Objectives Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping healthcare by improving diagnosis and treatment planning, increasing operational efficiency, and streamlining administrative workflows. This paper integrates findings from an extensive PubMed search (2015–2025) with bibliometric analysis using RStudio and VOSviewer to investigate the comparative applications of AI methods in healthcare, collaborative networks, and emerging trends.
Methods A total of 1,243 records were identified through the PubMed search, and after removal of 143 duplicates, 1,100 records were screened. Following full-text assessment and exclusion of ineligible studies, 986 articles were included in the final bibliometric analysis.
Results The main research areas included robotic-assisted surgery, predictive analytics, diagnostic imaging, and precision medicine, with particular emphasis on the prevalence of machine learning and deep learning in imaging and the increasing application of natural language processing to unstructured medical information.
Conclusion The review emphasizes the need for greater budgetary allocation to scalable and pragmatic AI technologies and for interdisciplinary cooperation among researchers, industry, and healthcare providers. Despite this growth, challenges such as algorithmic bias, data integration, and ethical concerns persist. The paper also highlights the importance of equitable collaboration, accountable AI, and multinational partnerships in ensuring that AI can be used ethically and efficiently in healthcare over the long term to improve patient care and biomedical innovation. It does so by mapping international and regional trends, identifying the most influential authors, institutions, and funding sources, and evaluating methodological approaches.
Objectives This systematic review aimed to identify perinatal risk factors associated with obesity in children aged ≤5 years.
Methods This studyfollowed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Medline (via PubMed), Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from inception, without language or date restrictions. In addition, gray literature sources, including LILACS and CNKI, were screened for comprehensive evidence synthesis. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate pooled risk ratios. Study quality was independently assessed by 2 reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool.
Results A total of 24,643 articles were screened, and 39 cohort studies were included in the final analysis. Sample sizes ranged from 169 to 333,353 participants. Meta-analysis results indicated that high gestational weight gain (adjusted risk ratio [aRR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.82), history of cesarean section (aRR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.17–1.33), macrosomia (aRR, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.55–2.27), antibiotic use (aRR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.14–1.51), pre-pregnancy obesity (aRR, 1.82; 95% CI, 1.21–2.73), and female sex (aRR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.32–1.61) were associated with an increased risk of obesity in children aged ≤5 years. Exclusive breastfeeding (aRR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.64–0.85) was identified as a protective factor..
Conclusion Perinatal factors and pre-pregnancy obesity played important roles in increasing the risk of obesity in children aged ≤5 years. Breastfeeding was associated with a protective effect against childhood obesity. Therefore, obesity prevention efforts should begin during pregnancy, and maintaining appropriate maternal weight before conception is equally essential.
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Multi-class urinary antibiotic exposure, dietary sources, and childhood overweight and obesity risk through lipid metabolic disruption: evidence from multicenter cohorts in China Xinli Song, Jieyu Liu, Li Chen, Yi Zhang, Ruolin Wang, Jianuo Jiang, Lan Zhang, Yanle Xiong, Jingyang Su, Ziqi Dong, Yang Qin, Dengcheng Zhang, Zhenting Lu, Zhiying Song, Jinghong Liang, Jun Ma, Yanhui Dong Environmental Pollution.2026; 408: 128907. CrossRef
Objectives This study aimed to determine the prevalence of severe dengue and examine the associations between pre-existing comorbidities and disease severity.
Methods This retrospective study examined patients with dengue fever who received inpatient treatment at a hospital in northern Vietnam between January 1, 2022, and December 30, 2024. Patients were categorized into 2 groups—severe dengue and non-severe dengue—based on the 2009 World Health Organization criteria. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to assess factors associated with severe dengue.
Results Among 3,692 patients, the prevalence of severe dengue was 1.5%. Patients with any pre-existing comorbidity had higher odds of severe dengue compared to those without comorbidities (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20–3.53). Having 2 or more comorbidities was also associated with higher odds of severe dengue (aOR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.18–4.33). Among individual conditions, hyperlipidemia was associated with severe dengue (aOR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.17–4.81). Certain combinations of comorbidities, including hypertension with hyperlipidemia (aOR, 2.88; 95% CI, 1.39–5.97), hypertension with cardiac disease (aOR, 4.39; 95% CI, 1.30–14.79), and hyperlipidemia with cardiac disease (aOR, 4.02; 95% CI, 1.19–13.53), were also associated with higher odds of severe dengue.
Conclusion Pre-existing comorbidities, particularly cardiometabolic conditions, were associated with higher odds of severe dengue. Considering comorbidity profiles at hospital admission may help identify patients who require closer clinical monitoring.
Objectives This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among tuberculosis (TB) patients in Indonesia and to identify associated factors.
Methods This study analyzed data from the 2022 Tuberculosis Information System in Indonesia. A total of 71,665 drug-sensitive TB patients were included in the analysis. Age, sex, employment status, diagnosis type, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status, diabetes mellitus, TB type, mode of treatment, treatment standard, referral status, and type of residence. Categorical variables were analyzed using chi-square tests, followed by multivariable logistic regression to identify confounder-adjusted independent predictors of LTFU.
Results The prevalence of LTFU was 18.4%. A higher likelihood of LTFU was observed among older adults aged ≥65 years (adjusted-prevalence-odds-ratio [aPOR], 1.862), men (aPOR, 1.187), unemployed individuals (aPOR, 1.136), non-referred patients (aPOR, 1.547), patients with HIV (aPOR, 3.712), and those obtaining TB drugs out of pocket (aPOR, 4.998). The strongest predictor was receipt of non-standard treatment, which was associated with a markedly increased likelihood of LTFU (aPOR, 26.912). In contrast, rural residence demonstrated a protective association (aPOR, 0.610). All associations were statistically significant (p<0.001).
Conclusion This study highlights a substantial burden of LTFU among TB patients in Indonesia, with nearly one in five patients discontinuing treatment. Multiple sociodemographic and clinical factors—particularly non-standard treatment, non-referral status, and HIV co-infection—were strongly associated with LTFU, underscoring gaps in the TB care continuum. These findings emphasize the need for targeted, patient-centered interventions, strengthened referral pathways, improved communication, and enhanced care coordination to reduce LTFU in high-risk groups.
Objectives This study investigated a cluster of secondary human-to-human transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in a hospital setting, focusing on infection risk factors and the role of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Methods A descriptive epidemiological investigation was conducted following the death of an index patient with laboratory-confirmed SFTS. A total of 27 close contacts, including healthcare workers and a funeral director, were monitored for symptoms. Suspected cases underwent real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. Clinical features, PPE use, and exposure histories were analyzed. The Fisher exact test was used to assess associations between PPE use and infection. Viral genotyping and sequence analyses were performed to evaluate transmission routes.
Results The index patient deteriorated rapidly and died after repeated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), during which 8 secondary cases occurred. Most infections were identified among individuals involved in CPR or postmortem care without adequate PPE. Although not statistically significant, infection rates were higher among those who did not wear masks or who used low-filtration masks. Proper use of gloves, gowns, and goggles was associated with lower infection rates. Cycle threshold values in secondary cases (range, 34–39) were higher than in the index case (14.07), suggesting lower viral loads. Sequence analysis demonstrated 99.6%–100% homology between the index and secondary cases; all isolates were genotype B, indicating direct transmission.
Conclusion This study provides molecular and epidemiological evidence of nosocomial SFTS transmission. Inadequate PPE use during aerosol-generating procedures likely facilitated infection, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to PPE protocols and reinforced infection control practices.
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Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome complicated by invasive pulmonary aspergillosis and septic shock: a case report highlighting the role of mNGS Bolin Wang, Mingyue Zhao, Qingfeng Chen, Feihu Zhang, Mingzhi Fan, Xinbao Lian Frontiers in Medicine.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Objectives The association between dietary fat intake and sleep quality remains unclear. This study investigated the impact of both dietary fat quality and quantity on sleep quality.
Methods In this cross-sectional study, participants completed a food frequency questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index to assess quantity and quality of fat intake and sleep quality.
Results A total of 1,904 participants (55% female) were included in the study. Participants in the highest tertile of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intake, compared with those in the lowest tertile, had significantly higher total sleep quality scores (odds ratio [OR], 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.62) and longer sleep onset latency (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.08–1.83). Participants with higher animal fat intake exhibited higher total sleep quality scores (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.09–1.89) and increased sleep disturbances (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.02–1.83). Among women, those in the highest tertile compared with the lowest tertile showed increased odds of higher total sleep quality scores with total fat (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.04–1.82), PUFA (OR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.07–1.87), monounsaturated fatty acids (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.09–1.90), saturated fatty acid (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.01–1.77), and animal fat (OR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.18–2.11).
Conclusion These findings suggest that higher intakes of PUFA and animal fat are associated with higher total sleep quality scores. When stratified by sex, higher intake of total fat and unsaturated fats was associated with higher total sleep quality scores in women only.
Objectives Patients receiving hemodialysis (HD) are at increased risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) due to repeated blood exposure, vascular access procedures, and blood transfusions. The study aimed to determine the seroconversion rates of HBV and HCV among patients undergoing dialysis and to identify associated risk factors.
Methods A total of 220 adult patients receiving dialysis who were seronegative for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and anti-HCV antibodies at baseline were enrolled. Serologic testing was repeated at 6 months.
Results Sixteen patients (7.3%) seroconverted to HBsAg positivity, and 23 (10.5%) seroconverted to anti-HCV positivity. HBV seroconversion was significantly associated with multiple dialysis center visits. HCV seroconversion was significantly associated with dialyzer reuse, multiple dialysis center visits, and dialysis duration ≥2 years. Elevated liver enzyme levels were strongly correlated with seroconversion for both viruses.
Conclusion HBV and HCV seroconversion remain concerns in HD units. Standardized infection control practices, minimization of patient transfers, and strict adherence to national guidelines are essential to reducing risk.
Objectives In alignment with the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating hepatitis C, this study assessed the current treatment status and reasons for non-treatment among patients with hepatitis C in Jeonbuk State, Republic of Korea, to inform strategies for improving care engagement.
Methods Among 311 individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C and reported through the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Surveillance system between January 2023 and June 2024, 208 patients were surveyed after excluding those who had died or could not be contacted. Statistical analyses included the chi-square test, the Cochran-Armitage test for trend, and logistic regression.
Results Overall, 116 participants (55.8%) reported having received antiviral therapy. Among the 92 untreated individuals, the most common reason for non-treatment was the absence of symptoms (n=23; 25.0%), followed by the burden of drug costs (n=21; 22.8%).
Conclusion These findings highlight suboptimal treatment uptake and key barriers that may hinder progress toward hepatitis C elimination. Expanding screening and strengthening linkage-to-care strategies, while addressing financial barriers, will be essential to achieving national elimination targets.