Tag: pubmed

J Anim Sci. 2025 Sep 27:skaf334. doi: 10.1093/jas/skaf334. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The application of heat in dietary processing is known to influence nutrient digestibility. Novel pet food formats with differing processing methods are gaining popularity, but few studies have examined their digestibility. Most research evaluating dietary processing type on nutrient digestibility has tested commercial foods that were vastly different regarding ingredient inclusion and macronutrient content, making it difficult to determine the processing influences. To address this research question, the current study aimed to determine amino acid (AA) digestibility and nitrogen-corrected true metabolizable energy (TMEn) of diets having the same ingredient formulations and nutrient concentrations but manufactured using different processing methods. Five diets were manufactured using the following processing methods: retort (RT), mildly cooked [sous vide (SV) and steamed (ST)], and raw [high-pressure processing (HPP) and freeze-drying (FD)]. Those diets were compared against the raw ingredient batch (RAW) that served as a control. Two precision-fed rooster assays utilizing Single Comb White Leghorn (1.5 to 2.5 y old, 2.5 to 3 kg body weight) were conducted to determine the standardized AA digestibility (30 cecectomized roosters; n = 5) and TMEn content (30 conventional roosters; n = 5) of the six pet foods. Prior to feeding, wet diets (RT, SV, ST, HPP, and RAW) were freeze-dried, and all diets were ground. Following crop intubation, excreta were collected for 48 h and analyzed, and then AA digestibility and TMEn calculations were performed. Data were analyzed using the Mixed Models procedure of SAS with P < 0.05 accepted as statistically significant and P < 0.10 a trend. The digestibility of 6 indispensable AA were affected by processing. The SV and ST diets had greater (P < 0.05) histidine digestibilities than all other diets. For valine, methionine, leucine, phenylalanine, and isoleucine, the RAW diet tended to have greater (P < 0.10) digestibility than the RT diet. The RT diet had lower (P < 0.05) aspartic acid digestibility than ST, HPP, FD, and RAW diets. Dietary TMEn was higher (P < 0.05) for the SV and ST diets than the RT, HPP, and FD diets, suggesting that those cooking methods are less damaging to macronutrients. Overall, the RT diet had lower indispensable digestible AA concentrations than RAW, likely due to the high heat of processing. Future research should test differences in these diet types in the target species (ie, dog) to evaluate how they perform.

PMID:41014493 | DOI:10.1093/jas/skaf334

J Endocrinol Invest. 2025 Sep 27. doi: 10.1007/s40618-025-02708-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To identify clinical and sociodemographic factors that predict follow-up discontinuation and rehospitalisation after multidisciplinary residential rehabilitation for severe obesity, thereby defining high-risk patient profiles and guiding tailored retention strategies.

METHODS: We retrospectively followed 1,851 adults with obesity discharged from a multidisciplinary residential programme between 2015 and 2018 (median BMI 42 kg m⁻²). Dropout, defined as more than twelve months without contact, was studied with discrete-time survival models; time to rehospitalisation was analysed with Cox regression.

RESULTS: Within twelve months 1,513 patients (87%) discontinued follow-up. Each five-year increase in age lowered drop-out risk (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.94-0.99, p = 0.004); diabetes had a similar protective effect (HR 0.89, 0.79-1.00, p = 0.0455). Rehospitalisation occurred in 591 patients (32%). Risk increased with age (5-years increment; HR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.09, p = 0.0191), baseline BMI (HR = 1.04, 95% CI 1.03-1.05, p < 0.0001), diabetes (HR = 1.22, 95% CI 1.02-1.30, p = 0.0306) and eating disorders (HR = 1.48, 95% CI 1.07-2.05, p = 0.0193).

DISCUSSION: Maintaining the benefits of residential rehabilitation is important. In our cohort, 87% of patients dropped out of follow-up within one year and 32% were readmitted. Two distinct profiles emerged: younger and non-diabetic subjects were prone to dropout, while patients with higher BMI, diabetes, or eating disorders were at higher risk of rehospitalization. Early identification of these groups may suggest flexible, technology-assisted follow-up for working-age patients and integrated metabolic-psychiatric care for complex cases, safeguarding outcomes and optimizing resources.

PMID:41014476 | DOI:10.1007/s40618-025-02708-z

J Med Ultrason (2001). 2025 Sep 27. doi: 10.1007/s10396-025-01579-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the technical feasibility and performance of automatic image-based registration (IBR) for liver fusion imaging and to identify clinical and anatomical factors affecting registration success.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 84 patients undergoing liver fusion imaging using an ultrasound system with IBR. Three operators with 5, 10, and 25 years of experience (junior, intermediate, and senior), respectively, independently performed IBR. Fusion time and registration error were recorded. Fusion success was defined both globally (success by all or at least one operator) and individually (registration error < 10 mm). Clinical and anatomical factors were assessed. Predictors of failure were identified using multivariable logistic regression with Firth’s correction.

RESULTS: IBR was successful in all three operators in 86.9% of cases and by at least one operator in 96.4%. The most experienced operator achieved significantly shorter fusion times (median: 15.0 s) and smaller fusion errors (median: 6.0 mm) compared to the less experienced operators. Operator-specific success rates defined as registration error < 10 mm were 45.2%, 60.7%, and 79.8%, respectively (p < 0.001). Subcutaneous tissue depth was the only independent predictor of fusion failure in both multivariable models (OR = 1.13 for all failed, p = 0.033; OR = 0.88 for partial success, p = 0.012). Other clinical factors were not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION: IBR is a highly feasible method that reduces operator dependency in liver fusion imaging compared to conventional methods, though registration accuracy still varies with operator experience.

CLINICAL IMPACT: IBR enables consistent and simplified fusion imaging regardless of operator experience. Its broad applicability may support safer and more efficient ultrasound-guided interventions, especially in resource-limited or time-sensitive settings.

PMID:41014474 | DOI:10.1007/s10396-025-01579-4

Eye (Lond). 2025 Sep 26. doi: 10.1038/s41433-025-04036-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the long-term structural, functional, and microvascular outcomes in school-aged children with a history of laser photocoagulation (LP) therapy for the treatment of type 1 retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). The macular integrity, retinal sensitivity, fixation stability, and microvascular parameters were assessed using microperimetry and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A).

METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study included children aged 10-15 who underwent detailed ophthalmologic examinations. Participants were divided into three groups: (1) children who had received LP for the treatment of ROP in infancy, (2) prematurely born infants without any ROP diagnosis, and (3) full-term controls. Statistical analysis was conducted to compare fixation stability, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, and vascular density (VD).

RESULTS: A significant difference was found in fixation stability among the groups, demonstrating more stable fixation in term-born children compared to preterm groups and significantly eccentric fixation in laser-treated infants (p = 0.019 and p < 0.001, respectively). Furthermore, FAZ areas were substantially smaller, and VD values were higher in laser-treated infants (p < 0.001 for both). A negative correlation was identified between fixation instability and FAZ size (p = 0.016 and p = 0.015), suggesting a relationship between fixation behaviour and foveal microvascular integrity.

CONCLUSION: The diagnosis and treatment of ROP can significantly affect long-term visual functions, fixation behaviours, and macular vascular development. These findings emphasise the importance of long-term follow-up for preterm infants and the need for further studies to investigate the relationship between fixation stability and retinal microvasculature.

PMID:41006681 | DOI:10.1038/s41433-025-04036-1

Sci Rep. 2025 Sep 26;15(1):33010. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-18390-3.

ABSTRACT

Knowing the predictors of pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is extremely critical. Accordingly, we aimed to determine the effects of the difference between mean gestational sac diameter and crown-rump length (mGSD-CRL) on the pregnancy outcomes in patients with RSA at 6-10 gestational weeks, as well as to explore its significance in predicting the pregnancy outcomes of patients with RSA. This retrospective cohort study included 256 pregnant women at 6-10 weeks of gestation and with RSA who had visited our hospital from January 2020 to March 2023. The patients were allocated to three groups based on the mGSD-CRL difference: Group A: mGSD-CRL ≤ 10 mm, Group B: 10 mm < mGSD-CRL ≤ 15 mm, and Group C: mGSD-CRL > 15 mm. The pregnancy failure rate in Group A was 22%, which was higher than those that in Group B (5.5%) and Group C (9.4%), with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the mGSD (odd ratio [OR] = 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-1.23, P = 0.001), the CRL (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.05-1.28, P = 0.004), and mGSD-CRL (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 1.01-1.24, P = 0.026) were independent risk factors affecting the pregnancy outcome of patients with RSA. However, the uterine artery peak systolic value to end-diastolic value (UtA-S/D), D-dimer (DD), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and arachidonic acid (AA) were not related (P > 0.05). The area under the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve of mGSD-CRL at 6-10 weeks of pregnancy was 0.566, with a cutoff value of 9.50 mm. The sensitivity and specificity were 90% and 36%, respectively. Compared with their prediction value, the combined prediction of mGSD-CRL, mGSD, and CRL exhibited a higher value (AUC = 0.718) in predicting pregnancy outcomes. A weak negative correlation was detected between ADP and mGSD-CRL difference (r = – 0.165, P = 0.025). In patients with RSA, mGSD-CRL acts as an independent risk factor affecting pregnancy outcomes, thereby effectively predicting the early pregnancy outcomes of patients with RSA. Thus, a low mGSD-CRL difference signifies the heightened probability of miscarriage, thereby urgently requiring clinicians to pay timely attention. Trial registration: The study is registered at ClinincalTrails.gov (Trial registration number: NCT06081556, October 13, 2023).

PMID:41006676 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-18390-3

Nat Neurosci. 2025 Sep 26. doi: 10.1038/s41593-025-02066-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Gonadal hormone receptors are widely distributed across the brain, yet their influence on brain structure remains understudied. Here, using precision imaging, we examined four females, including one with endometriosis and one using oral contraceptives (OC), across a monthly period. Whole-brain analyses revealed spatiotemporal patterns of brain volume changes, with substantial variations across the monthly period. In typical cycles, spatiotemporal patterns were associated with serum progesterone levels, while in cycles with endometriosis and during OC intake, patterns were associated with serum estradiol levels. The volume changes were widely distributed rather than region-specific, suggesting a widespread but coordinated influence of hormonal fluctuations. These findings underscore the importance of considering diverse hormonal milieus beyond typical menstrual cycles in understanding structural brain dynamics and suggest that hormonal rhythms may drive widespread structural brain changes.

PMID:41006668 | DOI:10.1038/s41593-025-02066-2

Sci Rep. 2025 Sep 26;15(1):33214. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-18306-1.

ABSTRACT

This single-center retrospective study evaluated the performance of four multimodal large language models (MLLMs) (ChatGPT-4o, Claude 3.5 Sonnet, Google Gemini 1.5 Pro, Perplexity Sonar Large) in detecting and grading the severity of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) from ultrawide field fundus images. Images from 76 patients (136 eyes; mean age 81.1 years; 69.7% female) seen at the University of California San Diego were graded independently for AMD severity by two junior retinal specialists (and an adjudicating senior retina specialist for disagreements) using the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) classification. The cohort included 17 (12.5%) eyes with ‘No AMD’, 18 (13.2%) with ‘Early AMD’, 50 (36.8%) with ‘Intermediate AMD’, and 51 (37.5%) with ‘Advanced AMD’. Between December 2024 and February 2025, each MLLM was prompted with single images and standardized queries to assess the primary outcomes of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in binary disease classification, disease severity grading, open-ended diagnosis, and multiple-choice diagnosis (with distractor diseases). Secondary outcomes included precision, F1 scores, Cohen’s kappa, model performance comparisons, and error analysis. ChatGPT-4o demonstrated the highest accuracy for binary disease classification [mean 0.824 (95% confidence interval (CI)): 0.743, 0.875)], followed by Perplexity Sonar Large [mean 0.815 (95% CI: 0.744, 0.879)], both of which were significantly more accurate (P < 0.00033) Than Gemini 1.5 Pro [mean 0.669 (95% CI: 0.581, 0.743)] and Claude 3.5 Sonnet [mean 0.301 (95% CI: 0.221, 0.375)]. For severity grading, Perplexity Sonar Large was most accurate [mean 0.463 (95% CI: 0.368, 0.537)], though differences among models were not statistically significant. ChatGPT-4o led in open-ended and multiple-choice diagnostic tasks. In summary, while MLLMs show promise for automated AMD detection and grading from fundus images, their current reliability is insufficient for clinical application, highlighting the need for further model development and validation.

PMID:41006661 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-18306-1

Commun Med (Lond). 2025 Sep 26;5(1):400. doi: 10.1038/s43856-025-01104-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is common in older adults and may relate to cognitive decline. We explore whether changes in specific brain areas and body inflammation levels help explain this connection, focusing on the hippocampus-a memory-critical brain region.

METHODS: We studied 36 older adults with KOA over time. Using brain scans, we measured volumes of hippocampal subregions (especially the fimbria). Blood tests tracked six inflammation markers, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), programmed death 1(PD-1), recombinant cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1), recombinant cannabinoid receptor 2 (CNR2), and T cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain 3 (TIM3). Memory was tested using the Wechsler Memory Scale – Chinese Revision (WMS-CR), while global cognition used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Relationships between knee pain, brain structure, inflammation, and cognition were analyzed statistically.

RESULTS: Here, we show that shrinking fimbria volume predicts cognitive decline in those developing dementia. We identify a robust correlation between fimbria volume and cognitive performance. Higher IFN-γ levels are protective against cognitive decline. Critically, fimbria volume serves as a mediator in the relationship between pain, TIM3/IFN-γ levels, and cognitive scores.

CONCLUSIONS: Fimbria serves as a key pathway through which KOA may drive cognitive impairment, while IFN-γ could help protect memory. Monitoring these hippocampal changes and inflammation levels might help identify at-risk patients early.

PMID:41006612 | DOI:10.1038/s43856-025-01104-1

Pediatr Cardiol. 2025 Sep 26. doi: 10.1007/s00246-025-04044-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Neonatal portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is an uncommon but clinically important vascular complication, often associated with umbilical venous catheter (UVC) use. The optimal management strategy, including the role of anticoagulation, remains uncertain. This retrospective case series included 13 neonates with PVT diagnosed in a level III NICU between January 2021 and December 2024. Clinical and imaging data were compared between infants with spontaneous thrombus resolution and those with persistent thrombosis. The median gestational age was 30.1 weeks, and the median birth weight was 875 g. All infants had UVC placement; every thrombus involved the left portal vein with intrahepatic extension, and all extended into the IVC. Two neonates (15.4%) received anticoagulation; the remainder were managed conservatively. Spontaneous resolution occurred in 6 of 13 cases (46.2%). Earlier diagnosis and higher birth weight were more frequent in the resolution group, although not statistically significant. No thrombus-related acute complications occurred during a median follow-up of 6 months. In this case series, nearly half of neonates with non-occlusive PVT showed spontaneous resolution without anticoagulation. These findings suggest that conservative management can be considered in clinically stable infants, but the short follow-up precludes firm conclusions regarding long-term safety. Ongoing surveillance is essential to detect late complications such as portal hypertension or portosystemic shunting.

PMID:41006583 | DOI:10.1007/s00246-025-04044-8

Sci Rep. 2025 Sep 26;15(1):33035. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-18079-7.

ABSTRACT

When predicting adverse complications due to Type 2 Diabetes, often two different approaches are taken: predictions based on clinical data or those using administrative health data. No studies have assessed whether these two approaches reach comparable predictions. This study compares the predictive performance of these two data sources and examines the algorithmic fairness of the developed models. We developed XGBoost models to predict the two-year risk of nephropathy, tissue infection, and cardiovascular events in Type 2 Diabetes patients. The models using only clinical data achieved an average AUC of 0.78, while the models using administrative health data alone achieved 0.77. A hybrid model combining both data types resulted in an average AUC of 0.80, across complications. The models showed that laboratory data were key for predicting nephropathy, whereas comorbidity and diabetes age were most important for tissue infection. For cardiovascular events, age and a history of congestive heart failure was the most important predictors. Our analysis identified bias on the feature sex in all three outcomes: models tended to underestimate risk for females and overestimate it for males, indicating a need to address fairness in these applications. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of ML models using both data types for predicting diabetes complications. However, the presence of sex bias highlights the importance of improving model fairness for reliable clinical use.

PMID:41006578 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-18079-7