Tag: pubmed

Sci Data. 2025 Aug 15;12(1):1435. doi: 10.1038/s41597-025-05782-3.

ABSTRACT

As the world’s largest CO₂ emitter, China needs accurate city-level CO₂ emission accounts to formulate effective low-carbon policies. However, previous studies mainly accounted for emissions from fossil fuel combustion and overlooked process-related CO₂ emissions from industrial production (e.g., mineral, chemical, metal products), which account for approximately 13% of China’s total emissions. In this study, we built the first time-series dataset of process-related CO₂ emissions for 289 Chinese cities from 2000 to 2021. The dataset covers 11 industrial products and adheres to the methodology recommended by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). We applied China-specific emission factors and compiled industrial output data from city statistical yearbooks and bulletins. Missing output data were imputed using missForest models. The estimated uncertainty of the process-related emissions in our dataset ranges from 3.87% to 3.91%. Our dataset provides a robust foundation for analyzing emission patterns at the city level and for designing targeted low-carbon policies.

PMID:40817113 | DOI:10.1038/s41597-025-05782-3

BMC Public Health. 2025 Aug 15;25(1):2790. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23898-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Effective primary prevention with human papillomavirus vaccination and secondary prevention with screening can prevent most cervical cancer cases. Cervical cancer screening uptake varies among women in underserved populations. Research that adds to the understanding of the individual and geographic area-level characteristics of women and their screening status is valuable for public health intervention planning. This study aimed to identify these characteristics related to cervical cancer screening status.

METHODS: The study population included women between the ages of 28 to 69 years in Alberta. Data was extracted from administrative health data sources and linked to the Alberta Cervical Cancer Screening Program database to determine screening status. Descriptive bivariate analysis was conducted to describe variations in cervical cancer screening statuses and individual-level sociodemographic, health system factors, and geographic characteristics. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the relationship between these characteristics and screening participation. Geospatial analyses including heat maps were used to visualize variation in screening participation across the province. Getis-Ord Gi* hot-spot analysis was used to determine the location and magnitude of spatial autocorrelation.

RESULTS: The study included 933,965 eligible women. Compared with those who are currently up-to-date for screening, those who have no record of screening tend to be older (OR: 3.63; 95% CI: 3.57 to 3.70), reside in the South Zone (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.47 to 1.55), were health system non-users (OR: 2.95: 95% CI: 2.86 to 3.04), did not see a general practitioner (OR: 13.86; 95% CI: 13.32 to 14.43), or had no usual provider of care (OR: 3.227; 95% CI: 3.141 to 3.315). There are statistically significant hot spots of women who are overdue or have no record of cervical cancer screening in the North, Central, and Calgary Zones.

CONCLUSIONS: This study found that cervical cancer screening participation varied across geographical, health system and sociodemographic characteristics and identified clusters of regions with higher proportions of women who are under-screened in Alberta, Canada. Overall, these findings will help inform the design of interventions that aims to improve cervical cancer screening participation among underserved groups.

PMID:40817111 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-23898-4

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 15;15(1):29948. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-03971-z.

ABSTRACT

Healthcare-associated urinary tract infections (HAUTIs) represent a significant challenge to healthcare systems worldwide, contributing to patient morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs. Understanding the epidemiology and risk factors associated with HAUTIs is crucial for implementing targeted prevention strategies and optimizing patient care. This study aimed to assess the incidence and characteristics of HAUTIs, as well as their associated factors, at the University Hospital Center Sahloul in Sousse, Tunisia. We conducted a longitudinal study over a three-month period at the University Hospital Center Sahloul in Sousse, Tunisia, over a 3-month period (September-November 2022). Patient data were collected daily, and HAUTIs were defined according to standardized criteria. Statistical analysis was performed to identify risk factors associated with HAUTIs. A total of 1947 patients were included, with an age median of 55 years and a male predominance. Patients were mainly hospitalized in medical and surgical departments with a median length of stay of seven days. Among our patients, 23.1% had been hospitalized in the past 6 months and 33% had a urinary catheter at the time of HAUTI diagnosis. The incidence of HAUTIs was 2.8% and 3.75% among catheterized patients, with an incidence density of 3.08 cases per 1000 hospitalization days. HAUTIs were more frequent in medical (3.9%) and surgical (1.9%) departments. The majority of HAUTIs were symptomatic, with fever being the most common sign. Urinary cultures were positive in all cases with the majority of pathogens isolated being Gram-negative bacteria (56.6%). Pathogens were resistant to antibiotics in 37.5% of the cases. Univariate analysis showed several risk factors associated with HAUTIs, while multivariate analysis showed independent risk factors including increased length of stay (p < 0.001), advanced age (p = 0.012), hospitalization method (p = 0.005), and history of neurogenic bladder (p = 0.019). Clinical improvement was observed in 72.2% of cases, and mortality was low (1.7%). HAUTIs remain a big concern, particularly in medical and surgical departments. Our study shows that prolonged hospitalization, advanced age, hospitalization method and history of neurogenic bladder are significant risk factors for HAUTIs. The high prevalence of antibiotic resistance highlights the need for antimicrobial stewardship programs in local hospitals. In order to reduce HAUTI incidence and improve quality of care, strict infection control measures must implemented, patients at risk must be detected early and catheter management must be optimized.

PMID:40817091 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-03971-z

Parasit Vectors. 2025 Aug 15;18(1):347. doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-06997-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Babesia canis infections are of rising importance in Germany. This retrospective study aimed to correlate hematological and biochemical parameters with acute-phase proteins, levels of parasitemia and antibodies, as well as stays abroad in dogs with acute B. canis infection.

METHODS: Dogs in Germany tested PCR-positive for B. canis and negative for Anaplasma phagocytophilum from January 2018 to December 2024 were included if data on hematocrit, leukocytes, and platelets were available. Hematological scoring (HES) was performed by addition of points for mild (+ 1), moderate (+ 2), and marked (+ 3) anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia, as well as for the presence of pancytopenia (+ 3) and leukocytosis (+ 1). Results of biochemical and CRP analysis, Babesia antibody determination, and pathogen quantification were included, if available. P ≤ 0.05 in Spearman’s rank correlation was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: 342 dogs were included. History of stays abroad was known for 191/342 dogs (55.8%; no stays abroad 113/191 (59.2%), imported 55/191 (28.8%), travel 23/191 (12.0%)). The most common clinicopathologic findings were increased CRP (87.4%), thrombocytopenia (85.1%), anemia (78.7%), hyperbilirubinemia (74.2%), decreased iron levels (51.1%), and leukopenia (49.7%). Dogs without stays abroad showed significantly higher HES (n = 113, median: 6), CRP (n = 60, median: 116.2 mg/l), and levels of parasitemia (n = 92, median: 2916 × 10³ parasites/ml), but lower serum antibody levels (n = 59, median: 1.5 TE) compared with imported dogs (HES: n = 55, median: 2; CRP: n = 23, median: 40.0 mg/l; levels of parasitemia: n = 29, median: 23 × 10³ parasites/ml; antibodies: n = 37, median: 60.6 TE) (P < 0.001 each). Positive correlations were found between CRP and levels of parasitemia (ρ = 0.444), CRP and HES (ρ = 0.406), as well as levels of parasitemia and HES (ρ = 0.348), while negative correlations were observed between levels of antibodies and parasitemia (ρ = -0.666), as well as antibody levels and HES (ρ = -0.652) (P < 0.001 each).

CONCLUSIONS: About 60% of dogs with acute B. canis infection had no history of stays abroad, thus representing autochthonous infections. Most dogs without stays abroad were immunologically naive, in contrast to most imported dogs showing positive and high antibody levels. Dogs with high antibody levels showed less severe clinicopathological alterations and lower levels of parasitemia in the peripheral blood, explained by protective antibody activity.

PMID:40817086 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-025-06997-4

BMC Med. 2025 Aug 15;23(1):478. doi: 10.1186/s12916-025-04315-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Concerns exist over a possible worsening of disparities in health status and health care access across racial/ethnic and income groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to characterize trends in racial/ethnic and income differences in self-reported measures of health status and health care access among US adults.

METHODS: This serial cross-sectional nationally representative study included adults (age ≥ 18 years) participating in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) from 2019 to 2022. Self-reported health status (poor or fair health status, functional limitation, clinician-diagnosed depression or anxiety disorders) and health care access and affordability were collected.

RESULTS: Our analysis included 107,230 adults (mean [SE] age, 48.1 [0.1] years, 51.6% women), of whom 6.1% were Asian, 12.1% were Black, 17.3% were Latino/Hispanic, and 64.5% were White. Black individuals with low income had the highest prevalence of poor or fair health status (30.9% [95% CI, 27.8%-34.3%] in 2019 and 28.4% [95% CI, 25.1% to 32.0%] in 2022), and these racial/ethnic gaps did not change significantly, irrespective of income levels. The prevalence of clinician-diagnosed depression or anxiety disorders increased from 2019 to 2022 for all racial/ethnic groups, especially for Whites (from 32.6% [95% CI, 30.8%-34.4%] to 38.2% [95% CI, 36.4% to 40.1%], P < 0.001). There was no significant change in functional limitations during the pandemic. Latino/Hispanic individuals with low income had the highest estimated prevalence of limited health care access from 2019 to 2022. Health insurance access and affordability significantly improved for White individuals with low income from 2019 to 2022 (P < 0.001), but not for other racial/ethnic groups. Racial/ethnic gaps in health care access and affordability did not change significantly, irrespective of income levels.

CONCLUSIONS: In a serial cross-sectional survey study of US adults during the COVID-19 pandemic, prevalence of clinician-diagnosed depression or anxiety disorders significantly increased. Racial and ethnic differences in health status and health care access either persisted or widened over time.

PMID:40817069 | DOI:10.1186/s12916-025-04315-4

BMC Infect Dis. 2025 Aug 16;25(1):1026. doi: 10.1186/s12879-025-11326-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While numerous studies have investigated the role and presence of RNA viruses within Leishmania parasites, the existing literature presents a fragmented view of Leishmania RNA virus (LRV) prevalence in parasites associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Therefore, the present study aimed to elucidate the prevalence of LRV in parasites obtained from patients with CL.

METHODS: To achieve this aim, we conducted a systematic literature search across international databases, specifically Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. We extracted relevant studies reporting the prevalence of LRV in parasites obtained from patients with CL, utilizing predefined keywords and covering the period from December 1988 to August 2024. The extracted data underwent meta-analysis using a random-effects model, with statistical analyses performed in STATA version 14.

RESULTS: Our search yielded 44 studies that fulfilled the eligibility criteria, representing a total sample size of 2,276 participants. LRV detection was performed on biopsied lesion fragments and cultured isolates derived from these lesions. Among the 2,276 CL patients, 647 tested positive for LRV. We observed regional variations in LRV prevalence, with 45.16% in the New World (NW) and 30.00% in the Old World (OW). The majority of included studies examined Leishmania (Viannia) guyanensis, L. (V.) braziliensis, L. (Leishmania) major, and Leishmania (L.) tropica. LRV prevalence was 32.26% in lesion biopsies and 30.96% in cultured isolates. Notably, LRV exhibited a high prevalence in Leishmania species obtained from mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), suggesting a strong association between LRV1 and this clinical manifestation in the NW.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a substantial prevalence of LRV in CL. LRV was identified in both lesion biopsies and cultured isolates, revealing significant regional variations with higher prevalence in the NW compared to the OW. Furthermore, a strong association was observed between LRV1 and MCL in the NW.

PMID:40817054 | DOI:10.1186/s12879-025-11326-2

BMC Emerg Med. 2025 Aug 15;25(1):156. doi: 10.1186/s12873-025-01311-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Medical communication centre operators of the 1-1-3 medical emergency number in Norway use the decision support tool, the Norwegian Index for Medical Emergency, to categorise the problem and determine the correct handling and urgency level of the situation. The index comprises 42 chapters, one of which is titled ‘Non-specific problem’. Studies in Denmark frequently use this chapter; however, there are no published Norwegian studies on the demographics of this patient group. Thus, we investigated the characteristics of the patients assigned to this chapter and their 1- and 30-day mortality outcomes.

METHODS: This was a registry-based, retrospective cohort study. Descriptive statistics were used to compare the two groups; t-tests were performed for continuous variables, and data were presented with corresponding 95% confidence intervals. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Out of the 25,474 included calls to the emergency medical communication centre in 2022, 1,860 (7.3%) were categorised as ‘Non-specific problem’. Patients in this group had a higher mean age, were more often men, had a shorter hospital stay, and showed more comorbidities than the control group. The use of this chapter was associated with the allocation of a higher urgency level, and a reduction in the use of these criteria was observed during nighttime. Significantly higher 1- and 30-day mortality rates were observed in patients with non-specific symptoms (1.40% and 6.94%, respectively; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The group presenting symptoms categorised as non-specific comprised older patients, more men, and a higher number of patients showing comorbidities than the control group. Patients presenting symptoms categorised as non-specific typically perceived a high level of urgency. Most of these patients had a non-specific main diagnosis after hospital admission and a significantly higher mortality rate than those presenting with symptoms categorised as specific.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

PMID:40817051 | DOI:10.1186/s12873-025-01311-y

BMC Public Health. 2025 Aug 15;25(1):2789. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23993-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders among the elderly are a growing public health concern contributing significantly to disease burden, disability, and mortality. However, there is a lack of nationally representative studies examining the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders among older adults in community settings. Considering 55 years old is the beginning of “young old”, our study targets the population of adults aged 55 years old and above. Using data from the China Mental Health Survey (CMHS), we aim to estimate the prevalence and distribution of mental disorders and to investigate the correlates of mental disorders.

METHODS: Data of study was derived from the CMHS, a nationally representative community-based epidemiological survey. CMHS employed Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI), a structured diagnostic tool, to collect relevant data. A total of 12,667 adults aged 55 and above were included in this survey. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated, and design-corrected Rao-Scott χ² test, along with logistic regression model were used to identify correlates of mental disorders.

RESULTS: A total of 10,840 participants (85.6%) completed the CIDI. The lifetime and 12-month prevalence of mental disorders among the Chinese elderly population were 19.16% and 10.62%, respectively. Anxiety disorders were the most prevalent mental disorders, with a lifetime prevalence and 12-month prevalence was 9.07% and 5.97%, respectively. The corresponding data for mood disorders were 8.19% and 4.36%, and for substance use disorders were 4.16% and 0.89%, respectively. Having ≥ 3 physical diseases (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 2.35-4.40), experiencing chronic pain (OR = 2.94, 95% CI: 1.77-4.90), and having sleep disturbances (OR = 4.02, 95% CI: 3.14-5.13) were all significantly associated with higher odds of mental disorders. Conversely, individuals aged 70 years and older had significantly lower odds of mental disorders (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.29-0.62). All associations were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Mental disorders are highly prevalent among Chinese adults aged 55 years and above, with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and substance use disorders being the most common. Chronic disease, chronic pain and sleep disturbances played an important role in the risk of mental disorders mental disorders.

PMID:40817050 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-23993-6

J Neurosurg. 2025 Aug 15:1-7. doi: 10.3171/2025.4.JNS242409. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common cause of morbidity in the older population and the incidence of CSDH is likely to increase in upcoming years due to the increasing age of the population. Surgical intervention is the cornerstone of treatment, but trials have shown conflicting results regarding the optimal type of surgical drainage. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes between patients with CSDH who were surgically treated with active subgaleal drainage versus passive subdural drainage.

METHODS: This retrospective single-center cohort study included patients who underwent surgery for CSDH from 2020 to 2022. In a neurosurgical department in Lund, Sweden, the clinical routine changed from use of a passive subdural drain to an active subgaleal drain during this period. Data were collected from patient medical records and analyzed using univariable analysis followed by multivariable logistic regression analysis. The primary outcome was reoperation for recurrent hematoma within 3 months. Secondary outcomes were postoperative morbidity and mortality.

RESULTS: Of 452 patients (331 male, median age 78 years) included in the analysis, 3 were lost to follow-up, leaving 230 patients who received passive subdural drainage and 219 patients who received active subgaleal drainage for outcomes assessment. The risk of recurrent surgery for CSDH within 3 months was significantly lower in the active subgaleal drain group (12.7%) compared with the passive subdural drain group (20.1%) (p = 0.022). Regarding secondary outcomes, no statistically significant differences were found.

CONCLUSIONS: Risk of recurrent CSDH requiring surgery was lower in patients who received active subgaleal drainage compared with those who received passive subdural drainage, with no increased risk of postoperative complications. These findings support use of the active subgaleal drain system for CSDH surgery.

PMID:40815860 | DOI:10.3171/2025.4.JNS242409

J Neurosurg Spine. 2025 Aug 15:1-9. doi: 10.3171/2025.4.SPINE241540. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Complex locoregional closure of back wounds following spine surgery via muscle flap closure, as opposed to traditional layer-by-layer approximation, decreases rates of complications such as seroma, infection, and dehiscence. However, the impact of barbed suture use on operative time, surgical cost, and patient outcomes for these cases remains unknown. In this study, the authors aimed to evaluate the complication profile, time, and cost savings of barbed suture in complex flap closure of back wounds following the placement of spinal instrumentation.

METHODS: An IRB-approved retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of all patients who underwent spine surgery followed by locoregional muscle flap complex closure at the authors’ institution between January 2016 and July 2021. Patients were in either the barbed or conventional suture cohort. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were computed using multivariable logistic regression with Firth’s correction. Estimated cost savings were calculated using literature-reported figures.

RESULTS: A total of 110 patients with comparable baseline demographics were included. Rates of seroma (p > 0.99), infection (p = 0.21), and dehiscence (p = 0.66) were statistically similar between groups. After adjusting for the length of surgical closure, the mean times were 3.1 mins/cm and 4.6 mins/cm for the barbed and conventional suture cohorts, respectively, resulting in a time savings of 1.5 mins/cm (p < 0.001). The calculated time savings for muscle flap closure of an average incision length was 34.5 minutes (95% CI 18.6-50.4 minutes), and the overall financial savings were calculated to be $1094.10 (95% CI $513.75-$1674.45) per case.

CONCLUSIONS: Knotless barbed suture use in complex closure of back wounds results in decreased operative time and hospital cost while conferring similar complication rates to conventional suture.

PMID:40815856 | DOI:10.3171/2025.4.SPINE241540