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PubMed2026

Selective and sensitive colorimetric sensing of carbosulfan based on BiO2-x/Bi2O2.75 nanosheets with excellent haloperoxidase-like activity.

The development of colorimetric methods based on directly inhibiting nanozyme activity for pesticide detection has attracted considerable attention. In this study, we report a novel colorimetric sensing strategy utilizing BiO2-x/Bi2O2.75 nanosheets (BiO2-x/Bi2O2.75 NSs) with haloperoxidase (HPO)-like activity for the rapid and sensitive detection of carbosulfan (CBS) in foods. Oxygen-vacancy-rich BiO2-x/Bi2O2.75 NSs with HPO-like activity were rationally constructed. Kinetic studies revealed a remarkable Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) of 0.014 mM for I-, indicating a higher affinity for iodide ions than other reported HPO-like nanozymes, as evidenced by its lower Km. Under acidic conditions, CBS tends to be hydrolyzed to produce reductive sulfide species, which directly inhibit the iodoperoxidase-like activity of BiO2-x/Bi2O2.75 NSs, enabling selective detection with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.18 μg/mL and a linear range of 0.20-100 μg/mL. When the concentration of interfering pesticides and substances was 5 times that of CBS, the sensor remained unaffected, exhibiting excellent stability and specificity. This work contributes to the detection of CBS in complex food matrices, bridging the application gap of HPO-like nanozymes in pesticide detection and providing a promising method for food safety detection.

Colorimetry↗

PubMed2026

HPV circulating tumor DNA as a potential prognostic and predictive biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Human papillomavirus circulating tumor DNA (HPVctDNA) has emerged as a promising prognostic biomarker in HPV-related head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This systematic review aimed to synthesize current evidence on the diagnostic accuracy and prognostic value of HPVctDNA in HNSCC management. MATERIAL/METHODS: We systematically reviewed a PubMed-indexed database of studies published between January 2012 and September 2025. Eligible studies were assessed for design, primary tumor site and stage, treatment modality, HPVctDNA detection method, diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity and specificity), and reported clinical endpoints. Descriptive syntheses were performed; sensitivity and specificity were standardized to proportions and summarized as median values per group. RESULTS: A total of 60 studies, including 8,234 patients were analyzed, of which 41 (68.3%) focused exclusively on oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and 17 (28.3%) included mixed HPV-related HNSCC subsites and HPV-positive cancers of unknown primary. The median follow-up across the included studies was 23 months. Among the included studies, 19 were retrospective (31.7%) and 33 were prospective (55.0%), with a small proportion of cross-sectional and randomized clinical trials. Overall, 40 (66.7%) evaluated the role of HPVctDNA in a curative setting. Plasma was the most common sample type, analyzed in 55 studies (91.7%), while 5 studies also included saliva. Detection methods varied: 40 employed droplet digital PCR (ddPCR), 16 used quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 4 applied NGS-based assays. Most of these studies (38, 63.3%) evaluated the prognostic utility of HPVctDNA, while only 4 (6.7%) assessed HPVctDNA in a screening or diagnostic setting. Regarding diagnostic accuracy, the median sensitivity across evaluable studies was 91.1%, while the median specificity was 99.4%. In OPSCC-only cohorts, the median sensitivity and specificity were 89.4% and 99.4%, respectively. Dynamic changes in HPVctDNA levels during or after treatment were consistently associated with outcomes: clearance or sustained negativity correlated with higher response rates, improved progression-free survival and overall survival, while persistent positivity or increasing levels predicted disease progression and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: HPVctDNA demonstrates high diagnostic and prognostic accuracy in HPV-related HNSCC, especially OPSCC, supporting its use for prognosis, treatment monitoring and early detection of recurrence. However, prospective interventional studies are still required to demonstrate that HPVctDNA-guided treatment decisions improve clinical outcomes before routine implementation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Long-term glycemic variability and risk of peripheral artery disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: A systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of long-term glucose variability (GV) on the risk of developing peripheral artery disease (PAD). METHODS: The protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (ID: CRD420251148763). Relevant longitudinal studies were identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. The primary outcome was the risk ratio (RR) of PAD comparing participants with high versus low GV. Summary effect sizes were calculated using a random-effects model to account for between-study heterogeneity. RESULTS: Eleven cohorts were included. Higher GV showed a positive association with PAD risk (RR: 1.42; 95% CI [1.21-1.66] p < 0.001), although substantial heterogeneity was present (I 2 = 91%). This association was consistent across subgroups defined by region (Asian vs. Western), study design, diabetic status, GV metrics, PAD diagnostic methods, and adjustment for HbA1c (all p for subgroup differences > 0.05), except for follow-up duration. Studies with follow-up < 8 years showed a stronger association than those with ≥ 8 years (RR: 1.64 vs. 1.19; p for subgroup difference = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Elevated long-term GV appears to be associated with an increased risk of PAD. However, substantial heterogeneity across studies suggests that the magnitude of this association should be interpreted with caution.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The use of diode laser and scalpel blade in stage-two dental implant surgery: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE: The use of lasers in dental implant procedures raises questions regarding the preservation of keratinized tissues and implant outcomes. This study aimed to compare the clinical effects (pain and impression time) and soft tissue healing (keratinization, peri-implant probing, bleeding, and healing) of diode lasers and scalpels used during stage-two dental implant surgery. METHOD AND MATERIALS: A prospective randomized clinical trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio was conducted. The study included 30 patients, each with a single, fully osseointegrated implant. Patients were categorized into two groups. The study group underwent stage-two implant surgery using a 970-nm diode laser. In the control group, implants were exposed using a conventional surgical blade. A comparison between the diode laser and conventional scalpel groups was made based on clinical outcomes (pain and impression time) and soft tissue healing (keratinization, peri-implant probing, bleeding, and healing). Data were analyzed using a paired t test. RESULTS: Pain intensity significantly decreased from immediate postoperative to 7 days in both scalpel (49.87 ± 6.78, t = 28.48, df = 14, P .001) and diode laser (7.67 ± 7.58, t = 3.91, df = 14, P = .002) groups. Immediately after surgery, pain scores were significantly higher in the scalpel group compared with the diode laser group (94.53 ± 4.45 vs 46.93 ± 5.85, t = 25.076, df = 26.151, P .001). Although pain decreased in both groups by day 7, the scalpel group continued to exhibit significantly greater pain (44.67 ± 5.96 vs 39.27 ± 3.73, t = 2.974, df = 23.513, P = .007). Impression time (P = .231) and gingival keratinized tissue (P = .736) did not differ significantly between the scalpel and diode laser approaches. At week 6, the scalpel group exhibited a significantly higher mean peri-implant bleeding index (2.60 ± 0.507) compared with the laser group (0.07 ± 0.258, P .001). However, after 12 weeks, no significant difference was observed (1.58 ± 0.19 vs 1.55 ± 0.21, P = .748). Laser surgery produced significantly better early wound healing at all intervals (P .001), while intraoperative bleeding was more common with the scalpel technique than with the diode laser (100.0% vs 66.7%, P = .042). CONCLUSION: Compared with the scalpel method, the diode laser method resulted in a significant reduction in pain intensity, improved wound healing, and less peri-implant bleeding during the stage-two dental implant surgery.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Innovations in microbial physical mutagenesis for food fermentation: An overview from traditional to emerging technologies.

Microbial strains serve as an important factor affecting fermentation efficiency and product quality. To obtain superior strains, mutation breeding is a classic strategy. Compared to chemical mutagenesis, physical mutagenesis directly induces genomic changes, providing notable advantages such as the elimination of chemical residues and environmental sustainability, hence rendering it a favored method for enhancing food-grade microorganisms. Conventional physical mutagenesis mostly depends on UV, rays, high pressure, or space radiation. As physical technologies advance, emerging methods such as ion implantation, plasma, microwave, ultrasound, and pulsed light are widely utilized for genetic modification. Mutagenesis technologies are progressively transitioning from single-effect to multi-effect synergy. Recent evaluations indicate that emerging technologies can enhance microbial mutation efficiency at the application level relative to established technologies. Nonetheless, the systematic clarification and comparative analysis at the mechanistic level remain inadequate, hindering intuitive comprehension of the qualities and distinctions across techniques. Furthermore, physical mutagenesis encounters several significant obstacles, such as cellular damage, limited rates of advantageous mutations, and laborious screening processes. This review carefully elucidates the mechanisms and properties of physical mutagenesis technology and delineates the distinctions among approaches through comparative analysis. Simultaneously, solutions for optimizing mutagenesis are presented to tackle the principal challenges mentioned above. This review aims to offer a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the enhanced application of physical mutagenesis technologies in microbial breeding.

Mutagenesis↗

PubMed2026

List randomization for prevalence estimation of sensitive behavioral data among women with HIV of reproductive age in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Self-reported data are subject to reporting biases, including social desirability bias. List randomization is one method that can help mitigate the impact of such biases. Here, we examined the utility of list randomization among women of reproductive age living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa. In the Family Planning and Antiretroviral Therapy study, participants were randomized to answer 5 blocks of true/false statements via either direct or list response. Each block contained 3 nonsensitive statements and 1 sensitive statement related to either condom use or HIV disclosure. For each sensitive statement, we calculated the prevalence difference (PD) comparing list response to direct response overall and stratified by socioeconomic status. The PD for 4 of the sensitive statements was negligible. However, we found that self-report of always using a condom was reported by 53.1% at list response visits vs 34.7% at direct response visits (PD, 18.5%; 95% CI, 6.2%-30.7%), a difference that was attenuated among those with higher socioeconomic status. In this setting, list randomization did not meaningfully change the estimated prevalence for most questions, except for one question, which unexpectedly produced a higher estimate for a positive behavior. Examining this method in other settings and populations is warranted.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Access Block and Ambulance Ramping: The Canaries of the Healthcare System.

OBJECTIVE: To identify evidence-based factors leading to the global challenge of hospital access block and inform strategies to improve emergency access performance. METHODS: A mixed methods approach was followed comprising an umbrella review of published systematic reviews, qualitative analysis of the perspectives of patients and healthcare workers, and quantitative analysis of contextual factors and 6 years of ambulance, emergency inpatient and ward movement records for the 25 largest public hospitals in Queensland, Australia. RESULTS: A key set of findings and recommendations were identified to improve emergency access that are practical and actionable. These comprise the introduction of inpatient discharge metrics and monitoring to shift focus from the front door of hospitals to the 'back door'; increasing support for primary care, community care, aged care, NDIS and vulnerable groups; maintaining demand-side strategies such as increasing inpatient-equivalent care alternatives (e.g., hospital in the home, acute care within nursing home services); investment in prehospital flow; improving hospital processes such as extended-hour discharge lounges; improving workforce; and revising funding policies. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings fill a gap in the evidence regarding challenges and recommendations for improving patient flow within hospital emergency departments and across the broader health system. Focussing efforts at the 'back end' of the inpatient journey is a critical step to improve emergency care outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Prevalence and risk factors of nutritional anaemia among adolescents in India: a systematic review with meta-analysis of prevalence.

BACKGROUND: Nutritional anaemia is a major public health concern among adolescents in India, threatening physical growth, cognitive development, and future maternal health. This systematic review with meta-analysis of prevalence aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of nutritional anaemia among Indian adolescents aged 10-19 years and identify key associated risk factors. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus up to February 2025. Data were extracted on study design, setting, diagnostic methods, prevalence, and risk factors. Quality was assessed with a modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects meta-analysis estimated pooled prevalence, with subgroup analyses by state and gender, and pooled odds ratios for risk factors. RESULTS: Forty-five studies encompassing diverse Indian regions and 159,979 adolescents were included. The pooled prevalence of nutritional anaemia was 56% (95% CI: 49%-63%), with higher rates among girls (62%) than boys (39%). Iron deficiency (OR 2.38-4.68), other micronutrient deficiencies, low socioeconomic status, poor dietary diversity, female gender, and inadequate supplementation were consistently associated with higher anaemia risk. CONCLUSION: Nutritional anaemia impacts more than half of Indian adolescents, with notable regional and gender differences. Its complex nutritional, socioeconomic, and behavioural causes demand targeted, context-specific interventions to enhance adolescent health nationwide.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Nursing Clinical Decision-Making: An Umbrella Review.

AIM: To describe contemporary peer-reviewed literature on artificial intelligence in nurses' clinical decision-making. METHODS: An umbrella review of literature reviews. DATA SOURCES: Four major databases were searched for reviews published between 2019 and 2024. RESULTS: Sixteen literature reviews reported on 965 nursing artificial intelligence primary studies. The studies focused on technology development and emerging performance evaluations, whilst real-world testing or implementation in nursing clinical settings was rare. Rigorous comparative analyses were lacking. While artificial intelligence demonstrates promise in decision-making, challenges such as a lack of controlled studies, algorithmic bias, limited reproducibility and insufficient clinical trials hinder its practical impact. Ethical concerns, transparency and patient data privacy issues pose barriers to AI integration in nursing practice. Ethical and legal guidelines for patient privacy are needed and should be taught along with AI literacy training for nurses. CONCLUSIONS: Artificial intelligence has the potential to enhance clinical nursing decision-making, although evidence is limited by too few examples of nurse participation during development. Underutilisation in administrative nursing functions hinders implementation. Nurses should assume a central role in the design and development of AI applications to ensure that these technologies address the realities of nursing practice. With such improvements, artificial intelligence can transform nursing practice, improve nurses' clinical decision-making and ultimately enhance consumer healthcare outcomes. PATIENT OR PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: No Patient or Public Involvement. REPORTING METHOD: While there is no reporting checklist for umbrella reviews, the PRISMA guide for systematic reviews was followed.

Artificial Intelligence↗

PubMed2026

Pre-treatment polyfunctionality percentage (PFA) of CD8+ T cells is associated with development of immune-related adverse events (irAEs) in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

INTRODUCTION: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have improved cancer survival, but immune-related adverse events (irAEs) occur frequently and can have devastating consequences. There are no validated methods to evaluate risk of irAEs prior to initiation of ICIs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a pilot study evaluating the ability of blood-based, single-cell secretomic analysis to characterize irAEs. A total of 10 patients with thoracic malignancies who were scheduled to receive ICIs were enrolled. Each patient had a pre-ICI blood sample drawn as well as a sample at the time of irAE development or 12 weeks after ICI initiation, whichever came first. Utilizing IsoPlexis's IsoLight system, polyfunctionality percentages (PFAs) and strength indices (PSIs) were analyzed for CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RESULTS: Five patients developed irAEs and 5 patients did not develop irAEs. Pre- and post-ICI CD8+ T cell PFA was significantly elevated in patients who developed irAEs compared with those who did not (p = 0.017 and p = 0.014, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In this pilot study, pre-ICI CD8+ T cell PFA was associated with development of irAEs. While this is a pilot study, this is a first step toward developing a blood-based, streamlined assay to assess risk of irAEs prior to initiation of ICIs. Validation in larger cohorts is warranted.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A User-Friendly Protocol for Microinjection into Teleost Embryos to Study Gene Function.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and medaka (Oryzias latipes) are popular teleost models used in developmental biology and functional genomics. To achieve high-quality and reproducible microinjections, it is essential to have robust protocols for breeding, egg collection, and the precise delivery of genetic material. In this protocol, we present a comprehensive and optimized methodology for setting up breeding tanks under controlled photoperiod conditions to maximize egg yield while minimizing contamination. We provide detailed procedures for sex identification, pair selection, the use of grated breeding inserts, and methods to increase egg collection efficiency. We outline procedures for making injection gel beds, pulling needles, and calibration using one-microliter microcapillaries to achieve consistent nanoliter-scale injections. Our protocol outlines settings for the pico-liter injector that are optimized to deliver a precise amount per pulse with minimal variability. Finally, we demonstrate the application of these methods for gene knockdown using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides, gene knockout using CRISPR-Cas9, and gain-of-function mRNA overexpression experiments. Phenotypic assessments conducted at various developmental stages to evaluate gene-specific effects reveal consistent phenotypic outcomes between the morpholino and CRISPR-Cas9 approaches. This easy and comprehensive protocol enables efficient, precise, and scalable genetic manipulation of zebrafish and medaka embryos, thereby supporting advanced functional studies in developmental biology and disease modeling. To our knowledge, this is the first unified protocol for both zebrafish and medaka microinjection systems achieving 97.7% phenotype penetrance in CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts with precision together with a triple validation approach that confirms gene function across multiple techniques.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

The Meaning and Significance of Breastfeeding for Biological Mothers of Children with Cleft Lip and/or Palate.

INTRODUCTION: Given the functional, emotional, and symbolic challenges imposed by cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) on exclusive breastfeeding (EBF), mothers often experience early breastfeeding cessation with impacts on maternal identity and the mother-infant bond. This study aimed to explore the meanings, feelings, and experiences of mothers of children with CL/P regarding breastfeeding in the face of these adversities. METHODS: This qualitative study applied the Clinical-Qualitative Method as proposed by Turato. Six in-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with biological mothers of children with CL/P, recruited from a specialized craniofacial reference center in Brazil. Data were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach, grounded in psychodynamic concepts from the Medical Psychology theoretical framework. RESULTS: Based on the analysis of the collected material, three analytical categories were identified and constructed: (1) "Existential conflict regarding the inability to fulfill the ideal maternal role"; (2) "Duality between the need and the fear of caregiving"; and (3) "The anguish experienced between tangible and intangible support during breastfeeding."Conclusions:Although the inability to EBF in children with CL/P generates emotional distress, motherhood is reimagined through adaptive forms of care and bonding, highlighting gaps in institutional support and the need for more humanized, emotionally sensitive health practices.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Organizational bullying among nursing faculty: A systematic review of consequences, contributing factors, and interventions.

BACKGROUND: Organizational bullying among nursing faculty is a systemic and pervasive issue with profound psychological, professional, and institutional consequences. Despite increasing awareness, the literature remains fragmented, and a comprehensive synthesis is lacking. METHODS: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and examined empirical studies on organizational bullying among nursing faculty, with no date restrictions applied. A structured search across five databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase) identified studies that met inclusion criteria related to the consequences, contributing factors, and interventions. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess study quality. RESULTS: Fifteen studies meeting the quality threshold were included. Organizational bullying was consistently associated with psychological distress (e.g., anxiety, depression, burnout, suicidal ideation), professional disengagement, and intent to leave. Contributing factors were categorized into structural and organizational (e.g., hierarchical power imbalances, toxic workplace culture), managerial and HR-related (e.g., lack of leadership support, poor reporting mechanisms), and individual/social (e.g., gender or ethnic discrimination, early-career vulnerability). Intervention strategies identified included policy reforms, leadership training, supportive reporting systems, and psychological support services, though evidence on their effectiveness remains limited. CONCLUSIONS: Organizational bullying in nursing academia is a serious and multifaceted challenge with detrimental effects on individuals and institutions. Addressing it requires a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that includes structural reforms, leadership development, and psychosocial support systems. Academic institutions must prioritize the creation of safe, inclusive, and respectful environments to retain faculty and sustain the quality of nursing education.

Faculty, Nursing↗

PubMed2026

Depression and amyloid-β across CSF, PET, and plasma biomarkers: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Alzheimer's disease is increasingly defined by biomarker evidence of amyloid-β and tau pathology, sharpening questions about whether late-life depression contributes to, or instead reflects, this pathology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between 2000 and 2025 that compared amyloid-β biomarkers in adults with and without depression, with depression defined by validated clinical diagnoses or symptom rating scales. Twenty-four studies were included, spanning three biomarker sources: cerebrospinal fluid, positron emission tomography imaging, and plasma. Across all sources, the pooled difference in amyloid-β burden between depressed and non-depressed individuals was small and clustered near zero, indicating only a weak, statistically non-significant tendency toward higher amyloid in depression. When the three sources were examined separately, each yielded a similar near-null result, although between-study heterogeneity was considerable for cerebrospinal fluid and plasma and moderate for imaging. Importantly, a prespecified subgroup analysis showed that imaging results diverged by quantification method: studies using the simpler standardized uptake value ratio clustered around zero, whereas the smaller group of studies using kinetic distribution volume ratio modelling showed a significant positive association, suggesting that methodological choices critically influence the observed relationship. Taken together, these findings indicate that depression is not consistently accompanied by greater amyloid-β burden across widely used biomarker platforms. The distribution volume ratio signal nonetheless raises the possibility of subtle associations that cruder methods may obscure, and suggests that depression may shape Alzheimer's disease trajectories more by modifying the clinical impact of amyloid than by altering its amount.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Health and Physical Activity Outcomes in Age-Friendly Cities and Communities: A Systematic Review of Emerging Evidence and a Future Research Agenda.

OBJECTIVES: The World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities and Communities (AFCCs) promotes the development of urban environments, policies and services that support the health and participation of older adults. This systematic review examined contemporary evidence concerning associations between WHO AFCC conditions and directly measured health and physical activity outcomes among older residents. METHODS: The registered review adhered to the PRISMA protocol for systematic reviews and meta-analyses and applied the Downs and Black quality criteria for randomised and non-randomised research. RESULTS: Structured Boolean searches of five research repositories identified 17 peer-reviewed studies published between 2017 and 2025 based upon original research conducted in WHO AFCC signatory cities. Although most studies reported positive associations between age-friendly features and domains, such as accessible transport, walkable environments, outdoor infrastructure and self-rated health or physical activity, the strength of evidence was limited by methodological inconsistency, variable study quality and reliance on self-reports. Barriers to evaluation included limited use of longitudinal or quasi-experimental designs, heterogeneous outcome measures, subjective response data and the challenge of establishing appropriate comparison conditions in complex municipal settings. CONCLUSIONS: Strengthening evaluation frameworks for AFCC initiatives is essential for evidence-based urban health policy and governance in rapidly ageing societies. A research agenda is proposed to strengthen AFCC evaluation through standardised measurement, community-based and mixed-methods research, and a greater commitment to co-designed assessment frameworks.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Imaging techniques for assessing the hand in systemic sclerosis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease frequently associated with hand involvement, leading to significant functional impairment. Imaging techniques provide unique opportunities to visualize and quantify structural and functional abnormalities of the hand, supporting diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment evaluation. This systematic review summarizes the imaging techniques used in SSc. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was conducted. Eligible studies included original research articles in English that applied or evaluated imaging techniques of the hands in SSc, published after 2000. Ultrasound and nailfold capillaroscopy were excluded, given their established use. Screening was performed independently by two authors. Findings were synthesized by clinical manifestations, study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. RESULTS: Sixty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 25 distinct imaging techniques were identified, enabling assessment of various hand structures, including vascular involvement, inflammation, fibrosis, calcifications, erosions, and bone marrow edema. Vascular imaging was most extensively studied, particularly in the context of Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ischemia, with multiple techniques demonstrating impaired perfusion and altered thermoregulatory responses. MRI consistently detected subclinical inflammatory and erosive changes of joints and soft tissues,. CT-based techniques provided detailed assessment of calcinosis cutis, while optical and photoacoustic methods showed promise for quantifying skin fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Imaging techniques provide valuable, complementary insights into hand involvement in SSc, often revealing subclinical disease. Despite promising results, limited standardization and longitudinal validation currently restrict clinical implementation. Future studies should focus on harmonizing protocols and validating against clinically meaningful outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Applications and outcomes of virtual reality in inpatient psychiatry: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality (VR) has been widely used in outpatient psychiatric services and has demonstrated benefits across several clinical diagnoses, but its use and effects in inpatient settings remain to be explored. This systematic review aimed to examine the use of VR during psychiatric hospitalization, including types of VR applications, barriers and facilitators of implementation, and effects on various outcomes. METHODS: The review was registered in PROSPERO (#CRD42023446524). Following PRISMA guidelines, databases (Ovid, SciVerse, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and WorldCat) were searched from 1983 to 2025 using keywords related to VR and psychiatric disorders. Studies involving the use of VR with psychiatric inpatients (≥85%) were included. Descriptive statistics and narrative syntheses were used to summarize findings. Study quality was assessed with the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: After full-text screening, 37 studies (N = 1,004) met inclusion criteria. VR was used for both assessment and intervention, with cognitive-behavioral therapy/exposure (35%) and assessment (24%) being the most frequently used. VR use in inpatient units appeared feasible, acceptable, and safe for inpatients and clinicians, though findings remain preliminary. Several facilitators (e.g. adequate staff training and supervision) and common barriers (e.g. technical difficulties and limited resources) were identified. The most consistent improvements were observed in clinical symptoms (e.g. anxiety) compared with psychosocial, cognitive, and physiological outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that inpatient settings represent a promising, yet understudied context for VR-based assessments and interventions. High-quality trials and systematic reporting of implementation are needed in future studies to inform research and clinical practice.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Assessment of temporomandibular joint space changes after orthognathic surgery in skeletal malocclusion patients: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: To interpret postoperative changes in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) joint space dimensions and condylar position following orthognathic surgery in patients with skeletal malocclusions, and to determine whether reported alterations represent clinically meaningful displacement or physiological adaptive remodeling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, EBSCOhost, and Cochrane Library was performed to assess pre- and postoperative TMJ changes using three-dimensional imaging. Joint spaces including anterior (AJS), superior (SJS), and posterior (PJS) and condylar morphology were evaluated. Methodological quality was appraised using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist. Due to methodological and clinical heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively with attention to malocclusion type and surgical movement. RESULTS: A total of 16 studies consisting 628 patients undergoing BSSO, Le Fort I osteotomy, vertical ramus osteotomy, or bimaxillary surgery were included. Most studies reported minor, adaptive postoperative changes in AJS, SJS, and PJS. Class II patients showed more consistent increases in AJS/SJS, whereas Class III patients demonstrated variable posterior or anterior remodelling depending on surgical movement. Volumetric analyses revealed region-specific adaptations without significant condylar displacement. Postoperative temporomandibular disorder symptoms were infrequent, and no consistent evidence supported detrimental TMJ effects attributable to surgery. CONCLUSION: Postoperative TMJ joint space changes after orthognathic surgery primarily represent physiological adaptive remodeling rather than pathological condylar displacement, with reported variability driven by malocclusion type, surgical movement, fixation method, and imaging protocol. Recognizing these predictable patterns is essential to prevent overinterpretation of postoperative imaging and to improve clinical assessment through standardized three-dimensional and long-term evaluation strategies.

Humans↗