Tag: pubmed

Indian J Dent Res. 2025 Feb 28. doi: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_613_22. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts and hydroalcoholic extracts of Mangifera indica Linn (mango) plant leaves on Streptococcus Mutans in comparison with the positive control (chlorhexidine 0.12%) and negative control (alcohol 96%).

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Ethanolic and hydroalcoholic extracts of Mangifera indica Linn leaves were obtained by following the extraction procedure. A disc diffusion test was carried out for each group on Streptococcus Mutans.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In brain heart infusion agar, Mangifera indica ethanol extract (MEE) and Mangifera indica hydroalcoholic extract (MHE) at 100% and 25% were applied to S. mutans cultures in comparison to the positive (chlorhexidine 0.12%) and negative (alcohol 96%) control groups. For every study group, cultures were produced using the Kirby-Bauer diffusion method, and incubating the cultures at 37°C for 24 hours.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The data were analysed using two-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc test.

RESULT: It was found that the MHE 100% and 25% had a higher antibacterial activity of 27.8 ± 1.7 mm and 21.8 ± 1.0mm at 75 mg/ml, respectively compared to other groups. Extracts were found to have statistically significant (P ≤ 0.05) antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus Mutans.

CONCLUSION: All the six groups used in the present study showed antibacterial efficacy and were effective against Streptococcus Mutans. Chlorhexidine continues to remain the gold standard. In comparison with control groups and extracts, MHE 100% showed a maximum zone of inhibition (27.8 ± 1.7 mm at 75 mg/ml) followed by other groups with statistically significant differences. Hence the herbal alternatives proved to be an effective and safe alternative and can be used as conventional modes of treatment.

PMID:40016841 | DOI:10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_613_22

Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2025 Feb 27;20(1):90. doi: 10.1186/s13023-024-03268-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Achondroplasia, a disease characterized by disproportionate short stature and increased morbidity, affects daily function and quality of life over the lifetime of the individual. However, data are limited on its economic impact, especially related to healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and associated costs. This study aimed to characterize the clinical and economic impact of achondroplasia in the US relative to matched non-achondroplasia controls stratified by pediatric and adult populations.

METHODS: This retrospective study used data from the IQVIA PharMetrics Plus national claims database from January 2008 to December 2021. Individuals diagnosed with achondroplasia (index event) between July 2008 and December 2020 were matched on age and sex (1:2 ratio) to non-achondroplasia controls. General comorbidities were evaluated in the pediatric and adult populations. All-cause HCRU and direct medical costs were determined for the 12-month post-index period; out-of-pocket (OOP) costs were also determined. Study variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 530 individuals with achondroplasia (47.7% pediatric and 52.3% adults) were matched with 1,060 controls. Individuals in the achondroplasia cohort had higher overall comorbidity burdens than controls. HCRU was higher in the achondroplasia cohort relative to controls, with outpatient visits the most frequently used resource. Inpatient visits were the primary driver of mean (SD) total costs, which were 14-fold higher than controls ($28,386 [$259,858] vs $2,031 [$5,418]) in pediatric individuals, and 4-fold higher in adults $21,579 [$58,817] vs $4,951 [$13,020]); prescriptions accounted for 4.7% and 7.4% of total costs in the pediatric and adult achondroplasia cohorts, respectively. The OOP costs were approximately 3-fold higher in both pediatric and adult individuals with achondroplasia relative to controls.

CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with achondroplasia are characterized by a higher comorbidity burden and substantially higher HCRU and related costs relative to matched controls. The results also suggest that despite high HCRU and costs, individuals with achondroplasia likely are not seen by providers early enough nor are they necessarily seen by appropriate specialists, indicating a need for improved care and disease management.

PMID:40016839 | DOI:10.1186/s13023-024-03268-w

Contracept Reprod Med. 2025 Feb 28;10(1):16. doi: 10.1186/s40834-025-00349-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Women with disabilities remain highly vulnerable to sexual and reproductive health problems, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where their sexual and reproductive rights, such as access to sexual health information and contraception, are often neglected. This study investigated the spatial patterns of the shared impact of sexual health knowledge and modern contraceptive use among women with disabilities in Africa.

METHODS: We used the most recent Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data involving 16,157 women with disabilities from ten African countries for this study. The data were analysed using both spatial and Bayesian inference to account for the shared component model patterns between sexual health knowledge and modern contraceptive use among women with disabilities while accounting for factors unique to each outcome. Bayesian inference via the Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) was used for implementation. Priors for shared effects ​were set as log-normal distributions, while Gaussian priors were assigned to fixed effects. Intrinsic Conditional Autoregressive (ICAR) priors modelled spatial dependencies between districts, introducing spatial autocorrelation based on shared boundaries. Penalised Complexity (PC) priors controlled precision parameters to balance model complexity.

RESULTS: The study revealed low sexual health knowledge (ranging from 3% in Nigeria to 27% in Uganda) and modern contraceptive use (ranging from 1% in DR Congo and Chad to 27% in Uganda) among women with disabilities across the countries surveyed. The spatial patterns showed diverse intra-country and inter-country disparities of sexual health knowledge and modern contraceptive use among the women, with lower shared impact observed in Mauritania, Nigeria, Uganda, Chad, and DR Congo relative to Kenya, Malawi, Mali, South Africa, and Rwanda. Factors that influence sexual health knowledge and modern contraceptive use among women with disabilities include education, marital status, place of residence, community literacy level, community socio-economic status, and age.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Sexual health knowledge and modern contraceptive use among women with disabilities in Africa remain low, albeit with varied intra-country and inter-country spatial disparities. Therefore, spatial areas with low sexual health knowledge and modern contraceptive use should be given more attention when implementing measures to promote the use of modern contraceptives among women with disabilities. Promoting sexual health knowledge and modern contraceptive use among women with disabilities in Africa could significantly contribute towards the realisation of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal agenda of “leaving no one behind”.

PMID:40016822 | DOI:10.1186/s40834-025-00349-4

Indian J Dent Res. 2025 Feb 28. doi: 10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_271_24. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Periodontal diseases necessitate adjunctive therapies alongside mechanical debridement. Spirulina platensis, recognized for its antimicrobial properties and minimal side effects, offers promise in periodontal treatment.

AIMS: This study compares the efficacy of subgingivally delivered spirulina gel with chlorhexidine (CHX) gel both clinically and microbiologically in stage III periodontitis patients.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: A randomized, controlled, single-blinded, split-mouth study was conducted with 23 subjects meeting inclusion and exclusion criteria. The participants were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: Group I (control) received scaling and root planing (SRP) followed by 1% CHX gel, and Group II (test) received SRP followed by 4% spirulina gel. Clinical parameters such as Gingival Index (GI), Modified Sulcular Bleeding Index (mSBI), and probing depth were assessed at baseline, 3rd week, and 6th week. Microbial load assessment for Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g) was conducted using real-time qPCR at baseline and 6th week.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Paired t-tests, repeated measures analyses of variance using SPSS software.

RESULTS: Both groups exhibited significant improvements in clinical parameters and reduced P.g load, with no significant difference between the spirulina and CHX groups.

CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that 4% spirulina gel, when delivered subgingivally can be considered a viable adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy, offering a natural and potentially cost-effective alternative to traditional antimicrobial agents.

PMID:40016818 | DOI:10.4103/ijdr.ijdr_271_24

Glob Health Res Policy. 2025 Feb 27;10(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s41256-024-00395-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Despite being included in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and now the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), stillbirths remain overlooked with limited regional research, highlighting an ongoing gap in addressing this issue. However, a staggering 2 million stillbirths occur each year, equivalent to one every 16 s. Furthermore, approximately 98% of these stillbirths take place in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In light of these statistics and the need to address the lack of data, methodological approaches, and population gaps, this study aims to assess the prevalence and determinants of stillbirths in SSA from 2016 to 2023, aligning with the SDGs.

METHODS: This study used data from the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in SSA. The analysis included a weighted sample of 212,194 pregnancies of at least 28 weeks’ gestation collected from 2016 to 2023, using R-4.4.0 software. Descriptive data, such as frequencies, were performed. Stillbirth prevalence was visualized using a forest plot. A multilevel modeling analysis was used by considering individual-level factors and community level factors. The multilevel model was employed to account for clustering within countries and allow for the examination of both fixed and random effects that influence stillbirths. For the multivariable analysis, variables with a p value ≤ 0.2 in the bivariate analysis were considered. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI) and a p value < 0.05 were reported to indicate the statistical significance and the degree of association in the final model.

RESULTS: The pooled prevalence of stillbirths was found to be 1.54% per 100 [95% CI 1.19-2.01]. Factors positively associated with stillbirths in SSA included maternal age (25-34 years, 35-49 years), marital status (married, divorced or widowed), antenatal care visits, age at first birth (before age 20), short birth intervals, long birth intervals, birth order (second or third), residence in rural areas, country income level (lower middle income), and low literacy rate. Factors negatively associated with stillbirth mortality included maternal education (primary education, secondary or higher education), wealth index (higher economic status), access to mass media, access to improved drinking water, distance to health facilities, and country income level (upper middle income).

CONCLUSIONS: Stillbirth rates fall significantly short of achieving Every Newborn Action Plan target by 2030 in SSA. The analysis of factors that affect stillbirth mortality reveals important connections. It is essential to improve maternal education, economic status, and healthcare infrastructure to decrease stillbirth rates and enhance the health outcomes of mothers and children in the region. To effectively address these risks, efforts should concentrate on increasing access to antenatal care, raising awareness, and improving socio-economic conditions. By improving access to healthcare and education, these disparities could potentially lead to a decrease in stillbirth rates in the region.

PMID:40016816 | DOI:10.1186/s41256-024-00395-6

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2025 Feb 27;21(1):11. doi: 10.1186/s13002-025-00763-7.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40016792 | DOI:10.1186/s13002-025-00763-7

BMC Health Serv Res. 2025 Feb 28;25(1):324. doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12438-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection has invested considerable resources in implementing electronic health record (EHR) systems to provide citizens with quality healthcare services through efficient structures. However, the rhythm of EHR deployment across the country is very slow, requiring urgent evaluation to remove barriers to successful EHR adoption.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the critical factors affecting healthcare providers’ performance post-EHR implementation in Moroccan public hospitals.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in three hospitals affiliated with Hassan II University Hospital Center in Fez. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey administered to a sample of 368 healthcare providers from March 2021 to July 2021. Clinician performance was assessed using a proposed research model that integrates the Information System Success Model and the Technology-Organization-Environment framework. The final model was analyzed and tested by using structural equation modeling. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25 and Amos version 26.

RESULTS: The findings highlighted that the most critical factors influencing clinician performance are clinician satisfaction (β = 0.5, p < 0.001), followed by organization (β = 0.28, p < 0.001), and system quality (β = 0.17, p = 0.01). Additionally, information quality indirectly affects clinician performance (β = 0.19, p < 0.001). However, the environmental factor does not appear to have a significant impact (β = -0.004, p = 0.94).

CONCLUSION: This study, performed for the first time in Morocco, identifies key factors for policymakers and healthcare organizations to enhance the successful implementation of EHR systems. Additionally, it serves as a valuable framework for future studies in this area.

PMID:40016779 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-025-12438-w

BMC Health Serv Res. 2025 Feb 27;25(1):323. doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12463-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ensuring comprehensive and quality healthcare access is necessary to promote good health and well-being and to secure health equity. Barriers to healthcare access result in unmet health needs. Moreover, there is limited empirical evidence on specific types of barriers to women’s general health-seeking in India. This study investigates women’s perceived household-level, logistic, and facility-level barriers to healthcare access and its individual, household, and community-level determinants.

METHODS: The study used data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), with a total sample of 108,785 women aged 15-49 drawn from the state module of the survey. The primary outcome variables were household, logistic, and facility-level barriers to healthcare access. A set of individual, household, and community-level predictors was assessed using multivariate binary logistic regression due to the dichotomous nature of the outcome variables. The adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with the corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used to present the regression results. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test and ROC curve statistics were carried out to enhance the robustness of the analysis and validity of the model.

RESULTS: The study found a considerable proportion of women (84%) with at least one perceived barrier to accessing healthcare, with significant inter-state variations. Facility-level (55%) and logistic barriers (51%) were the predominant obstacles to healthcare access. Women aged 35-49, with higher education levels, exposed to mass media, working in professional/technical/managerial/clerical jobs, access to bank accounts, having mobile phones, and from rich households had lower odds of perceived household, logistic, and facility-level barriers to healthcare access.

CONCLUSION: Most women perceive barriers to healthcare access, though a wide inter-state variation exists. Facility-level barriers such as the unavailability of drugs and healthcare providers are major concerns to healthcare access. Distance to health facilities continues to be a logistic barrier, along with getting money for treatment at the household level. Illiteracy, non-exposure to mass media, working in the agricultural sector, no access to a bank account and a mobile phone, rural residency, and poor wealth status are significant factors adversely affecting the perceived barriers to healthcare access. The findings recommend strengthening the existing health system and increasing health literacy among poor, less educated, and rural women to reduce disparity in healthcare access.

PMID:40016775 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-025-12463-9

J Orthop Surg Res. 2025 Feb 27;20(1):208. doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05622-5.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study is designed to investigate the roles of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 in intervertebral disc destruction resulting from different types of spinal infections and their correlations with clinical quantitative data.

METHODS: Disc tissue samples were collected from 60 patients with spinal infections (20 cases each of STB, BS, and PS in the infection group) and 20 patients with intervertebral disc herniation (control group). The expressions of MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 were detected by RT-qPCR. Correlation analysis was carried out with clinical quantitative data such as preoperative erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), procalcitonin (PCT), and related blood routine indicators in the infection group.

RESULTS: In the analysis between the infection group and the control group, MMP-13 was expressed in the diseased intervertebral disc tissue of STB patients, but the result was not statistically significant (P = 0.2172). There was a significant difference in the expression of MMP-13 in the diseased intervertebral discs of BS and PS patients. The expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-2 were markedly increased in the diseased intervertebral disc tissue of STB, BS, and PS patients (all P < 0.05). In the inter-group analysis of the infection group, the expression of MMP-13 in the diseased intervertebral disc tissue of PS patients was significantly different from that of STB and BS (P < 0.0001), while there was no significant difference between the STB and BS groups (P = 0.2393). The expression of MMP-9 in the diseased intervertebral disc tissue of STB patients was significantly different from that of BS and PS (P < 0.0001), but there was no statistically significant difference between the BS and PS groups (P = 0.9643). There was no statistically significant difference in the expression of MMP-2 among the STB, BS, and PS groups. In the correlation analysis with clinical quantitative data, MMP-13 was positively correlated with CRP, ESR, IL-6, WBC, and NEUT levels (r values were 0.7346, 0.3465, 0.3326, 0.6347, and 0.5152 respectively), and negatively correlated with LYM level (r = -0.5152, P < 0.05), and had no correlation with PCT and MXD levels. MMP-9 was positively correlated with ESR level (r = 0.3412, P < 0.05) and had no correlation with CRP, IL-6, PCT, WBC, NEUT, and LYM levels. MMP-2 was positively correlated with NEUT and LYM levels (r values were 0.3021 and 0.3306 respectively, P < 0.05) and had no correlation with ESR, CRP, IL-6, PCT, and WBC levels.

CONCLUSION: MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-13 play crucial roles in intervertebral disc destruction due to spinal infections. The differential expression of MMPs may be one of the reasons for the varying degrees of intervertebral disc destruction in different types of spinal infections. Moreover, when clinical indicators such as CRP, ESR, IL-6, WBC, and NEUT increase, it suggests that the expression of MMP-13 in the intervertebral disc at the lesion site significantly rises, and it may become a new target for the treatment of spinal infections in the future.

PMID:40016774 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-025-05622-5

J Transl Med. 2025 Feb 27;23(1):238. doi: 10.1186/s12967-025-06251-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a prevalent urogenital malignancy characterized by heterogeneous patterns. Stemness is a pivotal factor in tumor progression, recurrence, and metastasis. Nevertheless, the impact of stemness-related long non-coding RNAs (SRlncRNAs) on the prognosis of ccRCC remains elusive. In this study, we aimed to delve into the SRlncRNAs of ccRCC and develop a signature for risk stratification and prognosis prediction.

METHOD: Gene-expression and clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. We calculated RNA stemness scores (RNAss) for the samples to evaluate their stemness. SRlncRNAs and stemness-related mRNAs (SRmRNAs) in ccRCC were identified through weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), which employed sophisticated statistical methodologies to identify interconnected modules of related genes. Enrichment analysis was performed to explore the potential functions of SRmRNAs. Multiple machine learning algorithms were employed to construct a prognostic signature. Samples from TCGA-KIRC and GSE29609 cohorts were designated as the training and validation cohorts, respectively. Based on their risk scores, samples were stratified into low- and high-risk groups. Prognosis analysis, immune infiltration assessment, drug sensitivity prediction, mutation landscape, and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) were conducted to investigate the distinct characteristics of the low- and high-risk groups. Additionally, a web-based calculator was developed to facilitate clinical application. Expression and effects of SRlncRNAs in ccRCC were further corroborated through the utilization of single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq), as well as in vitro and in vivo experiments.

RESULTS: SRlncRNAs and SRmRNAs were identified based on RNAss and WGCNA. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) in combination with multivariate Cox regression was selected as the optimal approach. Six SRlncRNAs were used to construct the prognostic signature. Samples in the low- and high-risk groups exhibited distinct characteristics in terms of prognosis, GSEA pathways, immune infiltration profiles, drug sensitivity, and mutation status. A nomogram and a web-based calculator were developed to facilitate the clinical application of the model. ScRNA-seq and RT-qPCR demonstrated the differential expression of SRlncRNAs between ccRCC tumors and normal tissues. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that downregulation of EMX2OS and LINC00944 affected the proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and metastasis of ccRCC cells.

CONCLUSION: We uncovered the crucial associations between SRlncRNAs and the prognosis of ccRCC. By leveraging these findings, we developed a novel SRlncRNA-related signature and a user-friendly web calculator. This signature holds great potential in facilitating risk stratification and guiding tailored treatment strategies for ccRCC patients. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the role of SRlncRNAs in the progression of ccRCC.

PMID:40016772 | DOI:10.1186/s12967-025-06251-6