Tag: pubmed

Int Psychogeriatr. 2025 Mar 18:100056. doi: 10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100056. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is often associated with agitation and aggression, which may impair function, impede care, and be a major source of stress for caregivers. The Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI) is often used to assess agitation and aggression. In its original, nursing-home version, it is a 29-item, caregiver-informed, clinician-administered 7-point scale that assesses the frequency of various agitation or aggressive behaviors. However, the instruction manual advises against the use of the total score in favor of a domain-based analysis. This recommendation has been followed in both clinical trials and practice. Because the CMAI is comprehensive and easy to administer, we sought to determine the validity of its total score as a single construct for assessing agitation and aggression in patients with AD.

METHODS: We used a previously conducted factor analysis of the CMAI scores from two risperidone trials in patients with dementia (N = 648), and a follow-up analysis of the subset of patients with psychosis of AD (N = 479), to examine, using vector analysis and an effect-size-versus-signal-to-noise ratio analysis, whether the total CMAI score could confidently be used as a global measure of agitation and aggression in AD.

RESULTS: Our findings suggest that the CMAI items from the dataset analyzed load into 4 clusters, which cover about 50 % of the total data variance. Surprisingly, items with the lowest signal-to-noise ratio (hitting, performing repetitious mannerisms, aimless pacing or wandering) had the strongest response to treatment (and vice versa), and belonged to different factors. The further observation that many items were spread among the factors, instead of primarily measuring a single factor or domain, suggests that there is a continuum of symptoms, and separating them into domains requires separating very similar items that measure two or more domains.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that assessing agitation and aggression via CMAI domains instead of the total score is likely to miss important behavioral signals. Using total CMAI score in clinical trials and practice, along with the assessment of individual items, is warranted.

PMID:40107930 | DOI:10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100056

Int Psychogeriatr. 2025 Mar 18:100059. doi: 10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100059. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study identifies neuropsychiatric syndromes and investigates their relationship with neuroimaging in Alzheimer’s disease dementia (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS: Magnetic resonance imaging and perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography data were collected for 281, 68, and 180 patients with AD, DLB, and MCI, respectively, from three Japanese institutions. Neuropsychiatric Inventory was used for exploratory factor analysis in each group. Statistical Parametric Mapping was exploited to reveal the relationships between each factor score and cerebral volume or perfusion with age, sex, dementia severity, and the other factor scores as covariates.

RESULTS: Three factors (psychosis, agitation, and affective disturbance) were extracted for AD. For DLB, nighttime behavior and aberrant motor behavior were extracted as independent symptoms with the same three factors. Four factors (psychosis, agitation, anxiety, and apathy) were extracted for MCI. A positive relationship between agitation and cerebral volume in the left middle frontal gyri and left caudate was observed in AD. In DLB, agitation was positively correlated with cerebral perfusion in the left dominant regions, including the middle frontal gyri and caudate. Psychosis and perfusion were negatively correlated in the left extent regions, including the temporo-parieto-occipital lobe, insula, and inferior frontal gyri in DLB. Psychosis was significantly associated with lower perfusion in the bilateral occipital lobes, whereas apathy was significantly correlated with a lower volume of the right dominant bilateral frontal lobes in MCI.

CONCLUSIONS: Three neuropsychiatric syndromes – psychosis, agitation, and affective disturbance – may heterogeneously associate with AD, DLB, and MCI.

PMID:40107929 | DOI:10.1016/j.inpsyc.2025.100059

Arch Pediatr. 2025 Mar 18:S0929-693X(25)00045-4. doi: 10.1016/j.arcped.2024.12.007. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Epilepsy is the main complication of febrile status epilepticus (FSE) in children. The association between FSE and the development of hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is controversial.

OBJECTIVES: This study primarily aimed to evaluate the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequence during the acute phase of FSE in predicting long-term development of HS and epilepsy. The secondary objective was to assess the value of arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion MRI in the acute phase of FSE.

METHODS AND SETTINGS: Patients with a first episode of FSE between 6 months and 5 years of age who underwent early MRI were retrospectively included. MRI analysis focused on the DWI signal and the presence of perfusion abnormalities on ASL imaging. We also examined the first electroencephalogram (EEG) during the acute phase. Long-term follow-up analysis assessed the occurrence of HS on MRI scans and the development of epilepsy.

RESULTS: A total of 15 children were included. The presence of restricted diffusion areas on MRIs performed in the acute phase after FSE was significantly associated with the later development of HS. However, the association between restricted diffusion areas on early MRIs and the development of pharmaco-resistant epilepsy on follow-up, found in 3 patients, was not statistically significant. There was a trend for an association between early ASL perfusion MRI changes and EEG findings when both examinations were performed closely.

CONCLUSION: Early DWI-MRI seems to play a major role in the prognostic evaluation of FSE in children. It may help to determine hippocampal involvement and assess the risk of subsequent HS. However, the study data are insufficient to conclude on the association between diffusion abnormalities and the development of MTLE. Although ASL perfusion may provide additional insight, more data are needed.

PMID:40107905 | DOI:10.1016/j.arcped.2024.12.007

Libyan J Med. 2025 Dec;20(1):2481741. doi: 10.1080/19932820.2025.2481741. Epub 2025 Mar 19.

ABSTRACT

Sperm motility, a key determinant of male fertility, is often impaired by genetic variations affecting flagellar formation. The glutamine-rich protein 2 (QRICH2) gene encodes a protein essential for sperm flagella biogenesis and structural integrity. This study investigates genetic variations within exon 3 of the QRICH2 gene, identifying novel heterozygous variants associated with sperm tail-specific abnormalities and motility impairments. Among 34 individuals diagnosed with asthenozoospermia (ASZ) and 26 individuals with normal sperm parameters (NZ) from Jordan, eight unique heterozygous variants (c.123 G>T, c.133 G>C, c.138A>G, c.170A>C, c.189C>G, c.190T>C, c.195A>T, and c.204A>T) were exclusive to the ASZ group, while four variants (c.136 G>A, c.145A>C, c.179T>G, and c.180T>G) were found only in NZ. These variants were absent from major genetic databases, suggesting their potential novelty, while two variants (c.206C>T and c.189C>T) were linked to known SNP cluster IDs rs73996306 and rs1567790525, respectively. Four non-synonymous SNPs (c.136 G>A, c.145A>C, c.170A>C, and c.204A>T) were predicted to be functionally and structurally damaging, underscoring their significance. Additionally, five variants overlapped with previously reported mutation sites, indicating potential mutation hotspots. Statistical analysis revealed a significant association between QRICH2 mutations and tail defects (p < 0.021). These findings highlight the critical role of heterozygous QRICH2 mutations in mild-to-moderate ASZ, even in NZ individuals. Despite some carriers meeting WHO criteria for NZ, notable morphological abnormalities suggest the need for refined diagnostic benchmarks. Screening for QRICH2 mutations is essential for accurate molecular diagnosis and should be integrated into genetic counseling, particularly in regions like Jordan. Further research into the cumulative effects of heterozygous mutations and their environmental interactions is needed to expand our understanding of idiopathic male infertility and to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for male infertility.

PMID:40107860 | DOI:10.1080/19932820.2025.2481741

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2025 Mar;34(3):e70136. doi: 10.1002/pds.70136.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the effect of deregulating the national sales reporting system on Brazilian pharmacoepidemiologic data on antidepressants.

METHODS: This was a time series analysis to assess the trends in antidepressant sales in Brazilian drugstores from January 2014 to December 2022 using the Brazilian National Controlled Products Management System (SNGPC) and to predict sales records for 2022 after the deregulation of the mandatory record in December 2021. Antidepressant sales were converted to defined daily doses per 1000 inhabitants per day (DID). The seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) was used to predict sales records for 2022. All analyses were conducted in Stata v.14.2.

RESULTS: Sales of patients taking antidepressants increased significantly from 2014 (mean: 14.7 DID/month) to 2020 (mean: 33.5 DID/month; β = 0.231; p < 0.001). After the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing trend continued, but the change was not significant (β = 0.330; p = 0.130). After the deregulation, a sharp decrease was observed (β = -1.032; p < 0.001). The monthly antidepressant sales forecasted for 2022 were 36.5 DID, while the observed value was 2.5 DID.

CONCLUSION: Deregulation of SNGPC registration significantly decreased the number of antidepressant sales records. This measure affected the availability of pharmacoepidemiological data and research in Brazil.

PMID:40107838 | DOI:10.1002/pds.70136

Prenat Diagn. 2025 Mar 19. doi: 10.1002/pd.6772. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of prenatal ultrasonography in the diagnosis and classification of fetal heterotaxy syndrome (HS) in the first trimester (gestational age 11⁺⁰-13⁺⁶ weeks).

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of data from 31 HS fetuses prenatally diagnosed with HS. Diagnoses were confirmed by follow-up prenatal ultrasound and in some cases postnatal ultrasound or autopsy. Data were collected on ultrasound characteristics of left atrial isomerism (LAI) and right atrial isomerism (RAI) in the first trimester, follow up ultrasounds, pregnancies outcomes, and postnatal ultrasound or autopsy findings, if available.

RESULTS: In total, 23cases of HS were diagnosed in the first trimester, and 8 cases were missed during the GA 11⁺⁰-13⁺⁶ weeks ultrasound. The sensitivity, specificity, false positive rate, false negative rate, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of prenatal ultrasound examination for fetal HS were 74.19%, 100%, 0, 25.80%, 100%, and 99.98%, respectively. The main and common manifestations of fetal HS included abnormal positioning of the stomach and heart and positioning of the stomach and umbilical vein (UV) on different sides, combined with complete atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD), double outlet of the right ventricle (DORV) and other CHDs. Compared with RAI, fetuses with LAI in the first trimester of pregnancy were more prone to bradycardia and ductus venous (DV) a-wave inversion (p < 0.05). Among the 31 HS cases, only 6 pregnancies were continued, resulting in one neonatal death and five liveborns with a good prognosis.

CONCLUSION: Ultrasound performed during GA 11⁺⁰-13⁺⁶ weeks can be an effective tool for diagnosing fetal HS, particularly when significant cardiovascular anomalies are present. However, fetal LAI without complex intracardiac malformations is more likely to be missed in diagnosis during the first trimester. Most cases of HS diagnosed in early pregnancy are associated with major intracardiac anomalies and result in termination of pregnancies.

PMID:40107837 | DOI:10.1002/pd.6772

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2025 Mar 6;59(3):382-389. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20241030-00861.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the expression level of costimulatory molecule B7-H3 in the tumor tissues and the level of soluble costimulatory molecule B7-H3 (sB7-H3) in the serum of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), so as to evaluate the clinical value of sB7-H3 in auxiliary diagnosis of CRC. A cross-sectional study design was adopted. A total of 232 CRC patients, 87 patients with benign colorectal diseases, and 59 healthy subjects who were treated in Shanghai Eighth People’s Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected. The levels of sB7-H3, CEA, CA199, CA724 and CA50 in the serum were detected. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of sB7-H3 and the above-mentioned tumor markers for colorectal cancer (CRC). The expression levels of B7-H3 in CRC tissues and benign colorectal disease tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the levels of sB7-H3 and clinicopathological features was analyzed statistically. The results showed that compared with the benign disease group or the healthy control respectively, the serum levels of sB7-H3, CEA, CA199, CA724 and CA50 in the CRC group were significantly increased, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). In the CRC group, the serum levels of sB7-H3 showed a weak positive correlation with CA50, CEA and CA724 (the r values were 0.220, 0.217 and 0.182 respectively; the P values were 0.005,<0.001 and 0.024 respectively), and there was no significant correlation with CA199 (the r value was 0.162; the P value were 0.051). The areas under the curve (AUC) of sB7-H3, CEA, CA199, CA724 and CA50 for diagnosing CRC were 0.862, 0.774, 0.646, 0.677 and 0.644 respectively, and the cut-off values were 20.67 ng/ml, 10.74 U/ml, 3.17 ng/ml, 3.16 U/ml, and 22.55 U/ml, respectively. Taking 20.67 ng/ml as the cut-off value, the positive rate of sB7-H3 in CRC was 62.9%, which was significantly higher than that in patients with benign colorectal diseases (35.6%) and the healthy control group (10%) (χ²=81.995, P<0.001; χ²=103.56, P<0.001). The positive rates of sB7-H3 and CEA in patients with pathological stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ were significantly higher than those in patients with stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ (χ²=82.876, P<0.001; χ²=22.617, P<0.001). The positive rate of sB7-H3 in patients with pathological stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ was 56.2%, which was significantly higher than that of CEA (38%) (χ²=50.378, P<0.001). Immunohistochemistry showed that B7-H3 positive staining was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm. The positive expression rate of B7-H3 in CRC (75.8%) was significantly higher than that in benign colorectal diseases (15.4%) (χ²=16.133, P<0.001). The serum level of sB7-H3 in CRC patients was positively correlated with the expression level of B7-H3 in tumor tissues (r=0.766, P<0.001). The serum level of sB7-H3 was significantly correlated with distant metastasis and pathological stage of CRC (W=899, P=0.002; H=10.465, P=0.015). In conclusion, serum level of sB7-H3 may have certain clinical value in the auxiliary diagnosis of CRC.

PMID:40107790 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20241030-00861

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2025 Mar 6;59(3):352-358. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20241111-00885.

ABSTRACT

To explore the correlation between the level of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and the severity of infection in patients with diabetic foot (DF) and the auxiliary value of IL-6 in DF diagnosis, and aim to provide reference for clinical treatment. Based on the hospital medical record system and the laboratory system, a retrospective analysis with case-control study was conducted on the data of patients in Liyuan Hospital affiliated to Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from January 2020 to September 2024. A total of 377 patients’ information was collected, including 31 cases in control group with 17 males and 14 females from 31 to 91 years old and a median age of 71, 63 cases in NDF group with 43 males and 20 females from 37 to 96 years old, with a median age of 71, and 283 patients in DF group with 197 males and 86 females from 36 to 96 years, with a median age of 67. According to classification of infection severity, paints in the group of diabetes with DF were divided into mild infection subgroup (72 cases), moderate infection subgroup (143 cases) and severe infection subgroup (68 cases). The results showed that there were no statistically significant differences in age and gender among the three groups in the study (F=1.795/χ²=2.81, P>0.05). The non parametric test results showed that there were statistically significant differences in IL-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), white blood cell (WBC) and glucose (GLU) among the three groups of patients (H=12.480, 36.277, 12.432, 12.838, 18.334, P<0.05). The pairwise comparison results showed that compared with the control group, the NDF group had higher levels of CRP, PCT and GLU (H=20.259, 20.118, 20.056, P<0.05), and the levels of IL-6, CRP, PCT and WBC(H=14.934,14.933,14.829,14.934, P<0.05) were higher in the DF group. Both of the differences were statistically significant. But the difference of IL-6, CRP, PCT, WBC and GLU between the NDF and DF group was not statistically significant(H=1.202,0.622,0.737,1.036,1.899,P>0.05). In DF group, there were statistically significant differences in IL-6, CRP, PCT, WBC, and GLU levels among patients in the three infection subgroups (H=11.174, 15.136, 8.657, 8.348, 3.698, P<0.05).Compared to the mild subgroup, the levels of IL-6, CRP, PCT, WBC and GLU were higher in the severe subgroup were higher(H=111.789,237.066,74.683,83.203,15.328, P<0.05) and the levels of IL-6, CRP, PCT in the moderate subgroup were higher (H=6.877, 8.846, 5.183, P<0.05). And both of the differences were statistically significant. But there was no statistically significant difference in WBC and GLU level between the mild and the moderate subgroup(H=1.684, 1.039,P>0.05). The severity of infection in diabetic foot patients was positively correlated with the IL-6 level (OR=1.033, 95%CI: 0.024-0.043, P<0.05). ROC curve showed that AUC of IL-6 for diagnosis in diabetic foots were 0.635. And joint testing showed that the AUC of IL-6+CRP, IL-6+PCT and IL-6+WBC were 0.718, 0.621, and 0.638 respectively. In conclusion,the level of serum IL-6 may be positively correlated with the severity of infection in diabetic foot patients, which may have auxiliary diagnostic value in predicting diabetic foot infection. And it may provide a reference for the grading of infection severity in diabetic foot patients to gauging serum IL-6 level.

PMID:40107786 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20241111-00885

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2025 Mar 6;59(3):336-343. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20240911-00731.

ABSTRACT

To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of co-infection involving macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MRMP) and non-bacterial pathogens in hospitalized children at Women and Children’s Hospital of Ningbo University from 2021 to 2024, a retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted. Throat swabs were collected from children admitted for respiratory tract infections between January 2021 and December 2024. A total of 22 311 children aged 0-18 years old were included, including 12 021 males and 10 290 females. The median age was 5.00 years and the mean age was (5.02±3.25) years. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and multiplex PCR were employed to determine the MP infection rate, the prevalence of MRMP, and the co-infection rates with non-bacterial pathogens across different years. Patients with MRMP were categorized into two groups based on the presence or absence of co-infections: simple infection group and mixed infection group. The differences in age, gender, and onset time between these groups were analyzed, along with the distribution of pathogens in the mixed infection group. Chi-square tests were used for intergroup comparisons. The results showed that the overall positive rate of MP among the 22 311 children was 39.42% (8 794/22 311), with a detection rate of MP drug resistance gene mutations at 70.42% (6 193/8 794). The co-infection rate of MRMP was 24.29% (1 504/6 193). Statistically significant differences were observed in the MP positive rate and the detection rate of drug resistance gene mutations from 2021 to 2024 (χ²=1 674.420, P<0.05; χ²=67.733, P<0.05), with peak values in 2023 (50.87% and 73.83%, respectively). Among the annual co-infections, the highest rate was in 2024 (28.72%), while the lowest was in 2022 (7.30%). In the age distribution, the rate of mixed infections decreased with increasing age (χ²=84.742, P<0.05). Seasonally, the infection rates in winter 2023 and the spring, summer, and autumn of 2024 were significantly higher than those in 2022 (χ²=24.243, 13.101, 26.181, and 10.687, respectively; all P<0.05), with the lowest mixed infection rate observed in winter 2022 over the four-year period. Over the four years, the highest positive rate for rhinovirus was consistently observed in MRMP co-infections each year, particularly in the 3-to 6-year-old age group. The positive rate for mixed infections involving respiratory syncytial virus, human bocavirus, and parainfluenza virus was notably higher in the 0- to 3-year-old age group. Following the removal of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in December 2022, the co-infection rate of other respiratory viruses and MRMP increased in Ningbo City. In conclusion, the positive rate of MRMP has shown an upward trend from 2021 to 2023. Post-NPI removal, MRMP mixed infections have become more prevalent in 2023 and 2024, predominantly affecting children aged 0-6 years, with rhinovirus being the most common co-pathogen.

PMID:40107784 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20240911-00731

Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2025 Mar 6;59(3):328-335. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20241024-00845.

ABSTRACT

This study utilized data from the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Progress Monitor Reports (2015, 2017, 2020, 2022) released by World Health Organization (WHO) to analyze the implementation of NCDs prevention and control policies in China from 2014 to 2021 through descriptive statistical method, aiming to provide evidence for strengthening national NCDs strategies. The analysis focuses on WHO-recommended ‘best buys’ policies for NCDs prevention and control, covering 10 categories (18 interventions): national NCDs targets, mortality data, risk factor surveys, national integrated NCDs policies/strategies/action plans, tobacco demand-reduction measures, harmful use of alcohol reduction measures, unhealthy diet reduction policies, physical activity campaigns, national clinical guidelines for cancer/CVD/diabetes/CRD management, and drug therapy/counselling for cardiovascular diseases. In accordance with the WHO’s NCDs progress monitor scoring methodology, policies are assigned 1.0 point for full implementation, 0.5 points for partial implementation, and 0 points for non-implementation or missing data, with a maximum total score of 18.0 points. The analytical metrics encompass the policy implementation score, implementation rate, and period-on-period implementation growth rate. The results showed that China’s total policy implementation scores for NCDs prevention and control in 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2021 were consistently higher than the global average (8.5, 10.5, 9.5, 9.5 vs 6.7, 8.3, 8.6, 8.6). From 2014 to 2021, the total score increased by 1.0 point, and the implementation rate improved by 8.9%. From 2014 to 2016, China’s total policy implementation score rose from 8.5 to 10.5, primarily driven by improvements in tobacco tax increases and unhealthy diet reduction measures (salt reduction, restrictions on high-fat foods, and regulation of breast-milk substitute sales). However, this progress was partially offset by a decline in scores for physical activity campaigns. From 2016 to 2019, the total score decreased to 9.5, largely due to lower scores in harmful use of alcohol reduction measures (alcohol taxation and advertising bans). From 2019 to 2021, the total score remained stable, with increases in marketing to children restrictions balanced by declines in scores for drug therapy/counselling for cardiovascular diseases. In 2021, China’s total policy implementation score (9.5) exceeded the global average (8.6) but fell below the G20 average (11.2). Significant gaps remained compared to top-performing G20 countries such as Turkey (16.5), particularly in tobacco control and restrictions on harmful alcohol use. In conclusion, from 2014 to 2021, China’s total policy implementation score for NCDs prevention and control consistently exceeded the global average, demonstrating an upward trend, and various NCDs prevention and control policies have been continuously improved.

PMID:40107783 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112150-20241024-00845