Tag: pubmed

Pol J Vet Sci. 2025 Mar;28(1):111-122. doi: 10.24425/pjvs.2025.154019.

ABSTRACT

This study is a continuation of innovative research on the impact of the simultaneous use of standard- and small-cell combs in bee colonies on the characteristics of worker bees and bee colonies. The nests of these colonies had two types of combs: small-cell (approximate cell width/size of 4.90 mm) and standard-cell (approximate cell width/size of 5.50 mm). The aim of the study was to compare the activities of proteases and their inhibitors present on the cuticle of workers reared in small-cell combs (SMC workers) and standard-cell combs (STC workers) in colonies kept simultaneously in standard- and small-cell combs. The width/size of comb cells in which the workers were reared had a significant effect on protein concentrations and activities of the proteolytic system, i.e. proteases and their inhibitors, on the cuticle surface. Regardless of the age of the workers (1 day, 7 days, 14 days, 21 days, and 28 days), the protein concentrations were statistically significantly higher (p≤0.01) in the STC than SMC workers. The opposite was found in the case of the activities of proteases and their inhibitors: regardless of the age of the bees, the activities were significantly higher in the SMC workers. The differences between workers reared in small-cell combs and those reared in standard-cell combs may be responsible for their predispositions to perform different tasks in the colony. In our opinion, workers reared in small-cell combs are more predisposed to work as foragers outside the nest. However, this hypothesis requires confirmation in further research.

PMID:40130298 | DOI:10.24425/pjvs.2025.154019

Intern Med J. 2025 Mar 25. doi: 10.1111/imj.70015. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While identification of key risk factors for mortality has contributed to advances in healthcare, the effect of these risk factors in predicting mortality over different time horizons remains unclear.

AIMS: We sought to determine how risk factors predicted shorter-term and longer-term mortality across the age spectrum in adults.

METHODS: We used data from 11 247 adults of the Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study. Cox multivariable regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of shorter-term (0-10 years) and longer-term (10-20 years) all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality associated with risk factors. Models with interaction between baseline age and each risk factor were also fitted.

RESULTS: During a 20-year follow-up, 2185 deaths occurred. Smoking, diabetes, male sex and albuminuria all independently predicted shorter- and longer-term all-cause and CVD mortality. Most associations were stronger in the shorter term compared to the longer term. A notable exception was the association between smoking and CVD mortality, which was stronger in the longer term (HR 3.55, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.57-4.90) compared to the shorter term (HR 2.06, 95% CI 1.33-3.20). The magnitude of association between most risk factors and mortality attenuated with age.

CONCLUSIONS: Classical risk factors for total and CVD mortality remain important up to 20 years after their measurement. In unselected adult cohorts, longer-term follow-up (e.g. beyond 10 years) may not provide additional information on associations of risk factors with mortality beyond that obtained in shorter-term follow-up.

PMID:40130290 | DOI:10.1111/imj.70015

G3 (Bethesda). 2025 Mar 25:jkaf063. doi: 10.1093/g3journal/jkaf063. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aneuploidy, a condition characterized by an abnormal number of chromosomes, can have significant consequences for fitness of an organism, often manifesting in reduced fertility and other developmental challenges. In plants, aneuploidy is particularly complex to study, especially in polyploid species such as coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D. Don) Endl.), which is a hexaploid conifer (2n=6x=66). This study leverages a novel Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method based on sequence depth to investigate the occurrence of aneuploidy across the range of coast redwood. We show that aneuploidy, defined here as a whole-chromosome gain or loss, is prevalent in second-growth redwoods, predominantly as additional chromosomes, while vegetatively propagated plants frequently experience chromosome loss. Although our study does not directly assess the fitness of aneuploids, the frequency of chromosomal instability observed in vegetatively propagated plants compared to second-growth and old-growth trees raises questions about their long-term developmental viability and potential to become established trees. These findings have significant implications for redwood conservation and restoration strategies, especially as methods such as tissue culture propagation becomes the primary mode of producing nursery stock plants used in reforestation.

PMID:40130270 | DOI:10.1093/g3journal/jkaf063

Int J Gasteroenterol (N Y). 2024 Dec;8(2):76-84. doi: 10.11648/j.ijg.20240802.14. Epub 2024 Nov 29.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The association and interaction between SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has not been adequately explored. We sought to determine whether a mechanistic relationship exists and whether vaccination against COVID-19 plays a role in this relationship.

METHODS: Using the Veterans Affairs (VA) electronic healthcare database, we obtained a random sample of veterans in October 2022 for this cross-sectional study. Demographic characteristics of the participants (e.g., age, sex, race), prior COVID infection, COVID vaccination status, and IBS diagnosis were extracted from the VA medical records. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine potential associations between the listed factors and IBS diagnosis.

RESULTS: A total of 9,112 veterans were analyzed. In univariate analysis, race, COVID infection, and vaccination were significantly associated with IBS. In multivariate regression analysis, only the effects of COVID infection and vaccination were statistically significant. The odds ratios for development of IBS among veterans with COVID infection versus those without was 1.94 (95% CI: 1.53-2.45), and for vaccinated versus unvaccinated, was 1.49 (95% CI: 1.18-1.89). Further analysis showed that vaccinated veterans who did not contract COVID infection had a lower risk of developing IBS compared to unvaccinated veterans who contracted COVID.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that veterans with COVID infection are almost twice as likely to develop IBS compared to those who have never had COVID infection. Vaccinated veterans have a lower risk of contracting COVID and subsequently, a diminished chance of developing IBS. Overall, vaccination of veterans with protection against COVID diminishes the risk of IBS development.

PMID:40130268 | PMC:PMC11932716 | DOI:10.11648/j.ijg.20240802.14

Clin Ophthalmol. 2025 Mar 20;19:985-991. doi: 10.2147/OPTH.S508993. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) has safety advantages over penetrating keratoplasty. However, one of the serious complications of DALK is Descemet membrane (DM) detachment, which can lead to double anterior chamber (DAC) and visual impairment. This study examines the incidence and factors related to the complication of DAC after DALK, including preexisting conditions such as atopic dermatitis (AD).

METHODS: This is a retrospective evaluation of all patients who underwent DALK from January 2019 to April 2024 in the Department of Ophthalmology, Fukuoka University Hospital. Cases with DAC postoperatively were analyzed statistically. A total of 85 eyes in 73 patients were included. We excluded eyes with preexisting corneal perforations that required grafts that were less than 6mm in diameter. A binomial logistic predictive model was used to determine factors associated with postoperative DAC. Collated variables were age, AD, preexisting corneal diseases, donor button size, intraoperative DM perforation, and cornea supply source.

RESULTS: Among 85 eyes that underwent DALK, 12 eyes (14.1%) developed postoperative DAC. Binomial regression analysis revealed preexisting corneal diseases (p=0.031) including preoperative DM perforation, infectious keratitis, keratoconus, corneal dystrophy, and corneal scar, intra-operative DM perforation (p=0.049), and AD (p=0.031) to be significant factors associated with DAC. This binomial regression model had 83.3% sensitivity and 78.0% specificity.

CONCLUSION: AD and preexisting corneal diseases were significant factors in DAC after DALK, and DALK during active infection predisposes to DAC, while intraoperative perforation was also significantly associated. Our study suggests that these factors could be of importance in considering the mechanism of pathogenesis of DM and DAC.

PMID:40130267 | PMC:PMC11932134 | DOI:10.2147/OPTH.S508993

Tob Induc Dis. 2025 Mar 24;23. doi: 10.18332/tid/201406. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Tobacco farming plays a crucial role in the livelihoods of many rural communities in Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK). However, this agricultural practice is associated with severe environmental degradation and significant health risks to workers during cropping.

METHODS: This study evaluates the ecological and health impacts of tobacco farming in Pakistan, employing both quantitative (surveys) including 200 respondents (farmers and field workers/laborers) and qualitative methods (in-depth interviews) involving 10 respondents (farmers, policy experts, agriculturist and environmental specialists). The research focuses on Swabi, a key tobacco-growing region, and highlights the negative effects of excessive pesticide use, fertilizer application, and deforestation, which contribute to soil erosion, water pollution, and biodiversity loss.

RESULTS: Regression analysis shows that pesticide use (β=0.65, p<0.001) and deforestation (β=0.82, p<0.001) are the leading contributors to ecological degradation. The relationship between tobacco yield and environmental degradation, although showing a trend (p=0.062), is statistically negligible and unlikely to have practical significance (β= -0.15). Health risks are equally concerning, with farmworkers (labor hired for farming, farmers, landlords) exposed to harmful agrochemicals and nicotine absorption leading to respiratory diseases, skin conditions, and green tobacco sickness (GTS). Pesticide exposure (β=0.71, p<0.001) and contact with tobacco leaves (β=0.53, p<0.001) significantly impact workers’ health, while using personal protective equipment (PPE) helps mitigate these risks (β= -0.43, p=0.001). The study also reveals that many farmers are interested in transitioning to alternative crops like maize or cotton, but they face financial and informational barriers.

CONCLUSIONS: The growing of tobacco in Pakistan entails significant ecological and health dangers, emphasizing the immediate need for the implementation of sustainable farming strategies to mitigate environmental harm and enhance the socio-economic conditions of farmers. Government support through financial incentives, educational programs, and sustainable farming techniques is essential to reduce the environmental damage and improve public health.

PMID:40130264 | PMC:PMC11931628 | DOI:10.18332/tid/201406

Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Mar 10;12:1506575. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1506575. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the potential association between the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).

PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 1999 to 2018. CKD was defined as either an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m² or the presence of albuminuria, defined as a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) of 30 mg/g or higher. Low eGFR is an eGFR of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m². Multivariate regression analysis, smoothed curve fitting, and subgroup analyses were conducted to investigate the relationship between the Inflammatory status index (AISI) and CKD. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate its ability to identify CKD and low eGFR. The AISI was transformed using the natural logarithm (Ln) for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Of the 50,768 recruits, 49.86% were male. The prevalence of CKD and low eGFR was 20.31% and 8.57%, respectively. Ln-AISI was positively associated with CKD (OR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.28) and low eGFR (OR = 1.17; 95% CI:1.11, 1.24). Smooth curve fitting revealed a positive association between AISI and CKD and low eGFR. Subgroup analysis and interaction tests indicated that stratifications did not significantly alter the association between AISI and CKD and low eGFR. Threshold effect analysis indicated that this relationship became more pronounced when Ln-AISI exceeded 5.2 (AISI > 181.27). The ROC analysis showed that AISI had better discrimination and accuracy for identifying CKD and low eGFR compared to other inflammatory indicators [lymphocyte count (LYM), systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the product of platelet count and neutrophil count (PPN)].

CONCLUSION: AISI was significantly and positively correlated with the prevalence of CKD, and this relationship was more potent when AISI was greater than 181.27. Compared with other inflammatory indicators, AISI was more effective in identifying CKD.

PMID:40130253 | PMC:PMC11931135 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2025.1506575

Front Med (Lausanne). 2025 Mar 10;12:1502456. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2025.1502456. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Safe perioperative nursing care is crucial to improving outcomes of surgical care. This is a report on the pilot implementation of a nursing training programme aimed at strengthening safe perioperative nursing care in Nigeria, aligning with the nation’s strategic framework for surgical, obstetric, anaesthesia, and nursing plan. The aim of this report is to highlight the need to incorporate perioperative nursing training into efforts to scale up access to surgical care in low resource settings.

METHODS: The Nursing Care Saves Lives (NCSL) training programme which was designed for training in perioperative nursing of cleft lip and palate patients, was adapted for perioperative nursing training. A 5-day intensive training was deployed, involving lectures, hands-on activities, simulations, and group problem-solving exercises. Pre- and post-training surveys were administered, and participant feedback and 3-months follow-up assessments obtained. The data has been analysed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Twenty-six participants who were nurses involved in perioperative care, from both public and private hospitals, completed the training. Pre-training evaluation scores ranged from 23 to 72% (median 68%), increasing significantly to 61-98% (median 76%) post-training (p = 0.0001). Participants rated all training contents as useful, with high satisfaction in neonatal resuscitation and basic life support skills. Infection prevention and control, helping babies breathe, and effective communication were identified as key learnings. Recommendations for future training included facilitation skills, nutrition, and research. Although 10 (40%) participants organised step down trainings, limited funding and training materials were key barriers to step down.

CONCLUSION: The NCSL training programme has the potential for promoting and strengthening safe perioperative nursing care. Strategic efforts are needed to scale up and expand access to this training within the wider perioperative nursing community, to enhance patient safety and surgical outcomes in the setting.

PMID:40130251 | PMC:PMC11931009 | DOI:10.3389/fmed.2025.1502456

J Rural Health. 2025 Mar;41(2):e70018. doi: 10.1111/jrh.70018.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Drug overdoses are now a leading cause of pregnancy-related deaths in the United States. Despite evidence of rural-urban disparities in substance use, there has not yet been a nationally representative examination of rural-urban differences in perinatal substance use. This study provides a comprehensive examination of rural-urban disparities in perinatal substance use.

METHODS: This study uses cross-sectional data to examine 3499 pregnant women from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Rural (nonmetro)-urban (metro) differences in past-month tobacco use, alcohol use, binge drinking, illicit drug use, and marijuana use were examined using Rao-Scott chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression using complex survey weights.

FINDINGS: In 2015-2019, past-month tobacco use varied geographically, as rural pregnant participants were more likely to have used tobacco than those in small and large urban areas (24.7% vs. 15.2% and 8.2%, respectively, p < 0.0001). After controlling for sociodemographic and health care needs, rural pregnant women were more likely to report tobacco use (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.32, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.66, 3.25) but were less likely to report alcohol use (aOR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.34, 0.98) than their large urban counterparts. There were no rural-urban differences in the odds of binge drinking, illicit drug use, or marijuana-only use in the past month.

CONCLUSIONS: Geographic variations in perinatal substance use highlight the need for tailored interventions targeting substance use prevention during pregnancy, prioritizing tobacco in rural areas and alcohol in urban areas.

PMID:40128129 | DOI:10.1111/jrh.70018

Anal Chem. 2025 Mar 24. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c05962. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This work presents the first indirect immunoassay performed on a paper-based microfluidic platform for the diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). The IgG antibody biomarker, which signifies the presence of this infectious disease, was captured with a recombinant K39 antigen and detected with secondary antibodies that were conjugated with cleavable ionic probes. The use of ionic probes enabled direct analysis of the assay results through an on-chip paper spray mass spectrometry (MS) technology. This MS-based immunoassay was developed to allow for early detection of CVL in asymptomatic dogs. The sensitivity required for such a diagnostic method was demonstrated through internal standard calibration in which sample dilution as low as 1/4000 was achieved. Aside from high sensitivity, the ionic probes are stable, which allowed the paper device to be stored at room temperature and under ambient conditions for 30 days without affecting the diagnostic outcome. Our method was used to analyze 20 clinical canine serum samples, where we detected a 2 orders of magnitude higher signal for CVL-positive samples compared to negative samples. MS signal derived from the 10 CVL-positive serum clinical samples showed a strong correlation with antibody titers determined by immunofluorescence assay. This correlation was confirmed through Pearson’s statistical analysis. Overall, the high sensitivity and positive results from stability tests observed for our platform are expected to enable large-scale CVL screening in asymptomatic dogs in remote areas, especially when combined with portable mass spectrometers.

PMID:40128119 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.4c05962