Category: Nevin Manimala

Ann Afr Med. 2025 Dec 2. doi: 10.4103/aam.aam_551_25. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), defined by central obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, and hypertension, is a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Despite its clinical importance, the underlying pathophysiology of MetS remains incompletely understood. Serum ferritin, a marker of iron storage, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysfunction, has been associated with insulin resistance and lipid abnormalities. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum ferritin levels and MetS, along with its individual components.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 230 participants, with cases diagnosed with MetS based on International Diabetes Federation criteria and age-matched controls. Clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters, including serum ferritin levels, were assessed. Data analysis was performed using Stata MP-17, with statistical significance set at P ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS: Individuals with MetS exhibited significantly higher waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure (BP), triglycerides, serum ferritin levels, and poorer glycemic control compared to controls (P < 0.001). Serum ferritin showed a positive correlation with body mass index (BMI), fasting glucose, triglycerides, BP, total leukocyte count, and neutrophils, and a negative correlation with lymphocyte count, indicating a strong association between elevated ferritin levels, metabolic dysregulation, and systemic inflammation.

CONCLUSION: Elevated serum ferritin is significantly associated with increased BMI, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and impaired glucose regulation in individuals with MetS. Its correlations with lipid and inflammatory markers suggest ferritin may serve as a surrogate biomarker for metabolic and cardiovascular risk.

PMID:41321203 | DOI:10.4103/aam.aam_551_25

Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2026 Jan;70(1):e70156. doi: 10.1111/aas.70156.

ABSTRACT

Shedding of the endothelial glycocalyx may be a pathophysiological mechanism in septic shock, to which intravenous (IV) fluid therapy may contribute. We aimed to investigate the effects of restrictive versus standard IV fluid therapy on glycocalyx shedding in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients with septic shock. In this preplanned sub-study of the CLASSIC trial, ICU patients with septic shock were randomized to restrictive or standard IV fluid therapy at one Danish and one Swedish ICU between February 2020 and October 2021. Plasma markers of glycocalyx shedding were measured at four timepoints: within the first hour after randomization (T0), the following morning (T1), the morning after (T2), at ICU discharge or up to 90 days after randomization (T3). The primary outcome was the change in plasma hyaluronan levels from T0 to T1. A total of 54 patients were included, below the planned sample size of 200, leading to important differences between groups. Mean hyaluronan levels decreased by 11 ng/mL (95% CI 35-41) more in the restrictive group compared to the standard group from T0 to T1. The interaction effect between group and time was non-significant (p value: 0.872). In this underpowered sub-study we found no statistically significant difference in endothelial glycocalyx shedding between adult ICU patients with septic shock randomized to restrictive versus standard IV fluid therapy. We consider these findings hypothesis-generating; further research is needed to confirm these results. EDITORIAL COMMENT: In this substudy of the CLASSIC trial, glycocalyx degredation products and related substances were measured serially in sepsic study participants randomized to restrictive or usual fluid treatment protocols. No differences between treatment glycocalyx degredation product and related substance levels were observed. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04282252.

PMID:41321198 | DOI:10.1111/aas.70156

Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025 Dec 1. doi: 10.1111/dom.70301. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To comprehensively assess the efficacy and safety of liraglutide on metabolic and hepatic outcomes in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), based on randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Embase) were systematically searched for randomised RCTs evaluating liraglutide in the treatment of NAFLD. Outcome measures included body mass index (BMI), glycated haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS: Eight RCTs (with an overall moderate risk of bias as assessed by the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) involving 478 participants were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis results demonstrated that liraglutide significantly improved BMI (standardised mean difference [SMD]: -0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.04 to -0.66), FPG (SMD: -1.22; 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.46), and GGT (SMD: -1.10; 95% CI: -1.48 to -0.72; p < 0.00001) in patients with NAFLD, regardless of T2DM comorbidity. Furthermore, liraglutide showed positive effects on ALT (SMD: -0.44; 95% CI: -0.80 to -0.08) and TG (SMD: -1.08; 95% CI: -1.97 to -0.19) specifically in patients with NAFLD comorbid with T2DM. However, the effect of liraglutide on HbA1c was not statistically significant (SMD: 0.14; 95% CI: -0.39 to 0.67). Regarding safety, liraglutide was associated with a higher incidence of adverse events, primarily gastrointestinal disorders such as nausea and diarrhoea, though these were mostly transient.

CONCLUSIONS: Liraglutide demonstrates beneficial effects on BMI, FPG and GGT in patients with NAFLD with or without comorbid T2DM. It also shows positive effects on ALT and TG in patients with NAFLD and T2DM. While the treatment was associated with a higher burden of mostly manageable gastrointestinal adverse events, the findings of this study warrant further validation in prospective high-quality studies.

PMID:41321175 | DOI:10.1111/dom.70301

Glob Health Action. 2025 Dec;18(1):2585674. doi: 10.1080/16549716.2025.2585674. Epub 2025 Dec 1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: While the adverse effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) on sexual and reproductive health are globally recognized, research in low- and middle-income countries, particularly Uganda, remains limited.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to assess the association between past-year IPV and HIV, contraceptive use, and unintended pregnancies among Ugandan women.

METHODS: Data from the Africa Medical and Behavioural Sciences Organization collected during the 2019 Population Health Surveillance in Hoima and Wakiso districts, Uganda were analysed including 1,819 women aged 15-49. Binary logistic regression was performed to estimate adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at 95% confidence interval. This study used a cross-sectional design; therefore, causal inference cannot be established.

RESULTS: Women with past-year sexual IPV had 3.2 times higher odds of having unintended pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 3.2, 95% CI: 1.72, 5.97). There was a borderline association between both HIV infection and physical (AOR: 1.67 95% CI: 1.00, 2.79) and psychological IPV (AOR: 1.42 95% CI: 1.00, 2.00). Contraceptive use was not found to be associated with IPV (AOR: 1.30 95% CI: 0.90, 1.89).

CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the link between IPV and unintended pregnancies is suggestive of a potential association. While the association between IPV and HIV was not statistically significant, it points to a possible relationship that requires further research. There was no significant association between IPV and contraceptive use. Given the design of the study, causal inference cannot be established; however, the results may inform future studies aimed at preventing IPV and improving SRHR outcomes in Uganda.

PMID:41321171 | DOI:10.1080/16549716.2025.2585674

J Chem Theory Comput. 2025 Dec 1. doi: 10.1021/acs.jctc.5c01143. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Markov state models (MSMs) are widely employed to analyze the kinetics of complex systems. But despite their effectiveness in many applications, MSMs are prone to systematic or statistical errors, often exacerbated by suboptimal hyperparameter choice. In this article, we attempt to understand how these choices affect the error of estimates of mean first-passage times and committors, key quantities in chemical rate theory. We first evaluate the performance of the recently introduced “stopped-process estimator” [Strahan, J. Long-time-scale predictions from short-trajectory data: A benchmark analysis of the trp-cage miniprotein. J. Chem. Theory Comput. 2021, 17, 2948-2963. 10.1021/acs.jctc.0c00933.] that attempts to reduce error caused by choosing a too-large lag time. We then study the effect of statistical errors on Markov state model construction using the condition number, which measures an MSM’s sensitivity to perturbation. This analysis helps give an insight into which factors cause an MSM to be more or less sensitive to statistical error. Our work highlights the importance of choosing a good sampling measure, the measure from which the initial points are drawn, and has implications for recent work applying a variational principle for evaluating the committor.

PMID:41321159 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jctc.5c01143

Anal Chem. 2025 Dec 1. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c04615. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections present a great challenge to healthcare, particularly during life-threatening conditions, such as septic shock. In these critical cases, testing delays are life-threatening, as patient mortality increases by 7.6% for each hour without effective antibiotics. To overcome these issues, we have developed a multichannel Large-Volume Scattering imaging (LVSim) system for rapid and precise phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. This system simultaneously monitors up to eight sample/drug conditions over time. A Bayesian Gaussian process model is employed to analyze the temporal dynamics of bacterial growth for rapid MIC determination. We validated our method with Escherichia coli, a model bacterial strain, and two Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains─one model reference strain and one slow-growing MDR clinical isolate─and achieved rapid MIC determination within 2 h. The multiplexed LVSim system offers a promising rapid AST solution to combat MDR infections.

PMID:41321146 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.5c04615

J Sports Sci. 2025 Dec 1:1-13. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2025.2595402. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to determine the physical and physiological demands of intercounty Camogie match-play between competitions. Data was collected across a two-year period, using global positioning systems (10-Hz) and heart rate monitors (2.4-GHz). There were statistically significant increases between competitions in total distance (TD) (p < 0.05), Relative Distance (RD) (p < 0.05), HRmax (p < 0.01), HRmean (p < 0.01), number of High-Speed Running (HSR), (p < 0.05) between competitions. There were also significant increases between competitions in very high-speed running (VHSR) (p < 0.05), sprinting (p < 0.02) between the National League (NL) and All-Ireland Championship (AIC). From a positional difference, half-forwards covered a significantly greater RD (p < 0.02) than full forwards during the NL (p < 0.02). Midfielders covered a significantly greater TD than full backs (p < 0.01) and full forwards (p < 0.05) during the AIC. Midfielders covered a significantly greater HSR distance than full-backs (p < 0.02) and half backs during the AIC (p < 0.05). Midfielders covered a significantly greater number of sprints than full backs during the AIC (p < 0.02). The findings provide distinct physical and physiological values of the between competition demands of intercounty Camogie match-play.

PMID:41321120 | DOI:10.1080/02640414.2025.2595402

Anal Methods. 2025 Dec 1. doi: 10.1039/d5ay01750e. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A quick and simple fabrication process of a paper-based device using 3D printing of a polylactic acid polymer as an industrially compostable hydrophobic barrier was developed and applied to determine tin(IV) in canned fruit samples with sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan Linn.) extract. The analysis protocol is based on the complexation of tin(IV) with brazilein from sappan wood extract. Under optimal conditions, a standard curve was obtained with a linear equation y = 7.5322x + 3.4933 and coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.9959. The intra-day and inter-day precision were less than 2.5 (n = 8) and 5.2 (n = 9)% relative standard deviations, respectively for different fruit matrices containing more than 58.5 µg g^-1 of tin. The detection limit was 1 mg L^-1. The accuracy of the method was validated using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Statistical analysis indicated no difference (p > 0.05) between the two methods. Greenness of the developed method was evaluated using the Analytical GREEnness (AGREE) software assessment tool.

PMID:41321110 | DOI:10.1039/d5ay01750e

Pediatr Dermatol. 2025 Dec 1. doi: 10.1111/pde.70060. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (EPF) is a rare, noninfectious eosinophilic inflammatory disease that manifests with papulopustular lesions. Although EPF is not a severe skin disorder, it is recurring and causes uncomfortable symptoms, such as itching, that impact the patient’s quality of life.

METHODS: The Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane databases were systematically searched for studies on children with EPF up to May 2025. The study was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A restricted maximum likelihood (REML) random-effects model was performed for all endpoints to synthesize results with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Cochran’s Q test and I² were used to assess heterogeneity. R version 4.2.2 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: 52 studies comprising 136 patients with EPF were included. The analysis showed a mean age of 11.16 months (95% CI: 5.11-17.22) and a male predominance of 80.58% (95% CI: 71.60-88.20). Scalp lesions were the most common site with a rate of 92.10% (95% CI: 71.25-100.00). The most common treatment included topical hydrocortisone at 1.48% (95% CI: 0.00-8.51), corticoid not identified (NI) at 2.00% (95% CI: 0.00-9.42), and others at 6.17% (95% CI: 0.00-24.16).

CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that EPF in childhood primarily affects male patients, with patient ages ranging from 0.03 to 192 months. The lesion’s most frequent location is the scalp. Corticosteroids were identified as the primary treatment strategy.

PMID:41321086 | DOI:10.1111/pde.70060

CPT Pharmacometrics Syst Pharmacol. 2025 Nov 30. doi: 10.1002/psp4.70156. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

A twice-daily administration of oral selumetinib (SLT) in the fasted state is the only approved pharmaceutical option for treating inoperable neurofibromatosis type I (NF-1) and plexiform neurofibromas (PN). In children, exposure to SLT is highly variable, and fasting presents a substantial burden. Therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic modeling can support individualized therapy accompanied by a more rational alimentary routine. Twenty-eight children diagnosed with inoperable NF-1 or PN were recruited at a major pediatric oncological center. Twenty-two patients donated 156 blood samples in steady state for nonparametric population pharmacokinetic modeling. An equation was developed experimentally for estimating model error. Eleven three-compartment models were compared in terms of statistical performance. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to validate a limited external model using six additional patients and to compare the trough-to-peak SLT concentration ratios simulated for various dosing regimens to develop better control over exposure. A pharmacokinetic model that included total body weight as a covariate provided the best fit between predicted and observed concentrations (r = 0.994) and the best performance statistics. In the first Monte Carlo simulation, measured concentrations fell within the 0.01%-95% (median: 19.7%) quantiles of the simulated ranges. The second simulation revealed that 6-h (q6h), 8-h (q8h), and 12-h (q12h) dosing intervals would yield comparable trough-to-peak concentration ratios, with medians of 0.126 (range: 0.001-0.335), 0.104 (0.000-0.306), and 0.065 (0.000-0.279), respectively. The nonparametric population model provides efficient priors for making individual predictions of SLT concentrations. The simulation did not reveal any disadvantages of q6h or q8h dosing.

PMID:41321074 | DOI:10.1002/psp4.70156