Category: Nevin Manimala

Inj Epidemiol. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s40621-026-00656-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Firearm violence in the United States is highly concentrated within specific demographic, economic, geographic, and social population groups. Prior research indicates elevated violence exposure among gang-involved individuals, but the extent and mental health implications of firearm victimization at the national level remain poorly understood.

METHODS: We analyzed data from a national online survey of 10,000 U.S. adults fielded in 2024. Respondents self-reported lifetime gang membership and lifetime exposure to five forms of firearm victimization: presence at a mass shooting, gun threats, being shot at without injury, accidental gunshot injury, and intentional gunshot injury. Weighted descriptive statistics compared prevalence by lifetime gang status. Multivariable logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios controlling for several covariates. Among victims of firearm violence, self-reported psychological impacts, including anxiety, fear, depression, panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress symptoms, were assessed.

RESULTS: People with a history of gang involvement reported substantially higher lifetime exposure to all forms of firearm victimization. After adjustment, gang involvement was associated with 2-4 times greater odds of firearm exposure across outcomes. Psychological impacts following firearm victimization were prevalent in both gang and non-gang groups. Differences in reported mental health impacts by gang status were generally modest, with relatively few statistically significant differences in adjusted models.

CONCLUSIONS: Firearm victimization is highly concentrated among people with a history of gang involvement, and such exposure is associated with substantial psychological distress. Mental health impacts were broadly similar across gang-involved and non-gang victims. These findings highlight the importance of recognizing gang-involved adults as a population with disproportionate exposure to firearm violence and significant trauma-related needs within a public health framework.

PMID:41580880 | DOI:10.1186/s40621-026-00656-7

BMC Rheumatol. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s41927-025-00612-w. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41580876 | DOI:10.1186/s41927-025-00612-w

Cancer Imaging. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s40644-026-00995-0. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41580866 | DOI:10.1186/s40644-026-00995-0

Parasit Vectors. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s13071-025-07209-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The control of toxoplasmosis relies on conventional chemotherapeutics, which have hitherto unresolved concerns.

METHODS: Swiss albino mice were intraperitoneally (IP) infected with 5 × 10³ tachyzoites of RH HXGPRT( -) strain of Toxoplasma gondii, then IP treated with one-fourth lethal dose 50 (one-fourth LD50) of Cerastes cerastes venom (CCV) for three consecutive days (LD = 0.535 mg/kg). The anti-Toxoplasma activity of CCV was evaluated, for the first time, in immunocompetent (IC) and immunosuppressed (IS) mice via estimation of their mortality and survival time, microscopical counting of peritoneal tachyzoites, measurement of liver parasite burdens using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), detection of infectivity, and ultrastructural changes of the treated tachyzoites. The safety of the used dose was biochemically assessed by measuring liver, kidney, and oxidative stress markers in serum.

RESULTS: CCV induced an insignificant reduction in mortality rate (MR) and a significant increase in survival time of mice. A statistically significant decrease in the mean peritoneal parasite burden with 89.8% and 90.8% reduction (%R) was observed in both IC and IS-treated subgroups compared with their controls, respectively. This reduction was consistent with 88% and 86% decrease in liver parasite load, respectively, and obvious ultrastructural alterations in treated tachyzoites. Concerning the infectivity study, the percent reduction was 78.8% and 85.5% in the peritoneal fluid and 71.1% and 60.4% in the liver tissues of IC and IS subgroups, respectively. The biochemical safety of the used dose and its high antioxidant activity were verified.

CONCLUSIONS: Thus, one-fourth LD50 of CCV can be considered a promising, effective natural alternative to standard chemotherapy for acute toxoplasmosis.

PMID:41580860 | DOI:10.1186/s13071-025-07209-9

J Orthop Surg Res. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s13018-026-06678-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that let-7c-5p is significantly expressed at a lower level in the serum of fracture patients, suggesting that it may play a role in bone repair. Therefore, this study aims to explore how let-7c-5p regulates osteogenic differentiation in tibial fractures.

METHODS: A total of 80 patients with tibial fractures and 83 healthy individuals were included in this study. The level of let-7c-5p in the serum were detected by RT-qPCR. Osteoblast cell line (MC3T3-E1) were cultured in vitro to induce osteogenic differentiation. RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of let-7c-5p and osteogenic differentiation markers. The activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was determined using an ALP assay kit. Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to verify the targeting relationship between let-7c-5p and CDK8.

RESULTS: In the early stage of tibial fractures, the level of let-7c-5p in the patient’s serum was significantly lower than that of the control group, and as the healing processes progressed, its level gradually increased. In osteogenic induction, let-7c-5p, the activity of ALP, and the levels of osteogenic markers all increase. Increasing the level of let-7c-5p significantly enhanced the expression of osteogenic markers, while inhibiting its expression would weaken this effect. let-7c-5p directly targeted and negatively regulated the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8). Overexpression of CDK8 could reverse the osteogenic effect mediated by let-7c-5p.

CONCLUSION: During the healing process of tibial fractures, let-7c-5p promotes osteogenic differentiation by inhibiting CDK8, thereby accelerating fracture healing.

PMID:41580834 | DOI:10.1186/s13018-026-06678-7

BioData Min. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s13040-025-00515-z. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41580827 | DOI:10.1186/s13040-025-00515-z

Arch Public Health. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s13690-026-01836-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Primary percutaneous coronary intervention (pPCI) is the gold standard treatment for acute myocardial infarction (MI). Yet, its implementation across Brazil’s diverse regions remains poorly characterized. Although Brazil’s public healthcare system (Sistema Único de Saúde [SUS]) serves approximately 72% of Brazil’s population, comprehensive analysis of pPCI utilization patterns and outcomes has been limited. This study aimed to evaluate contemporary trends in pPCI utilization, associated costs, and clinical outcomes across Brazil’s regions from 2008 to 2023.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study of emergency MI hospitalizations treated with pPCI using Brazil’s Unified Health System databases. Population‑adjusted rates of pPCI, inflation‑adjusted standardized costs, in‑hospital mortality, and densities of registered pPCI‑capable facilities were estimated for Brazil and its five regions. Five‑year interval means and cumulative changes were computed. Statistical significance was evaluated with Z‑tests and 95% confidence intervals.

RESULTS: National pPCI hospitalizations increased by 190.94%, with marked regional variation. The South reached 26.22 procedures per 100,000 population in 2023, while the North remained critically low (1.49 per 100,000). After inflation adjustment, standardized costs declined nationally (-36.34% per day; -47.12% per hospitalization), yet population‑adjusted in‑hospital mortality rose by 121.74% over the study period. Across regions, most pPCI‑capable facilities were private rather than public or philanthropic. Disparities were most pronounced between the South and North regions, reflecting broader socioeconomic inequities.

CONCLUSION: Brazil has substantially increased pPCI utilization, but persistent regional disparities and rising population‑adjusted mortality highlight systemic challenges in timely, high‑quality care. Targeted interventions – standardized protocols, strengthened infrastructure and transfer networks in underserved areas, and focused investment – are needed to improve equity and cardiovascular outcomes nationwide.

PMID:41580824 | DOI:10.1186/s13690-026-01836-z

J Transl Med. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s12967-026-07729-7. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41580815 | DOI:10.1186/s12967-026-07729-7

BMC Res Notes. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s13104-026-07666-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Sub-Saharan Africa produces less than 4% of global scientific output, despite significant health and development challenges. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a pilot scientific writing workshop in Cameroon aimed at building writing skills and publication readiness of early career researchers. We conducted two workshops’ sessions in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in April and November 2023. A mixed-methods approach was used. Quantitative data were obtained via pre- and post-workshop questionnaires designed to capture participants’ self-assessed knowledge, skills, and confidence related to the workshop content. Qualitative data were gathered through in-depth interviews. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied to the survey data, and thematic content analysis was used to assess qualitative responses.

RESULTS: A total of 86 participants completed both the pre- and post-workshop surveys (response rate: 86.9%). The majority had never published scientific papers (62.8%) nor had they received formal writing training (61.6%). The quantitative results showed statistically significant improvements in participants’ overall understanding of scientific writing and publishing (mean difference = 0.93, p < 0.001) and confidence regarding writing skills (mean difference = 0.94, p < 0.001). Thematic analysis of the interviews revealed high satisfaction with the learning environment, perceived knowledge gains, and a strong demand for mentorship and sustained training opportunities.

PMID:41580813 | DOI:10.1186/s13104-026-07666-0

Environ Health. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1186/s12940-026-01266-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastic tumours (neuroblastoma and ganglioneuroblastoma) are the most common childhood solid tumours outside the central nervous system, with a median age of diagnosis of 2 years. Temporal clustering of neuroblastic tumours in northern England and Ontario, Canada has been previously reported.

METHODS: We extracted data from the Scottish Cancer Registry to determine whether there was evidence of temporal clustering of neuroblastic tumours. Cases diagnosed in children and young adults aged 0-24 years between 2000 and 2020 were analysed. A modified version of the Potthoff-Whittinghill method was used to test for temporal clustering. Estimates of extra-Poisson variation (EPV) and standard errors (SE) were derived.

RESULTS: One hundred and sixty-one cases of neuroblastic tumours, aged 0-24 years, were diagnosed during the study period. Overall, there was statistically significant temporal clustering between years within the full study period (EPV = 9.13, SE = 0.22, P < 0.001). In addition, for cases aged < 18 months, there was significant temporal clustering between months within quarters (EPV = 0.77, SE = 0.41, P = 0.044). For cases aged 18 months – 24 years, there was significant temporal clustering between fortnights within months (EPV = 1.00, SE = 0.47, P = 0.012).

CONCLUSIONS: The finding of temporal clustering is consistent with the involvement of one or more, as yet unknown, transient environmental agents in the aetiology of neuroblastic tumours.

PMID:41580800 | DOI:10.1186/s12940-026-01266-y