Tag: pubmed

Virol J. 2025 Jul 31;22(1):264. doi: 10.1186/s12985-025-02858-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer (CC) is a serious health issue, especially in low- and middle-income countries, primarily caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, particularly genotypes 16 and 18. Other risk factors include smoking, early sexual activity, and long-term oral contraceptive use. Early detection through cervical cytology and HPV testing is vital for effective prevention.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) in HPV-positive women at a Tehran teaching hospital, focusing on HPV genotypes and their association with CIN.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of HPV-positive women who underwent Pap smear testing, HPV genotyping via real-time PCR, and colposcopy with biopsies of suspected lesions. Risk factors like smoking and alcohol consumption were evaluated, and statistical analyses were performed, including ordinal logistic regression.

RESULTS: Among participants, 52.4% had abnormal CIN: CIN I (31.1%), CIN II (11.4%), and CIN III (10.0%). HPV-16 was the most prevalent genotype (43.7%), significantly associated with severe CIN outcomes (odds ratio [OR] = 2.88, 95% CI), followed by HPV-18 (OR = 1.87, 95% CI). Smoking increased the risk of severe CIN (OR = 1.53, 95% CI), while older age and later age at sexual debut correlated with better CIN outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS: HPV-16 and smoking are major predictors of severe CIN, highlighting the need for targeted interventions such as HPV vaccination and smoking cessation, along with regular screenings to lower cervical cancer risks. Additional research is required to evaluate the persistence of different HPV genotypes and their progression to CIN and cervical cancer.”

PMID:40745336 | DOI:10.1186/s12985-025-02858-9

BMC Psychol. 2025 Jul 31;13(1):852. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-03190-1.

ABSTRACT

Leisure activities promote people interaction, improving relationships. Young people live in a process of psychological and physiological development, and competitiveness and cooperativeness, two elements of analysis in social relations, are important among young people who are shaping their social development. To explore the relationship among leisure interest and self-consideration of competitiveness and cooperativeness of young university students, we performed a survey using a designed and validated questionnaire containing statements for students to indicate their interest in leisure activities. Data were statistically processed using ad hoc scripts, Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated, and P-values were obtained from paired individual data, using a t-distribution with N-2 degrees of freedom. We found that interest in board games, videogames, sport, and music listening is high for the majority of the students, in contrast with interest of reading. Students interested in board games have some interest in video games and reading, without any correlation with sports and a negative correlation with music. The high interest shown correlates well with a high consideration of being a competitive and a cooperative person but with a distinguishable concentration on higher values for cooperativeness than for competitiveness.

PMID:40745332 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-03190-1

Int J Equity Health. 2025 Jul 31;24(1):215. doi: 10.1186/s12939-025-02568-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fighting illness and poverty are intertwined objectives in global development. In recent decades, health financing reforms across many nations have enhanced financial protection for low-income populations and promoted health equity for all citizens. However, prior cross-national comparative studies predominantly focused on examining financing structures or social health insurance (SHI) schemes, neglecting financing schemes targeting the poor, such as medical financial assistance (MFA). This study comparatively explores the design of health financing schemes and financial protection outcomes for low-income populations across six societies in East Asia: mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore.

METHODS: We assess the design of health financing schemes from the dimensions of income-based eligibility, population coverage, and benefit generosity. Policy information was collected from official websites and policy reports. To compare financial protection outcomes, we derived the data through the “model family approach” and jurisdiction-level statistics and simulated catastrophic health spending of lung cancer for individuals across four income levels: (1) no income; (2) earning minimum wage; (3) earning half the national/regional average wage; and (4) earning the national/regional average wage.

RESULTS: We find that health financing schemes in Taiwan and Hong Kong are generous and inclusive for general populations, while Japan, South Korea, and Singapore’s financing schemes are protective and offer relatively generous benefits for vulnerable groups. In contrast, mainland China provides limited benefits in SHI and MFA schemes. Health financing schemes reduce the financial burden to varying degrees, with Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea providing financial protection for low-income populations to a higher degree, followed by Japan, Singapore, and mainland China. Notably, our findings highlight inequities for individuals earning half the average wage in Singapore, mainland China, and Japan (and to a lesser extent in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea), as these groups face higher risks of catastrophic health spending compared to other income groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings further the understanding of health financing designs in East Asia. We also provide evidence for governments to enhance financial protection for low-income populations, particularly near-poor groups, to achieve more equitable health financing arrangements.

PMID:40745326 | DOI:10.1186/s12939-025-02568-2

Parasit Vectors. 2025 Jul 31;18(1):312. doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-06816-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Since its emergence in Georgia in 2007, the seasonal pattern of African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II outbreaks in European pig populations has been evident. It is hypothesized that summer-related farming practices, along with the increased activity and abundance of arthropod vectors during warmer months, contribute to the increased incidence of these outbreaks during this period. This study investigated the potential role of stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) and biting midges of the genus Culicoides as mechanical vectors of ASFV. In addition, the potential distribution and abundance of different species of Culicoides biting midges on pig farms was investigated.

METHODS: From August 2021 to August 2023, vector surveillance was conducted as part of a case-control study on 42 outbreak farms and 70 control farms across Romania, Lithuania, and Poland. Collected insect specimens were pooled and tested for ASFV DNA using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

RESULTS: A total of 8604 biting midges of the genus Culicoides specimens and 742 S. calcitrans flies were collected, with ASF DNA detected in 27 out of 1219 insect pools. Positive pools were predominantly observed in Culicoides punctatus, C. newsteadi, and the Obsoletus complex, with most detections occurring in August. However, ASFV isolation was unsuccessful. Statistical analyses revealed no significant association between farm status (outbreak versus control) and ASFV DNA detection in pools of biting midges of the genus Culicoides, likely due to limited sample size. Additionally, two ASFV-positive S. calcitrans pools were identified, supporting their potential role as mechanical vehicles for ASFV. The findings highlight the affinity of C. punctatus, C. newsteadi, and the Obsoletus complex and S. calcitrans for pig farms – an aspect that was previously undocumented. This association may increase the likelihood of ASFV acquisition and dissemination by these species. Environmental factors, such as pig farm density and proximity to other hosts, likely influence this risk.

CONCLUSIONS: These results emphasize the importance of vector control strategies, including insect netting, to mitigate ASFV transmission risks. Further research is needed to understand the dynamics of ASFV infection in arthropods. Notably, this study also reports the first identification of Culicoides riethi and Culicoides salinarius in Lithuania.

PMID:40745323 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-025-06816-w

Parasit Vectors. 2025 Jul 31;18(1):313. doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-06945-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a frequent complication in dogs with heartworm disease caused by Dirofilaria immitis. Although echocardiography remains the main diagnostic tool, its operator- and preload-dependence may limit accuracy. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a cardiac biomarker that increases in response to ventricular wall stress and may be useful for monitoring right-sided heart disease. This study aimed to evaluate NT-proBNP concentrations in dogs with precapillary PH due to heartworm disease during adulticide treatment.

METHODS: In total, 90 dogs diagnosed with heartworm disease were prospectively enrolled and classified according to the presence of PH based on echocardiographic criteria. NT-proBNP concentrations were measured on days 0, 30, 60, and 90 of adulticide treatment. Additional data collected included the presence/absence of microfilariae, clinical signs, parasite burden, and renal values. Dogs received adulticidal therapy following current international guidelines. Statistical analyses assessed correlations between NT-proBNP levels, epidemiological, clinical and echocardiographic classification, and treatment progression.

RESULTS: Dogs with PH had significantly higher NT-proBNP concentrations at baseline compared with those without PH (2038 ± 1671 versus 583 ± 185 pmol/L, P < 0.001). NT-proBNP levels were also positively correlated with parasite burden (r = 0.530, P < 0.05), presence of clinical signs (r = 0.456, P < 0.05), and age (r = 0.29, P < 0.05). During treatment, a progressive decrease in NT-proBNP concentrations was observed in dogs with PH, while levels remained stable in dogs without PH. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified a cut-off of 1524.8 pmol/L for detecting moderate-to-severe PH (sensitivity: 99%, specificity: 87%).

CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP is a valuable noninvasive biomarker for detecting and monitoring PH in dogs with heartworm disease. Its concentrations seem to reflect parasite burden, clinical status, and echocardiographic severity, and decline progressively with adulticide therapy. Integration of NT-proBNP into diagnostic and therapeutic protocols may enhance management of heartworm-infected dogs with suspected PH.

PMID:40745322 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-025-06945-2

Parasit Vectors. 2025 Jul 31;18(1):314. doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-06918-5.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Intestinal schistosomiasis, caused by Schistosoma mansoni, is endemic in both Africa and South America. In Senegal and Brazil, S. mansoni is transmitted by Biomphalaria pfeifferi and Biomphalaria glabrata, respectively. With increasing human migration from Senegal to the Americas, there is a potential risk of transferring parasite strains across continents. Understanding the compatibility between Schistosoma species and strains, and snail hosts is therefore essential. This study investigated the compatibility of two S. mansoni strains from Senegal (SmSEN) and Brazil (SmBRA) with both B. pfeifferi (BpSEN) and B. glabrata (BgBRA) originating from Senegal and Brazil, respectively.

METHODS: Four infection combinations were performed: (1) SmSEN + BpSEN (2) SmSEN + BgBRA (3) SmBRA + BgBRA, and (4) SmBRA + BpSEN. A minimum of 72 snails were individually exposed to five miracidia per combination.

RESULTS: The data show high compatibility between Brazilian and Senegalese S. mansoni with B. pfeifferi (92.4% and 77.3%, respectively). In contrast, both strains showed a low compatibility with B. glabrata, with rates of 67.3 and 48% for the Brazilian and Senegalese S. mansoni, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: The high compatibility between S. mansoni and Biomphalaria species from Senegal and Brazil highlights the adaptability of S. mansoni to infect different Biomphalaria species across geographically distinct regions. These findings emphasize the importance of monitoring areas at risk of schistosomiasis emergence, particularly in the context of human migration and the invasive spread of Biomphalaria species into novel environments.

PMID:40745319 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-025-06918-5

World J Surg Oncol. 2025 Jul 31;23(1):306. doi: 10.1186/s12957-025-03914-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Robotic hepatectomy is widely used to treat liver tumors. However, there are limited studies comparing robotic hepatectomy with conventional open hepatectomy for large (≥ 5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aims to evaluate the perioperative and long-term outcomes of patients with large and huge hepatocellular carcinoma undergoing robotic or open hepatectomy.

METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with large hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent robotic hepatectomy or open hepatectomy by the same surgical team at the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, from January 2021 to January 2024. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize potential bias.

RESULTS: According to the predetermined inclusion criteria, this study included 96 open hepatectomy(OH) patients and 23 robotic hepatectomy (RH) patients. After PSM, two homogeneous groups (RH and OH, n = 23 each) were created. The RH group had less blood loss (median 100 ml vs. 300ml, P = 0.008) and a lower incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (8.7% vs. 39.1%, P = 0.016) compared to the OH group. There were no statistically significant differences in overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: For patients with large(≥ 5 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma, robotic hepatectomy provides a safe, feasible and less invasive approach for treatment.

PMID:40745311 | DOI:10.1186/s12957-025-03914-y

Gac Med Mex. 2025;161(2):140-147. doi: 10.24875/GMM.M25000987.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Emphysematous pyelonephritis (EP) is an acute, necrotizing infection of the renal parenchyma and surrounding tissues, characterized by the presence of gas in the renal parenchyma and adjacent structures.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the outcomes of patients with EP, treated at the General Hospital of Mexico.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: An observational, analytical study was carried out, between January 2018 and December 2023. Clinical data, urine cultures and tomographic findings (severity classification by Huang-Tseng) were collected.

RESULTS: 51 clinical records were included, 64.7% women, and average age 52 years. 70% lived with diabetes type 2 and 60% had uro-renal lithiasis, about 30% had severe EP. 80% of cases were resolved with treatment based on antibiotics and drainage by interventional radiology. There was an average of 10 days of hospitalization and fatality of 5.9%; the severity of the acute kidney injury showed an association with mortality (p ≤ 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The combined use of antibiotics with drainage of the abscess through interventional radiology was associated with a decrease in morbidity and mortality in these cases.

PMID:40743538 | DOI:10.24875/GMM.M25000987

Gac Med Mex. 2025;161(2):185-191. doi: 10.24875/GMM.M25000990.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The incorporation of industrial foods in Indigenous peoples has generated health problems in families, related to the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, Diabetes mellitus type II, metabolic liver disease, defined as “adiposity in poverty syndrome”.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the frequency of diseases of the adiposity syndrome in poverty in Indigenous peoples in transition to modernity in the Wixarika region of the state of Jalisco, Mexico.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: An epidemiological, cross-sectional analytical design with sampling segmented by community size is applied. 238 cases over 30 years old of 221 families from three communities are studied. Statistical analysis is performed by nonparametric tests, with significant p < 0.05.

RESULTS: There is a significant difference in the frequencies of adiposity syndrome by community size, by locality and between traditional communities and those in the process of westernization.

CONCLUSIONS: The study provides a sociohistorical approach to the problems of Indigenous peoples from critical epidemiology. In the Wixaritari populations there are changes in health conditions, determined by the degree of social development and by their incorporation into the processes of Westernization.

PMID:40743536 | DOI:10.24875/GMM.M25000990

JMIR Infodemiology. 2025 Jul 31;5:e70413. doi: 10.2196/70413.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Misinformation on social media during natural disasters has become a significant challenge, with the potential to increase public confusion, panic, and distrust. Although individuals rely on social media platforms for timely updates during crises, these platforms also facilitate the rapid spread of unverified and misleading information. Consequently, misinformation can hamper emergency response efforts, misdirect resources, and distort public perception of the disaster’s true severity.

OBJECTIVE: This narrative review aims to (1) critically evaluate the available evidence; (2) unpack the dynamics of misinformation on social media in the context of natural disasters, specifically natural hazards, shedding light on the challenges, implications, and potential solutions; and (3) develop a conceptual model linking misinformation, public impact, and disasters, grounded in sourced evidence.

METHODS: The narrative review examines the impact of social media misinformation in the context of natural disasters. The literature search was conducted using the PubMed database and Google Scholar in April 2024. Studies eligible for inclusion were published in English, with no restrictions on publication date, geographic region, or target population. The inclusion criteria focused on the original research that examined social media misinformation related to natural disasters, specifically natural hazards.

RESULTS: From an initial pool of 173 studies, 9 studies met the inclusion criteria for this review. The selected studies revealed consistent patterns in how misinformation spreads during natural disasters, highlighting the role of users, some influencers, and bots in amplified false narratives. The misleading messages disseminated across social media platforms often outpaced official communications, resulting in reduced trust and exacerbating anxiety, stress, and fear among affected populations. This heightened emotional response and erosion of trust in official communications influenced an individual’s susceptibility to the misinformation and prompted inappropriate actions. Consequently, such actions led to resource misallocation, overwhelmed emergency services, and diverted attention away from genuine needs. Collectively, these factors negatively impacted public health outcomes and diminished the effectiveness of emergency management efforts, as illustrated in the conceptual model developed to provide a greater understanding of this critical area of study.

CONCLUSIONS: This narrative review highlights the significant impact of misinformation in the context of natural disasters, specifically natural hazards. It stresses the urgent need for disaster preparedness and response plans that include targeted interventions such as real-time misinformation detection technologies, public education campaigns focused on digital literacy, and proactive debunking initiatives. Implementing these strategies can help mitigate the harmful effects of misinformation, strengthen public trust in official communications, enhance the effectiveness of disaster response, and improve public health outcomes.

PMID:40743535 | DOI:10.2196/70413