Tag: pubmed

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11771. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96357-0.

ABSTRACT

Domain generalization (DG) addresses the challenge of out-of-distribution (OOD) data; however, the reliance on statistical correlations during model development often introduces shortcut learning problems. Current approaches to mitigating these issues commonly involve the integration of causal inference, formalizing DG problems through a general structural causal model. Nevertheless, ensuring the independence of features when incorporating causal models is often overlooked, leading to spurious causal relationships. In this work, we design three independent feature modules using GAN variants (GAN, WGAN, and WGAN-GP) and select the best-performing WGAN module to integrate into the existing causal model framework, constructing an independent causal relationship learning (ICRL) model. Extensive experiments on widely used datasets demonstrate that our model, with independent causal representations, outperforms the original model in both performance and efficiency, thereby validating the effectiveness of our proposed approach. The code for ICRL can be accessed at: https://github.com/22Shao/ICRL.git .

PMID:40189711 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-96357-0

Commun Biol. 2025 Apr 6;8(1):575. doi: 10.1038/s42003-025-07995-z.

ABSTRACT

Understanding disease progression is crucial for detecting critical transitions and finding trigger molecules, facilitating early diagnosis interventions. However, the high dimensionality of data and the lack of aligned samples across disease stages have posed challenges in addressing these tasks. We present a computational framework, Gaussian Graphical Optimal Transport (GGOT), for analyzing disease progressions. The proposed GGOT uses Gaussian graphical models, incorporating protein interaction networks, to characterize the data distributions at different disease stages. Then we use population-level optimal transport to calculate the Wasserstein distances and transport between stages, enabling us to detect critical transitions. By analyzing the per-molecule transport distance, we quantify the importance of each molecule and identify trigger molecules. Moreover, GGOT predicts the occurrence of critical transitions in unseen samples and visualizes the disease progression process. We apply GGOT to the simulation dataset and six disease datasets with varying disease progression rates to substantiate its effectiveness. Compared to existing methods, our proposed GGOT exhibits superior performance in detecting critical transitions.

PMID:40189710 | DOI:10.1038/s42003-025-07995-z

Prog Orthod. 2025 Apr 7;26(1):13. doi: 10.1186/s40510-025-00560-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The symbiotic relationship between the oral microbiome and the host immune system is a prerequisite of oral health. Disruptions to this system can be associated with the development of diseases like dental caries. Introducing orthodontic treatments, such as aligners and fixed appliances, might impact this microbial ecosystem. This study evaluated potential changes in salivary microbiome and the level of inflammatory marker myeloid-related protein 8/14 in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with aligners or fixed appliances.

METHODS: Forty-eight patients were divided into two groups for treatment with fixed appliances or clear aligners. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected at baseline, three, and six months for microbiome analysis via 16 S rRNA sequencing and MRP-8/14 level measurement using ELISA.

RESULTS: Among 503 identified microbial species, no significant changes were noted in overall microbiome. A considerable increase of caries-relevant species could not be observed either. MRP-8/14 levels remained unchanged across treatments, indicating no alterations in the inflammatory level.

CONCLUSION: Orthodontic treatment with fixed or removable appliances does not significantly alter the salivary microbiome or influence inflammation, suggesting that these interventions are unlikely to affect oral health negatively.

PMID:40189709 | DOI:10.1186/s40510-025-00560-8

Mol Cell Pediatr. 2025 Apr 7;12(1):4. doi: 10.1186/s40348-025-00192-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Infections are highly relevant for neonatal mortality and long-term morbidities in survivors. Therefore, it is an urgent need to optimize and evaluate infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies. Several infection outbreaks in German neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) required rapid responses by hospitals and improved future preparedness. As a consequence, German authorities recommended weekly colonization screening on NICUs. This screening aims to detect multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) and bacteria with high transmissibility. According to these guidelines, infants colonized with multiresistant gram-negative (MRGN) bacteria with in-vitro resistance to piperacillin and cephalosporins (2MRGN) should be cared wearing non-sterile gloves and gowns in addition to standard hygiene precautions. Whether these extended IPC measures have an individual benefit for infants or contribute to the prevention of infection outbreaks has not yet been scientifically proven. This study aims to evaluate the effect of hand desinfection as compared to hand desinfection + gloves and gowns (barrier care) for the care of 2MRGN colonized infants in NICUs on infection and transmission rates through a multicenter, cluster randomized controlled trial (BALTIC study, Barrier protection to lower transmission and infection rates with Gram-negative 2-MRGN in preterm children).

METHODS: 12 participating NICUs were randomly allocated to two trial arms: receiving the intervention “standard precautions with a special focus on hand desinfection” or control (standard precautions “plus” barrier care) for the care of 2MRGN positive infants. Cross over was performed after 12 months for another 12 months per site. Primary outcome was the rate of healthcare-associated (HA) Gram-negative bloodstream infections. Secondary outcomes included transmission rate with screening relevant bacteria, overall rate of clinical and culture-proven infections, number of antibiotic cycles and desinfectant use. Regular trainings and hygiene audits are standardized co-interventions.

BENCHMARKING RESULTS: According to our single center data, 9.3% of NICU-treated infants are colonized with 2MRGN during their hospital stay. BALTIC randomized the first center in October 2020 and finished data collection including close-out monitoring in January 2024. Data analysis will be completed in May 2025.

CONCLUSIONS: BALTIC should contribute to better evidence on the effectiveness of hand desinfection and extended barrier precautions in critically ill newborns. Further benefits include comprehensive multi-center data collection on MDRO colonization dynamics, an improved awareness on IPC strategies and establishment of network platforms including antimicrobial stewardship programs.

PMID:40189707 | DOI:10.1186/s40348-025-00192-2

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11767. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96263-5.

ABSTRACT

This research presents an advancement of the Elk Herd Optimization targeting specific real-world multi-objective optimization problems, this algorithm is stated as the multi-objective Elk Herd Optimization (MOEHO). MOEHO exploits reproductive behaviour among elk herds for balancing exploration and exploitation within the optimization procedure toward diversification and convergence. The algorithm performed better over the set of small-to-medium scale structural design problems thus is widely applicable in engineering design. Further, when compared with eight benchmark truss structures against five well-established algorithms the MOEHO has outperformed them in the perspective of performance parameters like Spacing (SP), Hypervolume (HV) and Inverted Generational Distance (IGD). More concrete statistical analysis through Friedman rank test also ascertains the robustness and efficiency of the algorithm, especially at high complexities in optimization. The research attracts attention to the ability of such an algorithm which maintains a balance between the exploration and exploitation. Computational efficiency of MOEHO and qualitatively diversifying solutions along Pareto front, makes it especially applicable in complex engineering applications. Further research into extension of MOEHO with applicability on more dimensional problems, applied even in energy systems optimization.

PMID:40189688 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-96263-5

Clin Oral Investig. 2025 Apr 7;29(5):225. doi: 10.1007/s00784-025-06304-6.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) on the microtensile bond strength (µTBS) and resin-dentin interface of universal adhesive (etch-and-rinse mode) under thermocycling.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Artificial caries lesions were induced on human dentin discs using a bacterial model and divided into four groups: C (no treatment), CT (no treatment, thermocycling), CS (SDF), and CST (SDF, thermocycling). The treated-dentin surface was bonded with universal adhesive (etch-and-rinse mode) and stored for 24 h or subjected to 10,000 thermocycles. µTBS was performed with 1 mm/min crosshead speed with a 50 N load cell (n = 16/group). The resin-dentin interface was examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) (n = 3/group). Statistical analyses included two-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc tests for µTBS and Fisher’s Exact Test with Bonferroni correction for failure mode distribution.

RESULTS: The highest bond strength was observed in C (24.28 ± 2.27 MPa) followed by CST (18.26 ± 5.63 MPa). Significantly lower µTBS was detected in CS (14.20 ± 3.32 MPa) and CT (12.72 ± 2.12 MPa). CT exhibited a distinct failure mode from the other groups (p < 0.05). CLSM revealed less uniform resin tags in CS and CST. EDX demonstrated silver deposition at 50 μm beneath the adhesive layer in CS and at 120 μm with lower intensity in CST.

CONCLUSIONS: SDF enhances bonding durability, as evidenced by increased µTBS and modified resin-dentin interface.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: SDF may enhance the durability of bonding with universal adhesive in etch-and-rinse mode.

PMID:40189667 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-025-06304-6

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11747. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96053-z.

ABSTRACT

The utility of CT-derived parameters for hepatic steatosis assessment has primarily focused on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study aimed to evaluate their applicability in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) through a retrospective analysis of 243 CHB patients. Using deep-learning-based 3D organ segmentation on abdominal CT scans at 100 kVp, the mean volumetric CT attenuation of the liver and spleen was automatically measured on pre-contrast (liver (L)_pre and spleen (S)_pre) and post-contrast (L_post and S_post) portal venous phase images. To identify mild, moderate, and severe steatosis (S1, S2, and S3 based on the controlled attenuation parameter), L_pre showed areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCs) of 0.695, 0.779, and 0.795, significantly higher than L-S_pre (0.633, 0.691, and 0.732; Ps = 0.02, 0.003, and 0.03). Post-contrast parameters demonstrated slightly lower AUROCs than their pre-contrast counterparts (Ps = 0.15-0.81). Concomitant hepatic fibrosis influenced diagnostic performance, with CT parameters performing better in patients without severe fibrosis than those with (F3-4 on transient elastography), though statistical significance was only observed for L-S_post in severe steatosis (P = 0.037). In conclusion, CT attenuation-based parameters extracted through automated 3D analysis show promise as a tool for assessing hepatic steatosis in patients with CHB.

PMID:40189652 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-96053-z

Int J Legal Med. 2025 Apr 7. doi: 10.1007/s00414-025-03485-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The diagnosis of hyperthermia-related death presents a significant challenge in the field of forensic medicine due to the lack of pathognomonic signs and the complexity of the variables involved. This systematic review analyzes research on the role of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in postmortem diagnosis of hyperthermia, considering studies related to environmental hyperthermia, fire-related fatalities, and substance-induced hyperthermia. A total of 36 studies were included, selected according to PRISMA guidelines and critically evaluated using JBI tools. The results highlighted significant methodological heterogeneity, with differences in the tissues studied, the immunohistochemical markers used, and the analytical techniques employed. Some markers showed diagnostic potential in cases of fire exposure, but in deaths due to environmental or substance-induced hyperthermia, the markers examined were neither specific nor reliable. Common methodological weaknesses included small sample sizes, biases, and insufficient statistical analysis, which influenced the interpretation of the results. Considering these issues, IHC cannot be considered a valid diagnostic technique for hyperthermia-related deaths. Future studies with greater methodological rigor, validation of specific markers, and standardization of procedures are necessary.

PMID:40189649 | DOI:10.1007/s00414-025-03485-3

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11802. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-88896-3.

ABSTRACT

Large presence of unlicensed powered two- and three-wheeler (PTW) drivers in China pose a significant threat to road safety. In this study, a customized Deep Forest Model (DF-ptw) is constructed to investigate the effect of unlicensed PTW drivers on crash severity in two-vehicle crashes, using a recent 3-year historical crash data. SHapley Additive explanation (SHAP) and Partial Dependence Plot (PDP) analysis reveal that unlicensed motorcyclists are significantly more likely to suffer serious injuries in two-vehicle crashes compared to unlicensed auto-rickshaw drivers. Additionally, factors such as drunk driving, fatigued driving, and being an unlicensed driver over the age of 53 notably elevate the risk of serious injury or death, with unlicensed motorcyclists being disproportionately affected. Moreover, self-employed unlicensed PTW drivers face a higher probability of serious injury or fatality in crashes compared to farmers, blue-collar, and white-collar workers. Unlicensed PTW drivers are also more susceptible to severe or fatal injuries on national and provincial roads, in low visibility conditions, during late-night hours, on non-separated roads, and at dusk or dawn. Based on these findings, this study proposes to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes involving unlicensed PTW drivers by focusing on more stringent eligibility checks, increasing safety awareness, and implementing advanced safety measures.

PMID:40189638 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-88896-3

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 6;15(1):11753. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-94935-w.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to confirm the psychometric validity of the French version of the Brief Resilience Scale (BRS-F), as well as to evaluate its psychometric properties for the first time using item response theory, more precisely the partial credit model (PCM). It also aimed to evaluate item invariance by exploring possible differential item functioning (DIF). The 3708 participants were recruited during a cross-sectional observational study among university students in the French region of Lorraine. The results of the classical test theory method demonstrated an overall good fit of the scale to the data, with SB-χ2 = 80.84, df = 9, χ²/df = 9.0, p < 0.001, and root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) (90% CI) = 0.046 [0.039; 0.058], standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = 0.018, and comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.991), and good internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.86). The PCM also yielded a good fit, with a good internal consistency (PSR = 0.88) and overall good infit indices. A slight irregularity in response distribution was observed with the “Neutral” category, but was not a threat to the structural integrity of the scale. No statistically significant DIF was observed when tested for gender (male vs. female) or academic level (undergraduate vs. graduate). Overall, the BRS-F was a good fit for the population of university students in France in a cross-sectional design.

PMID:40189614 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-94935-w