Tag: nevin manimala

Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-30339-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a frequent sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer in women. Early detection could slow the spread of HPV infection and its eventual development into cervical cancer. Furthermore, there are few statistics available on the prevalence of cervical cancer and HPV in Ethiopia. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of high-risk cervical human papillomavirus infections and the factors associated with them among women who visited the family planning and gynecology clinic at Debre Tabor Comprehensive Specialized Hospital in Northcentral Ethiopia. A health facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among women attending the gynecology and family planning clinic from October 2022 to May, 2023. After obtaining written informed consent from each participant woman, the data on sociodemographic and clinical factors were collected by a trained nurse through face-to-face interviews using a pretested questionnaire. Clinicians collected cervical swabs from participants, which were then analyzed by laboratory technologists using the OncoE6™ Cervical Test (Arbor Vita Corporation, Fremont, CA, USA) a lateral flow assay coated with high-affinity monoclonal antibodies designed to detect E6 oncoproteins specific to high-risk HPV types 16 and 18. In addition, clinicians conducted the Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) test, a procedure in which diluted acetic acid is applied to the cervix; areas with abnormal epithelial cells temporarily turn white, allowing for visual identification of potential lesions. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 21, using bivariate and multivariate logistic regression models, with a p value of ≤ 0.05 indicating statistical significance. There were 335 study participants during the course of the study. The mean age of the study participants in this study was 36.66 ± 7.92 years. Furthermore, the overall prevalence of HPV (HPV16 and/or 18) was 13.4%, with a 95% CI of 10.1%-17.3%. Fifty-three individuals (15.8%) out of the total study participants tested positive for the VIA. Moreover, the overall prevalence of HPV type 16, HPV18, and HPV16 and 18 coinfections was 8.66%, 7.76%, and 2.99%, respectively. A previous history of STIs (AOR = 14.42, 95% CI = 6.31-32.99, P = 0.001), HIV infection (AOR = 3.53, 95% CI = 1.46-8.54, P = 0.005) and age between 40 and 49 years (AOR = 0.17, 95% CI = 0.04-0.72, P = 0.016) were significantly associated with human papillomavirus infection. The results of the current study showed a significant prevalence of HPV infection and a high VIA positive rate. This study also demonstrated that age, HIV infection, and a history of STIs were significantly associated predictors of HPV infection. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of early screening, education, and prevention efforts to reduce the prevalence of HPV infections and associated diseases among women in the study area.

PMID:41318775 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-30339-0

Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-30432-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Addressing the challenge of predicting scientific impact and ranking researchers is a complex yet critical task, drawing significant attention from scholars across diverse fields. This effort plays a key role in improving research productivity, supporting decision-making processes, and advancing methodologies for scientific evaluation. Over time, various metrics such as citation counts, total publications, hybrid methods, the h index, and h-type indicators have been introduced to identify influential researchers. Despite these efforts, no single metric has been universally accepted as the best approach, as different metrics serve varying purposes and contexts. This study presents a novel index developed through comprehensive analysis of a dataset comprising 1060 Neuroscience researchers, including both awardees and non-awardees. The initial phase of the research involved evaluating specific metrics to determine their ability to place awardees among the top 100 researchers, leading to the identification of the five parameters most frequently associated with awardee inclusion. Advanced deep learning techniques were then applied to refine the selection, pinpointing the top five influential parameters and assessing the disjointness in their outputs. To further enhance the findings, seven statistical models were examined for their ability to combine the most disjoint parameter pair while retaining their individual strengths. Selecting the most disjoint pair ensures that the ranking process integrates diverse evaluation criteria rather than relying on redundant or highly correlated parameters. This approach captures a broader spectrum of researcher impact, reducing bias and increasing the robustness of the final ranking index. Among these models, the h2 upper and k indices exhibited the highest disjointness ratio at 0.97. Additionally, the Harmonic Mean approach demonstrated superior performance, achieving an average impact score of 0.76, and excelled at preserving the unique features of the selected parameter pair. Based on these results, a new index was formulated using the Harmonic Mean (HM) of the most disjoint pair. This index showed significantly improved performance compared to existing metrics, offering a robust solution for ranking researchers effectively.

PMID:41318760 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-30432-4

Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-28685-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Sub-Saharan African women face a high burden of breast cancer, influenced by genetic and lifestyle factors. However, the lack of comprehensive, age-stratified data hinders the identification of risk factors and the development of effective, population-specific interventions. This study aimed to assess age-related variations in breast cancer prevalence among Nigerian women, providing insight into associated risk factors and disease trends. A retrospective review of 3,263 breast histopathology records (9.46% of total from 2015 to 2023) was conducted. Lesions-benign and malignant-were analyzed across five age groups: children and adolescents (0-19), young adults (20-39), middle-aged (40-59), higher-aged (60-79), and elderly (≥ 80), using MS Excel and GraphPad Prism 8.0. Statistical comparisons were performed by age and lesion type. Most cases were in young adults (45.97%) and middle-aged women (33.83%). The left breast was more commonly affected (46.86%) and had higher malignancy rates than the right (44.41%) or bilateral lesions (7.20%). Benign lesions were predominant (56.76%), especially among young adults (57.34%). Malignancy incidence increased with age, peaking in middle-aged women (53.30%). Fibroadenoma was the most frequent benign lesion in children and adolescents and young adults, while fibrosis predominated in middle age. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) was the leading malignant subtype, with a sharp rise by 2023-particularly among middle-aged (172 cases) and young adult women (71 cases). Among 339 immunohistochemically profiled cases, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC; 42.77%) and ER+/PR+ tumors (36.87%) were most common. TNBC was the only subtype detected in children and adolescents. Middle-aged women bore the highest burden of all subtypes, with a marked increase in TNBC and ER+/PR+ cases in 2023. The rising incidence of aggressive subtypes, particularly TNBC, highlights the need for enhanced molecular diagnostics and personalized therapies. Age-specific trends reinforce the urgency for targeted screening, especially for young and middle-aged Nigerian women.

PMID:41318755 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-28685-0

Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-29095-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Recent studies on neurodynamics have shown beneficial effects on the musculoskeletal system and peripheral nerve physiology. Hence, the application of neurodynamics in people who have suffered an acquired brain injury has the potential to improve their functionality to perform daily activities. This study aimed to assess the immediate effects of a single session of median nerve neurodynamics versus a placebo intervention on the affected upper limb (UL) in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI). A single-blind randomised clinical trial was conducted with 24 participants, divided into an experimental group (n = 12) and a control group (n = 12. Outcomes measures included grip strength (dynamometer), spasticity (Modified Ashworth Scale), pain (algometer and Visual Analogue Scale), range of motion (goniometer), and surface electromyography. Statistically significant improvements were observed in the experimental group in terms of reduced spasticity in the triceps and carpal flexors, and increased wrist flexion and extension range of motion. Additionally, modulation of muscle activity was detected in the triceps, biceps, and wrist flexors and extensors. In contrast, changes in grip strength and pain perception were not statistically significant. Although a downward trend in grip strength was noted in both groups, this observation should be interpreted cautiously and does not imply a therapeutic benefit without further functional corroboration. These findings suggest that neurodynamics may produce short-term neuromuscular effects in ABI patients, particularly in muscle tone and joint mobility. However, further research is needed to determine the clinical relevance and sustainability of these effects.Clinical trial registration number: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04652934). Date of first trial registration 03/12/2020.

PMID:41318749 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-29095-y

Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-28857-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Large language model-based (LLM) chatbots are increasingly integrated into healthcare communication, offering accessible and interactive information. These artificial intelligence (AI) tools have the potential to influence caregiver health behaviors when tailored to user needs and literacy levels. In pediatric dentistry, fluoride remains a cornerstone of caries prevention but is also subject to public concerns and online misinformation, underscoring the need for reliable digital communication. This observational and exploratory study evaluated the performance of three advanced AI chatbots-ChatGPT-4.o, Google Gemini Pro, and DeepSeek V3-in providing fluoride-related information to parents and caregivers in the context of pediatric oral health. Twenty fluoride-related questions, derived from American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) guideline themes, were presented to each chatbot in standardized sessions. Responses were independently evaluated by three blinded reviewers using validated tools: EQIP, DISCERN, Global Quality Scale (GQS), Flesch Reading Ease Score (FRES), Flesch-Kincaid Reading Grade Level (FKRGL), and iThenticate similarity index. These instruments assessed quality, reliability, readability, and originality. Inter-rater reliability was confirmed with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Statistical analyses were conducted using ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis tests with appropriate post-hoc methods. ChatGPT-4.o achieved significantly higher EQIP (M = 4.32, SD = 0.43) and DISCERN (M = 4.20, SD = 0.48) scores than Gemini Pro and DeepSeek V3 (p < 0.001), indicating superior reliability and informational quality. While FRES (median = 68.5, p = 0.12) and Similarity Index (≤ 10%, p = 0.54) showed no significant differences, ChatGPT consistently produced more readable and original content. FKRGL differences were borderline (p = 0.041) but not retained after correction, and GQS outcomes were comparable. These findings suggest that ChatGPT’s superior performance is not only statistically significant but also practically relevant for enhancing parental comprehension of fluoride use. Among the evaluated models, ChatGPT-4.o demonstrated the clearest and most reliable fluoride communication. Its higher EQIP and DISCERN scores highlight its potential as a supportive tool for caregiver education in pediatric dentistry. Nonetheless, these systems should be implemented cautiously, complemented with professional oversight, and continuously validated to prevent misinformation and ensure safe clinical integration.

PMID:41318741 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-28857-y

Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-28209-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is shaped by a combination of HIV-related and non-HIV-related factors, including immunological and virological failure, HIV-associated comorbidities, and antiretroviral therapy (ART)-induced toxicity. Although HRQoL tends to improve during the first year of combination ART (cART), especially among those with advanced HIV, disparities persist. This cross-sectional analytical study assessed HRQoL in 321 PLWHA, of whom 310 were included in the final analysis. HRQoL was evaluated using the EQ-5D-5 L index. Of the participants, 121 (37.7%) had a high EQ-5D-5 L index value of 1, whereas 181 (58.9%) had an index value of less than 1. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the EQ-5D-5 L index and the recent CD4-T cell count (rs = 0.162, p = .004). Gender-based analysis showed males (0.85 ± 0.15) had significantly higher HRQoL scores compared to females (0.77 ± 0.16). Furthermore, delayed switching to second-line regimens was associated with suboptimal recovery in HRQoL. These findings highlight the importance of timely clinical decisions in switching the ART to a more potent regimen especially in resource poor settings.

PMID:41318722 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-28209-w

Sci Rep. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-29610-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A persistent mental illness, schizophrenia has a complicated etiopathogenesis that includes both environmental and genetic elements. This study examined the possibility of diagnosing schizophrenia by utilizing computed tomography (CT) images of the orbit and its structures, which were then examined by artificial neural networks (ANNs) and machine learning (ML) algorithms. A retrospective analysis of the CT scans of 90 healthy people and 90 people with schizophrenia was conducted. Prior to measurement, all CT images underwent preprocessing steps to ensure align-ment and standardization. Height, width, depth, wall length, aperture area, interorbital width, biorbital width, bimalar width, skull transverse diameter, and optic nerve sheath width were among the orbital parameters that were measured. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the groups in left orbital width, left orbital aperture area, right optic nerve sheath width, transverse skull diameter, bimalar width, biorbital width, and left medial wall length. ML algorithms and ANNs were applied to the data, with the Extra Tree Classifier (ETC) algorithm achieving the highest accuracy of 0.78 and the Multilayer Perceptron Classifier (MLCP) model of ANN achieving an accuracy of 0.75 after 1000 training iterations. The Random Forest algorithm’s SHAP analyzer determined that the left orbital width had the biggest impact on the final outcome. These results add to the expanding field of machine learning applications in psychiatry by indicating that AI-based models that analyze orbital morphometry may be useful instruments for detecting schizophrenia.

PMID:41318706 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-29610-1

Neurosurg Rev. 2025 Nov 29;49(1):34. doi: 10.1007/s10143-025-03943-x.

ABSTRACT

Expandable interbody cages have gained popularity in posterior lumbar fusion due to their ability to restore disc height and segmental alignment with minimal surgical exposure. However, concerns remain regarding their long-term durability, particularly the risk of implant subsidence. This study evaluates radiographic outcomes and subsidence rates over a 12-month period following posterior lumbar fusion with a novel expandable cage. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 40 consecutive adult patients who underwent posterior lumbar fusion using a posteriorly placed expandable cage (Calibrate PSX) at a single academic institution. Radiographic parameters-including anterior disc height, posterior disc height, segmental lordosis, and global lumbar lordosis (L1-S1)-were measured preoperatively, immediately postoperatively, and at 3 and 12 months. Subsidence was graded according to the classification proposed by Levy et al. (2024). Generalized estimating equations were used for longitudinal analysis, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Among 44 implanted levels, 16 levels (36.4%) demonstrated subsidence at 3 months, increasing to 20 (45.5%) by 12 months. No surgical revisions were required at 12 months. Anterior disc height increased significantly in the immediate postoperative period (+ 8.6 mm, p < 0.0001) but declined over time, with greater loss in the subsidence group (-7.1 mm vs. – 1.9 mm, p = 0.013). Posterior disc height followed a similar trend. However, segmental and global lumbar lordosis remained stable, with no significant differences between subsidence and non-subsidence groups. Minor intraoperative complications occurred in 6 patients (13.6%) and resolved without sequelae. Expandable interbody cages provide substantial immediate postoperative improvements in disc height and alignment. While subsidence can occur over time, segmental and global lordosis are generally maintained. The overall subsidence rate was modest and not associated with adverse clinical outcomes. These findings support the cautious use of expandable cages in posterior lumbar fusion, with attention to patient selection, surgical technique and implant selection to mitigate the risk of subsidence.

PMID:41317307 | DOI:10.1007/s10143-025-03943-x

Ir J Med Sci. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1007/s11845-025-04199-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between iron metabolism-related parameters and in-hospital mortality in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with symptoms and signs of acute heart failure (AHF), and to determine the prognostic value of iron metabolism-related subgroups.

METHODS: This prospective observational case series was conducted in the ED of a tertiary hospital between May 1, 2023, and February 29, 2024. A total of 941 patients who presented with AHF and met the inclusion criteria were evaluated. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded, and their associations with short-term mortality were analyzed statistically. Serum ferritin levels and transferrin saturation (TSAT) values were classified to define subgroups of iron metabolism.

RESULTS: In-hospital mortality occurred in 13.8% of the patients (n = 130). Logistic regression analysis identified ferritin levels as an independent predictor of mortality. Patients with ferritin levels of 100-299 ng/mL had a 5.8-fold increased risk of mortality, while those with ferritin ≥ 300 ng/mL had a 13.6-fold increased risk (both p < 0.001). In ROC analysis, ferritin was the strongest biomarker for predicting mortality, with an AUC of 0.811 (95% CI: 0.774-0.848). At the determined cut-off value of 102.8 ng/mL, ferritin demonstrated a sensitivity of 74.5% and specificity of 75.2%. In Group 3 (ferritin ≥ 300 ng/mL + TSAT < 20%), the mortality rate was 42.5% (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Elevated ferritin levels provide additional prognostic value for early risk stratification and may help identify high-risk subgroups among patients presenting to the emergency department with acute heart failure.

PMID:41317296 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-025-04199-6

Ir J Med Sci. 2025 Nov 29. doi: 10.1007/s11845-025-04198-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Melanocyte death in the pathogenesis of vitiligo is thought to be associated with ROS/RNS accumulation, but the interaction of miRNAs with oxidative and nitrosative stress is not yet clear.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the role of miRNAs associated with oxidative stress, apoptosis, and melanogenesis in the pathogenesis of vitiligo and to determine the relationship between these miRNAs and plasma levels of oxidative/nitrosative stress biomarkers.

METHODS: The study included 30 vitiligo patients and 30 healthy individuals. Expression levels of 34 specific miRNAs were measured by quantitative real-time PCR in plasma samples obtained from patients and controls. Catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and nitric oxide (NO) levels were measured to determine plasma and erythrocytic oxidative/nitrosative stress levels.

RESULTS: While there was no significant difference in the levels of 5 miRNAs analyzed in vitiligo patients compared to the control group, expression levels of 29 miRNAs were up- or down-regulated, and the differences were statistically significant. Especially, changes in miR-34a-5p, miR-373-3p, miR-196a-5p, miR-25-3p, miR-26a-5p, miR-193a-5p, miR-146a-5p, and miR-223-3p were found to be statistically significant (p < 0.001). In addition, plasma MDA, NO, and 3-NT levels were significantly higher, and SOD and CAT enzyme activities were significantly lower in the vitiligo group.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed significant changes in miRNA levels associated with melanocyte apoptosis, inflammation, oxidative stress, and melanogenesis, which play a role in the pathogenesis of vitiligo. Furthermore, increased oxidative and nitrosative stress responses support their role in the physiopathology of the disease.

PMID:41317295 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-025-04198-7