Tag: pubmed

Sex Transm Dis. 2025 Apr 1;52(4):248-254. doi: 10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002106. Epub 2024 Nov 25.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV disproportionately affect young people; gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men (GBQMSM); transgender women; and persons of color. Our community-based participatory research partnership developed and implemented Impact Triad, a bilingual multilevel intervention harnessing peer navigation and mHealth to increase STI/HIV preventive behaviors and address 4 community-prioritized social determinants of health-education, employment, social support, and discrimination-among young African American/Black and Latine GBQMSM and transgender women.

METHODS: Fifteen community-based peer navigators were trained to work within their social networks for 12 months. Each navigator engaged 5 social network members who completed baseline and immediate post-intervention assessments (retention rate, 97.3%). Regression modeling was used to assess changes in outcomes between baseline and follow-up.

RESULTS: Among 74 enrolled social network members, the average age was 27.8 years; 61% identified as African American/Black, 31% as Latine, and 8% as multiracial/multiethnic. The majority self-identified as cisgender men and 8% as transgender women; 78% identified as gay. About half reported monthly income below $1000.Compared with baseline, at follow-up, social network members increased: STI screening (P = 0.001), HIV testing (P = 0.001), condom use (P = 0.03), and preexposure prophylaxis use (P = 0.02). Knowledge of preexposure prophylaxis (P < 0.0001) and of community-based educational (P = 0.047), job-training (P = 0.002), and job-finding resources (P = 0.02) also increased. Social support increased (P < 0.0001) and perceived discrimination decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Pilot findings suggest that Impact Triad is promising in increasing STI/HIV protective behaviors and addressing social determinants of health among young GBQMSM and transgender women of color; further testing is warranted.

PMID:40053327 | DOI:10.1097/OLQ.0000000000002106

Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 2025 Mar 7. doi: 10.1097/MBC.0000000000001354. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study compared the efficacy of therapeutic anticoagulation guided by anti-Xa levels vs. a D-dimer-based protocol in ICU patients with COVID-19. Given the heightened risk of thrombosis despite anticoagulation therapy in some cases, we hypothesised that anti-Xa measurement improves anticoagulation effectiveness and clinical outcomes in this population. We retrospectively analysed data from ICU patients at COVID Hospital Karaburma between April 2020 and December 2021. The primary outcome was the incidence of failed noninvasive ventilation necessitating intubation. Secondary endpoints included mortality rates, thromboembolic and bleeding complications, and anticoagulation effectiveness assessed by antifactor Xa activity. The analysis included 395 patients – 137 in the anti-Xa group and 258 in the D-dimer group. The D-dimer group showed a higher rate of failed noninvasive ventilation requiring intubation (65.7% vs. 50%, P = 0.009). The overall mortality was 48.3%, significantly higher in the D-dimer group (52.7%) compared to the anti-Xa group (40.1%, P = 0.02). Thromboembolic complications were lower in the anti-Xa group (2.9%) than in the D-dimer group (9.7%, P = 0.014), with no significant difference in bleeding. Following the first LMWH administration, 70.8% of patients had anti-Xa levels below the therapeutic and 11.7% below the prophylactic range. Anti-Xa-guided anticoagulation improves survival and reduces thromboembolic complications compared to D-dimer-based treatment without increasing bleeding risk. This study highlights the potential of the anti-Xa assay in managing anticoagulation in critically ill COVID-19 patients. Our findings provide a foundation for future research on using anti-Xa measurements as a guiding tool to optimise anticoagulation therapy in other critically ill populations.

PMID:40053316 | DOI:10.1097/MBC.0000000000001354

Obes Surg. 2025 Mar 7. doi: 10.1007/s11695-025-07749-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgical tourism is a rapidly growing sector. The aim of this study was to evaluate the preoperative surgical fear, anxiety, and satisfaction levels regarding bariatric surgery tourism processes and to examine the relationships between these variables.

METHODS: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted between July and November 2024 with foreign patients who visited the general surgery clinic of a healthcare institution for bariatric surgery within the scope of health tourism. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the Patient Information Form, Surgical Fear Scale, and Surgical Anxiety Scale. All results were evaluated within a 95% confidence interval, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 39.39 ± 9.35 years, and 88.5% were from the UK. Additionally, 88.5% reported choosing bariatric surgery tourism due to high surgical costs in their home country. The mean score for surgical fear was 37.68 ± 20.58, while the mean score for surgical anxiety was 19.53 ± 12.90. Patients who lacked prior knowledge about bariatric surgery tourism had significantly higher surgical fear and anxiety scores (p < 0.05). Age, fear and anxiety associated with undergoing surgery in a foreign country, and total surgical anxiety scale score were identified as independent predictors of patients’ satisfaction with their bariatric surgery tourism experience (R² = 0.130; p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative knowledge levels and satisfaction with the information provided significantly impacted surgical fear and anxiety levels among bariatric surgery tourism patients.

PMID:40053303 | DOI:10.1007/s11695-025-07749-0

Int J Clin Pharm. 2025 Mar 7. doi: 10.1007/s11096-025-01893-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The relationship between statin therapy and tendon injuries, particularly Achilles tendinopathy, which is the body’s largest and strongest tendon, remains controversial.

AIM: This study employed Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis to explore the causal link between statin therapy and Achilles tendinopathy (ATP).

METHOD: Summary statistics were obtained from genome-wide association studies on statin medication and four specific statin drugs from public databases, as well as data related to two ATP phenotypes, namely Achilles tendinitis and Achilles tendon injury. Furthermore, a two-sample bidirectional MR analysis was conducted to investigate the association between statin therapy and ATP. The primary method used was the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method, supplemented by four other validation methods. Heterogeneity analysis, pleiotropy assessment, and leave-one-out sensitivity analysis were further conducted to validate the robustness of the results.

RESULTS: Based on our comprehensive investigation, all MR analyses in this study found no significant causal relationship between statin therapy and ATP (IVW, p > 0.05). Notably, the MR findings regarding pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and ATP were limited by a small pool of instrumental variables, necessitating further research. Moreover, no association was observed between the two in the reverse MR analysis (IVW, p > 0.05). All results passed heterogeneity tests, pleiotropy tests, and sensitivity analyses.

CONCLUSION: Our results do not establish a causal connection between statin therapy and ATP, indicating that individuals with ATP should consider alternative pathogenic contributors. Moreover, these findings highlight the safety profile of statin medications.

PMID:40053301 | DOI:10.1007/s11096-025-01893-4

Epilepsia Open. 2025 Mar 7. doi: 10.1002/epi4.70019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Genetic-associated epilepsy in the Indonesian population is rarely discussed, and no study was specifically studied about photosensitive epilepsy. The fundamental goal of this research endeavor was to evaluate whether the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the Bromodomain-Containing Protein 2 (BRD2) gene gives vulnerability to photosensitive epilepsy among Indonesian descent.

METHODS: This observational case-control study includes patients of Indonesian descent with Javanese ancestry. Clinical and neurophysiological data, along with electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings, were used to diagnose epilepsy and photosensitive epilepsy. Blood samples were collected and analyzed for BRD2 gene SNPs (rs206781, rs188245, and rs15912) using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), electrophoresis, and the Sanger sequencing method.

RESULTS: This study included 27 participants, consisting of 17 patients in the epilepsy group (nine patients with photosensitive epilepsy and eight patients without photosensitive epilepsy) and 10 patients in the non-epilepsy group. Significant statistical differences were found in genotype (rs206781, p = 0.008 and rs188245, p = 0.004) and allele frequencies (rs206781, p < 0.001 and rs188245, p < 0.001) of the BRD2 gene in Indonesian descent with Javanese race patients diagnosed with photosensitive epilepsy and in those without this condition.

SIGNIFICANCE: Our study corroborates the observation that genetic diversity within the BRD2 locus (rs206781 and rs188245) is associated with PE in Indonesian descendants of the Javanese race. To acquire a complete knowledge of the development of photosensitive epilepsy, further polymorphism studies at other SNP locations or genes are necessary.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: This study investigated whether genetic differences in the BRD2 gene were linked to photosensitive epilepsy (a type of epilepsy triggered by visual stimuli like flashing lights) in individuals of Indonesian Javanese descent. We analyzed deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) samples from patients with epilepsy, including those with photosensitive epilepsy, and found that certain variations in the BRD2 gene were significantly more common in people with photosensitive epilepsy. These findings imply that genetic factors, specifically variations in the BRD2 gene, could elevate the risk of individuals in this population experiencing photosensitive epilepsy.

PMID:40053300 | DOI:10.1002/epi4.70019

Neurosci Bull. 2025 Mar 7. doi: 10.1007/s12264-025-01373-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Previous studies have found associations between color discrimination deficits and cognitive impairments besides aging. However, investigations into the microstructural pathology of brain white matter (WM) associated with these deficits remain limited. This study aimed to examine the microstructural characteristics of WM in the non-demented population with abnormal color discrimination, utilizing Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI), and to explore their correlations with cognitive functions and cognition-related plasma biomarkers. The tract-based spatial statistic analysis revealed significant differences in specific brain regions between the abnormal color discrimination group and the healthy controls, characterized by increased isotropic volume fraction and decreased neurite density index and orientation dispersion index. Further analysis of region-of-interest parameters revealed that the isotropic volume fraction in the bilateral anterior thalamic radiation, superior longitudinal fasciculus, cingulum, and forceps minor was significantly correlated with poorer performance on neuropsychological assessments and to varying degrees various cognition-related plasma biomarkers. These findings provide neuroimaging evidence that WM microstructural abnormalities in non-demented individuals with abnormal color discrimination are associated with cognitive dysfunction, potentially serving as early markers for cognitive decline.

PMID:40053280 | DOI:10.1007/s12264-025-01373-9

Brain Imaging Behav. 2025 Mar 7. doi: 10.1007/s11682-025-00988-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Childhood obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) disrupts normal ventilation and sleep structure and affects cognitive functions. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying cognitive impairment are unclear. This study investigates the topological connectivity of white matter networks in children with moderate to severe OSAS and explores the underlying mechanisms of cognitive impairment. We collected clinical data of patients with moderate to severe OSAS (n = 43) and non-OSAS (n = 30). Intelligence testing was conducted using the China Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (C-WISC IV), including Processing speed, Working memory, Verbal comprehension, Perceptual reasoning, and Full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ). DTI data were collected using 3.0T MRI scanner (Ingenia, Philips, Netherlands). White matter network topology connections were analyzed using FSL and DSI Studio and inter group differences were statistically assessed. The difference of clinical and intelligence test was calculated by two sample t-test. Pearson correlation analysis was employed to examine the correlation between the abnormal white matter network metrics and cognitive function in OSAS patients. Clustering coefficient (Cp) and global efficiency (Eg), nodal degree (Dc), and nodal efficiency (Ne) were lower in the OSAS group (p < 0.05). Correlations between white matter network metrics and cognitive function: The Cp and Eg were positively correlated with Perceptual reasoning, and the shortest path length (Lp) was negatively correlated with Perceptual reasoning. The results indicate that there was impairment of cognitive function and abnormality of topological structural connectivity in white matter networks for children with OSAS. The Cp, Eg, and Lp correlate with Perceptual reasoning, indicating that abnormal topological structural connectivity of the white matter network might be neurofunctional basis for impaired perceptual reasoning.

PMID:40053277 | DOI:10.1007/s11682-025-00988-w

Discov Oncol. 2025 Mar 7;16(1):274. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-02008-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Testing of multiple cancer related genes using next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been widely used for personalized precision medicine of cancer. Integrated analysis of those NGS data and clinical data has offered new opportunities for investigating the relationship between driver genes’ mutations and clinical characteristics in large cohorts. This study aims to explore the mutational landscape and its association with clinical features in a lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cohort.

METHODS: Tumor tissues from 132 LUAD patients were subjected to customized 30 genes targeted next-generation sequencing. Somatic mutations of the 30 genes were identified and annotated. Statistical analysis was performed to determine the cooccurrence of mutations of different driver genes and the association relationships between gene mutation and clinical features including gender and age.

RESULTS: A total of 96.97% (128/132) of LUAD patients experienced genetic mutations. EGFR had the highest mutation rate (81, 61.36%) among the 30 genes, followed by TP53 (80, 60.61%), BRAF (30, 22.73%), KRAS (21, 15.91%) and ROS1 (21, 15.91%). The L858R substitution and exon19 deletion were the predominant mutations of EGFR, accounting for 82.71% of EGFR-mutated patients. The 27 mutation sites of EGFR were mainly located in the tyrosine kinase catalytic domain (22/27, 81.48%). Mutations of SDHA (p < 0.01), ERBB2 (p < 0.01), and ESR1 (p < 0.05) were negatively correlated with age, and mutations of NF1 (p < 0.01), KRAS (p < 0.01), and TP53 (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with gender.

CONCLUSIONS: This work revealed the mutational landscape and characteristics of 30 core driver genes in a LUAD cohort. Co-mutated genes and genes associated with gender and age indicate their different roles in the corresponding subgroup of the LUAD.

PMID:40053265 | DOI:10.1007/s12672-025-02008-1

J Robot Surg. 2025 Mar 7;19(1):103. doi: 10.1007/s11701-025-02255-y.

ABSTRACT

The objective is to compare the feasibility, safety, and complications of the novel robot-assisted system Hugo™ RAS to the established Intuitive da Vinci Xi system in different gynecologic surgeries. This is a retrospective and propensity score-matching study conducted at a tertiary teaching hospital. The participants were women with various indications for gynecologic surgery who underwent robotic procedures. The results of our first 40 cases of gynecologic procedures performed with Hugo™ RAS were compared to those of a 1:3 propensity-matched cohort using the da Vinci Xi system. Length of hospital stay, blood loss, surgical time, console time, and perioperative complications were the main outcome measures. There were no differences in the length of hospital stay, blood loss, and complication rates between the novel Hugo™ RAS and da Vinci Xi system in different gynecologic procedures. However, the surgical time was longer with Hugo™ RAS in the staging of endometrial cancer. The Hugo™ RAS is a feasible and safe robotic platform for different indications in gynecologic surgery.

PMID:40053244 | DOI:10.1007/s11701-025-02255-y

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2025 Mar 7. doi: 10.1007/s11356-025-36110-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the effect of temperature variation on malodor generation across different units of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The results demonstrate that higher temperatures exacerbated odor emission due to increased microbial activity with all the different units showing maximum odorous gas production at the highest temperatures used (35 °C and 45 °C) in this study. The maximum total odor activity value (OAV) of 353106 was obtained for anoxic and anaerobic unit at 45 °C. The variation in composition of odor-causing gases was also dependent on wastewater characteristics than temperature alone. Volatile reduced sulfur compounds, including hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan, were dominant in most wastewater samples, while units with higher dissolved oxygen (DO) content, such as aeration and sedimentation units, exhibited elevated levels of phenol and dimethyl disulfide and reduced H₂S concentration. Analysis of the liquid composition following incubations revealed presence of mainly aldehydes (> 75%) which are produced due to incomplete organic matter degradation, particularly at lower temperatures. Statistical analysis showed positive correlation between temperature and odor generation. DO had negative correlation with H₂S (r = – 0.78, – 0.93) along with total gas concentration and total OAV, but positively correlated with other gases, namely methyl mercaptan (r = 0.22, 0.97), dimethyl disulfide (r = 0.93, 0.98), phenol (r = 0.99, 0.97), and ammonia (r = 0.99, 0.98). Solids concentration and volatile solids to total solids (VS/TS) ratio had positive correlation with H₂S, total gas concentration, and total OAV (r = 0.68, 0.54, and 0.90). These findings highlight the need for tailored odor management strategies based on temperature fluctuations and unit-specific conditions to optimize WWTP operations and reduce odor emissions effectively.

PMID:40053238 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-025-36110-2