Category: Nevin Manimala

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2025 Aug 28. doi: 10.1002/jmri.70053. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pericardial adipose tissue (PAT) is a cardiovascular disease risk factor in children, but normative data for PAT thickness, area, and volume are lacking.

PURPOSE: To establish the percentile reference values for MRI PAT parameters in healthy Chinese children aged 3-18.

STUDY TYPE: Prospective.

SUBJECTS: 218 healthy children divided into 3-10 years (n = 125, 62 males) and 10-18 years (n = 93, 53 males).

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: Balanced steady-state free-precession cine sequence at 3.0 T.

ASSESSMENT: PAT thickness, area and volume.

STATISTICAL TESTS: Student’s t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson correlation, the generalized additive model for location scale and shape, and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: PAT volume showed no significant sex difference in the overall (boys: 32.7 ± 16.2 mL, girls: 28.2 ± 10.0 mL, p = 0.179) or childhood group (boys: 22.9 ± 7.9 vs. girls: 22.9 ± 6.6 mL, p = 0.954), but adolescent boys had a higher volume than girls (44.1 ± 15.9 vs. 36.9 ± 8.4 mL). PAT thickness at the right ventricular free wall (RVFW) was greater in boys across both age groups. PAT volume correlated strongly with age (r = 0.672) and BSA (r = 0.741). Age-specific percentile curves showed a progressive PAT volume increase with no clear plateau, with the most rapid growth between ages 10 and 14. BSA-specific curves revealed gradual PAT parameter increases, with steeper trends in boys. Good to excellent inter- and intra-observer agreement was observed for almost all PAT parameter measurements (95% CI > 0.75).

CONCLUSION: This study proposes sex-, age-, and BSA-specific reference values for pericardial adipose tissue in healthy Chinese children and showed developmental patterns and sex differences that may have potential to inform future clinical and research applications.

EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2.

TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

PMID:40874717 | DOI:10.1002/jmri.70053

Afr J Reprod Health. 2025 Aug 28;29(8s):31-42. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8s.4.

ABSTRACT

Despite growing African immigration to Spain, research that examines how language barriers affect acculturative stress and access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services by sub-Saharan women is scarce. This study addresses this gap in knowledge by investigating the relationships between proficiency in Spanish language, acculturative stress and access to SRHR services among 384 African immigrant women in Spain using a cross-sectional, quantitative design. Data were collected via online snowball sampling, employing validated measures of Spanish proficiency (CEFR), acculturative stress (RASI), and SRHR access (WHO/UNFPA). Structural equation modeling (SEM) revealed that higher Spanish proficiency reduced acculturative stress (β = 0.50, *p* < 0.01) and directly improved SRHR access (β = 0.56, *p* < 0.01), with stress mediating this relationship (indirect effect: β = 0.24, *p* < 0.05). Findings highlight language proficiency as a dual pathway for mitigating stress and enhancing healthcare access. The findings of this study are important for immigration and re-settlement policies to promote cultural integration, access to social services, as well as culturally sensitive care, especially for minority women in order to address systemic disparities.

PMID:40874711 | DOI:10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8s.4

Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2025 Aug 1;66(11):72. doi: 10.1167/iovs.66.11.72.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To analyze the short-term effects of hypergravity on ocular parameters, particularly retinal and peripapillary microvasculature changes, in participants undergoing human centrifuge training.

METHODS: This prospective, observational study enrolled healthy trainees who participated in centrifuge training at the National Army GangShan Aviation Training Center, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, from August to September 2023. Ocular data were collected at four time points: 24 hours before training, immediately after, and 15 and 30 minutes after exposure to gravitational force along the head-to-foot axis. Assessments included non-contact tonometry, optical biometry, and optical coherence tomography angiography. Nonparametric statistical methods were used for data analysis.

RESULTS: Nineteen participants (12 male, seven female) with a mean age of 27.89 ± 4.4 years were included. Intraocular pressure, corneal curvature, and pupil diameter remained unchanged after centrifugation. However, axial length decreased immediately after centrifugation (25.79 ± 1.54 mm vs. 25.77 ± 1.57 mm; P = 0.012), then rebounded at 15 minutes (25.81 ± 1.53 mm) and 30 minutes (25.81 ± 1.54 mm; both P = 0.005). Central corneal thickness increased and remained elevated for 30 minutes. Retinal and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses significantly increased after training (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the parafoveal and perifoveal vessel density of the right eye showed a decreasing trend immediately after hypergravity exposure, followed by a rebound, although the change was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: Short-term exposure to hypergravity induces transient yet measurable alterations in ocular parameters, particularly retinal thickness and vascular density. These novel findings suggest potential mechanisms underlying hypergravity-associated visual impairment and highlight the importance of monitoring ocular health in individuals exposed to high-G environments.

PMID:40874695 | DOI:10.1167/iovs.66.11.72

Afr J Reprod Health. 2025 Aug 28;29(8s):22-30. doi: 10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8s.3.

ABSTRACT

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a primary risk factor for cervical cancer development. In low-resource settings, HPV screening uptake is often limited by health literacy barriers. This study examined how health literacy affects willingness to undergo HPV screening (as a cervical cancer prevention method) among 384 pregnant women (aged 15-45) in Lahore, Pakistan using cross sectional data. We assessed health literacy using Kharazi’s validated questionnaire, with evaluation done across four dimensions: health information comprehension, critical evaluation, informed decision-making, and practical application. We assessed the HPV screening willingness using a WHO’s instrument, with evaluation done across two dimensions: an awareness and an attitude and willingness section. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 through simple and multiple linear regression models. The results from the simple linear analysis showed that health literacy had a significant positive effect on women’s willingness to undergo HPV testing (β=0.811, 95% CI=0.753,0.875, p=0.001). From the multiple linear regression analysis, the different dimension of health literacy had significant positive effect on willingness to undergo HPV testing, with the health information comprehension dimension having the strongest positive effect (β=0.724, 95% CI=0.676, 0.801, p=0.001). These findings suggest that enhancing pregnancy health literacy could improve HPV screening acceptance. The results have important implications for designing cervical cancer prevention programs in high-risk populations through antenatal care services.

PMID:40874691 | DOI:10.29063/ajrh2025/v29i8s.3

Disabil Rehabil. 2025 Aug 28:1-19. doi: 10.1080/09638288.2025.2550623. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To pilot the use of qualitative interviews and video recorded everyday conversations as a basis for individually tailored dyadic communicative intervention from a self-management perspective for clients with Parkinson’s disease and their close communication partners.

METHOD: Three dyads participated and met with the researcher for three sessions. Semi-structured interviews and the dyads’ video recordings of their conversations formed the basis for problem identification, goal setting, and the dyad’s independent work between the sessions. The intervention was evaluated through scaled ratings and semi-structured interviews. The quantitative data was analysed through descriptive statistics and the qualitative interview data through content analysis.

RESULT: Needs and goals for the dyads differed. The dyads’ video recordings of their everyday conversations were to some extent arranged but still provided valuable examples supporting exploration of communicative behaviours and habits. The dyads reported changes in communicative awareness and mind-set as well as minor changes in behaviour at the follow-up session. The intervention content was positively evaluated.

CONCLUSION: Video recorded everyday conversations combined with reflective discussions about communicative behaviours may contribute increased communicative awareness and tools for adjustment of conversational habits. Further research is needed regarding treatment timing, dose, and effects, also from a long-term perspective.

PMID:40874668 | DOI:10.1080/09638288.2025.2550623

J Vet Intern Med. 2025 Sep-Oct;39(5):e70234. doi: 10.1111/jvim.70234.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neonatal diarrhea accounts for 20%-25% of morbidity among calves, and antimicrobial drugs (AMDs) are often administered for treatment. Systematic approaches that mitigate antimicrobial use (AMU) can be effective in decreasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To determine the effects of an algorithmic farm-based intervention that reduced AMU for diarrhea on the community structure of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) identified in the feces of healthy dairy calves.

ANIMALS: Thirty-one fecal dairy calf samples collected at two timepoints and farms (N = 7-8 per sampling point) were used. Samples were obtained before AMU reductions and 12 months afterward.

METHODS: Target-enriched shotgun sequencing was performed to characterize all ARGs in samples. Bioinformatics processing and statistical analysis were performed using the AMR++ pipeline, MEGARes AMR database, and R.

RESULTS: Pre-intervention comparisons showed increased relative abundances (RA) consistent with the AMU on each farm. Intra-farm results showed that on Farm 1, there were significant increases in the RA of ARGs for tetracyclines (22.1%-27.4%, q = 0.02) and fluoroquinolones (0%-0.1%, q < 0.0001) in the Post period. On Farm 2, significant decreases were seen over time in the RA of ARGs for sulfonamides (9.6%-5.1%, q = 0.006) and fluoroquinolones (0.77%-0.12%, q = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Despite similar reductions in AMU on both farms, implementing an antimicrobial stewardship algorithm was associated with differing effects on and changes to the fecal resistome.

PMID:40874630 | DOI:10.1111/jvim.70234

Clin Spine Surg. 2025 Aug 28. doi: 10.1097/BSD.0000000000001923. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Pilot Evaluation Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the ease-of-use and performance of TissueStat, a novel minimally invasive spine surgery (MIS) fascial closure device, compared with conventional suturing techniques.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Wound issues in spine surgery can be a major source of morbidity and decreased patient satisfaction. A robust, multilayered closure can lead to decreased complications and need for revision surgery. However, the development of technology to assist in MIS fascial closures has lagged.

METHODS: Participants completed a fascial suturing trial using a benchtop model with both conventional suture and TissueStat. Time to completion and accuracy of each suture pass with were compared using the Student t test. After the trial, participants filled out a survey to quantify the ease of use and accuracy of conventional suture versus TissueStat. Survey responses were compared using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Eight participants were recruited (5 orthopaedic surgery residents and 3 orthopaedic spine surgery fellows). This group performed 16 attempts with the conventional suturing technique and 16 attempts with TissueStat. The average time to knot completion of the conventional suturing technique was slower than TissueStat [3 min and 22 s (range: 1:27-5:19) vs. 2 min and 1 s (range: 1:22-3:15), P=0.001]. The average distance from the suture location to the target dot was larger for the conventional suturing compared with TissueStat (1.25 vs. 0.22 mm, P=0.007). Participants reported a higher average ease of use score for TissueStat compared with conventional suture (9.4 vs. 3.9). Participants reported a higher average accuracy rating for TissueStat compared with the conventional suture (9.3 vs. 6.1). All participants answered that TissueStat offered the higher quality closure and allowed better suture targeting.

CONCLUSION: TissueStat may be a useful tool to decrease operative time, improve closure accuracy/quality, and assist with meticulous fascial soft-tissue handling.

PMID:40874621 | DOI:10.1097/BSD.0000000000001923

Stat Med. 2025 Aug;44(18-19):e70242. doi: 10.1002/sim.70242.

ABSTRACT

Causal attribution, which seeks to explain the reasons behind events or behaviors, plays a critical role in causal inference and deepens our understanding of cause-and-effect relationships in scientific research. The probabilities of necessary causation (PN) and sufficient causation (PS) are two of the most common quantities for attribution in causal inference. While several works have explored the identification or bounds of PN and PS, efficient estimation remains unaddressed. To fill this gap, this paper focuses on obtaining semiparametric efficient estimators of PN and PS under two sets of identifiability assumptions: strong ignorability and monotonicity, and strong ignorability and conditional independence. We derive efficient influence functions and semiparametric efficiency bounds for PN and PS under the two sets of identifiability assumptions, respectively. Based on this, we propose efficient estimators for PN and PS and show their large sample properties. Extensive simulations validate the superiority of our estimators compared to competing methods. We apply our methods to a real-world dataset to assess various risk factors affecting stroke.

PMID:40874599 | DOI:10.1002/sim.70242

J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2025 Aug 28:10538127251370048. doi: 10.1177/10538127251370048. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundRotator cuff (RC) disorders are common musculoskeletal conditions causing shoulder pain and functional loss. While abdominal muscles aid in core stabilization and force transmission, their strength, endurance, and thickness in RC disorders remain underexplored.ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the differences in abdominal muscle performance between individuals with RC pathology and healthy controls and to evaluate the relationship of these parameters with pain, disability and quality of life.Materials and MethodThis cross-sectional study evaluated 128 individuals (RC group: 64; control group: 64). The strength of the abdominal muscles was evaluated, and the McGill endurance test was performed. Muscle thickness was measured using ultrasound imaging. Shoulder-related pain, symptoms and functionality were assessed with Shoulder Pain and Disability Index and Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index.ResultsThe RC group exhibited significantly lower abdominal muscle strength and endurance compared to controls (p < 0.001). A moderate negative correlation was observed between abdominal muscle performance and clinical scores. According to ultrasound evaluations, patients with right-sided shoulder pathology (RSSP) had thinner EO (p < 0.001) and TrA (p = 0.016) muscles on the affected side, while left-sided shoulder pathology (LSSP) showed similar reductions in RA (p = 0.001), EO (p = 0.012), and TrA (p = 0.006) thickness. The RC group showed significantly greater percentage asymmetry in RA muscle thickness compared with controls (p = 0.02), while no statistically significant differences were found for EO, IO, or TrA muscles.ConclusionThis study demonstrates that decreased abdominal muscle function and thickness are associated with RC disorders. We emphasize that core stability exercises should be included in rotator cuff rehabilitation.

PMID:40874575 | DOI:10.1177/10538127251370048

Nicotine Tob Res. 2025 Aug 28:ntaf177. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntaf177. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: To compare price-responsiveness of smoking participation and intensity across U.S. income groups.

METHODS: We pooled the 2015-2016, 2018-2019, and 2022 Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey data (n = 337 974 aged 18+), classifying respondents into poor, low-income, middle-income, and high-income groups (<100%, 100-199%, 200-399%, and ≥ 400% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), respectively). Using a two-part econometric model of cigarette demand, we estimated the price elasticities of smoking participation and intensity for each income group. State-level cigarette price data came from the Tax Burden on Tobacco Report. Additional covariates included sociodemographic characteristics, secular variation, and state-level smoke-free air law coverage, tobacco control program funding, and unemployment rate.

RESULTS: Price elasticity of smoking participation was significant for the poor (-0.32), low-income (-0.27), and middle-income (-0.24) groups but not for the high-income group. Price elasticity of smoking intensity was statistically significant for middle-income (-0.33) and high-income (-0.42) smokers but not for poor and middle-income smokers. Total price elasticity of cigarette demand was statistically significant for all groups; total elasticity estimates were highest among the middle-income group (-0.56), followed by the low-income (-0.48), and were lowest among the poorest (-0.40) and highest income (-0.40) groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the lower-income (<200% FPL) groups were significantly more price-responsive than the high-income group in reducing smoking participation but smokers in these lower-income groups were not price-responsive in reducing smoking intensity. Earmarking cigarette taxation revenues for cessation assistance to help smokers in the lower-income groups who could not quit smoking is warranted.

IMPLICATIONS: This study adds to the rich but inconclusive literature, comparing the price-responsiveness of smoking behaviors across U.S. income groups. Our results also indicate that the lower-income (<200% FPL) groups were significantly more price-responsive than the high-income group in quitting cigarette smoking but smokers in the lower-income groups were not price-responsive in reducing smoking intensity. Earmarking cigarette taxation revenues for cessation assistance to help smokers in the lower-income groups who could not quit smoking is warranted.

PMID:40874571 | DOI:10.1093/ntr/ntaf177