Tag: pubmed

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Aug 30;197(9):1065. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14500-w.

ABSTRACT

In this study, the water quality index (WQI) was calculated using multivariate statistics, incorporating physical, chemical, and microbiological analysis of water samples taken from water supply networks in the western district of Tehran from 2021 to 2024. The principal drinking water parameters such as pH, total hardness, turbidity, lead (Pb), chloride (Cl), fluoride (F), total dissolved solids (TDS), sulfate (SO₄), nitrate (NO₃), nitrite (NO₂), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), arsenic (As), mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), fecal coliform and total residual chlorine (Ch) were selected according to Iranian national water standards. The WQI index was predicted using various machine learning algorithms, including multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector machine (SVM) regression, extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), Random Forest (RF) regression, multilayer perceptron (MLP), and Kolmogorov-Arnold networks (KAN). The results showed that the traditionally computed WQI values ranged from 75 to 86, indicating that water quality varied from fair to good for drinking purposes. The prepared WQI maps revealed that the water quality of 71% of the evaluated areas between 2021 and 2022 was in the good range, whereas the water quality of 50% and 87% of the locations was rated as good in the subsequent years. Moreover, excellent prediction results were obtained, with an R² of 0.901 and root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.286 for the MLP model, and an R² of 0.9527 and RMSE of 0.197 for the KAN model. The results obtained indicate that both the KAN and MLP models are effective for accurately predicting the WQI.

PMID:40884733 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14500-w

Cell Biochem Biophys. 2025 Aug 30. doi: 10.1007/s12013-025-01837-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL) is increasingly recognized as a critical mediator in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, and chronic kidney disease. Given the biochemical heterogeneity of OxLDL, its accurate quantification remains a significant analytical challenge for precise statistical and Machine Learning (ML) methods. The paper examines statistical and computational methodologies used to assess OxLDL levels in clinical studies, highlighting strengths, limitations, and clinical relevance. This contribution provides current insights on standardizing analytic pipelines using statistical and machine learning tools for reproducibility, interpretability, and translational impact in clinical research. Traditional statistical methods have provided a foundational understanding of OxLDL’s clinical implications. Meta-analyses, regression models, and survival analyses have consistently demonstrated associations between elevated OxLDL levels and increased disease risk, severity, and mortality. Comparative analyses (t-tests, ANOVA) and correlation studies further reveal its links with inflammation, lipid profiles, and cardiac function. Emerging ML and Artificial Intelligence (AI) approaches offer powerful tools to advance OxLDL research. Predictive models using ML algorithms enhance disease risk stratification, while deep learning facilitates automated image analysis to assess OxLDL-induced vascular changes. AI-integrated diagnostic platforms now combine clinical, biochemical, and imaging data to improve outcome prediction in CVD.

PMID:40884728 | DOI:10.1007/s12013-025-01837-9

Intern Emerg Med. 2025 Aug 30. doi: 10.1007/s11739-025-04092-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The exact role of SIRT7 in hypertensive patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains elusive. This study aimed to explore plasma SIRT7 levels and their clinical significance in this population. From July 2022 to June 2024, 222 hypertensive patients (106 with isolated hypertension and 116 with hypertension plus CAD) were enrolled. Plasma SIRT7 was measured by ELISA, and participants were followed for rehospitalization (median 804 days). ROC curves, LASSO regression, and Cox proportional hazards models were used for statistical analysis. Hypertensive CAD patients had significantly higher SIRT7 levels than those without CAD (P < 0.001). Plasma SIRT7 levels were positively correlated with CK (R = 0.36, P < 0.001) and CK-MB (R = 0.50, P < 0.001), and negatively with HDL-C (R = -0.23, P < 0.001). The optimal cutoff of SIRT7 for diagnosing CAD demonstrated 94.0% sensitivity and 75.5% specificity, exhibiting an AUC of 0.917, superior to CK, CK-MB, and HDL-C. Multivariate analysis identified SIRT7 as an independent CAD risk factor (adjusted OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.48-2.63). Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis revealed a linear correlation between SIRT7 and rehospitalization (P for overall = 0.038), but no non-linear relationship (P for non-linear = 0.164). Elevated SIRT7 predicted rehospitalization risk (HR = 1.15, 95% CI 1.02-1.29) and improved risk prediction, with an integrated discrimination index (IDI) of 21.8% and net reclassification improvement (NRI) of 51.0%. Plasma SIRT7 acts as both a diagnostic marker for CAD and a predictor of rehospitalization in hypertensive patients, indicating its dual role in pathogenesis and clinical monitoring. Targeting SIRT7 signaling may offer a new therapeutic strategy for hypertension-associated CAD.

PMID:40884727 | DOI:10.1007/s11739-025-04092-1

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Aug 30;197(9):1066. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14516-2.

ABSTRACT

In this study, a method for the determination of three medicinal and food homologous crops (fresh and dried Panax notoginseng, Lilium, and Lonicera japonica) was established, which had good linearity (R² > 0.9971), accuracy (77%-104%) and precision (intraday RSD of 0.4% to 8.9%, interday RSD of 1.7% to 7.8%). The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 0.01 mg/kg. Field results showed that there was a significant difference in the residue of lambda-cyhalothrin in the three crops. In Panax notoginseng, the residue level exhibited a trend of first increasing and then decreasing; in Lilium, the residue level was always lower than the LOQ; while the dissipation and metabolism of lambda-cyhalothrin in Lonicera japonica conformed to the first-order kinetic model, with an average half-life of 2.75 d. Chronic and acute dietary risk assessment the safety of lambda-cyhalothrin in the edible fraction of three crops was further evaluated with a risk quotient for chronic exposure （RQc） of 71.33% and a risk quotient for acute exposure （RQa） of 0.012%-0.345%, which indicates that it is unlikely to cause public safety problems.

PMID:40884708 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14516-2

Neurol Sci. 2025 Aug 30. doi: 10.1007/s10072-025-08441-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This meta-analysis attempted to rigorously delineate the efficacy of intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) as a neuromodulatory intervention for post-stroke motor impairments by integrating evidence exclusively from randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

METHODS: Seven databases, namely, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Wanfang, VIP, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), were searched. Eligible studies covered RCTs that directly compared the influences of iTBS with sham or placebo interventions in cases recovering from stroke. Two independent reviewers conducted screened the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias. Primary outcome measures involved the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Barthel Index (BI), and Berg Balance Scale (BBS). The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), assessing muscle tone and spasticity, was regarded as a secondary outcome. A random-effects model was employed to account for between-study variability.

RESULTS: Totally, 19 RCTs satisfied inclusion criteria, collectively substantiating that iTBS yields statistically and clinically significant improvements in upper extremity motor control (FMA), static balance capacity (BBS), functional independence in activities of daily living (BI), and fine motor performance assessed by the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT) relative to control interventions. Conversely, the meta-analysis revealed a lack of significant benefit of iTBS on lower limb motor outcomes, dynamic mobility as assessed by the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and neuromuscular tone measured by the MAS.

CONCLUSION: iTBS exhibited a significant therapeutic benefit in boosting the motor function in the upper limbs, assessed by the FMA, as well as static balance, activities of daily living, and performance on the action research arm test in stroke rehabilitation. However, its influences on lower limb motor function, muscle spasticity (as assessed by the MAS), and dynamic balance could be limited and not statistically significant.

PMID:40884701 | DOI:10.1007/s10072-025-08441-y

Dig Dis Sci. 2025 Aug 30. doi: 10.1007/s10620-025-09375-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Resmetirom, a liver-targeted thyroid hormone receptor-β (THR-β) agonist, used to treat MASH, shares a similar mechanism of action with levothyroxine, a nonselective (THR-α/β) receptor agonist used to treat hypothyroidism. Given the potential effect of levothyroxine on THR-β, we hypothesized that it may have beneficial effects in MASH patients.

METHODS: We used TriNetX to examine patients aged ≥ 18 years with MASH treated with levothyroxine from 1/1/16 to 1/1/25. Patients prescribed levothyroxine (levothyroxine group) were compared to those not receiving them (control group). Patients with previous cirrhosis or liver transplant were excluded. To control for disease severity and underlying comorbidities, propensity score matching (PSM) was performed.

RESULTS: Of 109,268 patients with MASH, 17,629 (16%) received levothyroxine. Following PSM, we examined 15,076 patients in each group. MASH patients with or without levothyroxine treatment were predominantly White females, with a mean [SD] bilirubin, INR, and creatinine of 0.6 [0.7], 1.1 [0.4], and 0.9 [1.2], respectively. Comorbidities, BMIs, and MASH therapies including GLP-1s, SGLT-2s, and statins were similar in both groups. Over a mean [SD] follow-up of 2.8 [1.8] years, patients receiving levothyroxine had a similar rate of progression to cirrhosis (HR: 1.08; 95% CI 0.97-1.21; p = 0.16) as patients not on levothyroxine. In patients who developed cirrhosis, those receiving levothyroxine had a small, but statistically significantly higher risk of developing any portal hypertensive complication (HR: 1.33; 95% CI 1.18-1.49; p < 0.001) than those not receiving levothyroxine.

CONCLUSION: MASH patients prescribed levothyroxine had a similar rate of progression to cirrhosis and a slightly higher rate of portal hypertension complications than those not prescribed levothyroxine.

PMID:40884700 | DOI:10.1007/s10620-025-09375-3

Appl Health Econ Health Policy. 2025 Aug 30. doi: 10.1007/s40258-025-01001-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a growing global health threat; reliable evidence on its impact is crucial for prioritising public health interventions.

OBJECTIVE: This study provides an updated, systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the true effect size of resistant infections on economic and clinical outcomes. It also evaluates methodologies used in ABR economic literature, offering recommendations for improving future research.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, 11,252 articles published between 2000 and 2022 were reviewed from several databases. Studies were included if they reported the economic costs of ABR in humans and compared resistant with susceptible infections. Meta-analyses were conducted using random intercept models; standardised mean difference (SMD) was used for length of stay, and odds ratio (OR) for mortality. The Mantel-Haenszel method was applied to obtain pooled estimates.

RESULTS: Results showed that 73% of the studies were conducted in high-income economies, the majority were performed at tertiary care settings (71%) and 67% employed only a hospital perspective. The available evidence indicated that the attributable cost of resistant infections ranged from EUR₂₀₂₂ – 21,629 to EUR₂₀₂₂ 74,452 per patient episode (with Pseudomonas spp. causing the highest costs). The majority of studies (93%) found that patients with ABR incurred higher costs than their susceptible counterparts (72% report statistically significantly higher costs). Results from meta-analysis indicated that, on average, the excess in hospital stay attributable to resistant infections was 8.72 days (95% confidence interval (CI) [6.42; 11.02], SMD = 0.91) and the odds of premature death were significantly higher in the resistance group, with a risk increase of 65% (OR 95% CI [1.44; 1.88]). Conclusion The findings of this study take the first steps in providing reliable evidence; they could be valuable to researchers, policymakers and clinicians involved in ABR control and health promotion across countries. Similarly, the reported estimates may prove useful for future modelling studies aimed at assessing the long-term economic impact of ABR.

PMID:40884690 | DOI:10.1007/s40258-025-01001-7

Clin Oral Investig. 2025 Aug 30;29(9):426. doi: 10.1007/s00784-025-06518-8.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To investigate how surface treatment affects fracture force, flexural strength, and dynamic loading cycles until failure of 3D-printed restorations.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Specimens (7 groups; n = 8 per group) were 3D-printed from an acrylate-based crown and bridge material. After cleaning and post-polymerization, specimens were treated with either silicon carbide paper (1000 grit; 1000/4000 grit) or blasting (Al₂O₃; 1 bar/125 µm; 2 bar/125 µm; 1 bar/250 µm) to simulate laboratory treatment. Surface roughness (Arithmetic mean Sa/maximum roughness height Sz; ISO 25178-2); fracture force (FF) and biaxial flexural strength (BFS; ISO 6872) were determined. The number of dynamic load cycles (LC) to failure was determined under cyclic loading in a BFS staircase approach.

STATISTICS: ANOVA, Bonferroni-test, Kaplan-Meier survival, Pearson correlation; α = 0.05.

RESULTS: BFS ranged between 94.4 MPa and 199.9 MPa, FF between 260.6 N and 428.6 N and Sa/Sz between 0.0/1.0 μm and 1.8/18.4 μm. BFS, FF and Sa/Sz showed significant differences between the treatments (p < 0.001) and individual groups (p ≤ 0.013). Mean LC ranged between 204,364 and 267,637 cycles. ANOVA comparisons (p = 0.706) and Log Rank test (Chi²: 10,835; p = 0.094; Fig. 2) revealed no significant differences between the loading cycles. Surface treatment with either silicon carbide papers or blasting protocols had a significant influence on FF, BFS, Sa, and Sz, but not on LC.

CONCLUSIONS: Surface treatment affected the fracture force and biaxial fracture strength of a 3D-printed crown. It showed no influence on the long-term dynamic behavior.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Smooth surfaces improve the stability of a restoration fabricated from 3D-printing resins. Extensive surface roughness treatment before cementation can reduce the stability of a crown.

PMID:40884683 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-025-06518-8

Int Urol Nephrol. 2025 Aug 30. doi: 10.1007/s11255-025-04750-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: End-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requires lifelong kidney replacement therapy (KRT), which significantly influences patients’ quality of life (QoL). Primary KRT modalities include hemodialysis (HD), peritoneal dialysis (PD), and kidney transplant (KTX), each with varying impacts on QoL and clinical outcomes. Comparative data regarding these modalities in the local context, is limited.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate and compare the QoL and biochemical profiles of patients undergoing different KRT modalities in Brunei Darussalam.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 among 574 patients receiving HD, PD, or KTX across all government dialysis centers in Brunei. QoL was assessed using the validated SF-12 questionnaire, and biochemical parameters were collected from Brunei Darussalam Healthcare Information and Management System (BruHIMS). Sociodemographic and clinical data were used to profile and subgroups analysis.

RESULTS: KTX patients reported the highest QoL scores and most favorable biochemical profiles, reinforcing transplantation as the optimal modality when available. Among dialysis patients, PD was associated with higher physical health scores than HD, suggesting better QoL. KTX patients were generally younger, with higher educational and employment levels. Significant differences in biochemical parameters such as hemoglobin, albumin, creatinine, urea, phosphate, and cholesterol were observed across modalities, indicating modality-specific clinical impacts.

CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that PD may be associated with slightly better QoL outcomes compared to HD. However, these differences were not statistically significant and should be interpreted with caution, particularly given the potential for residual confounding inherent in observational study designs. Future research should focus on examining the long-term QoL trajectories among PD patients and identifying strategies to optimize its clinical benefits in the management of ESKD in Brunei.

PMID:40884617 | DOI:10.1007/s11255-025-04750-5

Eur Radiol. 2025 Aug 30. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11976-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The rising global cancer burden underscores the need for efficient screening strategies. Whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) has emerged as a promising modality for cancer screening, with growing use in research and commercial settings. This study aimed to evaluate the opportunistic cancer detection rate and the feasibility of WB-MRI in asymptomatic individuals.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted per PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was performed across multiple databases from January 2015 to April 2025. Eligible studies used WB-MRI for cancer detection in asymptomatic individuals. Studies were excluded if they combined WB-MRI with other imaging methods or included patients with active malignancy or comorbidities/genetic syndromes associated with increased cancer risk. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated pooled proportions of confirmed cancer diagnoses. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses, publication bias assessment, and meta-regression were performed.

RESULTS: Ten studies were included, comprising 9024 participants. The pooled detection rate for confirmed cancer was 1.57% (95% CI: 1.22-2.03%; I² = 31.3%). Results were robust in sensitivity and meta-regression analyses. No significant subgroup differences or publication bias were found. Most studies had a moderate to serious risk of bias.

CONCLUSION: Although WB-MRI shows potential as an opportunistic non-invasive cancer detection tool, modest detection rates, frequent incidental findings, unstandardized protocols, and lack of long-term outcome or cost-effectiveness data limit its current clinical utility.

KEY POINTS: Question Can whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WB-MRI) serve as an effective cancer detection tool for asymptomatic individuals across various clinical and geographic settings? Findings This meta-analysis of over 9000 asymptomatic individuals found a lack of information on cost-effectiveness, unstandardized protocols, a modest cancer detection rate and high rates of incidental findings. Clinical relevance Despite the need for effective cancer screening tools and growing popularity in commercial and research centers, whole-body MRI lacks sufficient diagnostic yield, follow-up reports and standardization for opportunistic cancer detection in asymptomatic individuals and may lead to unnecessary investigations.

PMID:40884613 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11976-5