Tag: pubmed

Sci Rep. 2026 Feb 20. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-39783-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a single-stranded RNA virus responsible for a wide range of respiratory tract infections, including those affecting the lungs, airways, and middle ear. Understanding its transmission dynamics remains essential for effective disease control. A bio-inspired stochastic delay model for RSV transmission is proposed and analyzed. The model’s qualitative properties including positivity, boundedness, equilibrium states, and the basic reproduction number are rigorously established through well-posedness theorems. Parameter sensitivity is also examined. To investigate the system’s stochastic behavior, numerical schemes such as Stochastic Euler, Runge-Kutta, and Euler-Maruyama methods are applied. However, these traditional approaches fail to fully preserve the dynamic characteristics of the model. To address these limitations, a stochastic nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) scheme with delay is developed. This approach ensures non-negativity, boundedness, consistency, and unconditional convergence, overcoming issues of instability and divergence often observed in standard stochastic numerical methods. Comparative simulations demonstrate that the NSFD method reliably reproduces the true dynamic states of the model. The proposed stochastic delayed modeling framework enhances our understanding of RSV dynamics and provides a stable computational tool for analyzing complex biological systems. The findings open new avenues for exploring nonlinear stochastic processes in epidemiological and neurobiological modeling.

PMID:41714680 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-39783-y

Sci Data. 2026 Feb 19. doi: 10.1038/s41597-026-06852-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), onchocerciasis control has been implemented for many decades, beginning in 1974 under the Onchocerciasis Control Programme in West Africa (OCP) and in 1995 in Central and East Africa (plus Liberia) under the African Programme for Onchocerciasis Control (APOC). Since the establishment of the Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ESPEN) in 2016, data on mass drug administration (MDA) with ivermectin has been centrally compiled for all endemic countries at implementation unit (IU) level, beginning in 2013. This paper presents HISTONCHO, a dataset collating detailed information on interventions, including vector control, from 1975 through to 2022, using the ESPEN portal (2013-2022), regional and country reports, implementation partners’ records, and published literature. Reconstructing such intervention histories is crucial for an understanding of their evolution, modelling their impact, and tailoring future interventions. We discuss strengths and limitations associated with the ESPEN database, and how HISTONCHO can be improved to support modelling of intervention strategies as well as onchocerciasis control and elimination efforts by endemic country programmes.

PMID:41714664 | DOI:10.1038/s41597-026-06852-w

Transl Psychiatry. 2026 Feb 19. doi: 10.1038/s41398-026-03887-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Major depressive disorder remains a debilitating mental health disorder affecting millions worldwide, with growing prevalence among adolescents. Recent studies highlight the critical role of the somatosensory cortex in the neuropathology of depression, including structural alterations that impair cortical function. This study investigates the prophylactic effects of ayahuasca, a classic psychedelic brew, on morphological changes in the somatosensory cortex induced by chronic stress in juvenile male non-human primates (Callithrix jacchus). Using a model of social isolation to simulate chronic stress, we employed stereological techniques to assess neuronal volume, density, and cortical organization in three groups: a family group (FG), an isolated group (IG), and an ayahuasca-treated group (AG). Ayahuasca was administered before and during the isolation period. Results revealed a significant reduction in neuronal volume in the IG compared to the FG, while the AG exhibited neuronal volumes comparable to FG, suggesting a prophylactic effect of ayahuasca. Although differences in neuronal density and cortical volume could not be statistically confirmed, trends indicated potential preservation of cortical structure in the AG. These preliminary findings underscore ayahuasca’s potential to mitigate stress-induced cortical atrophy and highlight its influence on neural plasticity. Future research should expand sample sizes, incorporate female subjects, and investigate molecular mechanisms underlying these structural changes. This work provides foundational evidence for exploring ayahuasca as a novel therapeutic strategy for stress-related psychiatric disorders, particularly in adolescent populations.

PMID:41714608 | DOI:10.1038/s41398-026-03887-w

Emerg Infect Dis. 2026 Feb;32(2):180-190. doi: 10.3201/eid3202.251223.

ABSTRACT

The tickborne disease Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) remains life-threatening among children in northern Mexico. We retrospectively investigated 500 pediatric RMSF patients hospitalized in Sonora during 2004-2024. We analyzed clinical, laboratory, and sociodemographic data to identify predictors of fatality by using descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression. We found that the overall case-fatality rate was 19.8%, decreasing over time from 31.4% (2004-2013) to 14.5% (2014-2024). Fatal outcomes were associated with delayed doxycycline treatment (>5 days after symptom onset), older age, Indigenous background, and abnormal laboratory markers. Among survivors, 16% had life-altering sequelae, including amputations and neurologic deficits. Cases occurred year-round, predominantly in urban settings. Timely doxycycline administration remains a critical factor in reducing mortality rates. Vulnerable populations, including persons living in poverty, children >10 years of age, and Indigenous communities, require targeted interventions. Strengthening early diagnosis and understanding mechanisms underlying severe disease and death could improve RMSF outcomes in endemic regions.

PMID:41714602 | DOI:10.3201/eid3202.251223

Transl Psychiatry. 2026 Feb 19. doi: 10.1038/s41398-026-03916-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Diffusion imaging techniques have been widely used to investigate alterations in brain microstructure associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). Due to its technical limitations, diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-based studies have often been restricted to evaluating white matter (WM), and analyses of gray matter (GM) microstructural changes using advanced diffusion models remain insufficient. Additionally, many of these studies concentrate on region-specific associations with symptoms rather than a comprehensive assessment of broader microstructural changes. In this study, we employed neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) and DTI to investigate GM and WM microstructural changes at both whole-brain and regional levels. Data were collected from 159 MDD patients and 112 healthy controls across multiple centers. Our findings revealed significantly increased mean free water fraction (FWF) in GM, elevated mean orientation dispersion index (ODI) in WM, and decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) in WM among MDD patients compared to healthy controls. Furthermore, the mean FA of WM exhibited a negative correlation, and the mean ODI of WM showed a positive correlation with illness duration. No significant correlations were observed between diffusion indices and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) scores. Gray matter-based spatial statistics demonstrated increased FWF in several GM regions, including the frontal lobes, temporal lobes, and limbic system. Tract-based spatial statistics revealed widespread reductions in FA across WM in MDD patients. These findings suggest that microstructural tissue disorganization may underlie the pathophysiology of MDD, emphasizing the need for future research to link neuroimaging findings with underlying biological mechanisms.

PMID:41714591 | DOI:10.1038/s41398-026-03916-8

J Imaging Inform Med. 2026 Feb 19. doi: 10.1007/s10278-026-01869-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This project aims to establish a triage system for oral and maxillofacial cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans by developing a neural network to identify high-priority cases. Two hundred scans and reports were reviewed to form two cohorts: Group A included 100 patients with significant oral and maxillofacial findings in the oral and maxillofacial region, and Group B included 100 patients without major findings. Scans with only minor abnormalities were assigned to Group B. CBCT images from the groups were merged and split into training (70%) and validation (30%) sets. Two 3D convolutional neural network (3D-CNN) models were developed using Python and Keras: Model 1, inspired by Zunair et al., and Model 2, based on a modified VGG-16 architecture. Data augmentation, the Adam optimizer, and early stopping were applied during training. Each model was trained five times with randomized dataset shuffling, and performance was evaluated using ROC-AUC, accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. A Welch’s t-test was used to compare model performance. Both models had excellent performance with Model 2 achieving a slightly higher mean ROC-AUC of 0.918 on validation with no statistically significant inter-model performance (p = 0.078). Model 2 featured advanced architecture with four convolutional blocks and dense layers, optimizing accuracy (0.960) and precision (0.962) in training. In this study, we successfully developed an accurate 3D-CNN based on CBCT images to distinguish between high-priority scans and routine reports. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to address this specific task.

PMID:41714573 | DOI:10.1007/s10278-026-01869-4

Saudi Dent J. 2026 Feb 20;38(3):19. doi: 10.1007/s44445-026-00119-1.

ABSTRACT

The position of the posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) relative to the maxillary sinus walls is crucial. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and positioning of the PSAA in the Lebanese population using Cone Beam Computer Tomography (CBCT). A series of 282 CBCT scans of the maxillary sinus belonging to adult patients of Lebanese ethnicity were enrolled in this study. None of the included patients had sinus pathologies. Radiographic records were inspected for the presence or absence of the PSAA, its relation to the anterolateral wall of the sinus, its diameter, and its distance from sinus floor. Furthermore, three-dimensional segmentation was conducted for better visualization of the course of the artery. The PSAA was detected in 85.8% of 282 sinuses. The artery followed an intraosseous course in 50%, submucosal in 48.7, and an external path in 1.3% of the records. The mean diameter was 1.07 ± 0.47 mm, and the mean vertical distance from the sinus floor was 9.52 ± 4.14 mm. A statistically significant correlation was found between the artery’s position and both its diameter and distance from the sinus floor. The PSAA was present in the majority of cases, with significant anatomical variation in its position, diameter, and distance from the sinus floor. These findings highlight the necessity of preoperative CBCT assessment to reduce the risk of vascular complications during sinus-related surgical procedures.

PMID:41714569 | DOI:10.1007/s44445-026-00119-1

J Cancer Surviv. 2026 Feb 20. doi: 10.1007/s11764-026-01986-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Although late effects and their symptomatology are well described for childhood cancer survivors, less is known about survivors of young adult (YA) cancer. Our aim was to characterize symptom burden among long-term survivors of YA cancer.

METHODS: Project Milestones is a cross-sectional cohort survey study assessing benchmarks of emerging adulthood among 3-10-year cancer survivors diagnosed 21-39 years old. We analyzed responses from the first half of cohort participants to 22 questions that screened for current, clinically significant symptoms. Statistical analyses included Chi-square, Fisher exact, and negative binomial regression tests.

RESULTS: There were 1,025 evaluable participants (68.9% female; 34.2% Hispanic; median age at diagnosis and survey 31 and 39 years, respectively; and 73% ≥ 5 years post-treatment). Cancer types were reproductive (male/female, 30.4%), leukemia/lymphoma (28.2%), thyroid (13.5%), breast (10.3%), melanoma (8.9%), and colorectal (8.8%). The most-endorsed symptoms were fatigue (39.4%), altered appearance (35.8%), cognitive problems (31.7%), general pain (28.0%), sensory neuropathy (24%), and urinary incontinence (20%). Over 70% reported at least 1 symptom; one-third reported ≥ 4. In adjusted analysis, cumulative symptom count was significantly higher among participants who were female (vs. male), Hispanic (vs. non-Hispanic White), had public insurance (vs. employer-sponsored), and received chemotherapy/radiation (vs. surgery) by 44%, 21%, 49%, and 71%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Long-term survivors of YA cancer report a substantial burden of persistent, clinically significant symptoms.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Clinicians should emphasize the importance of sustained survivorship care and monitor for symptoms suggesting late effects. Further research is needed to understand their contributing factors and functional impact.

PMID:41714555 | DOI:10.1007/s11764-026-01986-7

JMIR Hum Factors. 2026 Feb 19;13:e79883. doi: 10.2196/79883.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with insomnia have difficulty in both falling asleep and maintaining sleep. Individuals with long-term sleep deprivation are prone to poor concentration and impaired memory; however, these problems can be alleviated following brief behavioral treatment for insomnia (BBT-I). This study involved the design of an app called “Sleep Well” that enables individuals with insomnia to easily record their sleep behavior. The app guides users to recall and record sleep-related information, acquire sleep hygiene knowledge, and communicate with therapists online.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined how specific sleep diary interface design features in a brief cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (BBT-I) app influence users’ attention and short-term memory. Using a combination of objective eye-tracking measures and subjective attention assessments, the study compared 3 interface designs to determine how visual layout, input modality, and interaction style interact with insomnia symptoms to affect attentional performance, memory accuracy, and user preference.

METHODS: Three sleep diary interfaces were designed, varying background mode (day vs night), color scheme (blue vs green), box shape (circular, rounded rectangular, or rectangular), and input method (slide-in, tap, or type-in). A total of 33 participants completed standardized diary-entry tasks while eye movements were recorded using an eye tracker to capture gaze trajectories and visual attention patterns during app interaction. User experience, subjective attention, and interface preferences were assessed using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests, Pearson correlation analysis, cross-tabulation analysis, and exploratory factor analysis to examine associations among interface design, attentional performance, memory accuracy, and user characteristics.

RESULTS: A total of 33 participants (n=13, 39.4% male and n=20, 60.6% female) aged 20 to 64 years completed this study. Based on the Insomnia Severity Index, 6 of 33 (18.2%) participants had clinical insomnia and 13 of 33 (39.4%) reported insomnia symptoms. Most participants reported staying up late (22/33, 66.7%), and more than half of participants reported drinking tea (17/33, 51.5%). Interface design significantly influenced objective attentional performance, as measured by eye-tracking indicators of task efficiency and visual allocation. Sleep quality and insomnia symptoms were consistently associated with attentional and short-term memory outcomes, with memory accuracy varying across interfaces and showing particular sensitivity to sleep maintenance difficulties. Subjective attentional control was strongly associated with both eye-tracking metrics and memory performance, and interface preferences differed by insomnia status.

CONCLUSIONS: Interface design significantly modulates attention and short-term memory performance in users with insomnia. Eye-tracking revealed that insomnia symptoms and sleep quality influence visual attention and task efficiency, whereas subjective attentional control showed stronger and more consistent associations with memory accuracy than physiological eye-movement indicators. These findings suggest that cognitive processing during sleep diary completion relies more on internal attentional states than on observable gaze behavior. Designing low-load, attention-supportive interfaces may therefore improve usability and data accuracy in digital BBT-I interventions.

PMID:41712956 | DOI:10.2196/79883

JMIR Res Protoc. 2026 Feb 19;15:e80214. doi: 10.2196/80214.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Urinary calculi (UC), affecting 1%-13% globally, pose a significant health burden due to high recurrence rates (up to 50% within 10 years) and substantial health care costs. Adequate fluid intake is a cornerstone of prevention; yet, its adherence remains poor due to forgetfulness, lifestyle barriers, and limited patient education. Existing mobile health interventions for UC prevention often lack medical oversight and clinical validation. WeChat-based digital therapeutic intervention may have a positive effect on fluid adherence in this patient group.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective is to develop a WeChat applet to improve hydration behavior and reduce stone recurrence among postoperative patients with UC.

METHODS: This is an open-label, 2-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. We will recruit 148 participants from China’s tertiary hospital and randomly allocate them in a ratio of 1:1 to the intervention or control group. The intervention group received standard postoperative care supplemented by the WeChat-Based Applet Fluid Intake Reminder (WAFIR), which delivers personalized fluid intake reminders, urine color monitoring, 24-hour fluid intake and urine output tracking, and evidence-based educational content on hydration and urolithiasis management. The control group receives standard care of general discharge instructions from nurses. The primary outcome is the fluid adherence, measured by 24-hour fluid intake and urine volume; secondary outcome measures are the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Electronic Health Literacy Scale, physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form), and recurrence rate of UC. Outcomes are measured before intervention (T0) and after a 1-month (T1) and 3-month (T2) follow-up period. Intention-to-treat analysis, 2-tailed t tests, and repeated measures ANOVA will be used to compare outcomes; statistical significance is set at a P<.05 significance threshold. The study was approved by the ethics review board in December 2024.

RESULTS: The development of WAFIR, conducted in collaboration with stakeholders, was finalized in February 2025. Recruitment commenced on March 1, 2025; data collection was completed in September 2025, and data analysis was analyzed in December 2025. Dissemination of findings is planned through conferences and publications in 2026.

CONCLUSIONS: This research evaluates the effectiveness of a nurse-led, evidence-based digital therapeutic intervention, WAFIR, in overcoming fluid adherence barriers among postoperative patients following urolithiasis surgery, aiming to increase daily fluid intake and urine output, reduce recurrence rates, enhance quality of life, and generate empirical evidence for its application in urology care, thereby optimizing postoperative management within clinical settings.

PMID:41712953 | DOI:10.2196/80214