Tag: pubmed

BJPsych Int. 2025 Nov;22(4):104-112. doi: 10.1192/bji.2025.11. Epub 2025 May 21.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mental illness affects an estimated 500 million people globally, with 85% living in low- and medium-income countries (LMICs). Research has shown that people with mental illness are over-represented in the criminal justice system compared with the general population. There is limited information available on institutional attitudes towards mental illness in LMICs.

AIMS: This study aimed to examine mental health literacy (MHL) and mental health stigma (MHS) among Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) officers.

METHOD: A cross-sectional study using an online survey was conducted among ZPCS officers (N = 163) between August and December 2022. Data were collected using the Mental Health Literacy Scale (MHLS) and Attitudes Towards Mentally Ill Offenders (ATMIO). The primary hypothesis was that increased MHL is inversely related to MHS in this group.

RESULTS: A significant inverse correlation was found between MHL and MHS (r = 0.36, P < 0.001). A regression analysis controlling for age and sex showed that MHLS is a statistically significant component in this model, indicating that MHL is associated with reduced MHS (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: In this group, increased MHL is associated with decreased MHS. This suggests that interventions to increase MHL should be further evaluated in these settings.

PMID:41953791 | PMC:PMC13054152 | DOI:10.1192/bji.2025.11

J Exp Orthop. 2026 Apr 7;13(2):e70708. doi: 10.1002/jeo2.70708. eCollection 2026 Apr.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To compare tibiofemoral rotation (TFR) measured on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in patellofemoral (PF) patients and descriptively report mean differences using an alternative plateau-anchored MRI measurement method.

METHODS: Surgical candidates for tibial derotational osteotomy with both CT and MRI were retrospectively reviewed. Demographics/surgical indication/tibial torsion were recorded. TFR was measured on CT/MRI using standard posterior condylar-posterior tibial axis technique. A plateau-anchored MRI method utilizes the angle between the distal femoral posterior condylar axis and the axis connecting the proximal tibial plateau’s most medial and lateral aspects. Paired t tests compared TFR between modalities and MRI methods; subgroup analyses evaluated diagnosis. Pearson correlation assessed association between CT-based TFR and tibial torsion.

RESULTS: Fifty-eight knees/46 patients (50 female; mean age 21 ± 7 years; body mass index [BMI] 25 ± 6 kg/m²) were analysed. Indications: PF instability ± pain: 20 knees, pain without instability: 38 knees. Mean MRI TFR: 2.11°; CT TFR 8.28°; plateau-anchored MRI method 9.80°. Mean difference between standard MRI and CT was -6.18° (95% confidence interval [CI] -7.48 to -4.88; p < 0.001); the difference between plateau-anchored MRI and CT was 1.51° (95% CI 0.01-3.01; p = 0.048). Bland-Altman plots showed good inter- and intra-observer agreement. In exploratory subgroup analyses (PF instability ± pain vs. pain without instability), no statistically significant differences were observed in the CT-MRI mean TFR differences. Tibial torsion (38.9° ± 7.0°) did not correlate significantly with CT-based TFR (r = 0.25; p = 0.06).

CONCLUSION: CT and MRI yield systematically different TFR values in the same PF patients; standard MRI yielding lower values than CT. A plateau-anchored MRI method yielded a smaller mean difference relative to CT than the standard MRI method in this cohort. These results should not be interpreted as demonstrating interchangeability, accuracy, or clinical readiness of the plateau-anchored method.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

PMID:41953756 | PMC:PMC13054234 | DOI:10.1002/jeo2.70708

J Vet Res. 2026 Mar 12;70(1):129-137. doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2026-0014. eCollection 2026 Mar.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pyometra is a common and potentially life-threatening uterine infection in bitches, with severe local and systemic inflammation as symptoms. Studies exist on inflammatory markers in peripheral blood (PB), but little is known about their expression in uterine blood (UB). This study aimed to compare their concentrations simultaneously in UB and PB of bitches with pyometra, and to evaluate their diagnostic and prognostic potential.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-two bitches with confirmed pyometra (13 closed-cervix and 9 open-cervix cases) and six healthy controls were enrolled. Blood samples were collected from the cephalic and uterine veins during ovariohysterectomy. The concentrations of IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 were measured using an ELISA validated for dogs, and C-reactive protein (CRP) was measured by an immunoturbidimetric assay. These five inflammatory markers were compared statistically between the three groups of dogs and two types of blood sample using the Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon tests.

RESULTS: All markers were significantly elevated in affected bitches’ UB and PB. The IL-6 concentrations were significantly higher in UB than in PB, suggesting local production of this cytokine. Conversely, the IL-10 levels were higher in PB, possibly reflecting a systemic regulatory response. The concentrations of IL-1α and IL-1β differed insignificantly from each other. Those of CRP were significantly higher in open-cervix than in closed-cervix pyometra, indicating a stronger acute-phase response.

CONCLUSION: The results assign IL-6 and CRP a potential role as biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of pyometra. Simultaneous analysis of uterine and systemic inflammatory responses provides insight into the disease’s pathophysiology and may support more targeted therapeutic approaches.

PMID:41953742 | PMC:PMC13054760 | DOI:10.2478/jvetres-2026-0014

J Vet Res. 2026 Feb 4;70(1):9-20. doi: 10.2478/jvetres-2026-0003. eCollection 2026 Mar.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Canine viral infections cause significant morbidity and mortality in dogs worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the presence of canine adenovirus (CAdV), canine parvovirus (CPV), canine distemper virus (CDV) and canine herpesvirus (CHV) at the molecular level.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 68 paired nasal secretion and blood samples were obtained from 34 dogs, and 93 faecal samples were collected, each from a single dog. All sampled animals showed clinical signs of respiratory or gastrointestinal disorders. They came from five different provinces of Türkiye. The samples were tested by PCR and selected strains were sequenced.

RESULTS: While no CAdV was detected in the PCR analyses, CPV gene amplification was achieved in 60.2% (56/93) of the DNA extracted from faecal samples, CDV genes were amplified in 11.8% (4/34) of the genetic material extracted from nasal swabs, and CHV genes were amplified in 14.7% (5/34). One nasal swab sample showed a co-infection with CDV and CHV, but the corresponding blood sample did not. Phylogenetic analyses of the viral strains were conducted; among CPV strains, CPV-2b and CPV-2c variants were identified and found to share high genetic similarity with strains of Asian and African origin. The CDV strains were closely related to European strains, while the CHV strains exhibited genetic diversity and matched strains isolated worldwide. No statistically significant association was found between viral infections and the sex or age of the animals.

CONCLUSION: These findings provide insight into the molecular epidemiology of viral infections in dogs in Türkiye and reveal that local strains are phylogenetically closely related to globally circulating strains.

PMID:41953737 | PMC:PMC13054762 | DOI:10.2478/jvetres-2026-0003

Mater Today Bio. 2026 Mar 19;38:103026. doi: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103026. eCollection 2026 Jun.

ABSTRACT

An automated radiation modulator (ARM) was developed to enable a high-throughput radiation sensitivity test using patient-derived organoids (PDOs) as an in vitro diagnostic device. Treatment strategies for head and neck cancer include surgery and radiotherapy. However, patient responses to radiotherapy vary widely. To overcome limitations in efficiency and scalability, the ARM was developed to provide controlled, reproducible, and high-throughput radiation delivery. Its feasibility was validated by comparing it with conventional radiation methods using two HNSCC cell lines, as well as by applying it to PDO-based radiation sensitivity tests. The ARM successfully classified head and neck cancer PDOs into radiation-sensitive and radiation-resistant groups. OncoSensi, a radiation sensitivity screening method utilizing the ARM, was cross-validated with clinical radiotherapy outcomes, including recurrence status, in 14 patients with head and neck cancer. The multi-parameter OncoSensi model achieved a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 75%, demonstrating superior predictive performance compared to the single-parameter model, which yielded a sensitivity of 70% and a specificity of 50%. Statistically significant difference in recurrence-free survival (RFS) was observed between the OncoSensi-sensitive and -resistant groups. Therefore, ARM-based radiation sensitivity screening can serve as a practical tool for implementing precision medicine in radiotherapy for patients with head and neck cancer, ultimately contributing to improved treatment efficacy and patient prognosis.

PMID:41953717 | PMC:PMC13053779 | DOI:10.1016/j.mtbio.2026.103026

J Clin Nurs. 2026 Apr 8. doi: 10.1111/jocn.70310. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To evaluate whether simulation-based I-PASS handoff training improves ICU nurses’ knowledge, perceptions of handoff communication and safety attitudes.

BACKGROUND: Effective handoff communication is crucial for ensuring patient safety and reducing errors. However, simulation-based training (SBT) with structured protocols, such as I-PASS, is rarely used in Egyptian nursing education, highlighting a gap.

DESIGN: A quasi-experimental design was employed.

METHODS: A convenience sample of 57 ICU nurses was studied from June to December 2023. Data were collected using the I-PASS Handoff Knowledge Questionnaire, Perception of Handoff Communication Tool and Patient Safety Questionnaire. Nurses completed baseline assessments, participated in two simulation-based I-PASS scenarios and repeated assessments post-intervention. Statistical analyses examined the training’s impact and its relationships with participants’ socio-demographic characteristics.

RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in I-PASS knowledge, perceptions of handoff communication and safety attitudes (all p < 0.001). Nursing qualifications and place of residence have shown a significant correlation with perceptions of handoff communication and safety attitudes (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Simulation-based I-PASS handoff training significantly enhances ICU nurses’ knowledge, perceptions of handoff communication and safety attitudes. Targeted, context-sensitive educational interventions are necessary to strengthen handoff practices and improve patient safety within the Egyptian healthcare system.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Structured simulation-based training, such as I-PASS, can be effectively integrated into nursing education to standardise handoff communication and improve patient safety outcomes in intensive care settings.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

PMID:41952038 | DOI:10.1111/jocn.70310

Int J Dent Hyg. 2026 Apr 8. doi: 10.1111/idh.70060. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To analyse and compare the attitude of dental hygienists trained in Portugal (DH-Portugal) and other European countries (DH-Other Countries) regarding the treatment of people with disabilities (PwD).

METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study applied an online adapted questionnaire of the ‘Dental Student’s Attitudes towards the Handicapped Scale’ that was sent to all dental hygiene associations members of the European Dental Hygienists Federation. The questionnaire collected sociodemographic data, educational experience and instructor perception (Factor 1) and interpersonal attitudes and future interactions with PwD (Factor 2). Statistical analysis included the Independent t-test, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests with a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS: A total of 124 dental hygienists answered to the questionnaire: 66 from Portugal and 58 from other countries. In factor 1, the mean total attitude score for all participants was 4.00 (±0.60), with DH-Portugal scoring 4.25 (±0.44) and DH-other countries scoring 3.72 (±0.64) (p = 0.001). For factor 2, the mean score was 4.15 (±0.50) [2.62-5.00], with DH-Portugal scoring 4.23 (±0.44) and DH-other countries scoring 4.06 (±0.55) (p = 0.063). Attitudes towards PwD were not different regarding years of experience and number of PwD in a 6-month period, However involvement in community activities was associated with higher attitude scores (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Although there is global positive attitude towards treatment of PwD, DH-Portugal demonstrated a more positive attitude compared to DH-Other Countries, with better educational experience and greater satisfaction with the training received.

PMID:41952033 | DOI:10.1111/idh.70060

Behav Res Methods. 2026 Apr 8;58(4):107. doi: 10.3758/s13428-026-02968-4.

ABSTRACT

Testing goodness-of-fit and multi-group nested models in confirmatory factor analysis under non-normality is foundational in psychometrics and related fields. Recently, a penalized eigenvalue block averaging (pEBA) procedure was proposed for testing goodness-of-fit, showing promise in a restricted type I error control simulation study. In this study, we extend the simulation conditions to higher dimensions for latent and observed vectors and evaluate type I error control and power for many pEBA variants and traditional test statistics. All statistics are evaluated in four versions, by crossing the base statistic (ML or Browne’s RLS), and whether the asymptotic covariance matrix estimator was bias-corrected or not. We develop pEBA methods in the new setting of nested model comparison, accompanied by extensive Monte Carlo evaluation of their performance in weak invariance testing, including type I error control and power. The best-performing procedure for goodness-of-fit testing was pEBA with four blocks, based on the RLS statistic, using the asymptotic covariance matrix estimator without bias correction. For measurement invariance, pEBA with singleton blocks, using the standard ML statistic and the unbiased estimator for the asymptotic covariance matrix, performed best. The pEBA procedures are available in the newly developed R package semTests.

PMID:41952013 | DOI:10.3758/s13428-026-02968-4

Geroscience. 2026 Apr 8. doi: 10.1007/s11357-026-02225-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Albuminuria is traditionally defined using fixed urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) thresholds, although cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk has been reported to increase continuously across the UACR spectrum. Whether these associations are present in healthy older adults and differ by sex remains unclear. We examined sex-specific associations between low-level UACR, mortality, and cardiovascular outcomes in older adults with preserved kidney function. From the ASPirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly (ASPREE) study, we included 5396 males and 6305 females aged ≥ 70 years with baseline UACR and eGFR ≥ 60 mL/min/1.73 m²). Sex-stratified Cox models examined associations between UACR quintiles (Q) and mortality, CVD, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), and stroke, using Q1 as reference. Over a median follow-up of 8.3-8.6 years, increasing UACR was associated with progressively higher risk of all-cause mortality in both sexes, despite most values being below the guideline thresholds. Mortality risk reached statistical significance for males from Q4 (HR 1.45; 95% CI 1.18-1.77) and females from Q2 (HR 1.33; 95% CI 1.04-1.71). Males also had a statistically significant increase in CVD from Q4 (HR 1.32; 95% CI 1.03-1.70) and MACE and stroke in Q5 (HR 1.61; 95% CI 1.25-2.07 and HR 1.96; 95%CI 1.38-1.78). Despite an increasing trend in females, adverse cardiovascular outcomes did not reach significance. UACR levels below guideline thresholds were associated with all-cause mortality in both sexes, with increased cardiovascular disease predominately observed in men. These findings support a continuous relationship between UACR and risk and suggest that even low-level albuminuria may have prognostic significance in healthy older adults.

PMID:41952007 | DOI:10.1007/s11357-026-02225-8

J Clin Sleep Med. 2026 Apr 8;22(1):49. doi: 10.1007/s44470-026-00065-z.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study examined the association of insomnia, sleep apnea, and comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA) with all-cause mortality in a large Veteran sleep clinic cohort.

METHODS: We retrospectively identified Veterans with insomnia and/or SA using ICD-9/10 codes, requiring two diagnoses within 13 months (≥ 30 days apart). Insomnia cases also required relevant prescriptions and/or cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I); SA cases required positive airway pressure prescriptions within three years. Patients were classified as insomnia only (INS), SA only, or COMISA. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for mortality were estimated using SA as the reference. Model 1 adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI); Model 2 additionally adjusted for trazodone and quetiapine; Model 3 additionally adjusted for benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine receptor agonists. Model 4 included all Model 3 covariates plus CBT-I.

RESULTS: Among the 1,720,090 patients, 47.6% had SA (mean age 56.3 ± 13.7; 93.3% male; 69% White; 26.2% with CCI > 2), 41.1% had INS (mean age 57.0 ± 16.8; 87.1% male; 70.3% White; 25.4% with CCI > 2), and 11.2% had COMISA (mean age 51.9 ± 13.2; 89.4% male; 66.7% White; 19.6% with CCI > 2). Compared with SA, unadjusted ORs for mortality were 1.75 (95% CI: 1.73-1.76) for INS and 0.68 (95% CI: 0.67-0.69) for COMISA. Fully adjusted aORs were 1.51 (95% CI: 1.49-1.52) for INS and 0.79 (95% CI: 0.78-0.80) for COMISA.

CONCLUSION: Among the Veterans referred to sleep clinics, insomnia alone was associated with the highest mortality, followed by SA, and the lowest in COMISA. These findings contrast with published studies and need to be seen considering the limitations of our approach, including the possibility that lack of a pre-specified hypothesis increases the risk of spurious findings.

STUDY RATIONALE: Insomnia and sleep apnea commonly coexist as comorbid insomnia and sleep apnea (COMISA), which has been linked to increased mortality in population-based studies. Evidence from clinical cohorts, particularly among Veterans, remains limited.

STUDY IMPACT: In this exploratory, hypothesis-generating large cohort of Veterans referred to sleep clinics, insomnia alone was associated with the highest mortality, followed by sleep apnea, and the lowest in COMISA. These results contrast with prior population studies and should be interpreted cautiously given study limitations (including possible chance findings without a pre-specified hypothesis), warranting confirmation.

PMID:41952004 | DOI:10.1007/s44470-026-00065-z