EABR. Experimental and Applied Biomedical Research Feed

Circumvallate Placenta – A Case Report

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The aim of the work was to present a case of placental circumvallation in a parturient woman, the existence of symptoms that pointed to an unrecognized anatomical variety, and to emphasize the significant possibility of in utero diagnosis, as well as the timely expectation and possibility of preventing complications. A reminder of the anatomical rarity and clinical significance of placenta circumvallate.

Assessment of Quality of Life in Patients Following Lower Limb Amputation

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMT

According to the World Health Organization, part of the quality of life is the perception of one's body concerning the culture and values of each individual. Limb amputation affects the quality of life through several defined aspects. Observing the available statistical data, after the amputation of the lower extremities, only 65% survived the first year, 52% survived the first two years, 37% survived three years, and five or more years, only up to 15% of patients with amputated limbs. Epidemiological data on the frequency of lower limb amputations are pretty similar to those in developed countries. Modern prostheses enable daily use, intending to replace the missing limb. Many factors influence the outcome of rehabilitation treatment and the result of functional recovery. Among the factors that influence the favorable outcome of rehabilitation and independence in activities of daily living is the level of amputation, age, and comorbidities. For patients after amputation of the lower extremities, the goal in rehabilitation is to achieve as much independence as possible within the activities of daily life. Our study aimed to examine daily functionality and activity through the Barthel and functional independence indices-FIM tests during post-operative rehabilitation and after one month.

Preeclampsia: A Review of Contemporary Concepts

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Preeclampsia is a multisystem disorder specific to pregnancy, characterized by new-onset hypertension after 20 weeks of gestation, associated with proteinuria or signs of maternal organ dysfunction and/or placental dysfunction. The aim of this review article is to provide a comprehensive overview of contemporary knowledge regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, prevention strategies, and therapeutic approaches in preeclampsia through analysis of current literature in this field. The literature for this review article was identified through searches of the PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for the period 2021–2025. Appropriate keywords and MeSH terms related to preeclampsia and biomarkers were used, with particular emphasis on angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. The analysis included original studies, cohort studies, randomized controlled trials, and systematic reviews. The selected studies were critically analyzed and synthesized to provide a concise and relevant overview of current knowledge on preeclampsia and the use of biomarkers in pregnancy. All healthcare institutions involved in the medical care of pregnant women with hypertensive disorders should implement standardized treatment protocols, regularly review them, and conduct periodic clinical evaluations of outcomes of such management on pregnancy outcomes.

Implant-Supported Prosthetic Rehabilitation of the Edentulous Maxilla Using the OT Bridge Equator System: A Case Report

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Edentulism of the maxilla presents significant clinical and functional challenges due to limited bone quality, anatomical constraints, and inadequate retention commonly associated with conventional dentures. Low-profile abutment systems, such as OT Equator and OT Bridge, enable the fabrication of fixed full-arch prostheses with improved mechanical stability and simplified maintenance. A 60-year-old male patient with terminal-stage periodontitis in the maxilla underwent full-arch implant-supported rehabilitation. After the extraction of compromised teeth, six implants were placed in strategic positions and allowed to heal. Upon radiographic confirmation of osseointegration, OT Equator abutments were selected based on soft-tissue height and installed according to the manufacturer's recommendations. A two-phase open-tray impression was taken, followed by fabrication of a Co-Cr framework and a zirconia-based definitive prosthesis. The prosthesis was retained using the OT Bridge system, combining elastic primary retention via Seeger rings with secondary screw retention. Standard and angulated extragrade abutments were used to compensate for implant divergence and ensure passive fit. The patient reported excellent aesthetic and functional satisfaction using the OT Bridge Equator System. Follow-up examinations showed stable soft-tissue healing, absence of inflammation, and no mechanical complications. The applied system provided predictable retention, favorable stress distribution, and facilitated oral hygiene. This case demonstrates that the OT Equator and OT Bridge systems offer a reliable solution for full-arch fixed rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla. Their low-profile design, divergence compensation, and dual-retention mechanism support predictable outcomes and represent a valuable alternative to traditional multi-unit abutments in anatomically demanding cases.

Possibilities and Limitations of X-Ray Diagnostics in Cases of Whooping Cough

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Pertussis was a dreaded disease, especially for the very young, having a high risk of death for infants under the age of less than a year. It is characterized by paroxysms of cough, inspiratory whoop, and posttussive vomiting, with more severe forms leading to apnea in infants. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes pertussis as “an extremely contagious respiratory tract disease caused by Bordetella pertussis,” a microorganism specific to humans. Pertussis affects people of all ages, especially children, and is one of the leading causes of death in infants under one year of age. The incubation period is usually 7 to 10 days, and clinical characteristics are associated with age, duration of infection, immune status, and antibiotic therapy. Chest X-ray imaging plays a significant role in the diagnosis of pertussis, especially in terms of rapid availability and ease of examination. The availability of chest X-ray imaging allows clinicians to quickly make diagnosis and timely initiation of appropriate treatment. One of the main problems with chest X-ray imaging of patients with pertussis is coughing attacks during the procedure, inefficiency in detecting disease in the early stage, exposure of the patient to ionizing radiation, and interpretation errors of the images.

Smoking May Impact IL-33/ST2 Signaling for Better Cognitive Functioning in Schizophrenia

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

We found a positive correlation between serum levels of interleukin-33 (IL-33) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score in patients with stable schizophrenia, as well as with specific sub-scores. Smoking appears to decrease serum levels of soluble IL-33 receptor, a suppressor of tumorigenicity (sST2), possibly resulting in IL-33’s indirect preservation of cognitive functioning.

In Silico Discovery of Novel CDK1 Inhibitors from Linum Species for Targeted Cancer Therapy

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Targeting cell cycle regulators such as cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) represents a promising strategy for anticancer drug discovery. This study employed an integrated computational approach to identify natural CDK1 inhibitors from the ethyl acetate extracts (EtOAc) of Linum numidicum Murb. (LN) and Linum trigynum (LT), which have previously been shown to induce G2/M arrest in PC3 prostate cancer cells. We hypothesized that this phenotype results from the direct inhibition of CDK1. To test this hypothesis, a structure-based virtual screening of 78 phytoconstituents identified from LN and LT was conducted against the CDK1/Cks2 and CDK1/cyclin B1/Cks2 complexes. Molecular docking simulations were performed using the Molecular Operating Environment (MOE), with ligand structures optimized and their pharmacokinetic properties evaluated using SwissADME. The CDK1/cyclin B1/Cks2 complex exhibited stronger binding affinities (binding energy < −7.0 kcal/mol) than the CDK1/Cks2 apoenzyme. Notably, several flavonoid glycosides, including 6,4ʹ-dimethoxy-scutellarein-7-neohesperidoside, 8,3ʹ,4ʹ-trihydroxyflavone- 7-O-6(6ʺ-O-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranoside, and vicenin- 2 and its isomers, showed higher binding affinities to CDK1 than the known inhibitors NU6102 and dinaciclib. These findings provide the first in silico evidence identifying specific LN and LT metabolites as high-affinity CDK1 ligands, thereby validating the initial hypothesis and providing a strong rationale for the purification and experimental validation of these lead compounds as potential chemotherapeutic agents.

Inclusion of Symposium-Based Learning of Rational Drug Use for Medical Undergraduates: Evaluation of its Effectiveness and Feedback

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Irrational prescribing continues to challenge clinical practice, and undergraduate medical students often have limited structured training in Rational Drug Use (RDU). Effective early interventions require interactive, multidisciplinary teaching approaches. This study assessed the impact of symposium-based learning (SBL) on knowledge, attitude, practice, and awareness (KAPFA) related to RDU among second-year Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) students. A quasi-interventional study was conducted among 150 students. A four-hour multidisciplinary symposium on RDU was organized, and a pre-validated questionnaire was administered before and after the session. The tool assessed knowledge (10 MCQs), attitude (5 statements), practice (5 case scenarios), feedback (7 items), and awareness (10 items). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and paired t-test. Knowledge scores improved significantly from 5.45 ± 1.03 to 7.02 ± 0.86 (p < 0.001). Attitude responses shifted toward stronger agreement across all statements. Practice scores increased from 2.34 ± 0.61 to 4.06 ± 0.57 (p < 0.001), indicating better application of RDU principles. Awareness showed substantial gains, with an overall increase exceeding 300% across key parameters. Improvements were consistent across all five clinical posting groups. Feedback indicated strong acceptance, with over 94% reporting the symposium as relevant and useful. SBL proved to be a highly effective educational strategy for enhancing RDU competencies in undergraduate students. Incorporating such structured and interactive methods into the curriculum may help strengthen safe and rational prescribing practices among future clinicians.

Implant-Supported Prosthetic Rehabilitation of the Edentulous Maxilla Using the OT Bridge Equator System: A Case Report

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Edentulism of the maxilla presents significant clinical and functional challenges due to limited bone quality, anatomical constraints, and inadequate retention commonly associated with conventional dentures. Low-profile abutment systems, such as OT Equator and OT Bridge, enable the fabrication of fixed full-arch prostheses with improved mechanical stability and simplified maintenance. A 60-year-old male patient with terminal-stage periodontitis in the maxilla underwent full-arch implant-supported rehabilitation. After the extraction of compromised teeth, six implants were placed in strategic positions and allowed to heal. Upon radiographic confirmation of osseointegration, OT Equator abutments were selected based on soft-tissue height and installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. A twophase open-tray impression was taken, followed by fabrication of a Co-Cr framework and a zirconia-based definitive prosthesis. The prosthesis was retained using the OT Bridge system, combining elastic primary retention via Seeger rings with secondary screw retention. Standard and angulated extragrade abutments were used to compensate for implant divergence and ensure passive fit. The patient reported excellent aesthetic and functional satisfaction using the OT Bridge Equator System. Follow-up examinations showed stable soft-tissue healing, absence of inflammation, and no mechanical complications. The applied system provided predictable retention, favorable stress distribution, and facilitated oral hygiene. This case demonstrates that the OT Equator and OT Bridge systems offer a reliable solution for full-arch fixed rehabilitation of the edentulous maxilla. Their low-profile design, divergence compensation, and dual-retention mechanism support predictable outcomes and represent a valuable alternative to traditional multi-unit abutments in anatomically demanding cases.

Role of Heat Shock Proteins in Climate-Induced Cardiovascular Damage

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a highly conserved family of proteins that are rapidly produced in response to cellular stress, particularly elevated temperatures. They play a critical role in maintaining cellular integrity by stabilizing, repairing, and refolding damaged proteins. First identified in Drosophila melanogaster, HSPs are induced even by mild thermal stress and have been shown to protect a variety of tissues, including the heart and vasculature. While previous reviews have largely focused on general stress responses and cardiovascular physiology, the effects of climate-related stressors—such as heat waves, extreme temperatures, and environmental heat exposure-on cardiovascular health via HSP activation remain underexplored. This review examines the emerging evidence on HSP-mediated cardiovascular protection under climate-induced stress. We highlight how HSPs support cardiomyocyte survival, maintain calcium homeostasis, preserve electrical stability, and enhance ischemic tolerance. Their roles in protecting vascular compartments, preventing hypertrophy, atherosclerosis, obesity-related dysfunction, and limiting metabolic, oxidative, and inflammatory injury are also discussed. By integrating these findings, we illustrate the multifaceted ways in which HSPs mitigate cardiovascular risks associated with rising global temperatures. Understanding the interplay between environmental stressors and HSP biology is increasingly important in a warming world. HSPs not only act as intrinsic cellular defense mechanisms but also represent promising therapeutic targets for enhancing cardiovascular resilience. By bridging molecular mechanisms with clinical implications, this review addresses critical gaps in the literature and provides a comprehensive perspective on how HSPs can help protect cardiovascular health in the face of climate change.

Awareness of Periodontitis among Undergraduate Students at a Faculty of Medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Cross-Sectional Study

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMT

This study was aimed to investigate awareness of periodontitis among undergraduate students at a faculty of medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of the Faculty of Medicine Foca enrolled in three study programs (Medicine, Nursing, and Special Education and Rehabilitation). Knowledge and awareness of periodontitis were collected using a structured questionnaire. Approximately 58% of students had heard the term periodontitis. Higher percentage of Medicine and Nursing students identified Gum Recession, Bleeding Gums, Tooth Loss and Loose Tooth as common symptoms of periodontitis compared to Special Education and Rehabilitation students. Knowledge of risk factors for periodontitis differed between the groups, with Nursing students showing greater awareness but also incorrect recognizing of several risk factors. About one third of students answered that Diabetes Mellitus is related to periodontitis (32.4%). Significantly lower percentage of Nursing students assessed their knowledge of periodontitis as poor compared to Medicine and Special Education and Rehabilitation students. The findings revealed a lack of adequate knowledge of periodontitis across all the observed study programs. Strengthening periodontal education within undergraduate curricula is essential, particularly considering the established links between periodontal and systemic diseases.

Barriers to Effective Breast Cancer Screening Programs: A Scoping Review

Fri, 15 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Breast cancer screening is one of the most important secondary prevention strategy when effective, but participation rates varies across different health systems around the globe. Barriers to effective screening are multifactorial and overlapping. Using PRISMA-ScR, a scoping review was conducted, using PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, related to breast cancer, screening programmes and barrier. Studies, published between 2000 and 2025, examining constrains for successful screening coverage, that met inclusion criteria were analysed, while diagnostic imaging, high risk population assessment and treatment/follow up strategies were excluded. From 2,262 initially included records, 103 studies were eligible – most of them originated from Europe 43.7%, then North America 34.0%, Asia–Pacific 20.4% while no studies were conducted exclusively in African continent. Analysis showed predomination of studies with quantitative designs - 68.9%. Almost half of studies were focused on organized screening (48.5%), 22.3% opportunistic screening, while others represented mixed/unclear contexts. Study analysis showed overlapping barriers across categories. The most commonly observed are patient-level barriers, in 75.7% of studies, followed by access-related (61.2%), health system/organizational (57.3%), socioeconomic and cultural (41.7%), and provider-related determinants (32.0%). Particular emphasis was on disadvantaged populations, such as low socioeconomic status women, ones that live in rural/remote communities, and/or women with disabilities, and those with previous false-positive screening reports. Indicating that addressing an isolated barrier is unlikely to lead to more effective screening; rather, actions should be directed toward integrated strategies that incorporate a personalized approach encompassing the identified barriers.

Factors Associated with Occurrence of Depressive Symptoms among Patients Undergoing Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Tue, 12 May 2026 00:00:00 GMT

A lot of serious diseases can have depression as the comorbidity. The aim of this study was to inspect the socio-demographic factors and factors related to the MRI procedures, and their influence on the occurrence of depressive symptoms among patients undergoing the magnetic resonance imaging. This research was conducted as a cross-sectional study at the University Clinical Center in Kragujevac in the Department of Radiological Diagnostics. The questionnaire consists of socio-demographic characteristics, but also the questions about data relevant to the MRI. The questionnaire used to assess the presence of depressive symptoms and the degree of depression was Beck Depression Scale, which was validated and had strong internal consistency. The manifestation of symptoms of depression, looking at the sociodemographic factors, depended only of marital status. The analysis showed statistically significant differences for all variables related to radiological procedures (time running MRI scans, type of MRI scans, duration of waiting, disease type). Post-hoc analysis revealed that depressive symptoms were more common among patients undergoing MRI for the first time compared to those having it for the second time, among patients having MRI of the thorax and pelvis compared to MRI of the extremities, among oncology patients compared to orthopedic and neurological patients, and among widowed individuals compared to other marital status groups. Depression is comorbidity to a lot of diseases. This research has brought a lot of significance among the depression and examined factors, which should be acknowledged by radiologists when patient have an appointment for MRI in order to reduce the possibility of people start or continue expressing symptoms.

Palliative Care during COVID-19 Pandemic: Practical Recommendations from Literature Evidence

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMT

COVID-19 patients incidence rate is constantly expanding worldwide and the risk of mortality is extremely high among elderly population and those with acute or cronic disease and comorbidities. The pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus has strongly affected the functioning of healthcare networks around the world and changed many palliative care units in healthcare institutions into covid patients treatment units. Palliative care in many countries has insufficient number of resources and suitable legal and regulatory frameworks in order to guarantee the integration in the system in pandemic. Palliative care deals with the ways to prevent diseases and how to treat some serious medical sequeae resulting from any kind of disease that in a serious way affects the quality of life. The basic postulate of palliative treatment include providing immediate decrease or complete elimination of somatic symptoms, providing support psychological, spiritual and ensuring empathic care for both the patient and the family. They all have come into focus during a pandemic. Grown-ups and children requiring palliative care, especially in low and countries with lower-middle income, oftentimes have to face with difficulties and problems in approaching necessary services. Society has recognized their vulnerability during COVID-19 pandemic. The situation has been aggravated by their incompetence to have an approach to all necessary health accomodation, treatments, drugs and backing to manage hazardous diseases and medical agony. For all the above, palliative care is to be consolidated into national and international plans in response to COVID-19. It is expected that pandemic due to COVID-19 will be a longlasting health problem, which emphaises the necessity to simultaneously health care for patients sensitive to COVID-19 and other patients. This obliges the medical professionals to constantly increase their knowledge by searching, relevant literature and applying practical recommendations and guidelines.

HBOT - An Effective Option for the Treatment of Chronic Wounds in Diabetes Mellitus: A Case Report

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia and disorder of carbohydrate, fat and protein metabolism, caused by an absolute or relative lack of insulin secretion and/or action. It is manifested by a characteristic clinical picture, and in the further course of the disease, complications occur in small blood vessels (microangiopathy) and large blood vessels (macroangiopathy). Diabetic foot syndrome is “foot ulceration, associated with peripheral neuropathy and peripheral vascular disease of varying degrees and infection”. It is the most common and serious complication associated with this chronic metabolic disease. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is inhaling 100% oxygen under carefully controlled elevated pressure conditions. It has found its significant place as one of the treatment modalities for several pathological conditions characterized by tissue hypoxia, such as diabetic wounds. In this report we presented a 59-year-old male patient and a 73-year-old female patient with different kinds of diabetic wounds on which hyperbaric oxygenation had an evident positive effect.

L-Carvone as a Metabolic Enzyme Modulator in Doxorubicin Toxicity Induced Rat Tissue: A Combined Computational and Cardiac Slice Study

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Cardiac hypertrophy and Heart failure are frequently caused by essential dysfunction, including deficiencies in tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) enzymes and redox state imbalances. The well-known cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin (DOX), a frequently used chemotherapeutic drug, are mostly ascribed to its disruption of metabolic enzymes and consequent rise in reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mentha spicata L., is the source of L-Carvone, a monoterpenoid molecule with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and calcium-regulatory qualities. To assess the effectiveness of L-Carvone in reducing DOX-induced metabolic dysfunction, this work proposes an integrated approach that combines in situ experimental validation using rat heart slices with in silico kinetic modelling. We examined the effects of normal; DOX and DOX treated with L-Carvone circumstances on three important TCA cycle enzymes: Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH), Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and Malate dehydrogenase (MDH). Within a brief time frame, L-Carvone significantly restored enzymatic activity which may balance the NAD+/NADH redox ratio according to simulations and experimental experiments. Our results show strong proof that L-Carvone modulates TCA cycle key enzymes quickly and effectively, potentially providing treatment for chemotherapy-induced cardiomyopathy.

Comparative Performance of Two Immunoassay Platforms for Pediatric Hormone Testing

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

To compare the analytical performance of the Roche Cobas Pro and Siemens Atellica Solution platforms for measuring serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, and testosterone in pediatric samples, with an emphasis on analytical bias, agreement, and clinical interpretability. A method comparison study was conducted using paired serum samples from children (LH: n = 132; FSH: n = 140; estradiol: n = 413; testosterone: n = 125). An additional 125 adult female samples were included to extend the estradiol measurement range. Hormone concentrations were measured on both platforms according to CLSI EP09-A3 guidelines. Analytical agreement and bias were evaluated using Passing–Bablok regression, Bland–Altman analysis, and Spearman correlation. Strong correlations were observed for all analytes (Spearman r ≥ 0.899; p < 0.0001). However, clinically relevant biases were detected. Compared with Cobas Pro, Atellica underestimated LH (slope 0.856; intercept −0.424 IU/L) and overestimated FSH (slope 1.087). Estradiol demonstrated the greatest disagreement, with Atellica showing higher values in pediatric samples (mean bias +24.65 pmol/L) and adult female samples (mean bias +142.18 pmol/L). Among pediatric estradiol measurements, 232/413 samples were below the limit of quantification (LOQ) on one or both platforms; notably, 147 samples were undetectable by Cobas Pro but quantifiable on Atellica. Testosterone showed near-proportional agreement (slope 0.99), although non-linearity was observed at lower concentrations. Although both platforms demonstrate strong analytical correlation, measurement biases, particularly for LH and estradiol, are of sufficient magnitude to influence clinical interpretation in pediatric endocrinology, including puberty assessment and longitudinal hormone monitoring.

Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of Children with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

The most common primary autoimmune thrombocytopenia in children is immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) with extremely variable clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic forms to life-threatening bleeding. The latest classification divides ITP into acute (ndITP), persistent (pITP) and chronic form (cITP). This research was designed as a retrospective–prospective study which analyzed basic demographic, clinical and routine laboratory parameters relevant to ITP. There was slight predominance of girls in all forms of ITP. Children of preschool age dominated in ndITP, while adolescents in cITP group. pITP and cITP patients predominantly presented as asymptomatic or with mild haemorrhagic signs, while ndITP patients had moderate or severe bleeding. Skin hematomas are the most common sites of bleeding. Mostly ndITP patients did not have other diseases, while 30% of cITP patient have other autoimmune disease. No hepatosplenomegaly was observed in ndITP patient, but almost a quarter of the cITP patients had splenomegaly. The mean value of platelet count is significantly higher in chronic groups compared to ndITP group, against mean platelet volume values that show an inverse correlation. More than half ndITP patients achieved complete remission after intravenous immunoglobulin and additional 30% experienced spontaneous remission during the persistent disease period and about one third of cITP patients required therapy. The spleen is dominant or only organ of platelet sequestration in cITP patients.

Neonatal Mediastinal Teratoma: A Case Report

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Mediastinal teratomas are the second most common extragonadal teratomas in children. They can be detected as mediastinal mass during routine prenatal ultrasound screening. Our case report shows neonates (female) with severe respiratory distress syndrome and cardiogenic shock due to pressure on the lungs, heart, aorta and systemic veines. Early surgical intervention is important but outcome depends on the stage of development of the mediastinal organs and complications in the postoperative period.

Artificial Intelligence in Improving Stroke Diagnosis: Focus on Machine Learning Models and Explainable AI Application

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Stroke is a major and deadly health concern on a global scale, requiring fast and precise methods for effective management. The current research explores six machine learning models: logistic regression, k-nearest neighbors (KNN), support vector machine (SVM), decision tree, random forest, and eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), to improve stroke diagnosis. By applying Local Interpretable Model-agnostic Explanations (LIME), this work bridges the gap of interpretability in conventional machine learning models, making it easier for healthcare experts to understand generated model predictions. 5,109 clinical cases with features including age, gender, hypertension, heart disease, average glucose level, and details of patient lifestyle as risk variables, were used to train the applied algorithms. As a result, Logistic Regression had an accuracy of 77%, whereas KNN and SVM had accuracies of 92% and 89%, respectively. The decision tree classifier achieved high precision and accuracy of 95%; however, the random forest and XGBoost models achieved the highest accuracy (97%) and AUC (99%), respectively, outperforming all applied classifiers. The importance of various attributes for each prediction was assessed using LIME, supporting a clear and transparent understanding of the model predictions. Case-based analyses revealed that age, gender, BMI, average glucose level, as well as stressful lifestyle conditions were the major risk factors for stroke. This study highlights the importance of explainable artificial intelligence in assisting healthcare professionals and offering transparent, reliable, and effective personalized treatments relative to specific patient needs.