Tag: pubmed

Int J Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 18;19(1):140-148. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2026.01.18. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To explore the causal relationship between several possible behavioral factors and high myopia (HM) using multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) approach and to find the mediators among them with mediation analysis.

METHODS: The causal effects of several behavioral factors, including screen time, education time, time spent outdoors, and physical activity, on the risk of HM using univariable Mendelian randomization (MR) and MVMR analyses were first assessed. Genome-wide association study summary statistics of serum metabolites were also used in mediation analysis to determine the extent to which serum metabolites mediate the effects of behavioral factors on HM.

RESULTS: MR analyses indicated that both increased time spent outdoors and a higher frequency of moderate physical activity significantly reduced the risk of HM. Further MVMR analysis confirmed that moderate physical activity independently contributed to a lower risk of HM. Additionally, MR analyses identified 13 serum metabolites significantly associated with HM, of which 12 were lipids and one was an amino acid derivative. Mediation analysis revealed that six lipid metabolites mediated the protective effects of moderate physical activity on HM, with the highest mediation proportion observed for 1-(1-enyl-palmitoyl)-GPC (p-16:0; 30.83%).

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that in addition to outdoor time, moderate physical activity habits may have an independent protective effect against HM and pointed to lipid metabolites as priority targets for the prevention due to low physical activity. These results emphasize the importance of physical activity and metabolic health in HM and underscore the need for further study of these complex associations.

PMID:41524010 | PMC:PMC12782062 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2026.01.18

Int J Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 18;19(1):90-96. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2026.01.12. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of the total computer vision syndrome questionnaire (CVS-Q) score as a predictive tool for identifying individuals with symptomatic binocular vision anomalies and refractive errors.

METHODS: A total of 141 healthy computer users underwent comprehensive clinical visual function assessments, including evaluations of refractive errors, accommodation (amplitude of accommodation, positive relative accommodation, negative relative accommodation, accommodative accuracy, and accommodative facility), and vergence (phoria, positive and negative fusional vergence, near point of convergence, and vergence facility). Total CVS-Q scores were recorded to explore potential associations between symptom scores and the aforementioned clinical visual function parameters.

RESULTS: The cohort included 54 males (38.3%) with a mean age of 23.9±0.58y and 87 age-matched females (61.7%) with a mean age of 23.9±0.53y. The multiple regression model was statistically significant [R²=0.60, F=13.28, degrees of freedom (DF=17 122, P<0.001]. This indicates that 60% of the variance in total CVS-Q scores (reflecting reported symptoms) could be explained by four clinical measurements: amplitude of accommodation, positive relative accommodation, exophoria at distance and near, and positive fusional vergence at near.

CONCLUSION: The total CVS-Q score is a valid and reliable tool for predicting the presence of various non-strabismic binocular vision anomalies and refractive errors in symptomatic computer users.

PMID:41524008 | PMC:PMC12782083 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2026.01.12

Int J Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 18;19(1):132-139. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2026.01.17. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To comprehensively assess the relationship between asthma and myopia based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database combined with Mendelian randomization (MR).

METHODS: Initially, 20 497 subjects from the complete questionnaire cycle in the NHANES database from 2005 to 2008 were included. By exclusion criteria, 8460 subjects were screened with 1676 myopia samples and 6784 control samples. Subsequently, baseline characteristics, association analyses, risk stratification analyses, and receive operating characteristic curve (ROC) were used to investigate the associations between covariates and myopia. Then, the causal relationship was explored in depth by MR analysis, and was estimated the reliability by sensitivity analyses and directionality tests.

RESULTS: Baseline characteristics illustrated a significant difference between myopia and controls for both asthma and covariates (excluding gender; P<0.05). The results in all three models indicated that asthma was strongly associated with myopia and the effect on myopia was not significantly confounded by other covariates [model 3: odd ratio (OR)=1.31; 95%CI=1.07-1.62; P=0.0133]. The risk stratification analysis again verified that asthma remained strongly associated with myopia and was a risk factor for myopia (P<0.05, OR>1). ROC proved that the model was accurate in its prediction [area under curve (AUC)=0.7]. Subsequently, the causal relationship between them was statistically significant (P<0.05) according to the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method in MR. Scatterplot showed that asthma and myopia had significant positive causality and were not affected by confounders. Forest plot displayed an increasing risk of myopia on asthma (OR>1). The funnel plot demonstrated compliance with Mendel’s second law. Sensitivity analysis and directional analysis further confirmed the confidence of the MR analysis results and a unidirectional causal relationship between them.

CONCLUSION: A significant association and causality between asthma and myopia is found through the NHANES database and MR analysis, which is important implications for public health policy development and clinical practice.

PMID:41524007 | PMC:PMC12782071 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2026.01.17

Int J Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 18;19(1):77-82. doi: 10.18240/ijo.2026.01.10. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of ranibizumab on optic disc and macular microvascular perfusion in central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) with macular edema (ME).

METHODS: Optical coherence tomography angiology (OCTA) parameters, including optic disc vessel density (VD; including whole-disc VD, intra-disc VD, and peripapillary VD), superficial/deep capillary plexus (SCP/DCP) VD, and central macular thickness (CMT) were analyzed. Additional assessments included best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) via Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) chart and hemorheological profiling. CRVO patients received monthly intravitreal ranibizumab injections for three consecutive months. Pre- and post-treatment parameters were statistically compared.

RESULTS: The study comprised 60 CRVO-ME patients (28 males; 32 females), aged 50-78y (mean 63.3±7.6y) and 60 age-/sex-matched healthy controls. As compared with participants exhibiting normal funduscopic findings, CRVO patients demonstrated significantly elevated levels of low-shear-rate whole blood viscosity (LSR-WBV), high-shear-rate whole blood viscosity (HSR-WBV), and aggregation index (AI, all P<0.05). In CRVO-affected eyes, vertical cup-to-disc (C/D) ratio and optic cup volume were significantly smaller, whereas retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness was significantly greater, compared to both unaffected contralateral eyes and normal control eyes (all P<0.05). Following treatment, VD of the entire optic disc (P<0.05), intra-disc VD (P<0.05), and peripapillary VD (P<0.05) all increased significantly relative to baseline. CMT decreased significantly (P<0.05), whereas macular SCP-VD and macular DCP-VD showed non-significant slight reductions (P>0.05). At baseline, BCVA of CRVO eyes correlated with whole-disc VD (r=-0.276, P=0.033), intra-disc VD (r=-0.342, P=0.009), and peripapillary VD (r=-0.335, P=0.007), with intra-disc VD demonstrating the strongest association. Besides, BCVA improvement, after the treatment, correlated positively with whole-disc VD (r=0.342, P=0.008) and intra-disc VD (r=0.396, P=0.002).

CONCLUSION: Optic disc blood perfusion is more closely associated with visual acuity than macular perfusion, suggesting intra-disc VD may serve as a potential biomarker for monitoring visual acuity changes in CRVO. Multiple ranibizumab injections significantly improve optic disc perfusion but may have exerted detrimental effects on the macula. CRVO patients shows higher hemorheological parameters than those with normal fundi. Reduced vertical C/D ratio and optic cup volume may be linked to CRVO incidence, potentially acting as susceptibility factors.

PMID:41524002 | PMC:PMC12782078 | DOI:10.18240/ijo.2026.01.10

Alpha Psychiatry. 2025 Dec 22;26(6):49341. doi: 10.31083/AP49341. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study compared addiction severity, psychotic symptoms, suicide risk, and craving in patients with heroin use disorder, with and without methamphetamine use. We also investigated the reasons for methamphetamine use in these patients, and assessed 3-month clinical follow-up and treatment compliance.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 166 inpatients diagnosed with heroin use disorder (DSM-5). Patients were divided into two groups: heroin use only (H), and heroin use + methamphetamine use (H+M). Clinical assessments included the Addiction Profile Index-Clinical Form (API-C), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), and Suicide Probability Scale (SPS). Statistical analyses were conducted with Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and included descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, and logistic regression. Three-month follow-up results and treatment compliance were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The H and H+M groups included 80 and 86 participants, respectively. The H+M group had higher BPRS total scores, API-C subscale scores (craving, risky behaviors, excitement-seeking, impulsiveness, depression), addiction severity, additional substance use, anxiety, depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, and 3-month lapse rate. Craving and excitement-seeking were independent predictors of methamphetamine use.

CONCLUSION: The H+M group showed more severe addiction, novelty-seeking personal characteristics, and suicidal ideation compared to the H group. Craving scores were higher in the H+M group and should not be overlooked, along with a greater risk of early lapse. Our study found that craving, risky behaviors, depressive and psychotic symptoms, and suicidal thoughts are the most critical issues to be addressed in the treatment and follow-up of the H+M patient group.

PMID:41523975 | PMC:PMC12781224 | DOI:10.31083/AP49341

Alpha Psychiatry. 2025 Dec 22;26(6):49352. doi: 10.31083/AP49352. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanisms underlying clozapine-induced metabolic syndrome (MetS) in schizophrenia patients, providing scientific evidence for clinicians to prevent and manage metabolic syndrome during the treatment of psychiatric disorders.

METHODS: Ten schizophrenia patients with MetS and ten matched controls were recruited from Shanghai Mental Health Center according to the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria for schizophrenia and the 2016 Chinese Adult Dyslipidemia Prevention and Treatment Guidelines for MetS. Peripheral blood RNA sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network were used to pinpoint hub genes. Mendelian randomization (MR) was conducted to validate causal relationship between serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and MetS components.

RESULTS: A total of 1019 DEGs were identified, grouped into eight mRNA modules through WGCNA. Key hub genes included RP11-611O2.6, acid phosphatase-like 2 (ACPL2), T cell receptor alpha variable 12-2 (TRAV12-2), matrix metallopeptidase 8 (MMP8), piggyBac transposable element derived 4 pseudogene 1 (PGBD4P1), transmembrane protein 261 (TMEM261), and BDNF, with BDNF and MMP8 further validated by PPI network analysis. MR analysis confirmed a causal association between BDNF levels and MetS risk, reinforcing its role in metabolic dysregulation. Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and pathway enrichment analysis highlighted immune response, morphological changes, and metabolic processes as key biological processes, with pathways such as biological oxidation and defensins significantly enriched.

CONCLUSION: Significant differences in gene expression are observed between schizophrenia patients with and without MetS. Individual variability in clozapine-induced MetS may be linked to DEGs.

PMID:41523972 | PMC:PMC12781211 | DOI:10.31083/AP49352

Alpha Psychiatry. 2025 Dec 23;26(6):49375. doi: 10.31083/AP49375. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study is to develop an easily applicable scale to measure the course of treatment and the level of recovery for mental problems in various dimensions, which can be used in clinical practice and research.

METHODS: The validity and reliability test of Moodist Outcome Inventory (MOI) were conducted with 293 participants. Criterion-related validity was investigated by assessment with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Disability Assessment Schedule (WHO-DAS-II), and Psychological Distress Scale (K10-PDS). Factor analysis was investigated by assessment with clinical and non-clinical samples. The sample was followed for six clinical assessments and evaluated by repetitive analysis of Variance (ANOVA) measurement.

RESULTS: The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of the total scale was noted to be 0.89 in the reliability analysis. In the exploratory factor analysis, the single factor explaining 75.64% of the total variance was attained, and all items were included in this factor. Forty cases completed six clinical assessments, and the change between the MOI scores during the time interval was noted to be statistically significant. The correlation of the MOI scale with the K-10, WHO-DAS-II, and BPRS scales was noted to be 0.62, 0.73, and 0.65, respectively. In six consecutive assessments, the mean scores of all scales dropped significantly. The cut-off point of the scale was recorded as 7.27, and the reliable change index (RCI) was noted as 2.5.

CONCLUSION: MOI was assessed as a valid and reliable scale for evaluating the course of treatment. The strengths of the scale are that it assesses both symptoms and well-being, is short, and can be implemented in clinical practice.

PMID:41523968 | PMC:PMC12781210 | DOI:10.31083/AP49375

Malays Fam Physician. 2025 Dec 11;20:78-100. doi: 10.51866/oa.880. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have an increased risk of developing glucose intolerance. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of glucose intolerance and its associated factors among postpartum women with a history of GDM in Penang.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at five government primary care clinics in Penang. Postpartum women with a history of GDM who underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 6-12 weeks postpartum were recruited from August to October 2023. Data collected included sociodemographic details, clinical characteristics, physical activity levels measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form and OGTT results. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.

RESULTS: A total of 204 women participated, with a mean age of 31.7 (SD=5.05) years. The prevalence of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus was 23.5% and 3.9%, respectively. Among the participants, 47.5% were inactive, while 27.5% were physically active. The participants on oral medication or insulin had higher odds of developing postpartum glucose intolerance. Conversely, the participants who were minimally active or active had a lower likelihood of developing glucose intolerance than those who were inactive.

CONCLUSION: Among women attending primary care clinics in Penang, 27.5% had abnormal glucose tolerance postpartum. Physical inactivity was a significant risk factor. This study highlights the need to promote physical activity during pre-pregnancy care to reduce postpartum glucose intolerance and its complications.

PMID:41523956 | PMC:PMC12789809 | DOI:10.51866/oa.880

Circ Rep. 2025 Nov 20;8(1):58-67. doi: 10.1253/circrep.CR-25-0156. eCollection 2026 Jan 9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) after bioprosthetic valve (BPV) replacement is common in older patients with multiple comorbidities and is associated with a heightened risk of thromboembolism. Anticoagulation therapy is often indicated, but renal impairment and other comorbidities elevate bleeding risk, making clinical decisions complex. This study compared clinical outcomes between warfarin and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in this high-risk population.

METHODS AND RESULTS: This subgroup analysis of the BPV-AF Registry included 612 patients treated with oral anticoagulants after BPV replacement, stratified by renal function: normal or mild impairment (creatinine clearance [CCr] ≥50 mL/min), mild-to-moderate impairment (30 mL/min ≤ CCr < 50 mL/min), and moderate-to-severe impairment (15 mL/min ≤ CCr < 30 mL/min). Baseline characteristics and outcomes were analyzed within each stratum. The composite outcome of stroke, systemic embolism, and cardiovascular events was numerically less frequent in the DOAC than warfarin group across all strata, although the differences were not statistically significant. Major bleeding also tended to be lower in the DOAC group.

CONCLUSIONS: In this study from a Japanese nationwide registry comparing outcomes of AF patients after BPV replacement with severe renal impairment between those treated with DOACs and those treated with warfarin, comparative conclusions between DOACs and warfarin cannot be drawn because of the small sample size. Nonetheless, both anticoagulants may be acceptable in clinical practice, highlighting the need for individualized decision-making based on patient risk.

PMID:41523933 | PMC:PMC12782906 | DOI:10.1253/circrep.CR-25-0156

Explor Asthma Allergy. 2025;3:100978. doi: 10.37349/eaa.2025.100978. Epub 2025 Apr 16.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Emerging epidemiological studies have reported a link between allergic diseases, including asthma, and depression. Evidently, the gut microbiota is involved in the pathogenesis of asthma and depression. Therefore, we investigated whether allergic lung inflammation in mice causes gut microbial dysbiosis, via the gut-brain axis, which is potentially associated with depression.

METHODS: Wild-type C57BL/6J female mice were sensitized with intranasal house dust mite (HDM) antigen or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 6 weeks to induce chronic allergic lung inflammation. Sucrose preference tests were performed for assessing depression. Fecal samples were collected, and 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing was performed to detect differences in gut microbiota composition between the HDM and PBS groups. The distance calculation, clustering of operational taxonomic units, rarefaction analysis, and estimator calculation (α- and β-diversity) were performed.

RESULTS: There was a significant difference in β-diversity (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, F-statistics = 6.16, p = 0.001) of the gut microbiota between HDM and PBS groups. However, there was no difference in the α-diversity. We observed multiple differentially abundant bacteria in the HDM and PBS groups. The order class Clostridia (p = 0.0036) and genus Faecalibaculum (p = 0.028) were more abundant in the HDM group, whereas the phylum Firmicutes (p = 0.037) and genera Dubosiella (p = 0.00024) and Turicibacter (p = 0.037) were more abundant in the PBS group. Notably, the relative abundance of some bacteria was correlated with the sucrose preference test results.

CONCLUSIONS: Six weeks of intranasal HDM administration to mimic the chronic status of lung inflammation in asthma changed the gut microbiome in mice and was associated with depression-like behavioral changes.

PMID:41523930 | PMC:PMC12781662 | DOI:10.37349/eaa.2025.100978