Tag: pubmed

Curr Obes Rep. 2026 Jan 5;15(1):3. doi: 10.1007/s13679-025-00679-z.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: We aimed to summarise recent evidence on age- and sex-specific reference curves for metabolic syndrome (MetS) indicators in paediatric populations.

RECENT FINDINGS: There is a lack of consensus regarding diagnostic thresholds for MetS in children and adolescents, leading to challenges in its early identification and intervention. A systematic search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science and Scopus, covering the period between January 2018 and February 2025. Three researchers evaluated 8,529 studies according to the inclusion criteria. Finally, 46 articles that reported reference values for at least one metabolic indicator: waist circumference, fasting glucose, glycated haemoglobin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic or diastolic blood pressure, in children aged 0 to 18 years were included in the review and data synthesis. The age-specific trends in each MetS indicator were assessed by calculating the median reference curves along with the lower and upper percentile bounds. Overall, there has been a substantial heterogeneity in the reported reference values for waist circumference and glucose metabolism biomarkers. Comparatively smaller variations were observed for blood pressure and lipid parameters. Limited data were available for young age groups (0-4 years) and there have been substantial differences in study methodologies including study design, assays and statistical approaches used to derive reference curves. This systematic review highlighted the substantial inconsistencies in the reported reference curves for MetS indicators in children and adolescents. There is a pressing need for deriving harmonized reference curves for paediatric MetS from diverse populations.

PMID:41489719 | DOI:10.1007/s13679-025-00679-z

Res Health Serv Reg. 2026 Jan 5;5(1):1. doi: 10.1007/s43999-025-00084-y.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to analyse geographic variation in rates of patients and service utilisation for persons with substance use disorders (SUD) across Norwegian hospital catchment areas from 2017 to 2021, considering both outpatient and Inpatient care across substance use diagnosis.

METHOD AND MATERIAL: This registry-based study used data from the Norwegian Patient Registry and Statistics Norway, covering 58,889 unique patients and 121,495 patient-years. Adjusted for age and sex this material yields a national SUD treatment rate of 14.0 per 1,000 over five years, on average 5.8 per year with a declining annual rate from 6.1-5.5. Analyses included diagnoses related to alcohol, opioids, cannabis, and other substances, excluding tobacco and opioid maintenance treatment. Three variation measures-Extreme Quotient (EQ), Coefficient of Variation (CV), and Systematic Component of Variation (SCV)-were used to assess disparities.

RESULTS: Geographic variation in SUD treatment rates ranged from 3.6 to 11.5 per 1,000 inhabitants reaching a threefold difference between areas (EQ = 3.1). We found that SCV values (8.7-23.5) and SCV _5-95 (5.7-14.5) for diagnose groups and service type consistently exceeded the threshold of high and extremely high variation. Procurement of private services increased capacity significantly but did not markedly reduce variation. Variation remained extremely high even when the highest and lowest rates were excluded (SCV 13.8, SCV_5-95 11.3).

CONCLUSION: Patient rates in SUD treatment fell every year between 2017-2021 and the geographic variation was high to extremely high. Treatment of substance use disorders in Norway may require stronger regional governance to reduce unwarranted variation and ensure equitable access to treatment. Substantial reductions in variation can be achieved by i) redistributing capacity among catchment areas, ii) purchasing fewer and shorter Inpatient stays and iii) increasing outpatient treatment. In addition, such means could dramatically increase patient rates. There is a need for more consistent clinical practices and adjusted capacity for treating specific substance diagnoses.

PMID:41489708 | DOI:10.1007/s43999-025-00084-y

Bull Math Biol. 2026 Jan 5;88(2):14. doi: 10.1007/s11538-025-01581-4.

ABSTRACT

Gene expression is inherently stochastic, and transcription initiation is a key source of variability across cells. While classical promoter models often assume linear state transitions, emerging evidence suggests more flexible promoter architectures. Here we introduce a generalized cyclic promoter model and compare it with the standard linear model using exact analytical solutions for initiation-time and nascent RNA distributions. Our results reveal that linear promoters produce only monotonic initiation-time statistics and a limited set of RNA expression patterns, whereas cyclic promoters generate non-monotonic initiation-time distributions and richer RNA profiles, including multimodal cases not achievable with linear architectures. We further show that cyclic promoters consistently buffer variability in initiation timing and RNA output, providing tighter control over transcriptional noise. Within the cyclic model, the number of exit pathways serves as a tunable parameter that shifts distributions from bimodal to unimodal and reduces noise, offering a potential mechanism for balancing robustness with flexibility in gene regulation. This framework highlights promoter topology as a critical determinant of transcriptional heterogeneity, bridges initiation dynamics with RNA-level variability, and generates testable predictions that can guide single-cell experiments probing promoter structure.

PMID:41489699 | DOI:10.1007/s11538-025-01581-4

Pediatr Surg Int. 2026 Jan 5;42(1):61. doi: 10.1007/s00383-025-06290-6.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical efficacy, diagnostic concordance, and recurrence rates of open high ligation versus laparoscopic percutaneous internal ring suturing (PIRS) in adolescent inguinal hernia repair.

METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of 87 adolescent patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair via open high ligation (n = 44) or laparoscopic PIRS (n = 43) between 2012 and 2024 at a single tertiary care center. Demographic data, postoperative complications, recurrence, diagnostic concordance (kappa), and follow-up duration were analyzed.

RESULTS: The median age in both groups was 12 years (range 10-17). Intraoperative diagnostic laparoscopy was performed in 44 patients in the open surgery group to evaluate the contralateral inguinal region, and contralateral hernia was detected and repaired simultaneously in one patient. Diagnostic concordance was perfect in the open group (κ = 0.945) and near-perfect in the PIRS group (κ = 0.885), both statistically significant (p < 0.001). No recurrences were observed in the open group, whereas recurrence occurred in one patient in the laparoscopic group (p = 0.99). The mean follow-up duration was 103.8 months (range 11-150) and 31.7 months (range 4-137) in the open and laparoscopic group, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic PIRS repair in adolescents demonstrated outcomes comparable to open high ligation in terms of recurrence and complication rates.

PMID:41489688 | DOI:10.1007/s00383-025-06290-6

Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 5;185(1):53. doi: 10.1007/s00431-025-06675-8.

ABSTRACT

Acute kidney injury (AKI) in preterm neonates is a serious pathology linked to the neonatal mortality rate. Since there is no comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis in this regard, this study aimed to investigate the global prevalence of AKI in preterm neonates. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using MeSH-based keywords across multiple databases (by August 22, 2025). Eligibility criteria were considered via the PRISMA guideline, and quality assessment was applied using the STROBE checklist. Following data extraction, meta-analysis was applied using CMA (v.3) software. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I² test, publication bias was evaluated via the Egger test and funnel plots, and subgrouping and sensitivity analyses were considered to ensure result robustness. Data were presented as 95% CI, and p < 0.05 was considered a significant level. Following the assessment of 1032 records, 26 eligible investigations with a total number of 1,328,711 preterm neonates admitted to NICU were selected. 21,568 cases were diagnosed with AKI; thus, the global prevalence of AKI in preterm neonates admitted to NICU was 17.8% (95% CI: 8.6%-33.2%, I² = 99.8%, p < 0.001). Subgroup analyses demonstrated regional variations in prevalence, including 18.3% in Africa, 18.5% in America, 15.2% in Asia, and 20.1% in Europe. Meta-regression found no significant temporal trend in AKI prevalence over the study years.

CONCLUSION: According to the findings, it is essential to monitor the renal health status in preterm infants admitted to the NICU. Failure to undergo preterm screening can lead to long-term kidney issues in adulthood.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • AKI is a major complication among preterm neonates and contributes to neonatal morbidity and mortality. • Diagnosis of AKI in neonates is challenging due to varying definitions and inconsistent use of biomarkers.

WHAT IS NEW: • This study included over 1.3 million preterm neonates, establishing a pooled AKI prevalence of 17.8%. • Africa (15.2%) and Europe (20.1%) comprise the lowest and the highest rates of AKI, respectively.

PMID:41489685 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-025-06675-8

Odontology. 2026 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s10266-025-01293-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effects of air abrasion with different abrasive particles on the surface roughness and bond strength of resin-based luting agents to enamel and dentin, including dentin surfaces treated with immediate dentin sealing (IDS). Bovine teeth were used, and four types of substrates were prepared: enamel, untreated dentin, dentin treated with IDS using an adhesive, and dentin treated with IDS using a resin composite. Air abrasion was performed using aluminum oxide (29 µm, 53 µm) or bioactive glass at 0.3 MPa for 10 s from a 10-mm distance prior to the bonding procedure. Acid-etched enamel specimens were included for comparison. A 2.4 mm cylindrical mold was set on the surface and filled with resin-based luting agents, followed by light curing. Surface roughness (Ra) after the surface pretreatments, and the shear bond strength were evaluated. The number of repetitions was set to 15. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc test (α = 0.05). Acid etching produced the highest bond strength on enamel, although air abrasion with 29-µm alumina resulted in comparable values. In contrast, air abrasion increased surface roughness but did not enhance bond strength on either untreated dentin or IDS-treated dentin, regardless of whether an adhesive or resin composite was used. These findings suggest that while 29-µm alumina abrasion is a viable alternative to acid etching on enamel when acid use is contraindicated, its effectiveness appears to be substrate-dependent and may not facilitate improved bonding to dentin or IDS-treated dentin despite increased roughness.

PMID:41489675 | DOI:10.1007/s10266-025-01293-0

Int Orthop. 2026 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s00264-025-06722-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Nonoperative treatment is the preferred initial intervention for plantar fasciitis. However, some patients fail to respond and present with continued pain. This study investigated the effectiveness of concentrated bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) injections in the treatment of recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.

METHODS: Retrospective chart review was performed to identify patients diagnosed with chronic plantar fasciitis that underwent treatment with BMAC injection. Bone marrow aspirate was harvested from the iliac crest, concentrated, and injected into the site of maximal tenderness in the plantar fascia. Visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores were collected before and after the BMAC injection at six, ten, 24, and 48 weeks. Postoperative complications were recorded.

RESULTS: A total of 19 patients (19 feet) with chronic plantar fasciitis were treated with BMAC injection. Average age was 52.6 (SD, ± 7.5) years with an average BMI of 26.4 (SD, ± 4.6) kg/m². The average duration of pain prior to the BMAC injection was 2.5 (SD, ± 1.3) years. Preoperatively, average VAS was 7.5 (SD, ± 2.3), with significant improvement at six weeks (mean, 2.3; SD, ± 1.2), ten weeks (mean, 2.2; SD, ± 1.2), 24 weeks (mean 1.7; SD, ± 1.1), and at 48 weeks (mean, 1.1; SD, ± 0.7) postoperatively (all p < 0.05). No complications were observed at the surgical or donor site.

CONCLUSION: Patients with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis treated with BMAC injection demonstrated and maintained a statistically significant decrease in VAS pain score upon assessment at each postoperative follow-up up to 48 weeks, with no adverse effects at the donor or injection site. These findings suggest that BMAC injection may be a safe treatment option offering early pain relief.

PMID:41489648 | DOI:10.1007/s00264-025-06722-x

Pediatr Surg Int. 2026 Jan 5;42(1):62. doi: 10.1007/s00383-025-06281-7.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Advances in pediatric healthcare have improved survival rates of congenital urogenital conditions, emphasizing the need for effective transition programs from pediatric to adult care. However, transition challenges often lead to suboptimal outcomes. This study evaluated a structured urologic transitional care program’s impact on transition readiness and healthcare resource utilization in a single-payer healthcare system.

METHODS: A retrospective comparative study included 106 patients aged 12-21 with congenital urogenital conditions. The intervention group (n = 53) participated in a urologic transitional care program, while the control group (n = 53) received standard care. Transition readiness was assessed using the Good2Go questionnaire, evaluating self-advocacy, knowledge, self-care, and social support. Healthcare resource utilization was measured through emergency room (ER) visits, admissions, and complications.

RESULTS: At baseline, transition readiness scores showed no significant differences between groups, although higher ER-to-admission ratios were observed in the intervention group. Post-intervention, the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in knowledge readiness (mean difference: +12.78, p = 0.005) and reductions in ER visits (mean difference: – 0.64, p = 0.022) and admissions (mean difference: – 0.28, p = 0.007) compared to controls. Difference-in-differences analysis confirmed significant improvements in knowledge readiness in the intervention group, although reductions in all ER metrics were inconclusive.

CONCLUSIONS: The urologic transitional care program effectively enhanced knowledge readiness and possibly reduced ER visits among adolescents with congenital urogenital conditions. These findings underscore the importance of structured interventions to support successful transitions. Additional strategies are needed to address other readiness domains, healthcare resource utilization and the sustainability of long-term benefits.

CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRY: This study was not registered in a clinical trials registry as it is a retrospective observational study. IRB study approval granted by UAB # 300012178; SickKids REB # 1000079219.

PMID:41489647 | DOI:10.1007/s00383-025-06281-7

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2026 Jan 5. doi: 10.1007/s00406-025-02191-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Observational studies have indicated interplay between lipid profiles and mental disorders, but genetic causal evidence remains limited. This study aimed to assess bidirectional causal links between lipid profiles and five major mental disorders using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

METHODS: We performed a bidirectional two-sample MR analysis utilizing genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics from European populations. Genetic instruments were selected for five psychiatric disorders (major depressive disorder (MDD), anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), bipolar disorder (BIP), and schizophrenia (SCZ)) and six lipid traits: triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-/low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL/LDL) and apolipoproteins (Apo A-1, Apo B). The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method served as the primary analytical approach, complemented by MR-Egger regression to evaluate horizontal pleiotropy.

RESULTS: Forward MR analysis suggested a significant causal relationship between LDL and MDD (p_(MDD) < 0.001, OR (95%CI) = 0.888 (0.833-0.946)), TG and anxiety (p_(anxiety) = 0.016, OR (95%CI) = 1.057(1.010-1.105)). Reverse MR analysis indicated that genetic liability to MDD ( p = 0.017, OR (95%CI) = 1.096(1.016-1.182), and ADHD ( p = 0.009, OR (95%CI) = 1.039( 1.009-1.069)) elevated TG levels, anxiety disorders increased HDL (p = 0.003, OR (95%CI) = 1.288( 1.029-1.520)), LDL (p = 0.001,OR (95%CI) = 1.176(1.066-1.298)), Apo A-1 (p = 0.012,OR(95%CI) = 1.306(1.060-1.609)), and Apo B (p = 0.007,OR(95%CI) = 1.134(1.036-1.241)), whereas SCZ was inversely correlated with lipid profiles. No causal relationships were observed for bipolar disorder.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that genetically predicted TG levels may influence anxiety risk, while genetic predisposition to MDD and ADHD may contribute to dyslipidemia. Our study provides genetic evidence supporting a potential causal interplay between lipid metabolism and mental disorders, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary care and personalized monitoring to address psycho-metabolic comorbidities.

PMID:41489637 | DOI:10.1007/s00406-025-02191-w

Diabet Med. 2026 Jan 5:e70211. doi: 10.1111/dme.70211. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To utilise Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II (FDS2) data to examine the association between Type 2 diabetes and incident aortic valve replacement (AVR) and to investigate potential risk factors in Type 2 diabetes.

METHODS: We followed 1430 FDS2 participants (mean age 66 years, 53% males) and 5720 age-, sex-, and postcode-matched people without diabetes from entry (2008-2011) to end-2021 for AVR ascertained from validated linked databases. Incidence rate ratios (IRRs) were calculated. Cox proportional hazards and competing risk models generated cause-specific (cs) and subdistribution (sd) hazard ratios (HRs) for incident AVR.

RESULTS: At baseline, 11 participants with Type 2 diabetes (0.8%) and 37 without diabetes (0.6%) had undergone AVR (p = 0.589). There were 24 (1.7%) and 40 (0.7%) first incident AVR hospitalisations, respectively, in the two groups during 73,498 person-years of follow-up (IRR 2.40 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.38, 4.08], p = 0.0007). In pooled analyses, Type 2 diabetes had similar csHR (2.38 [1.43, 3.96]) and sdHR (2.34 [1.41, 3.88]), with increasing age and male sex as other statistically significant covariates. In Type 2 diabetes, incident AVR was bivariably associated with baseline blood glucose-lowering treatment intensity (p = 0.003) and with distal symmetrical polyneuropathy (DSPN) after age and sex adjustment (p = 0.025).

CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 diabetes more than doubles the risk of AVR after adjusting for the competing risk of death. People with Type 2 diabetes going on to require AVR were more intensively managed and were more likely to have DSPN at baseline.

PMID:41489041 | DOI:10.1111/dme.70211