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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Precise Measurement of the Form Factors in D^{0}→K^{*}(892)^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ}, and Test of Lepton Universality with D^{0}→K^{*}(892)^{-}ℓ^{+}ν_{ℓ} Decays

Phys Rev Lett. 2025 Sep 12;135(11):111803. doi: 10.1103/zfxr-dlzg.

ABSTRACT

We report a study of the semileptonic decay D^{0}→K[over ¯]^{0}π^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} based on a sample of 7.9 fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} annihilation data collected at a center-of-mass energy of 3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector at the BEPCII collider. The branching fraction of the decay is measured for the first time to be B(D^{0}→K[over ¯]^{0}π^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ})=(1.373±0.020_{stat}±0.023_{syst})%, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second is systematic. Based on the investigation of the decay dynamics, we find that the decay is dominated by the K^{*}(892)^{-} resonance with the branching fraction measured to be B(D^{0}→K^{*}(892)^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ})=(1.948±0.033_{stat}±0.036_{syst})%. We also determine the hadronic form factors for the D^{0}→K^{*}(892)^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} decay to be r_{V}=V(0)/A_{1}(0)=1.46±0.11_{stat}±0.04_{syst}, r_{2}=A_{2}(0)/A_{1}(0)=0.71±0.08_{stat}±0.03_{syst}, and A_{1}(0)=0.609±0.008_{stat}±0.008_{syst}, where V(0) is the vector form factor and A_{1,2}(0) are the axial-vector form factors evaluated at q^{2}=0. The A_{1}(0) is measured for the first time in D^{0}→K^{*}(892)^{-}μ^{+}ν_{μ} decay. Averaging the form factor parameters that we reported previously in D^{0}→K^{*}(892)^{-}(→K[over ¯]^{0}π^{-})e^{+}ν_{e} and D^{0}→K^{*}(892)^{-}(→K^{-}π^{0})μ^{+}ν_{μ} decays, we obtain r_{V}=1.456±0.040_{stat}±0.016_{syst}, r_{2}=0.715±0.031_{stat}±0.014_{stat}, and A_{1}(0)=0.614±0.005_{stat}±0.004_{syst}. This is the most precise determination of the form factor parameters to date measured in D→K^{*}(892) transitions, which provide the most stringent test on various theoretical models.

PMID:41004751 | DOI:10.1103/zfxr-dlzg

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Extended XY Model for Spinor Polariton Simulators

Phys Rev Lett. 2025 Sep 12;135(11):116903. doi: 10.1103/41k6-yp2l.

ABSTRACT

The classic lattice XY model is one of the universal models of statistical mechanics appearing in a broad variety of optical and condensed matter systems. One of its possible realizations is a system of tunnel-coupled spinor polariton condensates, where phases of individual condensates play a role of the two- dimensional spins. We show that the account of the polarization degree of freedom of cavity polaritons adds a new twist to the problem, modifying in particular the structure of the ground state. We formulate the corresponding classical spin Hamiltonian, which couples phase and polarization dynamics, and consider several particular geometries, demonstrating the principal differences between the scalar and spinor cases. Possible analog of spin Meissner effect for coupled condensates is discussed.

PMID:41004739 | DOI:10.1103/41k6-yp2l

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Adaptation and content validity of a battery of questionnaires for identifying occupational conditions among Chilean artisanal and small-scale miners

Medwave. 2025 Sep 26;25(8):e3105. doi: 10.5867/medwave.2025.08.3105.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Small-scale and artisanal mining are historical activities in Chile that are deeply rooted in the region and economically significant. However, their workers face high levels of exposure to occupational hazards in informal conditions, with no adapted tools for occupational health surveillance. The available instruments are designed for formal companies and do not consider the operational context of artisanal miners.

OBJECTIVE: To adapt and validate the content of a battery of questionnaires designed to identify working conditions affecting artisanal and small-scale mining workers in Chile.

METHODS: An instrumental study was conducted in four phases: document review of national and international protocols; participatory risk identification with union leaders; development of thematic questionnaires; content validation through the judgment of 25 experts in occupational health, mining, psychometrics, and statistics. One hundred and fifty-five items were evaluated according to criteria of clarity, relevance, sufficiency, and coherence, using Aiken’s V coefficient (threshold ≥ 0.80).

RESULTS: 87% of the items met the threshold in all four criteria. Aiken’s scores ranged from 0.77 to 0.98. The diesel exposure module obtained the highest scores, while the working conditions module showed less clarity (0.77), justifying the modification or elimination of 41% of its items. A new questionnaire on exposure to chemical agents was created by integrating modules. As a result of the adjustment process, the final battery consisted of six thematic questionnaires.

CONCLUSIONS: This is the first questionnaire set with favorable content validity to assess working conditions in Chilean artisanal mining, a sector with high labor informality. It represents an initial validation step. Further studies should evaluate reliability, construct validity, and field applicability.

PMID:41004721 | DOI:10.5867/medwave.2025.08.3105

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Unlocking Multiple Sclerosis Genetics: From Susceptibility to Severity

Neurology. 2025 Oct 21;105(8):e214141. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000214141. Epub 2025 Sep 26.

ABSTRACT

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a clinically diverse and unpredictable CNS disorder. The considerable heterogeneity in disease course between people with MS is believed to reflect the varying magnitude and extent of the pathologic processes present at different stages of the disease. Genetic factors are known to contribute to the risk of developing MS and are emerging as predictors of clinical outcomes. They may also offer insights into the biological processes influencing disability. In this review, we evaluate the role of genetic factors in MS from disease susceptibility to disease severity. We consider how understanding of the genetic contribution to the risk of developing MS has evolved to recognize over 230 genetic variants that implicate peripheral immune cells at disease onset. Although MS-risk genes have shown little association with disease severity outcomes, we re-evaluate associations of the main MS-risk allele, HLA-DRB1*1501, with disease activity using observations from long-term longitudinal cohorts. We summarize progress identifying genetic variants associated with clinical phenotypes, including the discovery of the first genetic variant associated with age-related MS severity, rs10191329, and its pathologic associations. We assess the challenges faced by replication studies, including low statistical power, methodologic variations in disability outcomes, and the potential impact from differences in treatment and disease temporality. Reconciling these findings, in contrast to MS-risk genes, MS severity variants appear enriched in CNS tissues, suggesting at least in part distinct genetic architectures for MS risk and severity. Despite advances in our understanding of MS genetics, there remain significant gaps in our knowledge that reflect the elaborate genetic architecture underlying disease progression. Potential gains are to be made from exploring rare variants and ancestrally diverse populations, while the causality of variants may be interrogated through analyses of gene sets and recognized biological pathways. However, further work is required to improve phenotyping of disease severity beyond physical disability measures and to disentangle complex genetic interactions, which may vary with environmental factors and time. Resolving these challenges is crucial if genetic analyses are going to be able to power clinically useable predictive models and inform mechanistic targets for novel treatments in progressive MS.

PMID:41004698 | DOI:10.1212/WNL.0000000000214141

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Health Care Content and Engagement in Chronic Illness Instagram Posts: Content Analysis

JMIR Form Res. 2025 Sep 26;9:e57523. doi: 10.2196/57523.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Instagram and other social media platforms provide a unique environment for people with chronic illnesses to share experiences, but posts with higher engagement may also shape behavior. The hashtag #ChronicIllness appears in over 5 million posts, reflecting the large digital community where users seek validation, connection, and support. Frameworks such as social cognitive theory, self-presentation theory, and illness identity theory suggest that highly engaging content can shift social norms and drive behavior change via observational learning. Despite the strong theoretical basis for this behavioral impact, little is known about what chronic illness-related content is the most engaging.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to identify the content of Instagram posts related to chronic illness and determine if health care content is associated with higher engagement.

METHODS: This study is a mixed methods content analysis of 279 publicly available Instagram posts tagged with #chronicillness, #chronicallyill, or #spoonie. Posts were selected via convenience sampling and included if they featured original, nonvideo content. Photos, hashtags, and captions were coded for themes including location, medical equipment, health care experience, and illness identity. Quantitative metrics, such as likes, comments, and overperforming scores (a normalized metric of engagement), were extracted using CrowdTangle. Multivariate analyses assessed if health care content (posts featuring health care experiences or photos in a medical setting or with medical equipment) was associated with a higher odds of overperforming.

RESULTS: Posts had a median of 25 (IQR 0-14,936) likes, 3 (IQR 0-525) comments, and 20 (IQR 1-31) hashtags. A total of 222 (80%) posts were created by women, and 110 (40%) were overperforming. Photo analysis (260 posts with 406 photos) showed 27 (10%) in health care settings, and 49 (19%) included medical equipment, with 10 (4%) featuring invasive devices (eg, intravenous lines and feeding tubes), which were strongly associated with higher engagement. Hashtag analysis revealed that 243 (87%) posts referenced a medical condition, most commonly chronic pain (n=101, 36%), fibromyalgia (n=56, 20%), and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (n=38, 14%), while 57 (20%) included medical interventions. Captions reflected 4 main themes: medical experience, illness journey, connection, and nonillness experiences. In multivariate regression analysis, longer captions (odds ratio [OR] 2.44, 95% CI 1.05-5.67), health care content (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.00-3.42), and invasive medical equipment (OR 6.19, 95% CI 1.16-32.99) were independently associated with overperforming.

CONCLUSIONS: Posts featuring health care content and invasive medical equipment were associated with significantly more engagement, suggesting that medicalized portrayals of illness may be amplified on Instagram. This visibility may offer support but also risks reinforcing illness-centered identities and overmedicalization through the influence of observational learning and identity formation. Medical professionals must be aware of these trends and promote balanced, evidence-based content. Future research should explore how social media shapes health behaviors, identity, and utilization to mitigate potential harms while preserving support.

PMID:41004680 | DOI:10.2196/57523

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Correlation Between Escitalopram, Sertraline, and Fluoxetine Serum Levels and QTc Interval Prolongation in Children and Adolescents

Ther Drug Monit. 2025 Sep 26. doi: 10.1097/FTD.0000000000001379. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, including escitalopram, sertraline, and fluoxetine, are frequently prescribed to treat depression and anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorders in pediatric populations. These medications are associated with potential cardiac side effects, particularly corrected QT (QTc) interval prolongation. This study is the first to evaluate the association between serum concentrations of escitalopram, sertraline, and fluoxetine and QTc interval duration in children and adolescents.

METHODS: This retrospective naturalistic study included 431 patients treated with escitalopram, sertraline, or fluoxetine at the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University Hospital, Würzburg, between 2016 and 2019, for whom therapeutic drug monitoring was performed. Serum concentrations of parent compounds, active metabolites, and active moieties were correlated with QTc intervals calculated using Bazett and Fridericia correction formulae.

RESULTS: A total of 287 patients were included in the study (escitalopram, n = 38; sertraline, n = 119; fluoxetine, n = 130). QTc prolongation (>450 ms) was observed in 5.3% of escitalopram, 4.2% of sertraline, and 5.4% of fluoxetine users. A positive correlation was found between QTc duration and serum concentrations of norfluoxetine, the active metabolite of fluoxetine (Bazett: r = 0.18, P = 0.02; Fridericia: r = 0.13, P = 0.07). No statistical association was identified between QTc interval and serum concentration of escitalopram or sertraline. Severe cardiac adverse events, such as Torsade de Pointes or arrhythmias, were not documented.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a positive correlation between norfluoxetine serum levels and QTc interval duration in children and adolescents. Monitoring norfluoxetine concentration may support individual dose adjustments to minimize the risk of QTc prolongation. However, confirmation in a larger cohort is required before clinical recommendations can be made.

PMID:41004670 | DOI:10.1097/FTD.0000000000001379

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

MOTS-C levels ın ındividuals with and without obesity and ıts association with ınflammation, insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction

Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2025 Sep 26;69(5):e250063. doi: 10.20945/2359-4292-2025-0063.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the Mitochondrial Open Reading Frame of the 12S rRNA type-c (MOTS-c) peptide levels in individuals with obesity compared to those with a normal body mass index and to examine the association of MOTS-c levels with markers of insulin resistance, endothelial function, and inflammation.

METHODS: In this study 85 individuals were enrolled, including 48 with a body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2 and 37 with a body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 kg/m2. Individuals with smoking, pregnancy, type 2 diabetes mellitus and other chronic conditions were excluded. Blood samples were collected after at least 8 hours of fasting to measure serum MOTS-c, insulin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and asymmetric dimethylarginine levels. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Chi-squared tests, correlation analyses, and multiple regression analyses.

RESULTS: We found no significant difference in serum MOTS-c levels between individuals with obesity and those with normal body mass index (14.33 ± 3.76 pg/mL versus 13.67 ± 3.44 pg/mL; p = 0.395). Serum MOTS-c levels showed a significant positive correlation with the HOMA-IR index (p < 0.05) but did not correlate with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein or asymmetric dimethylarginine levels. Multiple regression analysis indicated that age and HOMA-IR were significant predictors of MOTS-c levels, with MOTS-c decreasing with age and increasing with higher insulin resistance.

CONCLUSION: Serum MOTS-c levels were similar in individuals with obesity and those with normal weight. The study highlighted age and insulin resistance as significant determinants of MOTS-c levels.

PMID:41004666 | DOI:10.20945/2359-4292-2025-0063

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Ribociclib Plus Endocrine Therapy in Hormone Receptor-Positive/ERBB2-Negative Early Breast Cancer: 4-Year Outcomes From the NATALEE Randomized Clinical Trial

JAMA Oncol. 2025 Sep 25. doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.3700. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Ribociclib plus a nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor (NSAI) has demonstrated a statistically significant invasive disease-free survival (iDFS) benefit over NSAI alone in patients with hormone receptor-positive/ERBB2 (formerly HER2)-negative early breast cancer. Evaluating the efficacy and safety of adjuvant ribociclib beyond the planned 3-year treatment period is critical for understanding the long-term impact on recurrences.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy and safety of adjuvant ribociclib in an exploratory 4-year analysis of the NATALEE (New Adjuvant Trial With Ribociclib [LEE011]) randomized clinical trial, with all patients no longer receiving ribociclib treatment.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This exploratory analysis of an international, open-label, randomized phase 3 trial analyzed adjuvant treatment for premenopausal and postmenopausal women and men with hormone receptor-positive/ERBB2-negative early breast cancer. Eligible patients had anatomic stage IIA (either N0 with additional risk factors or N1 [1-3 axillary lymph nodes]), IIB, or III disease per the American Joint Committee on Cancer Staging Manual, eighth edition. The data cutoff date was April 29, 2024.

INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive ribociclib (400 mg once daily, days 1-21 of a 28-day cycle, over 36 months) plus NSAI (letrozole, 2.5 mg, or anastrozole, 1 mg, once daily continuously for 60 months) or NSAI alone. Men and premenopausal women also received goserelin (3.6 mg once every 28 days administered subcutaneously).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary end point was iDFS, and secondary efficacy end points included distant disease-free survival, recurrence-free survival, and overall survival. Survival was evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS: Among 5101 patients included in the analysis (median [range] age, 52 [24-90] years; 5081 [99.6%] female), the median follow-up for iDFS was 44.2 months (range, 0-63 months). Ribociclib plus NSAI continued to show iDFS benefit over NSAI alone (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.61-0.84), with 3-year iDFS rates of 90.8% vs 88.1% (difference, 2.7 percentage points) and 4-year rates of 88.5% vs 83.6% (difference, 4.9 percentage points). The efficacy benefit was consistent across subgroups and secondary end points. Overall survival data remain immature, although a trend in favor of ribociclib plus NSAI over NSAI alone was observed (hazard ratio, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.64-1.07). The incidence of adverse events has remained stable.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This exploratory analysis of the NATALEE randomized clinical trial, with a median follow-up beyond the 3-year treatment duration, demonstrated consistent iDFS benefit with ribociclib plus NSAI over NSAI alone.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03701334.

PMID:40996773 | DOI:10.1001/jamaoncol.2025.3700

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

School Provision of Universal Free Meals and Blood Pressure Outcomes Among Youths

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 Sep 2;8(9):e2533186. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.33186.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: The Community Eligibility Provision is a federal universal free school meals policy for schools in low-income areas. Expanding access to school meals, which are children’s most nutritious food source, may be a health-promoting policy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether school-level adoption of the Community Eligibility Provision was associated with childhood blood pressure outcomes.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cohort study used a difference-in-differences design for staggered policy adoption, observing low-income public and charter schools in 12 US states longitudinally from 2013 through 2019. The medical records for patients aged 4 to 18 years receiving care from community health organizations in the OCHIN health care network were matched to schools based on address. Data were analyzed from April 1 to July 5, 2024.

EXPOSURE: School participation in the Community Eligibility Provision.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the annual school-level proportion of patients with a high blood pressure measurement (at or above the 90th percentile for age, sex, and height), and the secondary outcomes included a hypertensive measurement (at or above the 95th percentile) and mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure percentiles.

RESULTS: The sample included 1052 schools matched to 155 778 distinct patients. The mean (SD) proportions of patients based on race and ethnicity were as follows: 0.04 (0.08) Asian patients, 0.46 (0.33) Hispanic patients, 0.01 (0.03) patients of multiple races, 0.01 (0.02) Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander patients, 0.13 (0.22) non-Hispanic Black patients, 0.25 (0.26) non-Hispanic White patients, and 0.09 (0.09) patients with unknown race and ethnicity. The majority of schools (n = 670 [63.7%]) were located in California or Oregon. School participation in the Community Eligibility Provision was associated with a -2.71 percentage point (95% CI, -5.10 to -0.31 percentage point; P = .03) net reduction in the proportion of patients with a high blood pressure measurement, corresponding to a -10.8% (95% CI, -20.4% to -1.2%) net decrease over 5 years. Participation was also negatively associated with the proportion of patients with a hypertensive measurement and with the mean diastolic blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This cohort study of schools matched to child and adolescent patient medical records from a large network of community health organizations found that school participation in the Community Eligibility Provision was associated with a net reduction in blood pressure outcomes. These findings add to mounting evidence that universal free school meals may be associated with improved child health.

PMID:40996762 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.33186

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

StrainInfo-the central database for linked microbial strain identifiers

Database (Oxford). 2025 Jan 18;2025:baaf059. doi: 10.1093/database/baaf059.

ABSTRACT

Throughout scientific literature and databases, microbial strains are often distinguished using either non-standardized designations or one of several available culture collection numbers. The fact that different sources use different strain identifiers to describe the same strain significantly impedes the findability, reusability, and integration of published information, and also affects the reproducibility of results. In order to ensure the traceability of microbial strains, the new StrainInfo database presented in this work was developed based on the defunct StrainInfo.net portal to re-establish and further develop this important service for the collection and matching of all existing identifiers of microbial strains. New data is collected, standardized, and integrated from culture collection catalogues, sequence databases as well as the scientific literature. A new interface provides easy access to the identifiers, their interrelations, associated information, as well as links to additional data. To improve and encourage the referencing and linking of microbial strain data, StrainInfo has introduced the Digital Object Identifier as a persistent identifier for strains. Database URL: https://straininfo.dsmz.de/.

PMID:40996712 | DOI:10.1093/database/baaf059