Category: Nevin Manimala

Psychol Med. 2026 Apr 7;56:e92. doi: 10.1017/S0033291726104012.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The individual effects of genetic factors and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on risk of psychosis, including schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BIP), have been widely acknowledged, but their interaction effects on individual psychopathological symptoms remain unclear.

METHODS: Based on data from 163,704 individuals in the UK Biobank, we investigated the joint effects of polygenic risk scores (PRSs) of SCZ and BIP and ACEs on psychopathology. ACEs status and 55 psychopathological symptoms from seven domains were measured retrospectively using an online mental health questionnaire in 2016. Recent genome-wide association studies for SCZ and BIP were combined with genotype data to generate PRSs. Logistic regression analyses were then conducted to explore univariate and joint main effects of PRSs and ACEs on psychopathological symptoms, as well as their additive and multiplicative interaction effects.

RESULTS: The interaction mechanisms for PRSs and ACEs varied across symptom domains: additive interactions were observed on the depression (RERI_BIP-ACEs = 0.20-0.25), anxiety (RERI_SCZ-ACEs = 0.20; RERI_BIP-ACEs = 0.22-0.26), help-seeking (RERI_SCZ-ACEs = 0.24; RERI_BIP-ACEs = 0.23), and cognition domains (RERI_SCZ-ACEs = -0.23 to -0.17), whereas multiplicative interactions were only detected on the psychotic (beta_SCZ-ACEs = -0.543; beta_BIP-ACEs = -0.181), mania (beta_BIP-ACEs = -0.195), self-harm or suicide (beta_SCZ-ACEs = -0.118), and cognitive domains (beta_SCZ-ACEs = -0.204 to -0.157).

CONCLUSIONS: The interplay mechanisms for genetic liability to SCZ and BIP and ACEs vary across symptom domains. This study reveals heterogeneity in gene-ACEs interaction mechanisms underlying psychosis and may provide personalized guidance for psychological care after ACEs.

PMID:41943949 | DOI:10.1017/S0033291726104012

Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci. 2026 Apr 7;35:e22. doi: 10.1017/S2045796026100614.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Social functioning is a crucial aspect of psychosocial adaptation following forced displacement. Yet, it has received far less attention than understanding and addressing mental health problems among refugees and asylum-seekers. This study aimed to extend the ecological model of refugee distress – one of the most widely used frameworks in refugee mental health – to social functioning, and to identify direct and indirect pathways from established conflict- and displacement-related factors to social functioning alongside mental health problems.

METHOD: An online study with 1,235 refugees in Indonesia was conducted over a 2-year period. Conflict-related traumatic experiences before arrival in Indonesia, post-displacement stressors in the past 12 months, were measured at the onset of the study, while social functioning and mental health outcomes (symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anger) were assessed 1 year later.

RESULTS: Longitudinal Structural Equation Modelling analysis revealed that diversity of conflict-related trauma predicted more post-displacement stress (β = 0.45, SE = 0.03, p < 0.001), higher mental health problems (β = 0.13, SE = 0.05, p = 0.004), but increased social functioning 1 year later (β = 0.10, SE = 0.04, p = 0.011), while post-displacement stressors predicted poorer mental health (β = 0.46, SE = 0.05, p < 0.011) and reduced social functioning (β = –0.09, SE = 0.04, p = 0.041). The indirect pathway from traumatic experiences via post-displacement stressors was positive for mental health (β = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.162-0.257) and negative for social functioning (β = –0.04, 95% CI = -0.082 to -0.003).

CONCLUSIONS: This study conceptually and empirically extended the ecological model of refugee distress to social functioning by highlighting the dual influences of conflict-related traumatic experiences. The findings provide a springboard for advancing research and practice in the mental health and psychosocial field.

PMID:41943947 | DOI:10.1017/S2045796026100614

Water Environ Res. 2026 Apr;98(4):e70343. doi: 10.1002/wer.70343.

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the effect of localized mechanical stirring on the performance and organic matter conversion pathways in two bench-scale horizontal flow anaerobic biodigesters treating swine wastewater (SW). Two reactors (total volume of 10.6L; working volume of 7.95 L) were operated in parallel for 150 days under identical conditions (hydraulic retention time [HRT] = 25 days; volumetric organic loading rate [VOLR] = 0.3-0.5 g V L^-1 day^-1 of TVS): one equipped with mechanical mixing (HF_w) and the other operated without mixing (HF_w/o). After system stabilization, no statistically significant differences were observed between the reactors with respect to hydrolysis and methanogenesis (%) or biogas production and composition. Mass balance analysis demonstrated that HF_w accumulated fewer solids within the reactor (5.5% of the applied chemical oxygen demand [COD]) compared with HF_w/o (13.6%). These findings indicate that mechanical stirring effectively mitigates sludge accumulation without compromising overall treatment performance or biogas generation.

PMID:41943942 | DOI:10.1002/wer.70343

Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2026 Apr 7. doi: 10.24171/j.phrp.2025.0481. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated a cluster of secondary human-to-human transmission of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in a hospital setting, focusing on infection risk factors and the role of personal protective equipment (PPE).

METHODS: A descriptive epidemiological investigation was conducted following the death of an index patient with laboratory-confirmed SFTS. A total of 27 close contacts, including healthcare workers and a funeral director, were monitored for symptoms. Suspected cases underwent real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. Clinical features, PPE use, and exposure histories were analyzed. The Fisher exact test was used to assess associations between PPE use and infection. Viral genotyping and sequence analyses were performed to evaluate transmission routes.

RESULTS: The index patient deteriorated rapidly and died after repeated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), during which 8 secondary cases occurred. Most infections were identified among individuals involved in CPR or postmortem care without adequate PPE. Although not statistically significant, infection rates were higher among those who did not wear masks or who used low-filtration masks. Proper use of gloves, gowns, and goggles was associated with lower infection rates. Cycle threshold values in secondary cases (range, 34-39) were higher than in the index case (14.07), suggesting lower viral loads. Sequence analysis demonstrated 99.6%-100% homology between the index and secondary cases; all isolates were genotype B, indicating direct transmission.

CONCLUSION: This study provides molecular and epidemiological evidence of nosocomial SFTS transmission. Inadequate PPE use during aerosol-generating procedures likely facilitated infection, underscoring the importance of strict adherence to PPE protocols and reinforced infection control practices.

PMID:41943912 | DOI:10.24171/j.phrp.2025.0481

Osong Public Health Res Perspect. 2026 Apr 7. doi: 10.24171/j.phrp.2025.0516. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: In alignment with the World Health Organization’s goal of eliminating hepatitis C, this study assessed the current treatment status and reasons for non-treatment among patients with hepatitis C in Jeonbuk State, Republic of Korea, to inform strategies for improving care engagement.

METHODS: Among 311 individuals diagnosed with hepatitis C and reported through the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Surveillance system between January 2023 and June 2024, 208 patients were surveyed after excluding those who had died or could not be contacted. Statistical analyses included the chi-square test, the Cochran-Armitage test for trend, and logistic regression.

RESULTS: Overall, 116 participants (55.8%) reported having received antiviral therapy. Among the 92 untreated individuals, the most common reason for non-treatment was the absence of symptoms (n=23; 25.0%), followed by the burden of drug costs (n=21; 22.8%).

CONCLUSION: These findings highlight suboptimal treatment uptake and key barriers that may hinder progress toward hepatitis C elimination. Expanding screening and strengthening linkage-to-care strategies, while addressing financial barriers, will be essential to achieving national elimination targets.

PMID:41943911 | DOI:10.24171/j.phrp.2025.0516

Risk Anal. 2026 Apr;46(4):e70240. doi: 10.1111/risa.70240.

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, many mathematical models and risk assessments have been created to inform policymakers on effective strategies for controlling the spread of the pathogen. These models were often developed rapidly for timely input to strategic decisions. It is prudent to evaluate the models created and learn from experience so that we can be adequately prepared for a future pandemic. One area of modeling developed during the COVID-19 pandemic was for international travel and how to safely reopen borders and to which countries. We developed an importation risk model for estimating the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infectious travelers entering any airport and parameterized it for UK airports. We ran the model using prevalence estimates from August 2020 and found that 895 (CI: 834-958) infectious travelers would arrive in a single week from the 25 countries considered. We simulated health measures on arrival to assess the efficacy of self-isolation, the policy at the time, in comparison to proposed alternatives. We found that the 14-day self-isolation is 78.0% effective (CI: 74.4-81.6), whereas a test at the airport plus an additional test 4 days later is 68.9% (CI: 64.9-73.0) effective, after accounting for 20% noncompliance. Rapidly implementing control measures for travelers from riskier countries is vital to protect public health. This methodology can be quickly updated to assess the impact of any further changes to international travel policy or disease occurrence. We assess whether our model results would be applicable for a future Disease X, the adaptability of our model, future work to ensure that the model is comprehensive, and the lessons learned from modeling during COVID-19. In particular, we highlight the importance of building flexible, transparent, and adaptable models due to the speed at which policy or the epidemiological situation can change and for use in any future pandemic.

PMID:41943181 | DOI:10.1111/risa.70240

Brain Behav. 2026 Apr;16(4):e71213. doi: 10.1002/brb3.71213.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Recent studies have reported that palmitoylation plays a pivotal role in the process of angiogenesis, as well as in the motility and migration of endothelial cells (ECs). However, the role of palmitoylation in the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysms (IAs) has not yet been systematically investigated. Moreover, alterations in DNA methylation and the expression of IA-related genes have not received sufficient attention.

METHOD: The present study aims to employ Mendelian randomization (MR) methods to investigate the causal relationships and underlying mechanisms between palmitoylation-related genes, DNA methylation, and IAs. By employing two-sample MR analysis, summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) analysis, and mediation analysis, this study drew its conclusions. Furthermore, the robustness of these conclusions was evaluated through sensitivity analyses and transcriptomics approaches.

FINDING: Our study revealed a significant positive correlation between the overexpression of the ZDHHC24 gene and increased risk of IA. For each one standard deviation increase in ZDHHC24 expression, the risk of IA increases by 21.85%. Further mediation effect analysis revealed that methylation sites cg01806972, cg10523820, cg18862171, and cg26041493 indirectly influence the occurrence of IA by regulating the expression of the ZDHHC24 gene, with mediation effects accounting for 33.19%, 26.71%, 32.93%, and 47.16% of the total effect, respectively. Sensitivity analysis provides evidence of the robustness of the research conclusion. The final transcriptomic analysis revealed a statistically significant differential expression of ZDHHC24 between experimental and control groups (p < 0.001), suggesting its potential involvement in IA pathogenesis.

CONCLUSION: ZDHHC24 overexpression is causally linked to increased IA risk, and this relationship is mediated by specific DNA methylation loci. These findings underscore the roles of palmitoylation-related gene expression and DNA methylation in IA pathogenesis, offering novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying IA susceptibility.

PMID:41943174 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.71213

Contracept Reprod Med. 2026 Apr 6. doi: 10.1186/s40834-026-00446-y. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41943171 | DOI:10.1186/s40834-026-00446-y

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2026 Apr 6. doi: 10.1186/s13756-026-01742-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) practices can reduce healthcare associated infections (HAIs). There is limited insight into the implementation of IPC practices in the medical and surgical departments in Malawian hospitals. The study aimed to explore the current state of IPC policy/guidelines and their implementation gaps at two referral hospitals in Malawi.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional mixed-methods situational analysis to understand the IPC landscape in the medical and surgical departments in two tertiary hospitals from September 2023 to April 2024. These methods included: (i) document review; (ii) participant observation; (iii) semi-structured interviews with healthcare workers (HCWs); (iv) key informant interviews with hospital managers; and (v) focus group discussions with cleaning staff and patient-guardians. Quantitative data from participant observations were analysed in Excel to generate descriptive statistics, while framework analysis was used for qualitative data.

RESULTS: IPC guidelines were theoretically available but inaccessible to most HCWs. Observation revealed low compliance to all five moments of hand hygiene (0-12%) and non-touch technique (9-25%), often due to a lack of IPC supplies and poor knowledge. Adherence to environmental cleaning between procedures in theatre was 50%. Training of HCWs on IPC was inconsistent, and monitoring and feedback mechanisms were largely absent. There was no clear monitoring schedule for aseptic procedures, hand hygiene, or environmental cleaning. There was limited orientation on IPC practices for patient-guardians.

CONCLUSION: We observed critical IPC gaps in both hospitals. Addressing these issues requires thoughtful implementation of multiple context-specific IPC strategies that are likely to be sustainable, such as IPC orientation for patient-guardians as they play a critical role in the Malawian healthcare system. Training of HCWs, regular monitoring and feedback on HAI/IPC practices, easily accessible IPC guidelines and improved IPC infrastructure and supplies will facilitate improved IPC practices.

PMID:41943143 | DOI:10.1186/s13756-026-01742-7

J Anim Sci Biotechnol. 2026 Apr 7;17(1):60. doi: 10.1186/s40104-026-01375-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Methane emissions from enteric fermentation in ruminant livestock make up 27% of anthropogenic methane emissions.

RESULTS: Screening > 1,700 lactic acid bacteria identified Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus FNZ118 (Kowbucha™ FNZ118) and L. rhamnosus FNZ142, (Kowbucha™ FNZ142) as capable of inhibiting rumen methanogens and methane production in vitro. FNZ118 or FNZ142 fed daily to Friesian heifer calves from birth to 14 weeks substantially lowered methane production through the first year of life compared to control animals. These strains also decreased feed intake and reduced ruminal metabolite concentrations without affecting animal live weight, suggesting an improvement in feed conversion efficiency. The observed effects did not cause major changes in the structure of the rumen microbiome.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that early life provision of specific L. rhamnosus strains lower CH₄ production and have potential for the mitigation of enteric greenhouse gas emissions from growing dairy cattle.

PMID:41943109 | DOI:10.1186/s40104-026-01375-1