Tag: pubmed

J Telemed Telecare. 2025 Sep 8:1357633X251372681. doi: 10.1177/1357633X251372681. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IntroductionTo investigate the effectiveness of the remote video-based Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand (SARAH) exercise program in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with wrist involvement.MethodsSeventy-three individuals were included in the study. Wrist joint position sense, wrist joint range of motion, wrist pain, wrist morning stiffness, subjective and objective hand function, grip strength, and disease-related health status were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks. Following the baseline assessment, participants were randomly assigned into two groups as SARAH and Control. All participants maintained their pharmacological therapy. The SARAH group received SARAH exercise videos via a free messaging platform (WhatsApp Messenger) weekly and performed the program daily for 12 weeks. No additional intervention was provided to the control group.ResultsForty-nine individuals (SARAH group = 28, control group = 21) completed all study procedures. Both per-protocol and intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses showed significant improvements in all parameters in the SARAH group (p < 0.05), while no statistically significant changes were detected in the control group (p > 0.05). When the changes were compared between the groups, SARAH group showed greater improvements regarding the changes in wrist joint position sense, wrist flexion, extension (only in ITT analysis) and radial deviation joint range of motion, wrist pain, wrist morning stiffness duration (only in ITT analysis), hand function, grip strength, and disease-related health status compared to the control group (p < 0.05).DiscussionA 12-week remote video-based SARAH exercise program provides additional benefits in individuals with RA who present wrist related problems when added to pharmacological therapy.

PMID:40920335 | DOI:10.1177/1357633X251372681

Biomol Biomed. 2025 Sep 8. doi: 10.17305/bb.2025.12919. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease in which dysregulated interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) may amplify pro-inflammatory pathways; prior genetic studies of IRF5 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in RA are inconsistent across populations and have not included mestizo Mexicans or evaluated rs59110799 in RA. We aimed to test whether four IRF5 SNVs (rs2004640G/T, rs2070197T/C, rs10954213G/A, rs59110799G/T) confer susceptibility to RA in women from Central Mexico. In a case-control study of 239 women with RA and 231 female controls (all self-identified Mexican-Mestizos, ≥3 generations), genotyping was performed by real-time PCR with TaqMan® probes; 80% of samples were duplicated (100% concordance) and control genotypes conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Association was assessed under allelic and multiple genetic models using logistic regression adjusted for age and birthplace, with Bonferroni correction for 23 tests (α=0.0022). Haplotype and linkage disequilibrium (LD) were analyzed with Haploview; putative functional effects were explored in silico (SNPinfo; GTEx). The minor alleles rs2004640T [OR=1.69, 95% CI 1.29-2.21; p=1.2×10⁻⁴], rs2070197C [OR=1.85, 1.39-2.46; p=2.0×10⁻⁵], and rs10954213A [OR=1.47, 1.12-1.93; p=0.002] were associated with increased RA risk after correction. Genotype-based associations were observed for rs2004640 (codominant and recessive) and rs2070197 (codominant, dominant, recessive). rs59110799G/T showed no significant association after correction (dominant model OR=1.69, 1.15-2.48; p=0.007). Nine haplotypes were identified; the haplotype carrying all four risk alleles (TCAT) was not associated, and two haplotypes with nominal signals (GCAG, TTGT) had control frequencies <1% and were excluded; variants were not in strong LD (r²<0.80). Our findings-providing the first evaluation of these IRF5 variants in Mexican women and the first report of rs59110799 in RA-support a role for IRF5 (rs2004640, rs2070197, rs10954213) in RA susceptibility in this Latin American population. Given the female-only design and moderate statistical power, replication and functional studies are warranted.

PMID:40920333 | DOI:10.17305/bb.2025.12919

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2025 Sep 8;71(8):22-29. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2025.71.8.4.

ABSTRACT

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation. Given the side effects of conventional treatments, this study focuses on the anti-inflammatory effects of purslane (Portulaca oleracea) and turmeric (Curcuma longa). The research is driven by the growing demand for plant based-treatment for safer therapeutic options for RA management. Five groups were formed; the control group included only healthy rats and was used for baseline comparison. RA was experimentally induced in male rats using Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA). Treated groups received extracts of purslane, turmeric and combination of both and one group was left untreated (RA group). Bioactive compounds in plant extracts were identified by GC-MS analysis. Paw edema and body weight were monitored thrice weekly for statistical analysis, and neutrophil counts were assessed microscopically. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify the inflammatory biomarkers including IL-1, TNF-α, IL-6, IL10, CD14, CD4, MMP-1, alongside measuring cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) levels. CFA-induced RA significantly increased paw edema, neutrophil counts (P<0.0001), and elevated levels of anti-CCP, CD4, IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to the control group (P<0.001). Treatments with purslane, turmeric and combination reduced paw swelling and these inflammatory markers in RA induced rats significantly (P< 0.01). Despite the increasing serum level of MMP-1, CD14 and IL-10 the reduction by plant extract did not show significant results. It is concluded that the bioactive compounds in the purslane and turmeric have anti-inflammatory effects through reducing inflammatory markers in RA induced rats.

PMID:40920325 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2025.71.8.4

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2025 Sep 8;71(8):67-71. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2025.71.8.10.

ABSTRACT

Hormonal status and lymphatic invasion are two important prognostic factors among cases of breast cancer. This study aims to assess and evaluate the hormonal receptor status and lymph node involvement among female breast cancer patients in Duhok city, Kurdistan region, Iraq. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 156 diagnosed cases of breast cancer who had undergone surgical treatment and laboratory investigations at Azadi Teaching Hospital and Duhok Private Hospital for 30 months. Hormonal status (ER, PR, HER2 enriched, and Ki67), luminal staging, and lymphatic invasions were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Invasive ductal carcinoma not otherwise specified accounted for 87.8% of the total sample, with Luminal A being the most common form (42.31%), followed by Luminal B (37.17%). The prevalence of hormonal status among cases of breast cancer with lymphatic invasion was ER 42.5%, PR 41.2%, HER2 enriched 21.01%, and Ki67 36.8%; however, these differences were not statistically significant (P values: 0.586, 0.65, 0.253, and 0.469, respectively). In conclusion, invasive ductal carcinoma is the most common histological type of breast cancer, and the most frequent biological form is Luminal A. A significant number of breast cancer cases with positive lymphatic invasion show positive hormonal receptor levels; however, the number of lymphatic invasions is not correlated with the type of hormonal receptor positivity.

PMID:40920319 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2025.71.8.10

Cell Mol Biol (Noisy-le-grand). 2025 Sep 8;71(8):80-88. doi: 10.14715/cmb/2025.71.8.12.

ABSTRACT

The global epidemic of overweight and obesity is closely linked to the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD), with extremely obese individuals facing a particularly high risk. This study aimed to assess the relationship between lipid profile levels, SIRT1 expression, and RNA-34a-5P in the regulation of blood lipid levels among severely obese individuals with renal diseases. Conducted over six months in three specialized hospitals, the study included 100 participants divided into two groups: 50 obese individuals with renal diseases and 50 obese controls without renal problems. Ethical standards, including confidentiality and informed consent, were strictly observed. Biochemical assessments included measurements of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, creatinine, GFR, SIRT1 protein (via Western blotting), and RNA-34a-5P expression (via qPCR). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS v26 and Pearson’s correlation. The results revealed a negative association between RNA-34a-5P expression and total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides, and SIRT1 expression, while a positive but non-significant association was found with HDL and GFR. Notably, SIRT1 expression was significantly downregulated in the patient group compared to controls. These findings provide compelling evidence that SIRT1 expression is markedly reduced in extremely obese individuals with renal diseases, suggesting a potential molecular link between SIRT1, lipid metabolism, and renal dysfunction in severe obesity.

PMID:40920317 | DOI:10.14715/cmb/2025.71.8.12

Ir J Med Sci. 2025 Sep 8. doi: 10.1007/s11845-025-04034-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Information on tertiary hyperparathyroidism (THPTH) among chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on haemodialysis in developing countries such as India is limited, and the mortality among them remains a query.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study conducted in at a tertiary care centre from June 2017 to June 2022. The index of suspicion for tertiary hyperparathyroidism was when investigations revealed high serum calcium and high alkaline phosphatase along with new onset of body aches, joint pains, and difficulty in walking. Patients, with above clinical features, were considered for 99 m Tc-Sestamibi scan and high-resolution ultrasound of the neck, when serum parathormone was > 600 pg/mL. Those patients diagnosed with tertiary hyperparathyroidism were followed up for 5 years.

RESULTS: The incidence of tertiary hyperparathyroidism among CKD patients was 13.4%. The mean age of CKD stage 5 patients with tertiary hyperparathyroidism was 55.17 ± 11.1 years. The observation from our study was the mean survival time among patients who underwent parathyroidectomy and among patients who received cinacalcet was almost similar, whereas the mean survival time among patients who received phosphate binders was lower. However, the survival rate among patients on cinacalcet and who underwent parathyroidectomy were not statistically significant.

DISCUSSION: There were no cross-sectional studies on prevalence of tertiary hyperparathyroidism in India as per our knowledge, although the prospective design, large sample size, PTH stratification, and frequent measurements of a comprehensive panel of mineral metabolites are strengths of the current study.

PMID:40920313 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-025-04034-y

Med Biol Eng Comput. 2025 Sep 8. doi: 10.1007/s11517-025-03436-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fetal standard plane detection is essential in prenatal care, enabling accurate assessment of fetal development and early identification of potential anomalies. Despite significant advancements in machine learning (ML) in this domain, its integration into clinical workflows remains limited-primarily due to the lack of standardized, end-to-end operational frameworks. To address this gap, we introduce FetalMLOps, the first comprehensive MLOps framework specifically designed for fetal ultrasound imaging. Our approach adopts a ten-step MLOps methodology that covers the entire ML lifecycle, with each phase meticulously adapted to clinical needs. From defining the clinical objective to curating and annotating fetal US datasets, every step ensures alignment with real-world medical practice. ETL (extract, transform, load) processes are developed to standardize, anonymize, and harmonize inputs, enhancing data quality. Model development prioritizes architectures that balance accuracy and efficiency, using clinically relevant evaluation metrics to guide selection. The best-performing model is deployed via a RESTful API, following MLOps best practices for continuous integration, delivery, and performance monitoring. Crucially, the framework embeds principles of explainability and environmental sustainability, promoting ethical, transparent, and responsible AI. By operationalizing ML models within a clinically meaningful pipeline, FetalMLOps bridges the gap between algorithmic innovation and real-world application, setting a precedent for trustworthy and scalable AI adoption in prenatal care.

PMID:40920305 | DOI:10.1007/s11517-025-03436-5

J Eval Clin Pract. 2025 Sep;31(6):e70257. doi: 10.1111/jep.70257.

ABSTRACT

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE: The field of medical statistics has experienced significant advancements driven by integrating innovative statistical methodologies. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive analysis to explore current trends, influential research areas, and future directions in medical statistics.

METHODS: This paper maps the evolution of statistical methods used in medical research based on 4,919 relevant publications retrieved from the Web of Science. High-frequency keywords and citation metrics were analyzed to identify research hotspots. A dual-map overlay and document co-citation analysis were performed using CiteSpace to uncover thematic clusters and track knowledge flow between disciplines. Additionally, network metrics, such as betweenness centrality and sigma, were employed to quantify the influence and novelty of publications.

RESULTS: Results identified a strong interdisciplinary exchange between medical statistics and fields such as health, nursing, molecular biology, and computer science, with clinical trials, survival analysis, and predictive modeling emerging as central themes. The influence of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and deep learning (DL) is growing substantially, particularly in areas such as diagnostic imaging, epidemiology, and treatment prediction, highlighting a shift towards more complex, data-driven methodologies. While traditional statistical techniques, such as survival analysis and regression, remain vital, emerging technologies are reshaping research approaches, fostering collaboration, and advancing the field’s capabilities.

CONCLUSION: Future research will likely focus on overcoming challenges related to data privacy, ethical considerations, and the need for continued biostatistics education in healthcare. This study offers a roadmap for ongoing research and highlights opportunities for future interdisciplinary collaborations to address the complexities of modern medical data analysis. This scientometrics study reveals the evolution of statistical methods used in medical research over time, evaluates frequently cited models and thematic changes, and provides implications that can enhance evidence-based decision-making processes regarding methodological choices that guide contemporary clinical practice.

PMID:40916916 | DOI:10.1111/jep.70257

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2025 Sep 8. doi: 10.1002/jmri.70105. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular reactivity reflects changes in cerebral blood flow in response to an acute stimulus and is reflective of the brain’s ability to match blood flow to demand. Functional MRI with a breath-hold task can be used to elicit this vasoactive response, but data validity hinges on subject compliance. Determining breath-hold compliance often requires external monitoring equipment.

PURPOSE: To develop a non-invasive and data-driven quality filter for breath-hold compliance using only measurements of head motion during imaging.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective cohort.

PARTICIPANTS: Longitudinal data from healthy middle-aged subjects enrolled in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Brain MRI Study, N = 1141, 47.1% female.

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3.0 Tesla gradient-echo MRI.

ASSESSMENT: Manual labelling of respiratory belt monitored data was used to determine breath hold compliance during MRI scan. A model to estimate the probability of non-compliance with the breath hold task was developed using measures of head motion. The model’s ability to identify scans in which the participant was not performing the breath hold were summarized using performance metrics including sensitivity, specificity, recall, and F1 score. The model was applied to additional unmarked data to assess effects on population measures of CVR.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Sensitivity analysis revealed exclusion of non-compliant scans using the developed model did not affect median cerebrovascular reactivity (Median [q1, q3] = 1.32 [0.96, 1.71]) compared to using manual review of respiratory belt data (1.33 [1.02, 1.74]) while reducing interquartile range.

RESULTS: The final model based on a multi-layer perceptron machine learning classifier estimated non-compliance with an accuracy of 76.9% and an F1 score of 69.5%, indicating a moderate balance between precision and recall for the identification of scans in which the participant was not compliant.

DATA CONCLUSION: The developed model provides the probability of non-compliance with a breath-hold task, which could later be used as a quality filter or included in statistical analyses.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1: TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

PMID:40916903 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.70105

Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2025 May 28;50(5):757-765. doi: 10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.240422.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Intracranial aneurysm (IA) has an insidious onset, and once ruptured, it carries high rates of mortality and disability. Cardiometabolic factors may be associated with the formation and rupture of IA. This study aims to summarize the application of Mendelian randomization (MR) methods in research on cardiometabolic factors and IA, providing insights for further elucidation of IA etiology and pathogenesis.

METHODS: Literature about MR-based IA studies published up to February 21, 2024, was retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang. Two researchers independently performed literature screening, data extraction, and quality assessment. A narrative synthesis approach was used to conduct a qualitative systematic review of the included studies.

RESULTS: A total of 11 MR-based studies on IA published between 2017 to 2024 were included, of which 4 were rated as high quality. These studies investigated the associations between blood pressure, blood lipids, blood glucose, obesity-related indicators, and inflammatory cytokines with IA and its subtypes, though issues of duplication were noted. Four MR studies based on the same European population but using different instrumental variable selection criteria, as well as another MR study in a different European cohort, consistently identified blood pressure as a risk factor for IA and its subtypes. Findings for blood lipids, blood glucose, obesity-related indicators, and inflammatory cytokines were inconsistent across MR studies.

CONCLUSIONS: Blood pressure appears to increase the risk of IA and its subtypes. Associations between other cardiometabolic factors and IA/subtypes require further in-depth investigation. Given the inherent limitations of MR studies, causal inferences should be made cautiously in combination with other lines of evidence.

PMID:40916814 | DOI:10.11817/j.issn.1672-7347.2025.240422