Nevin Manimala

Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025 Feb 22. doi: 10.1007/s40368-025-01012-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The use of large language models (LLMs) in generative artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly increasing in dentistry. However, their reliability is yet to be fully founded. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy, clinical applicability, and patient education potential of LLMs in paediatric dentistry, by evaluating the responses of six LLMs: Google AI’s Gemini and Gemini Advanced, OpenAI’s ChatGPT-3.5, -4o and -4, and Microsoft’s Copilot.

METHODS: Ten open-type clinical questions, relevant to paediatric dentistry were posed to the LLMs. The responses were graded by two independent evaluators from 0 to 10 using a detailed rubric. After 4 weeks, answers were reevaluated to assess intra-evaluator reliability. Statistical comparisons used Friedman’s and Wilcoxon’s and Kruskal-Wallis tests to assess the model that provided the most comprehensive, accurate, explicit and relevant answers.

RESULTS: Variations of results were noted. Chat GPT 4 answers were scored as the best (average score 8.08), followed by the answers of Gemini Advanced (8.06), ChatGPT 4o (8.01), ChatGPT 3.5 (7.61), Gemini (7,32) and Copilot (5.41). Statistical analysis revealed that Chat GPT 4 outperformed all other LLMs, and the difference was statistically significant. Despite variations and different responses to the same queries, remarkable similarities were observed. Except for Copilot, all chatbots managed to achieve a score level above 6.5 on all queries.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the potential use of language models (LLMs) in supporting evidence-based paediatric dentistry. Nevertheless, they cannot be regarded as completely trustworthy. Dental professionals should critically use AI models as supportive tools and not as a substitute of overall scientific knowledge and critical thinking.

PMID:39987420 | DOI:10.1007/s40368-025-01012-x

Commun Biol. 2025 Feb 22;8(1):277. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-07666-z.

ABSTRACT

ZBTB48 (also known as TZAP) is a transcription factor that has previously been reported to bind to telomeres and act as a negative regulator of telomere length in human cell lines. To explore whether transcription factor activity and telomere length regulation are conserved at the organismal level in vertebrates, we generate a zbtb48^-/- zebrafish line via CRISPR‒Cas genome editing. The zbtb48^-/- mutants display no obvious physical or behavioral abnormalities in the first two generations. We find no statistically significant changes in telomere length in first-generation adults. However, for the gene regulatory aspect of Zbtb48, similar to that in human cancer cell lines, we observe downregulation of mtfp1 at both the mRNA and protein levels in the zbtb48^-/- mutants. This suggests that mtfp1 is an evolutionarily conserved regulatory target of Zbtb48. Further investigation of the spatiotemporal expression of zbtb48 in previously published zebrafish data reveals low transcript expression in diverse tissues, except in germline stem cells and gametocytes of the gonads. Notably, Mtfp1 protein downregulation is detected in the ovaries of 40 dpf zbtb48^-/- mutants and in the testes of both 40 dpf and 10.5-month-old zbtb48^-/- mutants.

PMID:39987415 | DOI:10.1038/s42003-025-07666-z

Metabolomics. 2025 Feb 22;21(2):33. doi: 10.1007/s11306-025-02231-5.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Extracranial and intracranial tumors are a diverse group of malignant and benign neoplasms, influenced by multiple factors. Given the complex nature of these tumors and usually late or accidental diagnosis, minimally invasive, rapid, early, and accurate diagnostic methods are urgently required. Metabolomics offers promising insights into central nervous system tumors by uncovering distinctive metabolic changes linked to tumor development.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to elucidate the role of altered metabolites and the associated biological pathways implicated in the development of gliomas and meningiomas.

METHODS: The study was conducted on 95 patients with gliomas, 68 patients with meningiomas, and 71 subjects as a control group. The metabolic profiling of gliomas and meningiomas achieved by integrating untargeted metabolomic analysis based on GC-MS and targeted analysis performed using LC-MS/MS represents the first comprehensive study. Three comparisons (gliomas or meningiomas vs. controls as well as gliomas vs. meningiomas) were performed to reveal statistically significant metabolites.

RESULTS: Comparative analysis revealed 97, 56, and 27 significant metabolites for gliomas vs. controls, meningiomas vs. controls and gliomas vs. meningiomas comparison, respectively. Moreover, among above mentioned comparisons unique metabolites involved in arginine biosynthesis and metabolism, the Krebs cycle, and lysine degradation pathways were found. Notably, 2-aminoadipic acid has been identified as a metabolite that can be used in distinguishing two tumor types.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a deeper understanding of the metabolic changes associated with brain tumor development and progression.

PMID:39987409 | DOI:10.1007/s11306-025-02231-5

Arch Dermatol Res. 2025 Feb 22;317(1):452. doi: 10.1007/s00403-025-03981-x.

ABSTRACT

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as phenols and parabens can promote allergic conditions including eczema. We aimed to analyze the association between exposure to environmental phenols and parabens and allergic biomarkers-including total serum Immunoglobulin E (IgE), C-reactive protein (CRP), and eosinophils-in individuals with eczema, using the dataset from NHANES 2005-2006. This analysis was based on urinary biomarker levels of phenols and parabens, including bisphenol A, benzophenone-3, 4-tert-octylphenol, triclosan, as well as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl parabens. The urinary biomarkers of phenols and parabens were quantified using online SPE-HPLC-MS/MS, while IgE, CRP, and eosinophil levels were analyzed using fluorescent-enzyme immunoassay, the ImmunoCAP 1000 system, latex-enhanced nephelometry, and the Beckman Coulter method, respectively. Following data extraction, we obtained 159 individuals with a history of eczema and categorized them by age for analysis. Our findings showed positive correlations between bisphenol A, triclosan, butyl paraben, methyl paraben, and propyl paraben and allergic biomarkers in children with eczema aged 6 to 8 years. Notably, a significant positive correlation was observed between methyl paraben exposure and IgE levels. In adults with eczema, 4-tert-octylphenol demonstrated a significant positive association with both IgE levels and eosinophil counts. These findings suggest that exposure to these chemicals may exacerbate eczema symptoms.

PMID:39987402 | DOI:10.1007/s00403-025-03981-x

Commun Psychol. 2025 Feb 22;3(1):29. doi: 10.1038/s44271-025-00212-x.

ABSTRACT

Researchers are increasingly using language measures to study emotion, yet less is known about whether language relates to other measures often used to study emotion. Building on previous work which focuses on associations between language and self-report, we test associations between language and a broader range of measures (self-report, observer report, facial cues, vocal cues). Furthermore, we examine associations across different dictionaries (LIWC-22, NRC, Lexical Suite, ANEW, VADER) used to estimate valence (i.e., positive versus negative emotion) or discrete emotions (i.e., anger, fear, sadness) in language. Associations were tested in three large, multimodal datasets (Ns = 193-1856; average word count = 316.7-2782.8). Language consistently related to observer report and consistently related to self-report in two of the three datasets. Statistically significant associations between language and facial cues emerged for language measures of valence but not for language measures of discrete emotions. Language did not consistently show significant associations with vocal cues. Results did not tend to significantly vary across dictionaries. The current research suggests that language measures (in particular, language measures of valence) are correlated with a range of other measures used to study emotion. Therefore, researchers may wish to use language to study emotion when other measures are unavailable or impractical for their research question.

PMID:39987381 | DOI:10.1038/s44271-025-00212-x

J Perinatol. 2025 Feb 22. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02234-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Identify characteristics associated with death or tracheostomy (D/T) in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) predominantly managed with non-invasive respiratory support prior to 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA).

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia of 134 infants meeting inclusion criteria between 2010 and 2017. Various clinical characteristics were considered as predictor variables of the primary outcome, D/T; those associated at p < 0.10 in bivariable logistic regression were evaluated in multivariable models.

RESULTS: Twenty-one (16%) infants had D/T. Treatment with pulmonary vasodilators and the presence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) on echocardiogram at 36 weeks PMA were associated with D/T in bivariable analyses. Pulmonary vasodilator use remained statistically significant in adjusted multivariable models.

CONCLUSIONS: We identified a strong association between PH and D/T in this cohort. Our findings emphasize the importance of specialized BPD management that includes early identification of PH in this high-risk population.

PMID:39987378 | DOI:10.1038/s41372-025-02234-z

Arch Dermatol Res. 2025 Feb 22;317(1):477. doi: 10.1007/s00403-025-03945-1.

ABSTRACT

reast cancer is the most common malignancy among women in the United States (American Cancer Society in Key Statistics for Breast Cancer. American Cancer Society, Atlanta, GA). Hair loss is common among women undergoing breast cancer treatment, however limited research has systematically characterized treatment-specific patterns of hair loss. The current study evaluates the distribution of alopecia, associated symptoms, and prevalence of hair loss risk factors among women undergoing breast cancer treatment. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 75 female breast cancer patients who presented for hair loss to the Dermatology Department at The Ohio State University. Patients were categorized based on chemotherapy history. Dependent variables included hair loss distribution, scalp symptoms, eyebrow or eyelash involvement, and nail findings. Among our cohort, hair loss most frequently involved the frontal scalp (52%), vertex (42.7%) and temporal scalp (26.7%). Diffuse alopecia was seen in 25.3% of patients. Eyebrow/eyelash loss was observed in 40% of patients, scalp symptoms in 28%, and nail changes in 21.3% of patients. Itching and flaking were the most common scalp symptoms, whereas onycholysis, fragility, and Beau’s lines were the most common nail changes. Results revealed that chemotherapy exposure led to significantly higher eyebrow/eyelash loss and a trend towards an increase of diffuse alopecia. Non-chemotherapy-based treatments, 98% of which were endocrine therapy-based, were characterized by more localized hair loss primarily involving the frontal and temporal scalp, suggesting these distributions may be specific to endocrine therapy-related alopecia. Understanding the adverse effects related to specific therapeutic agents enables clinicians to provide personalized care and mitigate the psychological burden associated with breast cancer therapies.

PMID:39987375 | DOI:10.1007/s00403-025-03945-1

Radiol Med. 2025 Feb 22. doi: 10.1007/s11547-025-01963-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate pancreatic changes associated with visceral fat obesity (VFO) and their clinical relevance using contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT (DE-CT) with automated 3D volumetry.

METHODS: This retrospective study included patients who underwent triple-phase contrast-enhanced dynamic abdominal DE-CT. The patients were divided into two groups based on the measured visceral fat area: the VFO group (≥ 100 cm²) and the non-VFO group (< 100 cm²). Pancreatic changes in 3D CT volumetric measurement parameters were evaluated.

RESULTS: In total, 119 patients were evaluated (mean age, 67.6 ± 12.9 years old; 80 men). The extracellular volume fraction calculated from iodine maps (ECV-ID) (r = -0.683, p < 0.001) was most strongly associated with the visceral fat area, followed by the fat volume fraction (FVF) of the pancreas (r = 0.582, p < 0.001) with a statistically moderate correlation. The pancreatic volume and FVF of the pancreas were significantly higher in the VFO group than in the non-VFO group (volume: 84.9 ± 22.9 vs. 76.5 ± 25.8, p = 0.025, FVF: 15.5 ± 7.7 vs. 8.7 ± 9.5, p < 0.001). Conversely, the pancreatic CT attenuation value on unenhanced CT (19.9 ± 12.0 vs. 29.6 ± 13.8, p < 0.001), pancreatic iodine concentration in the equilibrium phase (EP) (18.4 ± 5.7 vs. 19.8 ± 4.7, p = 0.003), contrast enhancement (CE) value of pancreas (32.2 ± 5.3 vs. 34.5 ± 8.5, p = 0.005), and ECV-ID (26.7 ± 5.4 vs. 34.1 ± 7.4, p < 0.001) in the VFO group were significantly lower than those in the non-VFO group.

CONCLUSION: An increase in the pancreatic volume and FVF of the pancreas, as well as a reduction in the ECV fraction and the CE value in EP of the pancreas measured by automated 3D DE-CT volumetry, were the characteristic pancreatic changes in patients with VFO.

PMID:39987364 | DOI:10.1007/s11547-025-01963-7

Sci Rep. 2025 Feb 22;15(1):6487. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-87469-8.

ABSTRACT

Statistically, 30% of asthma deaths occur among asthmatics with insignificant symptoms, which creates a social burden. We aimed to analyze the role of erythrocyte distribution width (RDW) in the prognosis of asthma, especially in patients with insignificant symptoms. We included 3039 adult (≥ 20 years) asthma patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cox regression was used to assess the association between RDW and long-term mortality. We adjusted three models to reduce potential bias. Subgroup analysis is used to evaluate specific populations. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyze the predictive effect of RDW on asthma mortality. After a mean follow-up of 130 months, we found a positive correlation between RDW and long-term mortality. After aliquoting RDW into thirds, the high RDW (RDW ≥ 13.0%) group had higher all-cause mortality (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.18-2.34) and respiratory mortality (HR 8.69, 95% CI 2.03-37.3). There was a significant interaction of RDW in the male and wheezing subgroups for respiratory mortality. Combining RDW and wheezing, we found that patients with high RDW and wheezing had the most increased respiratory mortality, and patients with high RDW but no wheezing also had higher mortality. Furthermore, the area under the curve of the RDW in predicting respiratory death in asthmatics was greater than 80%. Our study showed an association between high RDW and poor prognosis in asthma patients. In combination with wheezing symptoms, RDW is expected to be a biomarker for asthma management.

PMID:39987342 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-87469-8

Eye (Lond). 2025 Feb 22. doi: 10.1038/s41433-025-03716-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate the distribution of small optic discs and large cup-to-disc ratio in children and to examine associations with maternal and environmental factors.

METHODS: Retinal photographs were graded from over 3000 12-year-olds in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children. Regression models examined associations between disc parameters and maternal and early-life exposures.

RESULTS: Mean cup-to-disc area ratio (CDAR) for 3288 children was 0.21 (95%CI 0.20,0.21). Discs with CDAR > 0.3 were present in 11%. The odds of CDAR > 0.3 were increased nearly three-fold in underweight children (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.9 (1.1, 7.3) p = 0.03) and 28-fold in severely premature ( < 28 weeks) children (paOR 28 95%CI 4.6,172, p < 0.001) with nearly one in four children affected. Mean cup-to-fovea/disc diameter (CF/DD) for 3327 children was 2.48 (95%CI 2.47,2.50). Small discs (CF/DD > 3) were present in 6% of which a third were bilateral. The odds of a small disc were increased in the offspring of mothers who smoked in pregnancy (aOR 1.7 (1.0,2.8) p = 0.04) and more than doubled in children born with a small head circumference (aOR 2.5 (1.4,4.5) p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Small optic discs and high cup-to-disc ratio are more frequent than usually supposed at age 12. The odds of CDAR > 0.3 are increased by severe prematurity and pathologically low child BMI. The odds of a small disc are increased by maternal smoking and small head circumference. Optimisation of risk factors in pregnancy and delivery and early childhood nutrition may play an important role in ophthalmic neurodevelopment and thus have a lifelong impact on ocular health.

PMID:39987338 | DOI:10.1038/s41433-025-03716-2