Category: Nevin Manimala

Ital J Food Saf. 2026 Mar 12. doi: 10.4081/ijfs.2026.14646. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study compares Salmonella monitoring data obtained from food business operator (FBO) self-monitoring and competent authority (CA) official sampling on pig carcasses in a high-throughput Italian slaughterhouse over ten years (2012-2021 for FBO; 2014-2021 for CA). A total of 1560 FBO and 377 CA samples were analyzed. Salmonella prevalence was 3.46% [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.6-4.5] for FBO and 10.34% (95% CI: 7.3-13.5) for CA, with statistically significant yearly differences in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2020 (p<0.05). Derby was the predominant serovar (22.6%); however, 20.4% of the FBO isolates were classified only as ‘No Typhimurium and Enteritidis’, highlighting gaps in serotyping protocols. Discrepancies likely reflect differences in sampling frequencies, carcass origins, and the use of different accredited laboratories by FBO and CA (private and official ones, respectively). The study identifies regulatory ambiguities, including a mistranslation in the Italian Ministerial Note, and recommends enhanced farm-level controls and harmonized surveillance.

PMID:41823068 | DOI:10.4081/ijfs.2026.14646

Stat Methods Med Res. 2026 Mar 13:9622802251409388. doi: 10.1177/09622802251409388. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

For two-treatment randomized trials with clustering in one of the treatment arms and a continuous outcome, designs are presented that minimize the number of subjects or the amount of research budget, when aiming for a desired power level. These designs optimize the treatment-to-control allocation ratio of study participants but also optimize the choice between the number of clusters (such as therapy groups) versus the number of persons per cluster (therapy group) in the arm with clustering. Optimal designs require prior knowledge of parameters from the analysis model, which are unknown during the design stage. We present maximin designs which address this by ensuring a pre-specified power level for plausible ranges of the unknown parameters, while maximizing the power for worst-case values of these parameters. Maximin designs are also derived when the number of clusters, or the cluster size is fixed due to practical constraints. An empirical example illustrates how to calculate sample sizes for such practical designs and shows how much these maximin designs can reduce the required research budgets compared to designs with equal subject numbers in treatment and control. A user-friendly R Shiny app facilitates these sample size calculations.

PMID:41823059 | DOI:10.1177/09622802251409388

Vet Ophthalmol. 2026 Mar;29(2):e70159. doi: 10.1111/vop.70159.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the seasonal (summer and winter) and sex-related variations in intraocular pressure (IOP) and tear production among Sakız, Çine Çaparı, and Karya sheep reared under similar environmental conditions in the same region.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 180 healthy sheep (30 males and 30 females per breed; Sakız, Çine Çaparı, Karya), ~2 years old, were examined. Schirmer tear test (STT-I) and IOP were measured in June (summer; 30°C) and January (winter; 10°C). Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 22 with parametric or non-parametric tests.

RESULTS: STT-I values were higher in summer across all breeds (p < 0.05). Across breeds, Sakız consistently showed greater STT-I than Çine Çaparı and Karya in both summer and winter. Within-breed seasonal shifts were pronounced for STT-I but small for IOP. Sex effects were generally absent, except in Sakız during winter, where females had higher STT-I (17.64 ± 3.98 vs. 15.61 ± 3.51 mm/min) and IOP (18.78 ± 4.03 vs. 16.87 ± 2.74 mmHg) than males (p < 0.05). IOP remained stable in most breeds and seasons, and significant differences were confined to specific subgroups, including winter increases in Sakız and Karya females, with interbreed IOP variations limited to particular cases such as higher summer values in Karya males.

CONCLUSION: Seasonal variation significantly affects tear production, whereas intraocular pressure remains largely stable, with minor sex-related differences observed in some breeds.

PMID:41823045 | DOI:10.1111/vop.70159

Chem Biodivers. 2026 Mar;23(3):e03644. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.202503644.

ABSTRACT

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common and serious complication in individuals with diabetes, representing a leading cause of hospitalization and frequently resulting in severe outcomes such as amputations, increased morbidity, and mortality. The development of diabetic foot infection (DFI) is typically attributed to a combination of factors, including persistent hyperglycemia, impaired immune function, peripheral neuropathy, and vascular insufficiency. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are crucial for favorable outcomes; however, the growing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant pathogens presents a significant challenge, placing additional strain on healthcare systems. Considering these concerns, there is an increasing interest in herbal therapies with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties-such as garlic (Allium sativum), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and neem (Azadirachta indica)-as potential adjunct or alternative treatments. This review explores key aspects of DFI, including its pathophysiology, global prevalence, statistical data, risk factors, diagnostic approaches, current and potential herbal treatments, associated challenges, and future directions.

PMID:41823036 | DOI:10.1002/cbdv.202503644

Alzheimers Dement. 2026 Mar;22(3):e71278. doi: 10.1002/alz.71278.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs) occur in up to 85% of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) cases. Current treatments – repurposed from psychiatric disorders despite limited understanding of etiologic overlap – are often ineffective.

METHODS: To characterize the genetic overlap between AD and major psychiatric disorders and identify shared molecular pathways, we conducted genetic correlation analyses between AD and depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety using MiXeR and Local Analysis of [co]Variant Annotation with genome wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics (AD: n = 487,511; bipolar disorder: n = 413,466; depression: n = 1,154,267; schizophrenia: n = 130,644; anxiety: n = 1,096,458).

RESULTS: Local genetic correlation analyses followed by fine mapping and functional analyses identified a missense variant in TMEM106B (rs3173615) shared between AD and depression and anxiety, a regulatory region variant in ACE (rs4292) shared between AD/schizophrenia, and two nonsense-mediated mRNA decay transcript variants in ERC2 (rs17288728; rs815460) shared between AD/anxiety.

DISCUSSION: The specific molecular pathways associated with these variants provide critical information on shared etiologic components underlying these traits and inform development of improved therapeutic targets.

PMID:41823034 | DOI:10.1002/alz.71278

New Phytol. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/nph.71065. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Deep-rooted crops accessing water and nutrients from deep soil layers enhance the resource base for crop production. However, studying these roots in field conditions is labour-intensive, limiting research scope. We established a field root research facility with 48 plots for replicated experiments. The facility includes 144 6-metre-long minirhizotron tubes and an AI-based pipeline for rapid root trait analysis. We also attempted to install access tubes and customized ingrowth core production for less-invasive root activity determination. Our study revealed significant differences in deep root density among species, particularly at depths of 2.5 to 4.5 m, over 5 years. The less-invasive studies using ingrowth cores reached depths of 4.2 m. Nutrient tracer ¹⁵N analysis showed marked differences in deep root activity among crop species. Time domain reflectometry sensors indicated varying water depletion in deeper soil layers, influenced by crop species and root growth patterns. We established a field facility for studying deep root growth and function, demonstrating its effectiveness in analysing diverse deep-rooted plant species. This facility provides an ideal platform for conducting meaningful research in deep soil layers, yielding statistically and biologically significant results for agricultural applications.

PMID:41822991 | DOI:10.1111/nph.71065

J Dermatolog Treat. 2026 Dec;37(1):2640305. doi: 10.1080/09546634.2026.2640305. Epub 2026 Mar 13.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) costs in those on conventional systemics for mild-moderate psoriasis are poorly described.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe HRCU, disease severity and health-related quality of life in patients with mild-moderate psoriasis requiring systemic therapy.

METHODS: UK single-center retrospective longitudinal cohort study including adults with mild-moderate psoriasis (PASI < 10, no historical PASI ≥ 10, no prior biologics) on conventional systemic therapy with 3-year data capture from first PASI recording (2014-2019, pre-COVID). Patients discontinued due to reaching PASI ≥ 10, starting biologics or being lost to follow-up.

RESULTS: The median annual HCRU cost was £1923 (mean £3361), largely driven by visit costs. A total of 50.8% patients achieved a PASI ≤ 2 and 30.6% achieved PASI ≤ 2 and DLQI ≤ 5 during follow-up. The difference between the maximum and minimum PASI for a patient and follow-up time were statistically significant predictors of total costs (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Despite high healthcare costs, nearly half of the patients did not achieve clear/nearly clear skin. These data, in the context of reducing costs for biosimilars, may provide a basis to challenge care pathways and access criteria for ‘high-cost’ treatments.

PMID:41822986 | DOI:10.1080/09546634.2026.2640305

Euro Surveill. 2026 Mar;31(10). doi: 10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.10.2500477.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTIONEnteroviruses cause symptoms ranging from mild skin manifestations to severe neurological diseases, such as polio. Despite global eradication efforts, poliovirus was detected via environmental surveillance in multiple European countries in 2024 and 2025.AIMWe aimed to assess the epidemiology of enteroviruses in Denmark, using national laboratory surveillance and hospital discharge registries, and to determine the accuracy of enterovirus registration.METHODSHospital admission data from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2023 were linked to laboratory surveillance enterovirus data to identify and categorise admissions with an enterovirus-specific ICD-10 code and/or enterovirus-positive test. The accuracy of diagnosis coding and positive enterovirus tests was assessed against an estimated ‘true population’ using a capture‒recapture analysis.RESULTSAmong patients with an ICD-10 enterovirus code and a positive enterovirus test (n = 1,186), 69% had a central nervous system diagnosis. Patients with ICD-10 enterovirus codes only (n = 3,434) were younger and primarily had hand, foot and mouth disease. Patients positive for enterovirus without an enterovirus diagnosis (n = 3,263) frequently exhibited respiratory symptoms. The combined accuracy of ICD-10 codes and enterovirus tests was 46.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 44.3-48.4) against an estimated ‘true population’ of 28,193 (95% CI: 26,929-29,457) enterovirus infections.CONCLUSION: It is important to combine laboratory data and ICD-10 codes to gain comprehensive understanding of the enterovirus epidemiology and identify areas for improvement in enterovirus surveillance. Despite exceptional registries, the Danish system may still overlook early cases of emerging or severe enterovirus infections because of limited clinical awareness of these infections and the challenges associated with voluntary test registrations.

PMID:41822982 | DOI:10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.10.2500477

Int Endod J. 2026 Mar 13. doi: 10.1111/iej.70140. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the endodontic microbiome assessed from root canals of teeth associated with either symptomatic or asymptomatic apical periodontitis and analysed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing.

METHODOLOGY: 60 teeth presenting clinical and radiographic signs of symptomatic or asymptomatic apical periodontitis (n = 30) were included in this cross-sectional study after participants had given their written informed consent. After isolation with rubber dam, disinfection and access cavity preparation, glide paths were prepared using C-Pilot Files and K-Files under electronic root canal length control. Microbial samples were collected from a total of 120 root canals (symptomatic apical periodontitis, SAP: n = 62, asymptomatic apical periodontitis, AAP: n = 58) each with a sterile file (size 20/0.06) in a single length technique. Only one specimen per tooth was included in the analysis; in multi-rooted teeth, the specimen with highest sequencing depth. After DNA extraction, the hypervariable region V4 of the bacterial 16 S rRNA gene was amplified and sequenced (Illumina MiSeq). Taxonomy was assigned based on the expanded Human Oral Microbiome Database (eHOMD). Statistical analysis of diversity parameters comprised Mann-Whitney U tests and PERMANOVA. Compositional differences were evaluated by differential abundance analyses using DESeq2, LinDA, and ANCOM-BC2 methods.

RESULTS: No differences were observed in richness and diversity (Shannon diversity index) on the genus or ASV level (p > 0.05). According to PERMANOVA, SAP and AAP microbiomes did not differ significantly both on genus and ASV levels (p > 0.05). Among highly abundant genera, Fusobacterium was indicated to be more abundant in SAP samples whereas Actinomyces was more abundant in AAP samples.

CONCLUSIONS: The expression of clinical symptoms in apical periodontitis does not appear to be determined by specific microorganisms but may instead reflect shifts of the relative abundance of the microbial community.

PMID:41822979 | DOI:10.1111/iej.70140