Category: Nevin Manimala

J AOAC Int. 2026 Jul 10:qsag062. doi: 10.1093/jaoacint/qsag062. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rapid laboratory detection methods need to be tested against reference methods to confirm their efficiency and suitability.

OBJECTIVE: In an unpaired study, the IEH Salmonella-Cronobacter spp. and Cronobacter sakazakii-Salmonella Multiplex PCR Assays’ performance was compared with the FDA-BAM reference methods Chapter 5 for Salmonella and Chapter 29 for Cronobacter sakazakii detection on stainless-steel (SS) and sealed concrete (SC) surfaces.

METHODS: Seeking a shorter enrichment time for the candidate method, the Salmonella-Cronobacter broth enrichments for 18, 20, 22, and 24 h at 35 °C were analyzed with the IEH Multiplex PCR Assays. Two pathogen cocktails were prepared: one including S. Typhimurium ATCC 19585, S. Senftenberg 775W, and S. Enteritidis PT30, and a second one including C. sakazakii MEI 27583, C. sakazakii ATCC 29544, and C. sakazakii ATCC 29004. The Salmonella and C. sakazakii cocktails were independently inoculated onto separate SS and SC following the AOAC guidelines. Additionally, a competing microorganism was added at a concentration 10-100-times higher than that of the pathogens.

RESULTS: The candidate method yielded zero false negatives and zero false positives, with 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity for both SS and SC surfaces, regardless of the inoculation level (high, low, and uninoculated) and the enrichment time (i.e. 18, 20, 22, and 24 h for Salmonella, and 20, 22, and 24 h for C. sakazakii). The candidate method successfully detected both target microorganisms on both surface types with a minimum enrichment of 20 h. Statistical analysis using the probability of detection (POD) confirmed the equivalency between the candidate method and the reference methods at either inoculation level or enrichment time (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The IEH Salmonella-Cronobacter spp. and Cronobacter sakazakii-Salmonella Multiplex PCR Assays demonstrated performance comparable to the FDA-BAM reference methods for the detection of Salmonella and C. sakazakii on SS and SC, with a significantly shorter turnaround time.

PMID:42434802 | DOI:10.1093/jaoacint/qsag062

3 Biotech. 2026 Aug;16(8):320. doi: 10.1007/s13205-026-04953-2. Epub 2026 Jul 9.

ABSTRACT

The complex and refractory structure of printed circuit boards (PCBs) limits the efficiency of conventional metal recovery processes. This led to the hypothesis that indigenous bacterial strains isolated from e-waste-contaminated sites may possess metabolic adaptations that facilitate metal mobilization. This study aims to isolate heavy-metal tolerant bacterial strains from e-waste contaminated soil, these isolates were evaluated for bioleaching efficiencies against PCBs at various pulp densities of 5 g/L, 10 g/L and 15 g/L, from which, Bacillus sp. SSNBT005 (Accession no: – PV453749), was found to be the most potent isolate. To ensure analytical rigor, experiments were performed in triplicate (n = 3) and were compared against abiotic controls to quantify the microbe mediated leaching. Statistical analysis (ANOVA, p < 0.05), confirmed that SSNBT005 significantly enhanced metal recovery, specifically, the strain achieved metal recovery efficiencies of about 94.24 ± 1.00, for silver (Ag) and upto 90.78 ± 0.37 for chromium (Cr), reaching raw recovery concentrations of 0.0186 g/L and 0.544 g/L respectively. FESEM analysis supports these quantitative findings, revealing some localized pitting and surface degradation of the PCB matrix as the result of microbial activity. FTIR analysis indicated changes in absorption bands associated with surface functional groups after bioleaching. These results support the hypothesis that SNBT005 actively facilitates metal recovery.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-026-04953-2.

PMID:42434791 | PMC:PMC13350597 | DOI:10.1007/s13205-026-04953-2

Ann Transl Med. 2026 Jun 30;14(3):32. doi: 10.21037/atm-2026-0131. Epub 2026 Jun 29.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients with coexisting type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) represent a high-risk population with competing comorbidities, complex medication regimens, and overlapping inflammatory pathways. Although the role of sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in managing type 2 diabetes is well-established, their impact on outcomes in diabetic patients with coexisting IBD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between SGLT2i use and hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, mortality, IBD-related complications, and surgical procedures in diabetic patients with IBD.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network. Cohort 1 comprised diabetic patients with IBD who received SGLT2 inhibitors with at least three dispensations within one year of IBD diagnosis, and Cohort 2 comprised diabetic patients with IBD never prescribed SGLT2i, matched on baseline characteristics, comorbidities, IBD-specific medications, and laboratory values, yielding 3,950 patients per cohort. Clinical outcomes were evaluated at 1 and 5 years following the index event.

RESULTS: At 1 year, hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality were significantly lower in Cohort 1 [risk ratio (RR): 0.886, P<0.001; RR: 0.851, P=0.03; and RR: 0.525, P<0.001, respectively]. Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated improved survival in Cohort 1 [94.27% vs. 88.76%, P<0.001; hazard ratio (HR): 0.490]. IBD-related complications and surgical procedures were also significantly reduced (RR: 0.879, P=0.004 and RR: 0.548, P=0.02, respectively). At 5 years, hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality remained significantly lower in Cohort 1 (RR: 0.932, P=0.002; RR: 0.848, P=0.003; and RR: 0.545, P<0.001, respectively). Kaplan-Meier analysis continued to demonstrate improved survival in Cohort 1 (85.01% vs. 74.95%, P<0.001; HR: 0.532), whereas IBD-related complications and surgical procedures were numerically lower but no longer statistically significant (RR: 0.954, P=0.18 and RR: 0.741, P=0.15, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS: SGLT2i therapy in diabetic patients with IBD was associated with reduced hospitalization, ICU admission, and mortality, with persistent benefits observed at both 1 and 5 years of follow-up. Reductions in IBD-related complications and surgical procedures were observed, particularly at 1 year. These findings suggest a potential disease-modifying role warranting further prospective investigation.

PMID:42434776 | PMC:PMC13349731 | DOI:10.21037/atm-2026-0131

Front Oncol. 2026 Jun 26;16:1780642. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1780642. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Bone cancer is a rare malignancy worldwide, with incidence patterns that vary by age, sex, and geographic region. In Saudi Arabia, however, comprehensive population-based evidence describing the national epidemiology of bone cancer remains limited. This study aimed to describe bone cancer incidence in Saudi Arabia according to age group, sex, calendar year, and administrative region, with particular emphasis on age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs).

METHODS: A retrospective population-based descriptive study was conducted using data from the Saudi Cancer Registry. All primary bone cancer cases diagnosed between 2004 and 2020 were included. Incidence patterns were summarized using frequencies, age-specific incidence rates, crude incidence rates (CIRs), and ASIRs, stratified by sex, age group, year of diagnosis, and region. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 30.

RESULTS: Between 2004 and 2020, a total of 2,275 primary bone cancer cases were recorded in Saudi Arabia, including 1,318 males (57.9%) and 957 females (42.1%). Bone cancer accounted for approximately 2.0% of all cancers among males and 0.9% among females. Mean ASIRs were higher in males (≈1.0 per 100,000) than females (≈0.7 per 100,000), while CIRs remained below 2.0 per 100,000 throughout the study period. Age-specific incidence showed a clear adolescent peak, most prominent in the 15-19-year age group, followed by the 10-14-year group. Regional variation in ASIRs was observed, with higher rates in Al-Jouf and Najran and persistently lower rates in Jazan.

CONCLUSION: Bone cancer in Saudi Arabia is rare but demonstrates distinct variation by sex, age, and region. The observed male predominance and adolescent peak are consistent with international epidemiological patterns. Continued enhancement of population-based cancer surveillance is essential to support accurate epidemiological assessment and informed public health planning.

PMID:42434761 | PMC:PMC13349887 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2026.1780642

Front Oncol. 2026 Jun 26;16:1764691. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1764691. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the cross-software reproducibility of Computed Tomography (CT) radiomic features extracted using three widely adopted platforms (Siemens syngo.via Frontier, 3D Slicer/PyRadiomics, and mint Lesion) and to identify a subset of highly robust features suitable for multi-platform and multi-center radiomics applications.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort of 97 lesions (primary colorectal cancer, colorectal liver metastases, and hepatocellular carcinoma) who underwent contrast-enhanced Computed Tomography (CT) in the portal venous phase was analyzed. Semi-automatic 3D lesion segmentations were exported for radiomic extraction across the three platforms. Shared radiomic features among tools were harmonized and z-score normalized. Cross-platform similarity was assessed using distribution distance metrics, hierarchical clustering, and the Adjusted Rand Index (ARI). A novel Composite Robustness Index (CI) integrating Pearson correlation, Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics, and mean fold-difference was developed to quantify feature-level reproducibility.

RESULTS: First-order intensity features and key GLCM descriptors (e.g., Correlation, Joint Average, Sum Entropy) demonstrated the highest cross-software stability, with nearly superimposable distributions and strong concordance in clustering structure. Siemens syngo.via Frontier and 3D Slicer/PyRadiomics showed the highest agreement (mean ARI >0.85), while mint Lesion™-which lacks higher-order texture families-showed moderate deviations (mean ARI ≈ 0.70-0.75). High-order features, particularly GLDM and GLRLM metrics, exhibited substantial variability across platforms. The CI ranking enabled identification of a reproducible set of “highly reproducible features, “ including glcm_Correlation, firstorder_Mean, firstorder_RMS, firstorder_90Percentile, and shape axis-length descriptors.

CONCLUSION: Despite intrinsic software differences, a consistent subset of radiomic features remains reproducible across heterogeneous extraction tools. The combined use of distribution analysis, hierarchical clustering, and the Composite Robustness Index offers a rigorous framework for evaluating cross-platform reliability. These findings support the feasibility of multi-tool radiomics and provide a validated feature set for harmonized quantitative imaging pipelines.

PMID:42434756 | PMC:PMC13349753 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2026.1764691

Front Oncol. 2026 Jun 26;16:1852397. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1852397. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Walking is a simple and accessible form of aerobic exercise that may improve cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in cancer patients; however, its independent effects remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of walking training on CRF, fatigue, dyspnea, safety, and adherence in adult cancer patients.

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in 4 databases-Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library Database-covering the period from the inception of each database through November 28, 2025. The inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating walking interventions for cancer patients. Priority was given to meta-analyses of outcome measures using a random-effects model. If the statistical heterogeneity is less than 40%, a fixed-effects model is used.

RESULTS: 11 randomized controlled trials involving 649 participants were included. Compared with standard care or no intervention, walking training was associated with statistically significant improvements in the two outcomes: peak oxygen uptake (VO₂ peak) (SMD = 0.56; 95% CI: [0.06, 1.06]; I² = 75%; τ²=0.28; P = 0.03) and fatigue (SMD = -0.45; 95% CI: [-0.71, -0.18]; I² = 32%; τ²=0; P = 0.001). In contrast, no statistically significant effects were observed for maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂ max) (SMD = 0.20;95% CI: [-0.15, 0.54]; I² = 0%; P = 0.26), 6-Minute Walk Distance (6MWD) (MD = 53.97;95% CI: [-23.00, 130.93]; I² = 80%; τ²=2538;P = 0.17), and dyspnea (SMD = -0.18, 95% CI: [-0.47, 0.11]; I² = 0%; P = 0.23). No serious intervention-related adverse events were reported, and adherence rates ranged from 67% to 94%.

CONCLUSION: Current evidence suggests that walking training may improve VO₂ peak and reduce fatigue in cancer patients, while demonstrating acceptable short-term safety and adherence. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because the certainty of evidence remains low. Larger, high-quality randomized controlled trials with standardized intervention protocols and longer follow-up periods are needed to confirm these findings.This study conducted a systematic literature search in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Prior to the search, the study protocol was prospectively registered on the international systematic review registry platform (PROSPERO, registration number: CRD420251140743) to ensure the scientific rigor and methodological soundness of this study.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420251140743.

PMID:42434753 | PMC:PMC13349785 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2026.1852397

Front Oncol. 2026 Jun 26;16:1866001. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1866001. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with a rising global incidence. Differentiating PDAC from non-malignant pancreatic conditions, particularly chronic pancreatitis (CP), remains challenging due to overlapping clinical and radiological features, highlighting the need for new biomarkers. The best-validated serum biomarker, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9), has limited clinical utility due to its suboptimal sensitivity and specificity. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic performance of serum macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1 (GDF15), syncollin (SYCN), and thrombospondin-2 (TSP-2), both alone and in multi-marker panels, for differentiating PDAC from CP and healthy controls (HCs). The selection of these markers was based on prior evidence linking GDF15 to PDAC diagnosis and prognosis, SYCN to pancreatic tissue damage, and TSP-2 to tumor microenvironment remodeling.

METHODS: This study included 188 individuals: 78 diagnosed with PDAC, 79 with CP and 31 HCs. PDAC and CP were diagnosed based on clinical, imaging, histopathological, and laboratory findings, and classified according to the 8th TNM classification and the updated Cambridge system, respectively. Serum GDF15, SYCN, and TSP-2 levels were quantified using ELISA. Statistical analyses included group comparisons, correlation testing, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis with assessment of the area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS: GDF15 and SYCN were significantly elevated in PDAC compared with both CP and HCs, whereas TSP-2 did not differ significantly between those groups. For PDAC vs HCs, GDF15 provided the strongest overall discrimination (AUC = 0.86; sensitivity 97%, specificity 71%), while SYCN showed a lower AUC (0.77) but very high specificity (94%). The combined GDF15 + SYCN panel increased AUC to 0.89. For PDAC vs CP, GDF15 achieved moderate diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.73), SYCN performed less well (AUC = 0.65), and TSP-2 performed near chance (AUC = 0.52). Incorporating age and bilirubin in the model improved discrimination between PDAC and CP, yielding a maximum AUC of 0.88. Additionally, positive correlations were observed between SYCN and diabetes, as well as between GDF15 and hyperbilirubinemia, in patients with PDAC.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that GDF15 and SYCN are promising serum biomarkers for PDAC, whereas TSP-2 appears to have limited diagnostic utility.

PMID:42434748 | PMC:PMC13349920 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2026.1866001

Front Oncol. 2026 Jun 26;16:1842330. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1842330. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary small-bowel tumors are uncommon and frequently present with non-specific symptoms. Timely and accurate diagnosis relies on a range of radiologic and endoscopy-based modalities, yet their comparative diagnostic performance remains uncertain.

METHODS: We performed a systematic review and diagnostic test accuracy meta-analysis. PubMed, Embase, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched from inception to August 31, 2025, and the reference lists of included studies and relevant reviews were hand-searched. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias using the QUADAS-2 tool. To avoid unit-of-analysis errors, the primary analysis used a de-duplicated dataset with one representative arm per study cohort according to a prespecified hierarchy: the primary or original/consensus reading reported by the source article, then the arm with the largest analyzable 2×2 denominator, and finally the estimate closest to the within-study median diagnostic odds ratio if ties remained. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were estimated using hierarchical bivariate random-effects models, while alternative arms were retained for sensitivity analyses.

RESULTS: Twenty-one studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the quantitative synthesis. The overall pooled sensitivity was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87-0.93) and specificity was 0.88 (95% CI: 0.78-0.94), with an area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.95 (95% CI: 0.93-0.97). Between-study heterogeneity was substantial. In modality-stratified analyses, dedicated enterography techniques (magnetic resonance enterography and computed tomography enterography) demonstrated the highest comprehensive diagnostic accuracy, outperforming conventional contrast-enhanced CT and functional imaging.

CONCLUSIONS: Contemporary imaging modalities exhibit high overall diagnostic performance for primary small-bowel tumors. Enterography-based cross-sectional imaging yielded the most favorable point estimates, although confidence intervals overlapped with those of conventional CT. These findings support CTE and MRE as strong diagnostic options within a multimodality pathway rather than proving clear statistical superiority.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD420251144585.

PMID:42434747 | PMC:PMC13349763 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2026.1842330

Front Oncol. 2026 Jun 26;16:1852617. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1852617. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The PACIFIC regimen (consolidation durvalumab following chemoradiotherapy) is the standard of care for unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With the publication of data from the phase III LAURA trial and the emergence of real-world evidence regarding sequential toxicity, concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by sequential targeted therapy with EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) is recommended for patients with EGFR mutations. However, the optimal combination regimen remains to be determined.

METHODS: We systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and high-quality retrospective studies comparing various therapeutic strategies for unresectable stage III EGFR-mutated NSCLC. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), while secondary endpoints included the objective response rate (ORR) and safety profiles. A network meta-analysis (NMA) was performed using a Bayesian random-effects model. Hazard ratios (HRs), odds ratios (ORs), and their corresponding 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were calculated.

RESULTS: A total of 12 studies involving 1,529 patients were analyzed to compare six therapeutic strategies: consolidation durvalumab following chemoradiotherapy (CRT+Durva), CRT alone, consolidation EGFR-TKIs after CRT (CRT+EGFR-TKI), EGFR-TKI monotherapy, EGFR-TKI in combination with chemotherapy (EGFR-TKI+Chemo), and EGFR-TKI integrated with radiotherapy (EGFR-TKI+RT) via induction, concurrent, or consolidation sequencing. NMA revealed that CRT+EGFR-TKI was the only strategy to demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in OS compared to CRT alone (HR = 0.63, 95% CrI: 0.41-0.94), while also achieving the highest ORR. EGFR-TKI+RT (chemotherapy-free regimen) ranked first for PFS (HR = 0.14, 95% CrI: 0.06-0.33) and exhibited a favorable safety profile, associated with the lowest risk of severe radiation pneumonitis (RP). Notably, CRT+Durva failed to yield a survival benefit (PFS: HR = 0.75; OS: HR = 0.82) and was characterized by higher toxicity. An RCT-only sensitivity analysis demonstrated consistent PFS benefits and a comparable OS trend (HR = 0.68, 95% CrI: 0.33-1.4), validating the integration of real-world data to maintain adequate statistical power.

CONCLUSIONS: For unresectable stage III EGFR-mutated NSCLC, CRT+EGFR-TKI represents the optimal strategy for extending OS. Conversely, the EGFR-TKI+RT (chemotherapy-free regimen) approach provides a superior balance between prolonged PFS and clinical tolerability.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD420261285935.

PMID:42434745 | PMC:PMC13349829 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2026.1852617

Front Oncol. 2026 Jun 26;16:1863609. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2026.1863609. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fibroblastic/myofibroblastic tumors are among the most common soft-tissue tumors (STTs) encountered clinically. Several magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features associated with malignant tumors overlap with benign tumors, making differential diagnosis challenging. Intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) is a valuable MRI technique for differentiating various tumors. This study aims to evaluate the abilities of conventional MRI and IVIM in differentiating benign, intermediate, and malignant fibrous STTs.

METHODS: Fifty-five patients with fibrous STTs were prospectively enrolled, comprising 18 benign, 18 intermediate, and 19 malignant cases. All the patients underwent MRI examinations including IVIM. Conventional MRI signs and standard-apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D^*), and perfusion fraction (f) were recorded. Statistical analyses were performed using Kruskal-Wallis H test, Chi-square test,post hoc test with Bonferroni correction, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and DeLong test. p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

RESULTS: Malignant tumors had higher heterogeneity on T2WI (p = 0.020 and 0.009) and contrast enhancement T1WI (p = 0.013 and 0.029), and were more prone to necrosis (p < 0.001 andp = 0.001) compared with benign and intermediate tumors, respectively. Tail-like pattern (p = 0.034 and 0.009) and invasiveness (p = 0.018 and 0.033) were more frequently observed in intermediate and malignant tumors than in benign tumors, respectively. Standard-ADC_mean, standard-ADC_min, D_mean, and D_min values decreased from benign to intermediate and malignant fibrous STTs. Malignant STTs displayed higher f_mean and f_min values than benign tumors (p = 0.002 and 0.013, respectively). Standard-ADC_mean showed the highest AUC (0.894) in differentiating intermediate from benign STTs. D_mean showed the highest AUC (0.961 and 0.905) in differentiating malignancies from benign and intermediate STTs, respectively. For discriminating between benign and non-benign fibrous STTs, the combination of conventional MRI signs and IVIM parameters yielded the highest AUC of 0.971.

CONCLUSION: IVIM diffusion parameters differentiated benign, intermediate, and malignant fibrous STTs and can complement conventional MRI signs.

PMID:42434743 | PMC:PMC13349916 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2026.1863609