Category: Nevin Manimala

Eur Eat Disord Rev. 2026 Jul 4. doi: 10.1002/erv.70147. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Knowledge of family functioning (FF) for those with eating disorders (EDs) is driven by research with females, resulting in an overly gendered perception of FF. The current study: (1) descriptively examined FF among male adolescents with EDs, (2) compared FF among males with anorexia nervosa-restricting subtype (AN-R), AN-binge/purge subtype (AN-BP), and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), and (3) compared FF between males and females with these EDs.

METHOD: Participants were 175 males and 175 females who completed the Family Assessment Device (FAD).

RESULTS: Males scored above the clinical cutoffs on most FAD subscales. No differences in FF were found among males across ED diagnoses. Significant differences were found between males and females with AN-R on four FAD subscales (affective involvement [OR = 4.70], affective responsiveness [OR = 2.52], communication [OR = 2.78], and general functioning [OR = 2.22]), with males reporting worse FF (all ps < 0.03). Differences between males and females with AN-BP or ARFID were not large enough to meet statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONS: This study increases understanding of FF in EDs from a more diverse standpoint. Male adolescents with EDs experience poor FF. Qualitative studies could clarify possible reasons behind poor FF for adolescent males with EDs and help to identify specific targets for treatment.

PMID:42400951 | DOI:10.1002/erv.70147

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2026 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s00262-026-04411-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly high-risk types such as HPV16, is associated with several malignancies, including cervical cancer. Existing therapeutic vaccines targeting HPV oncoproteins E6 and E7 show limited immunogenicity and high production costs. Self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) vaccines offer a promising alternative by enabling robust antigen expression at low doses. This study evaluated the immunogenicity and antitumor efficacy of a novel saRNA vaccine, JJ-saRNA-HPV01, targeting HPV16 E6/E7 in a preclinical mouse model.

METHODS: JJ-saRNA-HPV01, encoding an HPV16 E6-linker-E7 fusion protein, was encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles (LNP). Physicochemical properties (size, PDI, encapsulation efficiency, and zeta potential) were characterized, and in vitro expression was confirmed in 293 T cells by Western blot. Female C57BL/6 mice were immunized intramuscularly with single or double doses (0.1-5 μg). Immune responses were assessed by IFN-γ ELISpot, CD8⁺CD69⁺ T-cell activation, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte analysis. Antitumor efficacy was evaluated in TC-1 tumor-bearing mice, with prophylactic and long-term protection tested by tumor challenge and re-challenge. Statistical tests included one-way and two-way ANOVA with multiple comparisons and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis with Mantel-Cox test.

RESULTS: JJ-saRNA-HPV01 elicited potent, dose-dependent, E7-specific CD8⁺ T-cell responses in the mouse model. In therapeutic TC-1 models, both 0.1 and 1 µg doses markedly inhibited tumor growth (TGI = 93.0 and 95.7%) and improved survival (p < 0.001), with the 1 µg dose achieving complete regression and 91% survival. Prophylactic vaccination provided 100% protection and cured mice rejected tumor re-challenge, confirming durable E7-specific memory. Mechanistically, vaccination increased intratumoral CD8⁺ infiltration with limited CD4⁺ recruitment, elevated IFN-γ⁺ effector T-cell frequencies (p < 0.001), and reduced PD-1 expression on tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes by 33-55% (p < 0.05), indicating partial reversal of T-cell exhaustion and establishment of a more immunoactive tumor microenvironment.

CONCLUSIONS: JJ-saRNA-HPV01 induces potent antitumor immunity at low doses (0.1-1 μg), by promoting T-cell infiltration, enhancing IFN-γ secretion, and downregulating PD-1 expression. Its dual prophylactic/therapeutic efficacy, dose-sparing advantage, and long-term protection support clinical translation in HPV-associated cancers, particularly in resource-limited settings. Future studies should focus on improving E6 immunogenicity and evaluation in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors.

PMID:42400858 | DOI:10.1007/s00262-026-04411-1

Bull Math Biol. 2026 Jul 4;88(7):134. doi: 10.1007/s11538-026-01690-8.

ABSTRACT

Vaccination programs have helped reduce case numbers and the death toll of COVID-19 significantly over the past few years. The spread and control of COVID-19 have been studied by means of ODE-based compartmental models in a number of studies. However, studies on the different benefits of vaccines, other than blocking infections, remain a paucity. In this study, we developed an ODE-based compartmental model with a separate disease progression path for vaccinated individuals. Key parameters were defined to account for the different facets of vaccine effectiveness: (1) blocking infections; (2) decreasing transmission; (3) expediting recovery; (4) reducing severe morbidity; and (5) preventing disease mortality. Sensitivity analyses and numerical simulations on the reproduction number, number of infections, reduction in peak infections, and cumulative disease-induced deaths provided important insights into the impact of different aspects of vaccine effectiveness on disease control. Specifically, vaccine benefits that reduce disease spread or accelerate recovery have a more substantial impact on the overall population (both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals) than do vaccine benefits that reduce severe infections or death. The latter type of vaccines does not exhibit a considerable impact on the overall epidemic at the population level, but has a major impact only on the vaccinated individuals. In conclusion, infection burden can be reduced drastically with vaccines that have high potential in blocking infections, decreasing infectivity, and expediting recovery.

PMID:42400854 | DOI:10.1007/s11538-026-01690-8

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2026 Jul 4;36(1):272. doi: 10.1007/s00590-026-04863-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Rotator cuff tears are common after traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in patients aged ≥ 40 years, yet evidence on outcomes following open Latarjet with concomitant rotator cuff repair (RCR) remains limited. We compared long-term outcomes after open Latarjet with versus without concomitant RCR.

METHODS: Retrospective comparative cohort study of patients aged ≥ 40 years undergoing primary open Latarjet. Patients were grouped as Latarjet with concomitant repair of a repairable (Goutallier ≤ 2; irreparable tears excluded) full-thickness rotator cuff tear (RCR) versus Latarjet without cuff repair (No-RCR). Outcomes included recurrence, complications and reoperations, pain (VAS), validated functional scores (Rowe, Walch-Duplay, Constant, SSV), return to sport, and radiographic graft position and arthropathy.

RESULTS: Seventy-one patients were included at a mean follow-up of 10.7 ± 5.3 years (No-RCR n = 49; RCR n = 22). Recurrent dislocation occurred in 2/49 (4%) No-RCR and 2/22 (9%) RCR patients, both RCR recurrences progressed to reverse shoulder arthroplasty. Overall complication rates (31% vs. 27%, p = 0.51) and reoperation rates (8% vs. 14%, p = 0.17) were not significantly different. Persistent pain and/or stiffness was more frequent following RCR (59% vs. 17%, p = 0.001) and return to sport was lower (50% vs. 82%, p = 0.037), while functional scores and radiographic arthropathy were otherwise comparable.

CONCLUSION: In patients aged ≥ 40 years, open Latarjet with concomitant repair of a repairable full-thickness cuff tear provides durable stabilization and similar long-term scores to Latarjet alone, but residual pain/stiffness and reduced return to sport are more common after concomitant cuff repair.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III; retrospective comparative study.

PMID:42400821 | DOI:10.1007/s00590-026-04863-2

Clin Rheumatol. 2026 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s10067-026-08281-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Behçet’s disease is a chronic, inflammatory vasculitis affecting multiple systems. In addition to existing laboratory parameters used for the diagnosis and monitoring of Behçet’s disease, new biomarkers are needed to improve diagnostic accuracy. The levels and activity of DNASE1L3, an enzyme that degrades chromatin released into circulation during apoptotic processes and can initiate autoimmune mechanisms, have been associated with autoimmune diseases. This study was designed to determine the levels of DNASE1L3 in patients with Behçet’s disease, assess its relationship with clinical and inflammatory parameters, and evaluate its potential as a diagnostic biomarker.

METHODS: This study included 45 patients diagnosed with Behçet’s disease and 45 age and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum DNASE1L3 levels were measured in both groups using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS: Serum DNASE1L3 levels were significantly lower in patients with Behçet’s disease (7.14 ± 1.81 ng/mL) compared to the healthy control group (15.79 ± 3.14 ng/mL) (p < 0.001). A statistically significant negative correlation was observed between serum DNASE1L3 levels and both CRP (r = – 0.684, p < 0.001) and ESR (r = – 0.524, p < 0.001). According to ROC curve analysis, a serum DNASE1L3 cutoff value of 9.53 ng/mL distinguished patients with Behçet’s disease from healthy individuals with 96% sensitivity and 93% specificity. For this threshold, the positive predictive value was 95% and the negative predictive value was 93% (AUC = 0.983; p < 0.001; positive likelihood ratio, 21.13; negative likelihood ratio, 0.07).

CONCLUSION: The findings of this preliminary study suggest that serum DNASE1L3 may represent a promising candidate biomarker for Behçet’s disease. However, further validation in larger, independent cohorts is required before its potential clinical utility can be established. Key Points • Serum DNASE1L3 levels are significantly lower in patients with Behçet’s disease compared to healthy individuals. • DNASE1L3 levels show a strong negative correlation with acute phase reactants, including CRP and ESR. • Low DNASE1L3 levels may reflect impaired extracellular DNA clearance and contribute to the inflammatory process in Behçet’s disease. • Serum DNASE1L3 levels show potential as an exploratory biomarker for the clinical evaluation of Behçet’s disease, providing a basis for further validation in larger clinical cohorts.

PMID:42400811 | DOI:10.1007/s10067-026-08281-x

Mol Cell Biochem. 2026 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s11010-026-05631-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

While the epidemiological association between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and stroke is well-established, the shared genetic architecture underlying these diseases remains unclear. This study utilized genome-wide association studies (GWAS) summary statistics to explore genetic overlaps between IBD and stroke subtypes. Mendelian randomization (MR) was applied to assess potential causal relationships. Cross-trait meta-analysis identified shared loci, followed by colocalization testing to pinpoint causal variants. Furthermore, functional prediction analysis of variants and verification through in vitro experiments. Finally, use mediation MR to explore potential mechanisms in multiple dimensions. We identified eight pairs with potential genetic correlations, with common genetic variants contributing more on ulcerative colitis (UC) and multiple stroke subtypes than Crohn’s disease (CD). Among them, there is a potential causal relationship between IBD/UC and large arterial atherosclerotic stroke (LAS), which is consistent with previous epidemiological statistics. In addition, one locus (rs7522794) was initially identified through cross-trait analysis, and colocalization pointed out that the variant rs7522794 on the FCGR2A promoter was the culprit of the comorbid phenotype. The rs7522794-T allele predicted to be more prone to bind SPI1, thereby increasing FCGR2A expression and susceptibility to stroke in IBD patients. Finally, evidence suggests that gut microbes, blood metabolites, and immune cells may play a crucial regulatory role in the shared pathophysiology of IBD/UC and LAS. The study highlights the shared genetics architecture that exists between IBD and stroke, and demonstrates two different (FCGR2A-mediated immune pathways and other indirect regulation) but complementary verification mechanisms, providing new insights into IBD-stroke comorbidities.

PMID:42400809 | DOI:10.1007/s11010-026-05631-w

Ir J Med Sci. 2026 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s11845-026-04532-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a major cause of pain and functional limitation, and conventional physiotherapy is widely used in its management. Although kinesiotaping (KT) is commonly applied as an adjunct intervention, its additional effectiveness remains unclear.

AIMS: This study investigated the additional effects of kinesiotaping combined with conventional physiotherapy on pain, functional status, and kinesiophobia in individuals with unilateral KOA.

METHODS: Forty-four participants with unilateral KOA were randomly assigned to either a conventional physiotherapy (CP) group or a kinesiotaping (KT) group. Both groups received a 4-week rehabilitation program including ultrasound, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, patellofemoral mobilization, and exercise therapy. Kinesiotaping was additionally applied every 3 days in the KT group. Outcome measures included pain intensity (VAS), kinesiophobia (TSK), fear-avoidance beliefs (FABQ), functional performance (30-s sit-to-stand and stair climb tests), dynamic balance (Functional Reach Test), and WOMAC scores. Statistical analyses included non-parametric tests and ANCOVA adjusted for baseline values.

RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in all outcome measures after treatment (p < 0.05). Change-score analyses indicated greater improvements in kinesiophobia, fear-avoidance beliefs, and stair-climbing performance in the KT group. However, baseline-adjusted ANCOVA showed no significant between-group differences in pain, WOMAC scores, sit-to-stand performance, or dynamic balance (p > 0.05). Significant differences in kinesiophobia, fear-avoidance beliefs, and stair-climbing performance favored the CP group (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Both interventions improved clinical outcomes in individuals with KOA. However, baseline-adjusted analyses indicated that kinesiotaping did not provide additional benefit beyond conventional physiotherapy.

PMID:42400805 | DOI:10.1007/s11845-026-04532-7

Methods Mol Biol. 2026;3024:101-107. doi: 10.1007/978-1-0716-5202-2_10.

ABSTRACT

Chimeric RNA molecules-formed from nucleotide sequences of multiple genes-can arise through chromosomal rearrangements, transcriptional read-through events, or trans-splicing between distinct transcripts. These chimeric RNAs have been shown to play functional roles in both disease states and normal physiological processes, underscoring their biological relevance. Despite this, there are currently a limited number of tools available that aim to quantify chimeric RNA expression. Here, we introduce a metric called the Relative Index of Chimeric Expression (RICE), which assesses the expression of chimeric transcripts relative to their corresponding wild-type parental transcript, and we describe an easy-to-use bioinformatic tool called FusionBlaster for calculating RICE values from RNA sequencing data. After following this guide, users can apply the FusionBlaster pipeline to perform differential RICE analysis on their own RNA sequencing data by applying the appropriate statistical methods.

PMID:42400792 | DOI:10.1007/978-1-0716-5202-2_10

Clin Transl Oncol. 2026 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s12094-026-04494-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The fusion mutation occurring in the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) gene is one of the most important driver mutations detected in the adenocarcinoma subtype of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In first-line treatment, second- and third-generation ALK inhibitors are recommended at the category 1 evidence. Data on the choice of sequential ALK inhibitor use are limited. This study aimed to evaluate real-life data of second-line treatments after potent ALK inhibitors.

METHODS: Patients who received a second- or third-generation ALK inhibitor in the first-line treatment of metastatic ALK-positive NSCLC and received any subsequent treatment in the second line were included in the study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were collected retrospectively. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Response rates and safety data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: 98 patients were included in the study. In the first-line treatment, 88.8% (n = 87) of the patients received alectinib, 5.1% (n = 5) brigatinib, 4.1% (n = 4) ceritinib, and 2% (n = 2) lorlatinib. 38.8% (n = 38) of the patients received chemotherapy before ALK inhibitor. The most common second-line treatment was lorlatinib with 74.5% (n = 73). 17.3% (n = 17) patients received chemotherapy, 5.1% (n = 5) patients received brigatinib, one patient each (1%) received alectinib, ceritinib and pembrolizumab. At a median follow-up of 12.2 months, the estimated median OS was 7.3 months (95% CI, 1.9-12.7) and the median PFS was 4.6 months (95% CI, 2.6-6.6). Median OS was 11.6 months (95% CI, 6.5-16.8) in patients receiving ALK inhibitors in second-line treatment and 4 months (95% CI, 2.7-5.3) in patients receiving chemotherapy (p = 0.001). The median PFS in these groups was 5.9 months (95% CI, 4.4-7.5) and 2.5 months (95% CI, 1.2-3.8), respectively (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of second-line ALK inhibitors is limited in patients receiving potent treatments such as second- and third-generation ALK inhibitors. These findings highlight the limited efficacy of currently available second-line treatment options after failure of potent ALK inhibitors and underscore the need for improved treatment strategies in this setting. Lorlatinib is the most important treatment option in second line, and our results are consistent with real-life data.

PMID:42400766 | DOI:10.1007/s12094-026-04494-3

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2026 Jul 4. doi: 10.1007/s11356-026-37991-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Microplastic contamination in bottled drinking water is an emerging environmental and public health concern, particularly when bottles are exposed to varying storage and thermal conditions. This study introduces FMIND (fuzzy microplastic inference for detection risk), an IoT-enabled fuzzy inference framework for rapid and low-cost microplastic contamination risk assessment. Bottled water stored in PET and stainless-steel containers under sunlight, shade, and freezer conditions was evaluated using IoT sensors measuring temperature, turbidity, and total dissolved solids (TDS) before and after 30 days of storage. Statistical analysis revealed strong correlations between sensor variations and contamination-related physicochemical indicators, including turbidity (r = 0.861), TDS (r = 0.793), and temperature (r = 0.565) (p < 0.001). The FMIND fuzzy model applied 12 Sugeno rules to generate a contamination risk score (0-100), while the HFIRM-GT enhanced configuration improved classification consistency within the experimental dataset, achieving an F1 score of 0.91. Laboratory validation using FTIR spectroscopy, SEM imaging, and EDAX elemental analysis on selected high-risk samples supported the presence of polymer-associated microplastic fragments in sunlight-exposed PET bottles. The proposed framework does not directly quantify microplastics through IoT sensors; instead, it estimates contamination risk using indirect physicochemical indicators supported by laboratory validation. FMIND integrates IoT sensing, fuzzy reasoning, and chemical validation into a unified and interpretable framework for periodic bottled water contamination risk assessment. The reported predictive performance reflects evaluation within a limited experimental dataset and should be interpreted as preliminary proof-of-concept validation rather than generalized field-scale performance. The system provides a scalable and cost-effective approach that supports Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

PMID:42400762 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-026-37991-7