Category: Nevin Manimala

Environ Geochem Health. 2026 Jan 24;48(3):113. doi: 10.1007/s10653-026-02998-z.

ABSTRACT

This study assesses the spatial variation, sources, and environmental and ecological risks of heavy metal and metalloid pollution in the surface soil of the Singrauli coal mine area, Madhya Pradesh, India. It analyses the intensity of pollution through the major pollution indices. Composite soil samples were collected from 14 sampling locations using the quartering method. Collected samples were digested and analysed for 14 elements by using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The concentration of these elements is used to compute 7 pollution Indices to determine the severity of pollution in the study area. Multivariate statistical analysis was conducted to identify the sources and processes contributing to metal pollution in the study area. The abundance of elements followed the order: Fe > Al > Mn >Ba > Zn > Cr > Cu > Ni > Pb > Co > B > As > Ag > Cd. The concentration of Cd (0.43 ± 0.18 mg/kg), Pb (15.73 ± 10.48 mg/kg), and Zn (83.00 ± 53.55 mg/kg) exceeded the mean USEPA recommended concentration for soil. The geo-accumulation Index showed a positive value for Pb (I_geo = 1.52). The enrichment factor showed a high enrichment for Mn, Cu, As, and Cd. Mean Contamination Factor values ranged between 0.03 (Ag) and 4.77 (Cd). Nemerow pollution index (NPI) values ranged from 1.08 to 5.67, suggesting slight to heavy pollution. The enrichment factor for Cd fell in a very high-risk zone (Er > 120). The potential risk index (PERI) across sites ranged from 47.46 to 275.07, suggesting a low to moderate ecological risk. Mean ERM quotient (MERMQ) values indicated the potential soil toxicity in the study area. The global implications of studying heavy metal pollution in soil, especially around coal mining areas, are widespread and impact various aspects of the environment, viz., sustainability, scientific research, agricultural productivity, human health and socio-economic development worldwide. This issue is recognised globally as a significant environmental problem that requires urgent global attention.

PMID:41579234 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-026-02998-z

Curr Oncol Rep. 2026 Jan 24;28(1):2. doi: 10.1007/s11912-026-01738-x.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cancer is the leading cause of mortality among incarcerated individuals in the United States, with lung cancer being the most prevalent. This review aims to evaluate current data on lung cancer within carceral settings and to describe disparities between incarcerated and non-incarcerated populations. We conducted a narrative review of published papers and studies addressing lung cancer screening, prevalence, mortality, and treatment in correctional facilities.

FINDINGS: While the literature is limited, existing studies indicate that lung cancer has a higher prevalence, is diagnosed at more advanced stages, and carries a higher mortality among incarcerated individuals compared to non-incarcerated individuals. Although lung cancer screening is recommended based on eligibility criteria for the general population, there is a paucity of data on how screening is implemented in carceral settings, and the existing studies suggest that even eligible individuals with significant smoking history often do not undergo lung cancer screening. Furthermore, the literature provides minimal insight into lung cancer treatment for incarcerated patients. This review underscores the urgent need for expansion of lung cancer screening efforts and further studies on lung cancer diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes among incarcerated populations.

PMID:41579227 | DOI:10.1007/s11912-026-01738-x

Biochem Genet. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1007/s10528-026-11322-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lindemuthianum affects and decreases its yield substantially. Fifty Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers were used to analyze the genetic and genotypic variation among 36 C. lindemuthianum isolates. Among the 50 SSRs, 24 were polymorphic and amplified 66 alleles. Most of the SSRs had polymorphic information content (PIC) values > 0.30, indicating their strong discriminative competence. Distance based dendrogram analysis and population structure analysis divided 36 C. lindemuthianum isolates into three clusters. Analysis of molecular variance at spatiotemporal levels showed high genetic variation among the populations. The six C. lindemuthianum subpopulations had high Shannon-Wiener indices. The multilocus genotype and genetic diversity indices show that C. lindemuthianum populations in Kashmir are diverse. The three geographic subpopulations of C. lindemuthianum rejected the null hypothesis of linkage equilibrium (p = 0.001). Before this study, all PCR based genetic diversity studies on C. lindemuthianum relied on dominant markers. This study is the first to identify 24 robust SSRs, which can be utilized to elucidate the population structure of the common bean anthracnose pathogen.

PMID:41579225 | DOI:10.1007/s10528-026-11322-4

Brain Topogr. 2026 Jan 24;39(2):19. doi: 10.1007/s10548-026-01174-x.

ABSTRACT

Cigarette smoking is known to be associated with altered static functional connectivity in the brain. However, investigating its dynamics may offer novel and insightful perspectives for elucidating the neural mechanisms underlying smoking addiction. The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of dynamic functional network connectivity in heavy smokers. This study is a secondary analysis of a previously acquired dataset, leveraging novel dynamic functional network connectivity methodologies to investigate distinct research questions. Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from 34 heavy smokers and 36 non-smokers. Forty-two meaningful independent components were selected after the group independent component analysis. Four distinct brain states were identified based on a sliding window approach and k-means clustering analysis. The temporal properties of these states were compared between the two groups, and correlations between these differences and smoking-related factors were examined in heavy smokers. Compared with non-smokers, heavy smokers exhibited a lower occurrence rate and mean dwell time in state 2 characterized by synchrony within the default mode network and anticorrelation with other domains, and a reduced mean dwell time in state 3 marked by high connectivity within the sensory domains. Network-based statistics revealed that cognitive control and cerebellar domains played important roles in the altered subnetworks. In heavy smokers, the occurrence rate showed negative relationships with the duration of smoking in state 2. These findings advance our understanding of the temporal and network-level dysfunctions associated with smoking addiction, offering a new framework for future studies aimed at developing targeted treatments and preventive strategies.

PMID:41579218 | DOI:10.1007/s10548-026-01174-x

Int Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 24;46(1):69. doi: 10.1007/s10792-026-03972-5.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the quantitative changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness (CT), retinal thickness, and choroidal vascularity index (CVI) following upper eyelid blepharoplasty in patients with dermatochalasis, using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

METHODS: This retrospective study included 78 eyes of 78 patients (mean age: 57.9 ± 8.7 years) who underwent upper eyelid blepharoplasty between May 2024 and May 2025. Only right eyes with high-quality SD-OCT images obtained both preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively were included. Retinal thickness was assessed in 9 ETDRS subfields. Subfoveal CT and CVI were measured using horizontal B-scan images. CVI was calculated based on the binarization method described by Agrawal et al., using ImageJ software. Pre- and postoperative values were compared using paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests depending on normality.

RESULTS: Subfoveal CT significantly increased after surgery (287.22 ± 39.67 µm to 294.23 ± 39.74 µm; p = 0.030). A marked increase in CVI was also observed (61.48 ± 9.13% to 63.63 ± 9.13%; p < 0.001). No significant differences were detected in most retinal segments, except for the inferior inner (p = 0.016) and inferior outer (p = 0.002) regions, which showed statistically significant thickening postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS: Upper eyelid blepharoplasty is associated with measurable structural changes in the posterior segment, including increased subfoveal CT and CVI, as well as regional thickening of the inferior retina. These findings suggest that blepharoplasty may influence choroidal hemodynamics and retinal adaptation beyond its functional and cosmetic benefits.

PMID:41579214 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-026-03972-5

Neurol Sci. 2026 Jan 24;47(2):193. doi: 10.1007/s10072-025-08641-6.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and a leading cause of disability in young adults. Traditional measures of MS-related disability primarily rely on objective clinical evaluations, often neglecting patients’ subjective experiences, which are affected by physical, cognitive, and emotional factors. This study aimed to validate the Italian Perceived Disability Scale (IPDS), a 20-item self-report tool designed to assess perceived disability across physical, psychological, and social domains.

METHODS: A cohort of 100 individuals with MS underwent the IPDS and a comprehensive clinical and neuropsychological assessment, including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Hamilton Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales (HAM-D and HAM-A), and the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRB-N).

RESULTS: Factor analysis confirmed the five-factor structure of the IPDS, accounting for 75% of the total variance, with excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.90). The IPDS total score showed significant correlations with EDSS (r = 0.43, p < 0.001), FSS (r = 0.61, p < 0.001), HAM-A (r = 0.41, p < 0.001), and HAM-D (r = 0.48, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings validate the IPDS as a reliable and valuable tool for assessing perceived disability in MS. By capturing patients’subjective experiences, the IPDS offers valuable insights for personalized care and supports the integration of patient-reported outcomes into routine clinical practice. Future research should investigate its sensitivity to longitudinal changes and its applicability across diverse MS populations.

PMID:41579207 | DOI:10.1007/s10072-025-08641-6

Eur J Nutr. 2026 Jan 24;65(1):35. doi: 10.1007/s00394-025-03883-8.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41579201 | DOI:10.1007/s00394-025-03883-8

Int Urogynecol J. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1007/s00192-026-06517-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Strengthening the diaphragm muscle, the roof of the pelvic floor muscles (PFMs), may be a potential complementary approach in women suffering from stress urinary incontinence (SUI). This pilot randomized controlled study was aimed at investigating the effects of home-based telerehabilitation-assisted high-intensity inspiratory muscle training (IMT) on PFM function and urinary symptoms in women with SUI.

METHODS: Twenty-two women aged 25-50 years with SUI were randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n = 11) or the control group (n = 11). Inspiratory muscle strength (maximal inspiratory pressure [MIP]), PFM function (assessed via pressure biofeedback), and urinary symptoms (evaluated using the Urogenital Distress Inventory Short Form, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, and the Incontinence Severity Index) were evaluated. Participants performed IMT twice daily, 7 days a week, over 8 weeks. The intervention group underwent IMT at 60% of their baseline MIP, whereas the control group performed a sham-IMT.

RESULTS: Function of the PFMs showed significant improvement in the intervention group compared with the control group, as demonstrated by increases in peak maximum voluntary contraction (p = 0.024, η2 effect size = 0.24), average maximum voluntary contraction (p = 0.027, η2 effect size = 0.23), and PFM endurance (p = 0.006, η2 effect size = 0.36). Additionally, the intervention group showed a significant increase in MIP (p = 0.018, η2 effect size = 0.26) compared with the control group. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in urinary symptom scores (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study demonstrates that home-based high-intensity IMT may enhance inspiratory muscle strength and potentially contribute to improved PFM function in women with SUI.

PMID:41579192 | DOI:10.1007/s00192-026-06517-7

Int Urogynecol J. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1007/s00192-025-06510-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition among aging women, whereas rectal prolapse (RP) is uncommon. The change of anatomy and vector of downward force after surgical repair of POP may be a risk factor for RP. The objective of this study is to examine the occurrence of RP after surgical repair of POP and associated clinical factors.

METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed from 2013 to 2024 for women who had undergone surgery for POP at a single institution. Demographic variables were analyzed. Correct diagnoses were validated, and clinical courses were extracted. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed.

RESULTS: A total of 2381 surgeries for POP were performed (2150 reconstructive, 231 obliterative). Seven patients developed RP, 0.14% of patients who had undergone reconstructive surgery, and 1.7% in whom obliterative vaginal surgery had been performed. In univariate analysis, the odds of a patient being diagnosed with RP after reconstructive repair were 12 times lower than after an obliterative repair (OR 0.08, CI 0.012-0.48, p < 0.05). After adjusting for age, parity, and BMI, patients who had undergone obliterative surgical repair still showed higher odds of developing RP than those who had undergone reconstructive repair, although this finding did not reach statistical significance (OR 6.15, 95% CI 0.76-44.84, p = 0.09).

CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory description of the finding of RP in patients who had undergone surgical repair of POP generates the hypothesis that there is a higher likelihood of the developing RP in patients who undergo obliterative vaginal repairs than in those who undergo reconstructive vaginal repairs. Further research is needed to elucidate this relationship.

PMID:41579187 | DOI:10.1007/s00192-025-06510-6

Eur Radiol. 2026 Jan 24. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-12286-6. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41579180 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-12286-6