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10 pages, 3225 KB  
Case Report
Skeletal Anchorage-Assisted Space Closure in a Patient with Bilateral Peg-Shaped Maxillary Lateral Incisors and Severe Crowding
by Antonio Manni, Andrea Boggio and Emma Gotti
Oral 2026, 6(4), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/oral6040093 - 22 Jul 2026
Abstract
Background: Peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors are among the most common developmental anomalies affecting the anterior dentition and are frequently associated with Bolton tooth-size discrepancies and severe crowding. Treatment planning in these patients requires careful management of esthetics, occlusion, periodontal health, and anchorage control [...] Read more.
Background: Peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors are among the most common developmental anomalies affecting the anterior dentition and are frequently associated with Bolton tooth-size discrepancies and severe crowding. Treatment planning in these patients requires careful management of esthetics, occlusion, periodontal health, and anchorage control during space closure. Case Presentation: A 17-year-old female patient presented with bilateral peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors, severe maxillary and mandibular crowding, deep bite, mild skeletal Class II relationship, and proclined mandibular incisors. Three treatment options were considered, including restorative enlargement of the lateral incisors, extraction of both peg-shaped lateral incisors with space closure, and extraction of the maxillary right lateral incisor followed by unilateral space closure and restorative enlargement of the contralateral lateral incisor. The selected treatment involved extraction of the peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors followed by orthodontic space closure and canine substitution. Skeletal anchorage with temporary anchorage devices (TADs) was used to optimize biomechanical control during anterior space closure and midline correction. A maxillary TAD placed between the central incisors provided anchorage during mesial movement of the posterior segments, while bilateral mandibular TADs were used to control lower incisor proclination during leveling and alignment. Results: Treatment resulted in satisfactory alignment, correction of crowding, improvement of sagittal occlusal relationships, and achievement of stable intercuspation. Cephalometric analysis demonstrated improvement of the skeletal relationship (ANB from 5° to 3.5°) with maintenance of a balanced facial profile and favorable nasolabial angle. Despite the extraction-based mechanics, maxillary incisor torque was preserved and slightly increased. Conclusions: Extraction of peg-shaped maxillary lateral incisors combined with skeletal anchorage-assisted space closure may represent an effective and clinically efficient treatment option in patients with severe crowding and tooth-size discrepancy. Full article
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22 pages, 5059 KB  
Article
Preoperative Spatial Risk Mapping of Glioblastoma Recurrence: A Radiomics-Based Framework for Surgical Planning
by Silvia Seoni, Federica La Paglia, Matteo Salvi, Alberto Morello, Greta Bergoglio, Diego Garbossa, Massimo Salvi and Fabio Cofano
Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(14), 7344; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16147344 - 22 Jul 2026
Abstract
Glioblastoma recurrence remains nearly inevitable despite maximal resection and adjuvant therapy, with most relapses occurring within or adjacent to the original tumor site. Conventional MRI underestimates tumor infiltration beyond contrast-enhancing margins, limiting preoperative identification of peritumoral regions at higher risk of recurrence. We [...] Read more.
Glioblastoma recurrence remains nearly inevitable despite maximal resection and adjuvant therapy, with most relapses occurring within or adjacent to the original tumor site. Conventional MRI underestimates tumor infiltration beyond contrast-enhancing margins, limiting preoperative identification of peritumoral regions at higher risk of recurrence. We developed a radiomics-based machine-learning framework to generate preoperative spatial recurrence risk maps from routine MRI. Preoperative T1-weighted contrast-enhanced and FLAIR images from 79 patients with glioblastoma were analyzed. The cohort was divided at the patient level into a training set (n = 63) and an independent test set (n = 16). Using a balanced spatial ROI sampling strategy, local radiomic features were extracted from tumor and peritumoral regions and linked to recurrence sites identified on follow-up MRI acquired after at least 12 months after surgery. A CatBoost classifier achieved an AUC of 0.743 and a recall of 0.856 on an independent test set. The framework also generated preoperative probability maps that showed qualitative spatial correspondence with observed recurrence locations. These findings indicate that radiomic patterns from standard preoperative MRI may contain spatially localized information associated with future relapse. The proposed approach supports the feasibility of preoperative spatial risk stratification and may provide useful information for surgical planning and subsequent treatment strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Medical Image Analysis for Computer-Aided Diagnosis and Therapy)
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12 pages, 721 KB  
Article
Pretreatment Staging FDG PET-Derived Radiomic Score Predicts Progression-Free Survival in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Treated with Total Neoadjuvant Therapy
by Kadir Alper Kucuker, Onder Kaan Vezir, Aysegul Aksu, Adem Sengul, Ahmet Alacacioglu and Bulent Turgut
Diagnostics 2026, 16(14), 2294; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16142294 - 22 Jul 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Clinical outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) remain heterogeneous, and available clinicopathological parameters provide limited prognostic accuracy. This study aimed to develop a radiomic score (RadScore) from baseline staging 18F-FDG PET/CT images using LASSO-penalized [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Clinical outcomes in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) treated with total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) remain heterogeneous, and available clinicopathological parameters provide limited prognostic accuracy. This study aimed to develop a radiomic score (RadScore) from baseline staging 18F-FDG PET/CT images using LASSO-penalized Cox regression, and to evaluate its ability to independently predict progression-free survival (PFS) in LARC patients treated with TNT followed by surgery. Methods: Eighty-five patients with LARC who underwent surgical resection after TNT between May 2018 and December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Primary tumor volumes were semi-automatically segmented on pretreatment FDG PET/CT images, and 140 radiomic features were extracted in accordance with Image Biomarker Standardisation Initiative (IBSI) guidelines. After correlation-based filtering, 23 non-redundant features were subjected to five-fold cross-validated LASSO-Cox regression for feature selection and RadScore construction. Internal validation used 1000-repetition bootstrap resampling. Results: Disease progression was recorded in 33 of 85 patients (mean PFS: 57.5 months). The final RadScore comprised two features—Intensity Histogram Kurtosis and GLCM Difference Entropy—and was identified as an independent prognostic factor in multivariable Cox analysis (HR = 1.81; 95% CI: 1.23–2.67; p = 0.003). The model achieved a C-index of 0.674, with a bootstrap-corrected C-index of 0.650 (95% CI: 0.568–0.741). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated significantly shorter PFS in the high-risk group (log-rank p = 0.006). Conclusions: A pretreatment FDG PET-derived RadScore independently predicts PFS in LARC patients treated within a TNT framework, offering preliminary evidence for a potential imaging biomarker for preoperative risk stratification and individualized treatment planning—to our knowledge, among the first such evidence in a TNT-treated rectal cancer cohort. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging)
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23 pages, 1390 KB  
Review
Diabetes Mellitus and Endo-Periodontal Lesions: An HbA1c-Guided Framework for Clinical Decision-Making
by Adrian Stan, Mihaela Moisei, Liliana-Lăcrămioara Pavel, Liliana Mititelu-Tarțău, Beatrice Rozalina Buca and Mioara Decusară
Medicina 2026, 62(7), 1420; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071420 - 22 Jul 2026
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a major systemic modifier of oral infection, periodontal inflammation, and tissue healing. Persistent hyperglycemia may intensify oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, dysbiotic biofilm activity, and advanced glycation end-product/receptor signaling, thereby reducing the predictability of periapical and periodontal [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a major systemic modifier of oral infection, periodontal inflammation, and tissue healing. Persistent hyperglycemia may intensify oxidative stress, immune dysfunction, dysbiotic biofilm activity, and advanced glycation end-product/receptor signaling, thereby reducing the predictability of periapical and periodontal healing. In patients with endo-periodontal lesions, these mechanisms may interact with pulpal infection and periodontal breakdown, complicating diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic sequencing. This review summarizes current evidence on diabetes, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and endo-periodontal outcomes and proposes an HbA1c-guided clinical framework for risk stratification and treatment planning. Materials and Methods: A structured narrative review with an expert-informed clinical framework was conducted using the literature published between January 2016 and December 2025. Eligible sources included consensus reports, clinical practice guidelines, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, umbrella reviews, randomized and non-randomized clinical studies, observational studies, and selected mechanistic studies or contemporary narrative reviews with direct relevance to the framework. Case reports, animal studies, and in vitro investigations without direct relevance to the clinical framework were excluded from the main synthesis. Results: Diabetes is associated with increased periodontal severity, impaired periodontal treatment response, a higher prevalence of radiolucent periapical lesions in root-filled teeth, delayed periapical healing, and increased non-retention of endodontically treated teeth. Periodontal therapy is safe in diabetic patients and may be associated with modest reductions in HbA1c, especially when baseline metabolic control is poor. Conclusions: HbA1c should complement, not replace, pulpal testing, periodontal charting, and radiographic assessment. The proposed framework prioritizes endodontic infection control when pulpal necrosis or active intracanal infection is present, adapts periodontal intervention to metabolic risk, and postpones elective surgical or regenerative procedures in poorly controlled diabetes until medical stabilization is achieved. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection New Concepts for Dental Treatments and Evaluations)
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18 pages, 1367 KB  
Article
Participatory Adaptive Planning for Sustainable Industrial Treated Wastewater Reuse in the Mediterranean: Evidence from Case Studies in Türkiye and Tunisia
by Sara Ros-Cardoso, Elena López Gunn, Issam Nouri, Melis Somay-Altas, Serkan Kemec, Layla Ben Ayed, Emel Baylan Tolksdorf, Nora Van Cauwenbergh and Vincenza Calabrò
Water 2026, 18(14), 1767; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18141767 - 22 Jul 2026
Abstract
The Mediterranean region faces severe water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. The reuse of treated industrial wastewater for industrial processes or agricultural irrigation offers a sustainable mitigation strategy, yet its implementation is hindered by low social acceptance and institutional fragmentation. This study aims [...] Read more.
The Mediterranean region faces severe water scarcity exacerbated by climate change. The reuse of treated industrial wastewater for industrial processes or agricultural irrigation offers a sustainable mitigation strategy, yet its implementation is hindered by low social acceptance and institutional fragmentation. This study aims to enhance treated wastewater reuse (TWWR) uptake within the textile and pharmaceutical sectors in Türkiye and Tunisia through structured stakeholder engagement, hydrological modelling, simulation, and co-design of preferred strategies. Data were collected from regional water authorities, industries, farmers, and civil society, chosen based on their influence, interest, and capacity regarding integrated water management. A Participatory Adaptive Planning framework was applied across three co-designed workshops per site, and interviews. Data were charted using the Natural Assurance Schemes Business Canvas and a conceptual visual support framework. Stakeholders identified key barriers, including legislative gaps in Türkiye and financial capabilities and farmer reluctance in Tunisia. Through the conceptual visual support framework, holistic strategies combining TWWR, water savings, urban treated wastewater quality improvement by tertiary treatment, desalination, and Managed Aquifer Recharge were co-created, simulated and ranked. Technological innovation in wastewater treatment is insufficient without robust “social readiness”. Participatory governance effectively aligns environmental engineering solutions with societal needs, establishing a foundation for resilient and integrated water management action plans. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Climate Change Adaptation and Water Governance)
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13 pages, 240 KB  
Review
Apert Syndrome: Oral, Maxillofacial and Dental Management—A Narrative Clinical Review
by Nikolaos G. A. Kolomvos, Thomai Papadaki and Gregoris Venetis
Clin. Pract. 2026, 16(7), 135; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract16070135 - 22 Jul 2026
Abstract
Apert syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by premature fusion of the cranial sutures, syndactyly of the extremities, and distinct craniofacial deformities. The condition results from mutations in the FGFR2 gene, which disrupt normal craniofacial growth and lead to complex functional and [...] Read more.
Apert syndrome is a rare genetic disorder characterized by premature fusion of the cranial sutures, syndactyly of the extremities, and distinct craniofacial deformities. The condition results from mutations in the FGFR2 gene, which disrupt normal craniofacial growth and lead to complex functional and morphological abnormalities. Patients with Apert syndrome commonly present with stomatognathic abnormalities, which significantly affect oral function and facial development. The management of Apert syndrome requires a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach. Surgical treatment strategies are typically staged according to the patient’s age and clinical severity. Early interventions focus on cranial vault expansion procedures, such as fronto-orbital advancement and posterior vault distraction osteogenesis, aiming to relieve intracranial pressure and improve cranial morphology. During childhood and adolescence, midface advancement techniques are commonly performed to address midfacial hypoplasia and associated functional impairments. Early diagnosis and appropriate surgical planning play a crucial role in preventing complications and improving the functional, aesthetic, and psychosocial outcomes of patients with Apert syndrome. This narrative review summarizes current evidence while highlighting areas of ongoing controversy, particularly regarding surgical sequencing, orthodontic management and the integration of digital technologies into multidisciplinary care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Outcome Research in the Head and Neck: 2nd Edition)
12 pages, 1073 KB  
Article
Preoperative Imaging for Nodal Assessment in Endometrial Carcinoma: A Comparative Study of MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT Across Risk Groups
by Süleyman Özen, Eda Güner Özen and Muzaffer Sancı
Medicina 2026, 62(7), 1418; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071418 - 22 Jul 2026
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Accurate preoperative assessment of lymph node metastasis is essential for surgical staging and treatment planning in endometrial carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used for local staging; however, its nodal performance is limited by reliance on morphologic criteria. [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Accurate preoperative assessment of lymph node metastasis is essential for surgical staging and treatment planning in endometrial carcinoma. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used for local staging; however, its nodal performance is limited by reliance on morphologic criteria. 18F-FDG PET/CT provides whole-body functional assessment and may support decision-making when sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping is unavailable. This study compared MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT for preoperative detection of pelvic and paraaortic nodal metastases across pragmatic histologic risk groups. Materials and Methods: This retrospective diagnostic-accuracy study included 255 consecutive surgically treated patients with histologically confirmed endometrial carcinoma who underwent both preoperative pelvic MRI and whole-body 18F-FDG PET/CT at a tertiary gynecologic oncology center between December 2023 and December 2025. All patients underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy, 111 patients (43.5%) also underwent paraaortic lymphadenectomy, and SLN mapping was not performed. Patients were categorized as Group 1 (Grade 1–2 endometrioid adenocarcinoma) or Group 2 (Grade 3 endometrioid or non-endometrioid/aggressive histology). Diagnostic estimates were reported with 95% confidence intervals, paired comparisons were performed using exact McNemar tests, and multivariable bias-reduced logistic regression was used to assess independent imaging associations with nodal metastasis. Results: Any nodal metastasis was documented in 24 patients (9.4%). 18F-FDG PET/CT showed higher sensitivity than MRI for patient-level nodal detection (91.7%, 95% CI 74.2–97.7 vs. 37.5%, 95% CI 21.2–57.3), with similarly high specificity (97.0%, 95% CI 93.9–98.5 vs. 97.8%, 95% CI 95.0–99.1). The NPV of 18F-FDG PET/CT was 99.1% (95% CI 96.8–99.8), compared with 93.8% (95% CI 90.0–96.2) for MRI. MRI sensitivity was particularly low in Group 1 (18.2%, 95% CI 5.1–47.7), whereas PET/CT retained high sensitivity in both groups, though the perfect performance observed in Group 2 had wide confidence limits. Conclusions: 18F-FDG PET/CT demonstrated superior sensitivity and NPV compared with MRI for preoperative nodal assessment in endometrial carcinoma. These results support the selective use of PET/CT as an adjunctive staging tool in settings without SLN mapping, but they should not be interpreted as evidence that PET/CT can replace histologic nodal staging. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Obstetrics and Gynecology)
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26 pages, 2516 KB  
Article
Enhancing PET/CT Radiomics Robustness Through Graph Signal Processing
by Tommaso Latino, Alessandro Stefano, Giovanni Pasini, Franco Marinozzi, Giorgio Russo and Fabiano Bini
Diagnostics 2026, 16(14), 2284; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16142284 - 21 Jul 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Prostate cancer (PCa) frequently metastasizes to bone, leading to severe clinical complications and reduced quality of life. Accurate and robust imaging-based characterization of bone lesions is therefore critical for diagnosis and treatment planning. Radiomics has emerged as a powerful tool for [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Prostate cancer (PCa) frequently metastasizes to bone, leading to severe clinical complications and reduced quality of life. Accurate and robust imaging-based characterization of bone lesions is therefore critical for diagnosis and treatment planning. Radiomics has emerged as a powerful tool for extracting quantitative information from medical images; however, classical radiomics features are often affected by inter-scanner variability, segmentation dependence, and limited ability to describe lesions with complex biological heterogeneity. This study aims to introduce a translational graph-based radiomics approach designed to extract novel quantitative descriptors with improved robustness and clinical reliability. Methods: A graph representation was derived from segmented Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography (PET/CT) bone lesions by generating a point cloud followed by Delaunay triangulation to preserve geometric information. Graph signal processing techniques were applied to extract three classes of features: orientation, connectivity, and transform-based descriptors. The dataset included PET/CT scans from 50 PCa patients acquired using two different scanners, comprising 92 bone lesions classified as benign or malignant. Correlation analysis with classical radiomics features was performed to assess information redundancy. Robustness against batch effects and segmentation variability was evaluated. Classification performance was tested using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models based on proposed features, classical features, and their combination. Results: The proposed features captured non-redundant information compared to classical radiomics and demonstrated superior robustness to scanner-related batch effects and segmentation variability. In classification tasks, models using the proposed features consistently outperformed those based on classical radiomics. Using LDA, the proposed features achieved a mean balanced accuracy of 69.68% and a mean Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 72.14%. With SVM, they achieved a mean balanced accuracy of 65.16% and a mean AUC of 66.49%, exceeding the performance of classical and combined feature sets. Conclusions: This study presents a translational graph-based radiomics framework that extends beyond conventional methodologies, improving robustness and diagnostic performance. The proposed approach shows promise as an integrative tool for more reliable PET/CT-based characterization of bone lesions in prostate cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence for Health and Medicine—2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 1428 KB  
Review
The Shifting Boundary Between Invasive and Non-Invasive Angiographic Investigation in Contemporary Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery: An Up-to-Date Narrative Review
by Justin Ren, Colin Royse, William Chan, Dion Stub, Garry W. Hamilton, Jason E. Bloom, Tobias Fruehwald, Nilesh Srivastav and Alistair Royse
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(14), 5723; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15145723 - 21 Jul 2026
Abstract
Background: Invasive coronary angiography has historically been the reference standard for coronary, valvular, and structural heart disease. Over the past decade, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR), photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCCT), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) have expanded [...] Read more.
Background: Invasive coronary angiography has historically been the reference standard for coronary, valvular, and structural heart disease. Over the past decade, coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR), photon-counting detector computed tomography (PCCT), and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) have expanded the range of clinical questions answerable without an intra-arterial catheter, but this shift has been uneven across clinical domains. Methods: We performed a narrative review and synthesis of randomized trials, registries, society guidelines, and consensus documents (2009–2026) identified through PubMed and major cardiovascular guideline databases, written from a joint cardiology and cardiac-surgical standpoint. Results: The boundary has shifted asymmetrically, by which we mean a domain-dependent rather than uniform displacement of invasive angiography. Non-invasive imaging is now established as the first-line approach for stable chest pain at low-to-moderate pretest probability, for pre-transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) and structural procedural planning, and for aortic disease. It remains contested for stable multivessel disease and pre-coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) planning, where CCTA- or CT-FFR-only planning is still investigational. Invasive angiography stays first-line for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), cardiogenic shock, and complex percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), where diagnosis and therapy are inseparable. Conclusions: Invasive and non-invasive modalities are complementary rather than competing. The appropriate first-line investigation depends on the disease domain, pretest probability, anatomical complexity, imaging quality, and whether diagnosis and treatment can be separated. We propose a complexity-stratified, heart-team framework and identify the surgical research gaps that remain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Interventional Cardiology—Challenges and Solutions)
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19 pages, 470 KB  
Review
When Doing Nothing Feels Safer: A Multilevel Framework for Therapeutic Inertia in Psychiatry
by Carlos De las Cuevas
Healthcare 2026, 14(14), 2212; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14142212 - 21 Jul 2026
Abstract
Therapeutic inertia has been extensively examined in chronic medical conditions but remains insufficiently conceptualized and empirically studied in psychiatry. This structured narrative review examines therapeutic inertia as a multilevel and potentially bidirectional phenomenon arising when clinically relevant care is not reconsidered or modified [...] Read more.
Therapeutic inertia has been extensively examined in chronic medical conditions but remains insufficiently conceptualized and empirically studied in psychiatry. This structured narrative review examines therapeutic inertia as a multilevel and potentially bidirectional phenomenon arising when clinically relevant care is not reconsidered or modified despite unmet therapeutic goals and the availability of a reasonable and feasible alternative. A targeted PubMed search was supplemented by backward and forward citation searching, prioritizing psychiatric evidence and foundational literature on clinical decision-making under uncertainty. The review distinguishes therapeutic inertia from appropriate caution, watchful waiting, informed refusal, structural non-access, therapeutic nihilism, medical futility, therapeutic obstinacy, and evidence-based deprescribing. Potential determinants include cognitive and emotional mechanisms, diagnostic and prognostic uncertainty, adverse-effect concerns, patient preferences and previous experiences, therapeutic relationships, resource constraints, fragmented care, guideline structures, workload, and medicolegal culture. Clozapine underutilization in treatment-resistant schizophrenia represents the most compelling psychiatric example, while direct but more limited evidence is available in major depressive and bipolar disorders; applications to anxiety, obsessive-compulsive, substance-use, and non-pharmacological care remain largely hypothesis-generating. Strategies include explicit therapeutic goals, planned reassessment, measurement-based and guideline-informed care, shared decision-making, multidisciplinary review, improved access, clinical decision support, and audit and feedback. Future research should use operational definitions, experimental and observational designs, patient-centered outcomes, and real-world data to determine when treatment non-modification is inappropriate and whether corrective interventions improve care without promoting indiscriminate escalation, coercion, polypharmacy, or premature discontinuation. Full article
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15 pages, 703 KB  
Article
The Shared Document as a Tool for Shared Care Planning: A Retrospective Analysis of 160 Cases
by Salvatore Simone Masilla, Clara Todini, Barbara Corsano, Andrea Ponzio, Dario Sacchini, Pietro Refolo and Antonio Gioacchino Spagnolo
Healthcare 2026, 14(14), 2211; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare14142211 - 21 Jul 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Shared Care Planning (SCP) represents a collaborative decision-making process integrating advance care planning and shared decision-making to support ethically complex clinical pathways. Since 2016, the Clinical Ethics Consultation (CEC) service at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS (FPUG) in Rome has [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Shared Care Planning (SCP) represents a collaborative decision-making process integrating advance care planning and shared decision-making to support ethically complex clinical pathways. Since 2016, the Clinical Ethics Consultation (CEC) service at the Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS (FPUG) in Rome has implemented SCP through the use of the Shared Document (SD) for healthcare ethics planning. This study aimed to describe the SD as an operational tool supporting SCP, focusing on its procedural characteristics, multidisciplinary dimension, and the ethical and contextual issues emerging during its implementation. Methods: This single-center, retrospective observational study analyzed digitized medical records of patients who underwent SCP through the drafting of one or more SDs between 2016 and 2024 at FPUG. Data were extracted from SDs and clinical records in accordance with the RECORD guidelines. Variables included processing time, number of meetings with the clinical ethics consultant (CEc), number of healthcare professionals and family members involved, ethical–clinical issues, contextual challenges, and care orientations proposed within the SDs. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the cohort and operational aspects of the service. Results: Among 454 patients referred to the CEC service, 154 patients underwent SCP, resulting in 160 SDs. The most frequent ethical issues concerned the proportionality of treatments to initiate (70%) and ongoing treatments (31%). Contextual issues emerged in 74% of cases, particularly pregnancy-related situations (44%) and absence of a legal guardian (19%). Drafting of SD required multiple interdisciplinary meetings (mean: 2.4), with an average processing time of 7 days. The number of healthcare professionals involved increased over time, reflecting growing multidisciplinary participation. The most frequent care orientations included palliative care (58%), withholding invasive/intensive maneuvers (34%), and indications for surgical or diagnostic treatments. Conclusions: The SD emerged as a structured clinical–ethical tool supporting complex shared care planning processes beyond issues of informed consent alone. Its use facilitated multidisciplinary deliberation, the integration of ethical and contextual factors, and continuity in care planning across different clinical trajectories. Full article
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19 pages, 1876 KB  
Article
Mismatch Between Cancer Burden and Clinical Trial Activity in the European Union: Analysis of Incidence, per Capita Indicators and Commercial Versus Non-Commercial Studies
by Klaudia Marciniak, Maja Janowczyk, Michał Brancewicz and Marlena Robakowska
Cancers 2026, 18(14), 2347; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18142347 - 21 Jul 2026
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Abstract
Introduction: Cancer represents one of the greatest public health challenges in Europe. Clinical trials play a key role in the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods, but their geographic distribution may not reflect the true epidemiological burden. The aim of this study [...] Read more.
Introduction: Cancer represents one of the greatest public health challenges in Europe. Clinical trials play a key role in the development of new diagnostic and treatment methods, but their geographic distribution may not reflect the true epidemiological burden. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the incidence of selected cancers and clinical trial activity in European Union countries, with particular emphasis on commercial and non-commercial trials, as well as changes over time. Materials and Methods: Data on clinical trials conducted in European Union countries in 2012, 2014, 2017, and 2022 were analyzed. Epidemiological data were obtained from the GLOBOCAN and Global Burden of Disease databases, while clinical trial data were obtained from the EU Clinical Trials Register. Overall cancer incidence and selected cancer types, namely breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and prostate cancer, were analyzed. Clinical trial activity rates were calculated relative to incidence and population size (per capita). Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were performed, and 95% confidence intervals and p-values were calculated for the principal correlations. Time trends were also assessed. The results are presented in the form of tables, figures, and maps. Results: Clinical trial activity in oncology varied considerably across European Union countries. Commercial trials were consistently more common than non-commercial trials and showed a more pronounced increase in activity during the analyzed period. Correlations between cancer incidence and the number of clinical trials varied depending on cancer type, year of analysis, and sponsor type. The strongest associations were observed in 2022 for commercial trials, particularly for colorectal cancer (Pearson’s r = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.723–0.937, p < 0.001) and lung cancer (Pearson’s r = 0.853, 95% CI: 0.701–0.931, p < 0.001). Spearman analysis confirmed strong rank-based associations in 2022, especially for lung cancer (ρ = 0.971, 95% CI: 0.937–0.987, p < 0.001). Analysis of trial activity indicators indicated a mismatch between disease burden and the intensity of research activity in some countries and oncology areas. Conclusions: Clinical trial activity in oncology in European Union countries does not always reflect the actual cancer burden. The observed differences between commercial and non-commercial trials and between individual cancer types may indicate a research gap and the need for more balanced clinical trial planning in the European Union. Full article
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5 pages, 391 KB  
Proceeding Paper
The ENVISION Project: Integrating Nature-Based Solutions in Urban Areas for Lake Pollution Mitigation
by Maria Gloria Di Chiano, Enrico Gambini, Claudia Dresti, Umberto Sanfilippo, Gianfranco Becciu and Carmelo Cammalleri
Eng. Proc. 2026, 135(1), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2026135038 - 21 Jul 2026
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Abstract
Traditional urban drainage systems face increasing pressures due to growing urbanization and climate change, which amplify stormwater volumes beyond the design capacity of sewer networks. These conditions often result in combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) bypasses, discharging untreated, nutrient-laden [...] Read more.
Traditional urban drainage systems face increasing pressures due to growing urbanization and climate change, which amplify stormwater volumes beyond the design capacity of sewer networks. These conditions often result in combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) bypasses, discharging untreated, nutrient-laden effluents into receiving water bodies. Elevated nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) loads from these events exacerbate eutrophication and harmful algal blooms in lakes. The ENVISION project (Lake Pollution: Integrating Nature-Based Solutions Into Environmental Urban Planning for Risk Mitigation) addresses the impact of urban discharges on lakes and evaluates the potential of Nature-Based Solutions (NBSs) to mitigate N and P releases from CSOs. A coupled hydrological–hydraulic and probabilistic modeling framework is applied to the Lake Maggiore (Northern Italy) catchment as a case study, to assess the potential of NBSs in reducing CSO events and, consequently, the N and P loads discharged into the lake. Preliminary results from the hydrological–hydraulic approach are presented. Full article
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12 pages, 306 KB  
Article
Attitudes Toward Artificial Intelligence Among Polish Dentists: A Cross-Sectional Survey
by Michalina Nowakowska and Leszek Szalewski
Diagnostics 2026, 16(14), 2271; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16142271 - 21 Jul 2026
Viewed by 55
Abstract
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into modern dental practice, particularly in diagnostics, radiographic analysis, treatment planning, and practice management. Despite the rapid advancement of AI-based technologies, evidence regarding dentists’ attitudes toward AI in Central and Eastern Europe remains limited. This [...] Read more.
Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being integrated into modern dental practice, particularly in diagnostics, radiographic analysis, treatment planning, and practice management. Despite the rapid advancement of AI-based technologies, evidence regarding dentists’ attitudes toward AI in Central and Eastern Europe remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate Polish dentists’ attitudes toward artificial intelligence in contemporary dental practice and to investigate differences in AI acceptance according to sex, age group, and dental specialty. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional online questionnaire-based study was conducted among licensed dentists practicing in Poland. An anonymous questionnaire comprising 15 attitude statements rated on a five-point Likert scale was distributed through professional social media groups. The survey assessed attitudes toward the use of AI in clinical, diagnostic, and administrative aspects of dentistry. Statistical analyses were performed using Statistica 16.0. Group comparisons were conducted using the Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis test with Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate correction. Internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Results: A total of 183 completed questionnaires were included in the analysis. The internal consistency of the questionnaire was high (Cronbach’s α = 0.900). The overall acceptance of AI was moderate (mean score: 3.18 ± 0.73). The highest levels of agreement were observed for the perceived potential of AI to improve dental practice management (mean = 4.05) and for general openness toward AI implementation in dentistry (mean = 4.05). Respondents also expressed a high willingness to use AI for generating clinical documentation (mean = 3.69). In contrast, the lowest acceptance was observed for statements suggesting that AI could replace dentists (mean: 1.36). Within the study sample, men demonstrated significantly higher overall AI acceptance than women (p < 0.001). Significant differences were also observed between age groups and dental specialties. Orthodontists demonstrated the highest AI acceptance among the surveyed specialties; however, these findings should be interpreted as exploratory because of unequal subgroup sizes. After FDR correction, significant differences between age groups remained only for selected questionnaire items. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this convenience sample, the findings suggest that Polish dentists generally perceive artificial intelligence as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for clinicians. Acceptance was greatest for administrative and organizational applications of AI, whereas autonomous clinical decision-making received substantially lower support. These findings suggest that the successful implementation of AI in dentistry should prioritize assistive technologies that enhance clinical workflows while preserving the central role of the dentist in patient care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Artificial Intelligence to Oral Diseases)
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15 pages, 1890 KB  
Case Report
Surgical and Conservative Management of Periorbital Tumors in Four Dogs
by Iosif Vasiu, Mădălina Florina Dragomir, Ciprian Andrei Ober, Cosmin Petru Peştean, Romelia Pop, Marian Taulescu, Claudiu Gal, Seppo Saari and David Vicente
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(7), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13070714 - 20 Jul 2026
Viewed by 112
Abstract
Four client-owned dogs with histopathologically confirmed periorbital tumors were included in this retrospective case series: one spayed female, one intact male, and two neutered males. The dogs ranged in age from 6 to 8 years. The most common clinical signs were slowly progressive [...] Read more.
Four client-owned dogs with histopathologically confirmed periorbital tumors were included in this retrospective case series: one spayed female, one intact male, and two neutered males. The dogs ranged in age from 6 to 8 years. The most common clinical signs were slowly progressive exophthalmos (4/4 dogs), epiphora (3/4 dogs), and prolapse of the nictitating membrane gland (2/4 dogs). Periorbital disease was initially suspected based on the clinical examination. Computed tomography (CT) was subsequently used to characterize the presence, location, and extent of the lesion and for surgical planning, whereas histopathological examination confirmed the tumor type. The identified tumors included two multilobular tumors of bone (MTB), one inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), and one sebaceous carcinoma (SC). Treatment for the first three dogs consisted of wide tumor excision via combined modified lateral orbitotomy and partial ostectomies of the zygomatic arch and mandibular ramus. The remaining dog received conservative therapy. For the first two surgically treated dogs, survival times were 55 months; the third dog was lost to follow-up two weeks after surgery. For the conservatively treated dog, the survival time was 4 months. Although limited by the small number of heterogeneous cases, this report suggests that the described surgical approach facilitated en bloc excision in these three surgically treated dogs. However, histologically tumor-free surgical margins were confirmed in only one of the three surgically treated dogs, and clinical outcomes varied according to tumor type, extent of disease, and duration of follow-up. Therefore, further studies are required before definitive conclusions regarding oncologic outcome or prognosis can be drawn. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Focus on Tumours in Pet Animals: 3rd Edition)
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