Category: Nevin Manimala

AMB Express. 2025 Aug 12;15(1):116. doi: 10.1186/s13568-025-01924-3.

ABSTRACT

Alterations in skin microbiota composition have been linked to allergic diseases, but the causal relationship remains unclear. To investigate the causal relationship between skin microbiota, allergic diseases, and inflammation biomarkers using Mendelian randomization (MR). We integrated summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of skin microbiota inflammation biomarkers, and seven allergic diseases. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) served as the primary statistical method, with supplementary analyses using MR-Egger regression, weighted median, and Weighted mode. Sensitivity analyses, including Cochran’s Q test, MR-Egger intercept test and MR-PRESSO outlier detection, were conducted to validate and stabilize our findings. Two-step MR analyses were performed to identify potential mediating inflammation biomarkers between skin microbiota and allergic diseases.We identified 43 significant causal relationships between the skin microbiota and seven allergic diseases: allergic disease as a whole, asthma (adult, pediatric, allergic), allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, allergic urticaria and eczema, which included 20 protective and 23 risk causal relationships, respectively. Mediation analysis showed that specific biomarkers, such as C-C motif chemokine 19 and CD40L receptor levels, Interleukin-18 and TNF-β mediated these associations. This MR study provides robust evidence supporting causal relationships between specific skin microbiota taxa and allergic diseases, as well as potential mediating roles of inflammation biomarkers.

PMID:40794348 | DOI:10.1186/s13568-025-01924-3

Discov Oncol. 2025 Aug 12;16(1):1533. doi: 10.1007/s12672-025-03261-0.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The epidemiological data regarding the correlation between mental disorders and breast cancer (BC) is still debatable. This study’s objective is to clarify the connection between BC and mental disorders, such as depression, panic, and anxiety, in addition to examining the mediating role of risk factors associated with BC through genetic susceptibility.

METHODS: Cross-sectional data came from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the years 2015-2018, stratified by BC status. Summary statistics of genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of mostly European ancestry were used for Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. The connections between depressive symptoms, anxious symptoms, and anxiety medication use and breast cancer were assessed using logistic regression models. The independent effects of depression, panic, and anxiety on BC were estimated through two-sample multivariable MR. Furthermore, 23 possible mediators of the connection were assessed and mediated proportions were computed using two-step MR.

RESULTS: Cross-sectional data revealed that participants taking medication for anxiety were at higher risk of BC (OR (95%CI): 2.18 (1.29-3.70), P < 0.01). Using multivariate MR to adjust for depression, anxiety, and panic, only anxiety was still strongly correlated with the occurrence of overall (β_IVW (SE): 0.053 (0.016), P < 0.05) and ER- (β_IVW (SE): 0.075 (0.025), P < 0.05) BC. After excluding 23 risk factors related to BC, no mediators were identified between anxiety and BC.

CONCLUSION: Our findings suggests that anxiety susceptibility at the genetic level is a distinct risk factor for BC, with no mediators identified in this process.

PMID:40794344 | DOI:10.1007/s12672-025-03261-0

Int Ophthalmol. 2025 Aug 12;45(1):329. doi: 10.1007/s10792-025-03704-1.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence and recurrence of central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) in Greece, analyzing data from 2017 to 2023.

METHODS: A retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study was conducted, including patients diagnosed with either new-onset or recurrent CSCR at five ophthalmology departments in Greece from January 2017 to December 2023. Data were categorized into “pre-COVID” (2017-2019) and “COVID” (2021-2023) periods, excluding cases from 2020 due to lockdown restrictions. Patient demographics, disease recurrence, and COVID-19 infection history were recorded. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, Spearman’s rank correlation, and Student’s t-test.

RESULTS: A total of 730 CSCR cases were analyzed (435 new-onset, 295 recurrent). The participants’ mean age was 46.8 ± 7.5 years. The overall number of cases significantly increased during the COVID-19 period (462 cases) compared to the pre-COVID period (268 cases) (p < 0.001). Both new-onset (164 vs. 271, p < 0.001) and recurrent cases (104 vs. 191, p < 0.001) showed a significant rise. Among patients from 2021 to 2023, those with a confirmed COVID-19 infection had significantly higher CSCR rates compared to non-infected individuals (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a significant increase in CSCR incidence and recurrence in Greece. This rise may be attributed to heightened psychological stress and endogenous cortisol elevation during the pandemic, as well as direct viral effects and corticosteroid use in infected patients. Further studies are needed to explore underlying mechanisms and long-term consequences.

PMID:40794340 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-025-03704-1

Clin Oral Investig. 2025 Aug 12;29(9):409. doi: 10.1007/s00784-025-06501-3.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the awareness and practices of oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMFS) regarding the management of facial trauma in patients with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD), focusing on alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS), perioperative abstinence and its psychological impact.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 499 OMFS practitioners across India. An investigator-designed, validated, 17-item questionnaire covered six domains: alcohol history, abstinence, AWS management protocols, stress/quality of life and therapeutic alcohol use. Participants were stratified by clinical experience and leadership status. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests via Jamovi. Statistical significance was set at 0.05.

RESULTS: Most surgeons (95%) recorded alcohol-related history; 92% advised pre/post-operative abstinence, primarily for anaesthetic safety. Despite 97% awareness of AWS, 76% lacked familiarity with its prophylaxis. Only 28% reported existing institutional guidelines, of which two-thirds were unaware of specifics. Stress due to sudden abstinence was acknowledged by 95%, yet only 47.7% implemented mitigation strategies. Notably, 56% supported therapeutic alcohol use for AWS management. Surgeons with greater experience or leadership roles showed reduced abstinence durations, increased stress management, and greater awareness of AWS prophylaxis (statistically significant).

CONCLUSIONS: Substantial gaps exist in standardized protocols and interdisciplinary approaches to managing trauma in AUD patients. These disparities are more pronounced among less experienced and non-leader surgeons.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The findings underscore the need for targeted training, standardized clinical guidelines, and integration of psychiatric care in maxillofacial trauma management for patients with AUD, to improve outcomes and reduce complications related to AWS.

PMID:40794336 | DOI:10.1007/s00784-025-06501-3

Clin Rheumatol. 2025 Aug 12. doi: 10.1007/s10067-025-07600-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Takayasu’s arteritis (TAK) is a chronic inflammatory disease that often leads to stenosis or occlusion of the common carotid artery (CCA), posing significant risks such as stroke and cognitive impairment. Despite the widespread use of ultrasound in diagnosing and monitoring TAK, the lack of standardized criteria for assessing CCA stenosis has resulted in inconsistent evaluations. This study aims to establish standardized ultrasound diagnostic criteria for CCA stenosis in TAK, focusing on residual inner diameter and wall thickness.

METHOD: A total of 68 TAK patients with 120 CCAs and 120 healthy CCAs controls were included. Ultrasound examinations were performed using the iU22 Philips Healthcare system, with measurements of arterial wall thickness, inner and outer diameters, and carotid blood flow velocity. Head and neck computed tomography angiography (CTA) served as the gold standard for stenosis assessment. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the diagnostic performance of various ultrasound parameters.

RESULTS: The study found that the residual inner diameter was the most reliable parameter for assessing CCA stenosis, with high diagnostic accuracy across all stenosis categories (ROC values of 0.901 for ≥ 50% and 0.969 for ≥ 70% stenosis). Cutoff values for the residual inner diameter were established at ≤ 0.505 cm for < 50% stenosis, ≤ 0.315 cm for ≥ 50% stenosis, and ≤ 0.285 cm for ≥ 70% stenosis, achieving high sensitivity and specificity. Wall thickness and the inner-to-outer diameter ratio were effective for identifying mild stenosis but showed declining accuracy with increasing stenosis severity.

CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study provides standardized ultrasound diagnostic criteria for CCA stenosis in TAK, with the residual inner diameter emerging as the most reliable parameter. These findings have significant clinical implications for improving diagnostic accuracy, guiding treatment decisions, and monitoring disease progression in TAK patients. Future research should focus on validating these criteria in larger, multicenter studies to further enhance the management of TAK. Key Points • This study establishes residual inner diameteras the most reliable ultrasound parameter for assessing carotid artery stenosis in TAK, with high diagnostic accuracy across all stenosis categories. • Residual inner diameter demonstrated exceptional diagnostic superiority in evaluating carotid stenosis, particularly for moderate-to-severe cases. Its validated cutoff values achieved high sensitivity and specificity, aligning closely with CTA results. By providing clear, reproducible thresholds, residual inner diameter minimizes misdiagnosis and underdetection of high-risk stenosis.

PMID:40794320 | DOI:10.1007/s10067-025-07600-y

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Aug 12;197(9):1011. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-14456-x.

ABSTRACT

During winter, Sarajevo has one of the highest air contaminations in the world through its geographical situation (basin that is surrounded by mountains), coal combustion, and high traffic. As Norway spruce (Picea abies L.) is widespread in Sarajevo, we aimed to use this evergreen tree to provide a first biomonitoring assessment of the heavy metal pollution in Sarajevo. Needle samples of Norway spruce were collected from 13 different locations in Sarajevo with high traffic pressure in winter 2024. Four sampling sites located far away from traffic were used as rural control sites. From all the trees, 1-3-year-old needles were sampled. Samples were milled, microwave digested, and heavy metal concentrations were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy with flame atomization (FAAS). The average concentrations of the heavy metals in urban areas followed the sequence Cd < Cu < Pb < Zn < Mn < Fe, while this sequence differed in the controls: Cd < Ni < Cu < Pb < Fe < Zn < Mn. The Pb, Ni, and Fe concentrations were significantly higher in the urban area compared to the controls while Mn was higher in controls. Multivariate PCA analyses suggest that Fe is mostly derived from anthropogenic sources while Mn derived from geogenic sources. The Pb, Fe, Zn, Ni, and Cu concentrations increased on needles with increasing age due to an accumulation of metals over 3 years. These results suggest that Picea abies has potential as a bioindicator for environmental monitoring of zinc, iron, and lead accumulation, where lead mostly originates from atmospheric deposition. However, further studies are warranted to confirm its reliability and suitability for long-term monitoring applications.

PMID:40794316 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-14456-x

Bull Math Biol. 2025 Aug 12;87(9):129. doi: 10.1007/s11538-025-01512-3.

ABSTRACT

Coral reefs are increasingly subjected to major disturbances threatening the health of marine ecosystems. Substantial research is underway to develop intervention strategies that assist reefs in recovery from, and resistance to, inevitable future climate and weather extremes. To assess potential benefits of interventions, mechanistic understanding of coral reef recovery and resistance patterns is essential. Recent evidence suggests that more than half of the reefs surveyed across the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) exhibit deviations from standard recovery modelling assumptions when the initial coral cover is low ( $\le 10$ %). New modelling is necessary to account for these observed patterns to better inform management strategies. We consider a new model for reef recovery at the coral cover scale that accounts for biphasic recovery patterns. The model is based on a multispecies Richards’ growth model that includes a change point in the recovery patterns. Bayesian inference is applied for uncertainty quantification of key parameters for assessing reef health and recovery patterns. This analysis is applied to benthic survey data from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS). We demonstrate agreement between model predictions and data across every recorded recovery trajectory with at least two years of observations following disturbance events occurring between 1992-2020. This new approach will enable new insights into the biological, ecological and environmental factors that contribute to the duration and severity of biphasic coral recovery patterns across the GBR. These new insights will help to inform managements and monitoring practice to mitigate the impacts of climate change on coral reefs.

PMID:40794296 | DOI:10.1007/s11538-025-01512-3

Hernia. 2025 Aug 12;29(1):249. doi: 10.1007/s10029-025-03438-0.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This meta-analysis aims to analyze the outcomes of neurectomy for treating chronic post herniorrhaphy pain (CPIP), with a focus on the efficacy of various surgical approaches (open, laparoscopic transabdominal, endoscopic retroperitoneal and combined approach), and types of neurectomy-single, double and triple.

METHODS: The research was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023475401). A search in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane Central databases was conducted from the inception to November 2023. All participants aged 18 years and older who underwent neurectomy for treating CPIP were included. PRISMA guidelines were followed, selecting only randomized controlled trials, cohort studies and case series. A random-effects model was used for single-arm analyses, while the inverse variance and Mantel-Haenszel methods were employed for two-arm analyses.

RESULTS: The analysis includes fifteen studies involving 701 patients. Following neurectomy, 90% of the patients experienced an improvement in pain overall. Only 9.4% of the patients had postoperative complications. Among the surgical types, triple neurectomy demonstrated the highest overall pain improvement rate at 98.2%. Double neurectomy showed the highest rate of complete pain relief at 80.1%, but it also had a higher complication rate of 15.3%. In terms of surgical approach, the endoscopic retroperitoneal method not only had the highest overall improvement rate of 95.5% compared to other approaches but also the highest complication rate of 28.7%.

CONCLUSION: Neurectomy was shown to be an effective treatment for neuropathic CPIP across various surgical techniques. Randomized controlled trials would be of vital importance to facilitate the evolution of surgical strategy and patient outcomes.

PMID:40794295 | DOI:10.1007/s10029-025-03438-0

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2025 Aug 12;145(1):407. doi: 10.1007/s00402-025-06031-3.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Accurate anatomical determination of the knee joint line is critically important for the success of both primary and revision total knee arthroplasty procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of anatomical landmarks for determining the knee joint line using plain radiography, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the Turkish population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 186 patients. Anatomical reference points for the knee joint line were defined as the adductor tubercle, medial and lateral epicondyles, fibular head, tibial tuberosity, and inferior pole of the patella. Measurements obtained from all three imaging modalities were compared, and the relationships between femoral width (FW) and reference points were analyzed using correlation and linear regression analyses.

RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the measurement results of the reference points across the imaging methods (lowest r = 0.91, p < 0.001). A strong correlation was observed between FW and the adductor tubercle joint line (ATJL) and medial epicondyle joint line (MEJL). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were greater than 0.90, indicating excellent reliability.

CONCLUSIONS: The adductor tubercle was identified as a reliable anatomical landmark for determining the knee joint line. Additionally, plain radiography, which offers advantages in terms of cost and reduced radiation exposure, may be a sufficient alternative for clinical applications. These findings can provide valuable contributions to surgical planning for accurate joint line determination. However, further studies are needed to validate these results in patients requiring surgical intervention.

PMID:40794293 | DOI:10.1007/s00402-025-06031-3

Support Care Cancer. 2025 Aug 12;33(9):781. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09798-8.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: A cancer diagnosis and treatment pose significant physical and psychological challenges. The study aimed to explore factors associated with distress over time in women diagnosed with breast cancer undergoing radiotherapy (RT) with access to a digital information tool, specifically examining if factors such as health literacy and self-efficacy had any influence on distress.

METHODS: In this pilot randomised controlled trial, women were assigned to an intervention group (n = 59) with access to a digital information tool or a control group (n = 52). Assessments were conducted at baseline, one week before RT (FU1), one week post- (FU2), and six months after treatment (FU3). Distress was measured at all time points, and associated factors were evaluated at baseline and six months.

RESULTS: In the intervention group, a statistically significant reduction in distress was observed over time (FU1, p = .009; FU2, p < .001; FU3, p < .001). The control group showed a significant reduction at FU3 (p = .009). Quade’s ANCOVA revealed no significant differences between the groups in distress prevalence (F = 3.460, p = .066). No significant changes in health literacy or self-efficacy were observed over time.

CONCLUSION: The results indicate no statistically significant effect on distress; however, there is a potential indication of a reduction in distress, suggesting that the digital information tool may offer some benefits. Further research is required to confirm this relationship.

PMID:40794292 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-025-09798-8