Tag: pubmed

Eur J Pediatr. 2026 Jan 26;185(2):106. doi: 10.1007/s00431-026-06761-5.

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in childhood, and levetiracetam, a newer anti-seizure medication (ASM), is widely used due to its efficacy and safety. Recent attention has focused on the effects of anti-seizure medication (ASM) on thyroid function. This study aimed to evaluate changes in thyroid function and thyroid volume in children receiving levetiracetam monotherapy. It is the first study to assess both thyroid function tests and ultrasonographic thyroid volume in this context. In this single-center, prospective study, 40 children aged 3 months to 18 years with epilepsy who began levetiracetam monotherapy at Dr. Behçet Uz Children’s Hospital between January and June 2024 were included. Thyroid function tests (fT3, fT4, TSH, Anti-TPO, Anti-Tg) and thyroid volume (via ultrasound) were measured before treatment and at the 6th month, and analyzed using age-adjusted standard deviation scores (SDS). No statistically significant differences were found between baseline and 6th-month values for fT3 (p = 0.678), fT4 (p = 0.604), TSH (p = 0.210), Anti-TPO (p = 0.923), or Anti-Tg (p = 0.843). Thyroid volume showed no significant change (p = 0.159), but thyroid volume SDS decreased significantly (p = 0.018).

CONCLUSION: Levetiracetam monotherapy over six months did not significantly affect thyroid hormone levels, autoantibodies, or absolute thyroid volume, although a decrease in thyroid volume SDS was noted. This may be due to measurement variability. Overall, short-term levetiracetam use appears safe in terms of thyroid function.

WHAT IS KNOWN: • Levetiracetam is widely used in pediatric epilepsy and is considered to have a favorable safety profile with respect to endocrine function. • Previous studies suggest that levetiracetam has minimal effects on thyroid function in children, although the available data are limited.

WHAT IS NEW: • This prospective study evaluates both thyroid function tests and ultrasonographic thyroid volume in children receiving levetiracetam monotherapy. • Over a six-month follow-up period, thyroid hormone levels and autoantibody profiles remained stable, with no clinically relevant change in absolute thyroid volume, although a mild decrease in thyroid volume standard deviation score was observed.

PMID:41582223 | DOI:10.1007/s00431-026-06761-5

Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2026 Jan 25. doi: 10.1186/s12933-026-03076-5. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41582213 | DOI:10.1186/s12933-026-03076-5

Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1038/s41391-026-01077-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Addition of an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) to androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) (ADT + ARPI, i.e., maximal androgen blockade, MAB) improves survival outcomes compared to ADT monotherapy in patients with prostate cancer (PC). It is known that ADT increases the risk of fractures in patients with PC, but it is unclear if this risk is higher with MAB. The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine if MAB increases the incidence of fractures compared to ADT alone, and if the incidence of fractures was influenced by the type of ARPI.

METHODS: Clinical trials assessing MAB versus ADT alone in patients with PC were identified using the PubMed/Medline and Cochrane library databases. The pooled odds ratio of developing fractures with MAB versus ADT alone was calculated for each type of ARPI in selected studies by random-effects modeling. The number of patients receiving bone-protecting agent (BPA) was also evaluated.

RESULTS: We identified 17 studies comprising 16162 patients for the systematic review and meta-analysis (9240 patients treated with MAB, 6922 patients treated with ADT alone). Each type of ADT + ARPI resulted in a statistically significant increased risk of fractures compared to ADT alone (pooled OR ranging from 1.5 to 2.4). There was no difference in the magnitude of the risk of fractures among the different ARPIs. Only 7 studies reported the number of patients treated with a BPA.

CONCLUSIONS: In our meta-analysis, MAB resulted in a statistically significant increase in fracture risk compared to ADT alone, regardless of the type of ARPI. Since long-term MAB represents the standard of care in various settings of PC, the use of a BPA should be generally recommended. Dosing and frequency of BPA need to be adapted according to the specific PC setting.

PMID:41582208 | DOI:10.1038/s41391-026-01077-9

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 25. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-37131-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The study presents a hybrid model for encryption which is based on the utilization of nonlinear chaotic behaviors in a cubic optoelectronic oscillator (OEO) as well as biomimetic DNA computation to achieve secure and lossless protection of audio data. Using a model of the oscillator that had a delayed feedback loop exhibited a strength of dynamical phenomena including Hopf-Hopf bifurcation, quasi-periodicity, and chaos, which will be applied for the generation of cryptographic keys. Bifurcation analysis was performed using the multiple scales method (MMS) in combination with DDE-BIFTOOL, and the analyses were able to observe the dynamical behaviors of the system through bifurcations while mapping high-entropy key sequences. The chaotic key sequences will drive DNA level permutation, substitution, and complementation processes to perform nonlinear diffusion and confusion of the audio data. Statistical tests demonstrated excellent encryption efficacy, with entropy values approaching [Formula: see text], NSCR above [Formula: see text], and UACI around [Formula: see text] confirming adequate randomness and resistance to statistical and differential attacks. In addition, resulting decrypted signals had negligible MSE [Formula: see text] and high PSNR [Formula: see text]dB), ensuring complete lossless recovery and accuracy.

PMID:41582207 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-37131-8

Breast Cancer Res. 2026 Jan 26;28(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s13058-025-02174-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Trastuzumab, combined with chemotherapy, is the current standard treatment for both metastatic and early-stage HER2-positive (HER2 +) breast cancer. One of the mechanisms of action of trastuzumab is antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), which involves engaging FcγRIIIA (CD16) on natural killer (NK) cells. A competent immune system and properly functioning NK cells are crucial for effective ADCC, as they can influence favorable clinical outcomes. Resistance to trastuzumab often develops after about one year. We previously reported that elevated levels of miR-19a-3p in the serum of patients with metastatic HER2 + breast cancer treated with trastuzumab were associated with a favorable prognosis. Here, we aim to identify the mechanism and the immune cells responsible for elevated serum levels of miR-19a-3p.

METHODS: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals were used to isolate naïve CD4 + T cells and NK cells. Naïve CD4 + T cells were polarized into CD4 + Th1 and CD4 + Th2 cells. NK cells were utilized for the ADCC assay. Levels of transcription factors, cytokines, and miR-19a-3p were measured using RT-qPCR. Surface markers and cytokines were analyzed by flow cytometry to characterize immune cell phenotypes.

RESULTS: In vitro NK cell-mediated ADCC resulted in increased levels of miR-19a-3p released into the supernatants after killing breast cancer cells. In vitro polarized CD4 + Th1 cells expressed and secreted higher levels of miR-19a-3p than CD4 + Th2 cells. Over a long-term in vitro culture (24 days), anti-CD3/CD28 restimulation sustained higher levels of miR-19a-3p in CD4 + Th1 cells compared to CD4 + Th2 cells and their respective supernatants. CD4 + Th1 cells developed a central memory T (T_CM) phenotype (CD45RO + CCR7 + CD62L +) and expressed and secreted higher levels of miR-19a-3p than CD4 + Th2 cells. In patients with HER2 + metastatic breast cancer, those with elevated serum levels of miR-19a-3p and a favorable prognosis had a larger percentage of circulating activated T cells and NK cells in their blood compared to patients with lower serum levels of miR-19a-3p and a poor prognosis. The small cohort (n = 15) limits the statistical power of our retrospective study.

DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that elevated levels of miR-19a-3p in the serum of patients with HER2 + metastatic breast cancer may result from effective NK cell-mediated ADCC and activation of CD4 + Th1 cells, which could be responsible for the anti-tumor immune response associated with a favorable prognosis. Blood levels of miR-19a-3p might help identify breast cancer patients who have effective trastuzumab-induced anti-tumor immune responses.

PMID:41582199 | DOI:10.1186/s13058-025-02174-8

J Eat Disord. 2026 Jan 25. doi: 10.1186/s40337-026-01530-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Interoception is the capacity to perceive, interpret, and respond to internal bodily signals and is increasingly recognised as an important factor in the development and maintenance of eating disorders (EDs). Altered interoception contributes to disrupted hunger and satiety, body image disturbances, and difficulties with emotional awareness and responsiveness, all of which are central to ED psychopathology. Despite this growing theoretical and clinical interest, empirical research examining associations between interoception and diverse ED symptoms remains limited, particularly with respect to the potential moderating role of sociodemographic factors.

OBJECTIVE: This study used self-report instruments to investigate interoceptive sensibility across ED symptoms.

METHODS: A community sample of 221 Australian adults aged 18 or above completed validated self-report measures of interoceptive sensibility (Interoception Sensory Questionnaire, ISQ) and ED symptoms (e.g., Eating Disorder Questionnaire, EDE-Q and Nine Item ARFID Screener, NIAS). Correlation analyses were conducted to assess associations between ISQ scores and ED measures. In addition, we undertook moderation analyses to assess whether sociodemographic factors (i.e., racial background, gender identity, age, employment status, living situation, and sex assigned at birth) influenced ISQ scores and their associations with ED measures.

RESULTS: Statistically significant correlations between ISQ scores and all ED measures were found, with the strongest associations observed with the NIAS and the EDE-Q. Some sociodemographic factors (i.e., sexual orientation, racial background, and sex assigned at birth) also influenced ISQ scores and their association with ED measures.

CONCLUSIONS: Difficulties with interoceptive sensibility are evident across a wide range of self-reported ED symptoms, suggesting that altered interoceptive sensibility may be a transdiagnostic feature of EDs, though the statistical strength of associations between ISQ scores and ED measures varied. Integrating interoceptive sensibility into ED assessment and treatment may enhance the individualisation of care.

PMID:41582193 | DOI:10.1186/s40337-026-01530-z

Sci Rep. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-36494-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Identifying reliable circulating biomarkers is crucial for improving the diagnosis and risk stratification of patients with ischemic stroke. In this study, we evaluated several whole-blood circulating miRNAs (miR-106b-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-15b-5p, let-7e-5p, and miR-125a-3p/-5p) to determine their diagnostic and disease severity in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Sixty AIS patients and thirty age- and sex-matched controls were included. Whole-blood miRNAs were quantified at admission and on day 7. Statistical analyses included ROC curves, multivariate logistic regression, and SHAP-based machine learning. Bioinformatic analyses assessed predicted miRNA targets, pathway enrichment, and interaction networks. MiR-125a-3p was significantly reduced in AIS at both time points, while miR-125a-5p was elevated at admission and decreased by day 7. Both miRNAs showed moderate diagnostic value (AUC 0.675 and 0.712, respectively). Higher admission levels of miR-16-5p were strongly associated with greater neurological deficit (NIHSS) and unfavorable outcome (mRS ≥ 3). Multivariate analyses confirmed high miR-16-5p and elevated CRP as independent predictors of poor outcome. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that miR-16-5p targets were enriched in pathways relevant to ischemic injury, including hypoxia response, platelet activation, coagulation, TGF-β and BDNF signaling. A target-interaction network highlighted IL6, FN1, TGFB1, ICAM1, and TLR4 as central nodes linking miR-16-5p to ischemia-inflammatory mechanisms in AIS. Circulating miRNAs display distinct expression patterns in the acute phase of AIS. miR-16-5p emerges as a promising biomarker associated with stroke severity and unfavorable outcome, while miR-125a-3p and miR-125a-5p show potential diagnostic utility. These findings strengthen mechanistic links between platelet-derived miRNAs and ischemic stroke biology. Larger, longitudinal studies integrating functional validation are warranted to confirm their clinical value.

PMID:41582192 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-36494-2

Eur J Med Res. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s40001-026-03933-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To explore the association of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) on heart rate (HR) in overweight or obese patients without diabetes.

METHODS: A comprehensive search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Mean differences (MDs) were calculated as effect estimates for HR. Pairwise and network meta-analysis were conducted.

RESULTS: Twelve articles were included. Pairwise meta-analysis showed significant association of increase compared with placebo in liraglutide [MD 2.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.86, 2.89], semaglutide (MD = 3.35; 95% CI 1.69, 5.01), orforglipron (MD = 7.30; 95% CI 5.48, 9.12), oral semaglutide (MD = 4.50; 95% CI 3.11, 5.89), tirzepatide (MD = 2.05; 95% CI 0.96, 3.13), retatrutide (MD = 3.46; 95% CI 1.74, 5.18), and total GLP-1RAs (MD = 3.47; 95% CI 2.65, 4.29). Network meta-analysis revealed that orforglipron 36 mg was associated with the most pronounced increase (MD = 9.29; 95% CI 4.45, 13.86), whereas tirzepatide 5 mg was associated with the least increase (MD = 0.52; 95% CI – 2.71, 3.78).

CONCLUSIONS: GLP-1RAs were associated with the increasing of HR in patients with overweight or obesity. Orforglipron 36 mg was associated with the most pronounced increase, and tirzepatide 5 mg the least.

PMID:41582189 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-026-03933-9

BMC Public Health. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-25931-y. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41582153 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-25931-y

BMC Pediatr. 2026 Jan 26. doi: 10.1186/s12887-025-06504-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Current guidelines recommend lipid screening in children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) after the age of 10. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of dyslipidemia in pediatric T1DM and determine whether screening before age 10 is warranted.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, 187 pediatric patients with T1DM attending the diabetes clinic of Emam Reza Clinic, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, were evaluated. Demographic, anthropometric, and clinical data including age, sex, disease duration, lipid profile (following standard protocol), and HbA1c were collected. Dyslipidemia was defined as LDL > 100 mg/dL, HDL < 40 mg/dL, and TG > 100 mg/dL (< 10 years) or > 130 mg/dL (≥ 10 years) Statistical analyses included chi-square, independent t-test/Mann-Whitney U, and binary logistic regression.

RESULTS: The mean age was 11.05 ± 3.52 years; 40.1% (75) were ≤ 10 years old. Dyslipidemia occurred in 46.0% (95% CI: 38.9%-53.2%), with similar prevalence in ≤ 10 years (42.7%, 95% CI: 31.5%-53.9%) and > 10 years (48.2%, 95% CI: 39.0%-57.5%) (p = 0.46). Hypertriglyceridemia was observed in 22.7% of younger vs. 22.3% of older patients (p = 0.95), while LDL dyslipidemia tended to be higher in > 10 years (28.6% vs. 16.0%, p = 0.05). In multivariable analysis, each one-unit increase in HbA1c was associated with higher odds of dyslipidemia (OR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.04-1.59), as was BMI (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01-1.21).

CONCLUSIONS: Dyslipidemia is prevalent even in T1DM patients ≤ 10 years. These findings suggest that lipid screening should be considered before age 10 to ensure earlier detection and intervention.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

PMID:41582152 | DOI:10.1186/s12887-025-06504-9