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Abdominal obesity and the risk of young-onset dementia in women: a nationwide cohort study

Alzheimers Res Ther. 2025 Apr 21;17(1):86. doi: 10.1186/s13195-025-01738-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association between obesity and young-onset dementia (YOD, defined as dementia diagnosed before age 65) is established, but the specific impact of abdominal obesity in women remains unclear. Abdominal obesity, driven by excess visceral fat, may increase dementia risk through metabolic and vascular pathways. We investigated the association between abdominal obesity and YOD risk in women using a large nationwide cohort.

METHODS: We analyzed 964,536 Korean women aged 40-60 years who underwent national health checkups in 2009. General obesity was defined by body mass index (BMI), and abdominal obesity was categorized by waist circumference (WC) into < 75 cm, 76-84 cm, 85-94 cm, and ≥ 95 cm. YOD was identified using ICD-10 codes and dementia medication prescriptions. Hazard ratios (HRs) for YOD were estimated using multivariable Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for lifestyle and clinical factors.

RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 8.2 years, YOD incidence increased progressively with higher WC. Women with WC ≥ 95 cm had a 55% increased risk of YOD (HR 1.55; 95% CI 1.34-1.79) compared to those with WC < 75 cm. The association was particularly strong for vascular dementia (VD), with HR 1.83 (95% CI 1.30-2.57). By contrast, BMI showed a U-shaped relationship, with the lowest YOD risk observed in women with normal BMI (18.5-22.9 kg/m²), and significantly elevated risks in both underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m²; HR 1.39, 95% CI 1.13-1.71) and morbidly obese women (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²; HR 1.26, 95% CI 1.10-1.45).

DISCUSSION: Abdominal obesity is a significant, independent risk factor for YOD in women, particularly for VD. These findings underscore the importance of addressing abdominal obesity in middle-aged women to reduce dementia risk.

PMID:40259430 | DOI:10.1186/s13195-025-01738-2

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Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and its associated factors among people who ecprience homelessness living in selected towns in Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia

J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 Apr 21;44(1):130. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-00870-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis (TB) is known to be a disease associated with underprivileged social conditions such as poverty, malnutrition, and overcrowding. Homeless individuals are at a higher risk of contracting TB due to factors such as substance misuse, alcohol disorder, smoking, and malnutrition. Recognizing this risk, the World Health Organization recommends TB screening in these vulnerable populations. As a result, this study aims to evaluate the prevalence of TB and its associated factors among people who experience homelessness living in Wolaita Zone Towns.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 352 homeless individuals with presumed TB from May 1 to July 30, 2023. Data was collected using pre-tested structured questionnaires. The symptom was assessed using WHO guidelines. Sputum samples were screened for TB using GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay technique and those found to be positive were confirmed via the Lowenstein-Jensen(LJ) culture method by comparing equal numbers of positives and negatives. The data was analyzed using statistical software packages (SPSS) version 26. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with TB and a P-value of less than 0.05 at a 95% confidence interval was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The prevalence of bacteriological confirmed TB among homeless individuals was 7.7% [95% CI: 4.8- 10.5] and rifampicin-resistant TB (RR-TB) was not detected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that smoking cigarettes[AOR = 7.673, 95% CI: 1.622,36.303], smoking benzene[AOR = 8.348, 95% CI: 2.061,33.813], chewing tobacco [AOR = 4.138, 95% CI: 1.249,13.709], duration of being homeless[AOR = 6.749, 95% CI: 1.914, 23.797], taking any medication currently [AOR = 4.686, 95% CI:1.216,18.064], BMI [AOR = 5.328, 95% CI: 1.663,17.070] and having HIV infection [AOR = 5.234, 95% CI: 1.558, 17.585] were significantly associated with the prevalence of PTB in people who experience homelessnesss.

CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates a higher prevalence of pulmonary TB (PTB) in homeless individuals compared to the general population. It is strongly recommended to implement targeted TB preventive and control measures and actively monitor for the diseases within those vulnerable population.

PMID:40259425 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-025-00870-x

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Impact of early versus delayed enteral nutrition on ICU outcomes: a comparative study on mortality, ventilator dependence, and length of stay

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Apr 22;30(1):315. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02579-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The timing of enteral nutrition initiation in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) plays a crucial role in clinical outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of early (within 48 h of ICU admission) versus delayed enteral feeding on 28-day mortality, ventilator dependency, and ICU length of stay.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted involving 295 patients across four ICUs in two Tehran hospitals, admitted between 2017 and 2018. Participants were grouped into early (n = 161) and delayed (n = 134) enteral feeding categories. Baseline characteristics were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square tests. Mortality was assessed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models, while logistic and linear regression models were applied to examine associations with ventilator dependency and ICU length of stay, respectively.

RESULTS: Early enteral feeding (EEF) was significantly associated with reduced 28-day mortality (25.5% vs. 50.0%, p < 0.001), lower incidence of mechanical ventilation (66.5% vs. 80.6%, p = 0.007), and a shorter ICU stay (13.07 ± 16.44 days vs. 16.23 ± 13.57 days, p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a higher survival probability at 28 days in the early feeding group (log-rank test, p < 0.001). However, after adjusting for potential confounders (age, gender, BMI, baseline APACHEII, baseline SOFA score, number of comorbid, primary diagnosis and admission category), the relationships between delayed feeding and mortality (HR: 1.49, 95% CI 0.98, 2.26, p = 0.062), ventilator dependency (OR: 1.28, 95% CI 0.59, 2.70, p = 0.558), and ICU length of stay (LOS) (β: 1.96, 95% CI – 1.52, 5.45, p = 0.268) were not statistically significant. Subgroup analyses revealed that delayed enteral feeding was significantly associated with higher mortality risk in surgical patients (adjusted HR: 1.85, 95% CI 1.02, 3.35, p = 0.043) and prolonged ICU stay (β: 3.75, 95% CI 0.27, 7.23, p = 0.035), whereas no significant associations were observed in medical patients.

CONCLUSION: Initiating enteral feeding within 48 h of ICU admission is associated with improved clinical outcomes, although these benefits may be influenced by individual patient factors and disease severity. Future studies should focus on tailoring enteral feeding strategies to optimize outcomes across varied ICU populations.

PMID:40259420 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-025-02579-3

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Food crises and coping strategies in war-affected communities in Tigray, Ethiopia: A community-based cross-sectional study among households

BMC Nutr. 2025 Apr 21;11(1):82. doi: 10.1186/s40795-025-01068-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Communities afflicted by armed conflict are characterized by pervasive malnutrition and widespread hunger. For nearly two years, there has been an unbroken conflict in Tigray. However, little is understood about the coping mechanisms people used in reaction to a lack of food and cash. This study evaluated the coping mechanisms used by urban residents of Mekelle City in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia.

METHODOLOGY: A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among 315 randomly selected households in Mekelle City. Data were collected from May to June 2022 using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and entered, cleaned, coded, and analyzed using Stata version 14. We used descriptive statistics to describe the mean, frequency distribution, and percentages. The t-test was used to analyze the consumption-based coping strategy index.

RESULTS: The current analysis indicates that 272 households, or 87%, experienced food shortages. To cope with this situation, 101 households (32.6%) reduced the size of their meals. Additionally, 85 households (27.3%) opted to lower the quality of their meals or substituted less preferred dishes. Furthermore, approximately 72 households (23.2%) skipped meals as a strategy to manage food scarcity. The mean reduced coping strategy index (rCSI) for households that skipped meals is 181.84 (SD: 112.5), whereas it is 38.6 for those that did not skip meals (p < 0.01). For households that reduced the food content, the mean rCSI is 152.4, compared to 51.12 for those who did not reduce food content (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The study revealed that the communities affected by the war faced a tough struggle due to the food crisis. The study highlights the food crisis in war-affected communities, highlighting coping mechanisms like reducing meal quantity and quality and eating less desirable foods. Thus, targeted food ration distributions and blanket supplemental feeding programs should be in place through humanitarian agents to reduce acute malnutrition and mortality, and enable recovery.

PMID:40259413 | DOI:10.1186/s40795-025-01068-4

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Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the jaw: clinical analysis of 68 cases

Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2025 Apr 21;20(1):191. doi: 10.1186/s13023-025-03680-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the clinical characteristics, imaging features, treatment, and prognostic factors of jaw Langerhans cell histiocytosis (JLCH), providing valuable insights for its clinical diagnosis and management.

METHOD: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical and follow-up data of JLCH patients treated between January 2010 and January 2024. Data collected included gender, age, symptoms, imaging findings, treatment strategies, and outcomes. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed using SAS software to identify factors affecting treatment outcomes, with P ≤ 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: A total of 68 patients (50 males, 18 females; median age 13.5 years) were included. Forty percent of patients were under 10 years old, and 71% had mandibular involvement. Disease classification included 49 cases of single-system unifocal (SS-s) disease, 10 cases of single-system multifocal (SS-m) disease, and 9 cases of multi-system (MS) disease. Common symptoms included jaw or tooth pain (28 cases), facial swelling (22), gingival ulceration (10), and loose teeth (9). Imaging revealed periodontal disease-like (7), cyst-like (17), and osteomyelitis-like (44) lesions. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses identified that female patients had a lower risk of progression (P = 0.014, HR 0.071), while SS-m (P = 0.019, HR 4.992) and MS patients (P = 0.030, HR 4.182) exhibited higher progression risks compared to SS-s patients. Cyst-like (P = 0.001, HR 0.054) and osteomyelitis-like lesions (P < 0.001, HR 0.023) were associated with lower progression risks compared to alveolar lesions.

CONCLUSION: JLCH can affect individuals of all ages, though it is more common in children. Factors such as gender, lesion multiplicity, and lesion type (alveolar) are significant in predicting disease progression. Complete surgical resection combined with radiotherapy offers the highest likelihood of cure for SS-type JLCH.

PMID:40259405 | DOI:10.1186/s13023-025-03680-w

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68Ga-labeled prostate specific membrane antigen HBED-CC PET/MRI for staging and evaluating the clinicopathological characteristics in newly diagnosed prostate cancer

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Apr 21;30(1):311. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02567-7.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of 68Ga-labeled prostate specific membrane antigen HBED-CC (68Ga-PSMA-11) PET/MRI in primary staging and to evaluate the relationship between PSMA-derived parameters and clinicopathological characteristics in newly diagnosed prostate cancer (PCa).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study reports the findings from 72 patients newly diagnosed with primary PCa, all of whom underwent 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI scans. Calculated the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI for T, N, M staging, respectively. The maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), PSMA-tumor volume (PSMA-TVp), and total lesion-PSMA (TL-PSMAp) of primary lesion, PSMA-TV of total lesions (PSMA-TVt), and TL-PSMA of total lesions (TL-PSMAt) were measured, and Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess their correlation with baseline prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was conducted to assess the difference of PSMA-derived parameters among clinicopathological characteristics of PCa. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the performance of PSMA-derived parameters in diagnosing the clinicopathological characteristics of PCa.

RESULTS: The overall accuracy of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI in detecting T staging of PCa was 80.7%. Diagnostic accuracy for T2a, T2b, T2c, T3a, and T3b were 94.2%, 92.3%, 90.4%, 90.4%, and 94.2%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy for N and M staging were 96.1% and 97.2% based on patients-level, respectively. There were significant correlation between the SUVmax, PSMA-TVp, TL-PSMAp, PSMA-TVt, TL-PSMAt and baseline PSA values. Significant differences were observed in SUVmax, PSMA-TVp, TL-PSMAp, PSMA-TVt, and TL-PSMAt between T3 and T2 staging. Statistical differences were observed in SUVmax, TL-PSMAp, PSMA-TVt, and TL-PSMAt between Gleason Score (GS) > 7 and GS ≤ 7, as well as positive and negative regional lymph node metastasis. TL-PSMAt show the highest value in assessing clinicopathological characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS: 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/MRI can provide accurate TNM staging for PCa, particularly in local staging. TL-PSMAt accurately evaluate overall tumor burden and aids in diagnosing clinicopathological characteristics in mid-to-late-stage patients, outperforming SUVmax.

PMID:40259392 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-025-02567-7

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Prevalence, patterns, and impact of myofascial pain in patients with head and neck cancer after cancer treatment – a single-center cross-sectional study in India

BMC Palliat Care. 2025 Apr 21;24(1):109. doi: 10.1186/s12904-025-01745-y.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Head and neck cancer is the seventh most prevalent cancer, with over 660,000 new cases and 325,000 annual fatalities, accounting for 30% of all cancer cases. Chronic cancer-related pain affects 15-75% of patients, with myofascial pain being especially common in those with head and neck cancers, ranging from 11.9 to 44.8%. Surgery and radiotherapy, the primary treatments for these cancers, contribute to myofascial pain development. Additionally, head and neck cancer patients face higher psychological distress, with rates up to 50%. This study estimates the prevalence, topography of the musculoskeletal group, and emotional impact of myofascial pain in terms of depression in patients three months post-treatment, emphasizing early diagnosis for improved quality of life.

METHODS: We conducted a time-bound cross-sectional observational study using convenience sampling of 120 patients with head and neck cancer who were post-surgery or radiotherapy over a 12-month period from April 2023 to March 2024. Data were collected using structured proforma and validated tools. Descriptive statistics summarized continuous variables, and chi-square tests compared categorical variables. Pearson correlation measured linear relationships, while regression analysis estimated the relationship between pain and explanatory variables. A two-sided p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The prevalence of myofascial pain was 68.3% (n = 82), though no statistically significant relationship was found between its occurrence and time since therapy (p > 0.05). The most affected muscle was sternocleidomastoid (55%), followed by masseter (29.2%), trapezius (25.8%), temporalis (15%), levator scapulae (8.3%), posterior cervical (5.8%), and splenius capitis (3.3%). Additionally, 75.8% (n = 91) of participants had depression on PHQ-9, with 85.4% (n = 70) with myofascial pain experiencing depressive symptoms. Pain score and depression in patients with myofascial pain were positively correlated with a value of 0.579 (p-value < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Myofascial pain is common in patients with head and neck cancer post-treatment with a negative impact on emotional well-being. It primarily affects the muscles involved in the neck and shoulder movements. It is important to identify early and manage the complications to enhance quality of life.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered with the Clinical Trials Registry India and the assigned registration number for this study is CTRI/2023/03/050268 on 02/03/2023.

PMID:40259373 | DOI:10.1186/s12904-025-01745-y

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Gastric acid challenge: Mechanical proficiency and surface gloss of tooth-colored restorative materials

BMC Oral Health. 2025 Apr 21;25(1):614. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-05988-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To evaluate surface microhardness, roughness, and gloss changes of tooth-colored restorative materials [a direct composite (G-aenial A’Chord), an indirect composite (Gradia Plus), an ormocer (Admira Fusion), a giomer (Beautifil II), and an alkasite (Cention N)] after exposure to simulated gastric acid.

METHODS: A total of 110 disc-shaped specimens (22 discs of each material) were prepared using silicone molds (8 mm×2 mm) and exposed to either gastric acid or artificial saliva (control). Surface roughness (Ra), gloss (GU), and microhardness (VHN) were measured at baseline and after 96-hour of immersion in the solutions and the respective changes (∆Ra, ∆GU, ∆VHN) were calculated. Intergroup comparisons were performed using ANOVA (Tukey post hoc) or Kruskal-Wallis tests (Bonferroni correction). Independent samples t-test or Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparisons of each material across immersion media, while paired t-test was applied for time-dependent analyses.

RESULTS: In the gastric acid medium, changes in all parameters led to significant differences among restorative materials, while in the artificial saliva medium, significant differences were observed in ∆VHN and ∆GU. The statistically significant difference between immersion media was observed in both ∆VHN and ∆Ra values for the giomer group, and in only ∆VHN values for the alkasite and indirect composite groups. In the gastric acid medium, the decrease in VHN and GU values was significant across all subgroups, while the increase in Ra was statistically significant only in the giomer and alkasite groups.

CONCLUSIONS: While the giomer group exhibited the most significant changes in roughness and microhardness following exposure to gastric acid, all tested materials executed clinically admissible results regarding surface gloss.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

PMID:40259372 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-05988-2

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Meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of SOX1 methylation in different types of cervical cancer

World J Surg Oncol. 2025 Apr 21;23(1):147. doi: 10.1186/s12957-025-03790-6.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis evaluates the diagnostic value of SOX1 methylation across different cervical cancer types, including squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma, to assess its efficacy as a biomarker.

METHODS: We reviewed studies published up to March 2024, employing a PICOS-based search strategy in databases like PubMed and Web of Science. We included clinical studies providing diagnostic performance indicators while excluding non-clinical and small-sample studies. Meta-Disc1.4 and Stata15.1 were used for statistical analyses focusing on SOX1 methylation’s sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio.

RESULTS: Twelve articles encompassing 18 studies with 3,213 subjects were analyzed. The overall DOR for SOX1 methylation in cervical cancer diagnosis was 68.95 (95%CI: 27.63-172.07), with a Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic AUC of 0.92, indicating high diagnostic accuracy. Specifically, the DOR for adenocarcinoma was 87.57 (95%CI: 7.05-1087.44) with an AUC of 0.89, and for squamous cell carcinoma, it was 245.87 (95% CI: 26.49-2282.40) with an AUC of 0.93, reflecting significant diagnostic potential for both cancer types. No substantial publication bias was detected (P > 0.10).

CONCLUSION: SOX1 gene methylation demonstrates significant diagnostic value for both adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix, particularly effective in large sample sizes and cervical exfoliated cell samples for early detection and screening, supporting its utility as a reliable biomarker.

PMID:40259371 | DOI:10.1186/s12957-025-03790-6

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Profiling mortality patterns and place of death in patients on maintenance hemodialysis: a retrospective study in a tertiary care academic hospital in India

BMC Palliat Care. 2025 Apr 21;24(1):107. doi: 10.1186/s12904-025-01748-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) significantly burdens healthcare systems and increases mortality. In India, approximately 175,000 individuals are relying on maintenance hemodialysis (mHD). This study aims to analyze the place of death, mortality patterns and clinical issues surrounding death in patients with ESKD undergoing mHD at a tertiary care hospital in south India.

METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 280 patients with ESKD who underwent mHD between January 2016 and April 2022. Data were collected on demographics, financial details, comorbidities, cause of death, clinical issues, and location of death. Descriptive statistics, including means, frequencies, and proportions, were used to summarize findings.

RESULTS: Among the 280 patients on mHD, there were 98 deaths. Of these, 73.5% died in hospitals, primarily in intensive care units. Of all the patient deaths, 57.7% patients who died at home and 41.6% of hospitalized patients paid out of pocket treatment expenses. Infections and cardiovascular complications were the leading causes of death. High comorbidity and symptom burden were reported, with edema, fatigue, and breathlessness being the most common symptoms. Among the hospital deaths, withholding or withdrawing life sustaining treatments was documented in only 22.2% of cases.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides critical insights into mortality patterns and the need for improved kidney supportive care integration in patients with ESKD. Addressing symptom burden, enhancing ACP, and implementing end of life care protocols could align healthcare delivery with patient preferences, ultimately improving the quality of end of life care in this vulnerable population. Further research is recommended to explore broader interventions and their impact on patient outcomes.

PMID:40259368 | DOI:10.1186/s12904-025-01748-9