Tag: pubmed

Acta Inform Med. 2024;32(2):112-116. doi: 10.5455/aim.2024.32.112-116.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global health issue with a significant impact on pregnant women, mainly due to the interplay between liver function and hematological changes. The liver plays a key role in erythropoiesis and systemic hemostasis. In HBeAg-positive pregnant women, platelet dynamics may be uniquely influenced by the interaction of HBV, immune modulation in pregnancy, and liver function. This area remains underexplored.

OBJECTIVE: Our study aimed to analyze the interaction between HbeAg status with others preclinical factors by using the matrix correlation and multidimensional statistics methods.

METHODS: We used SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) to demonstrate and quantify the direct reciprocal interaction between platelet count and HBeAg status in HBsAg-positive pregnant women.

RESULTS: We found the quantity of platelet, with the optimal threshold is 201×10^3cells/ml, directly relates with HBeAg status (R =0.24) and negatively correlates with ratio of AST on ALT (R=-0.139). In case of HbeAg positive, the risk ratio having a high quantity of platelet (>201x103cells/ml) and high AST/ALT ratio (>1.42) is 2.16[1.23,3.80] (p<0.05). SEM model shows that platelet count has a direct impact on HBeAg (p<0.05, Coefficient =0.24) and indirectly through the AST/ALT ratio. This impact is greater than the direct impact from HBeAg on platelet count (p < 0.05, coefficient = 0.23).

CONCLUSION: Research results show a complex relationship between platelet count, AST/ALT ratio and HBeAg in patients with chronic hepatitis B. The direct interaction between platelet count, HBeAg status, and AST/ALT ratio suggests intriguing complex immuno-biochemical responses to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

PMID:39959675 | PMC:PMC11821564 | DOI:10.5455/aim.2024.32.112-116

Front Oncol. 2025 Jan 31;15:1525946. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1525946. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pelvic lymph node metastasis is a critical factor influencing prognosis and treatment strategies in cervical cancer patients. This study aimed to identify significant clinical and pathological risk factors associated with pelvic lymph node metastasis in patients with cervical cancer.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 186 cervical cancer patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University from January 2010 to December 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: those with pelvic lymph node metastasis (n=40) and those without (n=146). Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, pathological features, and treatment modalities were collected. Statistical analysis included t-tests, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to evaluate potential risk factors for lymph node metastasis.

RESULTS: Patients with pelvic lymph node metastasis were significantly older (mean age 52.5 ± 8.3 years) than those without metastasis (mean age 48.7 ± 10.2 years; p=0.023). High-risk HPV positivity was significantly associated with lymph node metastasis (75% vs. 41%, p=0.001). Lymphovascular invasion was observed in 75% of the metastatic group compared to 24.7% in the non-metastatic group (p<0.001). Tumor size >4 cm was more frequent in patients with metastasis (50% vs. 12.3%, p<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified high-risk HPV infection (OR 4.13, 95% CI: 2.09-8.17, p<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (OR 7.87, 95% CI: 4.05-15.29, p<0.001), and tumor size >4 cm (OR 6.24, 95% CI: 3.24-12.02, p<0.001) as independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis.

CONCLUSION: This study identifies several independent risk factors for pelvic lymph node metastasis in cervical cancer, including high-risk HPV infection, lymphovascular invasion, and tumor size greater than 4 cm. These findings can help guide clinical decision-making and individualized treatment planning, improving outcomes for patients with cervical cancer. Further prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings.

PMID:39959672 | PMC:PMC11825327 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2025.1525946

J Alzheimers Dis. 2025 Feb 16:13872877251315044. doi: 10.1177/13872877251315044. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A novel neuroimaging signature of regional cortical thickness on brain MRI recently showed high potential for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) risk stratification in the community. How these findings translate to other populations, remains undetermined.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to replicate this novel ADRD neuroimaging marker in the population-based Rotterdam Study.

METHODS: We included all participants from the population-based Rotterdam Study with brain-MRI between 2005-2016, and derived the signature using FreeSurfer. We computed hazard ratios and C-statistics for 10-year dementia risk, and betas for cross-sectional associations with cognition, comparing the novel signature to hippocampal volume, mean cortical thickness, and another cortical thickness signature (Dickerson’s).

RESULTS: Of 3249 participants (mean age 71.3 ± 8.0 years), 294 developed dementia (74.8% clinical AD) during a mean follow-up of 8.1 years. The novel ADRD signature had similar magnitude of associations as Dickerson’s signature and cortical thickness for AD dementia (HR per 1-SD increase 0.87;0.78-0.96), but performed worse than all markers for all-cause dementia. Of the four neuroimaging markers, hippocampal volume showed the strongest associations with both risk of all-cause dementia and clinical AD dementia. The ADRD had the weakest association with general cognitive function (β per 1-SD increase 0.04;0.02-0.06), and executive function (β per 1-SD increase 0.02;0.00-0.04), followed by cortical thickness and Dickerson’s, and hippocampal volume showed the strongest associations.

CONCLUSIONS: In this community-based study, the novel cortical thickness signature did not outperform hippocampal volume for dementia risk stratification. The importance of replication studies underlines the value of the current study. Replicating research findings is essential to establish robust biomarkers for dementia risk prediction.

PMID:39956960 | DOI:10.1177/13872877251315044

J Alzheimers Dis. 2025 Feb 16:13872877251317543. doi: 10.1177/13872877251317543. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

During decades scientists tried to unveil the genetic architecture of Alzheimer’s disease (AD), recurring to increasingly larger sample numbers for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in hope for higher statistical gains. Here, a retrospective look on the most prominent GWAS was performed, focusing on the quality of the diagnosis associated with the used data and databases. Different methods for AD diagnosis (or absence) carry different levels of accuracy and certainty applied to both subsets of cases and controls. Furthermore, the different phenotypes included in these databases were explored, as several incorporate other ageing comorbidities and might be encompassing many confounding agents as well. Age of the samples’ donors and origin populations were also investigated as these could be biasing factors in posterior analyses. A tendency for looser diagnostic methods in more recent GWAS was observed, where greater datasets of individuals are analyzed, which may have been hampering the discovery of associated genetic variants. Specifically for AD, a diagnostic method conveying a clinical outcome may be distinct from the disease neuropathological assessment, since the first has a practical perspective that not necessarily needs a confirmation. Due to its properties and complex diagnosis, this work highlights the importance of the neuropathological confirmation of AD (or its absence) in the subjects considered for research purposes to avoid reaching statistically weak and/or misleading conclusions that may trigger further studies with powerless groundwork.

PMID:39956949 | DOI:10.1177/13872877251317543

J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle. 2025 Feb;16(1):e13730. doi: 10.1002/jcsm.13730.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is prominently involved in the tumour microenvironment and tissue remodelling processes in most cancers, and its expression is also noted in normal skeletal muscle. This study aims to explore the relationship between FAP expression and age-related muscle characteristics through FAP inhibitor (FAPI) PET/CT imaging.

METHODS: This retrospective analysis studied 54 patients with lung cancer (n = 27) and pancreatic cancer (n = 27) using FAPI PET/CT. Imaging-based muscle features including the mean standardised uptake value (SUVmean), skeletal muscle index (SMI) and Hounsfield units (HU) were evaluated. Age-related FAP expression in skeletal muscles was also evaluated using the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) dataset. Statistical analyses included Spearman’s rank correlation and Kruskal-Wallis test, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered significant.

RESULTS: Analysis revealed a moderate to strong positive correlation between FAPI SUVmean and age (ρ = 0.368, p = 0.006), with older age groups showing higher muscle uptake. Within specific cohorts, the FAPI-74 group demonstrated a stronger correlation (ρ = 0.500, p = 0.008) compared to the FAPI-46 group (ρ = 0.319, p = 0.105). SUVmean also correlated negatively with muscle density (HU) (ρ = -0.298, p = 0.029), suggesting an association with higher fat infiltration. GTEx data supported these findings, showing a significant increase in FAP expression across age groups (p < 0.001), with the highest median FAP in the 70-79 age group.

CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates an age-related increase in FAPI uptake in skeletal muscle, correlated with changes in muscle density and fat infiltration. The role of FAP extends beyond pathology to normal muscle, indicating broader biological functions. Accordingly, FAPI PET shows promise for assessing age-related muscle health and quality.

PMID:39956945 | DOI:10.1002/jcsm.13730

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2025 Feb 16:e31609. doi: 10.1002/pbc.31609. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a red cell enzymopathy in which exposure to oxidative stressors, such as drugs or fava bean ingestion, can trigger acute hemolytic episodes (AHEs). This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of fava bean-induced hemolysis (FBIH) with non-fava bean-induced hemolysis (NFBIH) in children with G6PD deficiency in a high-prevalence setting.

METHODS: A prospective cohort study was conducted at a region referral hospital in Oman. Hospital records of children hospitalized for AHE due to G6PD deficiency over a 3-year period were analyzed. Participants were categorized into FBIH and NFBIH groups based on the documented precipitating factor.

RESULTS: Among the 236 recruited cases, 51.6% AHEs were attributed to FBIH. Children with FIBH were younger, more likely to present with abdominal pain, and had greater severity of hemolysis upon admission (hemoglobin: 4.8 vs. 6.7 g/dL; p < 0.001). Lab markers such as serum ferritin, blood urea, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly elevated in FBIH. The least squares regression model demonstrated a strong link between various predictor variables and hemoglobin levels, explaining about 76.6% of the variance in the study cohort.

CONCLUSION: Children with FBIH experience more severe hemolytic episodes compared to those with NFBIH. Our statistical model identified clinical and laboratory parameters potentially useful in early risk stratification during AHEs. Culturally sensitive dietary education of patients and caregivers is necessary, particularly in regions where fava beans are a dietary staple. The potential influence of specific G6PD genotypes within the NFBIH group merits future investigation.

PMID:39956941 | DOI:10.1002/pbc.31609

J Int AIDS Soc. 2025 Feb;28(2):e26422. doi: 10.1002/jia2.26422.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Oral HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective, but adherence is challenging for young women. Products centred around women’s preferences could address adherence barriers. Using a longitudinal discrete choice experiment (DCE), we examined young African women’s preferences around PrEP product formulation and delivery attributes before and after initiating oral PrEP.

METHODS: We enrolled HIV-negative women from six African countries in a prospective cohort from August 2022 to June 2023. Women completed two DCEs on PrEP products and PrEP delivery. At enrolment and month 1, participants completed the DCE about PrEP products with 16 randomly assorted choice sets assessing product form and dosing, dose forgiveness, drug reversibility, weight change and antiretroviral or immune-based mechanism attributes. At month 3, participants completed the DCE about PrEP delivery evaluating preferences related to location to collect doses, packaging, product storage, type of HIV test and costs. Preference weights (PW) were estimated with a hierarchical Bayesian model; higher positive numbers indicate greater preference for an attribute. Importance scores compare relative importance across the five attributes; higher scores indicate greater importance.

RESULTS: Two thousand eight hundred and forty-seven women completed enrolment and month 1 DCEs; the median age was 24 years (range: 16-30) and 92.8% initiated daily oral PrEP. Product form and dosing was the most important attribute at enrolment and month 1. At enrolment, women preferred small oral pills taken monthly (preference weight [PW]: 0.67; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58-0.77), and at month 1, they preferred a 6-monthly injection (PW: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.46-0.65). In the month 3 DCE, location was the most important PrEP delivery attribute with a strong preference for a youth-friendly or non-governmental organization (PW: 0.25; 95% CI: 0.19-0.30) or health facility (PW: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.17-0.25); mobile clinic or van was least preferred. The cost of the product was the second most important product delivery attribute.

CONCLUSIONS: Young African women preferred discreet, less frequently administered PrEP formulations, particularly after 1 month of taking daily oral PrEP. Long-acting formulations are needed to meet women’s preferences. Coupled with the preferred PrEP delivery location and cost, the highlighted PrEP product characteristics have the potential to increase PrEP uptake.

PMID:39956930 | DOI:10.1002/jia2.26422

BMC Res Notes. 2025 Feb 16;18(1):69. doi: 10.1186/s13104-025-07147-w.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Stunting is a condition of impaired growth in children resulting from chronic malnutrition, characterized by shorter stature compared to peers of the same age. This condition leads to salivary gland dysfunction, which triggers oral dysbiosis and increases the risk of periodontal disease in children. Scaling and root planing (SRP) is the gold standard treatment for periodontal disease, aimed at reducing pathogenic bacterial populations. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of SRP treatment on the oral microbiome profile in the saliva of stunted children. A pre- and post-test study design was employed, involving 10 elementary school children divided into two groups: normal children and stunted children. Each participant underwent scaling, with saliva samples collected before and after the procedure. The oral microbiome profile was analyzed using next-generation sequencing, generating taxonomic data at the phylum, genus, and species level.

RESULT: Statistical analysis revealed significant changes in the gingival index, a clinical parameter, in the normal group but not in the stunted group. Scaling resulted in shifts in the microbiome profile in both groups, with the dominant phyla identified as Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, and Firmicutes. Scaling procedure alters the oral microbiome profile in stunted children without affecting the clinical parameter.

PMID:39956914 | DOI:10.1186/s13104-025-07147-w

BMC Health Serv Res. 2025 Feb 17;25(1):260. doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-12392-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The goal of the Integrated Access to Cancer Screening (IACS) initiative was to help reduce the disparity in cancer screening participation across Alberta by implementing an integrated mobile service delivery model for breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening in rural and remote communities in Northern Alberta, performed by Nurse Practitioners (NPs) that addressed barriers to access. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes and impact the IACS initiative had on the communities and residents of Northern Alberta. This article describes the initiative design, implementation, outcomes, and impact of the initiative.

METHODS: The IACS model was implemented in a total of 36 visited communities in Northern Alberta from December 2020 to December 2021. The impact of the IACS initiative was measured using a mixed methods approach. The participation rate, cancer screening overdue status, and connection to a PCP were assessed using quantitative data collected through the existing clinical information system. Patient and provider feedback were collected from opened-ended surveys, and all data was analyzed by the research team. This study evaluated the impact the IACS initiative had on patient cancer screening participation and cancer screening knowledge, addressing known barriers to service delivery in rural and remote Northern Alberta, and to understand how this service might be sustained for future operation.

RESULTS: Six hundred fifty-three people participated in screening offered through the IACS initiative. 99% of Pap screenings offered to patients were accepted, and 98% of FIT kits were accepted from the NPs, with a completion rate of 84%. The clinical data and survey responses from patients and providers indicated support for sustaining the IACS initiative. The IACS model of screening was favoured by most female patients. It also increased screening uptake in the communities we visited in the North Zone of Alberta, where screening rates are low.

CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that the IACS initiative was well-received and brought value to underserved communities in Northern Alberta. The IACS model effectively facilitated screening for those who were overdue or have never been screened before. The reach of the IACS model was broader than anticipated, with those who are attached to a PCP also finding the integrated mobile screening model beneficial, bringing the services closer to home.

PMID:39956908 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-025-12392-7

BMC Med Educ. 2025 Feb 17;25(1):249. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-06837-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Stroke is currently the second leading cause of death in Saudi Arabia (SA), with an annual incidence rate of 29 per 100,000 people. There is a huge demand for rehabilitation services for people who have had a stroke living in the community; however, the services in SA do not meet this need due to a lack of community rehabilitation services. Additionally, rehabilitation staff have reported a lack of knowledge and skills to deliver rehabilitation services for people post-stroke in the community. A first step towards developing these services is to train professionals working in this area to deliver community-based rehabilitation for patients with stroke. This is the first study to evaluate an online stroke training programme (STP) for physiotherapists in SA to enhance stroke care and enable them to deliver long-term care following the discharge of stroke patients.

METHODS: A sequential mixed methods design was adopted with three measurements undertaken pre-training, post-training questionnaires and one-month follow-up interviews. Participants were eligible if they were physiotherapists of any gender who were currently providing therapy to stroke patients and working in SA. The STP consisted of four modules and was delivered via an online platform. Questionnaires developed for this study were key outcome measures used to measure the change in the participants’ knowledge, confidence and attitude. Chi-Square test and Wilcoxon test were used to compare pre- and post-training results.

RESULTS: Twenty-six physiotherapists completed the STP. The results demonstrated a statistically significant increase (P < 0.05) in the participants’ knowledge and confidence in providing long-term care for patients with stroke. Additionally, the STP had a positive impact on the participants’ attitudes. Qualitative interviews post-training suggested that participants’ experiences of STP were positive. However, the training had limitations such as the lack of practical content and a short duration.

CONCLUSION: The STP was seen to be acceptable and found to improve participants’ knowledge and confidence in delivering long-term care for patients with stroke in this study. Future research should focus on evaluating impact of training in improvements in service delivery by physiotherapists.

PMID:39956892 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-025-06837-0