Tag: pubmed

Eur J Cancer Prev. 2025 Nov 1;34(6):559-562. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000966. Epub 2025 Oct 1.

ABSTRACT

Poor oral hygiene is a well-established risk factor for oral cavity cancer. However, the specific association between oral hygiene practices and oral cancer risk remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between oral hygiene habits and the risk of oral cavity cancer. A case-control study was conducted involving 231 participants: 94 oral cavity cancer patients (case group) and 137 controls with other head and neck cancers. Oral health status was assessed using the Revised Oral Assessment Guide – Jönköping (ROAG-J), and a structured questionnaire was used to collect data on oral hygiene practices and lifestyle factors. The case group exhibited poorer oral hygiene practices, including lower rates of toothbrushing (68.1 vs. 90.5%) and food debris removal (38.3 vs. 63.5%), higher rates of smoking (66 vs. 11.7%) and alcohol consumption (58.5 vs. 14.6%), and poorer oral health (ROAG-J grade 2 or 3: 94.7 vs. 40.2%) compared with the control group. Multivariable logistic regression model has three independent risk factors for oral cavity cancer: smoking [odds ratio (OR): 9.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.21-22.61], alcohol consumption (OR: 3.47, 95% CI: 1.48-8.10), and the presence of chronic diseases (OR: 2.90, 95% CI: 1.37-6.12), whereas food debris removal (OR: 0.25, 95% CI: 0.12-0.51) was a protective factor. Our findings highlight the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene practices in preventing oral cavity cancer. Future studies with larger sample sizes and collection of potential confounding factors are needed to confirm our findings.

PMID:41025686 | DOI:10.1097/CEJ.0000000000000966

Parasite Immunol. 2025 Oct;47(10):e70032. doi: 10.1111/pim.70032.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated whether miRNAs and cytokines could be markers of gestational and/or congenital toxoplasmosis (TX). A total of 172 clinical samples collected from women were investigated. For gestational TX, 63 plasmas from pregnant women were analysed: 44 with gestational TX (GT-PW), 11 with asymptomatic TX (AsT-PW) and 8 healthy pregnant women (H-PW). For controls, 68 plasmas: 34 healthy women (HW) and 34 with asymptomatic TX (AsT). For congenital TX, 41 amniotic fluid (AF) samples were tested: 29 with negative qPCR in AF and 12 with positive PCR. Nine miRNAs were assayed by qPCR in plasma and AF samples. IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10 detection in plasmas was performed by ELISA. Statistical analyses were determined by F-test and ROC curves. Among the 9 hsa-miRNAs studied, only hsa-miR-125b-5p was significantly expressed in the AsT-PW group. hsa-miR-144-3p was more expressed in the GT-PW group. In AF samples, hsa-miR-125b-5p was more expressed in 29 AF samples with Neg-qPCR and hsa-miR-144-3p in AF samples with Pos-qPCR. Pregnant women from the GT-PW group had lower IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 production than the other groups. The in silico analyses identified pathways for hsa-miR-144-3p and hsa-miR-125b-5p and were related to the pathogenesis and immune response in toxoplasmosis. These findings suggest that hsa-miR-125b-5p could be related to infection regulation and to be characterised as a potential marker for asymptomatic toxoplasmosis. On the other hand, the hsa-miR-144-3p could be related to the exacerbation of the infection since gestational and/or congenital TX groups expressed high expression of hsa-miR-144-3p and low expression of IFN-γ, TNF-α and IL-10.

PMID:41025671 | DOI:10.1111/pim.70032

Microbiol Spectr. 2025 Sep 30:e0119625. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.01196-25. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections has become progressively dependent on limited therapeutic options, particularly polymyxins, such as colistin. This reliance has precipitated a concerning epidemiological trend: the emergence and global propagation of plasmid-mediated (mcr) as well as chromosome-mediated polymyxin resistance. Consequently, escalating resistance rates will certainly lead to diminished clinical efficacy of colistin, correlating with elevated mortality in septic patients who already face therapeutic limitations. Utilizing antimicrobial potentiators to restore the sensitivity of resistant pathogens to polymyxins represents a promising pharmacological strategy for reinvigorating the clinical utility of these agents. Here, we demonstrate that dronedarone hydrochloride (DH) exhibits significant synergistic bactericidal activity with colistin against colistin-resistant strains. DH enhances the antibacterial potency of colistin by approximately 32-fold (MIC from 8 μg/mL to 0.25 μg/mL in ExPEC ECQ001), effectively reversing resistance phenotypes. In vivo therapeutic efficacy studies demonstrated that combination therapy achieved a statistically significant reduction in bacterial burden compared to colistin therapy alone. Mechanistic studies revealed that DH has the capacity for specific molecular interactions with two critical phospholipid components: cardiolipin and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in bacterial membranes. This binding induces membrane disruption, impairs energy production, and stimulates oxidative stress, which collectively augment the bactericidal activity of colistin. These findings position DH as a viable antibiotic adjuvant with translational potential for combination therapies against MDR pathogens. The dual targeting of membrane integrity and redox homeostasis presents a strategic advantage in circumventing conventional resistance mechanisms, thereby extending the application potential of colistin in contemporary antimicrobial regimens.IMPORTANCEColistin remains a last resort antibiotic for treating infections caused by extensively drug-resistant pathogens. However, the emergence of colistin resistance has significantly compromised its clinical utility. Our research identifies and characterizes that dronedarone hydrochloride (DH) restores bacterial sensitivity to colistin by binding to cardiolipin (CL) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG). Mechanistic studies revealed that DH bound specifically to CL and PG, thereby enhancing membrane disruption, impairing energy production, and stimulating oxidative stress levels, which collectively augment the bactericidal activity of colistin. These findings present DH as a lead compound for combating colistin resistance, while offering novel mechanistic insights into its role as a colistin potentiator.

PMID:41025656 | DOI:10.1128/spectrum.01196-25

Dermatol Surg. 2025 Sep 30. doi: 10.1097/DSS.0000000000004881. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Skin laxity and crepiness of the arms is a cosmetic concern that before the advent of noninvasive skin tightening technologies could only be treated with surgery. Ultrasound-based technologies deliver energy to the dermis which causes neocollagenesis and neoelastogenesis to rejuvenate the skin.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates and compares the efficacy of a high-intensity, parallel beam ultrasound-based skin tightening (HIUS) device with microfocused ultrasound with visualization (MFU-V) for improvement of upper arm skin laxity and crepiness.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective, single-center, blinded, split-body, randomized clinical study investigated HIUS and MFU-V for improvement of upper arm skin laxity and crepiness. Subjects received a single treatment to the upper arms.

RESULTS: Fourteen female subjects completed the study. Assessments compared Day 30 and Day 90 follow-up visits with baseline. HIUS was as effective as MFU-V in improving arm laxity and crepiness. Investigators and subjects rated improved arm laxity/crepiness at Day 90. Most subjects were satisfied with the improvement of arm laxity/crepiness. There was no statistically significant difference in pain scores observed between the HIUS and MFU-V. The MFU-V treatment took more time to perform than the HIUS treatment.

CONCLUSION: High-intensity, parallel beam ultrasound-based skin tightening was effective and delivered results with high patient satisfaction for improving upper arm skin laxity/crepiness.

PMID:41025649 | DOI:10.1097/DSS.0000000000004881

Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2025 Sep 30:1-14. doi: 10.1080/17483107.2025.2565405. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Using web crawling and statistical regression models based on large-scale platform data, this study examines how previous anonymous and non-anonymous donations influence subsequent contributions on charitable crowdfunding platforms, with a particular focus on health-related campaigns. Through web crawling, this study collected 1,136 projects from Qingsongchou and empirically analysed the herding effect in donation behaviour. Results indicate a significant herding effect in both anonymous and non-anonymous donations, as well as in donation amounts. This effect is stronger among non-anonymous donors compared to anonymous ones. Furthermore, this study explore moderating channels and find that social media sharing weakens the herding effect for anonymous donations but does not significantly alter the differential herding behaviour between the two groups. By distinguishing between early and late fundraising stages, this study also observe that the herding effect difference is more pronounced in the early stage. These findings enhance understanding of the economic implications of anonymous donations under information asymmetry and offer practical insights for improving anonymity mechanisms in health-oriented charitable crowdfunding.

PMID:41025637 | DOI:10.1080/17483107.2025.2565405

Int J Health Plann Manage. 2025 Sep 30. doi: 10.1002/hpm.70027. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The Southeast Asian region of World Health Organization (SEARO) comprising 11 countries, that is Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor-Leste is home to a quarter of the world’s population where severe oral health disparities persist.

AIM: This study aims to collate the oral health financing landscape, evaluate the relationship between government health expenditure and the burden of oral diseases, assess the proportionality of oral health spending relative to its share of the overall disease burden, and examine the inclusion and funding of dental care within Universal Health Coverage (UHC) benefit packages in the SEARO region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data for this study were sourced from publicly available databases and relevant national health statistics repositories of SEARO countries. These datasets provided information on health financing indicators, oral health coverage, and oral disease burden. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize indicators across SEARO countries. Correlation analyses were done to examine the interrelationship between health financing indicators and oral health outcomes and oral health coverage.

RESULTS: Increased government expenditure on health was significantly and positively correlated with insurance and oral health coverage. It was inversely correlated with out-of-pocket expenses (OOPE), private health expenditure, borrowing money to cover health expenses, and ‘All cause’ DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years). There was no significant correlation between government health spending and ‘Oral Disorders’ DALYs. Increased private expenditure was inversely correlated with domestic general government health expenditure as a percentage of current health expenditure and oral health coverage and positively correlated with Out-of-pocket expenses and borrowing money for covering health expenses. The allocation of government spending did not correspond proportionately to the burden of oral diseases.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The lack of correlation between government health funding and the oral disease burden and the disproportionately low government expenditure on oral health relative to the burden of oral diseases when compared to their share of the total disease burden indicates not only a significant deficiency in funding but also misplaced funding priorities. There is a need to focus on the prevention of oral diseases and direct resources towards prevention, regular training, and education of healthcare workers and the public to identify early signs and symptoms of oral disease, rather than solely on treatment.

PMID:41025615 | DOI:10.1002/hpm.70027

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2025 Sep 30. doi: 10.1002/ksa.70079. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The peroneus longus tendon (PLT) has emerged as a promising autograft option for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, but concerns persist regarding donor-site morbidity and ankle functional outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate ankle performance following PLT harvest for ACL reconstruction.

METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis performed by searching five databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library) up to March 2025. Inclusion criteria included: ACL reconstruction using PLT autograft, ≥6-month follow-up, and validated ankle outcomes (American Orthopaedic Foot And Ankle Society [AOFAS]/Foot and Ankle Disability Index [FADI] scores). Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random-effects models using R software (version 4.4.3). Heterogeneity was assessed via I² statistics, and risk of bias was evaluated using JBI checklists.

RESULTS: Twenty articles (1024 patients) were identified, comprising eleven prospective cohort studies and nine randomised clinical trials (RCT), based on title, abstract, and quality assessments. Meta-analysis demonstrated excellent postoperative ankle function, with pooled AOFAS scores of 96.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 92.6-99.3) at 6 months, 96.1 (93.9-98.2) at 12 months, and 97.2 (93.9-100.6) at 24 months. FADI scores similarly improved to 97.4 (96.0-98.9) by 6 months and 99.4 (98.7-100.1) at 24 months. Meta-regression revealed no significant association between age and AOFAS outcomes (β = -0.23, p = 0.36). Minor complications (e.g., transient hypaesthesia) occurred in 13%-23% of patients but resolved within months. No studies reported major nerve injuries or ankle instability.

CONCLUSION: Peroneus longus tendon harvest for ACL reconstruction yields minimal donor-site morbidity, with consistently high AOFAS/FADI scores across all age groups. These findings support the safety of PLT autografts, though heterogeneity is evident, and the predominance of male participants and the regional focus of studies, mainly Asian populations, may affect generalisability.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

PMID:41025611 | DOI:10.1002/ksa.70079

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2025 Sep 30. doi: 10.1002/ksa.70074. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The circles measurement is a newly validated in vivo method to evaluate acromioclavicular joint (ACJ) dislocations, but its postoperative and clinical relevance has not been evaluated. We hypothesised that the postoperative circles measurement would capture recurrent vertical as well as horizontal instability and that it would be associated with outcome scores in patients undergoing acute, bidirectional arthroscopically assisted ACJ stabilisation.

METHODS: Male patients (18-55 years) with an acute ACJ dislocation (Rockwood type V) were included retrospectively. Radiographs included a single, bilateral anteroposterior stress view and bilateral Alexander views preoperatively and postoperatively (final follow-up of minimum 2 years). Excluded were patients with previous injuries/minors/polytrauma or insufficient radiographs. The side-to-side difference (SSD) coracoclavicular distance (CCD), the degree of dynamic horizontal translation (DHT) and the SSD circles measurement as well as the ACJ instability (ACJI) and Taft (TF) score, subjective shoulder value (SSV) and Constant score were recorded at the final follow-up (minimum 2 years). The postoperative SSD circles measurement was analysed in relation to these. Statistical analysis comprised correlations and group comparisons.

RESULTS: Fifty-six patients (mean age, 38.9 ± 10.7 years) with a follow-up of 33.0 months (range, 24-55 months) were included. The postoperative SSD circles measurement demonstrated a correlation with recurrent vertical instability (SSD CCD: r = 0.37; p = 0.006), and with recurrent horizontal instability (DHT: r = 0.46; p < 0.001). A higher postoperative SSD circles measurement was associated with lower outcome scores (SSV: r = -0.31; p = 0.021; TF score: r = -0.29; p = 0.031; ACJI score: r = -0.35; p = 0.01). The cut-off values for lower scores (p < 0.05 by stepwise group comparison) were 0 mm for the SSV (p = 0.022); 2.2 mm for the TF score (p = 0.022) and 2.7 mm for the ACJI score (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative circles measurement reflects both recurrent vertical and horizontal instability and correlates with lower outcome scores following arthroscopically assisted ACJ stabilisation, supporting its use as a radiographic adjunct.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, retrospective case series.

PMID:41025591 | DOI:10.1002/ksa.70074

J Clin Nurs. 2025 Sep 30. doi: 10.1111/jocn.70124. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To analyse current Glasgow Coma Scale practice among emergency nurses in China and identify factors influencing assessment quality.

DESIGN: A quantitative, multicenter cross-sectional design.

METHODS: A convenience sample of 1740 emergency nurses from secondary and tertiary hospitals across 21 provinces completed a validated structured questionnaire between March and April 2025. Participants had at least 6 months of emergency nursing experience. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multiple logistic regression to examine factors influencing correct Glasgow Coma Scale application.

RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 29.8 years (SD = 6.2). Only 52.5% of nurses demonstrated correct Glasgow Coma Scale application despite 97.0% having theoretical knowledge of scoring criteria. While 56.8% had received Glasgow Coma Scale training, significant standardisation deficiencies emerged. Notably, 41.8% of departments lacked operational guidelines, and 53.7% of nurses experienced scoring disagreements with colleagues. Clinical utilisation varied substantially by patient population: traumatic brain injury (97.8%), neurological diseases (96.9%), and systemic critical illness (85.8%). Multivariate analysis identified six significant factors influencing correct application: standardised training (OR = 2.252, 95% CI: 1.789-2.825), manageable workload ≤ 4 patients/shift (OR = 1.652, 95% CI: 1.327-2.057), departmental guidelines (OR = 1.523, 95% CI: 1.233-1.881), extensive work experience ≥ 9 years (OR = 1.534, 95% CI: 1.182-1.992), while multidisciplinary collaboration issues (OR = 0.559, 95% CI: 0.439-0.712) and special patient experience (OR = 0.520, 95% CI: 0.406-0.666) were associated with reduced accuracy.

CONCLUSION: Substantial standardisation challenges exist in Glasgow Coma Scale practice among Chinese emergency nurses, characterised by significant gaps between theoretical knowledge and clinical application. Major barriers include insufficient standardised guidelines, inconsistent training approaches, and inadequate interdisciplinary collaboration.

IMPACT: Healthcare administrators should develop national standardised guidelines, implement simulation-based training programs, optimise emergency workflows, and integrate alternative assessment tools to enhance consciousness assessment accuracy and improve patient safety.

REPORTING METHOD: STROBE statement adherence.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

PMID:41025569 | DOI:10.1111/jocn.70124

J Transcult Nurs. 2025 Sep 30:10436596251372840. doi: 10.1177/10436596251372840. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Nursing education plays a key role in addressing xenophobia. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of forum theater on nursing students’ attitudes toward immigrants.

METHOD: The study was a quasi-experimental research conducted with undergraduate nursing students. Forum theater was used as an educational technique in the study. The sample of the study consisted of n = 24 nursing students. Personal information form and Health Workers’ Attitudes Toward Immigrants Scale were used as data-collection tools. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: The findings of the study show that the forum theater practice significantly changed nursing students’ attitudes toward racism and discrimination. As a result of the study, nursing students’ positive attitudes increased and negative attitudes decreased (p < .05).

DISCUSSION: Forum theater may be an effective educational tool for nursing students to decrease negative attitudes and increase positive attitudes toward racism and discrimination.

PMID:41025285 | DOI:10.1177/10436596251372840