Tag: statistics

Sci Rep. 2025 May 8;15(1):16118. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-00091-6.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40341585 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-00091-6

Sci Rep. 2025 May 8;15(1):16076. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-01241-6.

ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex is a significant global health burden, with drug-resistant TB, especially multidrug-resistant TB, causing severe challenges to treatment. In Ethiopia, a high TB-burden country, drug resistance has continued spreading. However, some studies indicate genetic diversity, transmission dynamics, and resistance-conferring mutations by using targeted amplification, there are limited reports of whole genome sequencing analysis to uncover the antimicrobial resistance and virulent genes. Based on that, the objective of this project was to identify antimicrobial resistance regions and characterize virulence factors in M. tuberculosis isolates through in silico whole-genome sequence analysis. A FASTQ file of 45 M. tuberculosis isolates whole genome sequence was downloaded from the SAR database. Following quality control using FASTQC coupled with MultiQC and trimming with Trimmomatic, de novo assembly was conducted using SPAdes. The Burrows-Wheeler Aligner was used for mapping against the M. tuberculosis H37Rv reference genome, followed by variant calling with FreeBayes. In silico spoligotyping was performed using SpoTyping, and drug resistance mutations were identified with TB-Profiler and validated using Mykrobe. Virulence factors were detected through ABRicate and the Virulence Factor Database. STRING was used to network the virulent genes. All statistical analyses were performed using R software. This study revealed the most prevalent TB-lineage in the Amhara region was L4 (58.53%), followed by L3 (34.15%), and L1 (4.88%), and in silico spoligotyping classified 90.24% of the isolates into 12 shared types, with SIT 149 (41.46%) and SIT 21 (14.63%) as the most frequent spoligotypes. Seven major genotypic families were identified, with T3-ETH being the dominant family (48.78%). Drug resistance analysis revealed that 38 isolates (92.7%) were multidrug-resistant, and 1 (2.4%) was pre-extensively drug-resistant. Lineage 4 (59%) and its sub-lineage 4.2.2 (51.3%) show the highest resistance. The most frequent mutations to rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol, streptomycin, ethionamide, fluoroquinolone, and 2nd-line injectable drugs occurred at rpoB Ser450Leu, katG Ser315Thr, pncA c.-11A > G, embB Gly406Ala, rpsL Lys43Arg, Lys88Thr, ethA Met1, gyrA Ala90Val, Asp94Asn, and rrs 1401A > G, respectively. Additionally, a mutation at the mmpR5 gene for bedaquiline and clofazimine resistance occurred in one isolate. A total of 67 virulence genes were identified and 63 of them occurred in all isolates. The high prevalence of MDR-TB and the detection of resistance to both first- and second-line drugs in this study underscore the urgent need for enhanced TB control measures in the Amhara region.

PMID:40341578 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-01241-6

Adv Skin Wound Care. 2025 May 8. doi: 10.1097/ASW.0000000000000276. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic potential of procalcitonin in identifying osteomyelitis in patients with pressure injuries (PIs).

METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective study of 21 patients with PIs from 2017 to 2022. Inflammatory markers (white blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin) and radiologic images were analyzed to determine osteomyelitis presence. Patients were divided into osteomyelitis-positive and osteomyelitis-negative groups, with marker levels compared statistically.

RESULTS: Both C-reactive protein and procacitonin levels were significantly higher in the osteomyelitis group (Ps = .05). Elevated procalcitonin (>0.5) indicated a 10.67 times higher likelihood of osteomyelitis.

CONCLUSIONS: Procalcitonin may serve as a valuable marker for diagnosing osteomyelitis in patients with PIs, aiding in early detection and treatment planning. Further research with larger cohorts is needed to confirm its diagnostic and monitoring potential.

PMID:40341559 | DOI:10.1097/ASW.0000000000000276

Am J Ind Med. 2025 May 8. doi: 10.1002/ajim.23732. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a major public health problem and the most common chronic liver disease today. In Korea, the prevalence and incidence of NAFLD are currently very high, causing a serious social burden. Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been consistently implicated as a potential cause of NAFLD, but research in Koreans is limited.

METHODS: Using data from the 4th Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS, n = 2859), we investigated the association between PFAS blood levels and NAFLD. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for the effects of PFAS. A mediation analysis was also conducted to examine the mediating effect of obesity. Finally, weighted quantile sum (WQS) and G-computation methods were implemented to evaluate the joint effect of PFAS mixtures. Hepatic steatosis index was used as a diagnostic tool for NAFLD.

RESULTS: Through multivariable logistic regression, statistically significant associations with NAFLD were observed for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) (OR 1.09-1.39), perfluorooctansulfonate (PFOS) (1.09-1.40), perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) (1.04-1.22), perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) (1.12-1.42), and total PFAS (1.21-1.81). We also found that obesity was a significant mediator for PFOA, PFNA, and total PFAS. The ORs for NAFLD obtained by WQS and G-computation methods in the multivariable adjusted model were 1.10-1.46 and 1.08-1.32, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed a significant association between some PFAS and increased odds of NAFLD. Excessive exposure to PFAS might explain the high prevalence and incidence of chronic liver disease in Koreans. Long-term cohort studies are needed to assess geographic and occupational exposures in the Korean population.

PMID:40341549 | DOI:10.1002/ajim.23732

Sci Rep. 2025 May 8;15(1):16126. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-00510-8.

ABSTRACT

Open discectomy remains the standard procedure for decompressing neural structures in cases of intervertebral disc herniation. Early postoperative rehabilitation emphasizes protecting the surgical site while restoring functional independence in daily activities. In the absence of possibilities for performing any spinal control tests within the first few days post-surgery, the dynamism of curvature changes may be the sole criterion for evaluating rehabilitation progress. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing the non-invasive KINEOD device to measure the dynamics of lumbosacral spinal alignment parameters in the sagittal plane before and immediately after surgical intervention. The study involved 30 patients (14 women [46.67%] and 16 men [53.33%]) from the Neurosurgical Department of the Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny in Słupsk, Poland. Data were collected using a custom questionnaire and KINEOD 3D posturography to assess body posture. The following parameters were analyzed: Sagittal Inclination Angle (Sagittal IA), Kyphosis Angle (KA), Lordosis Angle (LA), Sacral Inclination Angle (Sacral IA), Lordosis Measure (LM), Inflection Point (IP), and the Angle of Acromion-Posterior Superior Iliac Spine Rotation (A-PSIS). Measurements were conducted at three stages: Stage I – one day before surgery (2:00 PM); Stage II – on the third postoperative day (7:00 AM); and Stage III – on the third postoperative day (2:00 PM). Measurements utilizing the KINEOD device revealed statistically significant changes between Stage I and Stage II for the following parameters: Sagittal IA, KA, LA, Sacral IA, LM, IP, and A-PSIS. Significant changes were also noted between Stage I and Stage III for KA, LA, Sacral IA, LM, A-PSIS, and VAS. The study highlights that the reliability of KINEOD 3D assessment diminishes when relying solely on parameters such as Sacral IA and IP for postoperative lordosis evaluation. For rapid, non-invasive assessment of the lumbosacral spine post-surgery, Sacral IA may serve as a more accurate indicator of dynamic changes in the lower lumbar region. Postoperative alterations in all sagittal plane angles are influenced by both surgical intervention and, to a lesser extent, the diurnal adaptation rhythm.

PMID:40341540 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-00510-8

Sci Rep. 2025 May 8;15(1):15989. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-98606-8.

ABSTRACT

As antibiotic resistance continues to rise, the development of novel H. pylori treatment regimens, combined with regular assessment of existing treatment regimens, is imperative. The study evaluates the efficacy, safety, and compliance of vonoprazan dual and triple therapy (VDT and VTT) both consisting of vonoprazan 20 mg twice daily and amoxicillin/clavulanate 875 mg/125 three times daily plus clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily added in VTT versus standard triple therapy (STT), in which vonoprazan 20 mg in VTT is replaced by PPI standard or double dose all for 14 days, along with investigating factors influencing compliance, treatment response, and symptoms severity. By per-protocol analysis, the eradication rates of the STT, VDT, and VTT groups were 70%, 76.2%, and 79.2%, respectively (p = 0.777) indicating suboptimal efficacy of the three treatment regimens. This necessitates the optimization of dosage and frequency of available treatment regimens as well as the development of new regimens with higher eradication rates. Interestingly, the VDT group demonstrated a better safety profile but with no statistically significant difference in cure rate. No difference in compliance with treatment was found between the groups. Gender, frequency of COVID-19 vaccination, height, and BMI were the only factors assessed influencing infection symptoms severity. ClinicalTrial.gov ID identifier: NCT05614934, first posted date (07/11/2022).

PMID:40341536 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-98606-8

Nat Commun. 2025 May 8;16(1):4308. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-59554-z.

ABSTRACT

2024 saw a novel outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in US dairy cattle. Limited surveillance data has made determining the true scale of the epidemic difficult. We present a stochastic metapopulation transmission model that simulates H5N1 influenza transmission through individual dairy cows in 35,974 herds in the continental US. Transmission is enabled through the movement of cattle between herds, as indicated from Interstate Certificates of Veterinary Inspection data. We estimate the rates of under-reporting by state and present the anticipated rates of positivity for cattle tested at the point of exportation over time. We investigate the impact of intervention methods on the underlying epidemiological dynamics, demonstrating that current interventions have had insufficient impact, preventing only a mean 175.2 reported outbreaks. Our model predicts that the majority of the disease burden is, as of January 2025, concentrated within West Coast states. We quantify the uncertainty in the scale of the epidemic, highlighting the most pressing data streams to capture, and which states are expected to see outbreaks emerge next, with Arizona and Wisconsin at greatest risk. Our model suggests that dairy outbreaks will continue to occur in 2025, and that more urgent, farm-focused, biosecurity interventions and targeted surveillance schemes are needed.

PMID:40341525 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-59554-z

Gynecol Obstet Invest. 2025 May 8:1-23. doi: 10.1159/000546198. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Endometriosis is a chronic gynecological condition characterized by abnormal angiogenesis and cell adhesion processes driven by VEGF-VEGFR2 signaling. Cabergoline, a dopamine agonist, has been shown to inhibit angiogenesis in endometriosis. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of Cabergoline in modulating these pathways to mitigate endometriotic lesion progression and improve oocyte quality.

DESIGN: A randomized, placebo-controlled study was conducted, involving two groups of participants: one receiving Cabergoline treatment and the other receiving a placebo.

METHODS: Eutopic endometrial tissue from women diagnosed with endometriosis was analyzed. VEGFR-2, FAK, PXN, ITGB3, and ITGAV expression levels were measured using qPCR. DNA methylation at the VEGFR-2 promoter was assessed using High-Resolution Melting (HRM) analysis to examine epigenetic modifications. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the phosphorylation status of tyrosine residue 951 on the VEGFR-2 receptor, which is implicated in cell migration and survival. Oocyte quality was also assessed in both groups.

RESULTS: Cabergoline treatment reduced the expression levels of VEGFR-2, FAK, PXN, ITGB3, and ITGAV, with ITGAV showing a statistically significant decrease (p = 0.0174). Hypomethylation of the VEGFR-2 promoter was observed in the treatment group (p = 0.3566). However, phosphorylation of tyrosine residue 951 on VEGFR-2 significantly increased in the Cabergoline-treated group (p = 0.004). Notably, oocyte quality significantly improved in the Cabergoline group (p = 0.0318). A strong correlation was found between reduced VEGFR-2 expression (p = 0.0184), decreased promoter methylation (p = 0.0159), and downregulation of PTK2 expression (p = 0.0057), all of which are associated with improved oocyte quality.

LIMITATIONS: The sample size was limited, and additional long-term studies are needed to confirm the therapeutic potential of Cabergoline in endometriosis treatment.

CONCLUSIONS: Cabergoline may enhance oocyte quality by modulating key regulators of the angiogenic pathway. These findings suggest its potential role in the management of endometriosis-related infertility, warranting further clinical investigation.

PMID:40341516 | DOI:10.1159/000546198

Rheumatol Ther. 2025 May 8. doi: 10.1007/s40744-025-00768-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to describe outpatient visit volume in a subspecialty clinic before, during, and after COVID lockdown.

METHODS: We assessed monthly in-person and virtual visit volume (telephone-only or video) of 257 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at one academic center before, during, and post COVID lockdown, November 2018 to September 2021. The primary outcome was monthly visit volume to a rheumatologist. Visit volume, visit type (in-person vs. virtual), and annual visit frequency per patient were assessed. Piecewise Poisson regression models were constructed to examine visit volume trends. Predictors of patient’s visit volume before and after the lockdown were examined using multivariable linear regression.

RESULTS: Median patient age was 58 years; 84% were female; 82% used any disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD), and 62% used a targeted or biologic DMARD. Visit volume was stable 18 months prior to the COVID pandemic [slope 1.00 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.99-1.01)] and increased at a rate of 2% per month post-lockdown [1.02 (95% CI 1.01-1.03)]. In-person visit volume was greatly reduced during the lockdown, with 61% virtual (51% video, 10% telephone). In the 18 months after lockdown, visit volume rebounded to pre-pandemic levels and continued to increase, with 11% virtual. Older age, serologic status, use of combination DMARDs, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use predicted greater visit volume during the pre-lockdown period. No variables predicted visit volume post-lockdown.

CONCLUSION: While COVID caused a huge disruption in rheumatology practice, visit volume for RA rebounded in one American academic center, with an increasing slope in visit volume after lockdown.

PMID:40341502 | DOI:10.1007/s40744-025-00768-4

J Glaucoma. 2025 May 9. doi: 10.1097/IJG.0000000000002586. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PRECIS: The present study highlights the high correlation of outcomes of bilateral trabeculectomy in subjects with different types of glaucoma after mid-term follow-up.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the mid-term outcomes of bilateral trabeculectomy and assess the differences and associations in outcome between the first-operated and the second-operated eye.

METHODS: Patients with different types of glaucoma who underwent bilateral trabeculectomy from 2006 to 2022 were included in this retrospective study. All patients were followed for at least 24 months after surgery in each eye. The main outcome measure was surgical success. Complete success was defined according to intraocular pressure (IOP)≤16 mmHg and at least 20% reduction from preoperative baseline IOP without any IOP lowering medications. Cumulative success was defined according to IOP≤16 mmHg and at least 20% reduction from preoperative baseline IOP, with or without IOP-lowering medications. Secondary outcome measures were IOP and the number of IOP-lowering medications.

RESULTS: In total, 186 eyes of 93 patients were included. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the baseline IOP and number of IOP-lowering medications between the first and second operated eyes before and after surgery (P-value>0.05). The mean follow-up time was 64.35±41.13 months and 57.13±38.41 months for the first operated and the second operated eyes, respectively. At the 24-month follow-up point, among patients whose first operated eyes were considered a complete success, 78.2% of surgeries in second eyes were successful (P-value=0.002). On the other hand, among patients whose first operated eyes were considered a cumulative success, 80.3% of surgeries in second eyes were successful (P value=0.012). In a multivariate analysis of factors affecting cumulative success, the outcome of the surgery in the first operated eye was the only factor that significantly impacted the outcome of surgery in the second operated eye. If the first operated eye achieved cumulative success, the odds of the second operated eye experiencing cumulative success were 6.5 (P-value=0.02). The rates of postoperative complications in the two eyes were similar and did not show statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates a significant correlation in surgical outcomes of trabeculectomy between the two eyes of the same patient in mid-term follow-up. Surgical success in the first-operated eye increases the odds of success in the second eye 6.5 fold.

PMID:40341455 | DOI:10.1097/IJG.0000000000002586