Category: Statistics

BMC Infect Dis. 2026 Apr 14. doi: 10.1186/s12879-026-13275-w. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41975325 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-026-13275-w

BMC Infect Dis. 2026 Apr 13. doi: 10.1186/s12879-026-13314-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Critically ill children with adenoviral pneumonia usually require intensive care treatment. In this study, the prevalence of viremia secondary to respiratory adenovirus infection and the host characteristics and inflammatory response of children with severe adenoviral pneumonia in the PICU were investigated.

METHODS: We prospectively recruited children who were admitted to the PICU of a tertiary pediatric hospital due to severe adenoviral pneumonia from September 2022 to April 2025. Sputum and blood samples were tested for adenovirus DNA with polymerase chain reaction. The clinical characteristics, blood laboratory parameters, and outcomes of the patients were collected. Plasma cytokines were also detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTS: Fifty-one patients with severe adenoviral pneumonia were enrolled, 20 of whom had viremia. The proportion of children with comorbidities in the viremia group and nonviremia group was 40.0% and 71.0%, respectively. The viral loads in sputum; CRP, PCT, D-dimer, AST, LDH, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IFN-γ levels; and pSOFA, PSS and PRISM-Ⅲ scores were significantly greater in the viremia group than in the nonviremia group, whereas the IL-5 and albumin levels were markedly lower in the viremia group. The number of Natural killer cells in the viremia group was lower than that in the nonviremia group, but there was no statistical difference. Multivariate logistic regression found that sputum viral load was an independent risk factor associated with viremia. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for AST, LDH, PCT, CRP, D-dimer, IL-6 and IFN-γ could predict viremia. The mortality rate of the viremia group was higher than that of the nonviremia group, while the difference was not significant.

CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of viremia is nearly 40% in children with severe adenoviral pneumonia in the PICU. Compared with the nonviremia group, the viremia group had higher sputum viral loads, CRP, PCT, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IFN-γ levels; and more serious disease severity.

PMID:41975305 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-026-13314-6

BMC Geriatr. 2026 Apr 14. doi: 10.1186/s12877-026-07428-4. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41975302 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-026-07428-4

BMC Geriatr. 2026 Apr 14. doi: 10.1186/s12877-026-07458-y. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41975301 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-026-07458-y

Gut Microbes. 2026 Dec 31;18(1):2655793. doi: 10.1080/19490976.2026.2655793. Epub 2026 Apr 13.

ABSTRACT

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) are rare, idiopathic, chronic cholestatic liver diseases that respond differently to limited medical therapies and often lead to liver transplantation. We examined the compositional and functional differences in the gut microbiome, mycobiome, and metabolome of these diseases to better understand their impact on pathogenesis and outcomes. Stool sample metagenomes and metabolomes from patients with PSC (n = 245), PBC (n = 280) and matched controls (n = 245 and n = 278, respectively) were analyzed by shotgun sequencing and ultrahigh-resolution mass spectrometry. Comparisons were conducted with covariate-adjusted linear models. The gut microbiomes of patients with PSC and PBC were characterized by reduced diversity and increased abundance of pathobionts and virulence factors, coupled with altered microbial metabolism, including a reduction of short-chain fatty acids and B-vitamins. Untargeted stool metabolomics supported these results. Patients were stratified into groups using their microbial signatures, and each group had distinct patterns of microbiome-related changes. Cox regression analysis revealed that pathogenic microbial species were predictive of hepatic decompensation, whereas beneficial species had a protective effect. Based on previous groundwork and our new results, microbiome-based interventions such as probiotics, short-chain fatty acid supplementation, and phage therapy represent promising therapeutic options for cholestatic liver diseases.

PMID:41975274 | DOI:10.1080/19490976.2026.2655793

J Hum Nutr Diet. 2026 Apr;39(2):e70244. doi: 10.1111/jhn.70244.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Food insecurity, when individuals do not have sufficient access to food, has rapidly increased in high-income countries (HICs) since the 2008 global financial crisis. Women are particularly at risk of experiencing food insecurity, and during pregnancy, this can have detrimental physical and emotional health implications.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesise qualitative research exploring pregnant women’s experiences of food insecurity in HICs (PROSPERO 2023 CRD42023404774).

METHODS: Systematic review of qualitative literature reporting data on women’s experiences of food insecurity. Six databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, ASSIA, Scopus) and grey literature sources were searched, followed by forwards and backwards citation chaining for all included studies. Screening of titles, abstracts and full-texts, data extractions and quality appraisals (using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) Qualitative Studies Checklist) were completed in duplicate. Certainty in the evidence was evaluated using GRADE-CERQual.

PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: Food-insecure pregnant and postnatal women, in HICs, since the global financial crisis of 2008.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Experiences of food insecurity during pregnancy.

ANALYSES: Thematic synthesis using NVivo14 to code data. Hand-drawn thematic maps were used to group codes into sub-themes and overarching themes. Coding and hand-drawn thematic maps were combined to create a final visual summary of analytical themes.

RESULTS: Searches resulted in 32,685 studies, and 32 were included (n = 20 North America, n = 10 Europe, n = 2 Australia). Findings identified three overarching themes: (1) barriers in access to food, (2) impact on physical and mental health, and (3) established individual, informal and statutory coping strategies. Women frequently discussed barriers to accessing fresh fruit and vegetables, resulting in poorer quality diets. Whilst qualitative data extracted precluded any direct pregnancy versus pre-pregnancy comparison, pregnancy appeared to exacerbate the experiences of food insecurity for women. The future arrival of a newborn created additional financial concerns along with worries over nutritional needs. Reliance on others was a recurrent strategy for pregnant women to mitigate the impact of food insecurity. The GRADE CERQual assessment showed moderate to high confidence in all findings.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this qualitative review-the first to focus on experiences of food insecurity during pregnancy across HICs-show that women are experiencing substantial impacts from food insecurity during this critical life course stage. Review findings emphasise the need for co-ordinated screening and interventions that aim to support women to mitigate the impacts of food insecurity and its underlying causes to improve postpartum health and wellbeing.

PMID:41975237 | DOI:10.1111/jhn.70244

Commun Med (Lond). 2026 Apr 13. doi: 10.1038/s43856-026-01541-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Long COVID is a complex condition where symptoms persist for more than 3 months after SARS-CoV-2 infection and affects an estimated 5-30% of individuals. While persistent inflammation has emerged as an important feature of this condition, it is unclear if immune responses from COVID-19 vaccination or SARS-CoV-2 re-infection exacerbate or mirror the initial inflammatory responses.

METHODS: We quantified 182 inflammatory and neurology-related proteins in plasma using multiplexed affinity proteomics. Plasma samples from the COVID PROFILE cohort conducted in Victoria, Australia, were collected 6-9 months after first infection, but before COVID-19 vaccination from individuals who had recovered from COVID-19 (n = 21) or from individuals with long COVID (n = 12). To establish baseline plasma profiles, protein levels were benchmarked against unvaccinated, SARS-CoV-2 naive individuals (n = 24). In addition, we performed longitudinal analysis in a subset of individuals (n = 34), where paired samples collected 2-4 weeks after a third COVID-19 vaccine dose and after SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection were available to assess inflammatory and neurology protein plasma levels after antigen exposure in these contexts.

RESULTS: In this cohort Boruta feature selection and lasso regression models identified IL-20, HAGH, NAAA, CLEC10A, LXN, and MCP-1, TRAIL, G-CSF, NBL1, and CCL23 as best discriminating proteins when comparing the long COVID group to groups of either healthy or COVID-19 recovered. Notably, longitudinal analysis indicated differences in the levels of a subset of plasma proteins following primary infection compared to after COVID-19 booster vaccination and breakthrough infection within the groups.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that there is an altered immune response outcome primarily observed in individuals with long COVID upon re-exposure.

PMID:41975235 | DOI:10.1038/s43856-026-01541-6

Nurs Crit Care. 2026 May;31(3):e70497. doi: 10.1111/nicc.70497.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice (EBP) refers to the combination of clinical expertise, the best available research and individual patient preferences. It is a fundamental aspect of contemporary nursing, designed to enhance patient outcomes through thoughtful and informed clinical decision-making. The specific correlation between nursing informatics competency, demographic characteristics and EBP competency, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs), remains largely unexplored in Palestine.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the relationship between nursing informatics competency and EBP competency among ICU nurses in the West Bank.

STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational design with a convenience sampling method was employed to recruit 250 nurses in intensive care units in 18 governmental hospitals across the West Bank during the period from April 10 to June 15. Data were collected using a self-reported survey consisting of the Self-Assessment of Nursing Informatics Competencies Scale (SANICS), the Evidence-Based Practice Competency Questionnaire and socio-demographic variables. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson and point-biserial correlations and multiple linear regression.

RESULTS: A total of 227 participants responded and reported levels of moderate nursing informatics competency (M = 3.1, SD = 0.2) and moderately high evidence-based practice competency (M = 79.0, SD = 12.8). A strong positive correlation was found between EBP competency and nursing informatics competency (r = 0.890, p < 0.001) and the number of hours spent using EMRs/shift (r = 0.748, p < 0.001). A positive correlation existed between EBP competency and the number of research articles read monthly (r = 0.356, p < 0.001). Age (r = -0.456, p < 0.001) and years of nursing experience (r = -0.447, p < 0.001) were negatively correlated with EBP competency. Additionally, previous EBP training (p.b.r = 0.482, p < 0.001) and holding higher education (p.b.r = 0.410, p < 0.001) were associated with EBP competency. Nursing informatics competency, number of articles read monthly, number of hours spent on EMR/shift, educational level and previous training in EBP were significant predictors of EBP.

CONCLUSION: These results highlight the essential contribution of nursing informatics competency, ongoing professional growth and regular engagement with research to the development of EBP competency.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: To further strengthen EBP capabilities among nurses, it is important to design initiatives that enhance informatics training, expand access to research materials and cultivate educational environments that promote evidence-based care.

PMID:41975211 | DOI:10.1111/nicc.70497

J Perinatol. 2026 Apr 13. doi: 10.1038/s41372-026-02615-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

ABSTARCTS: OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between orotracheal versus nasotracheal intubation route and unplanned extubation (UE) risk among infants.

STUDY DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study included all tracheal intubation (TI) events among infants admitted to a level IV NICU from 2022 to 2024. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to assess UE risk by TI route.

RESULT: There were 1160 TI events and 23 UEs during the study period. The UE rate was three times lower in the nasotracheal intubation group compared to orotracheal (0.01 vs. 0.03 per 100 ventilator days). UE risk was significantly higher in orotracheally intubated infants (p = 0.03) with no differences when stratified by sex, gestational age, or birth weight.

CONCLUSION: Nasotracheal intubation was associated with lower UE risk in infants in a unit that predominantly performs nasotracheal intubation. Prospective randomized studies are needed to further investigate if TI route may contribute to fewer UEs in this population.

PMID:41975210 | DOI:10.1038/s41372-026-02615-y

J Perinatol. 2026 Apr 13. doi: 10.1038/s41372-026-02653-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Determine prenatal and neonatal factors that predict infantile outcomes in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort of 415 neonates with CHD admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Statistical tests included Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact, Kruskal-Wallis, and multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS: Cardiac lesion type was associated with mortality, length of stay, and enteral feeding tube support at discharge (EFTD) (p ≤ 0.01). A genetic diagnosis and an extra-cardiac congenital anomaly were associated with higher odds of respiratory support needs at discharge (RSND) [OR 2.8 (95% CI: 1.2, 6.5); 4.8 (1.9, 11.8)] and EFTD [5.5 (2.9, 10.8); 3.4 (2.4-9.7)]. Lower birth weight was associated with higher odds of RSND [0.5 (0.38, 0.66)], and lower gestational age with higher odds of EFTD [0.84 (0.75, 0.95)].

CONCLUSION: Several factors predicted adverse outcomes in infants with CHD, helping to identify high-risk cases for targeted care and improved parental guidance.

PMID:41975206 | DOI:10.1038/s41372-026-02653-6