Nevin Manimala

J Muscle Res Cell Motil. 2026 Jul 14;47(3):17. doi: 10.1007/s10974-026-09735-0.

ABSTRACT

Resistance training in rodent models is widely used to investigate muscular and cardiovascular adaptations. Traditional models often attach loads to the tail. The present study aimed to develop and validate a resistance training model for rats using a pulley system combined with a load-bearing vest, allowing progressive overload without tail attachment. Spontaneously hypertensive rats were assigned to control (CTR, n = 4) or resistance training (RT, n = 6) groups for a 10-week ladder climbing protocol. Functional and morphometric adaptations were evaluated in the soleus and flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscles. Resistance training resulted in a significant increase in relative maximum load carried (p = 0.0007), corresponding to a 79.5% improvement in strength capacity. The RT group also showed increased relative mass of the FHL muscle (p = 0.002). Gene expression analyses did not show statistically significant differences between groups (p > 0.05). The pulley-vest system proved to be a viable and effective resistance training model for rats, allowing controlled overload while avoiding tail load attachment and potential vascular interference. This model represents a refined experimental approach for resistance training studies in rodent models, particularly in conditions where tail circulation must be preserved.

PMID:42446765 | DOI:10.1007/s10974-026-09735-0

Environ Geochem Health. 2026 Jul 14;48(10):459. doi: 10.1007/s10653-026-03345-y.

ABSTRACT

The study investigated groundwater quality, irrigation suitability, health risks, and hydrochemical control mechanisms in the Hailar Basin. The water quality index (WQI) was used to evaluate drinking-water suitability, while the U.S. Salinity Laboratory (USSL) diagram, Wilcox diagram, and permeability index (PI) were applied to assess irrigation suitability. Hydrogeochemical and statistical methods were used to identify the main processes controlling groundwater evolution. The results show that groundwater is mainly of the HCO₃-Na·Na type in the Herhongde Sag, Cl-Na and HCO₃-Na types in the Cuogang Uplift, Wuerxun Sag, and Beier Sag, HCO₃-Na type in the Bayanshan Uplift, and Cl-Na type in the Hongqimuchang Sag and Xinbaolige Sag. In the study area, 13% of samples exceeded the limit for NO₃^–, 72% for As, 90% for F^–, and 71% for U. Health risk assessment indicated potential non-carcinogenic risks from As, U, and F^– ingestion, with mean hazard index (HI) values of 18.10 for adults and 50.66 for children, and unacceptable As related carcinogenic risks. According to the WQI results, 36.84% of groundwater samples were classified as excellent or good for drinking, whereas 15.79% were very poor. The irrigation assessment indicates that groundwater presents low to moderate sodium hazard levels but moderate to extremely high salinity hazard levels, with most samples falling within the C2S1, C3S2, and C4S2. The groundwater chemistry is mainly controlled by rock weathering and evaporative crystallization, and is further influenced by arid to semi-arid climatic conditions and intensified anthropogenic activities.

PMID:42446744 | DOI:10.1007/s10653-026-03345-y

Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1007/s00787-026-03114-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

We investigated the involvement of adiponectin in the development of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), using a multi-pronged approach integrating cord blood adiponectin concentrations, polygenic risk scores derived from publicly available GWAS summary statistics, and Mendelian randomization. This study aimed to evaluate both upstream genetic influences and downstream adiponectin-level associations. Using a combination of longitudinal cord blood data (N = 531) and genome-wide association studies of ADHD (N = 55,374) and adiponectin (N = 46,434), we examined observational, genetic, and associations linking adiponectin with ADHD. Lower cord blood adiponectin levels were associated with higher ADHD symptoms at ages 5-6 and 8-9, and predicted membership in the increasing-symptom trajectory group. Gene-set analysis demonstrated pathway-level overlap between ADHD and adiponectin regulation. Genetic correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between ADHD and adiponectin levels. Mendelian randomization provided stronger evidence for an association of ADHD on adiponectin levels. Polygenic risk score analysis also demonstrated a negative association between genetic liability for ADHD and cord blood adiponectin levels. Additionally, lower adiponectin levels were found to be associated with elevated inflammatory markers in the cord blood samples obtained from the cohort study, which may provide a potential explanation for the higher prevalence of metabolic comorbidities observed in individuals with ADHD. These findings suggest that adiponectin may be associated with the biologyof ADHD and targeting adiponectin regulation may offer a novel approach for managing ADHD and its related health risks.

PMID:42446714 | DOI:10.1007/s00787-026-03114-3

Orthopadie (Heidelb). 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1007/s00132-026-04867-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Breech presentation is considered one of the main risk factors for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in singleton pregnancies; however, data regarding twins are limited. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether breech presentation in twins is associated with abnormal hip ultrasound findings and to assess the influence of delivery mode, sex and gestational age.

METHODS: Obstetric and ultrasound data from twin births at Frankfurt University Hospital between 2010 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 130 twins in whom at least 1 infant with breech presentation and both infants underwent hip ultrasound according to Graf’s technique within the first 14 days after birth were included. Twins were divided into breech-breech, breech-vertex and breech-transverse groups. Hip findings were categorized as normal (Graf type Ia/Ib) or abnormal/immature (Graf type IIa or higher). Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact testing.

RESULTS: No infant demonstrated manifest DDH (Graf type IIc or higher). Overall, 5.4% of infants showed physiologically immature or abnormal hip ultrasound findings classified as Graf type IIa. No significant association was found between breech presentation and abnormal hip findings; however, abnormal findings were more common in the breech-transverse group compared to the breech-breech group (p = 0.037). Infants delivered via cesarean section demonstrated a higher rate of abnormal findings than vaginally delivered infants (p = 0.041).

CONCLUSION: In this cohort, breech presentation in twins was not associated with an increased rate of abnormal hip ultrasound findings. The combination of breech and transverse presentation may represent a higher risk constellation. Due to the retrospective design and lack of a singleton control group, conclusions regarding a modifying effect of twin pregnancy on the occurrence of DDH cannot be drawn.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective cohort study. Level III evidence.

PMID:42446713 | DOI:10.1007/s00132-026-04867-0

Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2026 Jul 9. doi: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/msvat0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether the use of immunosuppressants after cancer diagnosis in patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with increased risk of cancer recurrence or mortality.

METHODS: We consecutively enrolled patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), or rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and concomitant invasive cancer (2015-2024). The association between treatment exposure and recurrence was estimated using time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models to prevent immortal time bias. Sensitivity analyses adjusted for age, comorbidities, and treatment history. The impact of treatment timing was assessed using varying thresholds (36, 48, 60, 72 months).

RESULTS: A total of 128 patients with inflammatory arthritis and invasive cancer were included (43 SpA, 35 PsA, 50 RA), with a median follow-up of 58.1 months. Twenty-four patients (18.7%) experienced cancer recurrence or progression. In time-dependent Cox proportional hazards models, post-cancer exposure to bDMARDs or JAK inhibitors was initially associated with a higher risk of recurrence (HR 2.79, 95% CI 1.33-5.84); however, this association was attenuated and no longer statistically significant after adjustment for age at cancer diagnosis and comorbidity burden. No significant association was observed between the timing of treatment initiation after cancer diagnosis and recurrence risk when different cut-offs (36, 48, 60, and 72 months) were tested.

CONCLUSIONS: The risk of cancer recurrence associated with post-cancer immunosuppression appears largely driven by patients’ age and comorbidities rather than the therapy itself. We found no evidence that initiating treatment within the standard 5-year safety window increases recurrence risk, supporting tailored, multidisciplinary management over rigid time thresholds.

PMID:42446710 | DOI:10.55563/clinexprheumatol/msvat0

Brain Behav. 2026 Jul;16(7):e71598. doi: 10.1002/brb3.71598.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) enables the real-time measurement of emotional states in daily life, reducing recall bias and capturing clinically meaningful fluctuations. However, evidence regarding the reliability and validity of EMA measures remains limited, and validated instruments are scarce, highlighting the need for EMA-specific psychometric evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability, validity, and structural characteristics of a brief 11-item smartphone-based EMA of mood in a non-clinical sample.

METHODS: We used data from a randomized controlled trial evaluating a 1-week digital self-efficacy training in a stress-enriched non-clinical sample of 93 Swiss university students. Baseline psychometric assessments included the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI II), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS), the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSE), the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The EMA assessment included moods such as cheerful, irritated, anxious, happy, insecure, lonely, relaxed, sad, overthinking, focused, and stressed. Analyses included descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and external validity (correlations between baseline questionnaires and participant-level aggregated EMA ratings from the first 24 h). Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses and network analyses assessed the structure.

RESULTS: We considered the data of all 93 participants for the analysis. Participants (78.5% female) were on average 23.27 years of age (SD = 3.49). EMA items showed normal distribution, good internal consistency (α = 0.88), and low correlations (0.19-0.39) with the BDI II, the PANAS positive affect subscale, and the GSE. Moderate correlations (0.40-0.48) were found with the PANAS negative affect subscale, the STAI, and the PSS. An exploratory factor analysis indicated two or three factors, while network analysis revealed positive and negative affect communities. Confirmatory analysis suggested that the network model showed the most favorable fit indices among the models examined (CFI = 0.99; TLI = 0.99; RMSEA = 0.01).

CONCLUSION: The smartphone-based EMA mood item set provided preliminary evidence of reliability and validity in this stress-enriched non-clinical student sample. Findings suggest differentiation between positive and negative affective states, as well as between depressive and anxiety-related features. These results support the potential utility of the item set for monitoring transient mood states in non-clinical populations.

PMID:42444535 | DOI:10.1002/brb3.71598

Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2026 Jul;1561(1):e70325. doi: 10.1111/nyas.70325.

ABSTRACT

The preferential engagement of the right hemisphere in vertebrates biases visuospatial attention to the left. This attentional bias has been proposed as the basis for the organization of numbers along a left-to-right mental number line, with small numbers associated with the left and large ones with the right. In humans, this predisposition is modulated by culture, education, and even short exposure to spatial positions of numbers; yet data on animals are lacking. Here, in day-old chicks, we explore whether experience with increasing and decreasing numerical sequences influences the left-to-right visual exploration of numerosities. We conducted two experiments with day-old chicks (n = 70), training them to circumnavigate a sagittal sequence of three number sequences. In Experiment 1, chicks saw stimuli with either 2-5-8 (increasing-group) or 8-5-2 (decreasing-group) elements and then evaluated for searching behavior from left to right; in Experiment 2, we used larger numerosities, 8-20-32 or 32-20-8, and controlled for non-numerical cues. At test, chicks faced the stimuli arranged horizontally. We found that the increasing-group consistently approached the number stimuli from the left, regardless of the number arrangement. In contrast, the decreasing-group showed no directional preference. These results demonstrate that early exposure to numerical sequences can modulate the spontaneous left-to-right bias in newborn chicks, shedding light on the flexibility of cognitive biases in visuospatial and numerical cognition early in life.

PMID:42444529 | DOI:10.1111/nyas.70325

J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care. 2026 Jan-Dec;25:23259582261467826. doi: 10.1177/23259582261467826. Epub 2026 Jul 14.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundDespite global advances in HIV care, pediatric populations in Africa continue to experience suboptimal treatment outcomes. Dolutegravir (DTG)-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) offers improved efficacy and tolerability, however, its real-world impact on viral load suppression (VLS) and the uptake of DTG-based regimens from older ART to newly recommended DTG-based ART among children and adolescents in Africa has not been systematically quantified.ObjectiveThis systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled viral load suppression after initiation of dolutegravir-based ART and the uptake of DTG-based regimens from older regimens to dolutegravir-based ART among children and adolescents living with HIV in Africa.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Hinari, CORE, and DOAJ were performed from January 01-10, 2026. Studies reporting VLS after initiation of DTG-based ART and the uptake of DTG-based regimens among pediatric patients with HIV in Africa were included. Pooled estimates were computed using random-effect models. Heterogeneity was assessed using I² statistics, and subgroup, sensitivity, and publication bias analyses were performed.Resultsout of 7,789 records screened, twenty-four studies comprising 119,292 participants were included. The overall pooled viral load suppression at six months after initiation of DTG-based ART was 82% (95% CI: 79-85%) and 70 (95% CI: 62-77%) among participants who were unsuppressed at baseline. The pooled uptake of DTG-based regimens was 77% (95% CI: 68-86%) based on 23 studies. Substantial heterogeneity was observed across outcomes (I²≥98%). Subgroup analysis indicated regional and study-design variation in the uptake of DTG-based regimens but not in viral suppression. No substantial publication bias was detected among the included studies.ConclusionDTG-based ART effectively suppressed viral load among pediatric patients in Africa, though adoption remains incomplete and below UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets. Significant heterogeneity highlights the influence of contextual and health system factors. Accelerated rollout, strengthened adherence support, and harmonized monitoring are needed to optimize pediatric HIV outcomes.

PMID:42444527 | DOI:10.1177/23259582261467826

J Appl Gerontol. 2026 Jul 14:7334648261464234. doi: 10.1177/07334648261464234. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundOlder women in India experience high levels of chronic illness, psychosocial distress, and social vulnerability. With the growing interest in predictive healthcare approaches, identifying psychosocial risk patterns among ageing women is critical for early intervention.ObjectiveThis study examined the prevalence of physical and mental health problems, coping strategies across age groups, and the relationship between coping styles and quality of life (QOL), along with implications for geriatric care.MethodsA descriptive analytical design was employed among 420 older women in Aligarh city using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through structured interviews, the WHO Quality of Life Scale (WHO-QOL), and a coping strategies inventory. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, ANOVA, correlation, and regression techniques.ResultsArthritis (44%) and hypertension (39%) were the most prevalent conditions, with 49% of respondents reporting multimorbidity. Problem-focused coping was associated with higher QOL, whereas avoidant coping showed a significant negative association. Social protection factors, including pension access and healthcare support, were positively associated with QOL.ConclusionThe findings highlight the importance of psychosocial and structural determinants in shaping quality of life among older women. These results provide empirically grounded indicators that may inform the future development of predictive and preventive geriatric healthcare approaches.

PMID:42444505 | DOI:10.1177/07334648261464234

Nurs Ethics. 2026 Jul 14:9697330261463755. doi: 10.1177/09697330261463755. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundWhen patients refuse basic nursing care in the hospital setting, ethical tension arises between promoting patient dignity by providing hygiene and honoring bodily autonomy by respecting patient refusal of interventions.Research AimTo describe patient factors, clinical context, and the role of ethics consultation when basic care is refused to identify implications for future practice and/or policy.Research DesignWe conducted a retrospective qualitative content analysis of adult and pediatric ethics consultation documentation between January 2015 and December 2025 at a quaternary academic medical center, screening 2,381 consultations to identify cases involving refusal of basic nursing care. We collected patient demographics, admission and clinical information, reasons for ethics consultation, and actions taken by the ethics consultation service. Data were summarized via descriptive statistics, and categories were abstracted to develop a framework.Participants and Research ContextPatients receiving inpatient care at an academic medical center in the Midwestern United States.Ethical ConsiderationsUniversity of Michigan IRBMED deemed the study exempt (HUM00256591).Findings34 ethics consultations for 29 unique patients involved refusal of basic nursing care. Patients were adults (100%), with an average LACE score of 12.8; 15 (44%) had decision-making capacity. Care over objection was provided in 16 (47%) of cases, and physical restraints were used in 2 (6%) cases. Refusals involved hygiene (18, 53%), wound care (15, 44%), and repositioning (9, 26%), and occurred across nursing units and clinical services. Refusals were addressed through persuasion (9, 26%), soft paternalism (13, 38%), hard paternalism (3, 9%), or permitted refusal (9, 26%).DiscussionEthics consultation involvement resulted in four approaches to refusal of basic nursing care based on patient agency, decision-making capacity, and clinical context.ConclusionsWhen refusal results in dignitary or physical harm, healthcare teams should address barriers and encourage participation. In rare circumstances, care over objection is ethically permissible with multidisciplinary input.

PMID:42444500 | DOI:10.1177/09697330261463755