Nevin Manimala

PLoS One. 2025 Jun 17;20(6):e0310163. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0310163. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dengue is an acute febrile illness that is a significant public health problem. Peru is an endemic region for vector-borne diseases such as dengue, zika, and chikungunya, which initially manifest with febrile illness and can complicate differential diagnosis. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of positive results for dengue or dengue antibodies in Peruvian patients with febrile illness using diagnostic tools such as RT-PCR and ELISA NS1, IgM, and IgG.

METHODS: A literature search was conducted in eight databases or search tools (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, Virtual Health Library, and Scielo) until June 9, 2024. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) terms such as “dengue” and “Peru” were used, together with the free term “febrile illness”, combined using the Boolean operators AND and OR. We included observational studies with a control group of patients with fever but no dengue infection and a non-control group of febrile patients who tested positive for dengue. Pooled estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using random-effects models. Study quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Statistical Meta-Analysis Assessment and Review Instrument. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic, and statistical analysis was performed with R version 4.2.3.

RESULTS: We included 15 observational studies that met the inclusion criteria developed in 10 regions of Peru and published between 2002 and 2022, with a total of 12,355 patients with febrile illness. The pooled prevalence of positive results for dengue or dengue antibodies in these patients was 21% (95% CI: 9%-36%; 2022 participants; 5 studies; I2 = 98%) for IgG ELISA, 16% (95% CI: 11%-21%; 10891 participants; 10 studies; I2 = 97%) for IgM ELISA, 19% (95% CI: 9%-31%; 2086 participants; 5 studies; I2 = 98%) for NS1 ELISA, and 20% (95% CI: 13%-28%; 3107 participants; 9 studies; I2 = 96%) for RNA PCR.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a high prevalence of positive results for dengue or dengue antibodies among febrile patients in Peru, which varies depending on the diagnostic method used. Despite this variability, the use of accurate diagnostic methods is essential for the early detection and prevention of serious complications. The findings underline the need to strengthen dengue control strategies, improve diagnostic capacity in health centers, and optimize epidemiological surveillance in high-incidence regions. It is recommended that public health policies focus on these key areas for better management of the disease.

PMID:40526741 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0310163

PLoS One. 2025 Jun 17;20(6):e0326315. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0326315. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is considered a significant global health concern. Hemoglobin A1c level (HbA1c) is recognized as the most reliable indicator for its diagnosis. Genetic, family, environmental, and health behaviors are the factors associated with the disease. T2D is linked to substantial economic costs and human suffering, making it a primary concern for health planners, physicians, and those living with the disease. Saudi Arabia currently ranks seventh worldwide in terms of prevalence rate. Despite this high rate, the country lacks focused research on T2D. This study aims to develop hybrid prediction models that integrate the strengths of multiple algorithms to enhance HbA1c prediction accuracy while minimising the number of significant Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The proposed model can help healthcare practitioners diagnose T2D at an early stage. Analyses were conducted in a case-control study in Saudi Arabia involving cases (patients with HbA1c levels ≥ 6.5) and controls with normal HbA1c levels (< 6.5). Medical records from 3,000 King Abdulaziz University Hospital patients containing demographic, lifestyle, and lipid profile data were used to develop the models. For the first time, we utilized recommended machine learning algorithms to develop hybrid prediction models to reduce the number of significant KPIs while enhancing HbA1c prediction accuracy. The hybrid model combining Random Forest (RF) and Logistic Regression (LR) with only 4 out of 10 KPIs outperformed other models with an accuracy of 0.93, precision of 0.95, recall of 0.90, F-score of 0.92, an AUC of 0.88, and Gini index of 0.76. The significant variables identified by the model through backward elimination are age, body mass index (BMI), triglycerides (TG), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). The proposed model helps healthcare providers identify patients at risk of T2D by monitoring fewer key predictors of HbA1c levels, enhancing early intervention strategies for managing diabetes in Saudi Arabia.

PMID:40526740 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0326315

J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2025 Jun 17:1-18. doi: 10.1080/13803395.2025.2521019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Emotional priming is modulated by word concreteness, yet the literature is inconsistent. This study investigates the effects of affect, lexical features, depressive symptoms, and rumination on emotional priming for abstract and concrete words.

METHODS: Eighty-one healthy participants (48 female, age = 24.12 ± 8.56 years) completed a valence categorization task in which they were asked to decide whether a target word, presented for 500 ms following a 65 ms prime, was pleasant, neutral, or unpleasant. Priming effect (PE) was defined as the RT difference between incongruent and congruent conditions for pleasant and unpleasant primes. Linear mixed-effects models were used to assess priming effects and error rates, with fixed effects for prime valence, concreteness, subscales of Positive and Negative Affect Scale, Beck Depression Inventory score, subscales of Rumination Response Scale, semantic relatedness and Levenshtein distance (LD). Model selection was performed using the buildmer algorithm. Post-hoc analyses of interactions and continuous predictor trends across categorical levels were performed using emmeans and emtrends. All statistical analyses were conducted by R 4.4.3.

RESULTS: PEs were stronger for concrete than abstract words, irrespective of prime valence. Positive affect predicted higher error rates for unpleasant targets and enhanced PEs for unpleasant primes, particularly in abstract words. Depressive symptoms were associated with fewer errors for unpleasant targets but did not predict PE. Brooding was associated with larger PEs for abstract words, independent of valence. Lastly, greater semantic relatedness amplified PEs for abstract items, whereas smaller LD both strengthened PEs and increased errors in valence‑incongruent trials.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the role of emotional and clinical traits in word processing, showing that abstract word priming is driven by the interaction of affect and stimulus value. Future studies examining biases in abstract emotional word processing may guide the development of methods to identify individuals at risk for depression.

PMID:40525403 | DOI:10.1080/13803395.2025.2521019

J Prim Care Community Health. 2025 Jan-Dec;16:21501319251347133. doi: 10.1177/21501319251347133. Epub 2025 Jun 17.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic Kidney disease (CKD) accounts for approximately 82 billion dollars of Medicare spend. Implementing culturally competent, community-based programs may be a strategy for changing utilization behaviors and lowering cost while maintaining quality in this population.

METHODS: A longitudinal claims based study was carried out from April 2023 to August 2024 in the state of CA to assess the impact of the program on cost, utilization, and quality metrics. A propensity matched approach was leveraged yielding of 203 pairs of CKD Medicare Advantage (MA) enrollees. A comparison of the difference of differences was performed between utilization, and available claims-based quality metrics.

RESULTS: Enrollees in the peer support program, Connect For Life (CFL) generated significantly lower costs of $461 pmpm (95% CI = -1037 to -10 037; P = .016) significantly lower inpatient utilization of 172 per 1000 (95% CI = -10 to -330; P = .037) and significantly higher outpatient utilization of 1212 per 1000 (95% CI = 90 to 2340; P = .035). No differences were found in available quality metrics.

CONCLUSIONS: For CKD MA enrollees in the intervention population, more efficient utilization patterns and lower costs while maintaining quality were observed. The tight propensity match left the study underpowered to detect significant changes for other care settings or individual stages of CKD.

PMID:40525376 | DOI:10.1177/21501319251347133

Clin Ter. 2025 May_Jun;176(3):376-385. doi: 10.7417/CT.2025.5237.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The Italian Society of Urology conducted a comprehensive survey across Italy’s urology specialists to assess the prevalence and integration of robotic surgery in the country’s medical landscape. The survey aimed to examine the diffusion and acceptance of robotic surgical platforms and to ascertain surgeons’ preferences regarding the most frequently performed urological procedures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Italian Society of Urology surveyed Italian urologists via SURVEYMONKEY. Emails were sent to society members and clinic heads, covering geographic location, robotic practices, and procedures. The 44-question survey, open from March to June 2023, gathered data on clinic location, equipment, cases, and techniques. Descriptive statistics were used, reporting median and inter-quartile range for continuous variables, and rates for categorical ones. Analysis included respondent characteristics, robotic surgery availability, applications, and technical modifications. Stata 16 conducted statistical analyses (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA).

RESULTS: The study included 339 urologists with varied institutional and professional backgrounds, investigating aspects like the availability of robotic technology, preferences in procedures, surgical methodologies, and training programs. Participants included 50% affiliated with university hospitals, 25% with non-university hospitals, and 25% with IRCCS institutions and accredited private hospitals. The survey showcased significant geographic diversity, receiving responses from urologists across all regions of Italy, with Lombardy being the most represented (19.7%), followed by Lazio (12.9%) and Veneto (11.2%). Notably, 93.7% of respondents associated robotic surgery with economic benefits, attributing to reduced hospital stays and increased facility attractiveness. Among urological procedures, robotic-assisted techniques were preferred for Radical Prostatectomies (88%), partial nephrectomy (87%), and pyeloplasty (79%), while cystectomies and radical nephrectomy were commonly performed using open or lap-aroscopic approaches.

CONCLUSION: The survey findings highlight the widespread use and influence of robotic surgery in Italian urology, showcasing enhanced patient care but also indicating technique discrepancies and restricted access in certain facilities. Standardization, accessibility, and ongoing training are vital for maximizing robotic surgery’s potential across specialties.

PMID:40525372 | DOI:10.7417/CT.2025.5237