Category: Nevin Manimala

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11747. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96053-z.

ABSTRACT

The utility of CT-derived parameters for hepatic steatosis assessment has primarily focused on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aimed to evaluate their applicability in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) through a retrospective analysis of 243 CHB patients. Using deep-learning-based 3D organ segmentation on abdominal CT scans at 100 kVp, the mean volumetric CT attenuation of the liver and spleen was automatically measured on pre-contrast (liver (L)_pre and spleen (S)_pre) and post-contrast (L_post and S_post) portal venous phase images. To identify mild, moderate, and severe steatosis (S1, S2, and S3 based on the controlled attenuation parameter), L_pre showed areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs) of 0.695, 0.779, and 0.795, significantly higher than L-S_pre (0.633, 0.691, and 0.732; Ps = 0.02, 0.003, and 0.03). Post-contrast parameters demonstrated slightly lower AUROCs than their pre-contrast counterparts (Ps = 0.15-0.81). Concomitant hepatic fibrosis influenced diagnostic performance, with CT parameters performing better in patients without severe fibrosis than those with (F3-4 on transient elastography), though statistical significance was only observed for L-S_post in severe steatosis (P = 0.037). In conclusion, CT attenuation-based parameters extracted through automated 3D analysis show promise as a tool for assessing hepatic steatosis in patients with CHB.

PMID:40189652 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-96053-z

Int J Legal Med. 2025 Apr 7. doi: 10.1007/s00414-025-03485-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of hyperthermia-related death presents a significant challenge in the field of forensic medicine due to the lack of pathognomonic signs and the complexity of the variables involved. This systematic review analyzes research on the role of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in postmortem diagnosis of hyperthermia, considering studies related to environmental hyperthermia, fire-related fatalities, and substance-induced hyperthermia. A total of 36 studies were included, selected according to PRISMA guidelines and critically evaluated using JBI tools. The results highlighted significant methodological heterogeneity, with differences in the tissues studied, the immunohistochemical markers used, and the analytical techniques employed. Some markers showed diagnostic potential in cases of fire exposure, but in deaths due to environmental or substance-induced hyperthermia, the markers examined were neither specific nor reliable. Common methodological weaknesses included small sample sizes, biases, and insufficient statistical analysis, which influenced the interpretation of the results. Considering these issues, IHC cannot be considered a valid diagnostic technique for hyperthermia-related deaths. Future studies with greater methodological rigor, validation of specific markers, and standardization of procedures are necessary.

PMID:40189649 | DOI:10.1007/s00414-025-03485-3

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11802. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-88896-3.

ABSTRACT

Large presence of unlicensed powered two- and three-wheeler (PTW) drivers in China pose a significant threat to road safety. In this study, a customized Deep Forest Model (DF-ptw) is constructed to investigate the effect of unlicensed PTW drivers on crash severity in two-vehicle crashes, using a recent 3-year historical crash data. SHapley Additive explanation (SHAP) and Partial Dependence Plot (PDP) analysis reveal that unlicensed motorcyclists are significantly more likely to suffer serious injuries in two-vehicle crashes compared to unlicensed auto-rickshaw drivers. Additionally, factors such as drunk driving, fatigued driving, and being an unlicensed driver over the age of 53 notably elevate the risk of serious injury or death, with unlicensed motorcyclists being disproportionately affected. Moreover, self-employed unlicensed PTW drivers face a higher probability of serious injury or fatality in crashes compared to farmers, blue-collar, and white-collar workers. Unlicensed PTW drivers are also more susceptible to severe or fatal injuries on national and provincial roads, in low visibility conditions, during late-night hours, on non-separated roads, and at dusk or dawn. Based on these findings, this study proposes to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes involving unlicensed PTW drivers by focusing on more stringent eligibility checks, increasing safety awareness, and implementing advanced safety measures.

PMID:40189638 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-88896-3

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11753. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-94935-w.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to confirm the psychometric validity of the French version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS-F), as well as to evaluate its psychometric properties for the first time using item response theory, more precisely the partial credit model (PCM). It also aimed to evaluate item invariance by exploring possible differential item functioning (DIF). The 3708 participants were recruited during a cross-sectional observational study among university students in the French region of Lorraine. The results of the classical test theory method demonstrated an overall good fit of the scale to the data, with SB-χ2 = 80.84, df = 9, χ²/df = 9.0, p < 0.001, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) (90% CI) = 0.046 [0.039; 0.058], standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.018, and comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.991), and good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.86). The PCM also yielded a good fit, with a good internal consistency (PSR = 0.88) and overall good infit indices. A slight irregularity in response distribution was observed with the “Neutral” category, but was not a threat to the structural integrity of the scale. No statistically significant DIF was observed when tested for gender (male vs. female) or academic level (undergraduate vs. graduate). Overall, the BRS-F was a good fit for the population of university students in France in a cross-sectional design.

PMID:40189614 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-94935-w

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11783. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-92767-2.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to scientifically evaluate the competitive performance of table tennis athletes in matches, examine the reliability and practical value of the “New Four-Phase Index Statistical Method” in statistical analysis of technical and tactical indicators, and establish a new evaluation system for technical and tactical indicators. A total of 40 significant international men’s table tennis matches were selected for analysis. The video analysis method was employed to calculate the scoring rates and utilization rates of the eight sub-observational indicators within the “New Four-Phase Index.” Subsequently, a table tennis technical effectiveness indicator system was established. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied in conjunction with cluster analysis (CA) to comprehensively evaluate the competitive strength of each table tennis match and to select matches with similar strengths. The technical effectiveness data of the “New Four-Phase Index” were suitable for principal component model analysis (KMO > 0.5, P < 0.01). Following the principle that eigenvalues greater than or equal to 1 should be retained in principal component analysis, four principal components were extracted, reflecting 75.343% of the original variable information. Additionally, the overall rankings derived from the principal components analysis of the 40 matches were generally consistent with the match results. However, there were instances of imbalance between the total score and the match outcome. Cluster analysis categorized the 40 matches into three comprehensive competitive strength classes: “fluctuating competitive level,” “consistent competitive level,” and “weaker competitive level.” Variance analysis revealed statistically significant differences among these three categories (P < 0.05). The PCA-CA comprehensive analysis model provided strong validation for the empirical research of competitive performance in table tennis matches. It effectively reflects the comprehensive competitive level of athletes in each match, offering valuable guidance to coaches for understanding their athletes’ competitive states and formulating appropriate match strategies.

PMID:40189604 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-92767-2

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11777. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-89755-x.

ABSTRACT

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a neuropathic facial pain disorder characterized by severe stabbing pain along the trigeminal nerve. While its pathogenesis remains unclear, nerve demyelination and inflammation are likely involved. Current research has primarily focused on various blood-based omics approaches, which do not fully capture the lipid alterations occurring during TN progression in brain. In contrast, our study is the first to investigate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lipidomic profiles in TN patients, aiming to elucidate potential disease mechanisms. CSF samples were collected from 22 TN patients and 18 healthy controls, followed by untargeted lipidomic analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A pipeline for lipid identification and relative quantification, combined with statistical analysis, revealed 188 lipid species across 21 classes. We found significant upregulation of Cer-NPs, LPCs, PCs, TGs, and OxTGs in TN patients, while stigmasterol hexoside was downregulated. Moderate correlations were observed between lipid species and clinical parameters. These findings highlight considerable CSF lipidome alterations in TN, suggesting roles for nerve demyelination, neuroinflammation, and pain sensitization in its pathogenesis. Our study provides novel insights into lipid targets that may offer therapeutic potential for managing TN.

PMID:40189602 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-89755-x

AIDS Res Ther. 2025 Apr 6;22(1):43. doi: 10.1186/s12981-025-00719-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescents aged 10-19 years, living with HIV (ALHIV) lag in attaining optimal viral load suppression (VLS) rates and retention in care. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to both treatment outcomes in TASO Mbale and TASO Soroti centers of excellence.

METHODS: We used a mixed methods approach, extracting secondary data on ALHIV who were active in care during April-June 2022 quarter to determine one year retention and VLS (HIV RNA copies < 1000/ml). Analysis was done in STATA Corp, 15.0. We used logistic regression to determine predictors and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) to report levels of predictability, using 95% confidence interval (CI) and P < 0.05 for statistical significance. For qualitative component, purposive sampling of 59 respondents was done. Focused group discussions, key informant interviews, and in-depth interviews were used to collect data. Thematic content analysis was done using Atlas ti.

RESULTS: There were 533 ALHIV, median age of 15 years, interquartile range of 11-18 and 54.2% females. 12-month retention rate was 95.9% and VLS of 84.0%. Poor and fair adherence [aOR = 0.044, 95% CI 0.010-0.196, P < 0.001)], [aOR = 0.010, 95% CI (0.002-0.039) P < 0.001] respectively had decreased odds for VLS while multi-month dispensing of drugs (aOR = 3.403, 95% CI 1.449-7.991, P = 0.005) had increased odds of VLS. For retention, being with a non-biological caregiver (aOR = 0.325, 95% CI 0.111-0.9482 P = 0.04) decreased the odds. Meanwhile key barriers included: individual ones such as internal stigma and treatment/drug fatigue; facility-level such as prolonged waiting time and lack of social activities; community level include stigma and discrimination, inadequate social support and food shortage. In terms of facilitators, individual level ones included good adherence and knowledge of one’s HIV status; facility-level such as provision of adolescent friendly services and community-level like social support and decent nutrition.

CONCLUSIONS: VLS rate was sub-optimal mainly due to poor adherence. HIV programs could utilize the barriers and facilitators identified to improve VLS. Conversely, retention rate at one year was good, likely due to provision of adolescent friendly health services. ALHIV and their caregivers need to be empowered to sustain retention and improve VLS.

PMID:40189577 | DOI:10.1186/s12981-025-00719-7

Diagn Progn Res. 2025 Apr 7;9(1):7. doi: 10.1186/s41512-025-00186-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Current clinical guidelines recommend the use of clinical prognostic models (CPMs) for therapeutic decision-making in sarcoma patients. However, the number and quality of developed and externally validated CPMs is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to describe and critically assess CPMs for sarcomas.

METHODS: We performed a systematic review including all studies describing the development and/or external validation of a CPM for sarcomas. We searched the databases MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and Scopus from inception until June 7th, 2022. The risk of bias was assessed using the prediction model risk of bias assessment tool (PROBAST).

RESULTS: Seven thousand six hundred fifty-six records were screened, of which 145 studies were eventually included, developing 182 and externally validating 59 CPMs. The most frequently modeled type of sarcoma was osteosarcoma (43/182; 23.6%), and the most frequently predicted outcome was overall survival (81/182; 44.5%). The most used predictors were the patient’s age (133/182; 73.1%) and tumor size (116/182; 63.7%). Univariable screening was used in 137 (75.3%) CPMs, and only 7 (3.9%) CPMs were developed using pre-specified predictors based on clinical knowledge or literature. The median c-statistic on the development dataset was 0.74 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.71, 0.78). Calibration was reported for 142 CPMs (142/182; 78.0%). The median c-statistic of external validations was 0.72 (IQR 0.68-0.75). Calibration was reported for 46 out of 59 (78.0%) externally validated CPMs. We found 169 out of 241 (70.1%) CPMs to be at high risk of bias, mostly due to the high risk of bias in the analysis domain.

DISCUSSION: While various CPMs for sarcomas have been developed, the clinical utility of most of them is hindered by a high risk of bias and limited external validation. Future research should prioritise validating and updating existing well-developed CPMs over developing new ones to ensure reliable prognostic tools.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022335222.

PMID:40189567 | DOI:10.1186/s41512-025-00186-8

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Apr 7;30(1):254. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02530-6.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To clarify the difference between the alpha angles measured by European method and by AIUM method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, infants less than 6-month-old with clinical suspicion of DDH were enrolled from the pediatric outpatient service in a large provincial teaching hospital from October 2022 to October 2023. The hips were examined according to the protocols described by AIUM guideline and by European consensus. The acetabular alpha angle was measured on the standard sections. Statistically significant difference between groups was determined by using a paired-sample t test.

RESULTS: A total of 225 infants (median age, 4.0 months [interquartile range, 3.3-5.2 months]; 104 boys) were enrolled into the study. The mean value of alpha angle measured by AIUM method (62.1°; 95% CI 61.7, 62.4) was smaller than that by European method (63.4°; 95% CI 63.1, 63.7) (P < 0.0001). The 95% limits of agreement between alpha angles measured by the two methods were – 6.6 to 9.2 degree. Alpha angle measured by AIUM method could diagnose DDH with low sensitivity (56% [9 of 16 hips; 95% CI 31, 79]) and specificity (78% [300 of 384 hips; 95% CI 74, 82]) with Graf’s technique as a reference standard. The position of transducer arranged on the skin of infant by AIUM method was 1.6 ± 0.3 cm back to the position by European method.

CONCLUSION: Alpha angle measured by AIUM method is smaller than that by European method and should not be applied to Graf typing of DDH.

PMID:40189547 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-025-02530-6

BMC Med. 2025 Apr 7;23(1):203. doi: 10.1186/s12916-025-04031-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Semaglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist widely prescribed for type 2 diabetes and obesity, has recently raised concerns about its ocular safety. This study aimed to investigate the association between semaglutide use and vision impairment using data from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

METHODS: We conducted an analysis of FAERS data, comparing reports of vision impairment associated with semaglutide to those associated with other antidiabetic and weight loss medications. The main outcome measure was the reporting odds ratio (rOR) for vision impairment linked to semaglutide use compared to other medications.

RESULTS: Semaglutide showed significantly higher reporting of vision impairment compared to other GLP-1 receptor agonists (rOR 1.95, 95% CI 1.75-2.17, p < 0.0001), DPP-4 inhibitors (rOR 2.46, 95% CI 2.12-2.86, p < 0.0001), SGLT2 inhibitors (rOR 3.89, 95% CI 3.35-4.51, p < 0.0001), and metformin (rOR 2.23, 95% CI 1.90-2.62, p < 0.0001). Similar findings were observed when compared to phentermine (rOR 1.57, 95% CI 1.07-2.31, p = 0.026) and orlistat (rOR 3.77, 95% CI 2.96-4.81, p < 0.0001). Topiramate was the sole exception, showing higher vision impairment reporting than semaglutide (rOR 0.30, 95% CI 0.20-0.45, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a potentially elevated risk of vision impairment with semaglutide use compared to other diabetes and weight loss medications, warranting further investigation and vigilant post-marketing surveillance. Future studies should assess the clinical impact of this potential increased risk on an absolute scale to better inform treatment decisions.

PMID:40189538 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-025-04031-z