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PubMed2026

Hope is linked with more favorable tumor molecular signatures in serous ovarian cancer.

INTRODUCTION: Hope has been associated with improved quality of life and lower mortality in cancer, but the underlying biological mechanisms are poorly characterized. We previously reported that hope was associated with less inflammation and more normalized diurnal cortisol pre-treatment among women with ovarian cancer. We also reported associations of socio-environmental factors with pro-metastatic processes. Here, we used genome-wide transcriptional profiling to quantify associations between hope and tumor molecular signatures reflecting invasiveness, inflammation, and cellular immunity. METHOD: Participants were 74 women with serous ovarian cancer who provided demographic information and completed surveys pre-surgery. Hope was assessed using a face-valid item from the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Depression was assessed using the full CES-D without the hope item. Illumina HT12 microarrays were used to assay tumor RNA, and associations between hope and tumor gene expression were quantified, adjusting for depression, age, BMI, grade, and stage. RESULTS: Adjusting for covariates, hope was associated with multiple favorable differences in RNA expression, including lower levels of mesenchymal differentiation (p = 0.008) and pro-inflammatory gene regulation (NF-κB: p < 0.001; IRF1: p = 0.024; STAT: p = 0.018), elevated epithelial differentiation (p = 0.011), and elevated activity of the IRF7 transcription factor which promotes cellular immunity (p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that hope is associated with an ovarian tumor gene expression profile characterized by reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and inflammatory activity, and increased activity of a transcription factor promoting cellular immunity. These findings highlight potential biological implications of a resilience factor such as hope, but need replication with more robust assessments of hope.

Epithelial mesenchymal transition↗

PubMed2026

Initial 4-Year Experience With Microaxial Flow Pumps Within a Tertiary Centre in Regional Australia.

BACKGROUND & AIM: The Microaxial Flow Pump (MFP) is a miniaturised rotary pump that aspirates blood from the left ventricle and expels it into the ascending aorta. It unloads the left ventricle and increases mean arterial pressure and cardiac output. MFP is most commonly utilised in cardiogenic shock, for protected percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and for ventricular offloading in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). METHOD: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent MFP insertion at John Hunter Hospital, Australia. Categorical data are represented as counts and percentages, with continuous variables described as means with standard deviations. RESULTS: Twenty-three MFP devices were inserted between September 2020 and May 2024. Five (22%) were for protected PCI, three (13%) for venting with VA-ECMO (ECPELLA), and 15 (65%) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and cardiogenic shock. The median age for the overall cohort was 62 years, with a 74% male predominance. Eighty percent of the protected PCI cohort were elective outpatient procedures, and there were no deaths in this cohort. The mortality in the ECPELLA group was 67%. Thirteen (87%) of the patients with cardiogenic shock presented with an anterior infarct, and 53% had cardiac arrest on admission. The overall morality in the cardiogenic shock cohort was 40%. Complications in this cohort included limb ischaemia in four patients (17%) and site bleeding in seven patients (30%). Four patients (17%) required vascular surgery intervention. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience showed the use of MFP in a tertiary centre was safe and feasible, allowing progression from protected percutaneous intervention to acute cardiogenic shock.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Orofacial Cleft Disparities in American Indian and Alaska Native Populations: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence, access to care, and health outcomes of orofacial clefts (OFCs) among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations through a systematic review and meta-analysis.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis performed in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered with PROSPERO (CRD420251035364).SettingUS-based population registries, hospital databases, and institutional or community-level retrospective studies involving AI/AN populations.Patients and ParticipantsAI/AN individuals with OFCs compared with non-Hispanic White patients.InterventionsPrimary cleft lip and palate repair, secondary cleft-related procedures, and multidisciplinary cleft care.Main Outcome Measure(s)Prevalence of OFCs, timing of cleft surgery, discharge disposition, access to specialists, and qualitative determinants of disparities.ResultsEighteen studies including more than 1985 AI/AN patients were identified. Meta-analysis of 5 studies estimated a pooled OFC prevalence of 15 per 10 000 live births (95% confidence interval: 5-49), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 99.8%). Individual studies reported significantly higher OFC prevalence in AI/AN populations compared to non-Hispanic Whites (odds ratio range: 1.44-2.68). Geographic maldistribution of craniofacial-trained surgeons, increased odds of nonhome discharge, and delayed cleft palate repair were consistently observed barriers. Qualitative analyses highlighted structural inequities, perceived racism, and lack of culturally responsive care as major contributors to disparities.ConclusionsAI/AN populations face a disproportionately high burden of OFCs alongside structural barriers to timely, culturally competent care. Addressing these disparities requires community-engaged, multidisciplinary interventions that improve geographic access and integrate culturally responsive approaches to care.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Can ChatGPT Replace Human Clinical Coders? A Comparative Study in Otology Billing.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the utility of the large language model (LLM), ChatGPT, for the analysis of operative notes and the generation of Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes in comparison to human clinical coders. STUDY DESIGN: CPT billing codes assigned by ChatGPT were compared to existing billing data. Otology practice within a tertiary academic center. METHODS: About 191 operative notes from a single surgeon (9/2022-10/2023) were analyzed. ChatGPT-3.5 and 4 models were prompted for CPT codes based on operative notes. Assessment included determining exact and partial match rates, sensitivity and specificity for targeted procedures, and work Relative Value Units (wRVU) differences between ChatGPT-generated and human-assigned codes. RESULTS: ChatGPT-3.5 achieved exact matches in 22% of cases and partial matches in 32%, while ChatGPT-4 achieved 14% exact and 33% partial matches. When cochlear implantation (CI) was excluded, performance dropped significantly. For CI, ChatGPT-3.5 demonstrated a sensitivity of 94% and specificity of 90%, while ChatGPT-4 showed a sensitivity of 96% and specificity of 92%. In contrast, performance on cartilage grafting was poor, with sensitivities of 4.2% for ChatGPT-3.5 and 0% for ChatGPT-4. ChatGPT-3.5 and 4 showed moderate CPT code matching accuracy among themselves, with slight agreement to human coders. Both models tended to underbill for wRVUs compared to human coders, with significant differences in the values generated. CONCLUSION: This study assessed ChatGPT's effectiveness in automating CPT code assignment for otologic surgeries. While the models achieved high sensitivity values for assigning codes related to cochlear implantation, both models struggled with complex cases, failed to apply modifiers, and often assigned fewer wRVUs. The findings highlight ChatGPT's potential in medical billing but indicate a need for further refinement.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A Triple-Blinded, Randomized, Controlled Trial Comparing Hydromorphone vs. Fentanyl for Children Undergoing Tonsillectomy.

BACKGROUND: Tonsillectomy is one of the most frequently performed pediatric surgeries; however, little evidence guides the choice of intraoperative opioids in a population at an elevated risk for perioperative respiratory complications. This study tested the hypothesis that fewer children who received hydromorphone during tonsillectomy would require postoperative "rescue" opioids compared to children who received fentanyl. METHODS: We conducted a triple-blind, randomized, controlled trial to compare intravenous hydromorphone versus fentanyl in pediatric patients undergoing tonsillectomy. Children aged 2-15 years undergoing bilateral tonsillectomy or adenotonsillectomy were assigned (1:1) to receive hydromorphone (10 mcg/kg) or fentanyl (1 mcg/kg) intraoperatively. The primary endpoint was the number of patients who required rescue intravenous opioid analgesia following endotracheal extubation. Secondary endpoints included pain scores, pulse oximetry saturations, postoperative nausea, time in the recovery room, morphine milligram equivalents in the post-anesthesia care unit, and adverse events. RESULTS: A total of 188 children underwent randomization, and 180 were analyzed (90 in each group). The median age was 5 years (interquartile range: 3-7 years). Rescue intravenous opioid was administered to 48 (53%) children who received intraoperative hydromorphone and 66 (73%) children who received intraoperative fentanyl (difference, 20.0 percentage points; 95% confidence interval, 6.2-33.8) (p = 0.005). Children who received hydromorphone also had lower mean pain scores for the first 15 min postoperatively and lower median morphine milligram equivalents. The incidence of adverse events was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study in children undergoing tonsillectomy found that intraoperative hydromorphone resulted in improved analgesia in the recovery room compared to fentanyl. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04230681.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2026

Meniscal preservation in the age of biologics: toward a quantitative decision algorithm for personalized repair.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances in arthroscopic repair and biologic augmentation, surgical indication for meniscal tears remains heterogeneous. No standardized framework currently integrates biomechanical, clinical, and biological determinants to guide repair versus resection. PURPOSE: To develop a quantitative decision model-the Meniscal Preservation Score (MPS)-that unifies biomechanical and biological evidence to stratify reparability potential and standardize treatment selection in meniscal surgery. METHODS: A systematic evidence synthesis conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 reporting standards of studies published from 2000 to 2025 in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus identified key determinants of meniscal healing. Five consistent predictors-patient age, vascularity, tear morphology, associated pathology, and activity profile-were weighted through a two-round modified Delphi consensus among ten experienced knee surgeons. The resulting 0-9-point MPS was incorporated into a stepwise decision tree linking lesion morphology, biological context, and surgical strategy. Conceptual validation used 50 simulated cases and a retrospective cohort of 45 patients to test agreement between algorithm recommendations and expert surgical decisions. RESULTS: The MPS achieved 86% concordance with expert judgment in simulation and 84% agreement in clinical validation. In this retrospective exploratory cohort, cases in which surgical management was concordant with MPS recommendations demonstrated higher mean IKDC scores at 24 months and lower observed reoperation rates. These findings should be interpreted as associative rather than causal, as treatment allocation was not controlled and discordant cases may have represented inherently more complex pathology. CONCLUSION: The MPS represents an evidence-informed decision-support framework designed to systematize reparability assessment. While exploratory analyses suggest structural coherence with expert reasoning, prospective implementation and external validation are required before clinical adoption as a predictive tool. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: conceptual model with exploratory validation.

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PubMed2026

Outcomes of Response-Based Watch-and-Wait and Surgical Management After Total Neoadjuvant Therapy for Rectal Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BackgroundTotal neoadjuvant therapy (TNT) increases clinical complete response rates in locally advanced rectal cancer (RC), allowing response-based management strategies such as watch-and-wait (WW) as an alternative to total mesorectal excision (TME). Outcomes associated with WW after TNT remain incompletely defined. This study aimed to compare oncologic and organ-preservation outcomes between WW and surgical management following TNT.MethodsA systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central up to April 2025. Observational studies comparing WW and TME following TNT were included. Pooled odds ratios (ORs), hazard ratios (HRs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2 statistics. Secondary outcomes included tumor regrowth, salvage surgery, and permanent stoma. Risk of bias was evaluated using ROBINS-I.ResultsSix studies comprising 793 patients were analyzed. WW showed no significant difference compared with TME regarding local recurrence (OR 1.36, 95% CI 0.07-26.17; I2 = 80%), distant metastases (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.29-1.33; I2 = 49%), 5-year disease-free survival (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.71-1.31; I2 = 51.7%), or overall survival (HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.81-1.30; I2 = 27.9%). Permanent stoma rates were lower with WW (OR 0.12, 95% CI 0.01-1.23; I2 = 71%), becoming significant after sensitivity analysis (OR 0.04, 95% CI 0.01-0.19).ConclusionWW after TNT offers oncologic outcomes comparable to TME, with high organ preservation and reduced surgical morbidity in highly selected patients.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effect of Smoking in Oropharyngeal Cancer Treated With TORS: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: While smoking has been implicated as a risk factor for recurrence in HPV-associated oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer (OPSCC) treated with definitive chemoradiation, its prognostic impact on surgically treated OPSCC is less clear. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and Scopus. REVIEW METHODS: Articles describing patients with HPV-associated OPSCC treated with transoral robotic surgery (TORS), which reported oncologic outcomes by smoking history, were included. RESULTS: 2079 patients were included across 12 studies. Median age was 58.5 years, and 1808 (87.0%) were male. HPV-associated disease was reported in 1681 (80.9%) patients. T stage was most commonly T2 in 831 (40.0%) and T1 in 764 (36.7%). N stage was N2 in 854 (41.1%), N1 in 544 (26.2%), and N0 in 307 (14.8%). 931 (44.8%) were considered individuals with a smoking history, while 1045 (50.3%) were considered without a smoking history. Median follow up was 33.7 months. Meta-analysis using a fixed effects model demonstrated an overall hazard ratio of 1.4 (95% confidence interval 1.0-2.0) for disease recurrence, 2.7 (95% confidence interval 1.5-4.8) for overall survival, and 1.4 (95% confidence interval 0.4-4.6) for disease specific survival. CONCLUSIONS: In this population of predominantly HPV-associated OPSCC treated with TORS, meta-analysis demonstrated no significant difference in recurrence-free survival or disease-specific survival between individuals with and without a smoking history. Individuals with a smoking history appeared to have worse overall survival, although only five studies reported on this outcome. Further research is required to clarify the prognostic influence of smoking on OPSCC treated with TORS.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Utility of Dynamic MRI in Surgical Outcome of Patients With Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The utility of dynamic MRI (dMRI) in surgical planning and outcomes for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) has not been validated in any prospective randomized trials. METHODS: In this hospital-based randomized controlled trial conducted between February 2023 and December 2024, patients with DCM were randomized into 2 groups: the Static MRI Group, where surgery was guided by conventional static MRI alone, and the dMRI Group, in which dMRI was performed, with the potential to alter the surgical approach. The primary outcome was recovery rate (RR) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included postoperative changes in modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores and Nurick grades, surgical plan alterations, comparison of surgical approaches, and complication rates. RESULTS: Seventy-four patients were analyzed at a 3-month follow-up. The dMRI group had a significantly higher mean RR (55.42% ± 29.05%) than the Static group (46.76% ± 29.51%) ( P = .044). A RR of ≥50% was observed in 91.9% of patients in the dMRI group, compared with 59.4% in the static MRI group ( P = .002). Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores improved more in the dMRI group (15.47 ± 2.62 vs 13.77 ± 2.66, P = .007). While Nurick grades improved in both groups, the intergroup difference was not statistically significant ( P = .151). dMRI altered the surgical plan in 59.5% of cases. Anterior approaches yielded better RR but had more complications. By contrast, posterior approaches had fewer but more severe complications including mortality. CONCLUSION: dMRI enhances the detection of clinically significant cord compression and may aid in surgical decision-making, potentially contributing to superior functional outcomes in DCM. Further studies are required to determine its impact on long-term functional outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The Effect of Game-Based Virtual Reality Rehabilitation and Its Impact on Upper Extremity Function After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR) often results in prolonged recovery and limited shoulder function. Conventional physical therapy rehabilitation programs require sustained patient engagement; however, adherence is frequently low. Game-based virtual reality (VR) offers an interactive and engaging environment that may enhance rehabilitation outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a game-based VR program on the function of the upper limb in patients following ARCR. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with patients who underwent ARCR. Participants were randomized into two groups: game-based VR or conventional rehabilitation. Outcomes were evaluated using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score, pain severity by the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, range of motion measures, and muscle strength testing. Assessments were performed at baseline and at 6 weeks and 12 weeks post surgery. RESULTS: Results have shown significant within-group improvements in pain, function, range of motion, and isometric muscle strength across all time points (P < 0.05). Between-group analysis revealed greater improvements in pain, function, flexion range, and abduction and external rotation strength in the experimental group at both time points (P < 0.05). Abduction range improved significantly only at 12 weeks (P = 0.02), whereas external rotation range showed no significant difference between groups at either time point (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that integrating game-based VR rehabilitation provides additional benefits over conventional therapy in improving pain and upper extremity function following ARCR. These findings support the use of VR as an effective alternative to the conventional rehabilitation for postoperative rehabilitation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Postoperative complications and outcomes after surgical treatment for tophaceous gout: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment remains necessary for selected patients with tophaceous gout, particularly when mechanical limitation, nerve compression, ulceration, infection, deformity, or failure of conservative treatment is present. However, postoperative outcomes after surgery for tophaceous gout have not been comprehensively quantified. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated postoperative complication profiles and recurrence burden after surgical treatment for tophaceous gout. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library was conducted from database inception to March 25, 2026. Original studies reporting postoperative outcomes after surgical treatment for tophaceous gout were included. Pooled event rates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effects single-arm meta-analytic approach. Primary outcomes were postoperative infection, delayed wound healing, and recurrence. Secondary outcomes were reoperation, amputation, and overall complications. Functional outcomes were summarized descriptively. RESULTS: 18 retrospective studies were included. The pooled postoperative infection rate was 11.3% (95% CI 8.0%-15.7%), delayed wound healing 9.9% (95% CI 5.1%-18.2%), and recurrence 8.5% (95% CI 4.7%-14.9%). Secondary pooled rates were 9.7% (95% CI 5.5%-16.7%) for reoperation, 3.7% (95% CI 2.0%-6.8%) for amputation, and 24.0% (95% CI 14.0%-38.1%) for overall complications. Significant subgroup differences were identified only for infection according to anatomic site and intervention type. Sensitivity analyses showed that pooled estimates were robust. The certainty of evidence was very low for all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment for tophaceous gout is associated with measurable postoperative risks, particularly infection and overall complications. These findings support careful perioperative counseling, structured postoperative surveillance, integrated long-term urate-lowering management, and more standardized reporting of perioperative risk factors and postoperative outcomes in future surgical studies of tophaceous gout.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Antibiotic-impregnated bone graft to prevent infection after total hip arthroplasty (ABOGRAFT): protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Studies have shown promising results using bone graft as a carrier for local administration of antibiotics to reduce the risk of prosthetic joint infection (PJI). The objective of this clinical trial is to determine if tobramycin and vancomycin-impregnated bone graft is safe and effective in reducing the rate of PJI after total hip arthroplasty (THA). METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This study is an international, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical drug trial. Patients scheduled for THA (n=1100) requiring bone grafting (excluding revisions due to an ongoing infection) are randomised in a 1:1 ratio to prophylactic treatment with tobramycin and vancomycin or placebo-impregnated bone graft.The primary outcome is the time to reoperation due to infection or diagnosis of PJI, expressed as a relative risk difference between the two groups. A risk reduction of at least 50% is considered clinically relevant. Secondary outcomes are time to and reason for reoperation and implant revision, type of micro-organism and antibiotic susceptibility pattern within 2 and 5 years after surgery. Safety outcomes are the number of adverse events and revision rate due to aseptic loosening. The primary analysis will be performed using proportional hazard models. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study has been approved under the Clinical Trial Regulation No 536/2014 (EU CT; 2024-510921-25-00). Results will be published in open-access peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to patient organisations and the media, and de-identified individual participant data will be curated and shared on reasonable request in accordance with the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability and Reuse principles, subject to the laws and regulations governing data protection in each participating country. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05169229.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A retrospective population-based cohort study to assess outcomes, time to complications and cost of follow-up care following pediatric pyeloplasty in Ontario, Canada (2002-2016).

PURPOSE: Pediatric dismembered pyeloplasty (PP) is the gold standard surgery for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) in children. However, there is no consensus regarding the duration and methods of providing follow-up care after PP. This study aims to assess the rate of redo-interventions following PP and to define the ideal follow-up care following PP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective population-based cohort study including all PP patients in Ontario between April 2002 and March 2016 using routinely collected data, with a minimum 5-year follow-up. Baseline variables included demographics, surgical approach, laterality and surgeon experience. The primary outcome was time to secondary surgical intervention, including redo PP. Secondary outcomes included costs of follow-up care and rates of early ER visits. Regression analyses were preformed to predict need for secondary intervention 2-years post PP, including independent variables: age, sex, surgical approach and early complication. RESULTS: The study included 1049 patients with a median age of 2 (IQR 0-7) years. Of the 13.6% of patients who had at least one secondary intervention following PP (including 3.8% who underwent a redo PP), 90.2% occurred within 3-years of PP. The median cost/patient of follow up care was $1472 CAD (IQR $292-$31,133). Regression analysis did not reveal any predictors of delayed secondary intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that over 86% of PP are completed successfully, with a 3.8% rate of redo-PP. The majority of secondary interventions for post-PP complications occur within 3 years post-PP. Variability in duration and cost of follow-up care post- PP should be addressed to minimize costs, and a minimum 3-years follow-up after PP is recommended.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Fractional laser therapy versus microneedling for non-acne scars and scar-like dermal fibrotic lesions.

BACKGROUND: Scarring caused by trauma, burns, surgery, and other dermal fibrotic conditions can lead to functional limitation and cosmetic distress. The comparative effectiveness of fractional laser therapy and microneedling for non-acne scars remains uncertain. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing fractional laser therapy with microneedling for non-acne scars and scar-like dermal fibrotic lesions. Following a PROSPERO-registered protocol and PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and CNKI from inception to May 2026 without language restrictions. Parallel-group and split-body randomized trials were eligible. Random-effects models were used to calculate standardized mean differences (SMDs) for continuous outcomes and odds ratios (ORs) for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials were included. Fractional laser therapy showed a statistically significant advantage over microneedling in scar scores (SMD = -0.99, 95% CI [-1.83, -0.15], P = 0.02) and collagen fiber regeneration (SMD = -2.14, 95% CI [-3.57, -0.72], P = 0.03). No statistically significant differences were found between the two interventions for elastic fiber improvement, epidermal thickness, or adverse events. Subgroup analyses did not show clear or consistent significant differences according to laser type, including comparisons between traditional and non-traditional fractional lasers and between CO₂ and non-CO₂ fractional laser systems. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across several outcomes, indicating considerable between-study variability. CONCLUSION: Based on currently available randomized evidence, fractional laser therapy may provide superior improvement in overall scar severity and collagen fiber regeneration compared with microneedling for non-acne scars and scar-like dermal fibrotic lesions. However, no clear differences were observed for elastic fiber improvement, epidermal thickness, or adverse-event incidence. Given the substantial heterogeneity, limited sample sizes, and possible reporting bias, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further large, standardized trials with longer follow-up are needed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Harnessing Polygenic Risk Scores to Refine Venous Thromboembolism Risk Stratification.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity in patients of all ages. Despite growing interest in polygenic risk scores (PRS) for VTE, their utility remains understudied. Our objective was to evaluate the independent impact of a PRS on VTE susceptibility in adults and children. METHODS: We completed a retrospective, case-control study of two separate cohorts with evaluation of three VTE PRS models, with the primary analysis focused on a 293 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) PRS. The adult cohort included 597 VTE cases and 31 998 controls, and the pediatric cohort included 109 cases and 448 controls, both obtained from a de-identified databank with linked genetic data. Separate adult and pediatric multivariable logistic regressions were performed to measure the association of risk factors with VTE. RESULTS: Higher PRS in adults was significantly associated with increased odds of VTE, with each 1-standard deviation increase in PRS conferring an adjusted odds ratio of 1.25 (OR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.15-1.36, p < 0.001). Leading risk factors for adults were cancer (OR = 2.43, 95% CI: 2.04-2.89, p < 0.001) and recent surgery (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.83-2.54, p < 0.001). The standardized PRS also exhibited increased risk for VTE in children (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.10-1.74, p = 0.003). Central venous catheterization (OR = 5.65, 95% CI 3.40-9.50, p < 0.001) was the foremost risk factor for pediatric VTE. CONCLUSION: VTE in adults and children is multifactorial, with clinical and genome-wide risk factors contributing. PRS may serve as a valuable adjunct to clinical risk factors for VTE risk stratification.

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PubMed2026

Flexible ureteroscopy with a flexible and negative suction ureteral access sheath versus traditional sheath for treatment of infectious upper urinary tract stones: A prospective, randomized controlled study.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) with a flexible and negative suction ureteral access sheath (FANS) versus traditional sheath for patients with infectious upper urinary tract stones (IUUTS). A total of 185 patients were enrolled, with 93 assigned to the FANS group and 92 to the traditional UAS group. The primary outcome was the stone-free rate (SFR) at the first postoperative day. Secondary outcomes included the SFR at 30 days postoperatively, operative time, hemoglobin reduction, length of hospital stay, quality of life (QoL) improvement, incidence of ureteral stricture at 3 months, and surgery-related complications. No significant differences were observed between the two groups in baseline demographics or preoperative clinical characteristics (P > 0.05). The FANS group had significantly lower white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and procalcitonin levels at 6 and 24 h postoperatively (all P < 0.05). Mean operative time was significantly shorter (P < 0.001), QoL improvement was obviously greater (P < 0.001), and average hospital stay was shorter in the FANS group (P < 0.001). The SFRs on postoperative day 1 and at 30 days were both significantly higher in the FANS group (both P < 0.05). At 3 months, ureteral strictures occurred in three patients in the traditional UAS group and one in the FANS group, a difference that was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The overall complication rate was significantly lower in the FANS group (P < 0.05). For patients with IUUTS, fURS combined with FANS effectively improves stone clearance efficiency and reduces the risk of postoperative infection.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Presentation, management, and outcomes of anterior inferior cerebellar artery dissecting and fusiform aneurysms: a systematic review and institutional case series.

Dissecting and fusiform aneurysms of the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) are rare and poorly characterized lesions. This study provides a comprehensive patient-level synthesis to date, combining a systematic review with institutional data to describe their clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, management strategies, and outcomes. A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they reported on dissecting or fusiform AICA aneurysms. Individual patient data were extracted and supplemented with a single-institution case series. Outcomes, complications, and radiological evolution were analyzed descriptively. Forty-nine patients from 36 studies and 6 patients from our institution were included in this study. In the systematic review cohort, most aneurysms presented with subarachnoid hemorrhage (n = 38/49, 77.6%). Compressive cranial neuropathies, particularly including the vestibulocochlear system, were common in patients with unruptured aneurysms. Diagnosis often required digital subtraction angiography after the initial non-invasive imaging. Endovascular treatment, most commonly parent artery occlusion, was employed in 61.2% (n = 30/49) of cases. However, ischemic complications occurred in 23.3% (n = 7/30), especially in proximal (A1-A2) lesions. Bypass surgery was reported selectively for proximal aneurysms with inadequate collateral flow. As an alternative surgical approach, decompression or trapping was pursued based on aneurysm morphology or clinical context. Conservative management was typically reserved for select patients with poor-grade SAH, high procedural risk, or patient refusal of intervention. Overall, 81.4% (n = 35/43) of patients with available follow-up achieved good functional outcomes. Management of AICA dissecting and fusiform aneurysms is highly individualized. Endovascular approaches were frequently used to secure ruptured lesions or lesions considered at high risk, but periprocedural ischemic risk in perforator-rich segments remains a notable concern. Bypass procedures were reported in selected proximal aneurysms with limited collateralization. Conservative management was reserved for highly selected high-risk or anatomically inaccessible cases. Clinical trial registration: This study is not a clinical trial.

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PubMed2026

Clinical Outcomes and Genomic Epidemiology of Multidrug-Resistant Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Keratitis.

PURPOSE: To characterize the clinical features, management, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and genomic epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) keratitis at two North American centers. DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series combined with laboratory investigation PARTICIPANTS: Seventy eyes of 67 patients presenting laboratory-confirmed MRSA keratitis were included METHODS: We performed a multicenter retrospective case series of patients with culture-proven MRSA keratitis treated between 2005 and 2022. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted, and multidrug resistance (MDR) was defined as resistance to ≥3 antibiotic classes. A subset of isolates underwent whole-genome sequencing with core genome multilocus sequence typing. Vancomycin susceptibility, heteroresistance screening, and tolerance testing were performed on available isolates. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Antimicrobial susceptibility and multidrug resistance rates, vancomycin phenotypic profiles, MRSA genotypic distribution, and final best-corrected visual acuity RESULTS: Median age was 63.5 years, and 61.4% were female. Ocular surface disease (67.7%) and prior ocular surgery (65.2%) were common. Only 25.4% had significant healthcare exposure in the preceding year. Most isolates (85.7%) were MDR. Fluoroquinolone susceptibility was low (moxifloxacin 19.7%). All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin (MIC₉₀ 2 µg/mL), and no vancomycin-intermediate, heteroresistant, or tolerant phenotypes were identified. Whole genome sequencing (n = 41) demonstrated predominance of clonal complexes 5 (68.3%) and 8 (29.2%). Visual outcomes were poor, with most patients (85.2%) having a final visual acuity worse than 20/60 among those with follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: MRSA keratitis is associated with high rates of multidrug resistance and poor visual outcomes despite guideline-based therapy. Infections were predominantly caused by CC5 MDR strains despite limited recent healthcare exposure. These findings highlight the persistence of highly resistant MRSA lineages in community-associated corneal infection and underscore the need for ongoing antimicrobial surveillance and optimized treatment strategies.

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