Category: Nevin Manimala

BMC Nephrol. 2025 Feb 25;26(1):99. doi: 10.1186/s12882-025-04008-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUNDS: Patients with End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) receiving Hemodialysis (HD) face significant psychosocial and physical challenges. Improving their resilience by integrating protective factors is important for effectively managing the difficulties associated with the disease and its treatment. This study intended to identify factors associated with resilience among patients with ESKD receiving HD.

METHODS: A cross-sectional analytical study was done among 143 patients with ESKD receiving HD in a Tertiary Hospital “A” in Nepal. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used to select samples. Data were collected following ethical approval through face-to-face interviews. A Nepali version of socio-demographic and clinical characteristics-related questions and five standardized and structured instruments were used to measure resilience, family support, illness cognition, self-efficacy, and self-esteem. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics (i.e., correlation and multiple linear regression) using the Statistical Package for Social Science Software version 16.

RESULTS: The respondents had intermediate (49.0%), low (27.3%), and high (23.7%) levels of resilience. Illness cognition, self-efficacy, and self-esteem had statistically significant positive associations with resilience. However, age was negatively associated with resilience. These associated variables account for 64.0% of the variance in resilience (Adjusted R² = 0.64).

CONCLUSIONS: The highest proportion of patients with ESKD receiving HD had an intermediate level of resilience. Factors such as illness cognition, self-efficacy, and self-esteem play an important role in enhancing resilience while advancing age appears to diminish it. Therefore, focusing on enhancing illness cognition, self-efficacy, and self-esteem with special care on older patients may be an effective strategy for improving resilience in patients with ESKD receiving HD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

PMID:40001022 | DOI:10.1186/s12882-025-04008-3

BMC Public Health. 2025 Feb 25;25(1):774. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-22009-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to determine the factors related to women’s exposure to emotional violence by their spouses/partners in the 12 months prior to the survey, according to their place of residence (rural, urban) in Türkiye.

METHODS: Binary logistic regression analysis was utilized to determine the factors associated with women’s exposure to emotional violence from their spouses/partners. The independent variables of the study were those used in the National Research on Domestic Violence against Women in Türkiye (2014). A total of 6,458 women-4,404 from urban areas and 2,054 from rural areas-were included in the analysis.

RESULTS: The findings obtained from the analyses indicated that women’s exposure to emotional violence was associated with various factors such as age, educational level, marital status, and women’s higher income contribution to the household. It was also found that afraid of spouse/partner, controlling behavior of spouse/partner, and other variables related to spouse/partner were associated with women’s exposure to emotional violence. In rural, a woman with a higher income contribution to the household is less likely to be exposed to emotional IPV. A woman with no formal education, a primary and secondary school graduate spouse/partner is less likely to be exposed to emotional IPV than a woman with a high school graduate spouse/partner. The likelihood of a woman with a spouse/partner using drugs to be exposed to emotional IPV is lower than a non-user.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study are important in that they can be a source of information for policies and programs to prevent IPV against women. This study can also be a significant guide in determining priority areas for the resolution of emotional IPV against women. The study suggests developing proper strategies for reducing emotional violence, such as training and programs to help women pursue non-violent pathways in their relationships. It recommends expanding interventions to empower women economically that help prevent violence.

PMID:40001017 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-22009-7

Int Orthod. 2025 Feb 24;23(3):100992. doi: 10.1016/j.ortho.2025.100992. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the performance of OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4 and Microsoft Copilot in providing information on 3D-printed orthodontic appliances, with a focus on the accuracy, completeness of the content, and response generation time.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study proceeded in five stages. Initially, three orthodontists created a total of 125 questions concerning 3D printed orthodontic appliances of which 105 questions were finalized to be incorporated into the study by a panel of senior orthodontists. These questions were subsequently organized into 15 distinct domains. Both chatbots were presented with the questions under consistent conditions, using the same laptop and internet setup. A stopwatch was used to record response times. The responses were anonymized and evaluated by seven orthodontists with extensive experience, who scored accuracy and completeness based on standardized tools. Through discussion, evaluators reached a consensus on each score, ensuring reliability.

RESULTS: Spearman’s correlation revealed a moderate to strong negative correlation between accuracy and completeness for both chatbots (p≤0.001). The negative correlation observed between accuracy and completeness scores, particularly prominent in Copilot, indicates a trade-off between these qualities in some responses. Mann-Whitney U tests confirmed significant differences in accuracy and completeness between the chatbots (p≤0.001), though response time differences were not statistically significant (p=0.204). Cohen’s Kappa results implied little to no consistency between the two models on the assessed parameters (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION: ChatGPT-4 outperformed Microsoft Copilot in accuracy and completeness, providing more precise and comprehensive information on 3D-printed orthodontic appliances demonstrating a greater ability to handle complex, and detailed requests in this area.

PMID:39999543 | DOI:10.1016/j.ortho.2025.100992

J Hum Evol. 2025 Feb 24;201:103650. doi: 10.1016/j.jhevol.2025.103650. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Miocene apes represent snapshots in time of key transitions in hominoid evolution. While all extant apes are adapted to orthograde posture and suspensory behavior, many Miocene apes demonstrate evidence for pronogrady and habitual arboreal quadrupedalism or present ‘mosaic’ morphologies suggestive of locomotion and posture unlike any extant catarrhine. Here, we use three-dimensional geometric morphometrics to study penultimate lumbar vertebrae of extant anthropoids and those of three well-preserved Miocene apes: Ekembo nyanzae (KNM-MW 13142), Morotopithecus bishopi (UMP 67-28), and Pierolapithecus catalaunicus (IPS 21350-64), which have been interpreted as a pronograde arboreal quadruped, an orthograde suspensory or vertical climbing ape, and an orthograde vertical climber that was not adapted to suspensory behavior, respectively. Our results show that E. nyanzae shares three-dimensional shape space with terrestrial papionins, whereas M. bishopi and P. catalaunicus fall within overlapping morphospace shared by Ateles and hylobatids. Morotopithecus bishopi and P. catalaunicus share with hylobatids and brachiating atelids (Ateles and Brachyteles) well-established features such as dorsal lumbar transverse (costal) processes and a newly identified feature in this study, the presence of a convex pillar along the pars interarticularis that forms the lateral borders of the laminae. The latter feature is also shared with E. nyanzae. Together with their large body size estimates, we interpret these results to indicate that E. nyanzae was primarily a pronograde quadruped that may have been semiterrestrial rather than strictly arboreal, while M. bishopi and P. catalaunicus were adapted to both orthogrady and forelimb-dominated climbing and suspension.

PMID:39999514 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhevol.2025.103650

J Surg Res. 2025 Feb 24;307:93-99. doi: 10.1016/j.jss.2025.01.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic limited many patients to an unhealthy, sedentary lifestyle, with literature specifically demonstrating an increasing trend of obesity in pediatric patients. The goal of this study is to assess the relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and total number of laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed pre-COVID compared to during COVID.

METHODS: Data between 2017 and 2021 were collected from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program on patients ≤18 ys who underwent elective or urgent cholecystectomies. Data was categorized as pre-COVID (2017-2018) or during COVID (2020-2021). Analysis subcategories included case acuity (elective versus urgent versus emergent), wound classification, race, weight, and complications.

RESULTS: There were 13,579 pediatric laparoscopic cholecystectomies from 2017 to 2021. The COVID group had 7605 (56.0%) cases, and pre-COVID group 5974 (44.0%). The COVID group had significantly greater average weight and body mass index (BMI) than pre-COVID group (P < 0.001). Increased BMI was associated with increased case acuity and complication rates. Minorities including African Americans and Native American/Pacific Islanders had an increase in number of cholecystectomies performed during COVID. Undergoing a cholecystectomy during COVID was more likely to be classified as urgent or emergent than pre-COVID (P < 0.0001). The COVID group overall had less favorable surgical wound classification as more were classified as class III or class IV cases.

CONCLUSIONS: There were increases in weight/BMI, case severity, and total laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed during COVID-19. A statistically significant difference in average weight may suggest a relationship between isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic and rates of cholecystectomy. Future research is encouraged to identify contributing factors in these trends.

PMID:39999510 | DOI:10.1016/j.jss.2025.01.008

Biomed Phys Eng Express. 2025 Feb 25. doi: 10.1088/2057-1976/adb9ed. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Computed Tomography (CT) is often required in special circumstances during pregnancy to determine internal medicine, specifically when information from other imaging techniques, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), is still inadequate. In CT-Chest, abdomen, and pelvis (CAP) examination, direct irradiation of the fetal is necessary, indicating that the potential for fetal exposure must be considered. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of current modulation on image quality and fetal absorbed dose in pregnant patients. Calculation using IndoseCT and film dosimeters were used with a 3D-printed anthropomorphic pregnant phantom thorax-abdomen-pelvic during the first and third trimesters of pregnancy. Image quality analysis and image noise were then measured by IndoseCT, while fetal dose analysis was performed using IndoseCT software, as well as through direct measurements with an XR-QA2 film dosimeter. Statistical tests were performed to compare the data obtained using both methods. The results showed that the use of current modulation increased the image noise. The fetal dose can be significantly reduced by adjusting the tube current and patient diameter without affecting image quality in the first and third trimesters. It was also revealed that the smallest diameter received the largest dose in both trimesters for nonmodulation. Although there were differences in the dose values obtained from the IndoseCT and measurements, the data patterns were not significantly different. Furthermore, based on these results, the dosage value was below the tolerance threshold for deterministic effects (i.e., <50 mGy).

PMID:39999476 | DOI:10.1088/2057-1976/adb9ed

J Phys Chem B. 2025 Feb 25. doi: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c06069. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Diffusion at the molecular level involves random collisions between particles, the structure of local microscopic environments, and interactions among the molecules involved. Sampling all of these aspects, along with correcting for finite-size effects, can make the calculation of infinitely dilute diffusion coefficients computationally difficult. We present a new approach for estimating the translational diffusion coefficient of biomolecular structures by encapsulating these driving forces of diffusion through piecewise assembly of the component residues of the protein structure. By linking the local chemistry of a solvent-exposed patch of a molecule to its contribution to the overall hydrodynamic radius, an accurate prediction of the computationally and experimentally comparable diffusion coefficients can be constructed following a solvent-excluded surface area calculation. We demonstrate that the resulting predictions for diffusion coefficients from peptides through to protein structures are comparable to explicit molecular simulations and improve on statistical mass-based predictions, which tend to rely on limited training data. As this approach uses the chemical identity of molecular structures, we find that it is able to predict and identify differences in diffusivity for structures that would be indistinguishable by mass information alone.

PMID:39999471 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jpcb.4c06069

Health Rep. 2025 Feb 19;36(2):15-28. doi: 10.25318/82-003-x202500200002-eng.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of Canadians living with obesity has increased over the past four decades. Disease and mortality risk increase as the number of years lived with obesity increases.

METHODS: This study used self-reported weight history and health data collected from 2007 to 2011 via the Canadian Health Measures Survey (n = 5,761) to examine whether increased exposure to obesity during adulthood increases the odds of having poor health outcomes.

RESULTS: The percentage of respondents with an obesity-related chronic condition was lower among those who did not have obesity at the time of survey or report having obesity in the past (50.6%) compared with those who did not have obesity at the time of the survey but did in the past (65.9%) or who had obesity at the time of the survey and in the past (71.1%). Relative to never having obesity, having obesity in the past but not at present or having obesity in the past and at present were associated with increased odds of having a range of chronic conditions. The highest odds were observed for type 2 diabetes (odd ratio (OR) = 3.26, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.40 to 4.43 and OR = 5.36, 95% CI: 3.88 to 7.41), hypertension (OR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.69 to 3.44 and OR = 3.76, 95% CI: 2.84 to 4.97), and poor or fair self-rated general health (OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.51 to 2.76 and OR = 2.68, 95% CI: 2.11 to 3.40).

INTERPRETATION: Having had obesity in the past, regardless of current obesity status, was associated with increased odds of poor health outcomes. Obesity history information should be considered when estimating the population burden of obesity.

PMID:39999465 | DOI:10.25318/82-003-x202500200002-eng

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2025 Feb 25:tpmd240630. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0630. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We assessed the effect of active follow-ups on viral load (VL) suppression among people living with HIV (PLWH) who had missed their clinic visit(s) and were receiving intensive adherence counseling (IAC) at a large referral hospital in mid-western Uganda. We designed a quasi-experimental study, using a locator map (a local map showing residence) as an external factor (instrumental variable) that influenced active follow-up. We performed instrumental variable analysis. Of the 165 participants included, 24.8% had a client locator map, and possessing a map was associated with active follow-up (F-statistics 53.1; P <0.0001). Active follow-up did not significantly improve VL suppression at varying cutoffs, namely <1,000 copies/ml (P = 0.607), less than 200 copies/ml (P = 0.684), and less than 50 copies/ml (P = 0.435). Although active follow-up did not significantly improve VL suppression among PLWH on IAC, it showed a modest trend toward improvement. Large, randomized trials are needed.

PMID:39999462 | DOI:10.4269/ajtmh.24-0630

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2025 Feb 25:tpmd240390. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.24-0390. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This prospective study was done to compare the initial presentation and treatment outcomes of tuberculosis among adult patients who have diabetes mellitus with those without diabetes mellitus. In this study, all adult patients (age 18 years old or older) with microbiologically confirmed drug-sensitive pulmonary tuberculosis who were put on treatment in Ballabgarh block in Haryana were enrolled. Information on clinical, radiological, and microbiological parameters at baseline was obtained by interview or record review. Symptom score was calculated by assigning one point for each symptom from zero to seven. Patients were followed for 6 months from the start of treatment to assess treatment outcomes. Data were analyzed using the χ2 or Fisher exact test. Logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with death or unfavorable outcomes. In total, 412 patients were included in the study, of which 17.5% had diabetes mellitus. The mean symptom scores among those with and without diabetes were 3.7 (SD 1.3) and 3.6 (SD 1.4), respectively. Treatment success was achieved in 83.6% of patients with diabetes and 86.4% of patients without diabetes. Death was observed in 12.3% of patients with diabetes compared with 7.1% of patients without diabetes. There was no significant difference in clinical presentation, radiology, or sputum smear grade at baseline between patients with or without diabetes. Although treatment success rate was less and death rate was higher in patients with tuberculosis who had diabetes compared with those who did not have diabetes, the difference was not statistically significant.

PMID:39999456 | DOI:10.4269/ajtmh.24-0390