Tag: pubmed

J Oral Rehabil. 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1111/joor.70136. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical examination findings, functional limitations, and psychological profiles between patients with subclinical temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and those with self-reported painful TMD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study investigated 98 subclinical TMD patients and 262 self-reported painful TMD patients attending a specialised orofacial pain clinic. Subclinical TMD was defined as positive palpation findings without muscle or joint pain complaints. Self-reported painful TMD required both pain complaints and positive clinical findings. Validated questionnaires assessed jaw functional limitations (JFLS-20), depression (PHQ-9), stress (SPST-20), and oral behaviours (OBC). Statistical analysis used Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-square tests with Bonferroni correction.

RESULTS: Self-reported painful TMD patients were significantly older (median age 39 vs. 31 years, p = 0.003), showed greater jaw functional limitations (JFLS global score: 1.88 vs. 0.75, p < 0.001), and higher depression scores (PHQ-9: 1.0 vs. 0.0, p < 0.001). Sleep bruxism frequency differed significantly between groups (p < 0.001), with subclinical patients more commonly reporting frequent sleep bruxism. No significant differences were found in stress levels, overall oral behaviours, or daytime clenching frequency.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with self-reported painful TMD demonstrate distinct clinical profiles characterised by greater functional impairment and psychological distress compared to subclinical cases.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings suggest different phenotypes within the TMD spectrum that may require tailored clinical approaches. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine whether subclinical TMD represents an early stage or a distinct entity.

PMID:41387980 | DOI:10.1111/joor.70136

Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 12;15(1):43721. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-27511-x.

ABSTRACT

Income-based disparities has a profound impact on health outcomes by limiting access to preventive care, early diagnosis, and effective treatment with chronic conditions such as diabetes. Our aim was to investigate the impact of income-based disparities on diabetic foot amputation rates, focusing on disparities in outcomes among income levels. This retrospective cohort study used data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service database that tracked 2,580,585 diabetic patients between 2009 and 2012 (baseline) and followed them through 2019 using claims and mortality data to identify incident lower extremity amputation. Participants were categorized into income quartiles (Q1-Q4) with Q1 being the lowest-income group including Medical Aid beneficiaries. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of diabetes-related lower extremity amputation (LEA). LEA performance rates were inversely related to income, with Q1 + Medical Aid having the highest rate (0.64 per 1,00 person-years) and Q4 the lowest (0.45 per 1000 person-years). Adjusted models revealed a protective effect of higher income on LEA. The difference appeared to be more pronounced in individuals younger than 65 years, based on stratified analysis. Income-based disparities were observed in diabetic foot outcomes, with higher income groups showing improved limb preservation, especially among younger individuals. Given the observational design, these findings should be interpreted as associations rather than causal relationships. These findings suggest that targeted interventions may help reduce income-based disparities, alleviate the socioeconomic burden of diabetes, and improve quality of life in vulnerable populations.

PMID:41387978 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-27511-x

Sci Rep. 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-29171-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Understanding the movement behavior of Japanese sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus) is essential for ecological research and fisheries management. However, tracking their locomotion is challenging due to their slow movement and environmental variability. In this study, we employed acoustic telemetry combined with a data assimilation approach using the Kalman filter to estimate movement trajectories with high accuracy, overcoming the limitations of traditional visual tracking methods. To characterize movement complexity, we applied fractal dimension analysis, quantifying the randomness and variability of individual locomotion across different environmental conditions. Additionally, we examined the influence of key environmental factors, including water temperature, diel cycles, and boulder presence, using Generalized Linear Models (GLM). The results indicate that during the growing stage, higher water temperatures significantly increased movement activity, while boulder zones influenced movement differently depending on the season. This study also provides long-term tracking data on released sea cucumbers, offering new insights into their settlement and dispersal patterns. By combining acoustic telemetry, data assimilation, fractal analysis, and statistical modeling, we established a framework to investigate the behavioral dynamics of slow-moving benthic organisms. These findings enhance our understanding of sea cucumber ecology and provide a quantitative framework for future studies on marine invertebrate movement.

PMID:41387973 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-29171-3

Sci Data. 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1038/s41597-025-06287-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

India has set an ambitious target of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. Road transport, contributing to 12% of India’s CO₂ emissions, plays a significant role in exacerbating urban air pollution. Given India’s swift urbanization, CO₂ emissions from this sector could potentially double by 2050, jeopardizing climate goals. We present CHETNA-Road, a comprehensive 500-meter gridded city traffic emissions dataset for 15 Indian cities derived from street-level floating car data (FCD) based on GPS position and speed of individual vehicles. We applied statistical and machine-learning techniques to improve data quality and extrapolated data to cover all city traffic instead of only the vehicles equipped with GPS using fuel consumption data. We estimated daily CO₂ and ten major pollutant emissions using the COPERT model, which includes speed and vehicle-type dependent emission factors. Finally, we evaluated our dataset against global coarser resolution emission datasets, including Carbon-Monitor cities, EDGAR, and CAMS. Our dataset provides critical insights into India’s road traffic emissions and serves as a foundation for targeting congestion and pollution reduction strategies.

PMID:41387954 | DOI:10.1038/s41597-025-06287-9

Cardiooncology. 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1186/s40959-025-00414-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors (CSs) are at increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), potentially due to cancer-related inflammation and treatment effects. While inflammation has been implicated in both cancer and AF, the association between C-reactive protein (CRP) and AF risk in CSs remains unclear.

METHODS: We analyzed data from 19,677 UK Biobank participants (mean age 60; 34.2% male) with a prior cancer diagnosis. Incident AF was evaluated using competing-risk Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for sociodemographic, lifestyle, and clinical factors.

RESULTS: Over a median follow-up of 10.4 years, 836 CSs (4.2%) developed AF. Competing risk analysis revealed that the significant association between elevated CRP (> 2 mg/L) and AF risk in CSs, observed in models adjusted for sociodemographic and clinical factors (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.06-1.37; P = 0.005), progressively attenuated with further adjustment for lifestyle factors (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.99-1.31; P = 0.076). Despite losing statistical significance in the fully adjusted model, a consistent, suggestive trend was observed. This association was particularly pronounced in individuals not receiving radiotherapy.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that systemic inflammation is associated with an increased risk of AF among CSs, particularly in individuals without a history of radiotherapy. Further studies are needed to explore underlying mechanisms and therapeutic implications.

PMID:41387931 | DOI:10.1186/s40959-025-00414-6

Inflamm Regen. 2025 Dec 12;45(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s41232-025-00401-5.

ABSTRACT

High-throughput single-cell analysis and screening have become essential tools in life science research. Imaging flow cytometry, in particular, enables large-scale image-based profiling of heterogeneous cell populations, allowing statistical analysis of cellular morphology, subcellular features, and functional responses. However, its analytical capability is often limited by the use of conventional two-dimensional (2D) image sensors. In this review, we highlight recent advances in single-pixel imaging flow cytometry, which replaces 2D image sensors with single-pixel photodetectors. This approach offers advantages in sensitivity, flexibility, and speed in imaging system design and has been implemented in various optical configurations to achieve high-throughput single-cell imaging. We first introduce its key techniques, then outline representative biomedical applications, including cancer and COVID-19 research, and finally discuss current limitations and prospects for future developments. Single-pixel imaging flow cytometry is expected to serve as a versatile platform supporting both basic and translational studies in diverse biomedical applications.

PMID:41387929 | DOI:10.1186/s41232-025-00401-5

Syst Rev. 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1186/s13643-025-03017-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are significant health concerns among Radiographers, arising from ergonomic challenges, repetitive tasks, and the physical demands of their profession. These conditions contribute to pain, disability, and reduced productivity, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention and management strategies. Despite the growing recognition of WRMSDs, no systematic reviews or meta-analyses have comprehensively synthesized the prevalence and associated risk factors among Radiographers.

METHOD: This systematic review and meta-analysis will investigate the prevalence of WRMSDs and identify key risk factors in Radiographers. Six electronic databases will be searched from inception to June 2025, using predefined inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the included studies will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal checklists. Pooled prevalence estimates and risk factor analyses will be performed using meta-analytic techniques, with heterogeneity assessed using Cochran’s Q test and I² statistics.

DISCUSSION: The findings of this review will give critical insights into the burden and underlying causes of WRMSDs within this occupational group, emphasizing the need for supporting evidence-based interventions and workplace modifications to enhance their health and productivity. Additionally, this review is expected to inform policy development in the healthcare sector, guiding the implementation of ergonomic equipment design, workplace health promotion strategies, and targeted training programs. By addressing these challenges, the review will support a comprehensive approach to enhance occupational health and fostering a safe, more efficient work environment for Radiographers.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO, CRD42024565835.

PMID:41387914 | DOI:10.1186/s13643-025-03017-5

Eur J Med Res. 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1186/s40001-025-03668-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The myeloid-to-lymphoid ratio (MLR) has been associated with adverse outcomes in various clinical settings; however, its prognostic significance in chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains to be elucidated.

METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive analysis utilizing data from the Research in Evaluation and Treatment aimed at Renal Disease (RETARD) cohort and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. The primary objective was to determine whether baseline peripheral blood MLR could predict the occurrence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), cardiovascular events (CVD), and overall mortality in CKD patients. MLR values were calculated, and optimal thresholds for predicting ESKD and CVD were established using rank statistics. To thoroughly assess the predictive capacity of MLR, we employed restricted cubic splines, weighted Cox regression, stratified analyses, and time-dependent receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

RESULTS: A total of 1704 CKD patients were included in the study, with an average age of 47 years and 48.90% being female. Compared to healthy controls, CKD patients exhibited a significantly higher MLR (p < 0.001). MLR was positively correlated with serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and cystatin-C levels, while it was negatively correlated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Over a median follow-up period of 4.86 years, 356 ESKD events and 272 CVD events were recorded. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that a higher MLR was associated with an increased risk of both ESKD and CVD. After multivariate adjustment, a high MLR was linked to a 1.3-fold increased risk for ESKD (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.317, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.040-1.660, p = 0.020) and CVD events (HR = 1.349, 95% CI 1.050-1.740, p = 0.021). In addition, the predictive value of MLR for overall mortality and cardiovascular-specific mortality was validated in the NHANES database (p = 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that incorporating MLR with clinical parameters significantly enhanced the prediction of ESKD events (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.927, 95% CI 0.911-0.943) and CVD events (AUC = 0.814, 95% CI 0.781-0.846).

CONCLUSIONS: Baseline peripheral blood MLR serves as a significant predictor of ESKD, CVD, and overall mortality in CKD patients, highlighting its potential as a valuable biomarker for risk stratification.

PMID:41387913 | DOI:10.1186/s40001-025-03668-z

Parasit Vectors. 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-07193-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti are key vectors involved in the transmission of human pathogens worldwide. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated varying levels of arbovirus transmission by these mosquito vectors, leading to an increasing number of investigations that assess vector competence (the ability of an insect to become infected and subsequently transmit a pathogen) of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti lines, to decipher the risks associated with each species. In this study, we evaluated the vector competence of Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti lines from the Southwestern Indian Ocean (SWIO) for three arboviruses: Zika virus (ZIKV), dengue virus serotype-1 (DENV-1), and chikungunya virus (CHIKV).

METHODS: Ten mosquito lines (eight Ae. albopictus and two Ae. aegypti lines), collected from five islands within SWIO (the Seychelles, the Comoros, and the Mascarene archipelagoes), were exposed to epidemic strains of ZIKV, DENV-1, and CHIKV. Three vector competence parameters (infection rate [IR], dissemination efficiency [DE], and transmission efficiency [TE]) were assessed at different days post exposure (dpe) to infectious blood meals, using plaque forming unit (PFU) assays. In addition, viral loads were quantified in positive saliva. These parameters were then compared between mosquito lines, geographic origins, and dpe for each virus.

RESULTS: None of the mosquito lines were competent for the ZIKV strain tested. In contrast, both Ae. albopictus and Ae. aegypti lines were competent vectors for the strains of DENV-1 and CHIKV tested, with transmission efficiencies reaching 35.4% for DENV-1 and 62.5% for CHIKV. For both mosquito species, statistical analyses revealed that dpe significantly influenced vector competence parameters, whereas the geographic origin of mosquito lines did not.

CONCLUSIONS: The observed vector competence patterns for the three tested viruses might partly explain their current epidemiology in the SWIO. This approach should involve a larger number of Ae. aegypti lines and should be extended to other ZIKV, DENV, and CHIKV strains, as well as to viruses not currently reported in the region, to better assess the risk of (re-)emergence of mosquito-borne viruses in the SWIO.

PMID:41387904 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-025-07193-0

BMC Res Notes. 2025 Dec 12. doi: 10.1186/s13104-025-07613-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the reliability of the malaria rapid diagnostic test (mRDT) kit for detecting Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) in dried blood spot samples preserved under different conditions and durations.

RESULTS: Sixty whole blood samples (approx. 750 mL), which contained the PfHRP2 protein, were collected from patients with uncomplicated malaria. Fifteen dried blood samples (DBS) were made from each sample, making a total of 900 DBS. A set of five DBS each were stored at room temperature (25 °C), 6 °C and – 60 °C, for 30, 60, 90, 120 and 150 days. PfHRP2 was detected in each stored DBS sample. Irrespective of sample storage conditions, PfHRP2 was reproducible from day 30 to 120. However, after storage for 150 days, the positivity rate reduced to 90%, 88.3% and 80% (p = 0.236) when samples were stored at room temperature, 6 °C and – 60 °C, respectively. Although the positivity rates were statistically similar, room temperature offers a cost-effective, equipment-free, and reliable method for preserving PfHRP2 for up to 120 days.

PMID:41387898 | DOI:10.1186/s13104-025-07613-5