Tag: pubmed

Physiother Theory Pract. 2025 Oct 27:1-12. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2025.2575073. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The estrogen reduction caused by endocrine therapy can lead to symptoms associated with pelvic floor dysfunction in patients with breast cancer. Identifying medication-related symptoms can help prevent or mitigate adverse effects.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare pelvic floor muscle function among women treated with tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and cancer-free controls.

METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study comparing three groups of women: tamoxifen users, aromatase inhibitor users, and healthy controls. Pelvic floor muscle function was assessed through vaginal inspection and palpation. Symptoms of dysfunction and vaginal complaints were evaluated through the Pelvic Floor Bother Questionnaire and Incontinence Questionnaire Vaginal Symptoms Module. Descriptive statistics included frequencies and medians. Group comparisons used Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U tests. Associations were assessed via odds ratios, Chi-square, Phi coefficient, and Spearman’s correlation. Multiple correspondence analysis, multiple linear regression, and binary logistic regression were also performed.

RESULTS: Ninety-three women were included – 31 in each group. A significantly higher prevalence of descended perineum was observed in the aromatase inhibitors group compared to the tamoxifen and control groups (12.9% vs 0% vs 0% respectively, p = .034). The prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse was higher in the groups on endocrine therapy (IA 19.4%, TAM 16.1%, control 0%, p = .037). The remaining pelvic floor muscle functions and dysfunctions were similar between the groups, as was the associated bother.

CONCLUSION: Women treated with endocrine therapy showed a higher prevalence of pelvic organ prolapse, with a descended perineum observed in the aromatase inhibitor group.

PMID:41143489 | DOI:10.1080/09593985.2025.2575073

Platelets. 2025 Dec;36(1):2572982. doi: 10.1080/09537104.2025.2572982. Epub 2025 Oct 27.

ABSTRACT

Platelets are increasingly recognized as key players not only in hemostasis, but also in immunity and inflammation. However, the mechanisms and markers underlying their activation remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to decipher how platelets respond to different stimuli and to identify specific molecular signatures using computational approaches. Platelets from 10 healthy donors were stimulated under seven conditions, including TRAP (PAR-1), AYPGKF (PAR-4), ADP, collagen, sCD40L, fibrinogen, and a control. A total of 47 markers-encompassing membrane proteins, soluble mediators, and intracellular signals-were analyzed. Statistical and machine learning methods, including hierarchical clustering and random forest algorithms, were used to classify and interpret the data. Distinct activation profiles emerged for each agonist. A reduced panel of six markers (AKT, CD40L, CD62P, PKC, RANTES, and TSLP) enabled identification of the stimulus with 86.8% accuracy. Machine learning further improved classification (87.9% multiclass accuracy). Differences were also observed across donors, highlighting inter-individual variability. This work supports a new paradigm in which platelets act as “biological sensors,” fine-tuning their responses to environmental cues. The identified biomarker panel provides a basis for further investigation into the characterization of platelet activation profiles, with potential relevance for future diagnostic and therapeutic applications in thromboinflammatory and immune-mediated conditions.

PMID:41143469 | DOI:10.1080/09537104.2025.2572982

JMIR Res Protoc. 2025 Oct 27;14:e76668. doi: 10.2196/76668.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Many mental health professionals face work-related stress due to high job demands, limited control, and inadequate institutional support. Connected mental health (CMH) technologies such as mobile apps and teletherapy platforms are increasingly being proposed as tools to alleviate these job demands. However, their actual influence on clinicians’ work environments-here understood as the organizational, social, and psychological conditions that shape their workload, job demands, autonomy, and overall well-being-remains underexplored. Existing reviews have primarily focused on traditional organizational interventions, leaving a critical gap in understanding how CMH technologies specifically influence the work environment of mental health clinicians.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic literature review aims to identify and summarize knowledge about the impact of CMH on the work environment of mental health clinicians.

METHODS: A systematic literature review will be performed. The review follows PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines and has been registered in PROSPERO on April 23, 2025. A comprehensive search strategy was developed using the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome (PICO) framework in collaboration with an academic librarian. Studies will be sourced from the PubMed, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, and ACM Digital Library databases. Inclusion criteria are limited to empirical studies involving mental health clinicians using CMH tools, where outcomes explicitly relate to the work environment (eg, job demands, workload, autonomy, stress, or well-being). Eligible studies must be published in English. Data extraction will include publication trends, study methods, and types of CMH technologies. Additionally, the extraction will capture the study results, including qualitative and quantitative findings, along with the measurement instruments used. Two reviewers will independently select articles for review and extract data. Conflicts will be discussed, and a third reviewer will be consulted if a consensus cannot be reached. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis (via NVivo) will be used to synthesize the findings.

RESULTS: This systematic literature review seeks to explore and synthesize existing research on how CMH technologies affect clinicians’ work environments and is expected to be completed by December 2025.

CONCLUSIONS: This review will offer a comprehensive overview of how CMH technologies affect the professional work environment of clinicians.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD420251018685; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251018685.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): PRR1-10.2196/76668.

PMID:41143459 | DOI:10.2196/76668

Turk J Ophthalmol. 2025 Oct 27;55(5):296-297. doi: 10.4274/tjo.galenos.2025.27715.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41143456 | DOI:10.4274/tjo.galenos.2025.27715

ACS Nano. 2025 Oct 27. doi: 10.1021/acsnano.5c15982. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fivefold twinned noble-metal nanocrystals (NCs), particularly decahedral (Dh) structures, are of significant interest owing to their crystallographic structures and physicochemical properties. However, the precise and high-yield synthesis of Dh NCs remains a challenge, as they can adopt multiple shapes (e.g., star, Marks, pentagonal rod, Ino, and regular Dh) with comparable formation energies. In this study, we used in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM) to directly visualize the growth and shape evolution of gold Dh by systematically tuning experimental parameters including electron dose rate, precursor concentration, and ligand additives. By modulating the relative growth rates along the vertices (${\overline{v}}_v$) and the twin boundaries (${\overline{v}}_t$) of 5-fold twinned seeds, we achieve controllable structural transformation between star and regular Dh. Furthermore, the introduction of different surfactants leads to the structural transformation from Dh to a truncated or elongated pentagonal nanorod, respectively. Statistical quantitative analyses reveal a critical size threshold for the shape evolution of Dh, dependent on the growth rate, surfactant type, and concentration. Our study details the structural transformation routes among different Dh shapes, thereby deepening the understanding of their growth and shape evolution mechanisms.

PMID:41143442 | DOI:10.1021/acsnano.5c15982

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2025 Oct 1;32(4):439-446. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_96_25. Epub 2025 Oct 27.

ABSTRACT

Adolescents and young women in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) face disproportionately high rates of HIV infection and unintended pregnancy. As Internet access accelerates across SSA, its implications for adolescent sexual health demand urgent scrutiny. This correspondence examines the association between Internet use and risky sexual behaviours (RSBs) amongst 5920 unmarried, sexually active females aged 15-34, using Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data from nine countries: Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Rwanda and Tanzania. Data analysis employed logistic regression methods using R version 4.4.2. The prevalence of RSB was higher amongst Internet users (46.2% vs. 35.7%). It was as high as 72.2% in Lesotho, as low as 21% in Ghana. Internet users were 26% (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.09-1.45]) more likely to engage in RSBs. Additional drivers included age, media exposure, non-marital fertility, residence and country-specific factors. Relative to Kenya, elevated odds were found in Lesotho (aOR = 2.54, 95% CI = [1.88-3.46]), Burkina Faso (aOR = 2.13, 95% CI = [1.61-2.81]), Mozambique (aOR = 1.64 [1.26-2.13]) and Rwanda (aOR = 1.90, 95% CI = [1.35-2.70]). While digital platforms hold promise for expanding sexual education, these findings underscore the need for targeted content oversight and culturally responsive interventions to mitigate online health risks.

PMID:41143382 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_96_25

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2025 Oct 1;32(4):383-391. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_303_24. Epub 2025 Oct 27.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic negatively disrupted health and education systems in Nigeria, especially clinical education, which requires hands-on training and physical assessment of patients. As a result of this peculiarity, an innovative Virtual model to TRain and Assess Clinical Students (VTRACS), a learner centred approach for teaching clinical healthcare professionals acceptability of this virtual reality (VR) model for clinical students’ training and examination, based on limited budget and cost, was developed to mirror a real-life in-class simulation.

AIMS: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, appropriateness and acceptability of this virtual model for clinical students’ training and examination.

METHODS: A mixed-methods research design was employed using both descriptive quantitative data and in-depth interviews. The participants comprised 24 students from dentistry, nursing, medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology programmes and eight faculty members at a public University in Southwest Nigeria. All the participants were exposed to VTRACS for training and assessment.

RESULTS: The results showed a high level of feasibility (72%), appropriateness (85%) and acceptability (84%) for the virtual model. The findings from the qualitative data revealed varied views on the implementation of the virtual model for the training and assessment of clinical students. While a vast majority of the participants judged the intervention as effective in teaching and assessment, others expressed some challenges, including possible loss of empathy for patients, less effectiveness for complicated operations and unsuitability for some specific clinical examinations.

CONCLUSION: This study concluded that the model should be integrated and combined with physical training and assessment to optimise the benefits of Virtual Reality (VR) in medical education.

PMID:41143374 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_303_24

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2025 Oct 1;32(4):376-382. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_148_25. Epub 2025 Oct 27.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cognitive impairment is a growing public health challenge for older adults in nations like India due to demographic changes and chronic diseases, significantly impacting daily function. Despite its importance, there is limited research in quantifying the burden of cognitive impairment.

AIMS: This study aims to assess the prevalence of cognitive impairment among the elderly in an urban area and to determine the associated factors.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2024 and February 2025 in an urban area of Chengalpattu district, Tamil Nadu. 300 participants aged 60 years and above were selected using two-stage random sampling. Data were collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Katz index of independence of activities of daily living (ADL) and DASS-21 scale. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with cognitive impairment (MoCA score ≤24).

RESULTS: The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 36.67%. Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) was present in 11.67% of participants. Multivariate analysis revealed that engaging in leisure activities was protective against cognitive impairment (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.332). Factors significantly associated with higher odds of cognitive impairment included gait disturbances (AOR 2.872), dependence in ADL (AOR 5.983) and depression (AOR 7.393).

CONCLUSIONS: Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent among the elderly in this urban South Indian community. Promoting leisure activities and addressing modifiable factors such as depression, functional dependence and gait disturbances are important strategies for mitigating cognitive decline in this population.

PMID:41143373 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_148_25

Niger Postgrad Med J. 2025 Oct 1;32(4):290-296. doi: 10.4103/npmj.npmj_152_25. Epub 2025 Oct 27.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Malaria remains a significant global health threat, with Africa bearing the highest burden. Pregnant women in Nigeria are particularly vulnerable due to the country’s high malaria prevalence.

OBJECTIVES: The study examined the knowledge and utilisation of Malaria prevention strategies by pregnant women attending some selected primary health centres (PHCs) in Borno State, Nigeria.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted using a cross-sectional descriptive survey in two local government areas: Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and Jere, in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. Furthermore, Fisher’s formula determined the sample size, and data were collected from 407 pregnant women using a questionnaire recruited through a multistage Sampling. Finally, IBM SPSS version 27 statistical software was used for data analysis.

RESULTS: The mean age ± standard deviation of 26 ± 4.08, and most (80.8%) of pregnant women have good knowledge of malaria prevention. The utilisation of malaria prevention strategies was low, with 79.1% showing an overall poor usage. 60.9% reported using long-lasting insecticide-treated nets, 20.6% had never used larval source management. 54.8% of the respondents were in their second trimester. Knowledge of malaria prevention was associated with the trimester of pregnancy (P = 0.0044), gravidity (P = 0.019) and education (P = 0.001). However, no relationship was found between maternal religion and knowledge of malaria prevention (P = 1.000).

CONCLUSIONS: Although pregnant women are aware of malaria prevention methods, there is a gap in their effective utilisation. To address this, targeted health education, intersectoral collaboration and supportive monitoring at PHC and community levels are recommended.

PMID:41143361 | DOI:10.4103/npmj.npmj_152_25

Data Brief. 2025 Sep 5;62:112030. doi: 10.1016/j.dib.2025.112030. eCollection 2025 Oct.

ABSTRACT

Parthenium hysterophorus (Famine weed) is considered one of the top seven most problematic and devastating weeds in the world. It compromises the integrity of ecosystems, human health, agricultural production and biodiversity. For example, the species releases toxic chemicals such phenolics and lactones which inhibit germination and growth of co-occurring species, leading to declines in pasture production, dry grass biomass and natural habitats and biodiversity. It may also lead to health complications in human populations, declined quality of milk and meat products from cattle and degenerative changes in liver and kidney of sheep and buffalo. Therefore, its early detection and discrimination are critical for facilitating site-specific weed management to avert its adverse impacts. The spectral library datasets that characterize P. hysterophorus spectral properties, critical for its detection, are not available in the public domain. Through this article, we aim to make accessible the first spectral dataset for P. hysterophorus and its co-occurring plant species to the research community to facilitate the development of techniques for effectively identifying and mapping its distribution at various scales, facilitate the development of more robust dimensionality reduction and classification models, and support mapping efforts aiming to scale up to operational analysis with airborne and satellite sensors. The data was collected using the Spectral Evolution spectroradiometer at Ndumo Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. It is made available as Tables (.csv format) containing averaged Raw spectra (per Elementary Sampling Unit [ESU]), pre-processed and multi-sensor resampled data. Moreover, codes are provided in R-Statistical language to replicate the preprocessing and resampling steps. This spectral library dataset for P. hysterophorus is invaluable for aiding early detection and discrimination and evaluating the effectiveness of eradication measures, thus can potentially aid resource allocation and mitigation of severe impacts by the species.

PMID:41143271 | PMC:PMC12545815 | DOI:10.1016/j.dib.2025.112030