Category: Nevin Manimala

Integr Environ Assess Manag. 2025 Jul 23:vjaf093. doi: 10.1093/inteam/vjaf093. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pollinating bee dietary risk assessment for pesticide registration requires knowledge of nectar and pollen pesticide residue concentrations following different pesticide application methods to crops. The magnitude and duration of bee dietary pesticide exposures vary according to crop attractiveness to bees, physio-chemical properties, plant characteristics, application rate, method, and timing, and soil characteristics. Regulatory authorities rely on model-generated default estimates of pollinator exposure when measured food item pesticide residue data are unavailable for pesticide active ingredients. In North America, default pesticide residue estimates for pollen and nectar are imbedded in the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s BeeREX model and, depending on the application method, are derived from various model approaches and data sources. Pursuing comprehensive bee-relevant data, we compiled and analyzed pesticide residue data from nectar and pollen samples collected during numerous field studies previously submitted to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, California Department of Pesticide Regulation, Canada Pesticide Regulatory Agency, and the European Food Safety Authority by pesticide product registrants. The information was compiled into a database that is accessible through an interactive Excel® user interface termed NPRUDv1. The interactive file that makes up NPRUDv1 allows the user to generate statistical estimates of pesticide residue per unit dose (RUD) values in nectar and pollen matrices for different application methods. The values can be used to calculate nectar and pollen estimated environmental concentrations (EECs) in models to assess dietary pollinator risk. The use of this database and the NPRUDv1 tool will strengthen the dietary exposure component of pollinator pesticide risk assessments by utilizing a database of field-measured pollen and nectar residue concentrations that represent pesticide use patterns in different crops. This publication describes the procedures followed to establish a globally comprehensive nectar and pollen residue database, demonstrates the use of NPRUDv1 and demonstrates its applicability to lower tier pollinator pesticide risk assessment.

PMID:40700598 | DOI:10.1093/inteam/vjaf093

Br J Radiol. 2025 Jul 23:tqaf170. doi: 10.1093/bjr/tqaf170. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) with N-butyl-2 Cyanoacrylate (NBCA) versus without NBCA for the treatment of iatrogenic renal hemorrhage (IRH) in patients with normal coagulation profiles.

METHODS: Forty-nine participants with normal coagulation profiles were divided into two groups: NBCA (n = 12) and non-NBCA (n = 37). The primary outcome assessed was the primary clinical success rate, with secondary analyses conducted on technical success rate, secondary clinical success rate, procedure duration and cost, angiographic results, and adverse events.

RESULTS: Patients exhibited a near-normal coagulation condition (98.4%, 50/51). Technical success was attained in all patients, with no statistically significant differences observed between primary clinical success rate (p > 0.99), secondary clinical success rate (p > 0.99), procedure time (p = 0.469), and surgical costs (p = 0.057) when comparing the sides. In the non-NBCA group, negative angiographic findings were more prevalent compared to the NBCA group (43.2% vs 0, p = 0.012). No significant differences were found in serum creatinine and urea levels before and after treatment in both groups (p > 0.05). Minor complications were observed after the TAE procedure, with a higher percentage in the NBCA group compared to the non-NBCA group (p = 0.088).

CONCLUSIONS: TAE has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for IRH in patients with normal coagulation conditions, regardless of the use of N-butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) glue.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: There were no significant differences in procedure time or costs between the NBCA group and other treatment modalities. However, these findings require validation in large-scale randomized controlled trials.

PMID:40700592 | DOI:10.1093/bjr/tqaf170

Br J Radiol. 2025 Jul 23:tqaf172. doi: 10.1093/bjr/tqaf172. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compare apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) findings between leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and atypical/degenerate leiomyoma (LM) and evaluate the usefulness of this biomarker for diagnosis. Additionally it will explore the potential of preoperative neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) as a haematological marker to aid in the differentiation of LMS from atypical LM.

METHODS: Histologically proven LMS and LM patients between 2013-2023 were included. For all patients (191 LM, 18 LMS), the pre-operative full blood count was analysed, and the NLR calculated. Whole volume of interest (VOI) and focal region of interest (ROI) areas were manually segmented on patients with DW-MRI sequences available (52 LM, 12 LMS). Mann-Whitney and Fishers exact test were used to assess statistical significance and ROC curves for diagnostic performance.

RESULTS: VOI and ROI mean ADC values were significantly lower for LMS than LM, with ROI mean ADC demonstrating greater diagnostic accuracy (AUC 0.817 vs 0.755). Applying a threshold ROI mean ADC value of ≤ 1.00 x10-3 mm2/sec achieved a sensitivity and specificity of 88.3% and 65.4% respectively. A higher NLR was suggestive of LMS (median 2.8 vs 1.7 for LM).

CONCLUSIONS: ADC, particularly a focal ROI is useful in differentiating LMS from LM. Differences in preoperative blood markers, suggest an inflammatory-malignancy relationship. Future risk stratification models of ADC and haematological parameters should be explored.

ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: This study adds to few studies comparing using both ROI and VOI based methods, and no study has assessed both haematological markers and ADC metrics to aid differentiation.

PMID:40700586 | DOI:10.1093/bjr/tqaf172

Adv Mind Body Med. 2025 Jul 15:ADV1417. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Air pollution poses a significant public health risk, particularly in urban areas such as Delhi-NCR, where airborne pollutants are prevalent. This exposure contributes to impaired pulmonary function and increased psychological stress. While pharmacological interventions exist, holistic approaches such as yoga remain underexplored in this context.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the impact of a structured yoga program on pulmonary function and psychological well-being in individuals chronically exposed to air pollution in Delhi-NCR.

METHODS: A 12-week randomized controlled trial was conducted among 86 adults, aged 18-50 years. Participants were randomly assigned to a yoga intervention group or a control group. The intervention group practiced a structured daily yoga regimen informed by Hatha Yoga philosophy, comprising 60-minute sessions of asanas, pranayama, and guided meditation, five days a week. Pulmonary functions, such as forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiration flow rate (PEFR), were assessed using spirometry. Psychological health was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). Quality of life was evaluated using the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ). All assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention.

RESULTS: The yoga group demonstrated statistically significant improvements in pulmonary function (FVC: +0.83 L, FEV1: +0.93 L, PEFR: +2.06 L/sec), psychological well-being (reduced DASS-21 and PSS scores), and quality of life (improved SGRQ scores). In contrast, the control group showed deterioration in all measured outcomes.

CONCLUSION: Yoga appears to be an effective, non-pharmacological strategy to counteract the negative health effects of air pollution. These findings suggest that integration of structured yoga programs into public health interventions may be beneficial for populations residing in polluted urban environments.

KEYWORDS: Yoga, Air Pollution, Pulmonary Function, Psychological Health, Pranayama, Oxidative Stress, Quality of Life.

PMID:40700529

JMIR Diabetes. 2025 Jul 23;10:e74032. doi: 10.2196/74032.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Transition to adult health care for young people and young adults (YP/YA) with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) starts around 11 years of age, but transition services may not meet their needs. A combination of self-management support digital health technologies exists, but no supportive chatbots with components to help YP/YA with T1DM were identified.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to (1) evaluate the novel DigiBete Chatbot, the first user-led, developmentally appropriate, clinically approved transition chatbot for YP/YA with T1DM from four English diabetes services and (2) assess the feasibility of a future trial of the chatbot.

METHODS: In a prospective, multimethod, nonrandomized feasibility and acceptability study in the UK National Health Service, YP/YA with T1DM from 4 hospital diabetes clinics (2 pretransition and 2 posttransition) were enrolled in a 6-week study to test the DigiBete Chatbot. During the study, YP/YA completed web-based, validated, and standardized questionnaires at baseline, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks to evaluate quality of life and anxiety and depression, along with chatbot usability and acceptability. Qualitative interviews involving YP/YA, parents, and health care professionals explored their views on the chatbot. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and framework analysis.

RESULTS: Eighteen YP/YA were enrolled. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 4 parents, 24 health care professionals, and 12 YP/YA. Questionnaire outputs and the emergent qualitative themes (living with T1DM, using the chatbot, and refining the chatbot) indicated that the measures are feasible to use and the chatbot is acceptable and functional. In addition, responses indicated that, with refinements that incorporate the feasibility results, the chatbot could beneficially support YP/YA during transition. Users scored the chatbot as “good” to “excellent” for being engaging, informative, and aesthetically pleasing, and they stated that they would use it again. The results suggest that, with some adaptations based on user feedback, the chatbot was feasible and acceptable among the YP/YA who enjoyed using it. Our reactive conversational agent offers content (messaging and additional multimedia resources) that is relevant for the target population and clinically approved. The DigiBete Chatbot addresses the identified lack of personalized and supported self-management tools available for 11-24 year olds with T1DM and other chronic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS: These results warrant chatbot refinement and further investigation in a full trial to augment it prior to its wider clinical use. Our research design and methodology could also be transferred to using chatbots for other long-term conditions. On the premise of this feasibility study, the plan is to rebuild the DigiBete Chatbot to meet identified user needs and preferences and progress to a national cohort study to assess the usability, feasibility, and acceptability of a modified chatbot, with a view to proceeding to rollout for national and international use on the established DigiBete platform.

PMID:40699892 | DOI:10.2196/74032

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2025 Jun 13;47(6):458. doi: 10.3390/cimb47060458.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to inflammation and demyelination, manifesting in either a relapsing-remitting or progressive form. As a multifactorial disease, MS involves both genetic and environmental factors, with a known significant contribution from human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes, mainly represented by the HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 loci, which have been linked to either susceptibility or protection, but variably across populations and ethnic groups. We aimed to study the distribution and polymorphism of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles in a population with MS from the southern Moroccan region, in comparison with healthy controls. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 2 years (2022-2024) in a MS cohort including 40 patients and 100 healthy controls. DRB1 and DQB1 HLA genotyping was performed using a high-resolution reverse sequence-specific oligonucleotide (SSO) method, based on the Luminex system (xMAP technology, One lambda^®). Data were analyzed using SPSS 26; differences in allele frequencies were evaluated by the Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test. OR (95% CI) was calculated, and FDR corrections were applied for multiple testing. Results: Among the various HLA-DRB1 and DQB1 alleles studied, including those considered as predisposing to MS, the DQB1*02:01 and DRB1*15:01 alleles were more prevalent in MS patients, with 40% and 8.8% vs. 16% and 4.08% in controls respectively, although these differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.06 and p = 0.12). Likewise, the DRB1*15:01-DQB1*06:02 association was significantly more prevalent in the MS group (9%, p = 0.004). In contrast, the DRB1*07:01 allele, linked to protection against MS in many populations, was significantly predominant in controls (17%, p = 0.004). Similarly, the DRB1*07:01-DQB*02:01 combination was rather more frequent in controls (12%, p = 0.01). Confronted to MS clinical forms, we remarkably noted that the DRB1*13:03 allele was found only among relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients (6%, p = 0.003), while DQB1*02:01 was significantly associated with RRMS (42.1%) and primary progressive MS (41%, p = 0.001), with an intermediate Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, which may indicate a possible link with disease progression and severity. Conclusions: The results of our study highlighted particular HLA alleles, DRB1 and DQB1, alone or in combination, as potential immunogenic factors of susceptibility to MS in a population from southern Morocco, while other alleles seem rather to protect against the disease. This HLA polymorphism is also reflected in the clinical forms of the disease, showing a tendency toward severity for certain alleles. However, such preliminary results need to be consolidated and confirmed by studies carried out on a larger population sample, and compared with others on a national scale.

PMID:40699857 | DOI:10.3390/cimb47060458

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2025 Jun 13;47(6):457. doi: 10.3390/cimb47060457.

ABSTRACT

The present study investigated the influence of a 30 day exposure of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to a suboptimal low temperature of 1.8 ± 1.0 °C on their different gill characteristics (morphometry, enzyme activities, and expression of genes) in comparison to fish acclimated to 9.4 ± 0.1 °C. Morphometric analysis revealed a significant decrease in the distance between the secondary lamellae at the low temperature, which can be interpreted as a decrease in the effective gill surface. The epithelial thickness increased at the lower temperatures, which is considered a mechanism to reduce ion fluxes and save the energy costs for osmoregulation. The length of the primary lamellae, distance between the primary lamellae, length of the secondary lamellae, as well as the number of mucus cells, chloride cells, and capillaries per mm of the secondary lamella were similar between the temperature regimes. The enzymatic activities of pyruvate kinase and malate dehydrogenase were significantly increased in cold-exposed fish, whereas lactate dehydrogenase activity was higher in controls, indicating increased energy expenditure and adjustments in energy metabolism. The activities of carbonic anhydrase, caspase, Na⁺/K⁺ ATPase, and H⁺ ATPase, and the gene expressions of hif1a, ca2, rhCG, slc26a6, and slc9a1 showed no statistically significant differences between the two temperature regimes. Therefore, it can be concluded that ammonia transport, acid-base regulation, and osmoregulation were not affected by the tested low temperature regime. These findings highlight that exposure to suboptimal temperatures induces structural and metabolic modifications in rainbow trout gills, potentially as an adaptive response to thermal stress. This study contributes to the understanding of fish acclimation to cold environments, with implications for aquaculture and ecological resilience in changing climates.

PMID:40699856 | DOI:10.3390/cimb47060457

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2025 Jun 11;47(6):447. doi: 10.3390/cimb47060447.

ABSTRACT

Vertebrate molecular genetic research methods typically employ single genetic loci (monolocus markers) and those involving a variable number of loci (multilocus markers). The former often employ microsatellites that ensure accuracy in establishing inbreeding, tracking pan-generational dynamics of genetic parameters, assessing genetic purity, and facilitating genotype/phenotype correlations. They also enable the determination and identification of unique alleles by studying and managing marker-assisted breeding regimes to control the artificial selection of agriculturally important traits. Microsatellites consist of 2-6 nucleotides that repeat numerous times and are widely distributed throughout genomes. Their main advantages lie in their ease of use for PCR amplification, their known genome localization, and their incredible polymorphism (variability) levels. Robust lab-based molecular technologies are supplemented by high-quality statistics and bioinformatics and have been widely employed, especially in those instances when more costly, high throughput techniques are not available. Here, we consider that human and livestock microsatellite studies have been a “roadmap” for the genetics, breeding, and conservation of wildlife and rare animal breeds. In this context, we examine humans and other primates, cattle and other artiodactyls, chickens and other birds, carnivores (cats and dogs), elephants, reptiles, amphibians, and fish. Studies originally designed for mass animal production have thus been adapted to save less abundant species, highlighting the need for molecular scientists to consider where research may be applied in different disciplines.

PMID:40699846 | DOI:10.3390/cimb47060447

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2025 Jun 11;47(6):446. doi: 10.3390/cimb47060446.

ABSTRACT

Delafloxacin is one of the newest fluoroquinolones with a unique structure, determining better pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, a better safety profile, and a broader spectrum of activity compared to older quinolones. We aimed to examine the susceptibility rates of delafloxacin, the genetic mechanisms contributing to resistance, and the serotype distribution in both invasive and non-invasive Streptococcus agalactiae strains. A total of 301 streptococcal strains were tested for minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) to delafloxacin. All delafloxacin-resistant strains were subjected to serotyping, PCRs for quinolone-resistant genes, and sequence analysis for missense and silent mutations. Among the tested isolates, we found a 5.6% non-susceptibility rate to delafloxacin. The MICs ranged between 0.09 and 0.38 µg/mL, with a breakpoint for nonsusceptibility set as >0.03 µg/L, according to EUCAST criteria. All resistant isolates harboured missense mutations that led to amino acid substitutions in both GyrA (S81L) and ParC (S79F). Two common serotypes were determined among the resistant isolates: V (47.1%) and III (41.2%). Two strains were non-typable (11.7%). A statistical significance in the distribution of serotypes between delafloxacin-resistant and delafloxacin-susceptible strains was found. These findings highlight a concerning pattern of drug resistance developing prior to the introduction of a new medication, attributed to the extensive use of current antibiotics.

PMID:40699845 | DOI:10.3390/cimb47060446

Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2025 Jun 9;47(6):438. doi: 10.3390/cimb47060438.

ABSTRACT

Rhythms, regulated by core clock genes like the period (per) gene family, are crucial for maintaining physiological processes in animals. In teleost fish, including channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus), these genes have evolved distinct functions. However, the evolutionary characteristics and functional roles of period genes, particularly in response to environmental cues such as feeding, remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the evolutionary divergence and functional specialization of the period gene family in channel catfish, with a focus on feeding-induced rhythmicity. Four period genes, Ipper1b, Ipper2, Ipper2l, and Ipper3, were identified in channel catfish. Phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct evolutionary paths for these genes, with Ipper2l forming a separate clade from Ipper2. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed differential expression of period genes across tissues, with Ipper1b exhibiting the highest expression in the intestine and Ipper2 being predominantly expressed in the liver. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in the expression levels between tissues (p < 0.05), supporting the tissue-specific roles of these genes. Notably, under strict feeding schedules, we observed significant modulation of rhythmic expression in both the brain and liver, with a notable shift in the peak expression times and amplitude changes aligned with the feeding time. These results suggest that feeding serves as a critical Zeitgeber, entraining circadian rhythms in key tissues and potentially enhancing metabolic efficiency. These results demonstrated that feeding schedules play a key role in modulating circadian gene expression in channel catfish. This study provides insights into the evolutionary divergence and functional roles of the period gene family in channel catfish, showing how feeding schedules modulate circadian gene expression in the brain and liver. These findings have potential applications in optimizing feeding strategies for improving fish health and growth in aquaculture.

PMID:40699837 | DOI:10.3390/cimb47060438