Tag: pubmed

BMC Public Health. 2026 Jan 21. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-26092-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: High blood pressure (BP) is becoming increasingly common among young adults, with university students representing a particularly vulnerable group, posing a growing public health challenge worldwide. The study explores the relationship between BMI and demographic characteristics related to elevated BP in this group, the study addresses a critical gap in local data and supports broader efforts to reduce the future burden of hypertension in South Africa.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the association between BMI, demographic data, and elevated BP among university students in South Africa.

METHODS: A cross-sectional research study was conducted with university students. The researchers measured the participants’ anthropometrics and BP and obtained their demographic data. Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with elevated BP whilst descriptive statistics, t-tests and chi-square tests were used to profile the study’s variables.

RESULTS: The prevalence of elevated BP was 46.4%. Elevated BP was more common among males (51.2%) and among students aged 25 years and older (58.9%). There was a significant association between BMI category and elevated BP, with students who were overweight showing an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.98 (95% CI: 1.37-2.87), and students living with obesity showing an adjusted OR of 4.45 (95% CI: 2.73-7.27), compared to those with normal BMI. Additionally, pursuing a postgraduate degree and residing off campus were associated with increased odds of elevated BP. In contrast, being female was associated with lower odds of elevated BP (adjusted OR = 0.22, 95% CI: 0.16-0.31).

CONCLUSION: BMI, gender, educational level, and residence are significant predictors of high BP among university students. Early intervention is necessary to prevent hypertension in students.

PMID:41566312 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-26092-8

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Jan 10;47(1):113-118. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20250623-00430.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To understand the molecular epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of natural scavengers of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in the community population. Methods: From 2010 to 2015, people from the Wuwei Hepatitis B Prevention and Treatment Demonstration Zone were used as the research object to conduct health examinations and follow-up visits. Using the nested case-control study method, 99 HBsAg natural clearancers during the follow-up period were selected as the case group, and 316 HBsAg natural clearancers who did not have HBsAg natural clearance were selected as the control group. Data were collected using questionnaires, serology, and single-nucleotide polymorphism detection. Results: Among the 99 HBsAg natural clearance cases, 45 cases were male (45.45%) and 54 cases were female (54.55%); among the 316 control cases, 156 cases were male (49.37%) and 160 cases were female (50.63%); the genotypes of Notch3 gene rs1043994 loci CC, CT and TT genotypes accounted for 63.64%, 32.95% and 3.41%, respectively, and the frequency in the control group was 77.21%, 21.84% and 0.95%, respectively. The difference in genotype distribution between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.014). The distribution frequencies of the Notch4 gene rs367398 AA, AG, and GG genotypes in the case group were 11.36%, 50.00% and 38.64%, respectively. In the control group, the frequencies were 5.38%, 43.99% and 50.63%, respectively. The genotype distribution difference between the two groups was statistically significant (P=0.043). Analysis of multivariate logistic regression model showed that factors related to the natural clearance of HBsAg include age ≥60 years old (OR=3.14, 95%CI: 1.33-7.41, P=0.009), Notch3 gene rs1043994 locus CT genotype (OR=1.82, 95%CI: 1.06-3.13, P=0.031), and TT genotype (OR=5.58, 95%CI: 1.05-29.59, P=0.044), Notch4 gene rs367398 locus AA genotype (OR=2.89, 95%CI: 1.17-7.13, P=0.021). Conclusion: In a community-based population of HBsAg carriers, individuals aged ≥60 years, those with the Notch3 gene rs1043994 locus (CT, TT) and the Notch4 gene rs367398 locus (AA) were more likely to experience natural clearance of HBsAg.

PMID:41566273 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20250623-00430

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Jan 10;47(1):105-112. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20250722-00514.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To evaluate the performance of blocking the mother to child transmission of HBV in Jiangsu Province, to standardize the practice of blocking the mother to child transmission of HBV. Methods: Five counties (districts) were selected in northern, central and southern Jiangsu; the local data of maternal HBV screening and blocking mother to child transmission of HBV during 2021-2023 were extracted from relevant information systems. Chi-square test, Cochran-Armitage test and Firth’s penalized likelihood logistic regression model were used for statistical analyses. Results: From 2021 to 2023, a total of 63 805 pregnant women were surveyed in HBV screening, the HBsAg positive rate was 4.46%. In the positive women, 18.46% were at high-risk for mother to child transmission of HBV indicated by HBeAg or HBV-DNA levels; the rate of antiviral therapy during pregnancy increased from 33.78% in 2021 to 82.20% in 2023 (P<0.001). In 2 844 HBV-exposed live-born infants, the annual timely injection rates of hepatitis B immune globulin exceeded 98.30% each year (P=0.627), and the annual timely injection rate of hepetitis B vaccine birth dose increased from 95.25% in 2021 to 99.12% in 2023 (P<0.001). The annual post-vaccination serological test rate in HBV-exposed infants increased from 68.83% in 2021 to 92.82% in 2023 (P<0.001). In the post-vaccination serological test of 2 343 children, the annual HBsAb negative rate fell from 18.59% in 2021 to 6.92% in 2023 (P<0.001). Eight cases of blocking failure were identified (0.34%), the blocking failure rate in the pregnant women at high risk was 1.65%. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk for blocking failure was 6.75 times (aOR=6.75,95%CI: 1.46-64.47) higher in high-risk pregnant women who received no antiviral therapy than in those who received antiviral therapy during pregnancy. Conclusions: From 2021 to 2023, the measures of blocking the mother to child transmission of HBV in Jiangsu is effective. Antiviral therapy for pregnant women at high risk is the key determinant of success. In the blocking transmission practice, it is necessary to increase the antiviral treatment rate in pregnant women at high-risk, further standardize the post-vaccination serological test procedures and strengthen the booster vaccination in HBsAb-negative children.

PMID:41566272 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20250722-00514

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Jan 10;47(1):99-104. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20250527-00353.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To investigate the association between sarcopenic obesity (SO) phenotype and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in community-dwelling old adults. Methods: The base line data from Hubei Memory and Aging Cohort Study during 2018-2023 were used in this study. Old adults aged ≥65 years, including those from 4 urban communities in Wuhan and 48 rural villages in Dawu, Hubei Province, were recruited through cluster random sampling. They were divided into four groups: control (without sarcopenia or obesity), obesity only, sarcopenia only, and SO. MCI was diagnosed by using Peterson criteria. The associations of obesity only, sarcopenia only, SO with MCI risk were evaluated by binary logistic regression analysis, then stratified analyses was conducted. Results: A total of 2 738 old adults aged ≥65 years [(72.59±5.36) years] were included in this study, in whom 53.98% were women.The crude prevalence rates of obesity, sarcopenia, and SO were 50.62%, 18.37%, and 10.01%, respectively. The prevalence of MCI was 22.62% in the control, 24.46% in the obesity only, 43.67% in the sarcopenia only, 43.43% in the SO. After adjusting for all variables. The risk for MCI increased by 71% (OR=1.71, 95%CI: 1.24-2.37) in sarcopenia only group and 60% (OR=1.60, 95%CI: 1.18-2.16) in SO group compared with the control. In subgroup analysis, the moderation effect of age and residence were statistically significant (all P interactions <0.05). In the rural old adults, compared with control, obesity only group showed a 28% (OR=0.72, 95%CI: 0.54-0.97) lower risk for MCI, while the sarcopenia only group showed a 53% (OR=1.53, 95%CI: 1.07-2.20). In the urban adults, compared with control, SO group showed a 116% (OR=2.16, 95%CI: 1.11-4.19) higher risk for MCI. Conclusion: Both sarcopenia only and SO are the potential risk factors for MCI in community-dwelling old adults aged ≥65 years with heterogeneity across populations.

PMID:41566271 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20250527-00353

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2026 Jan 21. doi: 10.1186/s12884-026-08642-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Prenatal distress during pregnancy may increase pregnancy complications and negatively affect mother-fetus bonding. Today, mobile health applications play an important role in pregnant women’s search for information and support. This study aims to examine the effects of mobile applications used during pregnancy on prenatal distress level and prenatal attachment.

METHODS: This descriptive and comparative study was conducted between March and June 2025 in an obstetrics outpatient clinic of a university hospital in eastern Turkey. The study included 313 pregnant women who were at or after the 32nd week of pregnancy, graduated from at least primary school, used smartphones, did not have risky or multiple pregnancies, and did not have any diagnosed psychiatric illness. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using the Personal Information Form, Prenatal Attachment Scale (PAS) and Prenatal Distress Scale (PDS) developed by the researcher.

RESULTS: 35.1% of the participants stated that they used pregnancy-related mobile applications. The most preferred application was “Happy Mom” with 42.7% and 80% of the applications had the feature of sending notifications. The mean scores of the total score and sub-dimension scores of the PAS were found to be statistically significantly higher and the mean scores of the total score and sub-dimension scores of the PAS were found to be significantly lower in pregnant women using mobile applications (p < .05).

CONCLUSION: The study shows that the use of mobile applications during pregnancy is associated with higher prenatal attachment levels and lower prenatal distress levels. Mobile applications may support women in adapting to the pregnancy process and in strengthening the mother-fetus bond, although causality cannot be firmly established due to the cross-sectional design of the study.

PMID:41566250 | DOI:10.1186/s12884-026-08642-z

J Feline Med Surg. 2026 Jan 21:1098612X261418859. doi: 10.1177/1098612X261418859. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To report changes in serum creatinine and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) concentrations following treatment of feline hyperthyroidism with anti-thyroid medications and compare these biomarkers at baseline between cats that were and were not azotaemic after treatment.

METHODS: Retrospective study; hyperthyroid cats that were euthyroid (total thyroxine concentration (TT4) 7-40 nmol/L) at 1 month (T1) and/or 2-9 months (T2) following treatment were identified and grouped by renal status defined by serum creatinine concentrations post-treatment. Comparisons were made using non-parametric statistics, and the correlations assessed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Data are presented as median [minimum-maximum].

RESULTS: Nineteen hyperthyroid cats were included. At baseline, TT4 was negatively correlated with serum concentrations of creatinine (rs = -0.73; P<0.001) but not SDMA (rs = -0.42; P=0.074). Serum creatinine concentrations increased significantly at T1 and T2 (137 [97-241] μmol/L and 162 [76-251] μmol/L) compared to baseline (117 [62-216] μmol/L; P=0.003 and P<0.001 respectively), whereas serum SDMA did not change significantly at T1 but did increase by T2 (11 [8-29] μg/dL and 13 [9-24] μg/dL respectively) compared to baseline (12 [7-21] μg/dL; P=0.548 and P=0.039 respectively). There was no significant difference in baseline serum SDMA between cats that were azotaemic after treatment and those that remained non-azotaemic (12 [7-21] μg/dL, n=13 vs. 13 [11-19] μg/dL, n=6; P=0.42).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Serum SDMA concentrations are not helpful in predicting post-treatment azotaemia in initially non-azotaemic hyperthyroid cats treated with anti-thyroid medications, and might be influenced by factors other than glomerular filtration rate in hyperthyroidism.

PMID:41566222 | DOI:10.1177/1098612X261418859

BMC Bioinformatics. 2026 Jan 21. doi: 10.1186/s12859-025-06352-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Accurate acquisition of phenotypic data is critical for cataloguing and utilising genetic variation in cultivated crops, landraces, and their wild relatives. The collection of phenotypic data using handwritten notes often introduces errors which can and should be avoided. Electronic data collection is crucial for ensuring error prevention and data standardisation and thus ensuring high-quality, reliable data.

IMPLEMENTATION: This paper describes the development of GridScore NEXT, a new plant phenotyping application that significantly advances the state of the art for collecting field trial data in plant genetics, pre-breeding and crop improvement research. Building on its predecessor, GridScore, the development of GridScore NEXT was driven by real life, in the field interactions with expert user groups across a number of crops. This iterative design methodology allowed the development and testing of new features. Collaborators from the ‘Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods and Development’ (BOLD) project, focusing on crops including rice, grasspea, and alfalfa, along with barley, potato, vegetable and blueberry teams, provided invaluable insights through training sessions and interviews and in the field use of the application.

RESULTS: Key improvements to GridScore NEXT include enhanced data collection tools, supporting individual plant phenotyping within plots and enabling new data types such as GPS coordinates and image traits. GridScore NEXT provides customisable user defined validation rules to help prevent errors and incorporates barcode scanning for accurate, efficient data capture. The application offers an increased toolbox of data visualizations over its predecessor including heatmaps and statistical box plots, which aid in identifying potential data issues and understanding trial performance in the field. GridScore NEXT is cross-platform and can operate without an internet connection, making it ideal for field use in remote areas. Its adoption has led to standardisation of methods, significant error reduction, and the timely sharing of data, enabling quicker decision-making in pre-breeding and characterisation experiments. GridScore NEXT is available under an open-source (Apache 2.0) licence and freely available to all with no restrictions. It offers self-hosting options for enhanced data security and privacy. GridScore NEXT shows broad applicability across a diverse range of not only plant phenotyping experiments, but any experiment that requires the collection of accurate data.

PMID:41566195 | DOI:10.1186/s12859-025-06352-5

Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2026 Jan 25;29(1):92-97. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn441530-20250415-00160.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To characterize the endoscopic severity distribution and clinical features of diversion colitis (DC) following curative resection for rectal cancer with concurrent ileostomy. Methods: This descriptive observational study enrolled patients who met the following criteria: (1) preoperative histopathological confirmation of primary rectal adenocarcinoma via colonoscopic biopsy; (2) curative rectal cancer surgery (open or laparoscopic) with simultaneous prophylactic loop ileostomy; (3) subsequent ileostomy closure; and (4) complete medical records of 1-month follow-up data after closure. Patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection or had inadequate bowel preparation precluding clear endoscopic mucosal visualization were excluded. Clinical data were retrospectively collected for 173 patients who underwent the aforementioned procedures at Peking University People’s Hospital between January, 2023 and December, 2024. Primary endpoints were the overall incidence of endoscopic DC, its severity distribution (mild, moderate, severe), and specific manifestations (edema, mucosal hemorrhage, and contact bleeding). Secondary endpoints included the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score [range 0-42; no LARS (0-20), minor LARS (21-29), major LARS (30-42)] and bowel function-related symptoms (abdominal pain, mucous stool, rectal bleeding before and after closure, and diarrhea after closure). Results: Among the cohort, 108 patients (62.4%) were male, with a median age of 67 years (IQR 59-73). Endoscopic assessment revealed a 100% overall incidence of DC. Moderate to severe edema was present in 113 patients (65.3%), mucosal hemorrhage in 105 (60.7%), and contact bleeding in 66 (38.2%). Based on DC severity scores, cases were classified as mild in 52 (30.1%), moderate in 72 (41.6%), and severe in 49 (28.3%). Compared to the mild/moderate DC group, the severe DC group had a significantly longer median time to stoma closure [5.7 months (IQR 3.8, 7.7) vs. 4.7 months (IQR 3.7, 5.9); Z=2.335, P=0.020] and higher C-reactive protein levels (P=0.002). The severe DC group also exhibited higher incidences of pre-closure abdominal pain [20.4% (10/49) vs. 8.1% (10/124); χ²=5.234, P=0.022] and post-closure rectal bleeding [18.4% (9/49) vs. 8.1% (10/124); χ²=3.813, P = 0.049]. Furthermore, the severe DC group had a higher median LARS total score [31 (IQR 27, 38) vs. 27 (IQR 15, 34); Z=2.370, P=0.018] and a significantly greater proportion of patients with clustered defecation [59.2% (29/49) vs. 37.1% (46/124); χ²=6.977, P=0.031]. There were no statistically significant in other defecation function related symptoms between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion: DC is an extremely common finding after curative rectal cancer surgery with concurrent ileostomy. Severe DC is associated with a longer interval to stoma closure, elevated inflammatory markers, and inferior postoperative bowel function.

PMID:41566186 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn441530-20250415-00160

Zhonghua Wei Chang Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2026 Jan 25;29(1):76-82. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn441530-20251015-00382.

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study processes and analyzes rectal MRI images of patients with mid-to-low rectal cancer using deep learning technology, and integrates these data with clinical baseline information to construct a fully automated end-to-end prediction model. The model is designed to assist colorectal surgeons in preoperatively assessing surgical difficulty and selecting the optimal surgical approach. Methods: We prospectively collected data from patients with mid-to-low rectal cancer who underwent laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) and had been graded according to the surgical difficulty system recorded in Division of Colorectal Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, between March, 2019 and May, 2025. Inclusion criteria: (1) age 18-75 years; (2) tumor lower edge within 10 cm of the anal verge as measured by rectal MRI; (3) pathologically confirmed rectal adenocarcinoma; (4) complete, accessible preoperative rectal MRI DICOM images; and (5) tumor invasion depth of T1-4aNanyM0. Exclusion criteria: (1) synchronous or metachronous multiple primary colorectal cancer with concurrent surgery; (2) Any surgery other than TME; (3) tumor involvement of surrounding organs requiring combined organ resection; (4) unfitness for laparoscopic surgery (e.g. extensive adhesions from previous abdominal surgery, contraindications to pneumoperitoneum for various reasons, etc.); and (5) Robot-assisted radical resection of rectal cancer. Included patients were divided into training and test datasets, and deep learning techniques (rectal MRI image annotation, image preprocessing, data augmentation, and feature extraction) were used for model construction. Results: A total of 366 patients were included, with 253 males. The median BMI was 24.1 (22.0, 26.6) kg/m², and the median distance from the tumor lower edge to the anal verge was 6.5 (4.7, 7.8) cm. A total of 288 patients received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. Based on intraoperative difficulty grade, patients were divided into the difficult group (199 cases) and the nondifficult group (167 cases). Compared to the nondifficult group, the difficult group showed several statistically significant differences (all P<0.05): higher proportion of males [86.9%(173/199) vs. 47.9%(80/167), χ²=64.813, P<0.001]; higher BMI [25.4 (23.2, 27.6) kg/m² vs. 23.1 (21.2, 25.2) kg/m², Z=-6.082, P<0.001]; and higher proportion of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy [88.9% (177/199) vs. 66.5%(111/167), χ²=27.357, P<0.001]. However, there was no statistically significant differences in the distance from the tumor lower edge to the anal verge between the two groups [6.4 (4.7, 7.9) cm vs. 6.6 (4.7, 7.7) cm, Z=-0.001, P=0.999]. Importantly, our surgical difficulty prediction model achieved an accuracy of 0.729, a precision of 0.684, a specificity of 0.521, a recall of 0.915, an F1-score of 0.782, and an AUC of 0.83. Conclusions: We proposed a prediction model with reasonable accuracy using artificial intelligence that can assist surgeons in determining surgical difficulty and choosing the optimal surgery approach for mid-low rectal cancer.

PMID:41566184 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn441530-20251015-00382

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 2026 Jan 20;106(3):251-257. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20250612-01433.

ABSTRACT

Objective: To compare the clinical features of different treatment strategies between patients with type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ spontaneous extracranial carotid artery dissection (sECD). To investigate the efficacy of different treatment methods. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 181 sECD patients admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between June 2018 and February 2025, of whom 23 had bilateral involvement, resulting in a total of 204 dissected vessels. Based on the Borgess classification, 204 dissected vessels were categorized into 2 groups: type Ⅰ (intact intima, 71 vessels) and type Ⅱ (with an intimal tear, 133 vessels). Patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months, and every 12 months thereafter via outpatient visits or readmission. Demographic data, clinical manifestations, imaging features, treatment regimens, and follow-up data were collected to analyze and compare the incidence of cerebral ischemic events, cerebral hemorrhage, and mortality during hospitalization and follow-up between the 2 groups. To observe the efficacy between surgical and conservative treatments as well. Results: A total of 181 patients aged (50±11) years were included, comprising 139 males and 42 females. Compared with type Ⅱ sECD, type Ⅰ were younger [48 (40, 56) vs 51 (44, 57) years, P=0.043] and had higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores at admission and discharge [2 (0, 5) vs 0 (0, 3) points, P=0.029; and 0 (0, 2) vs 0 (0, 1) points, P=0.026, respectively]. The incidence of ischemic stroke was significantly higher in type Ⅰ sECD [60.6% (43/71) vs 43.6% (58/133), P=0.021]. Type Ⅰ sECD also exhibited a higher proportion of true lumen stenosis >70% [78.9% (56/71) vs 36.8%(49/133), P<0.001]. A total of 67 patients (71 vessels) underwent surgical treatment with a 100.0% (71/71) success rate and no perioperative complications. Among 114 patients (133 vessels) receiving conservative treatment, the cerebral ischemia recurrence rate was 3.7% (2/53) for type Ⅰ and 6.3% (5/80) for type Ⅱ, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). However, the complete and partial healing rates were higher in type I sECD than in type Ⅱ [88.7% (47/53) vs 30.0% (24/80), P<0.001]. Conclusions: Type Ⅰ sECD is more common in younger patients and is associated with a higher risk of severe ischemic stroke, yet it exhibits better healing rates with antithrombotic therapy. Surgical treatment intervention is safe and effective for both types.

PMID:41566170 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20250612-01433