Nevin Manimala

JMIR Form Res. 2025 May 15;9:e70129. doi: 10.2196/70129.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (NKTL) is a rare malignancy of mature natural killer/T-cells, predominantly found in Asian and South/Central American populations, with limited studies conducted in Europe and the United States.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to present an overview of the incidence rate, demographic and clinical characteristics, treatment options, overall survival (OS), and factors influencing OS of NKTL in the United States.

METHODS: We used data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results 17 database to analyze NKTL cases recorded between 2000 and 2020. In a cohort of 1162 patients with NKTL, we calculated the incidence rates and performed statistical analyses to evaluate OS, the effect of radiotherapy and chemotherapy on survival, and lymphoma-specific survival.

RESULTS: The mean annual incidence rate of NKTL in the United States was 0.067 per 100,000, with higher rates observed in men compared to women, and an increase noted with age. However, there has been no significant rise in incidence over recent years. Significant racial disparities were observed, with higher incidence rates in non-Hispanic Asian or Pacific Islanders and Hispanic people. The median survival time for patients with NKTL was 21 months, with a 5-year OS rate of 39.5%, which has shown improvement in recent years. Key independent prognostic factors impacting patient survival included age at diagnosis, clinical stage, nasal type presentation, presence of systemic symptoms, and treatment modality. Patients receiving combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy exhibited the best outcomes, with a median OS of 138 months and a 5-year OS rate of 58%. This survival benefit remained consistent even in patients with stage I/localized nasal type lymphoma, achieving a 5-year OS rate of 73.3%.

CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of NKTL has remained stable in recent years. Patients with the nasal type generally experience better survival outcomes. The use of combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy appears to enhance survival, though further validation through prospective multicenter clinical trials is necessary.

PMID:40373215 | DOI:10.2196/70129

Natl Vital Stat Rep. 2025 Apr 8;(2).

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This report presents complete period life tables for the United States by Hispanic origin and race and sex, based on age-specific death rates in 2022.

METHODS: Data used to prepare the 2022 life tables are 2022 final mortality statistics; July 1, 2022, population estimates based on the Blended Base population estimates produced by the U.S. Census Bureau; and 2022 Medicare data for people ages 66-99. The methodology used to estimate the life tables for the Hispanic population remains unchanged from that developed for the publication of life tables by Hispanic origin for data year 2006. The same methodology is used to estimate the life tables for the American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic and Asian non-Hispanic populations. The methodology used to estimate the 2022 life tables for all other groups was first implemented with data year 2008.

RESULTS: In 2022, the overall expectation of life at birth was 77.5 years, increasing 1.1 years from 76.4 in 2021. Between 2021 and 2022, life expectancy at birth increased by 1.3 year for males (from 73.5 to 74.8) and by 0.9 year for females (79.3 to 80.2). Between 2021 and 2022, life expectancy increased 2.2 years for the Hispanic (77.8 to 80.0) and the American Indian and Alaska Native non-Hispanic (65.6 to 67.8) populations. Life expectancy increased by 1.6 years for the Black non-Hispanic population (71.2 to 72.8), by 0.9 year for the Asian non-Hispanic population (83.5 to 84.4), and by 0.8 year for the White non-Hispanic population (76.7 to 77.5).

PMID:40373208

G3 (Bethesda). 2025 May 15:jkaf108. doi: 10.1093/g3journal/jkaf108. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fruit quality represent the major constraints to consumer acceptance of new blueberry cultivars. However, breeding for fruit quality is challenging due to its complex inheritance and genotype × environment interaction. Despite previous efforts to detect quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with fruit quality traits, most of the identified QTL explain only a fraction of the total variability or lack stability across multiple environments. In this study, we investigated multiple fruit quality traits and phenology-related traits of 187 diverse southern highbush blueberry germplasm over two to four years. Significant phenotypic variation across observation years was detected for most traits. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) failed to identify stable peaks supported by multiple observation years, indicating complex control of fruit-related traits. To elucidate factors contributing to phenotypic variation, the relationship between observed phenotypic values and the stability measure of these values was examined. Significant correlations were found between the variation of phenology-related traits and the stability of fruit-related traits; it was found that early blooming and ripening accessions tended to exhibit variable firmness over the years. Additionally, size variability was influenced by the fruit size itself: accessions producing smaller fruit tended to show more variation in size over the years. Furthermore, GWAS conducted on the stability indices identified novel marker-trait associations that were not detected using normalized phenotypic values only, and their effects on fruit-related traits were similarly dependent on environment (observation year). Collectively, these findings deepen our understanding of variability in fruit-related traits and provide insights into their genetic control, thereby advancing breeding for superior cultivars with stable phenotypic performance.

PMID:40373202 | DOI:10.1093/g3journal/jkaf108

Optom Vis Sci. 2025 May 16. doi: 10.1097/OPX.0000000000002261. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

SIGNIFICANCE: Identifying potential modifiable risk factors for keratoconus progression is crucial for better outcomes. This study suggests that sleeping position may contribute to interocular asymmetry in keratoconus, providing an actionable target for patient education and clinical management and underscoring the importance of sleep posture in slowing disease progression.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate whether the preferred sleeping position can contribute to interocular asymmetry of keratoconus.

METHODS: A clinical cross-sectional study was conducted on 50 patients (100 eyes) with grade I and II keratoconus (Amsler-Krumeich) and 40 individuals (80 eyes) without keratoconus. Corneal tomographic parameters from the Galilei G6 (keratometry plus curve [Steep K], mean keratometry [Sim K], thinner corneal thickness, central corneal thickness, Cone Location and Magnitude Index, dioptric asymmetry between the inferior and superior corneal hemispheres, and vertical coma) were obtained to assess interocular asymmetry. All participants answered a questionnaire about their preferred sleeping position. The eye positioned lower during sleep has been referred to as the dependent eye, and the eye positioned higher was classified as the nondependent eye, regardless of the sleeping position (lateral or ventral).

RESULTS: There were no significant differences between dependent and nondependent eyes regarding the evaluated tomographic variables among individuals without keratoconus. However, in individuals with keratoconus, statistically significant differences were observed between dependent and nondependent eyes for the following parameters: Steep K (47.89 vs. 45.78 D, p=0.0047), Sim K (46.54 vs. 44.42 D, p=0.0016); thinnest corneal thickness (445.84 vs. 460.34 μm, p=0.0057), central corneal thickness (463.03 vs. 477.6 μm, p=0.0125), vertical coma (-1.98 vs. -1.41 μm, p=0.0448), and total coma (1.60 vs. 1.22 μm, p=0.0495).

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that in individuals with keratoconus, the preferred sleeping position may contribute to keratoconus asymmetry in the dependent eye, regardless of whether the sleeping position is lateral or ventral.

PMID:40373201 | DOI:10.1097/OPX.0000000000002261

CBE Life Sci Educ. 2025 Jun 1;24(2):ar27. doi: 10.1187/cbe.24-05-0157.

ABSTRACT

Conflict-reducing practices during evolution instruction have been recommended to increase students’ perceived compatibility between evolution and religion, increase evolution acceptance, and decrease stereotypes about religious students in science. However, the efficacy of these practices has not been demonstrated in a randomized controlled design making it uncertain whether they are causing the effects reported in less controlled studies. Further, we do not know the extent to which the religious identities of instructors may impact their effectiveness. In this study, we randomly assigned 2623 undergraduate students in 19 biology courses across different states to receive an evolution video with 1) no conflict-reducing practices, 2) conflict-reducing practices implemented by a non-religious instructor, or 3) conflict-reducing practices implemented by a Christian instructor. We found that the evolution videos with conflict-reducing practices led to decreased conflict, increased compatibility, and increased acceptance of human evolution compared with the video without conflict-reducing practices. Further, the Christian and non-religious instructor conditions were equally effective at improving all student outcomes, except the non-religious instructor was more effective for increasing perceived compatibility between religion and evolution among atheist students. These results illustrate that conflict-reducing practices, implemented by either Christian or non-religious instructors, can be effective in a controlled study.

PMID:40373175 | DOI:10.1187/cbe.24-05-0157

PLoS One. 2025 May 15;20(5):e0324024. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0324024. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Anti-retroviral therapy (ART) improves the quality of life (QoL) among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). Most studies documenting the gains in QoL have been conducted among persons starting treatment at advanced HIV disease. In the era of Universal Test and Treat (UTT) policy, most PLWH start ART early with high CD4 counts. Therefore, we investigated the association between baseline CD4 count with QoL and retention among PLWH during UTT in southwestern Uganda.

METHODS: Between June 11, 2019, and June 10, 2020, we reviewed medical records for PLWH initiated on ART between April 2017 and September 2018 and interviewed them to collect QoL data. The primary exposure was CD4 count at ART initiation categorized as <500 cells/µl (low) versus ≥500 cells/µl (high). Physical and mental health-related QoL were the primary outcomes. Retention was the secondary outcome. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the association between the exposure and the primary outcome, while the Cox Proportional Hazard regression model was used for the secondary outcome.

RESULTS: Of 300 participants, 59.7% initiated ART at a low baseline CD4 count. ART initiation at a higher baseline CD4 count, compared to a lower baseline CD4 count, was associated with a lower mental health-related QoL (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.56, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.32-0.97) but similar physical health-related QoL (aOR 0.54, 95% CI 0.10-2.78) and retention (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 0.30, 95% CI 0.08-1.14).

CONCLUSION: In this cohort of PLWH on ART, those who initiated the treatment at a higher baseline CD4 were less likely to have good mental health-related QoL functioning compared to those initiating at lower CD4 counts. However, the two groups were comparable in physical health-related QoL and retention in care. PLWH initiating ART at a higher baseline CD4 may require mental health-related support as part of treatment.

PMID:40373165 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0324024

PLoS One. 2025 May 15;20(5):e0323557. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323557. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Fencing has gained global popularity, with athletes often competing on hard surfaces, especially at United States national tournaments in convention centre with concrete floors. These surfaces may contribute to overuse injuries from high-impact movements like the fencing lunge. This study aimed to investigate tibial accelerations, a measure of impact shock, experienced by fencers during lunges on various surface materials placed beneath standard aluminium fencing pistes. The aim was to identify a material that could reduce injury risk by mitigating impact shock. Sixty-nine fencers (35 female) performed five lunges on six different surfaces (A-F: A-E composed of various materials placed between the aluminium piste and the concrete floor; F was only the concrete floor), during the 2024 US Senior National Championships. A triaxial accelerometer mounted on the tibia was used to measure tibial accelerations as a marker of impact shock. The accelerometer was aligned to measure acceleration along the longitudinal axis of the tibia and set to record at 1000 Hz with a sensitivity range of ± 100 g. Data acquisition was carried out via a logging system (Biometrics DL1001, Gwent, UK), which was attached to the participant using a tightly fitted backpack. The peak positive axial tibial acceleration was extracted for each lunge and the average was calculated from three lunges after discarding the highest and lowest values from each surface. Statistical analysis revealed that Surface E (a non-absorbent vinyl loop material; 12.7 ± 7.6g), significantly reduced tibial accelerations compared to the standard concrete setup (Surface F; 13.6 ± 8.4g). These findings suggest that modifying competition surfaces by incorporating cushioning materials may help reduce the impact shock of the fencing lunge, potentially lowering the risk of overuse injuries, such as tendonitis and tenosynovitis, commonly reported by fencers. Future research should investigate optimal material properties, including thickness and softness, for maximizing injury prevention while maintaining performance standards in competitive fencing environments.

PMID:40373100 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0323557

PLoS One. 2025 May 15;20(5):e0322852. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0322852. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

The Thai version of the 12-item Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) is valid for measuring caregiver burden in psychiatric caregivers. Nevertheless, it has not been verified in a larger palliative care (PC) context. The aim of this study was to validate the 12-item ZBI in PC among caregivers of palliative care patients. A methodological study examining the validity of the 12-item ZBI was carried out with informal caregivers of palliative care patients of two district health service networks. The data were gathered using self-administered questionaries, and then all participants were randomly split into two sub-samples for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) (n = 150) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) (n = 155). After utilizing statistical approaches for reducing items, EFA was used with group 1 to analyze the factor structure of the 12-item ZBI. Finally, CFA was employed with group 2 to confirm the amended structure indicated by the EFA and to evaluate the construct validity of the 12-item ZBI. A total of 305 palliative caregivers were enrolled. The principal component analysis of the 12 items yielded a loading based on a two-factor model of personal strain and role strain accounting for 61.4% of the variance. Cronbach’s alpha (0.83) and item-total correlations (rho = 0.38-0.70) showed that the 12-item Zarit had acceptable reliability. For convergent validity, the average variance extracted (AVE) values revealed that all 12-item ZBI subscales had a convergence effect, with AVEs ranging from 0.50-0.53. Additionally, this tool had a significant positive correlation with depressive symptoms (r = 0.48), anxiety (r = 0.38), and stress (r = 0.56). The 12-item ZBI is a brief, precise, and valid instrument for assessing burden among Thai palliative caregivers. We discovered high evidence of reliability in this sample, along with convergent and construct validity. Likewise, EFA revealed that the 12-item ZBI was a two-dimensional scale. Thus, health care practitioners may utilize the ZBI in research and clinical settings to determine burden in palliative caregivers.

PMID:40373099 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0322852

PLoS One. 2025 May 15;20(5):e0323486. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0323486. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Urban vegetable farmers in Ghana face multiple health risks, including soil-transmitted helminths (STHs), which may contribute to morbidities that threaten urban food security. Additionally, infected farmers may act as persistent sources of disease transmission within urban populations. There is the need to assess the burden of STH among these farmers using more sensitive molecular assays.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 168 urban farmers from Accra and Tamale in Ghana’s Greater Accra and Northern regions, respectively. Participants completed semi-structured questionnaires, and stool samples were collected for analysis. A qualitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (QPCR) assay was employed to detect STH prevalence, targeting the ITS1, ITS2, and 18S genes of Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Strongyloides stercoralis, respectively.

RESULTS: While no positives were found in Tamale, 5.1%, 2.5%, and 0.8% of participants in Accra tested positive for A. lumbricoides, A. duodenale and S. stercoralis, respectively. Inadequate use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and STH infection status were strongly correlated among risk factors (Odds ratio; 4.3, 95% Cl: 1.03-18.00, p-value = 0.04). Overall, 72% of participants in Tamale wore PPEs, compared to 43% in Accra.

CONCLUSIONS: Even though STH was not common, inadequate PPE use was a major factor in STH transmission in urban vegetable farms. Therefore, the key to drastically lowering the STH burden in urban farms is education and behaviour changes. Using more sensitive molecular diagnostic assays is crucial in low prevalence environments.

PMID:40373097 | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0323486

JAMA Netw Open. 2025 May 1;8(5):e259591. doi: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.9591.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: There are significant gaps in the research on ethnic disparities in mental health status among adults nationwide in China. Evidence is needed to fill these gaps.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the mental health status by ethnic group in China and to explore the sociodemographic and health-related factors associated with these mental health disparities.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study used data from a multicenter, population-based survey conducted from June to August 2023. Participants were required to be aged 18 years or older and Chinese nationals and permanent residents. After quota sampling based on Chinese population statistics, 30 054 questionnaires were included in final analyses. Data were analyzed from March to April 2024.

EXPOSURES: Ethnicity, categorized as Han or minority group (ie, Achang, Bai, Blang, Bonan, Buyei, Dai, Daur, Deang, Derung, Dong, Dongxiang, Ewenki, Gaoshan, Gelao, Gin, Hani, Hezhen, Hui, Jingpo, Jino, Kazak, Kirgiz, Korean, Lahu, Lhoba, Li, Lisu, Man, Maonan, Miao, Monba, Mongol, Mulao, Naxi, Nu, Oroqen, Pumi, Qiang, Russ, Salar, She, Sui, Tajik, Tatar, Tibetan, Tu, Tujia, Uyghur, Uzbek, Va, Xibe, Yao, Yi, Yugur, and Zhuang), as well as unrecognized ethnic groups in China, ie, populations in the People’s Republic of China that have been assimilated into the Han or other recognized ethnic groups but have not yet been officially identified).

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7-item scale. Any positive (≥1) response to the ninth item of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 was considered as having suicidal ideation.

RESULTS: Among the 30 054 eligible participants (median [IQR] age, 43 [29-54] years; 15 043 [50.1%] female), 27 299 (90.8%) were from the Han ethnic group and 2755 (9.2%) were from ethnic minority groups. Compared with Han participants, participants from ethnic minority groups had significantly higher prevalence of moderate to major depression symptoms (25.5% vs 19.0%; P < .001), moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (17.4% vs 12.3%; P < .001), and suicidal ideation (29.4% vs 20.9%; P < .001). Participants from ethnic minority groups had higher odds of these outcomes even after adjusting for sociodemographic and behavioral factors (moderate to major depression symptoms: adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.18; 95% CI, 1.07-1.29; moderate to severe anxiety symptoms: aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.10-1.37; suicidal ideation: aOR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.22-1.46]). For members of ethnic minority groups, having 2 or more chronic conditions was associated with a higher likelihood of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (aOR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.13-2.18) and suicidal ideation (aOR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.30-2.29).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional study in China, significant disparities of mental health were observed between Han and ethnic minority populations. Members of ethnic minority groups were at a significantly higher risk for experiencing moderate to major depression symptoms, moderate to severe anxiety, and suicidal ideation, particularly when exposed to specific risk factors, such as chronic health conditions and social stressors. Targeted public health interventions are needed to address the mental health needs of ethnic minority populations.

PMID:40372758 | DOI:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.9591