Tag: pubmed

Chiropr Man Therap. 2025 Feb 18;33(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s12998-025-00575-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Evidence has been reported that spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) leads to spine segmental hypoalgesia through neurophysiological and peripheral mechanisms related to regulating inflammatory biomarker function. However, these studies also showed substantial inter-individual variability in the biomarker responses. Such variability may be due to the incomplete understanding of the fundamental effects of force-based manipulations (e.g., patient-specific force-time characteristics) on a person’s physiology in health and disease. This study investigated the short-term effects of distinct SMT force-time characteristics on blood oxidative stress and pro-resolution of inflammation biomarkers.

METHODS: Nineteen healthy adults between 18 and 45 years old were recruited between February and March 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic and clustered into three groups: control (preload only), target total peak force of 400 N, and 800 N. A validated force-sensing table technology (FSTT^®) determined the SMT force-time characteristics. Blood samples were collected at pre-intervention, immediately after SMT, and 20 min post-intervention. Parameters of the oxidant system (total oxidant status, lipid peroxidation and lipid hydroperoxide), the antioxidant system (total antioxidant capacity and bilirubin), and lipid-derived resolvin D1 were evaluated in plasma and erythrocytes through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric assays.

RESULTS: The COVID-19 global pandemic impacted recruitment, and our pre-established target sample size could not be reached. As a result, there was a small sample size, which decreased the robustness of the statistical analysis. Despite the limitations, we observed that 400 N seemed to decrease systemic total oxidant status and lipid peroxidation biomarkers. However, 800 N appeared to transitorily increase these pro-oxidant parameters with a further transitory reduction in plasma total antioxidant capacity and resolvin D1 mediator.

CONCLUSION: Despite the small sample size, which elevates the risk of type II error (false negatives), and the interruption of recruitment caused by the pandemic, our findings appeared to indicate that different single SMT force-time characteristics presented contrasting effects on the systemic redox signalling biomarkers and pro-resolution of inflammation mediators in healthy participants. The findings need to be confirmed by further research; however, they provide baseline information and guidance for future studies in a clinical population.

PMID:39966844 | DOI:10.1186/s12998-025-00575-2

BMC Endocr Disord. 2025 Feb 18;25(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s12902-025-01835-1.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis assess the effects of Ramadan fasting in adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), on blood sugar factors such as hemoglobin A1C and problems caused by its lack of control such as hypoglycemia and DKA, and metabolic outcomes.

METHODS: Electronic databases including MEDLINE, Embase, and SINOMED were searched up to February 13, 2024, without language, region, or publication time restrictions. The outcomes were Acute complications, changes in Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight changes. Meta-analyses used random-effects models to compute weighted Relative risk (RR) and standard mean differences (SMD). And to check the risk of bias of included studies, the Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used.

RESULTS: Nine studies were included, comprising 458 participants, with studies varying in quality from high to low. Meta-analysis showed no significant reduction in HbA1c levels post-Ramadan (SMD: -0.12; 95% CI: -0.38 to 0.14), indicating minimal impact on long-term glycemic control. The incidence of hypoglycemia was notably high (50.79 events per 100 observations), with hyperglycemia and diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) also reported but less frequently. The variability in complication rates among studies was significant, reflecting the high heterogeneity across the data. Weight changes during Ramadan were minimal and not statistically significant, suggesting fasting’s negligible effect on body weight among participants.

CONCLUSIONS: Ramadan fasting among adolescents with T1DM does not significantly alter HbA1c levels, suggesting potential feasibility under careful monitoring and management. However, the high incidence of hypoglycemia underscores the need for vigilant glucose monitoring and tailored adjustments to diabetes management plans during fasting periods.

PMID:39966830 | DOI:10.1186/s12902-025-01835-1

BMC Oral Health. 2025 Feb 18;25(1):249. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-05650-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Global studies have reported varying malocclusion prevalence, highlighting its dependence on age, gender, and population characteristics. This study aims to determine the prevalence of malocclusion in randomly selected public school children and to identify the most common type of malocclusion in this population.

METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study covering school-age children in Bolu, Turkey A total of 1144 students (591 females, 553 males) aged 10-12 participated in this study. Orthodontic anomalies such as anterior and posterior crossbite, overjet, overbite, open bite, deep bite, midline diastema, presence of wedge lateral teeth, crowding, presence of diastema, Angle malocclusion classification, and abnormal habits were recorded in detail. In the statistical analysis, descriptive analyses were performed, Pearson chi-square test was used to evaluate the differences between the groups, and Kappa test was used to determine the intra-observer consistency.

RESULTS: Posterior crossbite prevalence was found to be higher in females than in males. Moderate overjet and deep bite prevalence were found to be higher in males. The most common malocclusion was Class I, followed by Class II Division 2, Class II Division 1, and Class III malocclusions. Abnormal habits were more common in females, with nail-biting being the most common abnormal habit.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides basic data on orthodontic variables in school-age children. In order to meet the increasing aesthetic and functional needs, more importance should be given to interceptive orthodontic treatments and prevalence studies in this regard.

PMID:39966826 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-05650-x

BMC Vet Res. 2025 Feb 18;21(1):76. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04545-x.

ABSTRACT

Phoenixin (PNX), well-conserved but newly discovered neuropeptide, is involved in various physiological processes, such as food intake, cardiovascular functions, reproductive functions, and stress regulation. PNX is the predicted ligand of GPR173 receptor, but due to its relatively recent discovery in 2013, there is a lack of studies describing the exact mechanism of action of the peptide. In addition, the protein was not been well-studied in specific organs, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of ruminants, including domestic cattle, which are among the world’s main livestock animals. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the immunolocalization and quantification of PNX and GPR173 in the GIT of domestic cattle. Study material, including GIT sections of two age groups, calves and adult bulls (n = 6 per group), was obtained from a slaughterhouse. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemical (IHC) analyses were performed. Analyses revealed low levels of PNX in the GIT of both age groups, with localization restricted to epithelial cells across all examined GIT segments, with statistically significant differences between age groups and GIT segments, which may result from the delayed development of forestomachs in calves. On the other hand, GPR173 levels were shown to be higher than those of PNX and to have a wider distribution extending beyond the epithelium to the blood vessels wall and the intrinsic nervous system. This may suggests that PNX is not the only ligand for this receptor. Overall, the results may suggest that both PNX and GPR173 could possibly play protective roles related to the immune response, regulate digestive and absorptive functions, and due to receptor presence in nerve fibres, may play a role in regulating GIT secretion and motility. These findings could potentially facilitate further research into the therapeutic potential of targeting PNX and GPR173 in managing gastrointestinal disorders in domestic cattle and other species, and can also be further used for experimental, clinical or pharmacological research into the treatment of eating disorders not only in humans, but also in farm animals.

PMID:39966825 | DOI:10.1186/s12917-025-04545-x

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2025 Feb 18;24(1):80. doi: 10.1186/s12933-025-02640-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Digitalization and big health system data open new avenues for targeted prevention and treatment strategies. We aimed to develop and validate prediction models for stroke and myocardial infarction (MI) in patients with type 2 diabetes based on routinely collected high-dimensional health insurance claims and compared predictive performance of traditional regression with state-of-the-art machine learning including deep learning methods.

METHODS: We used German health insurance claims from 2014 to 2019 with 287 potentially relevant literature-derived variables to predict 3-year risk of MI and stroke. Following a train-test split approach, we compared the performance of logistic methods with and without forward selection, LASSO-regularization, random forests (RF), gradient boosting (GB), multi-layer-perceptrons (MLP) and feature-tokenizer transformers (FTT). We assessed discrimination (Areas Under the Precision-Recall and Receiver-Operator Curves, AUPRC and AUROC) and calibration.

RESULTS: Among n = 371,006 patients with type 2 diabetes (mean age: 67.2 years), 3.5% (n = 13,030) had MIs and 3.4% (n = 12,701) strokes. AUPRCs were 0.035 (MI) and 0.034 (stroke) for a null model, between 0.082 (MLP) and 0.092 (GB) for MI, and between 0.061 (MLP) and 0.073 (GB) for stoke. AUROCs were 0.5 for null models, between 0.70 (RF, MLP, FTT) and 0.71 (all other models) for MI, and between 0.66 (MLP) and 0.69 (GB) for stroke. All models were well calibrated.

CONCLUSIONS: Discrimination performance of claims-based models reached a ceiling at around 0.09 AUPRC and 0.7 AUROC. While for AUROC this performance was comparable to existing epidemiological models incorporating clinical information, comparison of other, potentially more relevant metrics, such as AUPRC, sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value was hampered by lack of reporting in the literature. The fact that machine learning including deep learning methods did not outperform more traditional approaches may suggest that feature richness and complexity were exploited before the choice of algorithm could become critical to maximize performance. Future research might focus on the impact of different feature derivation approaches on performance ceilings. In the absence of other more powerful screening alternatives, applying transparent regression-based models in routine claims, though certainly imperfect, remains a promising scalable low-cost approach for population-based cardiovascular risk prediction and stratification.

PMID:39966813 | DOI:10.1186/s12933-025-02640-9

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Feb 18;26(1):163. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-08413-5.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to determine the optimal index for distinguishing ankylosing spondylitis (AS) from non-AS by employing texture analysis of bone marrow edema (BME) in lumbar spine MR images.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis, involving patients meeting specific criteria with positive BME signs in lumbar spine MRI. We compared 72 cases (78 lesions) from the AS group with 67 cases (84 lesions) from the non-AS group. Image acquisition was single-blind, and we defined the region of interest (ROI) at the lumbar spine’s maximal BME level using ImageJ software. Texture analysis parameters were extracted from Gray Level Histogram(GLH) and Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrix(GLCM) of STIR and T2WI sequences in both groups. We generated Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC) curves based on statistically significant parameters and calculated the area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS: In BME STIR GLH analysis, AS group had higher Mean, Mode, Min, and Skew parameters than the non-AS group (p < 0.001), with Min exhibiting the highest diagnostic efficacy (AUC = 0.768). T2WI GLH analysis showed that only Min was significantly higher in the AS group (p = 0.014,AUC = 0.612). Analysis of BME zones in the STIR GLCM revealed significant differences in ASM and Ent parameters between the AS and non-AS groups, with ASM displaying the highest diagnostic accuracy (p < 0.001,AUC = 0.656). For T2WI GLCM analysis, all four parameters (ASM, Cor, IDM, and Ent) were significantly different in the AS group (p < 0.001), with ASM demonstrating the highest diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.731).

CONCLUSIONS: Lumbar BME texture analysis effectively distinguishes AS from non-AS, with significant variations in multiple parameter values. The STIR GLH parameter Min provides the highest diagnostic accuracy.

PMID:39966811 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-025-08413-5

BMC Public Health. 2025 Feb 18;25(1):667. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-21970-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) significantly affects elderly patients, leading to high morbidity and mortality rates. This study investigates the interplay between mental health, nutritional status, and comorbidities in determining the prognosis of elderly patients with CAP.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with 455 patients aged 75 and older who were hospitalized for CAP. Clinical data, including demographic information, comorbidities, and laboratory results, were collected. The WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5), Mini Nutritional Assessment Short Form (MNA-SF), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were utilized to assess mental health, nutritional status, and comorbidity burden. Statistical analyses included logistic regression, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and mediation analyses.

RESULTS: The study found that the 28-day mortality rate was 9.67%, while the 90-day mortality rate reached 12.31%. Spearman’s correlation analysis revealed significant positive correlations between the WHO-5 Well-Being Index and MNA-SF scores (r = 0.560) and albumin levels (r = 0.245), while negative correlations were observed with CCI (r = -0.202) and C-reactive protein levels (r = -0.242). Logistic regression analysis indicated that comorbidity, malnutrition, lower well-being, CAP severity, and mechanical ventilation are significant predictors of 28-day and 90-day mortality. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in cumulative survival among various well-being groups. Multiple mediation analyses showed that mental well-being and nutritional status significantly mediated the association between CCI and 28-day and 90-day mortality.

CONCLUSION: This study emphasizes the critical roles of mental health, nutritional status, and comorbidities in the prognosis of elderly patients with CAP. Integrating these factors into clinical assessments may provide insights to inform management strategies, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing mortality rates in this vulnerable population.

PMID:39966810 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-21970-7

J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. 2025 Feb 18;21(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s13002-025-00753-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Throughout history, plant resources have played a crucial role in human society. After addressing fundamental needs such as food and shelter, humans have sought out plants for medicinal purposes to alleviate various health issues. The utilization of plant resources for diverse applications, including traditional herbal medicine, is integral to the rich cultural heritage and lifestyle of the communities in southwest Ethiopia. However, despite the existence of numerous indigenous traditional medicinal plants, the ethnobotanical knowledge surrounding these resources in the Bita district remains largely unexplored. Consequently, this study aimed to document and analyze the traditional medicinal plants, along with the associated customs and knowledge utilized by the local population.

METHODS: Between June 2024 and Pagume (the 13th month unique to Ethiopia) of the same year, a combination of semistructured interviews, in-person meetings, group discussions, and guided field trips was employed to collect quantitative ethnobotanical data. A total of 136 informants, comprising 104 men and 32 women, participated in the interviews to provide insights into ethnobotanical practices. The research utilized several quantitative methodologies, including the informant consensus factor (ICF), fidelity level (FL), plant part value, preference ranking, and direct matrix ranking. Additionally, various statistical analyses were conducted, including independent t tests, one-way ANOVA, correlation, and regression, utilizing R to assess and compare the ethnobotanical knowledge across different groups of informants.

RESULT: A total of 122 species of traditional medicinal plants, belonging to 104 genera and 53 different plant families, were documented in this study. The Asteraceae family was the most frequently cited, comprising 12 species, making it the largest family identified. This was followed by Lamiaceae with eight species, Solanaceae with eight species, Rubiaceae with seven species, Euphorbiaceae with six species, Cucurbitaceae with five species, and Fabiaceae with four species. The plant parts most commonly utilized in traditional remedies were leaves and roots, with the predominant method of preparation being crushing. Notably, the average number of medicinal plants reported by participants varied significantly across different demographics, including gender, age groups, educational levels, and experience (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The study area boasts a diverse range of potential medicinal plants and the associated indigenous knowledge. To mitigate the increasing anthropogenic threats and ensure the preservation of these plants and their related knowledge, it is crucial to implement effective conservation strategies and responsible usage. Furthermore, the medicinal properties of these plants should be validated through scientific experimentation to effectively combine local knowledge with modern medicine.

PMID:39966803 | DOI:10.1186/s13002-025-00753-9

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Feb 18;26(1):164. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-08414-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Ankle fractures are the third most common fractures, often requiring surgical intervention to restore function and mobility. Understanding trends in ankle fracture surgeries is essential for optimizing treatment strategies and improving patient outcomes. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of ankle fracture surgeries in Sweden in order to highlight changes in demography and trends in surgical procedures.

METHODS: Utilizing data from the National Patient Register, we conducted an observational population-based study of ankle fracture surgeries performed in Sweden between 2008 and 2022. Patients aged 15 years and above who underwent ankle fracture surgery were included in the analysis. Surgical procedures were identified using NOMESCO codes specific to ankle fractures. Demographic trends, surgical procedures and incidence rates were analyzed using descriptive statistics, incidence calculations and regression analyses.

RESULTS: Women accounted for 55% of surgeries (p = 0.022), with a significant proportion (47%) occurring in individuals aged 65 and above. Although the overall incidence of ankle surgeries decreased by 6% (p = 0.008), notable age-specific trends emerged, including a decrease in surgeries among younger adults and an increase among the elderly. Plate and screw fixation remained the most commonly employed surgical technique, with a 21% increase in usage (p < 0.001), while the use of external fixation and intramedullary nailing increased significantly by 123% and 69%, respectively (both p < 0.001). Conversely, the use of cerclage and/or pin fixation decreased by 74% (p < 0.001) over the study period.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study of open source data shows current trends in surgically treated ankle fractures in Sweden, highlighting a decreased incidence overall, notable shifts between age groups and several trends in surgical procedures. Despite limitations inherent to retrospective observational studies, such as the inability to establish causal relationships, our findings contribute to the understanding of ankle fracture management trends, highlighting areas for further investigation and improvement in orthopedic care.

PMID:39966800 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-025-08414-4

BMC Cancer. 2025 Feb 18;25(1):292. doi: 10.1186/s12885-025-13713-z.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:39966798 | DOI:10.1186/s12885-025-13713-z