Tag: pubmed

Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2025 Feb 8;21(1):7. doi: 10.1186/s13223-024-00919-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Our previous 2007 study reported a 19.4% rate of biphasic anaphylaxis in Kingston, Ontario. Since then, few updates have been published regarding the etiology and risk factors of biphasic anaphylaxis. This study aimed to describe the incidence of and predictors of biphasic anaphylaxis in a single centre through a retrospective evaluation of patients with diagnosed anaphylaxis.

METHODS: From November 2015 to August 2017, all patients who presented to the emergency department at two hospital sites in Kingston given a diagnosis of “allergic reaction,” “anaphylaxis,” “drug allergy,” or “insect sting allergy,” were evaluated. Patients were contacted sometime after ED discharge to obtain consent and confirm symptoms and timing of the reaction. A trained allergist determined if criteria for anaphylaxis were met and categorized the reactions as being uniphasic, biphasic, or non-anaphylactic biphasic. A full medical review of the event ensued, and each type of anaphylactic event was statistically compared.

RESULTS: Of 138 anaphylactic events identified, 15.94% were biphasic reactions, 79.0% were uniphasic, and 5.07% were classified alternatively as a non-anaphylactic biphasic reaction. The average time of a second reaction was 19.0 h in patients experiencing biphasic reactivity. For biphasic anaphylaxis, the symptom profiles of second reactions were significantly less severe (p = 0.0002) compared with the initial reaction but significantly more severe than non-anaphylactic biphasic events (p < 0.0001).No differences of management were identified between events.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of biphasic reactions in this cohort was 15.94% and the average second-phase onset was 19.0 h. In biphasic reactivity, it appears that the symptom profile second reaction is less severe compared to the first reaction.

PMID:39923108 | DOI:10.1186/s13223-024-00919-2

BMC Oral Health. 2025 Feb 8;25(1):196. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-05537-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Conventional method of using carbide burs for caries removal has long been shown to be quite successful. Nevertheless, it has some disadvantages, including excessive dentin removal, and patient discomfort.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare and assess time consumption and the caries removal effectiveness of Smart prep bur II and Brix 3000 in addition to carbide bur (as a control group).

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGY: 60 newly extracted carious human permanent premolars were collected from patients between 14 and 24 years old. Teeth were extracted for orthodontic reasons. Caries should be deep but without pulp involvement and all teeth have only one surface caries (mesial or distal class II carious lesions). Samples have been collected, cleaned and stored in distilled water until starting the experiment. Teeth were divided into two groups in addition to third group that represent a control group (n = 20). Infected carious dentin for each group was removed using Smart prep bur II (polymer bur) or Brix 3000 (caries dissolving enzymes). Conventional carbide bur was used to remove carious dentin in the control group. Two parameters were assessed: time consumption and caries removal efficacy. Cavities were inspected by stereomicroscopy and caries removal was categorized after application of caries detector dye.

RESULTS: Regarding the amount of time needed for soft caries removal and the efficacy of total amount removed of infected dentine, there was no statistically significant difference (P ˂ 0.001) found between the two minimally invasive groups. While for carbide bur group, recorded values were considered statistically significant (P > 0.001) when compared to the two minimally invasive groups.

CONCLUSION: within the limitation of this in-vitro study, both Smart Prep bur II and BRIX 3000 are efficient methods for caries removal by minimally invasive approach. However, both are less effective and time-consuming methods when compared to conventional carbide bur.

PMID:39923092 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-05537-x

Infect Dis Poverty. 2025 Feb 8;14(1):8. doi: 10.1186/s40249-025-01277-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Data suggest excess mortality is associated with loiasis, which is endemic to Central Africa, although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We hypothesized that there could be an association between Loa loa microfilarial densities (MFD) and lower spleen volume (SV) due to micro-obstruction linked to circulating microfilariae (mf). This could result in functional hyposplenia and a higher burden of infections. Our objective was to investigate the impact of L. loa MFD and malaria on spleen’s bi-dimensional dimensions, volume, and parenchymal lesions.

METHODS: We included 981 participants aged 18-88 years in a cross-sectional study conducted in May-June 2022 in the Republic of the Congo. Centralized ultrasonographic examination was performed. The primary outcomes included SV, splenomegaly (cranio-caudal-distance ≥ 13 cm), and anatomical hyposplenia (AH) (SV ≤ 80, ≤ 110 or ≤ 150 cm³). Blood samples were analyzed for L. loa MFD, Plasmodium-PCR, Anti-Plasmodium falciparum-IgG, total IgM, sickle-cell disease status, and hematological abnormalities. Linear and logistic regressions were used to assess these associations.

RESULTS: Among 981 participants, 139 (14.1%) had splenomegaly, and 26 (2.7%) and 175 (17.8%) had SV ≤ 80 and ≤ 150 cm³, respectively. L. loa microfilariae were detected in 353 (35.6%) participants. A gradient effect was observed in each model, with the highest MFD (> 30,000 mf/ml) having the highest adjusted odds ratio of 17.94 (95% CI: 2.91-110.76, P = 0.002), 5.94 (95% CI: 1.40-25.17, P = 0.016), and 5.77 (95% CI: 1.95-17.12, P = 0.002) for SV ≤ 80, 110, and 150 cm³, respectively. Anti-P. falciparum-IgG levels were gradually associated with splenomegaly. Fourteen participants met the criterion for hyper-reactive malarial splenomegaly (HMS). Conversely, higher L. loa MFD was correlated with AH, with an attributable fraction of 25%, and the presence of splenic parenchymal lesions.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a detailed description of spleen morphology and the factors influencing its size in a rural central African population. It demonstrates a strong association between L. loa MFD and reduced SV, suggesting that loiasis may lead to AH, and potentially to functional hyposplenia, with consequences such as increased susceptibility to bacterial infections. Malaria was associated with splenomegaly, with a figure of HMS consistent with estimates from other African countries.

PMID:39923091 | DOI:10.1186/s40249-025-01277-w

BMC Psychol. 2025 Feb 8;13(1):106. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02389-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parental school involvement is critical for students’ academic and educational success. This study addresses a research gap by conducting latent class and correspondence analyses to uncover and visually depict the intricate relationships between parental school involvement and its barriers.

METHODS: Data were obtained from 1,307 parents of students in grades 4 to 9 in China. Students in grades 4 to 9 experience preadolescence (grades 4 to 6) and early adolescence (grades 7 to 9), which are critical periods of transition in individual development. The latent class analysis revealed sub-populations of parental school involvement and its barriers. The correspondence analysis demonstrated the relationship between the groups of both parental school involvement and its barriers.

RESULTS: The results showed: (1) six distinct groups of parental school involvement, namely the High Involvement in Child’s Things, All High Involvement, High Initiative Involvement, High Passive Involvement, Medium Involvement, and Low Involvement groups; (2) five groups of barriers to parental school involvement, namely the High Work-Transportation, High Work, Medium Personal, High Transportation, and None Barriers groups; (3) a visual pattern of the relationship between six groups of parental school involvement and five groups of barriers to parental school involvement. Specifically, the All High Involvement and High Initiative Involvement groups were closer to the None Barriers class; Medium Involvement was related to High Work Barriers; Low Involvement to Medium Personal Barriers; and High Passive Involvement to High Transportation Barriers.

CONCLUSIONS: This study clarifies relationships between the latent groups of parental involvement in school and the latent groups of barriers to involvement, which support the reformulated explanatory model of barriers to parental involvement in education.

PMID:39923088 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-02389-6

BMC Nutr. 2025 Feb 8;11(1):34. doi: 10.1186/s40795-025-01026-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive illness linked to higher rates of morbidity and death. One of the main causes of CKD is diabetes mellitus (DM), and oxidative stress is essential to the disease’s development. It has been demonstrated that the natural antioxidant melatonin reduces inflammation and oxidative damage in renal tissues. Given the lack of robust evidence, this double-blind clinical trial sought to investigate the effects of melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers in diabetic CKD patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This trial included 41 diabetic patients with CKD (stages 3-4) from Shariati Hospital, Tehran, Iran. For ten weeks, participants were randomized to receive either a placebo or 5 mg of melatonin twice a day. Baseline characteristics, dietary intake, physical activity, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Oxidative stress (TAC, TOS, MDA) and inflammatory markers (IL-6, hs-CRP) were measured before and after the intervention. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, with significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: The 10-week trial was completed by 41 participants in total, and no adverse effects were noted. Dietary intake, physical activity, and anthropometric parameters did not significantly differ between the melatonin and control groups in baseline characteristics. Melatonin supplementation decreased oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, including hs-CRP, MDA, TOS, and IL-6. However, these changes were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: Our study showed that melatonin supplementation did not significantly affect oxidative stress or inflammatory markers, including TAC, TOS, MDA, IL-6, and hs-CRP, in diabetic patients with CKD. Despite a decrement in TOS, MDA, IL-6, and hs-CRP levels after 10 weeks, this was not statistically significant. Further studies with larger sample sizes, greater dosages, and longer follow-up periods are recommended.

PMID:39923085 | DOI:10.1186/s40795-025-01026-0

BMC Nurs. 2025 Feb 8;24(1):150. doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-02786-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The nursing profession plays a vital role in the provision of healthcare services. The sustainable and high-quality development of nursing work is inseparable from the nurses’ proactive voice behavior. However, in China, comprehensive nationwide survey data on nurse voice behavior remains limited. The present study utilized latent profile analysis to examine the potential profiles, current status, and determinants of nurses’ voice behavior on a national scale, with the aim of formulating targeted intervention strategies to enhance nurses’ capacity for constructive feedback.

METHODS: This study employed a cross-sectional survey design and recruited nurses from medical institutions in China as research participants between November 2023 and January 2024. The survey encompassed three dimensions: individual, environment, and behavior. General demographic questionnaires and voice behavior questionnaires were administered via the questionnaire star platform to collect data for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: A total of 3528 questionnaires from 552 s-class and three-class hospitals hospitals located in 22 provinces, 4 municipalities, 3 autonomous prefectures and 2 special administrative regions throughout China were collected in this study. By analyzing the potential profile of nurses’ voice behavior, three potential categories were formed: low voice behavior group(C1, 21.1% of the total population), medium voice behavior group(C2, 60.9% of the total population), and high voice behavior group(C3, 18.0% of the total population). Factors including night shift work, workload intensity, monthly income, years of nursing experience, professional title, position, health status, personality traits, organizational justice perception, and self-efficacy were found to significantly influence nurses’ expression of their opinions.

CONCLUSION: The voice behavior of nurses in China exhibits a moderate level. Heterogeneity was observed in the voice behavior of nurses, suggesting variations among individuals. The focus of nurse managers should be on nurses belonging to the C1 and C2 group, enabling them to implement early targeted prevention and care based on the distinctive characteristics and influencing factors associated with each latent profile.

PMID:39923084 | DOI:10.1186/s12912-025-02786-7

BMC Oral Health. 2025 Feb 8;25(1):202. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-05539-9.

ABSTRACT

The current study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the alveolar bone mucosa- periosteal bone flap technique in horizontally augmenting the alveolar ridge during dental implant placement. This retrospective analysis included 20 patients with a total of 45 implants, and was designed to evaluate the alveolar ridge widths both before and after surgery. Preoperative measurements indicated an average alveolar ridge width of 3.62 ± 0.90 mm, which increased to 6.58 ± 1.16 mm postoperatively. Statistical analysis revealed a significant increase in alveolar ridge width following the procedure (P < 0.05), with an average gain of 2.96 ± 1.21 mm. In summary, these findings suggest that the alveolar bone mucosa-periosteal bone flap technique is an effective approach for widening the alveolar ridge while placing dental implants, meriting its consideration for clinical application.

PMID:39923076 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-05539-9

BMC Palliat Care. 2025 Feb 8;24(1):37. doi: 10.1186/s12904-025-01674-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Palliative care (PC) in rural China remains underdeveloped, with limited specialized services and significant challenges for healthcare professionals. This study aimed to examine the difficulties in providing PC and their factors from the perspective of healthcare professionals in rural Henan province, China, where specific PC services are currently unavailable.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted between June and July 2024, using a convenience sample of 255 healthcare professionals from four secondary/tertiary hospitals participated. Data were collected on participants’ demographic characteristics, information on recently deceased cancer patients they had cared for, and PC-related information. PC knowledge and PC difficulties were assessed using the Palliative Care Knowledge Questionnaire-Chinese version (PCKQ-PCN) and the Palliative Care Difficulties Scale (PCDS). Linear regression analysis identified factors associated with PC difficulties.

RESULTS: Among the 255 participants (Mean[age]: 34.82 ± 7.04), 71.8% were females, 57.3% were physicians, and the average work experience was 10.20 years. Regarding PC experience, 48.2% had participated in 1-2 training sessions annually over the past two years, and 32.2% reported a poor understanding of PC. The total PCKQ-PCN mean score was 13.28 ± 2.62, with 25.2% of participants classified as having poor knowledge. The PCDS mean score was 42.58 ± 13.59. Linear regression analysis showed that participating in at least one PC training session every six months (β = -10.66; p = 0.032), having experience caring for seriously ill people at home (β = -6.31; p = 0.024), greater knowledge of symptom management (β = -3.72; p = 0.012), and higher levels of basic knowledge (β = -5.12; p = 0.007) were negatively associated with PC difficulties. Conversely, limited understanding of PC (β = 12.95; p = 0.021), greater knowledge of spiritual care and death education (β = 4.95; p = 0.034), and having new rural cooperative medical insurance (β = 6.36; p = 0.023; β = 3.21; p = 0.042) were positively associated with PC difficulties.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights critical gaps in rural China’s PC services, including inadequate training, limited focus on spiritual needs and death education, and disparities in insurance coverage. Targeted training programs in healthcare professionals and policy reforms are urgently needed to improve PC quality and accessibility in rural areas.

PMID:39923072 | DOI:10.1186/s12904-025-01674-w

BMC Womens Health. 2025 Feb 8;25(1):56. doi: 10.1186/s12905-025-03573-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Breast and cervical cancers are the commonest cancers among women. Secondary prevention of cancer through screening minimizes disease burden and improves survival outcomes. Optimizing screening strategies for breast and cervical cancers is a challenge in resource-limited settings with a high population density such as China. Therefore, we aimed at assessing the efficiency of different combined screening strategies for breast and cervical cancers under different budgets in China.

METHODS: Markov cohort model was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of 36 strategy combinations for breast and cervical cancer screening with varying screening modality and intervals. The results were used as inputs in the Integer Programming (IP) model to determine the combination of the different screening options under different budgets.

RESULTS: The optimal combination strategy was biennial breast ultrasonography (BUS) and mammography (MAM) in parallel screening and quinquennial human papillomavirus (HPV) for breast and cervical cancer screening under the threshold of the annual per capita social cost investment (PCSCI) (18.80 USD) in China. Using this strategy, the total investment cost for 100,000 females was 1,877,984.50 USD, and the incremental life-years compared with no screening was 3,122 life-years. The optimal combination strategy included annual clinical breast examination (CBE), BUS and MAM in series screening, and biennial thin-layer liquid-based cytology (TCT) and HPV in series screening with the annual PCSCI reaching 37.60 USD. Thereafter, as the cost input continued to increase, the optimal combination strategy remained unchanged, and the sum of incremental life-years and actual input costs did not increase.

CONCLUSIONS: From a social cost-benefit perspective, biennial BUS and MAM in parallel screening, and quinquennial HPV screening is the most efficient combination strategy with limited budget, while annual CBE, BUS and MAM in series screening and biennial TCT and HPV in series screening are the most efficient combination strategy with sufficient budget.

PMID:39923068 | DOI:10.1186/s12905-025-03573-x

Syst Rev. 2025 Feb 8;14(1):38. doi: 10.1186/s13643-025-02784-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is characterized by brain dysfunction in the context of sepsis and frequently leads to significant cognitive and neurological impairments, as well as an elevated risk of mortality. Accurate diagnosis of SAE is crucial for the timely initiation of optimal treatment and appropriate patient management. Neurogenic biomarkers hold promise as reliable serum diagnostic tools for the detection and longitudinal monitoring of SAE. This meta-analysis seeks to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic utility of serum neurogenic biomarkers in patients with SAE.

METHODS: The study protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42023408312) and conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A meta-analysis was conducted to comprehensively and critically evaluate the existing body of evidence regarding the use of serum neurogenic biomarkers: neuron-specific enolase (NSE), ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1), Tau, S100 calcium-binding protein β (S100β), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) for the diagnosis and risk assessment of fatality in SAE. We conducted a systematic search of electronic bibliographic databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane databases, CNKI, CQVIP, and WFSD. The quality and risk of bias of the selected studies were assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. For biomarkers reported in two or more studies, pooled standardized mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Heterogeneity among the included studies was examined using the I² statistic and random-effects model was applied owing to large heterogeneity.

RESULTS: Forty-two studies were included in our meta-analysis. The levels of serum neurogenic biomarkers were significantly higher in patients with SAE as compared to septic patients with no-encephalopathy (NE): NSE (standardized mean difference (SMD) 1.98 (95% CI 1.55-2.42), P < 0.00001); UCH-L1 (SMD 1.75 (95% CI 0.90-2.59), P < 0.0001); Tau (SMD 1.14 (95% CI 1.01-1.28), P < 0.00001); S100β (SMD 1.82 (95% CI 1.45-2.19), P < 0.00001); and GFAP (SMD 3.63 (95% CI 1.85-5.41), P < 0.0001). In addition, significantly lower serum neurogenic biomarkers levels were noted in septic patients with survivors as compared to non-survivors: NSE (SMD – 1.87 (95% CI – 2.43 to – 1.32), P < 0.00001); UCH-L1 (SMD – 1. 71 (95% CI – 2.24 to – 1.19), P < 0.00001); Tau (SMD – 0.57 (95% CI – 0.79 to – 0.35), P < 0.00001); S100β (SMD – 1.34 (95% CI – 1.88 to – 0.80), P < 0.00001). However, no significant differences in serum GFAP levels [SMD -7.98 (95% CI – 22.23-6.27), P = 0.27) were found between the surviving and non-surviving groups.

CONCLUSION: The increased serum neurogenic biomarkers may be predictive of SAE and mortality for septic patients, which are expected to be applied as a reliable blood-based diagnostic tool for detection and longitudinal monitoring in SAE patients. However, results should be interpreted with caution due to the high heterogeneity among studies.

PMID:39923061 | DOI:10.1186/s13643-025-02784-5