Tag: pubmed

JMIR Public Health Surveill. 2025 Jan 21;11:e53549. doi: 10.2196/53549.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Women and sexual minority individuals have been found to be at higher risk for experiencing poor sleep health compared to their counterparts. However, research on the sleep health of sexual minority women (SMW) is lacking in China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine sleep quality and social support for Chinese women with varied sexual identities, and then investigate the in-depth relationships between sexual identity and sleep.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional web-based survey. All participants completed a structured questionnaire containing a set of sociodemographic items referring to the social-ecological model of sleep health, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, the Social Support Rating Scale, and social relationships and environment domains of the World Health Organization Quality of Life-abbreviated short version. Pearson correlation coefficients were used to examine the relationship between sleep quality and social support as well as the two domains of quality of life. Structural equation modeling analysis was used to explore the social-ecological relationships.

RESULTS: A total of 250 cisgender heterosexual women (CHW) and 259 SMW were recruited from July to September 2021. A total of 241 (47.3%) women experienced poor sleep quality and the rate was significantly higher in SMW than in CHW (55.2% vs 39.2%, P<.001). Around one-fifth of SMW reported low levels of social support, which was significantly higher than that of CHW (21.6% vs 5.6%, P<.001). Pearson correlations showed that overall sleep quality was significantly negatively associated with social support with weak correlations (r=-0.26, P<.001). The final structural equation modeling analysis with satisfactory fit indices identified 6 social-ecological pathways, showing that alcohol use, objective support, utilization of support, and perceived social relationship and environment quality of life played important roles in the sleep quality of individuals from their sexual identity.

CONCLUSIONS: SMW experienced poorer sleep quality compared to CHW. Further research is recommended to address the modifiable factors affecting sleep and then implement tailored sleep improvement programs.

PMID:39840408 | DOI:10.2196/53549

ScientificWorldJournal. 2025 Jan 10;2025:7232779. doi: 10.1155/tswj/7232779. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Background: While polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) is widely used in orthodontic appliances such as clear aligners and retainers, there is limited experimental data assessing its performance under functional stresses, such as those encountered during dental movements and palatal expansion. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the ability of PETG thermoplastic material to withstand deformation under functional and expansion forces, specifically within the context of orthodontic applications. Subjects and Methods: To estimate the firmness of the screw within the appliance, a universal Instron testing machine was used to record the forces released by each activation of the expander within the upper part of 10 clear modified twin blocks (MTBs) made from PETG and compare it with that released by 10 conventional twin blocks (CTBs). On the other hand, to determine the ability of the thermoplastic appliance to withstand the deformation during functional forces, a three-point bending test was used to investigate the response of both appliances under static loading. Independent samples t-test was used to compare the differences between groups. Results: Both CTB and MTB groups follow the same pattern of increase and decrease in the amount of mean load with the CTB group line showing a considerably higher amount of mean load reaching the peak (334.5 N) at turn 25 of screw activation while the peak of mean load for MTB group was equal to 252.6 N at turn 23. There was a statistically significant difference between the CTB and MTB groups in the three-point bending test (p=0.001). However, both appliances did not deform at the required force. Conclusions: The MTB can withstand both required expansion and functional load without deformation. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06116500.

PMID:39840371 | PMC:PMC11748742 | DOI:10.1155/tswj/7232779

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2025 Jan 21. doi: 10.1039/d4cp04056b. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Mesoporous silica exhibits a diverse range of applications owing to its pore structure and inter-pore correlation. Consequently, quantitative characterization of its mesoscopic structure is extremely crucial to reciprocate its potential applications. In this work, we utilized the chemical and aerosol routes to successfully synthesize granular, porous silica with an average pore size in the range of ∼5-10 nm and different degrees of structural correlation among its pores. To delve into their structural morphology, we employed complementary characterization techniques, including X-ray scattering, electron microscopy, and gas adsorption. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to obtain statistically averaged quantitative information about their porous network. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) were used to identify their morphology and positional ordering. The information from these three different techniques was indeed complementary in nature. Thus, combining the comparative results from the detailed analyses using scattering, imaging and gas adsorption techniques is effective in providing an overall quantitative understanding about the morphology and pore correlations in this type of porous material with diverse pore structures.

PMID:39836466 | DOI:10.1039/d4cp04056b

Ecol Lett. 2025 Jan;28(1):e70023. doi: 10.1111/ele.70023.

ABSTRACT

Experiments have long been the gold standard for causal inference in Ecology. As Ecology tackles progressively larger problems, however, we are moving beyond the scales at which randomised controlled experiments are feasible. To answer causal questions at scale, we need to also use observational data -something Ecologists tend to view with great scepticism. The major challenge using observational data for causal inference is confounding variables: variables affecting both a causal variable and response of interest. Unmeasured confounders-known or unknown-lead to statistical bias, creating spurious correlations and masking true causal relationships. To combat this omitted variable bias, other disciplines have developed rigorous approaches for causal inference from observational data that flexibly control for broad suites of confounding variables. We show how ecologists can harness some of these methods-causal diagrams to identify confounders coupled with nested sampling and statistical designs-to reduce risks of omitted variable bias. Using an example of estimating warming effects on snails, we show how current methods in Ecology (e.g., mixed models) produce incorrect inferences due to omitted variable bias and how alternative methods can eliminate it, improving causal inferences with weaker assumptions. Our goal is to expand tools for causal inference using observational and imperfect experimental data in Ecology.

PMID:39836442 | DOI:10.1111/ele.70023

Clin Cancer Res. 2025 Jan 21. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-2753. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Orvacabtagene autoleucel (orva-cel; JCARH125), a CAR T-cell therapy targeting B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA), was evaluated in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients in the EVOLVE phase 1/2 study (NCT03430011). We applied a modified piecewise model to characterize orva-cel transgene kinetics and assessed the impact of various covariates on its pharmacokinetics (PK).

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The population PK analysis included 159 patients from the EVOLVE study. Traditional piecewise models, employing a first-order expansion rate with or without lag time followed by a bi-exponential contraction phase, were compared with a modified model incorporating a cell number-dependent expansion phase aligned with cellular physiology. Covariates assessed encompassed baseline demographics, dose levels (50 to 600 × 106 CD3+ CAR+ T cells), prior/concomitant medications, baseline disease burden, and anti-therapeutic antibody (ATA) status.

RESULTS: Traditional piecewise models failed to accurately describe maximum orva-cel transgene level (Cmax) and underestimated the time to Cmax (Tmax). Our modified model incorporating a cell number-dependent expansion rate outperformed traditional models by 1) more accurately capturing the cellular expansion phase, and 2) yielding a Tmax that closely matches observed values. Additionally, dose level, percentage of plasma cells in bone marrow, and treatment-induced ATA were identified as statistically significant covariates and associated with orva-cel expansion and/or persistence.

CONCLUSIONS: Orva-cel PK were adequately described by the modified piecewise model incorporating a cell number-dependent expansion phase, which aligns closely with T cell biology.

PMID:39836430 | DOI:10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-24-2753

Phys Ther. 2025 Jan 21:pzaf006. doi: 10.1093/ptj/pzaf006. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Rotator cuff tendinopathy represents the most prevalent cause of shoulder pain, the third most common musculoskeletal disorder after low back pain and knee pain.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of corticosteroid injection(s), alone or in combination with anesthetic injection or any other physical therapist interventions, compared to physical therapist interventions alone in adults with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

DESIGN: This study was a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PubMed, EMBASE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Scopus, Web of Science, and Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) were searched from inception to March 2023. Meta-analysis using a random-effects model was performed. Risk of bias and certainty of the evidence for the primary outcomes were assessed using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, respectively. The protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42021240882).

PARTICIPANTS: Participants were adults with rotator cuff tendinopathy.

INTERVENTIONS: Corticosteroid injection(s), alone or in combination with anesthetic injection or with any other physical therapist interventions, was compared to physical therapist interventions alone.

MAIN OUTCOMES: Pain, function, quality of life, patient-rated overall improvement, and adverse events were the main outcomes.

RESULTS: Fifteen randomized controlled trials (1785 participants) met the inclusion criteria. At short term, corticosteroid injection coupled with physical therapist interventions and compared to the same interventions alone might have resulted in some small to moderate improvements in pain and function. Conversely, corticosteroid injection alone seemed not to be more effective than physical therapist interventions in improving pain and function in most of the studies included. At mid- and long-term follow-up assessments corticosteroid injection seemed not to be more effective than any physical therapist interventions.

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the potential effectiveness of corticosteroid injection(s) in rotator cuff tendinopathy for pain and function at short term at best, especially in combination with physical therapist interventions. However, the evidence is of moderate to mostly very low certainty. Additional high-quality research considering core outcomes is therefore needed.

RELEVANCE: Corticosteroid injection(s) seems not to be superior to physical therapist interventions, other than resulting in some transient improvements at short term if provided together with other physical therapist interventions, in adults with rotator cuff tendinopathy. Furthermore, considering the potential adverse events associated with the injections, physical therapist interventions may be an important stand-alone treatment option.

PMID:39836429 | DOI:10.1093/ptj/pzaf006

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Jan 2;8(1):e2455251. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55251.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Using albumin-adjusted calcium is commonly recommended for for measuring calcium, but with little empirical evidence to support the practice.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation between total calcium measurements (with or without adjustment) vs the ionized calcium level as a reference standard.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a population-based cross-sectional study in the province of Alberta, Canada, including adults tested for serum total calcium and ionized calcium simultaneously between January 1, 2013, and October 31, 2019. Statistical analysis was performed from March 2023 to October 2024.

MAIN MEASURES AND OUTCOMES: The correlation between unadjusted and adjusted total calcium measurements (using 10 formulas) and the ionized calcium level was evaluated, along with the potential association with the classification of calcium status.

RESULTS: Among 22 658 patients included, 11 889 (52.5%) were female and 10 769 (47.5%) were male; the median (IQR) age was 60 (47-72) years. The unadjusted total calcium (R2 = 71.7%; 95% CI, 71.1%-72.2%) had a stronger correlation with ionized calcium than the commonly used simplified Payne formula (ie, total calcium [mmol/L] + 0.02 [40 – albumin (g/L)]) (R2 = 68.9%; 95% CI, 68.0%-69.6%) and correlated similarly to other formulas (Payne: lowest R2 = 60.3%; 95% CI, 59.3%-61.3%; and James: highest R2 = 76.7%; 95% CI, 76.1%-77.3%). When classifying patients into categories of hypocalcemia, normocalcemia, or hypercalcemia, unadjusted total calcium had the best overall agreement (74.5%) with ionized calcium compared with albumin-adjusted calcium using the original Payne and simplified Payne formulas (agreement 63.0% and 58.7%, respectively). Misclassification using the adjustment formulas was worse in the presence of hypoalbuminemia (albumin level <30 g/L).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional study drawn from a contemporaneous population, there appeared to be heavy reliance on adjustment formulas for calcium in clinical practice with little gain but considerable risk of misclassification of true calcium status, especially in the presence of hypoalbuminemia. These results suggest that unadjusted total calcium was the best and most practical alternative to ionized calcium.

PMID:39836424 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55251

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Jan 2;8(1):e2455258. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55258.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Timely access to care is a key metric for health care systems and is particularly important in conditions that acutely worsen with delays in care, including surgical emergencies. However, the association between travel time to emergency care and risk for complex presentation is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of travel time on disease complexity at presentation among people with emergency general surgery conditions and to evaluate whether travel time was associated with clinical outcomes and measures of increased health resource utilization.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study used administrative statewide inpatient and emergency department databases with linkage across encounters, including nearly every inpatient or emergency department encounter in the states of Florida and California in 2021. Participants included adult patients who presented to an emergency department with 1 of 5 common emergency surgical conditions. Data were collected from January to December 2021 and analyzed from June to December 2023.

EXPOSURE: The primary exposure was travel time from the patient’s home to the facility where they initially received emergency care.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome of interest was surgical disease complexity at the time of presentation to emergency care. Secondary outcomes included inpatient complications, mortality, and indicators of health system resource utilization. Multivariable logistic regression models were used, and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% CIs were reported.

RESULTS: Among 190 311 adults with emergency general surgery conditions, 7138 (3.8%) lived further than 60 minutes from the facility where they sought emergency care. Longer travel times were associated with higher odds of complex disease presentation for travel time of more than 120 minutes vs 15 minutes or less (aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.17-1.40). Patients with a travel time 60 minutes or more were more likely to require operative intervention (aOR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.10-1.26), inpatient admission (aOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.33-1.50), interfacility transfer (aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.15-1.51), and longer inpatient stay (adjusted mean difference, 0.47 days; 95% CI, 0.35-0.59), and had higher charges (adjusted mean difference, $8284; 95% CI, $5532-$11 035).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study of patients with emergency surgical conditions, travel time to emergency care was associated with markers of delayed presentation and increased facility resource utilization. As opposed to static measures, such as rurality, travel time may serve as a more useful metric to inform policy efforts aimed at preserving access to care amidst rural hospital closures and regionalization.

PMID:39836423 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55258

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Jan 2;8(1):e2455388. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55388.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: There is limited evidence regarding the association between age at menopause and incident type 2 diabetes (T2D).

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether age at menopause and premature menopause are associated with T2D incidence in postmenopausal Korean women.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This population-based cohort study was conducted among a nationally representative sample from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database of 1 125 378 postmenopausal women without T2D who enrolled in 2009. The median (IQR) follow-up was 8.4 (8.1-8.7) years. Data were analyzed in March 2024.

EXPOSURES: Age at menopause and premature menopause (menopause onset at age <40 years).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was incident T2D. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for incident T2D by age at menopause, adjusting for potential confounders.

RESULTS: Of 1 125 378 participants (mean [SD] age at enrollment, 61.2 [8.4] years), 113 864 individuals (10.1%) were diagnosed with T2D at least 1 year after enrollment. Women with menopause onset at ages younger than 40 years (premature menopause; HR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.08-1.18) and ages 40 to 44 years (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.00-1.06) had increased risk of T2D compared with those with onset at age 50 years or older, with adjustment for sociodemographic, lifestyle, cardiometabolic, psychiatric, and reproductive factors; a younger age at menopause was associated with increased risk of developing T2D (P for trend <.001). Body mass index, depressive disorder, and prediabetes modified the association in subgroup analyses; for example, for individuals with premature menopause vs those with menopause at ages 50 years or older, HRs were 1.54 (95% CI, 1.14-2.06) for a BMI less than 18.5 and 1.14 (95% CI, 1.00-1.30) for a BMI of 30 or greater (P < .001), 1.28 (95% CI, 1.12-1.45) for individuals with depression and 1.11 (95% CI, 1.07-1.16) for those without depression (P = .01), and 1.25 (95% CI, 1.18-1.33) for individuals who were not prediabetic and 1.04 (95% CI, 0.99-1.11) those who were prediabetic (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this study, premature and early menopause were associated with a higher risk of T2D, highlighting the need for targeted public health strategies aimed at preventing or delaying T2D among postmenopausal women.

PMID:39836420 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.55388

Antivir Ther. 2025 Feb;30(1):13596535241313244. doi: 10.1177/13596535241313244.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Molnupiravir (MOV) is an orally bioavailable ribonucleoside with antiviral activity against all tested SARS-CoV-2 variants. We describe the demographic, clinical, and treatment characteristics of non-hospitalized Danish patients treated with MOV and their clinical outcomes following MOV initiation.

METHOD: Among all adults (>18 years) who received MOV between 16 December 2021 and 30 April 2022 in an outpatient setting in Denmark, we summarized their demographic and clinical characteristics at baseline and post-MOV outcomes using descriptive statistics. Outcomes were emergent hospitalization and all-cause mortality during the 28 days after MOV initiation. We estimated the odds ratios (OR) of outcomes by time from positive test to treatment using logistic regression.

RESULTS: We identified 3691 MOV-treated patients, of whom 45.8% were male and mean age was 70.1 years. Most patients (76.2%) initiated MOV within 0-2 days after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and 16.8% within 3-5 days. Over a 28-day period, rates for all-cause, respiratory- or COVID-19-related, and COVID-19-related hospitalization were 4.8%, 2.6% and 1.5%, respectively. All-cause mortality was 1.6%. Initiation of MOV 3-5 days after a positive SARS-CoV-2 test compared to 1-2 days was associated with an increased risk of all-cause (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.29-2.67) and respiratory or COVID-19-related (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.07-2.94) hospitalization, and all-cause mortality (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.64-5.15).

CONCLUSION: MOV was primarily prescribed to vaccinated elderly persons with multiple comorbidities. The all-cause hospitalization and mortality rates in this population were low. Early initiation of MOV reduced the risk of hospitalization and death compared with late initiation.

PMID:39836400 | DOI:10.1177/13596535241313244