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Clinical & Research · page 49

New research and findings from open-access journals and the U.S. research agencies.

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

Developing a core outcome set for intervention studies in post stroke cognitive impairment (COS-PSCI): a protocol

Introduction Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) negatively impacts peoples’ quality of life and functional independence. Its complexity poses challenges for both clinical management and intervention research. Despite global guidelines recommending cognitive assessment for all stroke survivors, there is no consensus on what, when or how to measure PSCI. Intervention studies use varied outcome measures, limiting comparability and clinical translation. Developing a core outcome set (COS) for PSCI could address these challenges by standardising outcome measurement, enhancing comparability…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

Vaccination coverage and inequalities in childhood immunisation in Ethiopia: a secondary analysis of the PMA national longitudinal survey

Objective The aim of this study was to assess vaccination coverage and inequalities in childhood immunisation among children aged 12 months in Ethiopia. Design Performance monitoring for action Ethiopia implemented a nationally representative first-cohort longitudinal survey (2019–2021), collecting data at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year post partum to monitor reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health indicators. Settings The study was conducted from five Ethiopian regions: three predominantly agrarian (Amhara, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples), one…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

Astronauts of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): cohort profile

Purpose Occupational cohorts are important to understanding the unique exposures of a workforce. The individuals selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to be astronauts experience occupational exposures unlike any other. To better understand the short- and long-term health effects of spaceflight, health and exposure data are collected on this cohort through clinical and other surveillance settings. Participants This cohort is composed of the 360 astronauts who have been selected by NASA from the first selection class in 1959 to the most recent class of 2022…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

Comparison of oxycodone hydrochloride injection versus sufentanil for postoperative analgesia in patients undergoing minimally invasive cardiac valve replacement: study protocol for a single-centre, randomised, double-blind non-inferiority trial

Introduction With the advancement of the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) concept, minimally invasive heart valve replacement surgery has become widely performed due to its advantages of smaller trauma and fewer adverse reactions. However, postoperative pain management remains complex and traditional opioid analgesia is often associated with adverse side effects. Oxycodone, an opioid agonist, has strong analgesic effects with relatively few side effects. This study aims to explore the efficacy and safety of oxycodone hydrochloride injection in multimodal pain management following…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

Why do adolescent girls become pregnant? Contextual pathways to adolescent pregnancy in rural Tanzania: a mixed-methods study

Introduction Adolescent pregnancy remains a significant public health and social challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, including Tanzania. The study aimed to explore contextual reasons and determinants of adolescent pregnancy among girls using a mixed-methods approach. Design A convergent mixed-methods study integrating a community-based cross-sectional survey with qualitative in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed separately and integrated during interpretation using triangulation and comparative joint analysis. Setting Community-based…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

Facilitators and barriers to implementing national iron and folic acid supplementation programmes for adolescents in India: a protocol for systematic review

Introduction Anaemia remains a major public health concern among Indian adolescents, particularly girls. National-level and state-level initiatives led by the Government of India, such as the Weekly Iron and Folic Acid Supplementation, Anaemia Mukt Bharat and the Intensified National Iron Plus Initiative, aim to control iron-deficiency anaemia through systematic supplementation and behaviour change communication strategies. However, implementation challenges persist. Given the limited evidence on barriers, facilitators and interventions implemented to improve the outlined national schemes, we…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

What Matters 2 Kids: a mixed-methods protocol for developing a culturally-responsive illustrated well-being measure for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

Introduction Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are the future custodians of country, culture and community for the world’s oldest living cultures. However, they continue to experience significant disadvantage as a legacy of British colonisation. Failure to address the systemic inequities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children infringes on their rights to health, education, safety and cultural identity. Despite this, there has been limited focus on recognising and measuring the cultural and personal strengths that support their well-being. This study aims to…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

ENding HIV transmission to infants by Generating Evidence to optimise prevention and care for pregnant and postpartum Adolescent Girls and young women with HIV in Tanzania (ENGAGE): study protocol for a mixed-methods research project

Introduction Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Tanzania, is double-burdened with high rates of teenage pregnancy and new HIV infections among adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) aged 15–24 years. Moreover, pregnant AGYW living with HIV in SSA have poorer adherence and retention on HIV treatment and elevated risks of vertical HIV transmission to their infants, as compared with older women. This paper describes the methods for the ENGAGE project, aiming to investigate and optimise healthcare for prevention of vertical HIV transmission (commonly prevention of mother-to-child transmission…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

The DARO-flare trial: evaluating the impact of darolutamide on prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) flare and its implications for imaging and staging of hormone-sensitive prostate cancer - study protocol

Introduction Prostate cancer (PCa) represents a major global health concern due to biological heterogeneity and the complexity of its underlying molecular pathways, which contribute to substantial morbidity and mortality. Ongoing research continues to elucidate distinct molecular mechanisms that may inform diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Among these, the prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) has emerged as a pivotal biomarker and therapeutic target in PCa. PSMA is indirectly modulated by androgen signalling through the androgen receptor (AR) pathway and has been observed to undergo…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

Association of nurse staffing ratios with patient mortality and length of stay in Chilean public hospitals: a cross-sectional study

Objectives To evaluate variation in nurse staffing ratios in intensive care unit (ICU) and medical-surgical units in Chilean public hospitals and the extent to which nurse staffing is associated with patient mortality and length of stay. Design Cross-sectional. Setting Out of a population of 45 general high-complexity Chilean public hospitals, 43 participated in the study. Participants 514 ICU and 1850 medical-surgical bedside nurses answered an online survey to provide data on their working conditions, including staffing. Patient outcomes were measured using the 2023 national discharge…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

Can sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibition preserve renal structure and function in de novo kidney transplant recipients? Protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial assessing the efficacy of dapagliflozin on kidney structure, function and safety in kidney transplant recipients in Norway--the DEAK study

Introduction Recent studies have shown that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors slow the progression of chronic kidney disease in people at high cardiovascular risk, with or without type 2 diabetes. To date, all published studies have excluded kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). The Dapagliflozin Early After Kidney Transplantation (DEAK) study aims to prospectively evaluate the effects of the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin on kidney function, histopathology and metabolic outcomes among de novo KTRs. Methods and analyses This nationwide, investigator-initiated…

BMJ Open · Jun 18, 2026

AMI-SSS01 portable phonocardiographic examination with AI-assisted assessment for detecting heart failure exacerbations in home-based medical care in Japanese primary care clinics: a study protocol for a randomised controlled feasibility trial

Introduction The global prevalence of heart failure continues to increase, particularly in ageing populations. Many older patients receiving home-based medical care have limited access to standard diagnostic tools, such as chest radiography and echocardiography, which can delay the detection of disease progression. AMI-SSS01, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based portable phonocardiography device, enables rapid and reproducible analysis of heart sounds, potentially allowing earlier identification of heart failure exacerbations in home-based medical settings. This trial aims to evaluate the…

JAMA Network Open · Jun 18, 2026

Error in Figure

In the Original Investigation titled “Recent COVID-19 Vaccination and Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Transmission,” published May 15, 2026, Figure 3 contained an error in the vaccine effectiveness 95% CI for primary case participants at 6 months or less since COVID-19 vaccination. The 95% CI should have appeared as 7% to 65%. This article has been corrected.

JAMA Network Open · Jun 18, 2026

The Texas Abortion Ban and Maternal Mental Health

This cross-sectional study examines the association of the implementation of Texas Senate Bill 8, which banned abortions after embryonic cardiac activity, with maternal mental health outcomes.

MedCity News · Jun 17, 2026

FDA Reversal on uniQure Gene Therapy Is Another Sign of Renewed Regulatory Flexibility

UniQure is preparing to seek accelerated FDA approval for its Huntington’s disease gene therapy, a move that follows the FDA’s reversal of its prior position calling for another clinical trial. This gene therapy is the latest in a growing list of rare disease treatments to receive reconsideration from an FDA that appears to be swinging back to regulatory flexibility. The post FDA Reversal on uniQure Gene Therapy Is Another Sign of Renewed Regulatory Flexibility appeared first on MedCity News .

ACC (Cardiology) · Jun 17, 2026

Strength Training Linked to Lower CVD Risk in Women

Women who participate in resistance training (RT) may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, particularly myocardial infarction (MI), especially when combined with aerobic exercise, according to a large cohort study published June 17 in JACC.

BMJ Open · Jun 17, 2026

Mapping interventions addressing frailty and associated outcomes in people with heart failure: a scoping review

Objectives Frailty in people with heart failure (HF) is a multidimensional state and associated with poor outcomes. Addressing frailty in people with HF has been identified as a priority area to improve outcomes. Yet, related non-pharmacological interventions are rarely described in detail. The aim of this article is to map interventions and associated outcomes addressing frailty in people with HF across the physical-functional, clinical, psycho-cognitive and social dimensions of frailty. Design The scoping review is conducted according to the methodology of the Joanna Briggs Institute. Data…

BMJ Open · Jun 17, 2026

Effects of different exercise interventions on body composition in women with overweight and obesity: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

Objective This study aimed to investigate the effects of different types of exercise on body composition in women with overweight or obesity and to compare the relative effectiveness of these interventions using a systematic review and network meta-analysis. Design Systematic review and network meta-analysis using the CINeMA (Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis) approach. Data sources PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, SportsDiscus, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Scopus were searched through September 2025. Eligibility criteria for selecting studies We included randomised controlled trials…

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