Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Heart Rate Variability as a Novel Indicator for Predicting Postoperative Urinary Retention in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Development and Internal Validation of a Predictive Nomogram

Arch Esp Urol. 2026 Apr;79(3):469-475. doi: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20267903.55.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To develop and internally validate a heart rate variability (HRV)-based predictive model for estimating the risk of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 237 patients with confirmed BPH who received surgical treatment. Among them, 36 patients (15.2%) developed POUR. Variables showing statistical significance (p < 0.05) in univariate analysis were subsequently entered into a multivariate logistic regression to determine factors independently associated with POUR. Based on the corresponding regression coefficients, a graphical risk prediction tool (nomogram) was constructed. The predictive capability of the model was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, calibration assessment, and decision curve analysis (DCA), and its robustness was further tested using bootstrap-based internal validation.

RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified age, prostate volume, standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), and root mean square of successive differences (RMSSD) as independent predictors of POUR. The HRV-based nomogram exhibited strong discriminative performance, achieving an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.894 (95% CI: 0.833-0.956), with sensitivity and specificity of 0.861 and 0.806, respectively. Internal validation showed a comparable AUC of 0.884, indicating good model stability. The calibration curve indicated close alignment between predicted and actual outcomes (χ2 = 11.801) and a Brier score of 0.075, confirming precise calibration. DCA demonstrated that the model provided a favourable net clinical benefit over a broad range of probability thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS: The HRV-based nomogram established in this study accurately predicts POUR in patients with BPH. By integrating autonomic function indicators with clinical parameters, the model demonstrates strong predictive power and clinical utility, offering an effective tool for early identification and individualised management of patients.

PMID:42104701 | DOI:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20267903.55

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Genetically Predicted Gut Microbiota and Bladder Cancer Risk: A Mendelian Randomisation Analysis

Arch Esp Urol. 2026 Apr;79(3):431-439. doi: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20267903.51.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gut microbiota (GM) has been increasingly implicated in cancer development through immune modulation, metabolic regulation, and systemic inflammatory pathways. Although observational studies have suggested a potential link between GM dysbiosis and bladder cancer (BC), these findings remain susceptible to confounding and reverse causation. To our knowledge, few studies have applied a Mendelian randomisation (MR) framework to systematically evaluate the gut-bladder axis from a genetic perspective.

METHODS: We performed a two-sample MR analysis to examine associations between genetically predicted GM composition and BC risk. Genetic instruments for 119 GM taxa were obtained from the MiBioGen consortium. Summary-level genetic association data for BC were derived from the UK Biobank. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used as the primary analytical approach, complemented by Mendelian randomisation-Egger regression (MR-Egger) and weighted median methods. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. Instrumental variants were further mapped to host genes to perform exploratory functional annotation and pathway enrichment analyses.

RESULTS: In the primary IVW analysis, five GM taxa demonstrated nominal associations with BC risk. Higher genetically predicted abundance of Oscillibacter (OR = 0.706, 95% CI: 0.564-0.883) and Oscillospira (OR = 0.668, 95% CI: 0.490-0.910) was associated with lower risk, whereas Lachnospiraceae (FCS020 group) was associated with increased risk (OR = 1.406, 95% CI: 1.070-1.847). However, none of the associations remained statistically significant after Bonferroni correction for multiple testing. Sensitivity analyses revealed no evidence of significant heterogeneity or directional pleiotropy, and estimates were broadly consistent across MR methods.

CONCLUSIONS: In this MR study, we identified nominal associations between genetically predicted GM composition and BC risk. As none of the findings remained statistically significant after correction for multiple testing, these results should be interpreted with caution. Further replication in independent cohorts and mechanistic investigations into the role of candidate taxa are warranted to clarify the potential involvement of the gut-bladder axis in bladder carcinogenesis.

PMID:42104697 | DOI:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20267903.51

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

A 15-Year Google Trends Analysis of Surgical Treatment Modalities for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in the United States

Arch Esp Urol. 2026 Apr;79(3):415-421. doi: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20267903.49.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Background: To evaluate temporal trends in public interest regarding surgical treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the United States using Google Trends (GT) data from 2010-2025.

METHODS: Relative search volume (RSV) data for Holmium Laser Enucleation of the Prostate (HoLEP), Rezūm®, UroLift, Aquablation, and Prostatic Arterial Embolization (PAE) were extracted from GT between January 2010 and August 2025. Annual mean RSV values were analyzed using descriptive statistics, linear regression, and Pearson correlation. Statistical significance was defined as p < 0.05.

RESULTS: HoLEP demonstrated a robust and statistically significant upward trajectory throughout the study period (R2 = 0.762; β = 0.873; p < 0.001), reflecting sustained growth in public interest. Rezūm® similarly exhibited a strong and consistent increasing trend (R2 = 0.799; β = 0.894; p < 0.001), indicating a notable expansion in online engagement over time. Aquablation showed a moderate but significant rise in search activity (R2 = 0.549; β = 0.741; p < 0.001), although its overall magnitude of interest remained comparatively lower than other modalities. UroLift demonstrated a significant temporal association (R2 = 0.637; β = 0.798; p = 0.001), despite fluctuations in interest during later years of the study. PAE demonstrated a strong but non-significant upward trend (R2 = 0.788; β = 0.888; p = 0.051), suggesting a more variable pattern of public attention. Correlation analyses further revealed strong inter-modality relationships, particularly between HoLEP and Aquablation (r = 0.948) and between HoLEP and PAE (r = 0.916).

CONCLUSIONS: Rezūm® and Aquablation have experienced rapid growth in recent years, while HoLEP has consistently maintained its importance. UroLift and PAE have exhibited more variable trends. Digital trend analysis is a valuable tool for understanding evolving patient preferences and informing clinical and policy decisions.

PMID:42104695 | DOI:10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20267903.49

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Assessing infection rates in field-collected Culicoides populations: Example of a large-scale study on bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses in Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Reunion Island, Indian ocean

Med Vet Entomol. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1111/mve.70082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Characterising the vector role of a species is critical to understand and quantify host-vector-pathogen interactions. This role has to be assessed for each suspected vector species, but also at the population level. Indeed, different populations of the same species can exhibit biological and ecological variability that can amplify or limit their epidemiological role in transmitting pathogens to human and/or animal populations. In this work, we characterise the spatio-temporal dynamics of two major viruses of veterinary interest (bluetongue virus [BTV] and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus [EHDV]) in the five species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) present in Reunion Island, located in the Indian Ocean. Our aim is to quantify the infection rates of the two viruses in field-collected Culicoides over a 2-year period. A total of 33,358 individuals comprising 11,504 pools were molecularly screened to detect the presence of both viruses. Our work applied an original statistical approach based on the use of Bayesian inference and showed that all five Culicoides species could be involved in the transmission of the two viruses with different levels of infection. EHDV circulated within Culicoides populations for only 4 months over the study period, while BTV circulated within the same populations throughout the entire 2-year period. We hypothesized that although both viruses are transmitted by the same Culicoides species, they exhibit distinct epidemiological patterns: BTV displays enzootic circulation in Reunion Island, whereas EHDV shows an epizootic pattern.

PMID:42104528 | DOI:10.1111/mve.70082

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Assessing infection rates in field-collected Culicoides populations: Example of a large-scale study on bluetongue and epizootic hemorrhagic disease viruses in Culicoides species (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Reunion Island, Indian ocean

Med Vet Entomol. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1111/mve.70082. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Characterising the vector role of a species is critical to understand and quantify host-vector-pathogen interactions. This role has to be assessed for each suspected vector species, but also at the population level. Indeed, different populations of the same species can exhibit biological and ecological variability that can amplify or limit their epidemiological role in transmitting pathogens to human and/or animal populations. In this work, we characterise the spatio-temporal dynamics of two major viruses of veterinary interest (bluetongue virus [BTV] and epizootic hemorrhagic disease virus [EHDV]) in the five species of Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) present in Reunion Island, located in the Indian Ocean. Our aim is to quantify the infection rates of the two viruses in field-collected Culicoides over a 2-year period. A total of 33,358 individuals comprising 11,504 pools were molecularly screened to detect the presence of both viruses. Our work applied an original statistical approach based on the use of Bayesian inference and showed that all five Culicoides species could be involved in the transmission of the two viruses with different levels of infection. EHDV circulated within Culicoides populations for only 4 months over the study period, while BTV circulated within the same populations throughout the entire 2-year period. We hypothesized that although both viruses are transmitted by the same Culicoides species, they exhibit distinct epidemiological patterns: BTV displays enzootic circulation in Reunion Island, whereas EHDV shows an epizootic pattern.

PMID:42104528 | DOI:10.1111/mve.70082

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Indigenous knowledge of traditional medicinal plants in Gondar City Administration, Amhara National Regional State, northwest Ethiopia

Trop Med Health. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1186/s41182-026-00965-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Ethiopian people possess deep knowledge of how to use plant resources and are dependent on plant values mainly for traditional medicine. However, most ethnobotanical studies are restricted to rural areas, leaving urban centers poorly documented, which implies the need for further study. Thus, this study was conducted in Gondar City Administration, aimed at investigating medicinal plants to fill the traditional knowledge documentation gap.

METHODS: The study was conducted from February 2024 to January 2025 in 12 kebeles selected purposively based on vegetation cover, availability of knowledgeable practitioners and representation of both urban and rural settings. Data were collected using interviews, focus group discussions, guided field walks, and market surveys with 120 randomly selected general informants and 60 purposively selected key informants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the basic ethnobotanical data. An independent sample t-test and two-way ANOVA were used to analyze socio-demographic effects of informants on their indigenous knowledge. Different ethnobotanical ranking and clustering methods, Rahman’s similarity index (RSI) and Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity were also used.

RESULTS: A total of 109 medicinal plants distributed across 95 genera and 54 families were recorded to treat 76 ailment types. Asteraceae was the foremost family with 9 (8.26%) species. Shrub was the dominant habit (39.45%) and leaves were the most valuable plant parts used for 33.80% of remedy preparations. Remedies were prepared mainly from fresh forms (76.39%) by crushing (20.37%) and administered through the dermal route (41.20%). Significant knowledge variation on medicinal plants was observed between key and general informants (P = 0.000), rural and urban kebeles (P = 0.001), and between age groups (P = 0.013). Informant type (general vs. key informant) and age had a highly significant interaction effect on the medicinal plant knowledge (P = 0.000). About 14.68% of all recorded species were reported to treat hepatitis. From those, Clutia lanceolata was the most preferred. The highest informant consensus factor value (98%) was associated with respiratory conditions. The RSI ranged from 0.5 to 13.79%, and the JSI ranged from 3.5 to 36%. After a systematic search was performed across various reputable databases (Scopus, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar), unique ethnobotanical information on the therapeutic roles of 12 medicinal plant species that have not been reported previously was documented.

CONCLUSION: This finding indicates that the rich diversity of medicinal plants in Gondar City, along with unique ethnomedicinal findings, is an indicator of alternative use of traditional medicine by urban inhabitants for their healthcare system. However, urban ethnobotany is a distinct field in which is expected to evolve knowledge systems influenced by migration. So, these knowledge systems could experience an accelerated loss due to urbanization-related factors unless prior documentation is made.

PMID:42104521 | DOI:10.1186/s41182-026-00965-z

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

A rapid multiplex platform for simultaneous detection of chikungunya virus, dengue virus, and dengue serotyping based on isothermal amplification and lateral flow dipsticks

Infect Dis Poverty. 2026 May 9;15(1):52. doi: 10.1186/s40249-026-01450-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The expeditious and precise diagnosis of dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is paramount for effective patient management and the control of outbreaks. In this study, a duplex reverse transcription multi-enzyme isothermal amplification (RT-MIRA) assay was established for the simultaneous detection of DENV and CHIKV, followed by a nested RT-MIRA assay for DENV serotyping (DENV-1 to -4).

METHODS: Specific primers and probes targeting the DENV 3′-UTR, CHIKV E1 gene, and four DENV serotypes were designed. The duplex RT-MIRA and nested DENV RT-MIRA serotyping reaction systems were optimized at 39 °C with portable fluorescence or lateral flow dipstick readouts. For methodological validation, specificity was evaluated against 35 related pathogens, and the 95% limit of detection (LOD95) was determined via probit regression. For clinical validation, serum samples from 236 suspected patients were tested, benchmarking against RT-qPCR and serology. Statistical analyses included the Wilson score method for calculating 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and Cohen’s kappa (κ). For external verification, 12 CHIKV-positive clinical samples and 5 artificially simulated co-infection samples were retrospectively analyzed to validate assay accuracy.

RESULTS: The duplex RT-MIRA assay exhibited no cross-reactivity with other pathogens. The LOD95 values were 13.47 copies/μl for DENV and 10.49 copies/μl for CHIKV. Clinical validation demonstrated sensitivities of 96.15% (95% CI: 89.28%-98.67%) for DENV and 88.89% (95% CI: 67.20%-96.90%) for CHIKV. Specificity was 100% (95% CI: 92.87%-100%) for both. Agreement with RT-qPCR was strong for DENV (κ = 0.96) and CHIKV (κ = 0.92). The nested RT-MIRA serotyping assay showed high sensitivity (LOD95: 1.6-18.7 copies/μl) without cross-reactivity, accurately differentiating 75 DENV-positive samples into 71 DENV-1 and 4 DENV-2. In the external verification, the assay accurately detected 10 CHIKV mono-infections and 2 CHIKV/DENV co-infections, and distinguished four DENV serotypes in simulated matrices.

CONCLUSIONS: A rapid and sensitive integrated method has been developed that combines duplex RT-MIRA for detecting DENV and CHIKV, and nested RT-MIRA for serotyping DENV. The simplicity and speed of the amplification and detection steps demonstrate this platform’s potential for use in point-of-care testing and surveillance in areas with limited resources, particularly when used alongside portable extraction methods.

PMID:42104518 | DOI:10.1186/s40249-026-01450-9

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Meta-analysis of the effect of the gluten-free diet on the lipid profile of patients with celiac disease

BMC Nutr. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1186/s40795-026-01327-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder that affects the digestive system. Treatment for CD relies on a gluten-free diet, and previous studies have suggested alterations in the lipid profile. However, the literature shows no consensus regarding the specific lipid fraction affected, the magnitude of the change, or whether lipid parameters tend to increase or decrease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a gluten-free diet on HDL, LDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in patients with celiac disease reported in the scientific literature.

METHODS: A literature review was conducted in four databases including studies published in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic, publication bias was evaluated with Egger’s test, and meta-analyses were performed to estimate mean differences in lipid profile parameters using a random-effects model with the REML estimation method.

RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included, most of them conducted in Italian populations, comprising a total of 1,820 patients with CD, of whom 706 were pediatric. In pediatric patients, the meta-analysis showed no significant change in total cholesterol (6.2 mg/dL; 95% CI – 7.1 to 19.6), a significant decrease in triglycerides (- 14.2 mg/dL; 95% CI – 22.6 to – 5.8), and an increase in HDL cholesterol (11.4 mg/dL; 95% CI 8.5 to 14.2). In contrast, among adults, there was a significant increase in total cholesterol (12.4 mg/dL; 95% CI 5.1 to 19.7), triglycerides (5.9 mg/dL; 95% CI 0.5 to 11.2), and HDL cholesterol (6.1 mg/dL; 95% CI 3.9 to 8.3).

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study indicate that patients with celiac disease experience significant changes in lipid profile following adherence to a gluten-free diet, with a differential pattern between pediatric and adult populations.

PMID:42104507 | DOI:10.1186/s40795-026-01327-y

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

Viral-bacterial codetection and clinical and laboratory characteristics in children hospitalized with lower respiratory tract infections in a private hospital in Lima, Peru: a cross-sectional study

Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1186/s40794-026-00303-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Viral-bacterial codetection is common and may increase clinical severity, but evidence in the Peruvian pediatric population is limited. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical, laboratory, and seasonal characteristics associated with viral-bacterial codetection in children hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs).

METHODS: Cross-sectional secondary database study from a private hospital in Lima, Peru. We included patients < 13 years hospitalized for LRTIs with RT-qPCR results for respiratory viruses and/or bacteria. Viral-bacterial codetection was compared against other detection patterns using Poisson regression for binary outcomes and linear regression for continuous outcomes, with false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS: A total of 548 patients were included (median age 2.0 years; 50.5% female). Viral-bacterial codetection was identified in 21.5% of patients (n = 118), with RSV + Haemophilus influenzae being the most frequent combination. Compared with other detection patterns, viral-bacterial codetection was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of crackles (aPR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.08-1.57), lower oxygen saturation at admission (β: -0.57; 95% CI: -1.04 to – 0.10), higher platelet counts (β: 30,452; 95% CI: 5,113-55,792), higher hemoglobin levels (β: 0.29 g/dL; 95% CI: 0.03-0.56), and longer hospital stay (β: 0.66 days; 95% CI: 0.02-1.29). However, after FDR correction for multiple comparisons, none of these associations reached statistical significance (q-values: 0.056-0.113). No difference was detected according to seasonality.

CONCLUSIONS: Viral-bacterial codetection was common and was associated with crackles, lower oxygen saturation, longer hospital stay, and higher platelet counts; however, after FDR correction, none of these associations remained statistically significant, underscoring the exploratory nature of these findings and the need for larger, confirmatory studies.

PMID:42104506 | DOI:10.1186/s40794-026-00303-5

Categories
Nevin Manimala Statistics

The associations between age, familial occurrence of fibromyalgia, and symptom severity in fibromyalgia: a cross-sectional study from a Finnish health center

BMC Rheumatol. 2026 May 8. doi: 10.1186/s41927-026-00651-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fibromyalgia is a functional syndrome characterized by musculoskeletal pain and a variety of associated symptoms. Previous research has shown that close relatives are at a higher risk of developing the syndrome compared to the general population. Previous findings also suggest that symptoms tend to decrease with age. Our primary objective is to examine whether having a close relative with fibromyalgia is associated with greater symptom severity among patients in primary care. In addition, we assess the relationship between age and symptom severity.

METHODS: The study is based on a cross-sectional design. The data were collected at the Nokia Health Centre, Finland, in 2016. Patients meeting the ACR 2010 criteria were included in this study (n = 91). We used three validated questionnaires to assess disease severity (PSD, FIQ and EQ-VAS) and patient-reported information on fibromyalgia in a close relative.

RESULTS: The independent-samples t-test was used to examine the association. Participants were divided into four age groups, and differences in symptom severity between age groups were assessed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). There were no statistically significant differences between family history and symptom severity, nor age groups and symptom severity. Furthermore, there was no statistically significant linear association between age and symptom severity, nor between symptom severity and family history of fibromyalgia. These findings remained unchanged after adjusting for family history. However, given the lack of statistical significance and our small sample size, these observations should be interpreted cautiously.

CONCLUSIONS: Symptom severity and functional limitations appeared broadly similar across age groups in our sample, which may suggest that increasing age is not necessarily associated with substantial symptom relief. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the cross-sectional design and small sample size.

PMID:42104504 | DOI:10.1186/s41927-026-00651-x