Tag: pubmed

J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 Jul 3;44(1):232. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-00876-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Uganda experiences high maternal mortality ratios, with suboptimal utilization of maternal health services like antenatal care (ANC), especially in rural areas. Community Health Workers (CHWs), known as Village Health Teams (VHTs), have shown the potential to enhance maternal and child health (MCH) outcomes in Uganda by educating pregnant women in the community. However, their training models need to be refined to boost their performance.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effectiveness of a contextually tailored educational intervention delivered by VHTs on the knowledge, attitudes, and antenatal care attendance of pregnant women in Eastern Uganda.

METHODS: We performed a quasi-experimental study using a pre-post-intervention evaluation conducted over six months in Eastern Uganda. We included pregnant women in their first trimester who consented to participate and excluded those in later trimesters. We performed multistage sampling with villages randomly selected and participants enrolled by trained VHTs. The VHTs were trained using a Maternal Newborn Child Health curriculum developed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. The VHTs delivered educational sessions to the participants during home visits throughout their pregnancy. Data was collected on pregnant women’s knowledge, attitudes, and antenatal care attendance before and after the intervention. A score of ≥ 75% was considered sufficient knowledge. The Chi-square test was used to test the difference in the proportional change in knowledge and attitude of pregnant women. A paired two-sample t-test assessed changes in ANC attendance pre- and post-intervention. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: 228 participants were included, with a mean age of 27 ± 5.90 years and gravidity of 2.92 ± 1.47. There was a 60.7% increase in the proportion of participants with sufficient MCH knowledge after the intervention (19.6-80.3%, p < 0.001). Attitudes toward healthy MCH behaviors also improved. The proportion agreeing that attending eight or more ANC visits is crucial increased by 10.6% (88.1-98.7%, p < 0.001). Recognition of health facilities as the best place for ANC increased by 9.7% (89.9-99.6%, p < 0.001). The average number of ANC visits significantly increased from 1.22 to 6.38 (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Contextually tailored education delivered by trained VHTs significantly improved maternal health knowledge, attitudes, and ANC attendance among pregnant women in rural Uganda.

PMID:40611361 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-025-00876-5

J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 Jul 3;44(1):226. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-00977-1.

ABSTRACT

Exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) can significantly reduce infant morbidity and mortality. However, evidence suggests that most health professionals fail to practice EBF. This research assessed factors that affect the practice of EBF among 320 randomly selected nursing mothers who are nurses and midwives in major hospitals. A cross-sectional study in four public hospitals in Tamale Metropolis, Ghana, involved 320 female nurses and midwives. Data was collected through a pretested questionnaire, and STATA version 17 was used for statistical analysis. Predictors of EBF were discovered using binary logistic regression models with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. A slight majority (53.1%) of the nurses and midwives reported practising EBF. Notably, over half (52.5%) of the participants demonstrated poor knowledge regarding EBF, despite a strong positive attitude towards it (81.6%). In conclusion, while the attitude towards EBF is generally positive among participants, there are significant gaps in knowledge. Determinants of the practice of EBF were income, living arrangement, parity, child’s age, complications after delivery, and knowledge level. The Ghana Health Service should mandate enhanced EBF training for nurses and midwives and this training should cover practical skills, address knowledge gaps, and be regularly updated and continuous professional development credits could be tied to successful completion.

PMID:40611359 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-025-00977-1

Cardiooncology. 2025 Jul 3;11(1):63. doi: 10.1186/s40959-025-00358-x.

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular adverse events (CVAE) are clinically relevant side effects during treatment with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib. We investigated the predictive value of cardiac biomarkers for onset of CVAE in patients with newly diagnosed high-risk multiple myeloma treated with isatuximab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in the GMMG-CONCEPT study (NCT03104842). Patients included in this prospective, multicenter correlative study were eligible if a serum sample before treatment initiation and at ≥ 1 later study time point were available. N-terminal pro-b-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and high-sensitive Troponin I (hsTropI) were measured using immunoassays. Time-to-event analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier estimators and log-rank test was used for statistical analysis. Among 126 patients included in this study, 40 reported incident CVAE. No significant differences were observed for age, sex, cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular comorbidities between patients who experienced CVAE compared to patients without CVAE. NT-proBNP levels were elevated at baseline in 96 (76%) patients. Neither baseline levels nor change in NT-proBNP level during early induction cycles were predictive for the occurrence of CVAE. In contrast, elevation of hsTropI above the 99th percentile was rare. Patients with hsTropI level ≥ 2.9 ng/L, corresponding to the lower limit of quantification, showed a higher risk for CVAE compared to patients with hsTropI < 2.9 ng/L at baseline (p = 0.0023). In conclusion, in patients with newly diagnosed high-risk multiple myeloma undergoing carfilzomib-based quadruplet treatment, low hsTropI pretreatment levels are of high negative predictive value for the occurrence of CVAE whereas elevated NT-proBNP levels are very common before treatment initiation.

PMID:40611354 | DOI:10.1186/s40959-025-00358-x

BMC Psychol. 2025 Jul 3;13(1):724. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-03032-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Exposure to unfavorable environmental circumstances including conflicts and wars increases people’s risk of experiencing mental health disturbances. Prevalence rates of anxiety, depression and stress disorders were two- to three-fold higher between people exposed to war or those interested in war news.

OBJECTIVES: To explore prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among Tanta University students and their parents representing different Egyptian generations, and to identify associated and predicting factors of severity and their effect on study or work performance.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted to collect data from undergraduate medical students at Tanta University and their parents by using random cluster sampling technique. The study included 100 medical students and 200 parents. A self-administrated questionnaire was used, which included sociodemographic data, DASS-21 (Depression, Anxiety Stress Scale) to measure levels of depression, anxiety and stress. Also, the questionnaire included a part to assess the effect of war on studying /or work performance. Multiple logistic regression was used to detect predictors of severe levels of depression, anxiety and stress. The value of p ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0.

RESULTS: Females constituted 79.0% of the student sample. All students and most fathers and mothers reported regularly following war news, with social media being the most frequently used source, especially among students. Symptoms of depression were reported by 97.0% of students, 77.0% of mothers, and 65.0% of fathers. Anxiety and stress were reported by approximately two-thirds of students, 51.0% of mothers, and 45.0% of fathers. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified frequent exposure to war news as a shared significant predictor of severe and extremely severe levels of depression (p = 0.004), anxiety, and stress (p < 0.001). Additionally, young age (p < 0.001) and female sex (p = 0.023) were significant predictors of depression, while urban residence was significantly associated with severe anxiety (p = 0.007). Students’ motivation to study and study hours were affected to some degree but among most parents, work performance was not affected (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The mental health of people in a country outside of war can also be significantly affected by war and its news. The students representing the younger generation were following war news frequently and were the worst affected generation. Thus, these findings highlight the importance of mental health screening and early intervention in populations not directly exposed to war but affected through media consumption, particularly across different generations.

PMID:40611353 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-03032-0

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Jul 3;17(1):179. doi: 10.1186/s13102-024-01021-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Identifying the determinants of physical (in)activity behaviour among people with spinal cord injury (PWSCI) will aid the prediction of speed and extent of recovery and inform strategies to optimise physical activity participation during physical rehabilitation. This review examined the association between socio-demographics, injury factors, and physical activity in PWSCI.

METHODS: The Preferred Items for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) provided the structure for this review. The epidemiological triangle and Bradford criteria further informed the review, as well as Rothman’s causality model and Nweke’s viewpoints. The review outcomes included injury factors and socio-demographic (intrinsic and extrinsic) factors associated with physical (in)activity in PWSCI. We searched four databases: PubMed, Medline, the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINHAL) and Academic Search Complete. The review used predefined eligibility criteria and a data screening and extraction template. The first author verified the extracted data. We employed narrative and quantitative syntheses and used a comprehensive Meta-analysis 4 to answer the review question.

RESULTS: We retrieved 4,129 articles, of which 16 (nine cross-sectional studies, six cohorts and one non-randomised clinical trial) with 2,716 participants were eligible. The mean age of participants in the included studies was 45 years, and about 14% were female. Physical (in) activity was statistically significantly associated with income (OR = 1.58, CI 1.23-2.04), completeness of lesion (OR = 0.86 CI 0.82-0.90), and mobility aid (3.12, CI 1.57-6.19). No statistically significant association existed between physical (in) activity and age (OR = 1.09, CI 0.46-2.58), sex (OR = 0.66, CI 0.43-1.03), education (OR = 0.66, CI 0.42-1.06), time since injury (OR = 0,971, CI 0,749-1,26), vertebral level of the lesion (OR = 0.92, CI 0.71-1.11), or mechanism of injury (OR = 1.48, CI 0.74-2.97) among PWSCI.

CONCLUSIONS: Efforts to optimise physical activity participation among PWSCI should consider the completeness of injury, income and type of mobility aid during rehabilitation programs. Factors such as employment status, residence, and type of house were less underscoring, and most studies needed more robust conceptual and theoretical underpinnings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The review was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42024544295).

PMID:40611335 | DOI:10.1186/s13102-024-01021-1

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Jul 3;30(1):566. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-02835-6.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to characterize the plasma lipidomic profile of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), identify lipid species with potential diagnostic utility, and explore their associations with clinical parameters to inform future biomarker development and mechanistic understanding.

METHODS: In a case-control study, 50 newly diagnosed PTB patients and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HC) were enrolled between April and June 2021. Plasma samples were analyzed using LC-MS/MS-based lipidomics. Multivariate modeling and univariate statistical analyses were performed to identify differential lipid species. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves evaluated diagnostic performance, and correlation analyses assessed associations with clinical indicators.

RESULTS: A total of 633 lipid species were profiled, with 61 showing significant differential expression between PTB and HC groups. When compared with controls, PTB patients exhibited significantly lower plasma levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL (all P < 0.05), as well as reduced triacylglycerol (TAG), ceramide (CER), and hexosylceramide (HCER). In contrast, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC) levels were elevated in PTB. ROC analysis identified several lipid species-particularly CER(24:0) H, HCER(d18:0/22:0) H, and PE(18:1/18:1)-with strong discriminative power (AUC > 0.75). Correlation analysis revealed weak-to-moderate associations of select lipids with age and glucose, but minimal or no correlation with BMI, sex, or smoking, indicating that lipidomic alterations are primarily disease-driven.

CONCLUSION: PTB patients display a distinct plasma lipidomic signature, marked by disrupted glycerolipid and sphingolipid metabolism. These findings support the diagnostic value of lipidomic profiling and provide insights into PTB-associated metabolic disturbances, laying a foundation for future biomarker validation and therapeutic exploration.

PMID:40611333 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-025-02835-6

Infect Dis Poverty. 2025 Jul 3;14(1):59. doi: 10.1186/s40249-025-01319-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Seasonal patterns of mycobacterial infections affecting humans and animals remain a complex and understudied aspect of infectious disease dynamics. These intra-annual patterns are increasingly relevant in the context of global climate change, which may influence the timing and geographic spread of these diseases. A better understanding of such patterns could improve surveillance, prevention, and control strategies.

METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods bibliometric review combining bibliographic searches and scoping analysis to synthesize decades of research on the seasonality of mycobacterial infections in humans and animals. We systematically searched three major scientific databases-Scopus, PubMed-MEDLINE, and Web of Science-for articles published between 1971 and April 2023. From an initial dataset of 1830 unique articles, we identified and analysed 122 studies that met predefined inclusion criteria. We extracted information on pathogen type, statistical methods, geographic location, and host species. In addition, we conducted a co-citation network analysis to identify key methodological influences and research clusters.

RESULTS: The retained studies encompassed tuberculosis, Buruli ulcer, bovine tuberculosis, and other mycobacterial diseases such as leprosy and Johne’s disease. Most articles focused on tuberculosis in humans, followed by Buruli ulcer caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans. There was a marked increase in studies on seasonal trends in tuberculosis and Buruli ulcer over time, with notable variation in geographic and methodological coverage. Research was heavily concentrated in the northern hemisphere, especially in China, while southern regions remained underrepresented. Advanced statistical tools, including generalized linear models and time-series analyses, were instrumental in detecting seasonality, particularly for tuberculosis and Buruli ulcer.

CONCLUSION: Seasonality appears to be a common yet understudied feature of many mycobacterial infections. Greater interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of appropriate analytical tools are essential to better understand these patterns, especially in underrepresented regions. Addressing methodological and geographic gaps will be crucial to improve responses to these diseases in a changing global environment.

PMID:40611319 | DOI:10.1186/s40249-025-01319-3

Lipids Health Dis. 2025 Jul 3;24(1):229. doi: 10.1186/s12944-025-02647-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dyslipidemia has been extensively documented as a key driver of cardiovascular pathology. Regulating lipid homeostasis holds promise for treating atherosclerosis (AS). Although the protein phosphatase 2 catalytic subunit beta (PPP2CB) is involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation, its role in AS-associated dyslipidemia is not well understood.

METHODS: The study included both human participants and animal models. The following techniques were employed: cell culture, extraction of exosomes, preparation of pooled hyperlipidemic serum (HS), transfection, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), co-immunoprecipitation, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) uptake assay, biochemical assays, assessment of aortic atherosclerotic lesions, as well as statistical analysis.

RESULTS: This study identified a marked upregulation of PPP2CB expression in peripheral blood leukocytes of AS patients, artery plaque of ApoE^-/- mice given a high-fat diet, and hepatic cells exposed to hyperlipidemic stimuli. Overexpression of PPP2CB in hepatic cells exacerbated lipid accumulation and low-density lipoprotein uptake, whereas silencing PPP2CB mitigated this effect. Immunofluorescence co-localization and co-immunoprecipitation analysis confirmed a direct interaction between PPP2CB and lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1). Notably, PPP2CB manipulation disrupted hyperlipidemia-induced LOX-1 expression. Additionally, PPP2CB-mediated lipid dysregulation was linked to the activation of the LOX-1/ mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/ extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling cascade.

CONCLUSIONS: These results unveil PPP2CB as a novel lipid regulator in the progression of pathological AS and highlight its involvement in signaling regulation during abnormal lipid metabolism. PPP2CB could be considered a promising candidate for biomarker development and therapeutic intervention in AS.

PMID:40611318 | DOI:10.1186/s12944-025-02647-x

BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil. 2025 Jul 3;17(1):177. doi: 10.1186/s13102-025-01208-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study investigated how prolonged high-intensity physical training influences bite force and masseter muscle thickness, which are key indicators of adaptation in the masticatory system. Understanding the relationship between these variables may provide insights into occlusal function and performance optimization in professional athletes.

METHODS: Thirty-four male wrestlers (Pro: 13; Npro: 21; age: 26.7 ± 9.3 years) participated in this comparative cross-sectional study. Bite force was assessed using pressure-sensitive films, and masseter muscle thickness was measured via ultrasonography. Group comparisons and asymmetry analyses were conducted using appropriate statistical methods.

RESULTS: Professional athletes exhibited significantly greater bite force (1071.7 ± 380.2 N) than non-professionals (856.9 ± 363.1 N, p = 0.032). Masseter muscle thickness was also higher in professionals (15.6 ± 1.5 mm right, 15.9 ± 1.4 mm left) than in non-professionals (13.6 ± 1.3 mm right, 13.8 ± 1.2 mm left, p < 0.01). Bite force asymmetry was more pronounced in professionals (70.1 ± 29.3 N vs. 43.1 ± 21.8 N, p = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that high-intensity training is associated with distinct neuromuscular adaptations in the masticatory system. Such adaptations may affect oral stability, occlusal performance, and temporomandibular joint health. The results underscore the need for individualized strategies to optimize performance and prevent occlusal imbalances in athletes engaged in intense training.

PMID:40611313 | DOI:10.1186/s13102-025-01208-0

Arch Public Health. 2025 Jul 3;83(1):176. doi: 10.1186/s13690-025-01623-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Globally, health insurance is viewed as a viable health financing option for improving access to healthcare. In Tanzania, as in other countries, it is actively promoted to enhance service accessibility. However, there are limited empirical studies on the association between having health insurance and women visiting health facilities. The available studies covered small areas and used small sample size. This study aimed to determine the relationship between health insurance status and utilisation of healthcare among women aged 15-49 using Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS).

METHODOLOGY: This study analysed secondary data of 15,254 women drawn from the 2022 (TDHS). The survey is conducted after every five years by the National Bureau of Statistics. The dependent variable was healthcare utilisation status and the key independent variable was health insurance status of a woman. The analysis took into account for complex sampling design. The analysis involved descriptive analysis to get frequency and percentage distribution of respondents. Bivariable analysis and multivariable logistic regression were conducted to assess the magnitude of association between dependent and independent variables. A cut-off point of p-value < 0.05 was used to determine the significant level of statistical significance.

RESULTS: The prevalence of healthcare utilisation among Tanzanian women was 53%. After controlling for other covariates, women who were covered by health insurance had 1.37 times higher odds of healthcare utilisation compared to those who were not covered by health insurance (AoR:1.37, 95% CI: 1.14, 1.65), women aged 25-34 years had 1.38 times higher odds of healthcare utilisation compared to those who were aged 15-24 years (AoR:1.38, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.54). Women who were in union had 2 times higher odds of healthcare utilisation compared to those who were not in union (AoR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.88, 2.35). Women who were working had 1.71 times higher odds of utilising healthcare services compared to those who were not working (AoR: 1.71, 95% CI: 1.56, 1.88). Women who watched or listened to mass media at least once a week had 1.37 times higher the odds of healthcare utilisation compared to those who did not watch or listen to mass media at all (AoR:1.37, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.56). However, place of residence was not a significant factor.

CONCLUSION: The present study shows a statistically significant association between being insured and the utilisation of healthcare services among women aged 15-49 years. This indicates that insurance status helps women utilise healthcare services in Tanzania. The findings from this study also highlighted demographic factors including age, marital union, working, and use of mass media as important factors influencing utilisation of healthcare among women. It is imperative to educate the community on the importance of health insurance so that more women can enroll in health insurance schemes, including the improved Community Health Fund (iCHF), the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), and private health insurance schemes, thereby breaking financial barriers to healthcare utilisation.

PMID:40611298 | DOI:10.1186/s13690-025-01623-2