Category: Nevin Manimala

Adv Ther. 2025 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s12325-025-03296-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Bowel urgency affects the quality of life of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). This study used data from the Communicating Needs and Features of IBD Experiences (CONFIDE) survey to explore patient and healthcare professional (HCP) perceptions on the broad impacts of bowel urgency on patients’ emotions and daily lives.

METHODS: Online, quantitative, cross-sectional surveys were conducted among patients with moderate-to-severe UC or CD (defined based on previous treatment, steroid use, and/or hospitalization) and HCPs specialized in gastroenterology in Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK), United States (US), and Japan. Data were summarized using descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: The analysis included 200 US, 556 European, and 124 Japanese patients with UC and 215 US, 547 European, and 99 Japanese patients with CD; and 200 US, 503 European, and 100 Japanese HCPs. Patients experiencing bowel urgency in the past month and HCPs reported high emotional (up to: 97% patients, 97% HCPs) and daily life (up to: 85% patients, 97% HCPs) impacts due to bowel urgency in the US, Europe, and Japan. In all geographies, these impacts were similar among patients with UC and CD. Although patients and HCPs reported a broad impact of bowel urgency, HCPs perceived a higher impact than patients, but it was not among the top three most impactful symptoms on HCPs’ treatment decisions.

CONCLUSIONS: Bowel urgency affects the emotions and daily life of patients with UC or CD in the US, Europe, and Japan. A multidisciplinary approach is required to enhance care and develop suitable treatment strategies.

PMID:40643842 | DOI:10.1007/s12325-025-03296-3

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Jul 11;197(8):902. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14297-8.

ABSTRACT

Air pollution has become an issue of concern in recent years. The rapid development of modern technology and industrial carbon emissions has led to an increase in suspended particles in the air. This is of particular concern in Taiwan, where the focus on high-tech industries, whether semiconductor manufacturing or printed circuit board manufacturing, produces pollutants that are harmful to the environment. Asthma is an important issue both in the past and today. The clinical care guidelines for adult asthma issued in 2022 state that the prevalence of asthma in Taiwan was 12% for adults and 15% for children. Based on these estimates, there are approximately 2 million asthma patients in Taiwan, which creates a serious burden on healthcare resources. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between regional airborne particles and asthma, to determine which airborne particles are most associated with asthma, and to ascertain the degree of correlation between the two through the statistical method of correlation analysis. A weak positive correlation was found between PM10 and the number of asthma emergencies. A time series model was also used to predict PM2.5 and PM10 levels and the number of asthma emergencies, which can be used as a reference for the number of asthma consultations and as a basis for evaluating the allocation of healthcare resources.

PMID:40643838 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14297-8

Eur Arch Paediatr Dent. 2025 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s40368-025-01075-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To determine the root canal taper of primary maxillary molars and the degree of compatibility of various rsotary systems concerning root anatomy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This in vitro study collected donated first and second primary molars (1 M and 2 M) with mesio-buccal (MB), disto-buccal (DB) and palatal (P) roots canal without physiological resorption, type I according to Vertucci, and root length greater than 4 mm. The teeth were mounted in silicone blocks and scanned with tomographic equipment from which images were reconstructed and analysed with the 3D-Slicer® programme, allowing for the measurement of the diameters of the root canals and the calculation of their tapers. The tapers were compared with the characteristics of the rotary systems: Endogal®, Protaper universal®, Mtwo® and Protaper Next®. MANOVA and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) tests were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: After the analysis of 130 root canals, a mean increase in taper in the buccal-palatal (BP) direction was observed in the 2 M (MB:16.7%; DB:16.23%; P:8.86%) and the 1 M (MB: 9.75%; DB: 11.30%; P: 2.26%). In the mesiodistal (MD) direction, the 1 M exhibited an average taper of MB:6.95%, DB:4.67%, P:12.74% and in the 2 M, an average taper of 4.67% for the MB canal; 6.60%; 20.14% for DB and P canals, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The rotary files that presented the best adaptation to the diameter and taper of the root canal were Endogal® and ProTaper Universal® systems.

PMID:40643836 | DOI:10.1007/s40368-025-01075-w

Int Urol Nephrol. 2025 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s11255-025-04649-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of flexible ureteroscopic laser incision and internal drainage in the treatment of parapelvic cysts and investigate the key variables affecting the collapse effect after cyst surgery.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 45 patients diagnosed with parapelvic cysts and treated with laser incision and internal drainage at West China Hospital of Sichuan University from January 2018 to December 2024. The reduction ratio of the maximum transverse diameter of the cysts pre- and post-operation was utilized as the criterion for assessing therapeutic efficacy. Scatter plots illustrating the postoperative reduction ratio and the preoperative maximum transverse diameter of the cysts, along with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, were constructed. The postoperative collapse of the cysts and the reduction ratio of their maximum transverse diameter were statistically described. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify the variables affecting the efficacy of incision and internal drainage in cysts post-operation.

RESULTS: A cohort of 45 patients was monitored over a median duration of 12 months. These patients were categorized into two groups based on a postoperative reduction threshold of 50%: 9 patients were classified into the ineffective operation group, while 36 patients were classified into the successful operation group. At the 3-month follow-up, the success rate was determined to be 80%, with no cases of recurrence at 12 months. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified the maximum transverse diameter of the preoperative cyst as an independent predictor of surgical success (OR = 9.41, 95% CI 1.33-66.83, P = 0.025). Further regression analysis indicated that when the preoperative cyst’s maximum transverse diameter exceeded 6 cm, the reduction ratio of the cyst’s transverse diameter progressively decreased following internal drainage. Sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) of the ROC curve cutoff point were 77.8%, 72.2%, and 0.75, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The maximum transverse diameter of the cyst prior to surgery may serve as an independent factor influencing the efficacy of laser incision and internal drainage treatment for parapelvic cysts. This factor exhibits a negative correlation with the postoperative success rate. Specifically, when the cyst’s diameter exceeds 6 cm, the likelihood of cyst collapse diminishes progressively.

PMID:40643824 | DOI:10.1007/s11255-025-04649-1

Discov Oncol. 2025 Jul 11;16(1):1307. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-03168-w.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Cancer has emerged as a major public health concern in Ecuador, reflecting global trends. Thus, it is imperative to understand the country´s cancer research landscape. We aim to conduct a bibliometric analysis of Ecuadorian cancer research publications from 2008 to 2021 to identify research trends, institutional contributions, international collaborations, and the association with the national cancer burden.

METHODS: Articles were retrieved from Scopus, PubMed, and LILACS databases. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were employed to analyze different bibliometric indicators.

RESULTS: A marked increase in cancer-related research output was observed, particularly after 2014. The most common study designs were case reports (n = 244, 30.7%), cross-sectional studies (n = 174, 21.9%) and review articles (n = 131, 16.5%). Universities were the main contributors to national cancer research, accounting for 32.4% (n = 256) of all publications, with private institutions more frequently publishing in higher-ranked journals. Collaborative efforts between universities and hospitals represented 25.3% (n = 200) of publications, though 45.1% of these were indexed in the lowest SCImago Journal Rank quartile (Q4). The most frequently studied cancer types by body location/system were gastrointestinal, gynecologic, and breast cancer. This trend contrasts with national cancer statistics reported in 2022, in which the most common cancer types were breast, prostate (genitourinary), and stomach (gastrointestinal) cancers.

CONCLUSION: Our study provides a comprehensive overview of oncology research in Ecuador over a 14-year period. While research output has increased, there remains a need to enhance research quality and ensure closer alignment with the country’s primary cancer burdens to better inform national cancer control strategies.

PMID:40643823 | DOI:10.1007/s12672-025-03168-w

Tissue Eng Regen Med. 2025 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s13770-025-00733-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Endothelial cells (ECs) are key regulators of vascular function, adapting to mechanical forces, such as shear stress to maintain vascular homeostasis. Disruption of this adaptation, particularly in the regions of disturbed flow, contributes to endothelial dysfunction and the development of atherosclerosis later on.

METHODS: We prepared a custom-designed PDMS-based flow chamber to apply controlled shear stress (2 or 7 dynes/cm²) to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. ECs were cultured on gelatin-coated coverslips and exposed to different shear flows for up to 12 h. Cell alignment was confirmed by angle measurements using ImageJ. Gene expression of SIRT4, PIEZO1, NOTCH1, and LOX-1 was determined via qPCR, and protein levels were assessed by western blot. Specific gene knockdown was also conducted using siRNAs, targeting either PIEZO1 or SIRT4. Oxidized LDL uptake was evaluated using DiI-labeled Ox-LDL and quantified by fluorescence imaging. Immunofluorescence staining of ECs was performed to visualize VE-cadherin, F-actin, and nuclei. All quantitative data were subjected to statistical analysis.

RESULTS: We demonstrated that the mechanosensitive ion channel PIEZO1, regulates SIRT4 expression in response to shear stress. Under atheroprotective shear stress (7 dyne/cm²), PIEZO1-mediated upregulation of SIRT4 was observed, while atheroprone shear stress (2 dyne/cm²) led to reduced expression. Functional assays showed that SIRT4 protects endothelial cells from Ox-LDL uptake, a key factor in atherosclerosis. SIRT4 silencing increased Ox-LDL accumulation even under protective flow. This effect, and its link to LOX-1, was dependent on PIEZO1 signaling.

CONCLUSION: Current findings suggest that the PIEZO1-SIRT4 axis may modulate endothelial responses to shear stress, offering a protective mechanism against Ox-LDL-induced dysfunction and pathology. Our study underscores the potential of SIRT4 as a therapeutic target to mitigate vascular disorders associated with oxidative stress and disturbed blood flow.

PMID:40643822 | DOI:10.1007/s13770-025-00733-w

Eur J Epidemiol. 2025 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s10654-025-01268-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pregnant and puerperal women are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) owing to hemostatic changes in preparation for childbirth. The objective of this study was to investigate if COVID-19 infection was associated with VTE in pregnancy or 12 weeks postpartum when considering (prophylactic or therapeutic) anticoagulant use. This population-based register study included all women in Sweden and Norway giving birth after 22 gestational weeks, with conception dates from March 2020 to 2022. A PCR-verified COVID-19 test was used as the exposure, and a VTE diagnosis during pregnancy or 12 weeks postpartum was the outcome. Non-infected women consisted of those testing negative and untested individuals. Cox regression analyses, with COVID-19 infection as a time-varying exposure, and adjusted for maternal characteristics and anticoagulant use, provided overall hazard ratios. To evaluate whether there was a particular increased risk of VTE shortly after testing positive for COVID-19, we estimated time-specific risk of VTE in the first 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks following COVID-19 infection. Data from each country were first analyzed separately and then meta-analyzed. Among 323,868 participants, 46,048 (14.2%) had COVID-19 during pregnancy, and 80 (0.2%) were diagnosed with VTE. Pregnant women with COVID-19 had a higher VTE incidence rate compared to non-infected (4.9 vs. 2.9 per 1000 person-years; adjusted overall hazard ratio [aHR] 1.26, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.80-2.00). The highest risk was within two weeks of infection (aHR 4.63, 95% CI 2.71-7.90) but remained elevated up to 12 weeks post-infection (aHR 1.86, 95% CI 1.17-2.94). In the postpartum period, 8,515 (2.6%) had COVID-19, and 6 (0.07%) were diagnosed with VTE (aHR 5.17, 95% CI 2.50-10.69). Although VTE post-COVID-19 infection was rare, the infection was associated with increased VTE risk during pregnancy and postpartum, even after adjusting for anticoagulant use. These findings should contribute to the individual risk assessment when evaluating the need for prophylactic anticoagulants in pregnancy and postpartum.

PMID:40643819 | DOI:10.1007/s10654-025-01268-z

J Nephrol. 2025 Jul 11. doi: 10.1007/s40620-025-02338-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Effective prediction of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) progression is crucial for early intervention and management. We aimed to develop and validate distinct IgAN prediction models for clinical and research applications.

METHODS: We analyzed data from the Japanese Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study in IgAN (n = 1174) gathered over 10 years. The models were developed and tested using data from general physicians in primary care, specialists in tertiary care hospitals, and researchers at academic research institutes. Three tailored prediction models (Primary Care, Tertiary Care, and Research Institute Models) were created to address the unique needs of different clinical environments. The primary outcome was a composite renal event defined as a 1.5-fold increase in serum creatinine level or progression to kidney failure. The predictive performance was assessed using C-statistics.

RESULTS: In the derivation cohort, the primary care model included predictors such as estimated glomerular filtration rate < 45 mL/min/1.73 m², proteinuria ≥ 0.5 g/day, and non-use of corticosteroids, achieving a C-statistic of 0.796 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.686-0.895). The tertiary care model showed a C-statistic of 0.807 (95% CI 0.713-0.886), using predictors such as glomerular number and histological severity. The research institute model, incorporating 38 variables, demonstrated a C-statistic of 0.802 (95% CI 0.686-0.906).

CONCLUSIONS: The prediction models for primary and tertiary care settings provided effective tools for forecasting renal outcomes in IgAN patients and are competitive with more complex machine learning-based models used in research. These models can help guide clinical decisions in various healthcare settings.

PMID:40643794 | DOI:10.1007/s40620-025-02338-x

Int Ophthalmol. 2025 Jul 11;45(1):286. doi: 10.1007/s10792-025-03668-2.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To analyze the trend in Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) utilization in recent years and to assess its current clinical profile and surgical indications in glaucoma management.

METHODS: A retrospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary hospital within the Spanish National Health System, evaluating AGV surgeries performed from 2010 to 2022. To characterize current AGV use, a subset of 156 eyes that underwent surgery in the past five years was analyzed. Clinical variables, including age, gender, glaucoma type, intraocular pressure (IOP), IOP-lowering medications, and visual field status, were collected from patients aged ≥ 18 years. Temporal trends, surgical indications, and their evolution were examined.

RESULTS: A total of 519 AGV implantations were included. AGV utilization increased from 15.2% of all glaucoma surgeries in 2010 to 27.5% in 2019 but significantly declined thereafter, reaching 6.9% in 2022 (p = 0.001). Among the 156 eyes in the recent subset, 93 had refractory glaucoma, which showed the most pronounced decline in AGV procedures and the poorest surgical outcomes. Eyes with sulcus-placed or aphakic lenses, uveitis, or neovascular glaucoma experienced a less marked reduction in AGV implantation rates. These cases presented with higher baseline IOP but exhibited less glaucomatous damage and a better response to AGV implantation.

CONCLUSION: AGV implantation has significantly declined over the past five years, particularly in refractory glaucoma. This trend may be attributed to the increased adoption of subconjunctival bleb-forming surgeries and to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this overall decline, AGV continues to be primarily employed in cases of secondary glaucoma.

PMID:40643791 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-025-03668-2

APMIS. 2025 Jul;133(7):e70051. doi: 10.1111/apm.70051.

ABSTRACT

miR-143 and miR-145 have been reported as downregulated in colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to normal mucosa, with regulatory effects on proteins involved in carcinogenesis. These findings primarily derive from tissue homogenate analyses and experimental models. The present study employs in situ methodology to reassess miR-143 and miR-145 expression in CRC and their associations with validated protein targets within the native tumor microenvironment. Expression patterns of miR-143, miR-145, and eight previously experimentally validated target proteins were analyzed in clinical samples from 100 CRC patients using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and deep learning-based epithelial segmentation. Expression levels of miR-143 and miR-145 showed no significant difference between CRC and normal mucosa, though considerable inter-patient variability was observed. Among 11 examined miRNA-protein relationships, only four showed significant correlations, exhibiting positive associations that contrast with previously reported inverse relationships. Subgroup analyses revealed no statistically significant association between miRNA expression variability and examined clinicopathological parameters. These findings highlight the importance of in situ validation for results obtained from tissue homogenates and in vitro experiments. Additional research is warranted to determine the prognostic significance of miR-143 and miR-145 in clinical outcomes.

PMID:40642870 | DOI:10.1111/apm.70051