Category: Nevin Manimala

PLoS One. 2026 Feb 24;21(2):e0342985. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0342985. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat, mainly linked to inappropriate use and prescription of antibiotics, Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programs have proved to promote responsible antibiotic use and decrease the burden of AMR. The aim of this study is to benchmark antibiotic prescribing patterns and evaluate stewardship practices using the World Health Organization (WHO) Point Prevalence Survey (PPS) methodology in a tertiary care public sector hospital in Karachi.

METHOD: A cross-sectional, prospective PPS was conducted over four weeks in July 2024 at Dow University Hospital, Karachi. The data were extracted from the medical records of the patients using a validated WHO PPS tool by a trained infectious disease physician and pharmacist. All inpatients admitted before or at 8:00 a.m. on survey day, without a planned discharge were included, excluding those from emergency, acute care, day-care surgery, dialysis, and oncology units. Descriptive analysis of the data was performed using Stata version 14.

RESULTS: Out of 224 hospitalized patients at the day of survey, 186 inpatients (adults and children across medical, surgical and critical care wards) were included in the study meeting the inclusion criteria. The study included 50.5% male and 49.5% females, having mean age of 45 (±18) years. The point prevalence of antibiotic use was 83.3% (95% CI: 77.5-88.2%). Community-acquired infections 55.5% (95% CI: 48.7-62.1%) were the most common indication of use. Most antibiotics 99.2%, (95% CI: 95.6-99.9%) were prescribed empirically, with predominant parenteral administration 89.2% (95% CI: 84.5-92.9%) and limited Intravenous-to-oral switch 2.9% (95% CI: 1.3-6.2%). Ceftriaxone (18.5%), piperacillin-tazobactam (18.1%), and meropenem (16.2%) were most frequently used antibiotics. According to WHO Access, Watch and Reserve (AWaRe) classification, 80.8% (95% CI: 75.2-85.6%) of antibiotics belonged to the ‘Watch’ category, 17.3% (95% CI: 12.6-23.2%) to ‘Access’, and 1.8% (95% CI: 0.7-4.6%) to ‘Reserve’. Cultures showed no growth in 64.8% (95% CI: 55.2-73.6%) of cases. Stewardship interventions were found applicable in 55.4% (95% CI: 48.7-62.0%) of prescriptions due to overuse, dosing errors, and absence of antimicrobial guideline in the hospitals.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that antibiotic utilization exceeded global averages, highlighting the urgent need to develop institutional antimicrobial guidelines, enhance stewardship programs, and improve diagnostic stewardship to curb AMR.

PMID:41734200 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0342985

PLoS One. 2026 Feb 24;21(2):e0343525. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0343525. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

Treatment-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN) represent a severe complication of cancer therapy, characterized by poor prognosis and limited treatment options. This study presents a preliminary, exploratory bioinformatic analysis aimed at characterizing the expression landscape and potential regulatory roles of pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) in a murine model of t-MN. Utilizing RNA-seq data (GEO: GSE135866), differential expression analysis identified 1286 DEGs. Cross-referencing 367 curated mouse PRGs revealed 46 pyroptosis-related DEGs (PRDEGs). Functional enrichment analysis (GO, KEGG) showed these PRDEGs are significantly involved in autophagy, inflammatory regulation, apoptosis, NOD-like receptor signaling, and the AMPK pathway. GSEA associated the broader gene set with PI3K-Akt and Notch signaling. Protein-protein interaction network analysis identified five critical hub genes: Trp53, Mtor, Gpx3, Foxo3, and Cybb. ROC curve analysis confirmed these hub genes exhibit significant differential expression and high diagnostic accuracy (AUC > 0.9) in distinguishing t-MN from controls. Furthermore, immunoinfiltration analysis (CIBERSORT) revealed significant differences in immune cell composition between t-MN and control samples and identified notable correlations between hub gene expression and specific immune cell abundances. Importantly, given the limited sample size and the use of murine bone marrow data, the statistical findings should be interpreted strictly at the exploratory and hypothesis-generating level. This study does not support definitive biological conclusions or causal inferences but rather aims to delineate the pyroptosis-related molecular profile in a preclinical t-MN model. The results are intended to inform and guide future investigations-including validation in larger cohorts, independent experimental models, and human clinical samples-to assess the translational potential of these candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

PMID:41734196 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0343525

PLoS One. 2026 Feb 24;21(2):e0342920. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0342920. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: In Xining City, Qinghai Province, which is located in a high-altitude hypoxic environment, this study employs high-throughput sequencing technology to conduct large-scale deafness-related gene screening among newborns. It aims to assess the carrier rate and variant types of deafness-related genes in local newborns; and based on different genotypic characteristics, provide targeted health education and clinical guidance to the parents of children with deafness, with the goal of achieving early diagnosis, early prevention, and early intervention of deafness. At the same time, this study also provides scientific basic data support for deafness prevention and treatment-related research in Qinghai Province.

METHODS: From March 2023 to March 2025, the research team of the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University strictly abided by ethical norms. With the full informed consent of the participants, the team systematically and continuously collected heel blood samples from multi-ethnic newborns living in areas at different altitudes, and successfully obtained 3,615 complete blood samples required for the study. Subsequently, high-throughput sequencing technology was applied to detect these samples, and accurate data on deafness susceptibility-related genes were obtained. During the analysis phase, the research team took altitude (low altitude, medium altitude, high altitude), ethnicity (Tibetan, Hui, Han, Salar, Tu, etc.), and genotype (15 loci of 4 common deafness-causing genes: GJB2, SLC26A4, mitochondrial 12SrRNA, and GJB3) as the core dimensions. By comprehensively using statistical analysis and bioinformatics methods, a systematic multi-dimensional analysis was conducted to deeply explore the association characteristics between different factors and the carriage of deafness susceptibility genes.

RESULTS: This study collected a total of 3,615 cases of newborn blood spot specimens. After excluding 549 cases of substandard specimens, a valid screening cohort of 3,066 newborns was eventually formed. Within this valid cohort, 165 carriers of deafness-susceptible genes were identified, with an overall carriage rate of 5.38%. Stratified analysis by altitude showed that: in medium-altitude areas (with a sample size of 2,319 cases), 132 carriers were detected, corresponding to a carriage detection rate of 5.69%; in high-altitude areas (with a sample size of 742 cases), 33 carriers were detected, with a carriage detection rate of 4.45%. Statistical analysis indicated that the carriage detection rate of deafness-susceptible genes among newborns in high-altitude areas was significantly lower than that in medium-altitude areas. Genotyping data showed: GJB2 gene: A total of 73 mutations (2.38%) were detected, with the 235 del C mutation site being the most common, accounting for 67.12% of the total mutations in this gene. Among them, 58 cases were detected in medium-altitude areas and 15 cases in high-altitude areas, accounting for 20.55% (15/73) of the total GJB2 gene mutations. SLC26A4 gene: A total of 67 mutations (2.19%) were detected, with the IVS7-2 mutation site having the highest frequency, accounting for 47.76% of the total mutations in this gene. Among them, 59 cases were detected in medium-altitude areas and 8 cases in high-altitude areas, accounting for 11.94% (8/67) of the total SLC26A4 gene mutations. Mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene: A total of 33 mutations (1.08%) were detected, with the 1555 A > G mutation site being the main one, accounting for 96.97% of the total mutations in this gene. Among them, 25 cases were detected in medium-altitude areas and 8 cases in high-altitude areas, accounting for 24.24% (8/33) of the total mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene mutations. GJB3 gene: Only 1 rare mutation (0.03%) was detected at the 538 C > T site, and no such mutation was found in high-altitude areas. Analysis of the ethnic distribution of the 3,066 neonates showed: Han ethnicity: A total of 1,983 cases, with 115 cases detected (5.80%), accounting for 69.70% of all carriers. Hui ethnicity: A total of 476 cases, with 24 cases detected (5.04%), accounting for 14.55% of all carriers. Tibetan ethnicity: A total of 535 cases, with 24 cases detected (4.49%), accounting for 14.55% of all carriers. Mongolian ethnicity: A total of 24 cases, with 2 cases detected (8.33%), accounting for 1.21% of all carriers.

CONCLUSION: 1. Overall level: The overall carriage rate of deafness susceptibility genes in neonates from Xining, Qinghai is significantly lower than the national average for newborns (6.67%). Within the medium and high altitude regions of Qinghai Province, compared with the medium-altitude areas (altitude > 1,500 meters and ≤ 2,500 meters), the carriage rate of deafness susceptibility genes in neonates from high-altitude areas (altitude > 2,500 meters and ≤ 4,500 meters) shows a downward trend, which suggests that within the medium and high altitude range of the province, the detection rate of deafness susceptibility genes decreases with the increase of altitude. 2. Gene level: Among GJB2 gene mutations, the 235 delC gene mutation remains the most dominant type, and the detection rates of both GJB2 and GJB3 genes are lower than the national level. Notably, the detection rates of mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene mutations and SLC26A4 gene mutations in neonates from this region are both higher than the national average, with the detection rate of mitochondrial 12S rRNA gene mutations being more significantly higher. Since deafness caused by these two types of gene mutations can be effectively reduced in terms of onset risk through health education, conducting genetic testing targeting these specific genes has important clinical significance and public health value. 3. Ethnic background level: The detection rate of deafness susceptibility genes in Tibetan neonates is low, especially for the IVS7-2 A > G mutation site, and this phenomenon is more prominent in high-altitude areas. On the contrary, the detection rate of deafness susceptibility genes in Mongolian and Hui neonates in high-altitude areas shows an increasing trend.

PMID:41734195 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0342920

PLoS One. 2026 Feb 24;21(2):e0333816. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0333816. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Intimate partner violence (IPV) among military personnel harms service members and their partners and has implications for military readiness. Understanding modifiable risk and protective factors for IPV perpetration in this context is important for prevention and response.

METHOD: Data from the Millennium Cohort Study (2011-2013) were used as a baseline in a hypothesized prospective path model predicting IPV perpetration. IPV outcomes were operationalized as reports to the Department of Defense Family Advocacy Program Central Registry that occurred after baseline and met Department of Defense criteria for psychological or physical domestic abuse.

RESULTS: A posttraumatic stress symptom cluster indicative of general negative affect and alcohol dependence mediated the effects of other posttraumatic stress symptoms-as well as the effects of protective factors (i.e., socioeconomic, psychosocial, physical health)-on risk of IPV perpetration. Only socioeconomic status had indirect, direct, and moderated effects on IPV perpetration.

CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest future program development and evaluation should consider whether common protective factors-such as economic stability, better health (e.g., sleep quantity and quality), career satisfaction, and psychosocial factors (e.g., social support)-can be modified through integrated prevention to reduce risk for multiple interrelated outcomes (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder, substance dependence, and IPV).

PMID:41734193 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0333816

PLoS One. 2026 Feb 24;21(2):e0342696. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0342696. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to identify the stylistic features of the literary mode Yan Lianke terms as “mythorealism” in the English translations of his novels, through corpus stylistic analysis. Using a corpus of nine translated works by Yan and a reference corpus of English translations of contemporary Chinese fiction, the analysis employs Wmatrix to detect statistically overused semantic domains and LancsBox to investigate their collocational networks and usage contexts. Combining quantitative and qualitative methods, the study identifies five foregrounded semantic patterns: political discourse, spatial narrative, natural environment, color symbolism and the supernatural. The findings show that political discourse intertwines historical events with allegorical critique; spatial narrative delineates symbolic boundaries between social and psychological worlds; color symbolism, particularly the recurrent use of red, conveys culturally resonant yet ambivalent meanings; and supernatural elements extend realism into metaphysical and philosophical realms. Supported by a representative bilingual case study which illustrates the retention of core semantic structures, the study suggests that despite translator mediation, these patterns largely reflect the enduring thematic and stylistic characteristics of Yan’s fiction. These findings offer a corpus-based empirical grounding for mythorealism and present a replicable framework for bridging semantic-domain statistics and stylistic interpretation in the study of translated literature.

PMID:41734160 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0342696

J Natl Cancer Inst. 2026 Feb 16:djag042. doi: 10.1093/jnci/djag042. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41732977 | DOI:10.1093/jnci/djag042

Scand J Public Health. 2026 Feb 24:14034948261422102. doi: 10.1177/14034948261422102. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To critically synthesize the evidence of lung cancer screening on lung cancer mortality, adverse effects, cost-effectiveness, and practical implementation, with a focus on the rationale and implications of introducing lung cancer screening in the Nordic countries.

METHODS: We reviewed existing literature on lung cancer screening, primarily drawing on Cochrane reviews, to examine mortality outcomes, adverse effects, cost-effectiveness, and implementation challenges of lung cancer screening.

RESULTS: Chest X-ray lung cancer screening has not been shown to reduce lung cancer mortality, whereas low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening has demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in lung cancer mortality in a high-risk population. For all-cause mortality, meta-analyses have shown mixed results depending on which trials are included and the methods used, albeit none of the European trials have revealed a reduction in all-cause mortality. Limited high-quality evidence on the unintended harms of LDCT screening exists but suggests that LDCT screening might cause considerable unintended harm, especially via false positives, incidentalomas, and overdiagnosis. Cost-effectiveness analyses on LDCT screening frequently fail to account for indirect costs, which might lead to an underestimation of the true economic burden of screening. Implementation of LDCT screening presents practical challenges, including reaching the target population and the limited capacity in the healthcare system.

CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of reduction in lung cancer mortality in a high-risk population screened with LDCT. However, further evaluation is needed to assess the potential unintended harms, the practical implementation within the Nordic healthcare systems, and the environmental impact, including increased CO₂ emissions.

PMID:41732975 | DOI:10.1177/14034948261422102

J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2026 Feb 24:1-12. doi: 10.1080/10888705.2026.2623430. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Working equines are indispensable for transport and agriculture in Gondar town, yet welfare standards remain understudied. This first Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices study in this region highlights critical gaps despite working equines’ socio-economic importance. A questionnaire survey was employed to collect data from 384 equine owners, assessing their demographic profiles, knowledge of equine welfare, attitudes toward animal care, and the welfare practices. A 5-point Likert questionnaire was used, and descriptive analysis was conducted. Only 40.9% understood animal welfare concepts, while 59.4% couldnot define it. The largest group of equine owners were aged 21-30 (47.7%) and most respondents (84.5%) maintained only “fair” practices, which indicates a universal need for practical welfare support. Statistical analysis showed no significant differences across demographics, though numeric variability was observed by age, education, and occupation. This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on animal welfare in Ethiopia, offering recommendations for future initiatives aimed at supporting equine owners. Ultimately, the findings emphasize the need for improved educational strategies and support systems to facilitate better health outcomes, thereby enhancing the livelihoods of those who rely upon them.

PMID:41732973 | DOI:10.1080/10888705.2026.2623430

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 2026 Feb 24. doi: 10.1002/ijgo.70893. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of routine postpartum bathing in a bathtub.

METHODS: We conducted a quasiexperimental study at two perinatal centers between August 2024 and March 2025, including women who had vaginal deliveries. Participants were allocated to bathing-restricted or bathing-allowed groups according to institutional policy changes. The primary outcome was postpartum infection (endometritis or perineal wound infection) occurring between hospital discharge and the 1-month postpartum checkup. Secondary outcomes included maternal mental health assessed by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), perineal and pelvic pain, and satisfaction with bathing.

RESULTS: A total of 577 women including 324 bathing-allowed women and 253 bathing-restricted women were involved in the study. No cases of endometritis or perineal wound infection were identified in either group. There were fewer women with an EPDS score ≥9 in the bathing-allowed group (8.3% vs. 12.8%), albeit without statistical significance (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.59 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34-1.04]). Similarly, perineal pain (32.1% vs. 39.5%) and pelvic pain (62.7% vs. 68.0%) were lower among bathing-allowed women, albeit without statistical significance. Satisfaction with bathing was significantly higher in the bathing-allowed group (75.9% vs. 19.8%; adjusted OR, 14.0 [95% CI, 9.2-21.1]).

CONCLUSION: Routine bathing in a bathtub during the early postpartum period did not increase infection risk and was associated with significantly higher maternal satisfaction. These findings suggest that postpartum bathing may be safe and could improve quality of life.

PMID:41732926 | DOI:10.1002/ijgo.70893

Ann Med. 2026 Dec;58(1):2634447. doi: 10.1080/07853890.2026.2634447. Epub 2026 Feb 24.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The treatment strategy for intestinal non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and the role of surgery warrant reevaluation.

METHODS: This study analyzed clinical data from a cohort of 12,047 patients diagnosed with intestinal NHL, extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance System database between 2002 and 2021.

RESULTS: Among these patients, 3,566 (29.6%) were categorized into the surgery group, while 8,481 (70.4%) were included in the nonsurgery group. Surgery was independently associated with both prolonged overall survival (OS) and a favorable prognosis in multivariate analysis (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 0.645, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 0.598-0.695, p <.001). The median OS was longer in patients who underwent lymph node dissection during surgery than in patients who did not undergo lymph node dissection (10-year OS with lymph node dissection 63.17% vs. surgery without lymph node dissection 54.78%, p < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first Korean population-based nationwide study to describe the clinical impact of surgery on the OS of patients with intestinal NHL. A prospective randomized study evaluating strategies to improve the survival of intestinal NHL patients is needed.

PMID:41732903 | DOI:10.1080/07853890.2026.2634447