Tag: pubmed

Int J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2025 Nov 7. doi: 10.1007/s10554-025-03564-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim was to evaluate the differential effects of right-to-left shunts (RLS) linked to patent foramen ovale (PFO) on left atrial strain using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI), and to investigate the prognostic value of left atrial strain in predicting the risk of cryptogenic stroke (CS) related to PFO-RLS. This study involved 81 PFO patients and 45 healthy controls (HCs), who were divided into three groups: the permanent RLS, the latent RLS, and the HC group. Clinical characteristics, conventional echocardiographic parameters, and left atrial strains, such as left atrial reservoir strain (LASr), left atrial conduit strain (LAScd), left atrial contraction strain (LASct), and left atrial stiffness index (LASI) were collected and compared among the three groups. The PFO patients with RLS were subsequently stratified into a CS group and a non-CS group. To identify the predictors of CS in PFO patients with RLS, logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed. There were no significant differences in left atrial structural parameters among the three groups (all P > 0.05). Compared to the HC group, both the permanent and latent RLS groups demonstrated significantly higher rates of CS (63.4% vs. 35.0% vs. 8.9%, P < 0.001) and migraine (73.2% vs. 60.0% vs. 8.9%, P < 0.001). A graded impairment in left atrial functional parameters was observed across the three groups: LASr (35.40 ± 2.65 vs. 39.18 ± 2.57 vs. 40.19 ± 2.16, P < 0.001), LAScd (-21.55 ± 2.61 vs. -23.99 ± 3.02 vs. -24.86 ± 3.33, P < 0.001), and LASct (-13.86 ± 1.82 vs. -15.19 ± 2.13 vs. -15.33 ± 2.39, P = 0.003). Subgroup analyses revealed reduced LASr (35.29 ± 1.89 vs. 39.20 ± 3.07, P < 0.001) and LAScd (-21.18 ± 2.24 vs. -24.29 ± 2.99, P < 0.001) in the CS group compared to the non-CS group, while LASct showed no statistically significant intergroup difference (P > 0.05). LASr (OR (95%CI): 0.38(0.25-0.57), P < 0.001) and LAScd (OR(95%CI): 1.78(1.33-2.40), P < 0.001) were independent factors for predicting risk of CS related to PFO-RLS. ROC curves analysis demonstrated strong predictive performance of LASr and LAScd for the CS occurrence related to PFO-RLS (LASr: AUC = 0.85, 95%CI = 0.76-0.94, P < 0.001; LAScd: AUC = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.70-0.89, P < 0.001). PFO patients with RLS, especially those with permanent RLS, had impaired left atrial function and an increased risk of CS. The LASr and LAScd were strong predictors and effective indicators of CS in PFO patients with RLS.

PMID:41201706 | DOI:10.1007/s10554-025-03564-x

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2025 Nov 7;36(1):7. doi: 10.1007/s00590-025-04575-z.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study, based on palpation, ultrasonography, casts, and dissection, aimed to identify the superficial transverse metacarpal ligament and further characterize the interdigital web, including skin gliding, slope’s angle and length, histology, and dynamic changes during finger abduction.

METHODS: The preferred hand of 10 healthy participants was studied by palpation and ultrasonography. Alginate casts of the webspace were obtained from seven healthy volunteers. Five cadaver hands were dissected for illustration and to histologically evaluate the dorsal and palmar web. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were used.

RESULTS: The superficial transverse metacarpal ligament was detected through palpation in finger abduction at the webs, with an estimated width of about 7.1 mm. Ultrasonography was used to trace this ligament throughout its course and measure its thickness, with a median value of approximately 0.46 mm. Both palpation and ultrasonography revealed its proximal transverse and distal arciform fibres. The latter extended along the proximal phalanges. At the fleshy web, skin gliding was assessed by palpation. Both ultrasonography and dissection allowed for measuring the skin, which was thicker on the palmar side. Elastic fibres predominated on the dorsal side, and dense collagen on the palmar side. The alginate casts revealed that during finger abduction, the dorsal web opened as a curved triangle with the web’s edge, digital extensions, and dorsal skin as a checkrein.

CONCLUSIONS: Palpation, ultrasonography, and dissection detected complementary features of the natatory ligament and the interdigital space. The alginate casts revealed that the dorsal web opened as a curved triangle. Dissection provided detailed information about the involved structures.

PMID:41201689 | DOI:10.1007/s00590-025-04575-z

J Neurol. 2025 Nov 7;272(12):749. doi: 10.1007/s00415-025-13497-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Familial multiple sclerosis (MS), defined by the occurrence of MS in one or more relatives, is thought to represent a genetically influenced subtype of the disease.

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical progression, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters, and treatment responses between familial and sporadic MS patients.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 1,035 patients diagnosed with MS according to the 2017 McDonald criteria (523 familial, 512 sporadic). Demographic variables, MS subtypes, expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores, CSF oligoclonal band (OCB) status, IgG index, and treatment regimens were evaluated. Statistical tests included t tests, chi-square, and multivariable regression.

RESULTS: Familial MS patients showed a higher incidence of secondary progressive MS (10.9%) compared to sporadic cases (7.0%, p = 0.030). Disease duration was significantly longer in familial MS (14.5 vs. 12.3 years, p < 0.01) though time to diagnosis did not differ. OCB positivity rates were comparable, but the IgG index was significantly elevated in familial MS (p < 0.01). Treatment responses did not differ between groups.

CONCLUSION: Familial MS is associated with more rapid disease progression and enhanced humoral immune activation, suggesting a distinct phenotype. These findings support the need for genetic and immunologic investigations to guide personalized treatment strategies.

PMID:41201681 | DOI:10.1007/s00415-025-13497-z

Discov Oncol. 2025 Nov 7;16(1):2059. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-03919-9.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Elucidating the causal relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and pancreatic cancer (PC) remains methodologically challenging due to limitations inherent in observational studies. This study applied a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) design to investigate the potential causal interplay between RA and PC, aiming to uncover shared pathogenic pathways and genetic predispositions through comprehensive instrumental variable analysis.

METHODS: Utilizing genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis data, we systematically screened and incorporated independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with RA and PC as instrumental variables. The primary analytical approach was the inverse-variance weighted fixed-effects model (IVW-FE). To ensure methodological rigor and validate causal inferences, we complemented this with several approaches: simple median, weighted median, and MR-Egger regression. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test, and pleiotropy was evaluated using MR-Egger intercept analysis. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using the leave-one-out approach. All effect estimates are reported as odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: Seventy-seven SNPs met the predefined inclusion criteria. MR analyses revealed that elevated genetic susceptibility to RA was causally associated with an increased risk of PC (OR = 1.187, 95% CI = 1.355-1.039, P = 0.011). MR-Egger regression analysis indicated no significant pleiotropic effects (intercept p = 0.434). Cochran’s Q statistics indicated no substantial heterogeneity in the causal estimates for RA (P = 0.064). Consistent with these findings, leave-one-out sensitivity analyses confirmed the absence of influential outlier variants in the instrumental variable sets. However, there was no significant causal association between PC and the risk of RA (OR = 0.991, 95% CI = 0.957-1.027, P = 0.620).

CONCLUSIONS: Our results support a unidirectional causal relationship, identifying RA as a potential risk factor for the development of pancreatic cancer, with no evidence for a reverse causal effect.

PMID:41201680 | DOI:10.1007/s12672-025-03919-9

Fish Physiol Biochem. 2025 Nov 7;51(6):189. doi: 10.1007/s10695-025-01590-z.

ABSTRACT

Totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) aquaculture offers economic and ecological advantages. However, its culture still relies on fishmeal in diets because alternative protein sources show reduced productive performance. The current study assessed the impact of low concentrations of methionine and taurine together with alternative proteins, on the productive performance of T. macdonaldi over a 60-day experimental period. Four diets were formulated for this purpose, a basal diet (D-BD), the basal diet with methionine (D-MET), the basal diet with taurine (D-TAU), and the basal diet with methionine and taurine (D-MET + TAU). The present experiment used a randomized design. One hundred forty-four juveniles (41.0 ± 0.5 g in weight) were randomly distributed in 12 tanks (500 L) in triplicate groups to assess biological indices, cholesterol content, hepatic gene expression, and the synthesis and transport of taurine. The statistical analysis revealed that the dietary treatments D-MET and D-TAU positively affected the growth rate, whereas their interaction resulted in a significantly higher growth (p < 0.05). The expression of the igf-1 gene in the liver increased and showed a positive interaction. When TAU and MET were limited, there was an observed overexpression of csad in hepatic tissue. Diets supplemented with TAU showed a decrease in total cholesterol level, whereas cholesterol level in the liver increased with MET supplemented alone. Total TAU content in fish tissues was significantly higher when both TAU and MET were supplemented. In conclusion, T. macdonaldi exhibits a limited capacity, for TAU synthesis, and MET limitation appears to restrict growth potential.

PMID:41201678 | DOI:10.1007/s10695-025-01590-z

J Child Adolesc Psychiatr Nurs. 2025 Nov;38(4):e70044. doi: 10.1111/jcap.70044.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in adolescent gaming due to lockdowns and the shift to online learning. Although factors linked to game addiction in adolescents before and during the pandemic have been explored, research on patterns following the easing of restrictions is limited.

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship between perceived stress, loneliness, resilience, and game addiction among adolescents in Bangkok during the COVID-19 pandemic transition period.

METHODOLOGY: This correlational study included 346 high school students from two schools in Bangkok, Thailand, selected using a proportional stratified random sampling method. Data were collected from November to December 2022 during Thailand’s reclassification of COVID-19 as a communicable disease under a surveillance system. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s correlation were used for the analysis.

RESULTS: The findings showed that 15.0% of adolescents were at risk of game addiction, with 4.4% being addicted. Most (87.3%) engaged in gaming, and 38.7% played games daily. Perceived stress (r_(s) = 0.14, p = 0.01) and loneliness (r_(s) = 0.25, p < 0.001) were positively correlated with game addiction, while resilience was negatively correlated (r_(s)= -0.26, p < 0.001). All resilience components-“I have” (external support) (r_(s) = -0.21), “I am” (inner strength) (r_(s) = -0.28), and “I can” (interpersonal and problem-solving skills) (r_(s)= -0.24)-were negatively correlated with game addiction (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: This study identified perceived stress and loneliness as risk factors for game addiction, and resilience as a protective factor. These findings offer valuable insights for professionals, including nurses, to develop targeted prevention programs for adolescents during the pandemic transition period and in the event of future crises.

PMID:41200867 | DOI:10.1111/jcap.70044

Liver Int. 2025 Dec;45(12):e70399. doi: 10.1111/liv.70399.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hepatorenal syndrome-acute kidney injury (HRS-AKI) is a life-threatening complication of decompensated cirrhosis. The US Food and Drug Administration approved terlipressin use for HRS-AKI based on the CONFIRM study, which demonstrated a significant improvement in HRS reversal with terlipressin versus placebo. The label notes elevated risk of respiratory failure in patients with volume overload or acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) grade 3 and limited benefit when serum creatinine (SCr) exceeds 5 mg/dL.

METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of CONFIRM excluding patients with ACLF grade 3 or SCr ≥ 5 mg/dL. This allowed us to assess the efficacy and safety of terlipressin in a population where the benefit-to-risk profile is more favourable. Efficacy outcomes included HRS reversal, renal replacement therapy (RRT), liver transplantation (LT), RRT-free survival, LT-free survival and overall survival. Changes in SCr, Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) and sodium were also assessed.

RESULTS: HRS reversal occurred in 43% (60/141) of patients with terlipressin versus 17% (13/75) with placebo (p < 0.001). Terlipressin was associated with significantly larger reductions (vs. placebo) in SCr (p < 0.001) and increases in serum sodium (p < 0.001). Importantly, LT rates were similar even though MELD scores decreased. 90-day survival was similar between treatment arms. Notably, selecting patients with a favourable benefit-to-risk profile led to a similar incidence of respiratory failure between treatment arms (11% with terlipressin vs. 7% with placebo; p = 0.360).

CONCLUSIONS: In patients with HRS-AKI without baseline ACLF grade 3 or SCr ≥ 5 mg/dL, terlipressin improved clinical outcomes and was not associated with an increased risk of respiratory failure.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: CONFIRM, ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02770716.

PMID:41200852 | DOI:10.1111/liv.70399

J Sleep Res. 2025 Nov 7:e70235. doi: 10.1111/jsr.70235. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Studies in mammal models show that reduced sleep is associated with increased food intake. Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is emerging as a promising model for studying sleep and feeding behaviour due to its similarities with mammals. Our goal was to investigate whether sleep restriction increases food intake in zebrafish, its potential effects on central regulation of feeding, and whether effects are similar in both sexes. Individually housed male and female adult zebrafish were exposed to nighttime (ND) or daytime (DD) vibrations and compared to a control group without vibration (n = 30 males and n = 27 females). ND, but not DD, reduced sleep during the disturbance period, with males showing a significant effect and females exhibiting an altered sleep pattern without a statistically significant reduction. ND also significantly increased food intake in males, as measured by daily milligrammes and number of pellets consumed. In contrast, ND females exhibited a decrease in the time spent feeding, suggesting a sex-specific response to sleep disruption. The whole brain expression of neuropeptide Y (npy), proopiomelanocortin (pomc), and its receptor melanocortin-4 (mc4r) were analysed by RT-qPCR. Males from ND exhibited significantly reduced pomc mRNA levels. Grouped-housed (three male and two female) zebrafish exposed to ND also exhibited increased food intake. In conclusion, sleep restriction affected food intake behaviour and the central regulation in zebrafish, with distinct sex-specific effects.

PMID:41200849 | DOI:10.1111/jsr.70235

Circ Genom Precis Med. 2025 Nov 7:e005220. doi: 10.1161/CIRCGEN.124.005220. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Proteins linked to heritable coronary heart disease (CHD) could uncover new pathophysiological mechanisms of atherosclerosis. We report on the protein profile associated with a family history of early-onset CHD and whether the relation between proteins and coronary atherosclerotic burden differs according to family history status, as well as inferences from Mendelian randomization.

METHODS: Data on coronary atherosclerotic burden from computed tomography angiography and Olink proteomics were retrieved for 4521 subjects, free of known CHD, from the SCAPIS (Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study). Records of myocardial infarction and coronary revascularization therapies in any parent or sibling of subjects were retrieved from national registers. Linear associations between family history and proteins were adjusted for age, sex, and study site. Statistical interactions between proteins and family history for the association between proteins and the coronary atherosclerotic burden were also studied. Mendelian randomization for causal associations between proteins and CHD was performed with GWAS summary data from UKB-PPP (UK Biobank Pharma Proteomics Project), CARDIoGRAMplusC4D, and FinnGen.

RESULTS: Of 4251 subjects, family history of early-onset CHD was present in 9.5%. Thirty-eight proteins, with biological features of inflammation, lipid metabolism, and vascular function, were associated with family history using a false discovery rate of 0.05. The strongest associations were observed for follistatin and cathepsin D, neither of which was attenuated by adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Eighteen proteins were statistical interactors with family history in the association between each protein and the coronary atherosclerotic burden, most notably the LDL (low-density lipoprotein) receptor, transferrin receptor protein 1, and PECAM1 (platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1). In 2-sample Mendelian randomization, a novel association was found for follistatin and myocardial infarction, and previous associations for PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) and PECAM1 were repeated.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight new potential mechanisms for heritable and general atherosclerosis.

PMID:41200820 | DOI:10.1161/CIRCGEN.124.005220

Orthod Craniofac Res. 2025 Nov 7. doi: 10.1111/ocr.70054. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study aimed to evaluate the impact on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) in skeletal Class III patients treated with the surgery-first approach using either orthodontic aligners or fixed appliances.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were treated using the Surgery-First Approach (SFA) combined with either clear aligner (CA) or conventional fixed appliances (FA). A total of 20 patients (male and female) were allocated to the CA group, while 14 were included in the FA group. OHRQoL was assessed using the Orthognathic Quality of Life Questionnaire (OQLQ), the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) and the SF-36 at different time periods: (T0) pre-treatment, (T1) 1 week after orthodontic appliance installation, (T2) 4 weeks post-surgery and (T3) 6 months post-surgery. Data analysis was conducted using the Friedman and Mann-Whitney tests, with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in OHRQoL scores between the CA and FA groups at baseline and after 6 months of treatment. However, significant intra-group improvements were observed over time, particularly between the first and sixth months of treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Both ortho-surgical approaches, using either clear aligners or fixed appliances, resulted in significant improvements in patient quality of life. These findings highlight the positive impact of orthognathic treatment on dentofacial correction and overall well-being, regardless of the appliance type.

TRAIL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05822271.

PMID:41200809 | DOI:10.1111/ocr.70054