Nevin Manimala

BMC Public Health. 2025 Dec 2. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-25848-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Previous nationally representative health surveys in China found that handgrip strength (HGS) of children and adolescents has declined since 2000. However, these data are not only lacking in updates but also have limitations in identifying high-risk groups. This paper aims to estimate the trends in HGS adjusted for height and weight among Chinese children and adolescents from 2000 to 2019 and to investigate differences in demographic characteristics and distribution.

METHODS: Height, weight, and HGS data among Chinese 1,082,296 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years (543,118 boys) were obtained from five waves of the Chinese National Surveillance on Students’ Constitution and Health from 2000 to 2019. General linear models were used to estimate trends in absolute HGS and HGS adjusted for height and weight in each sex-region-age group, respectively. Population-based trends were estimated by a post-stratification population weighting procedure. The trends in the distributional characteristics were visually described.

RESULTS: For the total population, HGS increased by an average of 2.2 kg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1 to 2.1 kg) or 0.44 effect size (ES) (95% CI: 0.43 to 0.45 ES), with a small but statistically significant improvement. There was a moderate improvement (0.62 ES) among children aged 7-12 years and a small improvement (0.27 ES) among adolescents aged 13-18 years, respectively. However, HGS adjusted for height and weight increased by an average of 0.6 kg (95% CI: 0.5 to 0.7 kg) or 0.05 ES (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.06 ES), with a negligible improvement observed overall. Urban boys aged 7-9 years and urban girls aged 7-12 years experienced small improvements (ranging from 0.22 to 0.38 ES). Urban boys aged 15, 18 years and rural boys aged 15-18 years experienced small decreases (ranging from – 0.31 to -0.23 ES) In general, the distribution of trends was uneven, with decreases primarily observed at higher percentiles but improvements observed at lower percentiles.

CONCLUSION: No significant changes were observed in HGS adjusted for height and weight, but there were significant differences in sex, age and distribution. Policies and intervention strategies need to prioritize low-health groups, especially among post-pubertal boys or high-fitness performers.

PMID:41331609 | DOI:10.1186/s12889-025-25848-6

Implement Sci. 2025 Dec 2. doi: 10.1186/s13012-025-01471-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, implementation researchers have empirically identified factors influencing long-term sustainment of evidence-based practices (EBPs) to target in implementation efforts. We examined progress toward promoting sustainment by conducting a conceptual replication of a prior study (Hunter et al., 2015, Implementation Science) that measured sustainment of an exemplar EBP for youth substance use, the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA).

METHOD: Data were collected 1-5 years after initial implementation funding ended (M = 3.3 years) through interviews and surveys with clinicians and supervisors from service organizations that implemented A-CRA (n = 66). Using survival analysis, we calculated the probability of A-CRA sustainment (dichotomously reported [yes/no] in interviews) over time and examined associations with contextual factors across the multilevel domains of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). We also combined our data with Hunter et al. (n = 68) to test if sustainment status or interactions with contextual factors differed by sample, and used rapid qualitative analysis of interviews to further explore patterns in the quantitative findings.

RESULTS: In our sample, A-CRA sustainment probability decreased over time; 71% of organizations were sustaining A-CRA when funding ended, whereas only 33% were sustaining 5 years later; this survival curve did not statistically differ from Hunter et al. Sustainment was significantly associated with factors across CFIR domains: we replicated associations found by Hunter et al. (with e.g., funding stability, available clinicians, intervention complexity) and found unique associations (with e.g., program evaluation and strategic planning capacities, available supervisors, and perceived advantages and success of A-CRA). One association from the prior sample did not fully replicate (p < .10), but there were no significant interactions between contextual factors and sample. Qualitative findings further contextualized these results with service organization perspectives on factors influencing sustainment.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that work over the past decade promoting sustainment of EBPs for youth substance use may not have produced measurable impacts. Future work needs to better incorporate growing knowledge on sustainment predictors into development and testing of robust, multilevel implementation strategies and system-level supports. This study also provides a useful illustration of a replication study in implementation science, which are important but rare.

PMID:41331606 | DOI:10.1186/s13012-025-01471-2

BMC Oral Health. 2025 Dec 2. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-07434-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: High-speed sintering has emerged as a promising innovation for enhancing the efficiency of dental prosthesis fabrication. However, its impact on marginal adaptation remains a critical factor in ensuring the long-term clinical success of restorations. The aim of the study to evaluate the marginal fit of high-speed and regular-speed-sintered zirconia crowns.

METHODS: A maxillary right second molar on a typodont was prepared for an all-ceramic crown. A PVS impression was taken and a Type V stone master cast was fabricated. This cast was scanned via a laboratory scanner to produce 20 milled zirconia crowns. The crowns were divided into two groups (n = 10). Group A was subjected to a fast-sintering program, whereas group B was sintered via a conventional-speed-sintering program. Marginal fit was assessed via a stereoscopic microscope at four well-defined points (mid-distal, mid-lingual, mid-mesial, and mid-buccal) on each crown. Three readings were taken at each point. The marginal gaps of both groups were compared via the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS: Statistically significant difference between groups A and B (p < 0.001) was revealed. Although the mean marginal gap in both groups was below the clinically acceptable limit (< 90 μm), the fast-sintering program produced restorations with a larger marginal gap than the restorations sintered via the conventional program.

CONCLUSION: Crowns produced via both sintering programs were clinically acceptable, although the regular-speed-sintering program yielded a significantly superior marginal fit.

PMID:41331599 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-07434-9

BMC Neurol. 2025 Dec 2. doi: 10.1186/s12883-025-04555-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM), a globally prevalent metabolic disease, affects the nervous system through multiple mechanisms, leading to cranial neuropathies. Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) is a rare disorder that, when occurring in diabetic patients, may present with clinical manifestations that overlap with diabetic cranial neuropathy (DCN), increasing the risk of misdiagnosis and delaying corticosteroid treatment. This study aims to systematically analyze the clinical characteristics of THS in diabetic patients and explore optimal management strategies.

METHODS: This study conducted a retrospective analysis, integrating data from previously published cases and cases diagnosed at our center. Inclusion criteria were based on the diagnostic standards for THS outlined in the ICHD-3, while cases with other potential causes of headache and ophthalmoplegia were excluded. Data collected included baseline characteristics, clinical manifestations, treatment regimens, and therapeutic outcomes. Statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test, t-test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test.

RESULTS: A total of 19 cases of diabetes-associated THS were included (11 males, 8 females), with males presenting at a significantly younger age than females (P = 0.041). All patients experienced severe headaches, 89.47% had ptosis, 94.73% exhibited ophthalmoplegia, and 15.79% presented with facial sensory disturbances. Eight patients were initially misdiagnosed with DCN and received neurotrophic therapy without improvement, but they responded rapidly to corticosteroid treatment. All patients showed significant symptom improvement within six days of corticosteroid administration. Methylprednisolone and dexamethasone demonstrated therapeutic effects comparable to prednisone, though symptom resolution was slightly delayed in the prednisone group.

CONCLUSION: The clinical features of diabetes-associated THS include severe headache, ptosis, and ophthalmoplegia, which can be easily confused with DCN. Corticosteroid therapy demonstrated high efficacy in this cohort. Clinicians should consider the possibility of THS in diabetic patients presenting with ptosis and ophthalmoplegia to avoid misdiagnosis and ensure timely corticosteroid treatment, thereby improving patient outcomes.

PMID:41331592 | DOI:10.1186/s12883-025-04555-0

Int J Paleopathol. 2025 Dec 1;52:32-43. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.11.004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This paper demonstrates computational modeling’s value as a tool for mapping the impact of hidden variables and evaluating the accuracy of statistical methods in bioarchaeology.

MATERIALS: As a working example, this paper presents an agent-based model of a 1,000-person cohort of individuals who can form an unspecified skeletal lesion at any age between birth and ten years and enter a simulated cemetery at the end of their lives. Skeletal lesions either have no effect on mortality risk (scenario 1) or are associated with doubled mortality risk (scenario 2).

METHODS: The agent-based model simulates data on individual age at death and lesion status. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis is run on each simulated dataset, comparing survival estimates for individuals with and without lesions.

RESULTS: Survival analyses underestimate the true value of lesion-associated mortality risk in early life in scenario 2 and produce a false lesion-associated survival advantage under the null conditions of scenario 1.

CONCLUSIONS: Researchers should account for the ages of a skeletal lesion’s developmental window, where known, when assessing lesion-associated mortality. Survival analyses return accurate results when they exclude individuals in the ages of active lesion formation.

SIGNIFICANCE: Modeling experiments can identify which archaeologically unmeasurable variables have the greatest impact on estimates of population health and outline the ways in which they bias estimates of past health from the skeletal record.

LIMITATIONS: The only limits on modeling are limits of imagination and common sense.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH: Many other archaeologically hidden variables remain to be explored with this approach.

PMID:41330016 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijpp.2025.11.004

Cortex. 2025 Nov 15;194:35-49. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2025.11.003. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Children’s ability to extract statistical regularities from speech is considered fundamental to lexical, syntactic, and grammatical development. However, the neural oscillatory mechanisms supporting this process in childhood remains poorly understood. While beta-band oscillations have been linked to statistical learning in visual and motor domains, it is unclear whether similar dynamics support auditory statistical learning in children. In this study, we recorded electroencephalography (EEG) from children aged 8-12 years as they listened to a continuous stream of trisyllabic nonwords (e.g., dapiku), where syllable order within each nonword was fixed (high predictability), but transitions between nonwords were variable (low predictability). Beta power was significantly lower for the more predictable second and third syllables relative to the less predictable first syllable. This effect emerged only after repeated exposure and was localised to left prefrontal electrodes. Beta power also correlated with post-exposure recognition accuracy. Additional learning-related modulations were observed in the theta-alpha and delta-theta bands, suggesting broader oscillatory engagement. These findings indicate that auditory statistical learning in middle childhood engages frequency-specific neural dynamics, with beta power modulations showing parallel effects to those observed in other modalities.

PMID:41330012 | DOI:10.1016/j.cortex.2025.11.003

Transl Oncol. 2025 Dec 1;63:102620. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2025.102620. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a major cause of cancer-related mortality globally, largely due to the absence of reliable non-invasive biomarkers for early detection. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), characterized by covalently closed-loop structures, stability, and detectability in circulation, have emerged as promising liquid biopsy candidates.

METHODS: circAHSA1 (hsa_circ_0032777) was identified through GEO dataset screening (GSE121445) and validated in GC tissues, serum, and cell lines using qRT-PCR with optimized internal reference selection. Diagnostic performance was assessed using ROC analysis and DeLong tests, evaluating circAHSA1 alone and in combination with CEA, CA199, and CA724. Biological functions were examined through proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion assays. Subcellular localization and potential downstream miRNA interactions were analyzed using nuclear-cytoplasmic fractionation and multi-database bioinformatic prediction.

RESULTS: circAHSA1 expression was significantly elevated in GC tissues, serum, and cell lines, and correlated with lymph node metastasis, differentiation status, and TNM stage. Serum circAHSA1 effectively discriminated GC from healthy controls (AUC = 0.787) and gastritis patients (AUC = 0.752), outperforming conventional markers, with statistical superiority confirmed by DeLong analysis. Combined detection further improved diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.871). Functionally, silencing circAHSA1 suppressed GC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion while enhancing apoptosis and inducing cell-cycle arrest. Bioinformatic analysis suggested miR-647 and miR-661 as potential downstream targets.

CONCLUSIONS: circAHSA1 is a stable, GC-specific circulating biomarker with both diagnostic and functional relevance. These findings support circAHSA1 as a promising candidate for liquid biopsy-based GC detection and a potential therapeutic target.

PMID:41330006 | DOI:10.1016/j.tranon.2025.102620

J Community Psychol. 2026 Jan;54(1):e70067. doi: 10.1002/jcop.70067.

ABSTRACT

This study assessed (1) the prevalence of witnessing violence and personal victimization, (2) links between community violence exposure (CVE) and depressive and PTSD symptoms, and (3) family cohesion as a moderator in these associations among rural Mexican adults. Data were drawn from a larger mixed methods study with 200 Mexican adults (ages of 20-60; M_age = 40.7; 79.5% women) from the State of Mexico. Preliminary analyses indicated that participants reported more experiences of witnessing violence than personal victimization. Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that only witnessing violence was significantly associated with depressive and PTSD symptoms. Family cohesion did not moderate these associations. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to further explore and contextualize a subset of participants’ experiences with community violence. Findings underscore the high prevalence of CVE among rural Mexican adults and its significant associations with mental health. This study expands the predominantly urban-focused CVE literature and highlights the need for culturally and contextually informed prevention and intervention efforts.

PMID:41329992 | DOI:10.1002/jcop.70067

NCHS Data Brief. 2025 Jun;(532):1. doi: 10.15620/cdc/174601.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Adults age 65 and older have higher death rates from unintentional falls than other age groups, and falls are the leading cause of injury-related death in this population.

METHODS: National Vital Statistics System underlying cause-of-death mortality data for 2003-2023 were used in this study of unintentional fall deaths in adults age 65 and older, by sex, age group, and race and Hispanic origin. Unintentional fall deaths were identified using International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision underlying cause-of-death codes W00-W19. Crude rates (deaths per 100,000 population) were calculated. Pairwise comparisons were conducted using the z test ( p < 0.05), and trends were assessed using the Joinpoint Regression Program (Version 5.0.2).

KEY FINDINGS: The U.S. rate of unintentional fall deaths for adults age 65 and older was 69.9 per 100,000 population in 2023, with rates varying by state. In 2023, the unintentional fall death rate for adults age 65 and older was higher for men (74.2) compared with women (66.3). Rates for both men and women increased with increasing age. Among adults age 85 and older, White non-Hispanic adults had the highest rate of unintentional fall deaths, and Black non-Hispanic adults had the lowest rate. For both men and women, rates of unintentional fall deaths increased between 2003 and 2023 for adults ages 65-74, 75-84, and 85 and older.

PMID:41329986 | DOI:10.15620/cdc/174601

Folia Med Cracov. 2025 Jul 31;65(2):142-152. doi: 10.24425/fmc.2025.156131.

ABSTRACT

There is a lack of research that methodically clarifies baseline muscle tone values and demonstrates their activation during balance tests using selected parts of the 4-Stage Balance Test. The study involved 41 men and 34 women (mean age approximately 22 years (X = 21.83 y, SD 1.5 y)). Data were collected using a questionnaire containing socio-demographic and anthropometric data. Range of motion was measured using a goniometer (SFTR Goniometer Baseline 360 degrees), limb length and circumference were measured using a ADE MZ10021 tape measure and static balance was assessed using two tests from the 4-Stage Balance Test. Eight muscles (Rectus Femoris (RF), Vastus Lateralis (VL), Vastus Medialis (VM), Semitendinosus (S), Biceps Femoris (BF), Tibialis Anterior (TA), Gastrocnemius Medialis (GM), Gastrocnemius Lateralis (GL)) bioelectrical activity data were obtained using a Noraxon MR 400 sEMG device and MyoTrace software. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics v25. In parallel foot position the highest EMG activity was observed in the VM (99.18 mV), S (55.27 mV) and RF (33.06 mV) muscles. In semi-tandem foot position the highest activity was observed in S (120.8 mV), GM (59.03 mV), and TA (47.84 mV) muscles, with the lowest in BF (6.58 mV) muscle. 1. Lowered base of support increases the activity of the semitendinosus and medial gastrocnemius muscles. 2. Maintaining the feet-together stance depends on the synergy between the semitendinosus and medial gastrocnemius muscles. 3. Maintaining semi-tandem positioned halfway in front of the other foot depends on the synergy between the vastus lateralis and tibialis anterior muscles.

PMID:41329980 | DOI:10.24425/fmc.2025.156131