Tag: pubmed

Indian J Nucl Med. 2025 Mar-Apr;40(2):62-66. doi: 10.4103/ijnm.ijnm_142_24. Epub 2025 Jun 27.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to compare ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT) and CT performance in guiding percutaneous biopsies with histologic confirmation of lung lesions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 50 patients, of whom 25 underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT-guided biopsy and 25 underwent CT-guided biopsy. The pathology results, diagnostic performance, procedure duration, and complications in the two groups were evaluated.

RESULTS: Of the 25 biopsies with PET/CT guidance, histology demonstrated a mean diagnostic accuracy of 97.62%. In the CT-guided group, the mean diagnostic accuracy was 85%. The t-test revealed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION: PET/CT-guided biopsy of lung lesions led to fewer inconclusive biopsies than CT-guided biopsy, with similar complication rates. This study highlights that PET-CT-guided lung biopsies, especially when robot-assisted, provide superior diagnostic accuracy. Moreover, PET-CT-guided biopsies exhibit a high sensitivity and low complication rates, making them a reliable and safe option for biopsy procedures. However, limitations related to study design, procedural learning curves, and radiation exposure should be carefully considered.

PMID:40735763 | PMC:PMC12303205 | DOI:10.4103/ijnm.ijnm_142_24

Int J Nanomedicine. 2025 Jul 25;20:9369-9387. doi: 10.2147/IJN.S525646. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to synthesize bioactive dental adhesives using Camellia sinensis (green tea) extracts (GTE) incorporated into innovative semipermeable nanocapsules as active ingredient to stabilize the bond to human dentin.

METHODS: Nanocapsules and all components of the experimental adhesives were synthesized individually, and the success of the synthesis was verified. Experimental adhesives with varying GTE levels and the current gold-standard adhesive were tested for shear bond strength (SBS) after 24-hours and 6-month aging. Bond morphology was characterized by SEM, nano-IR imaging, and fractography. The composition of the nanocapsules was evaluated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and high-performance liquid-chromatography. Phenol release was evaluated using spectrophotometry. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, Tukey HSD, Games-Howell, Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney-U, multiple t-tests, and Weibull analysis.

RESULTS: The incorporation and release of polyphenols from the experimental adhesives is confirmed. A similar or slightly higher SBS was measured in the control adhesive. Aging does not have a significant impact on SBS, but the bonding reliability of the experimental adhesives remained stable over time, while the reliability of the gold-standard adhesive experienced a decline.

CONCLUSION: The integration of GTE-nanocapsules into an experimental adhesive proved to be a promising concept for maintaining bond strength and reliability during aging. In addition, the used combination of vibrational spectroscopy and high spatial resolution of atomic force microscopy proved to be helpful in closing a nano-analytical diagnostic gap in the molecular spectroscopy of dental nanomaterials.

PMID:40735745 | PMC:PMC12306576 | DOI:10.2147/IJN.S525646

One Health. 2025 Jul 17;21:101145. doi: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2025.101145. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 Omicron lineages continue to evolve, driving recurrent infection waves since 2022 through immune escape in populations with diverse immunological histories. Understanding cross-variant neutralization capacity, especially against emerging variants like JN.1, is critical for optimizing protection strategies.

METHODS: We conducted genomic surveillance in Jiangsu Province (December 2022-February 2024) to identify circulating variants and stratified 150 participants into six cohorts based on immune histories (BA.5/XBB breakthrough infections, JN.1 infections, and sequential exposures). Pseudovirus neutralization assays were employed to evaluate serum responses against ancestral (WT), early Omicron (BA.4/5, BF.7, BQ.1), recombinant (XBB/XBB.1.5/XBB.1.22/EG.5.1), and JN.1 variants.

RESULTS: Sera from BA.5/XBB breakthrough infections showed significantly reduced neutralization against JN.1 and EG.5.1 (vs. WT). In contrast, recent JN.1 infection induced broad-spectrum neutralization, with cross-protection comparable across variants. Sequential Omicron exposures (e.g., BA.5 → JN.1/XBB) enhanced cross-neutralization versus single infections, notably generating potent, broad antibodies even during acute phases-a previously unreported finding.

CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneous immune backgrounds necessitate vigilant monitoring of emerging variants, and sequential Omicron exposures confer robust cross-protection that can guide vaccine design and long-term public health strategies-all within a One Health framework that integrates human serosurveillance with animal and environmental monitoring to preempt cross-species transmission and future zoonotic spillover.

PMID:40735742 | PMC:PMC12305720 | DOI:10.1016/j.onehlt.2025.101145

Ophthalmol Sci. 2025 Jun 19;5(6):100860. doi: 10.1016/j.xops.2025.100860. eCollection 2025 Nov-Dec.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate age-related changes in central corneal thickness (CCT) and investigate its relationship with other ocular parameters in community-dwelling Japanese adults through an 8-year longitudinal analysis.

DESIGN: A population-based, prospective longitudinal cohort study with baseline measurements from 1997 to 2000 and follow-up from 2006 to 2008.

SUBJECTS: A total of 631 community-dwelling Japanese adults aged 40 to 79 years (mean age: 55.7 ± 9.7 years) were enrolled from the National Institute for Longevity Sciences-Longitudinal Study of Aging. We excluded participants with corneal pathologies, contact lens use, glaucoma medication, or missing endothelial cell density measurements.

METHODS: Central corneal thickness was measured using calibrated specular microscopy (SP-2000; Topcon Corporation) at 2 time points approximately 8 years apart. Secondary measurements included corneal endothelial cell density, coefficient of variation in cell size, and corneal curvature. Mixed-effects models analyzed CCT changes, adjusting for sex, season, corneal endothelial cell density, and systemic health factors.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Age-related changes in CCT, annual rate of CCT change across different age decades, and correlations between CCT changes and ocular/systemic parameters.

RESULTS: At baseline, adjusted CCT measurements were 520.2 ± 2.1 (standard error [SE]) μm, 514.1 ± 2.2 μm, 518.0 ± 2.5 μm, and 514.7 ± 3.7 μm for participants in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and 70s, respectively. Longitudinal analysis revealed a significant increase in CCT over time across all age groups (β = 0.7; SE = 0.1; P < 0.001). The annual CCT increase showed age-dependent slowing: 0.68 ± 0.08 μm for 40s, 0.62 ± 0.08 μm for 50s, 0.46 ± 0.09 μm for 60s, and 0.20 ± 0.14 μm for 70s with a statistically significant difference between 40s and 70s groups (β = -0.5; SE = 0.2′ P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS: This longitudinal analysis demonstrates that CCT increases over time in all age groups, with the rate of increase significantly slowing in older age groups. These findings contrast with previous cross-sectional studies suggesting CCT decreases with age, emphasizing the importance of longitudinal observations. These results have important implications for glaucoma diagnosis and refractive surgery safety evaluations in aging populations.

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES: The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

PMID:40735738 | PMC:PMC12304667 | DOI:10.1016/j.xops.2025.100860

Sage Open Pediatr. 2025 Jul 28;12:30502225251357145. doi: 10.1177/30502225251357145. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an autoimmune disease that affects children.

OBJECTIVES: The meta-analysis aimed to establish pooled prevalence values and heterogeneity in the prevalence values.

METHODS: The study’s published articles were searched using PubMed, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Google Scholar, and the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Science.

RESULTS: The pooled total sample size was 386, 875 and the mean (SD) of the pooled sample size was 15 475 ± 24 765.988 at 95% intervals. The analysis revealed an estimated overall prevalence of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in Africa of 1% under both the common and random effects models. The between-study variance (τ²) was 2.5043, and the I² statistics- representing the percentage of total variability attributable to heterogeneity was extremely high at 98.2%.

CONCLUSION: There is a clear statistical difference in prevalence rates and a high degree of heterogeneity in individual studies.

PMID:40735677 | PMC:PMC12304603 | DOI:10.1177/30502225251357145

Cureus. 2025 Jul 26;17(7):e88818. doi: 10.7759/cureus.88818. eCollection 2025 Jul.

ABSTRACT

Introduction Personal statements (PSs) have long been part of the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) application; however, there exist only limited guidelines for their creation and even fewer for their role in the application review process. Applicants invest significant time in writing their PSs, and still, program directors rank PSs among the least important factors in interview and rank order list decisions. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI), particularly large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, has introduced questions of ethics and originality across all aspects of education, particularly in the generation of free-form documents such as the PS. This study evaluates whether AI-generated PSs are distinguishable from authentic ones written by applicants and their perceived impact on residency selection. Methods Five AI-generated PSs were created using ChatGPT, incorporating applicant location, hobbies, and career background. Five de-identified, authentic PSs randomly selected from incoming emergency medicine (EM) interns were used for comparison. A Qualtrics survey was distributed electronically to the Council of Residency Directors (CORD) community. Respondents rated the PSs on writing quality, ability to convey personal attributes, and perceived influence on interview decisions. Statistical analyses (ANOVA and Wilcoxon tests) were used to assess differences between AI-generated and authentic statements. Results A total of 66 responses were collected over a two-month period. Of these, eight respondents did not regularly review ERAS applications, and 28 did not complete the survey beyond the initial question, leaving 30 responses for analysis. There were no statistically significant differences between AI-generated and authentic PSs in grammar and writing style (p = 0.5897), expression of personal attributes (p = 0.6827), overall quality (p = 0.2757), or perceived influence on interview decisions (p = 0.5457). Free-text comments reflected skepticism about the value of the PS in the selection process. Conclusion AI-generated PSs performed comparably to authentic ones, potentially further challenging the relevance of PSs in residency applications. These findings suggest an inherent lack of originality in the PS and may support re-evaluating the role of the PS and even exploring more meaningful ways to assess applicant fit in the residency selection process. Novel methods, such as structured interviews, standardized video responses, personality inventories, or situational judgment tests, may be considered to supplement the role intended for the PS.

PMID:40735658 | PMC:PMC12305746 | DOI:10.7759/cureus.88818

J Exp Orthop. 2025 Jul 29;12(3):e70332. doi: 10.1002/jeo2.70332. eCollection 2025 Jul.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is the most used surgical technique in the treatment of patellofemoral instability. However, the role of patient specific factors like age, sex and body mass index (BMI) at surgery is being increasingly discussed. The aim of this study was to study the influence of these factors with regards to functional outcomes and redislocation rates.

METHODS: All patients with patellofemoral instability, who were treated with isolated MPFL reconstruction surgery between 01/2017 to 01/2022, were included. Patients with pathologic risk factors, high-grade cartilage damage, prior surgeries and age <14 years were excluded. Demographic information and information concerning surgery, complications and history were collected. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected preoperatively, after 6 and 12 months postoperatively and at final follow-up using multiple standardised scores (knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score, International Knee Documentation Committee [IKDC], Tegner activity scale, Kujala, BANFF).

RESULTS: Of the 62 patients included in this study 42 (67.7%) were female with a mean age of 24.8 ± 7.6 years and a mean BMI of 24.5 ± 4.7 kg/m² at the time of surgery. Final follow-up was 42.3 ± 23.4 months. Fifty-four (90.3%) patients were satisfied with the functional outcome, four (6.5%) patients suffered recurrent dislocation.Overall, the functional outcome was very good in our study population (e.g., Kujala 87.0 ± 10.5, IKDC 76.4 ± 13.7). In the subgroup analysis, there were no significant differences in the functional outcome between women and men (e.g., Kujala score: 87.2 ± 11.4 vs. 86.4 ± 7.8, p = 0.81) and there was no correlation with BMI at time of surgery (e.g., Kujala, r = 0.11, p = 0.53). However, statistically significant correlations were detected in functional outcome with the age at surgery.

CONCLUSION: Older age at the time of surgery has a highly significant negative correlation with the functional outcome after isolated MPFL reconstruction. Therefore, surgeons must be highly vigilant and identify high-risk patients even before surgery and necessary MPFL reconstruction should not be delayed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, retrospective cohort study.

PMID:40735637 | PMC:PMC12305113 | DOI:10.1002/jeo2.70332

Front Microbiol. 2025 Jul 15;16:1540611. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2025.1540611. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

The microorganisms are main drivers of biogeochemical processes in geothermal ecosystems. The dissimilatory nitrate-to-ammonium reduction pathway (DNRA) could act as an alternative source of ammonium and provide an important nitrogen supply for the maintenance of geothermal ecosystems. Investigating the distribution of DNRA-functional bacteria is of great significance to understanding the source of biological nitrogen production in geothermal environments. In this study, we characterized the community distribution of microorganisms harboring nrfA genes in the sediments of hot springs from the Tibet-Yunnan geothermal zone, with the use of Illumina MiSeq high-throughput sequencing of nrfA genes and R language software for statistical analysis. In the present study, the nrfA genes were successfully amplified from the hot springs with a temperature of 38°C-80°C. The nrfA-based phylogenetic analysis showed that the DNRA pathway is widespread within the geothermal ecosystems, with microorganisms harboring nrfA genes predominantly belonging to phyla Chloroflexi, Proteobacteria, Deinococcus-Thermus (top 10), etc. Genus-level analysis revealed Thermoflexus (Chloroflexi) as the dominant taxon in the DGQ, while Geothrix (Acidobacteria) showed peak abundance in weakly acidic sites. The DNRA-functional community structure and nrfA gene abundance also showed a sample variability, even among samples from the same region, there were differences in dominant populations and overall nrfA gene abundance between them. Statistical analysis results indicate that the distribution of nrfA type microorganisms was mainly influenced by physicochemical factors, including pH, SO₄ ^2-, and NO₂ ^– concentrations. These findings deepen our understanding of the nitrogen cycle in extreme environments and provide valuable perspectives on the role of nitrogen metabolism in both contemporary and ancient geothermal systems.

PMID:40735617 | PMC:PMC12303954 | DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2025.1540611

Front Pediatr. 2025 Jul 15;13:1541643. doi: 10.3389/fped.2025.1541643. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the clinical value of abdominal aortic spectral Doppler combined with echocardiography in the diagnosis of aortic coarctation in pediatric patients.

METHODS: Pediatric patients with aortic coarctation, diagnosed by computed tomography angiography (CTA) and surgically confirmed, were retrospectively enrolled. These patients were divided into two groups based on the availability of abdominal aortic spectral Doppler. Additionally, both abdominal aortic spectral Doppler and echocardiographic data were collected for the normal group. All data were compared and analyzed to determine the reasons for discrepancies in diagnostic results.

RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics among the three groups (p > 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in aortic isthmus velocity and aortic isthmus Z-scores between the normal group and the two patient groups (p < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in aortic isthmus velocity or aortic isthmus Z-scores between the two patient groups (p > 0.05). The abdominal aortic spectral Doppler group demonstrated significantly decreased peak systolic velocity (PSV), prolonged acceleration time (AT), and reduced pulsatility index (PI) and resistance index (RI) compared with controls (p < 0.05). Echocardiographic detection rates differed between groups: non-abdominal aortic spectral Doppler group, 59 true-positive coarctation cases (sensitivity 85.5%, false-negative rate 14.5%); abdominal aortic spectral Doppler group, 75 true-positive cases (sensitivity 96.2%, false-negative rate 3.8%). The combined diagnostic model incorporating abdominal aortic PSV, AT, and aortic isthmus Z-score achieved superior performance (AUC = 0.98), significantly outperforming individual parameters.

CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal aortic spectral Doppler combined with echocardiography can improve the diagnostic sensitivity of aortic coarctation in pediatric patients and can be used as an important indirect imaging approach in clinical practice to reduce missed diagnoses of aortic coarctation.

PMID:40735604 | PMC:PMC12303967 | DOI:10.3389/fped.2025.1541643

Sci Rep. 2025 Jul 29;15(1):27589. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-12762-5.

ABSTRACT

Genetic findings are important independent prognostic factors in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). This study presents cytogenetic data correlated with clinical factors of 1337 patients aged 1-18 years with newly diagnosed ALL treated between 2011 and 2018 under the Polish ALL IC-BFM 2009 therapeutic protocol. Overall survival (OS) for children with B-cell ALL was 95.58% at 5 years, while OS for children with T-cell ALL was 80.43% (p < 0.001). The event-free survival (EFS) rates were 86.69% and 72.92%, respectively, and the difference was also statistically significant (p < 0.001). The most common karyotypes observed were normal in 31.79% (n = 425) and high hyperdiploidy (HeH) in 18.4% (n = 246). Two aberrations were associated with a good prognosis in patients with B-cell ALL: ETV6::RUNX1 (OS = 98.47% and EFS 92.75%) and high hyperdiploidy (OS = 97.52% and EFS = 92.5%). Patients with low hyperdiploidy as well as patients with BCR::ABL1 aberration (OS = 73.05%, EFS = 73.05%) indicated a trend towards worse results (OS = 92.29%, EFS = 81.21%). Death and relapse rates were significantly higher in HeH patients without trisomy 17 and 18 compared to those with double trisomy 17 and 18 (p = 0.013). Our study advocates, cytogenetic testing remains an important tool in the diagnosis of paediatric patients with ALL IC-BFM 2009 protocol, as well as it shows that cytogenetic testing’s use for treatment stratification improved the outcome of children with ALL in Polish paediatric onco-haematology centres.

PMID:40731127 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-12762-5