Category: Nevin Manimala

Chaos. 2025 Apr 1;35(4):043114. doi: 10.1063/5.0248658.

ABSTRACT

Due to their relevance to geophysical systems, the investigation of multiscale systems through the lens of statistical mechanics has gained popularity in recent years. The aim of our work is the characterization of the nonequilibrium properties of the well-known two-scales Lorenz96 model, a dynamical system much used for testing ideas in geophysics, by studying either higher-order correlation functions or response to external perturbations of the energy. These tools in both equilibrium (inviscid) or non-equilibrium (viscous) systems provide clear evidence of their suitability for detecting time-reversal symmetry breaking and for characterizing transport properties also in this class of models. In particular, we characterize how localized energy perturbations are transported between the different scales, highlighting that perturbations of synoptic variables greatly impact advective variables but perturbations of the latter have a practically negligible effect on synoptic scales. Finally, we show that responses of global observables to finite size perturbations strongly depend on the perturbation protocol. This prevents the physical understanding of the system from observations of the relaxation process alone, a fact often overlooked.

PMID:40198243 | DOI:10.1063/5.0248658

STAR Protoc. 2025 Apr 7;6(2):103738. doi: 10.1016/j.xpro.2025.103738. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Functional impact of noncoding variants can be predicted using computational approaches. Although predictive scores can be insightful, implementing the scores for a custom variant set and associating scores with complex traits require multiple phases of analysis. Here, we present a protocol for prioritizing variants by generating deep-learning-predicted functional scores and relating them with brain traits. We describe steps for score prediction, statistical comparison, phenotype correlation, and functional enrichment analysis. This protocol can be generalized to different models and phenotypes. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Mondragon-Estrada et al.¹.

PMID:40198216 | DOI:10.1016/j.xpro.2025.103738

Eye Contact Lens. 2025 Apr 8. doi: 10.1097/ICL.0000000000001182. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To present the long-term visual outcomes and factors affecting treatment success in children with congenital cataract surgery in infancy followed by optical correction by contact lens (CL).

METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed data from 30 eyes of 26 pediatric aphakic patients followed by visual habilitation primarily by CL between 2004 and 2023. The patients were evaluated for factors affecting final best-corrected visual acuity (VA), need for additional surgery, and adherence to CL and occlusion therapy.

RESULTS: The study included 16 eyes with idiopathic congenital cataract, 12 eyes with congenital cataract associated with persistent fetal vasculature, and two eyes with concomitant retinopathy of prematurity. Adherence to CL use was evaluated as poor in 13.3%, moderate in 40%, and good in 46.7% of the eyes, while adherence to occlusion therapy was poor in 33.3%, moderate in 20.8%, and good in 45.8% of the eyes. Final VA was 20/50 or better in 50% of the eyes, between 20/50 and 20/400 in 16.7% of the eyes, and 20/400 or worse in 33.3% of the eyes. There was no statistically significant relationship between the presence of strabismus and final VA, whereas the need for additional surgery; the presence of posterior segment pathologies, nystagmus, and glaucoma; and poor treatment adherence were associated with significantly lower final VA.

CONCLUSION: Good long-term visual outcomes can be achieved with effective CL and occlusion therapy in cases of infantile aphakia not accompanied by glaucoma, severe anterior and posterior segment pathologies, or the need for additional surgery.

PMID:40198200 | DOI:10.1097/ICL.0000000000001182

Medicina (B Aires). 2025;85(2):388-403.

ABSTRACT

Vaccination is recognized as one of the most impactful public health interventions, providing significant benefits in terms of disease eradication, prevention of infectious diseases, herd immunity, antimicrobial resistance, years of life gained, morbidity and mortality reduction, and cost-effectiveness. In recent years, vaccination coverage rates have decreased due to multiple factors. The aim of this article is to provide updated information on the benefits of vaccination at both the individual and public health levels, to identify the barriers to vaccination, and to present evidence based global and in-office strategies for implementation in daily medical practice for adults, with the goal of improving vaccination coverage rates.

PMID:40198174

Medicina (B Aires). 2025;85(2):337-347.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: In-hospital mortality is influenced by various factors. Despite the trend toward decreased mortality from acute stroke in the Northern Hemisphere, reports in our region show variable figures. This study reports in-hospital mortality for the second time from a medical center in Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Factors associated with mortality in these patients were also identified.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using data from the FLENI Stroke Database between 2010 and 2019, analyzing clinical characteristics, risk factors, complications, and mortality of hospitalized patients. Univariable and multivariable statistical analyses were used to identify risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS: Data from 1645 patients were analysed, of which 1476 (90%) had ischemic stroke, 95 (6%) had hemorrhagic stroke, and 74 (4%) had aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). There were 45 in-hospital deaths (2%): 26 deaths (1%) from ischemic stroke, 11 deaths (11%) from hemorrhagic stroke, and 8 deaths (10%) from aSAH. Factors associated with mortality include advanced age, low hemoglobin levels at admission, higher scores on the NIHSS scale at admission, and a history of diabetes mellitus.

DISCUSSION: In-hospital mortality from stroke remains low in our institution, with differences between ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Factors such as stroke severity, hemoglobin levels, and a history of diabetes mellitus are independent predictors of mortality.

PMID:40198170

Medicina (B Aires). 2025;85(2):314-321.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Iodine is an essential micronutrient for the synthesis of thyroid hormones, crucial for neurological development. In 2002, a mild iodine deficiency was identified in schoolchildren from La Pampa, Argentina. This study aims to reassess iodine intake in the same rural school population in 2023 by analyzing urinary iodine concentration (UIC), goiter prevalence, and salt iodization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 6- to 12-year-old schoolchildren from School No. 45 in Ataliva Roca, La Pampa. Parents provided informed consent. UIC, weight, height, blood pressure, and goiter were assessed. UIC was measured using the modified Sandell-Kolthoff method, and salt iodization was analyzed using sodium thiosulfate titration. The results were compared with those from 2002.

RESULTS: A total of 74 schoolchildren were evaluated in 2023. The median UIC was 145.45 υg/L, with 28.8% of students showing levels below 50 υg/L. Goiter prevalence was 21.6%, compared to 17.9% in 2002. In 85.5% of the salt samples, iodine levels were adequate. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2002 and 2023 cohorts in the prevalence of goiter or iodine fortification of salt.

DISCUSSION: Despite improvements in iodine intake since 2002, a considerable percentage of schoolchildren still show moderate iodine deficiency.

PMID:40198167

Medicina (B Aires). 2025;85(2):296-304.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Although euthanasia is an issue on the Argentinean parliamentary agenda, there is still confusion about its conceptualisation and limitations to its study. Attitudes towards euthanasia among the seriously ill remain under-researched. We aimed to validate the Attitudes Towards Euthanasia scale in Argentina by cross-culturally adapting to the Spanish-Argentine language and exploring psychometric characteristics.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study used the Attitudes Toward Euthanasia Scale on a non-probabilistic sample of short-life expectancy patients. We selected Argentina’s sample from seven healthcare centres to recruit a broad socio-demographic spectrum of patients. Inclusion criteria were patients with advanced disease, over 18 years of age, aware that the disease was probably incurable, and able to sign an informed consent form.

RESULTS: The selected sample comprised 167 very sick patients. Among them, 72.5% had cancer. The average age of the participants was 68 (SD= 14.03), and 50.9% were female; 34.7% held university degrees; 58.7% reported being affiliated with a religious organisation. The scale’s psychometric properties, including reliability and validity, were assessed using an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The internal consistency throughout Cronbach’s Alpha was 0.837. The range of items of homogeneity was from 0.179 to 0.745. The study found no significant differences in perceptions concerning euthanasia between variables such as diagnosis, gender, university studies level, and religious affiliation.

DISCUSSION: The validation of the Attitudes Towards Euthanasia scale to a sample of seriously ill Argentinean patients has shown adequate psychometric properties, with some limitations.

PMID:40198165

Medicina (B Aires). 2025;85(2):287-295.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Health literacy (HL) is the ability to obtain, interpret, and comprehend medical information necessary for decision-making. The objective was to determine the understanding of medical terminology in adults over 60 years old and its predictors.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adults over 60 years old who were in the waiting room of scheduled clinics were surveyed using the SAHLSA-50 (Short Assessment of Health Literacy for Spanish Adults) questionnaire, validated in Spanish. Comprehension was considered inadequate if the score was 37 or lower. A linear regression model was constructed between sociodemographic predictors and the level of understanding with SAHLSA-50. Regression coefficients with their 95% CIs are presented.

RESULTS: A total of 323 participants with a mean age of 72.5 years (SD 6.6) were included, 53.0% had a primary education level. The median SAHLSA-50 score was 45 points (IQR 42-49). The 4.6% of participants had inadequate understanding. In the multivariate model, the only independent predictor of understanding was the educational level, with a coefficient of 0.89 (95% CI 0.68-1.09), acquiring a medical term for each increase in the educational stratum.

DISCUSSION: Educational level is a determining factor in the comprehension of medical terminology. Health professionals should adjust the level of their discourse to the population they serve.

PMID:40198164

Medicina (B Aires). 2025;85(2):261-280.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: New drugs contribute to improving people’s quality of life with more precise and effective treatments; however, their high acquisition prices continually put the sustainability of the health system and equitable access at risk throughout the world. A starting point for its approach should be to delimit the concept of “high-price” and “very high-price” drugs, but there is no global consensus and it is not defined for Argentina. The objective was to establish the definition of high-price and very high-price drugs for Argentina through a panel with modified Delphi technique with representatives of the health system.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A descriptive study was conducted with a qualitative-quantitative approach in three phases that include a Phase 1 systematic review of the literature, a Phase 2 analysis of the profile of selected drugs, and a Phase 3 panel.

RESULTS: For the systematic review, 1895 publications were identified, of which 23 were included with some type of definition of high-cost or high-price drugs. A clinical and economic analysis was performed for ten reference drugs that provided examples to the panel. The modified Delphi panel consisted of a first round of 14 and a second round of consensus of 27 representatives, which resulted in the agreed definition.

DISCUSSION: This work collect the experience and vision of representatives of important institutions in our country and provides a key definition for addressing these technologies.

PMID:40198162

Ecol Food Nutr. 2025 Apr 8:1-22. doi: 10.1080/03670244.2025.2490530. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence, determinants, and patterns of malnutrition, specifically stunting, among Scheduled Tribe (ST) children aged 6-10 years in Reasi district of Jammu & Kashmir, India.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 200 ST children in Reasi district assessed nutritional status via anthropometry, socio-economic data, and HAZ scores. Independent t-tests and chi-square tests analyzed growth standards and socioeconomic links. SPSS 2024 provided descriptive statistics and prevalence across age and gender.

RESULTS: The study reveals high stunting rates among ST children, affecting both genders. Height and weight fall below WHO and ICMR standards. Key determinants include economic status, family income, sanitation, head of family and employment nature.

CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the urgent need for targeted, multi-sectoral interventions addressing malnutrition among ST children in Reasi. Collaborative efforts by governments, NGOs, and communities in healthcare, education, and food security are crucial to effectively tackle the issue.

PMID:40198144 | DOI:10.1080/03670244.2025.2490530