BMC Med Inform Decis Mak. 2026 Feb 20. doi: 10.1186/s12911-026-03379-3. Online ahead of print.
NO ABSTRACT
PMID:41721324 | DOI:10.1186/s12911-026-03379-3
Category: Nevin Manimala
BMC Proc. 2026 Feb 20;20(Suppl 10):9. doi: 10.1186/s12919-026-00365-5.
ABSTRACT
Cell migration is a fundamental phenomenon in biology that underlies normal development as well as cancer. Recently, a data-driven approach was introduced that uses deep reinforcement learning(DRL) and 3-D live images to study cell migration. This approach formulates the cell migration process as a sequential Markov decision process (MDP), so that hypotheses of the underlying mechanism of the observed migration can easily be incorporated as high-level regulatory rules and constraints for DRL. The application of the approach successfully uncovered a novel mechanism of cell migration in C. elegans embryogenesis that involves a modular organization of cells by using ubiquitous labels of cell nuclei and simple rules based on empirical statistics of the images. This success demonstrates new opportunities to use DRL to infer the biology of cell migration without prior knowledge. This paper presents an open framework, CellMigrationGym, to standardize the DRL approach to study cell migration. Built upon common packages (OpenAI Gym, PyBullet, and DRL libraries), CellMigrationGym provides powerful and flexible functions to investigate cell migration behavior. Through a case study, we demonstrate the critical functions of CellMigrationGym with technical details, such as 1) preparation and standardization of multiple observational data, 2) reward formulation and DRL model configuration appertaining to the hypotheses of migration mechanism (such as gradient-driven and collective cell behavior-driven mechanisms), 3) exploration of migration scenarios under hypothesized mechanisms, and 4) evaluation of neighboring cell’s influence on the cell migration.
PMID:41721321 | DOI:10.1186/s12919-026-00365-5
BMC Pediatr. 2026 Feb 21. doi: 10.1186/s12887-026-06550-x. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The prevalence of childhood asthma is increasing in developing countries, accompanied by numerous risk factors. This leads to substantial asthma related morbidity, mortality and economic consequences. The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine prevalence and risk factors associated with asthma in East Africa, thereby elucidating the asthma burden among children and adolescents in the region.
METHODS: Relevant articles were identified through searches of five databases ( PubMed, Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus, and Web of Science), with the PRISMA guideline used for data extraction. Random effects meta-analyses were performed to calculate pooled estimates and associated 95% confidence intervals [CIs]. Heterogeneity between the studies was assessed using Cochrane Q-test and the I2 statistic.
RESULTS: This meta-analysis encompassed 11 studies involving 20,258 children with asthma across six East African countries. The pooled prevalence of asthma was 15.2% (95% CI: 11.9%,18.5%), with notable variation across countries, ranging from 5.2% (95% CI: 3.3%, 7.1%) in Tanzania to 20.8% (95% CI: 17.6%, 24.0%) in Uganda. Risk factors for asthma included family history of asthma (pooled odds ratio [POR] = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.7, 4.5), environmental exposure(POR = 10.1, 95% CI: 1.3, 19.8), allergy exposure (POR = 3.1, 95% CI: 2.3, 4.0), and exposure to smoking (POR = 2.9, 95% CI: 1.4, 4.3).
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of asthma among children in East Africa was high, and multiple risk factors were associated with it.It appears that strategies and targeted interventions to address specific modifiable factors (e.g., environmental exposure, allergy exposure, and exposure to smoking) should be emphasized.
CLINICAL TRAIL NUMBER: CRD42024545007.
PMID:41721311 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-026-06550-x
mSystems. 2026 Feb 20:e0118325. doi: 10.1128/msystems.01183-25. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
Bloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Our understanding of S. aureus survival and persistence in human serum, a cell-free fraction of blood hostile for bacteria, is still limited. Here, we applied multivariate data integration methods and network analysis to a multi-omic data set generated from five clinically prevalent S. aureus genotypes exposed to human serum. We observed, and then confirmed using isogenic mutants the significant roles of gapdhB, sucA, sirA, sstD, and perR in bacterial survival in serum. These data show that metabolic versatility in carbon source usage, iron transport, and resistance to oxidative stress is interlinked and central to S. aureus fitness in serum, representing potential S. aureus vulnerabilities that could be exploited therapeutically.IMPORTANCEBloodstream infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus are associated with mortality rates of up to 30%. However, the molecular mechanisms that enable this pathogen to survive in human serum-a nutrient-limited and immunologically hostile environment-remain poorly understood. By integrating multi-omic data from five clinically relevant S. aureus genotypes and validating key signatures using mutants, we identified conserved genetic determinants critical for bacterial survival in serum. Our findings highlight the interconnected roles of carbohydrate metabolic flexibility, iron acquisition, and oxidative stress resistance in shaping S. aureus adaptation to serum. This work advances our understanding of microbial strategies to survive in the bloodstream and demonstrates the potential of multi-omic integration to uncover therapeutic vulnerabilities in bacterial pathogens.
PMID:41718494 | DOI:10.1128/msystems.01183-25
Cardiovasc J Afr. 2025 Oct 17;36(4):462-466. doi: 10.5830/CVJA-2025-064. Epub 2025 Oct 17.
ABSTRACT
AIM: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is an important health problem and accurate prognostic evaluations are critical. We aimed to investigate the association between the triglyceride glucose (TyG) index and coronary complexity in stable CAD patients.
METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 247 stable CAD patients. The patient group was classified into two groups; group 1: SYNTAX 0, group 2: SYNTAX ≥1. TyG index levels were analysed in these groups.
RESULTS: A total of 247 patients were included in the study. Group 1 included 106 patients and, group 2 included 141 patients. Mean age was 68.9 ± 10.6 and 52.2% was male. TyG index was statistically significantly higher in group 2 (p < 0.001).Correlation analysis showed a strong correlation between the TyG index and SYNTAX score (r = 0.303, p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: It was observed that high TyG index values increased the complexity of lesions in coronary arteries. The TyG index may be used to determine the prognosis of patients.
PMID:41718469 | DOI:10.5830/CVJA-2025-064
J Magn Reson Imaging. 2026 Feb 20. doi: 10.1002/jmri.70269. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Ankle cartilage is prone to degeneration due to overuse. Developing a non-invasive MRI technique to detect early running-induced lesions enables timely intervention.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the value of the ultrashort echo time magnetization transfer (UTE-MT) sequence in monitoring tibiotalar cartilage changes in amateur marathon runners before and after a marathon.
STUDY TYPE: Prospective.
SUBJECTS: Thirty amateur marathon runners (25 males, 5 females; range: 24-50 years).
SEQUENCE: 3D UTE-MT (gradient-echo), 3D UTE-T2* (gradient-echo).
ASSESSMENT: MRI scans at three time points: 1 week pre-marathon, 2 days post-marathon, and 4 weeks post-marathon. Medial and lateral tibiotalar cartilage was subdivided into 12 subregions, consisting of anterior, middle, and posterior segments for the tibial and talus parts on each side. The UTE-MTR and UTE-T2* values were measured per subregion at each time point.
STATISTICAL TESTS: Repeated measures one-way ANOVA and the Tukey test. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS: Most cartilage subregions showed decreased UTE-MTR values 2 days post-marathon and increased after 4 weeks. Significant differences in UTE-MTR over time were observed in 9 subregions, including the medial and lateral anterior, middle, and posterior tibial cartilage (MTiA, MTiM, MTiP, LTiA, LTiM, LTiP), the medial and lateral posterior talus regions (MTaP, LTaP), and the medial middle talus cartilage (MTaM). Post hoc tests revealed significant UTE-MTR decreases 2 days post-marathon in all 9 regions (Rate: MTiA: -3.9%; MTiM: -2.8%; MTiP: -3.0%; MTaP: -4.5%; MTaM: -4.2%; LTiA: -3.5%; LTiM: -4.7%; LTiP: -5.8%; LTaP: -6.8%), with significant increases in MTiA (3.7%) and MTaM (4.4%) at 4 weeks. UTE-T2* values rose in most cartilage regions at 2 days post-marathon and continued increasing at 4 weeks. Only MTiP, LTiM, and LTaM showed significant changes.
DATA CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the UTE-MT sequence enables the quantitative assessment of dynamic changes in tibiotalar joint cartilage after a marathon.
TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.
PMID:41718463 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.70269
Pediatr Rep. 2026 Feb 12;18(1):29. doi: 10.3390/pediatric18010029.
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Higher health literacy is associated with better health behaviors and better overall well-being; however, the contribution of relational and socio-economic factors to this association remains insufficiently explored. The present study aimed to examine the relationships between health literacy, well-being, social support, and stress among adolescents. In particular, the mediating roles of social support (family, peers, and teachers) and stress in the association between health literacy and well-being were analyzed.
PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Data were drawn from the 2022 wave of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study, an international survey conducted every four years in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO) and implemented according to a standardized protocol. The sample comprised 7643 students from the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades of Portuguese public schools. Of the participants, 53.9% were female, and the mean age was 15.05 years (SD = 2.36). Gender-based comparisons indicated statistically significant differences for all study variables, with the exception of health literacy.
RESULTS: Mediation analysis reveals an effect of health literacy on well-being. After the inclusion of the mediating variables, the direct effect of health literacy on lack of well-being remained negative. All four mediators showed statistically significant indirect effects, accounting for the difference between the total and direct effects. These findings indicate that the association between health literacy and lack of well-being was partially mediated by family support, peer support, relationships with teachers, and stress. Health literacy influenced lack of well-being both directly and indirectly through these mediating pathways, with stress emerging as the strongest indirect contributor.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings support an ecological interpretation of health literacy and well-being, as these constructs are embedded within multiple interacting systems. Individual adolescent characteristics, such as gender, age, and stress management, are interconnected with interpersonal contexts, including relationships with family members, peers, and teachers. In addition, adolescents’ socio-economic circumstances appear to play a relevant role in shaping both health literacy and perceptions of well-being.
PMID:41718441 | DOI:10.3390/pediatric18010029
Pediatr Rep. 2026 Feb 5;18(1):27. doi: 10.3390/pediatric18010027.
ABSTRACT
Background/Objectives: High-quality pediatric emergency care requires timely access, effective communication, privacy, pain management, comfort, and child- and family-centered practices; however, implementation may be constrained by several barriers. The aim of the study was to evaluate the quality of pediatric emergency care as perceived by healthcare professionals, with emphasis on child-centered care and variations based on workplace and professional characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was performed in the emergency departments in two tertiary public pediatric hospitals in Athens, Greece. A study-developed 14-item Quality of Care Assessment Scale with paired ratings of agreement with quality principles and implementation in practice was completed by 162 professionals (122 doctors, 24 nurses, 16 assistant nurses). Independent items evaluated perceived barriers, overall assessments (0-100), and information provided to parents/children (5-point Likert scale). Inferential tests and descriptive statistics were also used (p < 0.05). Results: There was a significant degree of agreement with quality principles, but there was a constant lack of implementation (principle-practice gap). The primary perceived weakness was waiting times; child-friendly settings and privacy during examinations and information-giving were also lacking. Internal consistency ranged from good to acceptable (implementation α = 0.800; agreement α = 0.711). Children were most frequently rated as “moderately informed” (48.1%), while parents were most frequently rated as “quite informed” (50.0%). Compared to the organization of care (mean 60.85), perceived safety was higher (mean 73.27). Perceptions varied by age, educational level, profession, department, shift rotations, and hospital. The main barriers were workload (30.2%), poor coordination (34.0%), and lack of resources (46.9%). Conclusions: Health professionals seem to perceive that consistent delivery of child-centered care is impaired by organizational and structural limitations. Reducing the standards-to-practice gap requires targeted system-level interventions that focus on staffing, care organization, environment, and professional support.
PMID:41718439 | DOI:10.3390/pediatric18010027
Pediatr Rep. 2026 Feb 5;18(1):26. doi: 10.3390/pediatric18010026.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Adolescence is a critical developmental period during which peer attitudes and school experiences play an important role in social inclusion and academic adjustment. Although attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is common in secondary school populations, adolescents’ own knowledge and attitudes toward ADHD remain underexplored, particularly in non-Anglophone contexts. This study aimed to assess knowledge and attitudes toward ADHD among Greek secondary school students, focusing on awareness of the disorder, perceptions of ADHD-related classroom behaviors, and views on educational support and intervention.
METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 154 adolescents aged 12-18 years attending Gymnasium (Grades 7-9) and Lyceum (Grades 10-12) in Greece. Data were collected using an anonymous online questionnaire assessing prior awareness of ADHD, perceptions of classroom behaviors associated with ADHD, attitudes toward inclusion and teacher support, and views on educational and therapeutic interventions. Adolescents with and without a self-reported ADHD diagnosis completed different questionnaire sections according to study design. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used for data analysis.
RESULTS: Approximately two thirds of participants (66.9%) reported prior awareness of ADHD. Among typically developing adolescents (n = 134), 83.0% recognized distractibility due to external noise, 70.4% noted off-topic interruptions, and 60.0% reported peers getting up without permission. While 75.5% believed students with ADHD can participate in the classroom, 65.9% also reported academic challenges such as incomplete homework or lower performance. Overall, 79.2% of participants stated that school success depends on teacher and specialist support; however, among adolescents with ADHD (n = 20), only 60.0% endorsed this, with 40.0% emphasizing personal effort. Speech-language therapy was viewed as helpful by 55.6% of typically developing adolescents, though 76.9% of adolescents with ADHD reported not receiving such services.
CONCLUSIONS: Greek adolescents demonstrate moderate awareness of ADHD and generally supportive attitudes toward peers with ADHD, alongside some uncertainty regarding available educational supports. Schools may represent an important context for improving adolescents’ mental health literacy and understanding of ADHD-related support options.
PMID:41718438 | DOI:10.3390/pediatric18010026
Pediatr Rep. 2026 Feb 4;18(1):23. doi: 10.3390/pediatric18010023.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Adolescence is a critical stage for establishing lifelong dietary habits and preventing non-communicable diseases through adequate intake of bioactive compounds. Numerous studies have thoroughly examined the antioxidant profile of traditional diets such as the Mediterranean diet. In contrast, current research provides limited insights into the antioxidant properties of foods typically consumed by Mexican adolescents.
OBJECTIVE: So, this study aimed to quantify the total phenolic compound (TPC) content and antioxidant capacity (AC) of frequently consumed foods and to estimate dietary intake in Mexican adolescents.
METHODOLOGY: The selected food groups were identified based on their frequency of consumption by 15% or more of the adolescent population, considering those that have demonstrated a sufficient quantity of antioxidants. It was analyzed TPC and ABTS•+ and DPPH• to determine the antiradical activity of the analyzed samples.
RESULTS: The estimated daily intake of TPC was 1484.01 mg GAE/person, while AC intake was 345.67 mg AAE/person (ABTS•+) and 5399.14 µmol TE/person (DPPH•). Cereals and fruits were the major contributors to total antioxidant intake, while the contribution of leafy vegetables and nuts was relatively low. The statistical analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between TPC and AC. The results of the study indicate the antioxidant potential of the adolescent diet.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite certain limitations, the values obtained from the study are comparable to those of other studies that employed similar methodologies. Consequently, promoting the early consumption of fresh plant-based foods rich in antioxidants, such as polyphenols, which can enhance the dietary profile and contribute to adolescents’ long-term health, constitutes a significant area of research.
PMID:41718435 | DOI:10.3390/pediatric18010023