Tag: pubmed

Environ Geochem Health. 2025 Apr 3;47(5):150. doi: 10.1007/s10653-025-02457-1.

ABSTRACT

Groundwater quality is progressively declining due to over-exploitation and long-term use for irrigation needs. This study aims to assess the suitability of groundwater for irrigation use in an intense agricultural region in Visakhapatnam, southern India. Groundwater samples were collected during the pre-monsoon (PRM) (n = 75) and post-monsoon (POM) (n = 72) seasons. In-situ measurements of pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and total dissolved solids (TDS) were taken using a portable multimeter, while the major ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, F^–, Cl^–, NO₃^–, SO₄^2-) were determined through ion chromatography. The Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI), integrated with Geographic Information Systems (GIS), revealed declining groundwater quality from south to north, with higher EC, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and chloride concentrations near coastal regions and thermal power plants. IWQI values ranged from 31 to 96 in the PRM and from 30 to 97 in the POM seasons. Approximately 27% of groundwater samples from the PRM and 22% from the POM were unsuitable for irrigation, particularly near industrial areas. Hydrochemical plots, including Wilcox, USSL, and Doneen classifications, highlighted salinity and permeability issues linked to local industrial pollution, affecting groundwater. Multivariate statistical analysis, including PCA, Pearson Correlation, and HCA, revealed that natural and human activities, such as seawater intrusion and agricultural runoff, significantly affect groundwater quality. Salinity, driven by sodium and chloride, persists in both seasons, while nitrate contamination from fertilizers is more prominent during the monsoon. This study highlights the necessity for continuous monitoring and targeted treatment measures for sustainable groundwater use for irrigational practices.

PMID:40178773 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-025-02457-1

J Med Syst. 2025 Apr 3;49(1):43. doi: 10.1007/s10916-025-02178-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots are increasingly used for medical inquiries, including sensitive topics like sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). However, concerns remain regarding the reliability and readability of the information they provide. This study aimed to assess the reliability and readability of AI chatbots in providing information on STDs. The key objectives were to determine (1) the reliability of STD-related information provided by AI chatbots, and (2) whether the readability of this information meets the recommended standarts for patient education materials.

METHODS: Eleven relevant STD-related search queries were identified using Google Trends and entered into four AI chatbots: ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Copilot. The reliability of the responses was evaluated using established tools, including DISCERN, EQIP, JAMA, and GQS. Readability was assessed using six widely recognized metrics, such as the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and the Gunning Fog Index. The performance of chatbots was statistically compared in terms of reliability and readability.

RESULTS: The analysis revealed significant differences in reliability across the AI chatbots. Perplexity and Copilot consistently outperformed ChatGPT and Gemini in DISCERN and EQIP scores, suggesting that these two chatbots provided more reliable information. However, results showed that none of the chatbots achieved the 6th-grade readability standard. All the chatbots generated information that was too complex for the general public, especially for individuals with lower health literacy levels.

CONCLUSION: While Perplexity and Copilot showed better reliability in providing STD-related information, none of the chatbots met the recommended readability benchmarks. These findings highlight the need for future improvements in both the accuracy and accessibility of AI-generated health information, ensuring it can be easily understood by a broader audience.

PMID:40178771 | DOI:10.1007/s10916-025-02178-z

Indian Pediatr. 2025 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s13312-025-00029-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of minimum dietary diversity (MDD) and explore its associated determinants among children aged 6-60 months in rural Puducherry.

METHODS: 143 children aged 6-60 months were selected from rural areas of Puducherry using systematic random sampling in a cross-sectional study conducted between January and February 2024. Data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices. MDD was defined as the consumption of at least five of eight food groups for children aged 6-24 months and seven food groups for children aged 25-60 months. Sociodemographic factors, food group consumption, and anthropometric measurements were also recorded. Statistical analysis involved Chi-square tests and binary logistic regression to identify associations between MDD and various factors.

RESULTS: 55.24% of the children achieved MDD. Children aged 25-60 months (P < 0.001) and those with mothers over 30 years old (P = 0.001) were significantly more likely to meet MDD. Underweight (P = 0.001) and severely underweight children (P = 0.001) had a lower likelihood of achieving MDD. Factors such as gender, birth order, and socioeconomic status were not significantly associated with MDD.

CONCLUSION: Despite a higher MDD rate than the national average, a substantial proportion of children in rural Puducherry do not meet dietary diversity standards, particularly younger (< 24 months) and underweight children.

PMID:40178757 | DOI:10.1007/s13312-025-00029-1

Acta Parasitol. 2025 Apr 3;70(2):83. doi: 10.1007/s11686-025-01016-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) among individuals with diabetes, highlighting the urgent need for effective therapeutic strategies to combat this condition. Prior research has indicated that T. spiralis possesses hypoglycemic properties. In this investigation, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of T. spiralis antigens, derived from both adult and larval forms, in treating diabetic nephropathy in alloxan-induced diabetic mice (AIDM).

METHODS: A total of forty Swiss albino mice were allocated into four groups, each consisting of ten mice. Diabetes was induced in three of the groups using alloxan, while one group served as a control without diabetes. Two diabetic groups received treatment with either crude larva (CLA) antigen or adult worm antigen (AWA), while one group remained untreated. The study assessed various parameters, including fasting blood glucose levels, blood urea, serum creatinine, and serum albumin across all groups. Additionally, histopathological examinations of the kidneys were conducted.

RESULTS: The results indicated that treatment with CLA or AWA antigens led to a significant reduction in blood glucose, serum creatinine, and blood urea levels, alongside an increase in serum albumin. Notably, the administration of AWA antigens resulted in substantial improvements in renal pathological changes induced by diabetes, as evidenced by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining, which also demonstrated a reduction in fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that T. spiralis antigens may mitigate renal damage in diabetic mice by alleviating hyperglycemia-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, warranting further investigation into their potential role in preventing DN in diabetic patients.

PMID:40178750 | DOI:10.1007/s11686-025-01016-z

Breast Cancer. 2025 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s12282-025-01696-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have showed a strong association between bioavailable testosterone (BT) and breast cancer. However, the role of genetic factors in their comorbidity remains unknown.

METHODS: Using large genome-wide association study (GWAS) data, we employed linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) to identify the breast cancer subtype most genetically correlated with BT. We then constructed the shared genetic architecture between BT and this subtype by: (1) applied Heritability Estimation from Summary Statistics for local genetic correlations and stratified-LDSC for partitioned heritability; (2) performed a cross-trait GWAS meta-analysis to find novel single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and validated through colocalization; (3) conducted both cross-tissue and single-tissue transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS) and validated the candidate genes through Mendelian randomization (MR); (4) investigated SNP-heritability enrichment at the gene set, tissue, and cell levels using Multi-marker Analysis of GenoMic Annotation.

RESULTS: Luminal A breast cancer (Luminal ABC) was selected as it is a common subtype of breast cancer and demonstrates a superior genetic correlation with BT. We identified strong local correlations in 132 distinct genomic regions and confirmed shared SNPs including rs1432679 and rs7175852. TWAS highlighted two pleiotropic genes, MICALL1 and TRIOBP, with TRIOBP validated by MR. We also found six shared pathways and luminal cells in mammary gland pregnancy shared between BT and Luminal ABC. For tissue-specific enrichment, BT was mainly found in the liver and adrenal gland, whereas Luminal ABC was found in the minor salivary gland.

CONCLUSIONS: This study sheds light on the genetic architecture of BT and Luminal ABC and suggests new avenues for research and therapy.

PMID:40178748 | DOI:10.1007/s12282-025-01696-5

J Patient Rep Outcomes. 2025 Apr 3;9(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s41687-025-00868-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with hypoparathyroidism (HypoPT) suffer from several complaints and reduced quality of life (QoL), even if disease-specific biochemical parameters are within the target range. To be able to quantify symptoms in HypoPT patients, we recently developed a disease-specific questionnaire, the Hypoparathyroidism Patient Questionnaire with 28 items (HPQ28). The aim of this study was to find normative values for the HPQ28 in the German general population.

METHODS: We tasked an independent market and social research institute to obtain sociodemographic data and HPQ28 results from a representative sample of the German general population. The HPQ28 comprises five scales and three single items. The five scales indicate different areas of complaints: Pain and cramps (PaC) including five items, neurovegetative symptoms (NVS) including five items, loss of vitality (LoV) including six items, depression and anxiety (DaA) including five items, gastro-intestinal symptoms (GiS) including two items and two control items for depression. Three items were not attributable to any of the five scales: numbness and tingling in certain parts of the body (NT), troubled memory (TM), and racing heart (RH).

RESULTS: Mean age (± standard deviation) in the representative general population sample (n = 2506) was 49.5 ± 17.8 years, 51% were female. All scales and single items were affected by gender with women presenting significantly more complaints on every scale and single item in comparison to men (p < 0.01, Mann-Whitney U test). In addition, all scales and single items, except for GiS, were affected by age in males and females (p < 0.001, Spearman’s correlation). Regression analyses proved a linear trend in the different scores regarding age and gender (p < 0.05 except for age on the GiS scale).

CONCLUSIONS: We present data from the first application of the HPQ28 in a representative sample of the German general population. Almost all scales and single item of the HPQ28 were dependent on age and gender, with older individuals and females presenting a higher burden of complaints.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: DRKS, DRKS00027581. Registered 17th of January 2022, https//drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00027581.

PMID:40178746 | DOI:10.1186/s41687-025-00868-3

Lasers Med Sci. 2025 Apr 3;40(1):174. doi: 10.1007/s10103-025-04328-8.

ABSTRACT

Burn scars are significant consequence of thermal burn injuries, causing cosmetic concerns and potentially leading to symptomatic discomfort or functional limitations; therefore, continuous adoption of novel methods is warranted to improve outcomes. This study aims to assess and compare the effectiveness, safety, and satisfaction of fractional CO2 laser treatment alone versus its combination with oral pentoxifylline at a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for four months in patients with hypertrophic/keloid burn scars. In a assessor and analyst blinded randomized controlled trial, patients with hypertrophic/keloidal thermal burn scars were allocated into two intervention groups. Both groups underwent treatment with a fractional CO2 laser, while one group additionally received oral pentoxifylline at a dosage of 400 mg twice daily for four months. The assessment of scar improvement was performed using the modified Vancouver Scar Scale (mVSS) at baseline and during subsequent follow-up sessions. Significant improvements were noted within both groups, with mVSS scores decreasing from 7.73 to 4.73 in the CO2 laser group and from 7.36 to 3.91 in the combination therapy group (p < 0.001 for both). However, the between-group difference in mVSS score reduction was not statistically significant (p = 0.39). Confidence intervals for the mean change in mVSS scores from baseline to endpoint were [2.45, 3.10] for the CO2 laser group and [3.15, 3.85] for the combination therapy group. The combination therapy group also showed a more pronounced improvement in pigmentation subscore of mVSS and higher patient satisfaction rates. No adverse effects were reported in either group. Fractional CO2 laser with or without Pentoxifylline appears to be an effective and safe option for the improvement of hypertrophic/keloidal burn scars. Patient satisfaction seems to increase when the laser is combined with oral Pentoxifylline. Nevertheless, further studies involving larger patient cohorts are warranted to draw more robust conclusions.

PMID:40178694 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-025-04328-8

Clin Rheumatol. 2025 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s10067-025-07410-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture in relieving sicca symptoms of SjD.

METHODS: A prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted on SjD patients experiencing dry eyes and dry mouth. Forty-six patients were randomized and 27 completed the study (acupuncture, n = 15; sham, n = 12). Patients received either acupuncture or sham acupuncture (control) weekly for 8 weeks. Key outcomes, including Schirmer test (ST), corneal fluorescein staining score, tear film break-up time, Ocular Surface Disease Index, unstimulated whole salivary flow (UWSF), EULAR Sjögren’s Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), Xerostomia Inventory (XI) score, Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) score, and Challacombe scale, were measured at baseline, immediately after treatment, and 4 weeks later. Statistical analysis consisted of comparing outcomes between groups over time.

RESULTS: The acupuncture group exhibited significant improvement in total ESSPRI and ESSPRI dryness scores. The positive effects persisted for at least 4 weeks after the completion of treatment. Furthermore, the acupuncture group exhibited improvement over time in the ESSPRI fatigue domain, ESSPRI pain domain, OHIP-14, XI, UWSF, and ST. No other statistically significant differences were observed.

CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is effective in relieving dryness in SjD patients. Larger samples and longer observation periods are necessary to better understand the effectiveness of this intervention in SjD. (NCT04056221/ 18/02/2019). Key Points • Acupuncture is a low-cost method with few side effects • Acupuncture exerts a symptom-relieving effect in primary Sjögren’s disease patients.

PMID:40178679 | DOI:10.1007/s10067-025-07410-2

Neurogenetics. 2025 Apr 3;26(1):42. doi: 10.1007/s10048-025-00823-w.

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological afflictions worldwide, with one-third of patients exhibiting resistance to treatment. It has been speculated that the polymorphisms of the sodium channel alpha subunit 1 (SCN1A) gene are associated with both the occurrence of epilepsy and its resistance to treatment. The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature and conduct meta-analyses revealing the associations of the SCN1A polymorphisms with epilepsy and resistance to treatment. We conducted a search of Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus, and if more than two studies investigated a polymorphism, odds ratios for association with epilepsy and/or resistance to treatment were calculated in three allelic, homozygous, and recessive genetic models. The initial search yielded 4106 items, and a total of 64 articles met the final inclusion criteria. With respect to the occurrence of epilepsy, the rs2298771 polymorphism was revealed to be negatively associated in the recessive model, while the associations of other polymorphisms were not statistically significant. With regard to resistance to treatment, rs2298771 was revealed to be positively associated across all three models, and rs10167228 was positively associated in the allelic and homozygous models, but not the recessive model. Other polymorphisms were not shown to be associated with resistance to treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the rs2298771 polymorphism had a significant and negative association with the occurrence of epilepsy. Furthermore, rs2298771 and rs10167228 polymorphisms had positive associations with resistance to treatment. Further studies are needed to explore these associations among other polymorphisms.

PMID:40178659 | DOI:10.1007/s10048-025-00823-w

Health Econ Rev. 2025 Apr 3;15(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s13561-025-00605-y.

ABSTRACT

The authors use county-level data to test whether an array of socioeconomic, demographic, political and religious variables explain COVID-19 vaccination rates. Results presented here build upon previous investigations of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in different contexts and are largely consistent with those findings. Background controls such as county’s percent male (+), median age (+), percent White (-), median household income (+), percent self-employed (-), and the percent with a college or higher education (+) explain county-level vaccination rates for COVID-19. Political affiliation (Percent Republican (-)) remains the strongest predictor in terms of overall statistical significance. The county’s percent Catholic (+) and percent Evangelical (-) are also very strong predictors, though in opposite directions. This analysis includes state-level fixed effects and several robustness checks.

PMID:40178642 | DOI:10.1186/s13561-025-00605-y