Tag: pubmed

J Orthop Res. 2025 Oct 3. doi: 10.1002/jor.70077. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) may enable improved functional outcomes compared to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This randomized controlled trial assessed pre- and postoperative patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) and knee joint gait biomechanics for UKA and TKA patients. Patients were allocated to UKA (Oxford Partial Knee, Biomet, USA) and TKA (Persona CR Knee System, Zimmer, USA) study arms. Patients completed the Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and Western Ontario & McMaster University Arthritis Index (WOMAC), as well as instrumented gait analysis before and 1-year after surgery. Measures of interest: OKS scores; WOMAC sub-scores; Patient-specific correlations and root mean squared errors (RMSE) of stance phase sagittal and coronal knee angles. Statistical analysis included linear mixed-effects models (PROMs; α = 0.0125) and multivariate analysis of variance (gait biomechanics; α = 0.05). A total of 38 patients were recruited (UKA n = 17; TKA n = 21). All PROMs improved significantly following surgery (n = 37, p < 0.001), regardless of surgical technique. A significant effect of surgical technique on gait biomechanics was observed (n = 30, F_4,25, p = 0.010), where UKA patients displayed greater sagittal plane correlations [median(Q1,Q3) UKA 0.985 (0.967, 0.991), TKA 0.955 (0.942, 0.973)]; p = 0.018] and lower coronal plane RMSEs [UKA 3.6 (2.4,5.0)°, TKA 8.6 (5.1, 11.5)°; p = 0.002]. Although patient-reported outcomes improved similarly following UKA and TKA, UKA more closely preserved native knee kinematics as indicated by the greater similarity of sagittal gait patterns shapes and lower magnitude of coronal angle changes. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Greater preservation of patient-specific knee kinematics with UKA supports its use in appropriately selected patients and informs the design of targeted, functionally oriented rehabilitation protocols.

PMID:41044992 | DOI:10.1002/jor.70077

J Appl Toxicol. 2025 Oct 4. doi: 10.1002/jat.4952. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the in vitro effects of florasulam, a widely used herbicide with known environmental impact, on bull epididymal sperm and primary testicular cells. Epididymal spermatozoa were collected from the cauda epididymis attached to one testis of a paired set obtained from a local abattoir and diluted to a concentration of 1 × 10⁸ spermatozoa/mL. The other testis was used to isolate testicular cells, which were then seeded onto 12-well and 96-well plates at the concentration of 5 × 10⁵ and 5 × 10⁴ cells per well, respectively. Sperm samples were exposed to various concentrations of florasulam (0-1000 μg/mL) for 2 h and evaluated for motility (M), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), acrosome integrity (AI), and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Likewise, testicular cells were treated with different concentrations of florasulam for 48 h and assessed for cytotoxicity, apoptosis, steroidogenesis, and MMP. Statistical analyses were performed using ANOVA followed by Duncan’s multiple range test. The results showed that florasulam exposure significantly reduced sperm motility and MMP at concentrations of 100-1000 μg/mL. Additionally, 10 μg/mL florasulam stimulated cell proliferation, whereas 10, 100, and 500 μg/mL inhibited steroid secretion in testicular cells. Apoptosis was significantly increased at 500 and 1000 μg/mL, and MMP was negatively affected at 1000 μg/mL (p ≤ 0.05). These findings provide the first evidence that florasulam, even at sub-toxic concentrations, can impair male reproductive function by reducing sperm motility and mitochondrial activity, and by inducing apoptosis and hormonal disruption in testicular cells. This highlights its potential risk to cattle fertility and broader environmental reproductive health.

PMID:41044991 | DOI:10.1002/jat.4952

J Prim Care Community Health. 2025 Jan-Dec;16:21501319251380623. doi: 10.1177/21501319251380623. Epub 2025 Oct 3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous publications have demonstrated the benefits of pharmacist involvement in hypertension management, including in rural health care settings. Unlike many of the previous studies that evaluated pharmacist interventions occurring in collaboration with physicians, this study uniquely assessed the impact of pharmacist-led interventions under a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) on hypertension outcomes in a rural, medically underserved federally qualified health center (FQHC) in the southeastern U.S.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of direct pharmacist intervention under a CPA compared to physician-only standard care in achieving blood pressure (BP) control. Secondary outcomes included all-cause hospitalization rates and adherence to antihypertensive medications.

METHODS: This retrospective, single-center observational study included adult patients with hypertension seen by either a clinical pharmacist or a primary care provider over a 3-month period. Primary outcomes were the proportion of patients reaching target systolic and/or diastolic BP and the median time in days to control. Secondary outcomes included all-cause hospitalizations and changes in antihypertensive medication adherence, measured by proportion of days covered (PDC).

RESULTS: Among 159 patients, those managed by pharmacists achieved significantly faster BP control (SBP: 49 days vs 182 days, P < .0001; DBP: 146 days vs 160 days, P = .0061). Combined SBP/DBP control was also achieved more quickly (160 days, P < .0001), despite higher initial BP levels. Notably, 0% of patients in the pharmacist group were hospitalized, compared to 10% in the physician-only group (P = .0065). Medication adherence improved, with average PDC rising from 72.5% to 80.2%, and 70.4% of patients reaching ≥80% adherence by study end.

CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacist-led hypertension management under a CPA significantly improves BP control, time to goal, medication adherence, and reduces hospitalizations compared to physician-only care in a rural, underserved FQHC setting.

PMID:41044881 | DOI:10.1177/21501319251380623

Biophys J. 2025 Oct 3:S0006-3495(25)00651-4. doi: 10.1016/j.bpj.2025.09.049. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ubiquitous short RNAs regulating gene expression in many organisms, including humans. How the secondary structure (SS) of a mature miRNA affects its regulatory function remains an open question. Here we investigate this question through computational SS predictions of miRNA point mutants. We explore the mutational neighborhoods of miRNAs with association to human diseases, including cancer. We focus on possible SS changes independent of target-site complementarity, by leaving the seed region unchanged. We formulate metrics of the SS differences between such mutants and their wild types (WTs), and test whether disease-associated mutations tend to differ from others in terms of these metrics by comparing our results with the miRNASNP-v3 database. We find that disease-related mutants tend to have a higher probability of being fully unfolded than their WT; this and other SS-related measures are statistically significant at the database level. This is confirmed when we restrict the analysis to the better-validated miRNAs encoded by genes that appear in the manually curated MiRGeneDB database. With the same approach, we identify a subset of individual miRNAs for which SS changes are most likely to be related to disease. These are hsa-miR-1269b, hsa-miR-4537, hsa-miR-4477b, hsa-miR-4641, and hsa-miR-6821-3p; when focussing on the higher-confidence MiRGeneDB miRNAs, we find that hsa-miR-485-5p and hsa-miR-1908-3p are the ones for which SS changes are most likely to be linked to disease. In addition, we show that there are pairs of known miRNA WTs differing only by disease-related point mutations outside the seed region and exhibit very different SS. These pairs include hsa-miR-1269a-hsa-miR-1269b, and hsa-miR-3689a-3p-hsa-miR-3689b-3p.

PMID:41044879 | DOI:10.1016/j.bpj.2025.09.049

Genome Biol. 2025 Oct 3;26(1):333. doi: 10.1186/s13059-025-03776-3.

ABSTRACT

Most population-scale genomic datasets collected to date consist of “bulk” samples obtained from heterogeneous tissues, reflecting mixtures of different cell types. We introduce Unico, a Unified cross-omics computational method designed to deconvolve standard two-dimensional bulk matrices (samples by features) into three-dimensional tensors (samples by features by cell types). Unico is the first principled model-based deconvolution method that is theoretically justified for any tissue-level genomic data. By deconvolving bulk gene expression and DNA methylation datasets, we demonstrate Unico’s superior performance compared to existing methods, enhancing the ability to conduct powerful, large-scale genomic studies at cell-type resolution.

PMID:41044605 | DOI:10.1186/s13059-025-03776-3

BMC Med Educ. 2025 Oct 3;25(1):1350. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07931-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to identify whether differences existed in the aesthetic perception of anatomical variations of the face and teeth among dental students, based on factors such as education level, gender, and the presence of a dentist in the family.

METHODS: The study was carried out with dental students using the Google Forms platform. A young female model was selected for the survey, with no aesthetic-compromising restorations or pathologies in her maxillary anterior teeth. Standard facial and smile reference photographs were digitally manipulated to alter specific aesthetic features using professional image-editing software (Adobe Photoshop v.20.0.0, Adobe Inc., San Jose, California, USA). Participants evaluated these photographs, focusing on components such as facial symmetry, gingival position, buccal corridor, and occlusal plane angulation. Preclinical and clinical students rated the original and manipulated images on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 representing the most aesthetically acceptable image and 1 representing the least pleasing one. Statistical analysis comprised Shapiro-Wilk test, Levene test, Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS: In the research, 493 students participated, including 240 clinical students; 312 were female, and 89 had a dentist in their family. The overall aesthetic perception score was high (82.63 ± 8.5). Clinical students demonstrated significantly better perceptions of midline diastema, occlusal plane inclination, clinical crown height, and dental modifications compared to preclinical students (p < 0.05). Female students scored higher in lower facial height perception than males (p = 0.014). The presence of a dentist in the family did not significantly influence aesthetic perception (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Clinical training positively impacted students’ ability to critically analyze aesthetics while maintaining function and naturalness. It can be suggested that, as the academic level increases in dental education, students’ aesthetic judgment skills also improve.

PMID:41044602 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-025-07931-z

Genome Biol. 2025 Oct 3;26(1):331. doi: 10.1186/s13059-025-03802-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Over 1100 independent signals have been identified with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for bone mineral density (BMD), a key risk factor for mortality-increasing fragility fractures; however, the effector gene(s) for most remain unknown.

RESULTS: We execute a CRISPRi screen in human fetal osteoblasts (hFOBs) with single-cell RNA-seq read-out for 89 non-coding elements predicted to regulate osteoblast gene expression at BMD GWAS loci. The BMD relevance of hFOBs is supported by heritability enrichment from stratified LD-score regression involving 98 cell types grouped into 15 tissues. Twenty-three genes show perturbation in the screen, with four (ARID5B, CC2D1B, EIF4G2, and NCOA3) exhibiting consistent effects upon siRNA knockdown on three measures of osteoblast maturation and mineralization. Lastly, additional heritability enrichments, genetic correlations, and multi-trait fine-mapping unexpectedly reveal that many BMD GWAS signals are pleiotropic and likely mediate their effects via non-bone tissues.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide a roadmap for how single-cell CRISPRi screens may be applied to the challenging task of resolving effector gene identities at all BMD GWAS loci. Extending our CRISPRi screening approach to other tissues could play a key role in fully elucidating the etiology of BMD.

PMID:41044600 | DOI:10.1186/s13059-025-03802-4

BMC Med Educ. 2025 Oct 3;25(1):1349. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07987-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The landscape of nursing education is rapidly evolving worldwide through the integration of innovative technologies such as mixed reality (MR). While MR-based HoloPatient education shows promise for enhancing nursing education globally, particularly in settings with limited clinical placement opportunities, current research indicates positive effects on nursing students’ learning outcomes. However, no evidence exists that HoloPatient-based education improves students’ learning motivation and attitude. This study aimed to examine nursing students’ learning motivation and attitudes following HoloPatient-based simulation education, and to explore students’ perception of their HoloPatient-based simulation learning experiences.

METHODS: This study used an explanatory sequential mixed methods design with a one group post-test only design followed by focus group interviews. This study was conducted from August to September 2023 at a university in South Korea. Quantitative data were collected from 100 third-year nursing students who participated in HoloPatient-based simulation education. Qualitative data were obtained through semi-structured interviews with two focus groups, conducted one week after HoloPatient-based simulation education. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and comparative analyses. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis following established protocols.

RESULTS: This study showed high level of nursing students’ learning motivation (M = 4.42, SD = 0.42) and positive attitude (M = 4.08, SD = 0.50) following HoloPatient-based simulation education. A significant positive correlation was found between learning motivation and attitude (r = .59 or higher, p < .001). Qualitative findings revealed themes of positive experience, influencing factors on HoloPatient-based simulation, and barriers to HoloPatient-based simulation.

CONCLUSION: This exploratory study found high levels of learning motivation and positive attitudes among nursing students following HoloPatient-based simulation education. However, due to the one-group post-test design and small qualitative sample, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence. Further studies are needed to establish its effectiveness with randomized controlled trials or quasi-experimental designs.

PMID:41044594 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-025-07987-x

BMC Vet Res. 2025 Oct 3;21(1):573. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-05036-9.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigated the therapeutic efficacy of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy in dogs diagnosed with chronic osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODS: Twenty-one dogs with radiographically confirmed OA in at least one limb were randomized into treatment (n = 10) and placebo (n = 11) groups. PEMF therapy was administered over six weeks. Gait symmetry indices for peak vertical force and vertical impulse were assessed using kinetic analysis at baseline (Day 0), mid-treatment (Day 21), and post-treatment (Day 42). Lameness and pain scores, additional treatments, and dropout rates were recorded. Owners completed the Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs (LOAD) questionnaire at each time point. An Overall Treatment Effectiveness (OTE) score was computed based on objective and subjective outcomes.

RESULTS: PEMF-treated dogs exhibited significant improvements in gait symmetry by Day 42 (p = 0.030). LOAD scores declined steadily in the treatment group, although no statistically significant differences were observed between groups. This trend may suggest a potential reduction in pain and improvement in mobility. No significant between-group differences were found for the OTE score.

CONCLUSION: PEMF therapy appears to be a safe, non-invasive, and potentially effective adjunctive or stand-alone modality for the management of pain and mobility impairment associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. Further research is warranted to confirm long-term efficacy and optimize treatment protocols.

PMID:41044566 | DOI:10.1186/s12917-025-05036-9

BMC Health Serv Res. 2025 Oct 3;25(1):1297. doi: 10.1186/s12913-025-13227-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Unplanned hospital admissions are costly and disproportionately affect people who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and from an ethnic minority group. A national primary care pay-for-performance scheme, the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF), was introduced in England in 2004 to financially incentivise general practices to meet a range of performance indicators, but the QOF’s impact on unplanned hospital admissions remains unclear. We examined the association between unplanned hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease (CVD), individual-level characteristics and achievement of key QOF indicators for CVD at the patients’ registered general practice.

METHODS: This study used the Connected Bradford dataset, which links individual-level primary and secondary care data. Our analytical sample included 508,977 patients registered with a Bradford District general practice from 2017 to 2019. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between achievement of relevant QOF indicators and unplanned admissions for cardiovascular diseases, adjusting for individual-level differences in age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and pre-existing health conditions.

RESULTS: Significantly reduced odds of unplanned CVD hospital admissions were associated with attending a practice with higher achievement rates for QOF indicators relating to atrial fibrillation management (OR 0.97, p < 0.001), diabetes management (OR 0.98, p = 0.002), and smoking cessation (OR 0.98, p = 0.038). Conversely, increased odds of unplanned admission were associated with higher achievement for QOF indicators relating to antiplatelet or anticoagulation medication (OR 1.06, p < 0.001) and blood pressure control for diabetic patients (OR 1.02, p = 0.03). Individual-level characteristics significantly associated with increased risk of unplanned admission included living in the most deprived fifth of neighbourhoods (OR 2.00, p < 0.001) and having Pakistani ethnicity (OR 1.65, p < 0.001). Primary care diagnoses of hypertension (OR 1.79, p < 0.001), diabetes (OR 1.56, p < 0.001), chronic cardiac disease (OR 2.79, p < 0.001), and stroke (OR 1.6, p < 0.001) were all statistically significant and associated with higher odds of unplanned admissions for CVD.

CONCLUSIONS: We found mixed evidence for an association between practice-level QOF achievement and unplanned hospital admissions for CVD. There were large ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities in unplanned admissions for cardiovascular disease. Supporting general practices to appropriately improve their achievement of key cardiovascular disease related QOF indicators and reducing socioeconomic inequalities might likely reduce the number of unplanned hospital admissions.

PMID:41044559 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-025-13227-1