Tag: pubmed

Clin Rheumatol. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.1007/s10067-026-08213-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Humans are concurrently exposed to a variety of environmental endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which include such widespread substances like urinary perchlorates, nitrates, thiocyanates, and serum per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The vast majority of the previous studies were devoted to individual chemicals or certain groups of chemicals, but the impact of co-exposure to mixtures of EDCs was also not thoroughly studied. The objective of this study is to identify the relationship between these EDC mixtures and prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on NHANES database.

METHODS: We used three types of regression models with individual chemical effects, weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) in 2005-2012 to analyze results of individuals aged ≥ 20 years. Age and gender subgroup analyses were also done.

RESULTS: A total of 4219 patients were analyzed, and 215 (5.10%) of them had RA. Multivariate logistic regression demonstrated that there was a significant relationship between thiocyanate (as a continuous variable) and the prevalence of RA. The upper quartile of perchlorate, nitrate as well as thiocyanate and MPAH showed correlation with elevated prevalence of RA. The effects of specific chemicals were stronger among the older subjects and females. WQS and BKMR models showed a positive association between co-exposure to these chemicals and RA, with thiocyanate as the primary contributor. These associations were especially strong in young adults and females.

CONCLUSION: This study provides the first evidence that co-exposure to a mixture of EDCs is positively correlated with RA, with a stronger effect in young adults and females. Thiocyanate is identified as a key contributor. Limiting exposure to EDCs may be beneficial for potentially reducing RA risk. Key Points • We assessed the association between a mixture of ten chemicals and the risk of incidence of RA. • The co-exposure of chemical mixtures were positively associated with RA by WQS and BKMR models. • Thiocyanate was the key contributor in these mixtures. • The associations were more pronounced among young adults and females.

PMID:42258069 | DOI:10.1007/s10067-026-08213-9

Saudi Dent J. 2026 Jun 8;38(6):82. doi: 10.1007/s44445-026-00191-7.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine the associations between oral microbiome diversity and genus composition with the Zhejiang University Index (ZJU Index) and clinical biomarkers.

METHODS: We included 2,490 eligible participants from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Oral microbiome diversity was assessed using alpha and beta diversity, and genus-level analyses were based on abundance transformed using the centered log-ratio (CLR) method to account for compositionality. Weighted logistic regression models were used to assess the corresponding associations. Beta diversity disparities were evaluated through Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA).

RESULTS: Alpha diversity metrics were positively correlated with the ZJU Index in males aged 30-44 years (Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity: unadjusted: β = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.006 to 0.094, p = 0.033; Model 1: β = 0.058, 95% CI: 0.011 to 0.104, p = 0.026; Model 2: β = 0.076, 95% CI: 0.032 to 0.120, p = 0.005; Model 3: β = 0.081, 95% CI: 0.035 to 0.128, p = 0.008) and in females aged 60-69 years (Observed ASVs: β = 1.242, 95% CI: 0.345 to 2.139, p = 0.042; Faith’s Phylogenetic Diversity: β = 0.097, 95% CI: 0.025 to 0.168, p = 0.045). Significant differences in beta diversity metrics were observed among ZJU Index-defined subgroups (p < 0.05), confirmed with age- and sex-stratified analyses. Genera including Bulleidia, Senegalimassilia, Fretibacterium, and Hungatella exhibited significant associations with the ZJU Index and with clinical biomarkers (triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), insulin, and testosterone).

CONCLUSIONS: Higher oral microbiome alpha diversity was associated with higher ZJU Index in certain populations. Beta diversity demonstrated that ZJU Index-defined subgroups differed in oral microbial composition. Specific genera were identified to be significantly associated with the ZJU Index and clinical biomarkers.

PMID:42258061 | DOI:10.1007/s44445-026-00191-7

Clin Exp Nephrol. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.1007/s10157-026-02895-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cyclophosphamide (CTX) combined with glucocorticoids and rituximab (RTX) are widely used for idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), but clinical data comparing them in newly diagnosed patients with impaired renal function (eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m²) remain scarce. This study aimed to compare their efficacy, safety, and effects on renal function in this specific population.

METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical University from November 2019 to July 2024, including 113 newly diagnosed IMN patients (55 in the CTX group, 58 in the RTX group) diagnosed by renal biopsy or positive PLA2R antibodies. All patients were treatment-naive and followed for ≥ 6 months.

RESULTS: At 6 months, composite remission rates were 69.09% in the CTX group and 62.07% in the RTX group (P > 0.05). At 12 months, the RTX group showed a numerically higher composite remission rate (83.87% vs. 70.83% in CTX group) without statistical significance (P = 0.186). By 18 months, both groups reached 73.68% composite remission (P = 1.000). In the subgroup with eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73 m², RTX significantly improved renal function at 6 months (P = 0.008), while CTX showed no significant improvement (P = 0.113); however, no intergroup difference in eGFR was observed (P = 0.793). The CTX group had a higher incidence of non-serious adverse events, including leukopenia and mild infections (P < 0.05). HypoIgGemia was documented in 5 patients (8.62%) in the RTX group, all mild and asymptomatic.

CONCLUSION: RTX shows comparable efficacy and better safety relative to CTX in this cohort, and may be a preferred option for newly diagnosed untreated IMN, especially in those with early renal impairment. RTX demonstrated comparable efficacy to CTX in newly diagnosed IMN but with superior safety. Notably, RTX showed greater short-term (6-month) renal function improvement in patients with early renal impairment, though long-term effects need further verification in larger-sample prospective studies.

PMID:42258058 | DOI:10.1007/s10157-026-02895-w

Trop Anim Health Prod. 2026 Jun 8;58(5):321. doi: 10.1007/s11250-026-05117-3.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of two probiotic-based dietary formulations, Amnil^®, containing Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, and M-Mobilize^®, composed of yeast extract, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Pediococcus acidilactici, as well as their potential combined effect when administered sequentially (Amnil^® from day 1 to 30, followed by M-Mobilize^® from day 31 to 60), on growth performance, bone health, and meat quality in Muscovy ducks. In total, 120 male Muscovy ducklings (one day old) were randomly allocated to four dietary groups: a control group (G-C) receiving no probiotics; (G-A), provided with Amnil^® at 0.4 kg/ton; (G-M), receiving M-Mobilize^® at 0.5 kg/ton; and (G-A-M), given Amnil^® (0.4 kg/ton) during days 1-30 and M-Mobilize^® (0.5 kg/ton) during days 31-60. The (G-A) group had improved body weight at 14 and 60 days, water-holding capacity % (WHC%), and cooking loss (CL) of thigh muscle (P < 0.05) compared to G-C. Furthermore, the G-A-M probiotic program increased tibial phosphorus concentration and thigh muscle weight (P < 0.05) compared to the control group (G-C). All probiotic-treated groups had increased tibial calcium concentrations and medial and lateral wall thickness but decrease gait score (2) (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The G-M birds had increased tibial length, thigh muscle color, and sensory parameters (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The G-A and G-M birds had an increased diameter of the tibial medullary canal and their ability to walk, but decreased tibiotarsal index (P < 0.05) compared to the control birds. There were no statistical treatment effects on the latency to lie test, foot pad dermatitis, hock burn, or thigh muscle pH (P > 0.05). The use of probiotics as dietary supplements may offer an effective nutritional strategy to improve productivity, welfare, and meat quality in Muscovy ducks.

PMID:42258054 | DOI:10.1007/s11250-026-05117-3

Behav Res Methods. 2026 Jun 8;58(7):189. doi: 10.3758/s13428-026-03053-6.

ABSTRACT

When modeling psychological processes and relationships, intrinsically nonlinear models often enhance researchers’ ability to draw useful theoretical and substantive conclusions. In addition, psychological theories frequently suggest that such processes and relationships are moderated; therefore, it is often important to test for, probe, and plot moderation. However, extant methods for assessing and visualizing moderation are largely restricted to linear models. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to develop novel analytical and software tools that enable researchers to specify and examine moderated parameters within intrinsically nonlinear models. First, methods for testing, plotting, and probing moderation are expanded in novel ways for use in nonlinear models; specifically, we present conceptual and mathematical extensions of the Johnson-Neyman (JN) technique. The JN technique is currently used to probe moderation of simple slopes within the linear modeling framework; our extensions enable its application to any moderated parameter of an intrinsically nonlinear model. Additionally, we introduce a Shiny application called CurveBuilder, which unifies the process of choosing, specifying, fitting, and visualizing intrinsically nonlinear models that may include moderated parameters and/or random effects. The application provides a code-free environment for users to complete all steps of the analysis process, including uploading data, visually choosing start values, specifying models, plotting results, and probing moderation with the extended JN technique. CurveBuilder examples are reviewed, and opportunities for future work in this area are discussed.

PMID:42258021 | DOI:10.3758/s13428-026-03053-6

J Comput Aided Mol Des. 2026 Jun 8;40(1):143. doi: 10.1007/s10822-026-00854-x.

ABSTRACT

Aqueous solubility is an important property for assessing the druggability and ecotoxicological effects of molecules. Successful drug candidates should have optimal aqueous solubility to improve bioavailability to target tissues. To effectively screen molecules in a short period of time, reliable predictive models are highly useful. In the present study, we conducted a round-robin exercise using a large, curated dataset of over 6000 compounds to predict aqueous solubility quantitatively. The six participating groups used an array of Machine Learning and Deep Learning algorithms to develop models with strong robustness and external predictive performance. All the models underwent rigorous Leave-One-Out and tenfold cross-validation. The diversity of training sets and descriptor types used by different groups paved the way for exploring the mechanistic basis for the efficient identification of contributing features. The best-performing model was selected using the statistical Sum of Ranking Differences (SRD) approach, considering the performances on training, cross-validation, and test, as well as the performance difference between the training and test sets. Additionally, a curated, true external set was screened by the six different models. Here, the best-performing model was selected using a consensus ranking strategy based on Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE), and [Formula: see text]. In both approaches, i.e., the inherent model performance in terms of training, test, and cross-validation statistics, and the ability of the model to efficiently predict true external data, the Stacking Ensemble of Deep q-RASPR models emerged as the winner. This model showed comparable predictive performance to the previously reported model, which apparently lacked a proper data curation workflow and contained a significant number of duplicates and mixtures in its dataset, which can inflate model statistics. The insights from the different feature contributions from the different groups identified the useful structural and physicochemical aspects, which can help synthetic chemists to optimize molecules.

PMID:42258020 | DOI:10.1007/s10822-026-00854-x

Mediators Inflamm. 2026;2026(1):e7921309. doi: 10.1155/mi/7921309.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) who have previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) represent a complex, high-risk population characterized by a substantial burden of atherosclerosis and a marked propensity for recurrent ischemic events. The pathophysiological interplay between systemic inflammation and insulin resistance serves as a key mediator driving the progression of atherosclerosis and the destabilization of atherosclerotic plaques. However, the prognostic impact of their combined effect, quantified by a novel composite biomarker-the C-reactive protein-triglyceride glucose index (CTI)-remains uncertain in this specific high-risk population.

METHODS: We enrolled 1195 ACS patients with prior CABG who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The CTI was calculated as 0.412 × ln (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [mg/L]) + ln (fasting triglycerides [mg/dL] × fasting blood glucose [mg/dL]/2). Patients were divided into three groups based on their CTI tertiles. The primary endpoint was defined as the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE), which encompassed all-cause death, nonfatal stroke, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and unplanned revascularization.

RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 3 years, 366 patients experienced MACCE. The incidence of MACCE progressively increased across CTI tertiles (log-rank p < 0.001). In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards model adjusted for the GRACE (Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events) risk score and a comprehensive panel of clinical, procedural, and laboratory confounders, the highest CTI tertile remained an independent predictor of MACCE (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 3.864, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.710-5.511, p < 0.001). When CTI was analyzed as a continuous variable, each unit increase was found to confer an 80.1% greater risk of MACCE (adjusted HR: 1.801, 95% CI: 1.556-2.085, p < 0.001). This association remained consistent across all predefined subgroups. Adding CTI tertiles to the baseline model-which encompassed the GRACE risk score and other confounders-yielded a modest but statistically significant improvement in predictive performance (C-statistic increased from 0.605 to 0.655, p < 0.001; continuous net reclassification improvement [cNRI]: 0.740, p = 0.032; integrated discrimination improvement [IDI]: 0.145, p = 0.020).

CONCLUSIONS: The CTI-a composite biomarker that captures both systemic inflammation and insulin resistance-emerged as a significant and independent predictor of long-term MACCE in ACS patients with prior CABG who underwent PCI. Its integration into risk stratification models may improve prognostic assessment and potentially facilitate more personalized and intensive secondary prevention strategies.

PMID:42253126 | DOI:10.1155/mi/7921309

ANZ J Surg. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.1111/ans.70782. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: There is conflicting data in the literature regarding the optimal timing of curative surgery in incidental gallbladder cancer (IGBC). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the timing of surgery in IGBC on disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS).

METHODS: Data of all patients of IGBC who underwent completion radical cholecystectomy from January 2012 to December 2022 was retrieved from a prospectively maintained electronic database. Patients were divided into two groups based on the interval between the cholecystectomy and completion radical cholecystectomy: early (≤ 4 weeks) and late (> 4 weeks). The groups were compared using appropriate statistical methods.

RESULTS: There were 44 and 47 patients in early and late groups respectively. Both groups were comparable in all demographic, preoperative, operative, postoperative, and histopathological characteristics. At a median follow-up of 36 months, median DFS and OS were not reached. There was no difference in early and late groups in mean DFS (41 vs. 43 months) and OS (47 vs. 46 months).

CONCLUSION: Timing of curative surgery did not have any impact on intraoperative blood loss, duration of surgery, hospital stay, complication rates, and lymph node retrieval. Early surgery was associated with better adjuvant therapy completion rates (95% vs. 77%, p = 0.04). Mean DFS and OS were similar in both groups. So timing of surgery in IGBC did not have any impact on short term and long term outcomes.

PMID:42253122 | DOI:10.1111/ans.70782

ACS Nano. 2026 Jun 8. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.6c01127. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Precise control over the photonic bandgap in Blue Phase Liquid Crystals (BPLCs) remains challenging due to the inherent limitations of existing tuning methods. Here, we present a 2-fold approach that synergistically combines internal and external effectors to enable controlled, fine modulation of the photonic bandgap across a wide spectral range of 200 nm. Internally, nanoparticles (NPs) embedded within the BPLC lattice enhance the thermal stability of the blue phase and reduce the cubic unit cell size, thereby shifting the reflection bandgap toward shorter wavelengths. Externally, the chemical structure of homogeneous alignment layers (ALs) affects the spectral position of the Bragg reflection. By systematically varying four ALs and three NP doping levels (0, 0.5, and 2 wt %), a cooperative influence of both effectors on spectral tuning is observed. These interactions are qualitatively explained by contact-angle measurements and chemical interactions at the LC-AL and LC-NP interfaces. Kossel diagram analysis, together with a factor based on the total tuning range and associated statistical descriptors, is used to confirm and quantify Bragg wavelength shifts. The results demonstrate that combined internal and external control provides an effective strategy for adjusting the optical response and thermal behavior of BPLCs, supporting their application in photonic devices.

PMID:42253115 | DOI:10.1021/acsnano.6c01127

J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2026 Jun 8:10926429261458126. doi: 10.1177/10926429261458126. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Periarterial divestment has emerged as an artery-preserving alternative to formal arterial resection for borderline resectable and locally advanced pancreatic cancer. However, the available evidence remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the perioperative and oncologic outcomes of periarterial divestment in pancreatic cancer.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register to identify studies’ data published up to March 2026. Continuous outcomes were pooled as means with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and binary outcomes were pooled as proportions using random-effects models. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic and the Cochrane Q test. Sensitivity analyses were performed using leave-one-out methods. All analyses were conducted in R version 4.4.2.

RESULTS: Five retrospective observational studies comprising 474 patients were included, of whom 92.8% had locally advanced pancreatic cancer and 64.8% received neoadjuvant therapy. The pooled operative time was 333.0 minutes (95% CI: 232.6-433.4; I² = 99%), estimated blood loss was 620.6 mL (95% CI: 292.4-948.7; I² = 97%), and length of hospital stay was 12.4 days (95% CI: 9.1-15.6; I² = 99%). The pooled incidence of intraabdominal infection, postoperative pancreatic fistula, postpancreatectomy hemorrhage, delayed gastric emptying, reoperation, major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ III), and 90-day mortality was 10.57%, 8.72%, 8.56%, 14.13%, 3.36%, 11.27%, and 4.18%, respectively. The pooled rates of venous resection, arterial resection, and R0 resection were 36.18%, 3.56%, and 43.33%, respectively. The pooled 1-year and 3-year disease-free survival rates were 50.42% and 17.77%, respectively, while the corresponding overall survival rates were 75.99% and 29.11%.

CONCLUSION: Periarterial divestment has been applied in selected patients, with reported perioperative and oncologic outcomes across studies. However, the current evidence remains descriptive and does not allow comparative inference.

PMID:42253112 | DOI:10.1177/10926429261458126