is)—remains uncertain. Given their global uptake and long-term use in populations already predisposed to malignancy, decision-grade comparative safety [...] Read more.
Whether the risk of gastric neoplasm is modified by newer glucose-lowering therapies—dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs), and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is)—remains uncertain. Given their global uptake and long-term use in populations already predisposed to malignancy, decision-grade comparative safety evidence is needed. We conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in adults without baseline gastric neoplasms. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov, ClinicalKey, ProQuest, and ScienceDirect were searched from inception to 10 January 2026, without language restrictions. The primary outcome was incident gastric neoplasms (benign or malignant). Random-effects frequentist NMA estimated risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs); Bayesian NMA served as sensitivity analysis. Certainty of evidence was assessed using GRADE adapted for NMA (PROSPERO CRD420261282728). Fifty-two RCTs (171,165 participants; mean age 63.6 years; 36.9% women; mean follow-up 141.8 weeks) were included. At the class level, GLP1RAs were associated with lower gastric neoplasm risk versus controls (RR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.28–0.92), whereas DPP4is were associated with higher risk (RR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.09–2.85). These signals persisted in prespecified subgroup analyses among participants with diabetes mellitus, in trials with duration ≥52 weeks (GLP1RA: RR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.28–0.95; DPP4i: RR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.19–3.55), and in older populations (age ≥60 years; DPP4i: RR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.15–3.77). No class showed a significant association in younger participants (<60 years) or shorter trials (<52 weeks). Across available RCT evidence, GLP1RA prescription generally had a relatively lower gastric neoplasm risk than controls. In contrast, among patients with diabetes mellitus receiving longer-term therapy, GLP1RAs may be the preferable option from the perspective of gastric neoplasm risk, while DPP4is warrant heightened vigilance and mechanistic clarification. These findings support improved neoplasms ascertainment in future trials rather than immediate prescribing changes. Full article
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