Nevin Manimala

Radiol Med. 2025 May 22. doi: 10.1007/s11547-025-02022-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the performance of CT radiomics in distinguishing between lung adenocarcinoma (ADC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) at baseline imaging, exploring its potential as a noninvasive virtual biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted, enrolling 330 patients between September 2015 and January 2023. Inclusion criteria were histologically proven ADC or SCC and baseline contrast-enhanced chest CT. Exclusion criteria included significant motion artifacts and nodules < 6 mm. Radiological features, including lung lobe affected, peripheral/central location, presence of emphysema, and T/N radiological stage, were assessed for each patient. Volumetric segmentation of lung cancers was performed on baseline CT scans at the portal-venous phase using 3DSlicer software (v5.2.2). A total of 107 radiomic features were extracted and selected using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and tenfold cross-validation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to develop three predictive models: radiological features-only, radiomics-only, and a combined model, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Additionally, an independent external validation cohort of 16 patients, meeting the same inclusion and exclusion criteria, was identified.

RESULTS: The final cohort comprised 200 ADC and 100 SCC patients (mean age 68 ± 10 years, 184 men). Two radiological and 21 radiomic features were selected (p < 0.001). The Radiological model achieved AUC 0.73 (95% CI 0.68-0.78, p < 0.001), 72.3% accuracy. The radiomics model achieved AUC 0.80 (95% CI 0.75-0.85, p < 0.001), 75.6% accuracy. The combined model achieved AUC 0.84 (95% CI 0.80-0.88, p < 0.001), 75.3% accuracy. External validation (n = 15) yielded AUC 0.78 (p = 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The combined radiologic-radiomics model showed the best performance in differentiating ADC from SCC.

PMID:40402434 | DOI:10.1007/s11547-025-02022-x

Vascular. 2025 May 22:17085381251342387. doi: 10.1177/17085381251342387. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThe diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is usually made by a sonographer using a thorough Doppler ultrasound. The current study examined whether emergency resident physicians could accurately diagnose DVT using a point-of-care, three-point compression protocol.MethodsThe patient population consisted of patients with suspected DVT who presented to the emergency department between 2021 and 2022. All patients underwent a three-point compression ultrasound exam by the emergency resident. Each patient then had a comprehensive whole-leg ultrasonography exam performed by a supervisor emergency specialist. The results of the ultrasound exams by the emergency resident physicians and comprehensive exams were then analyzed and compared.ResultsThe average age of the patients was 60,96 ± 16,67. There was a statistically significant difference between three-point compression and whole-leg ultrasound examination data. The negative predictive value of the resident physician was determined as 94%. The coefficient of the compression variable in the Ridge regression analysis for diagnosing DVT in the whole-leg ultrasound examination was obtained as -0.3754.ConclusionsWe think that compression ultrasonography may be sufficient in patient management compared to whole-leg ultrasonography in emergency management. However, we think that three-point compression ultrasonography applied by the emergency resident is quite successful in diagnosing and excluding DVT in the emergency department.

PMID:40401508 | DOI:10.1177/17085381251342387

Clin Pharmacol Drug Dev. 2025 May 22. doi: 10.1002/cpdd.1522. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dazukibart is a humanized monoclonal antibody selectively targeting interferon-β. The pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of dazukibart were evaluated in 2 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, single-dose, Phase 1 studies in healthy adults in China (Study 1: N = 18; dazukibart 900 mg = 15; placebo = 3) and Japan (Study 2: N = 12; Cohort 1: dazukibart 300 mg = 5, placebo = 1; and Cohort 2: dazukibart 900 mg = 5, placebo = 1). PK parameters were assessed after dosing in Study 1 and Study 2, and no significant differences were observed between PK findings among participants in both studies. A biphasic decline in dazukibart serum concentrations was observed in both studies. Exposures increased dose proportionally in Study 2. Body weight, but not race, was identified as an independent covariate of exposure using population PK modeling (including data from a Phase 1 US study [NCT02766621]). No deaths/discontinuations or serious/severe adverse events were observed, mostly mild adverse events were reported. No participants in Study 1 were antidrug antibody positive; 20.0% in Study 2 were positive for treatment-induced antidrug antibodies and neutralizing antibodies. PK parameters and immunogenicity rates were consistent with the US study, and no new safety signals were identified.

PMID:40401504 | DOI:10.1002/cpdd.1522

Nanoscale. 2025 May 22. doi: 10.1039/d4nr04820b. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Metal-organic nanotubes (MONTs) are porous, tunable 1D nanomaterials akin to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MONTs are synthesized via metal salts and coordinating ligands akin to MOFs, but crucially they are anisotropic, unlike most MOFs. Recently, MONTs have been shown to form statistically random copolymers; however, their mechanism of growth remains largely unexplored. Full realization of the potential of MONTs necessitates a thorough understanding of the mechanism of MONT growth. Herein, small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) was employed to investigate the copolymerization mechanism of two 1,2,4-ditriazole ligands and to quantify the inclusion of a solvent within the MONT pores. The results show parallelepiped-shaped structures are initially formed, which then aggregate to form larger lamellar structures. Additional experimentation with a deuterated ligand showed that the reactivities of all ligands are approximately equal, causing random ligand distribution within the resulting MONT. Finally, the results quantify the amount of solvent incorporated within the nanostructure pores at different stages of the formation process. These results show that early in the reaction the MONTs contain ca. 45% solvent, and they contain ca. 55% solvent late in the reaction when the MONTs are nearly fully formed.

PMID:40401467 | DOI:10.1039/d4nr04820b

Hematol Oncol. 2025 May;43(3):e70105. doi: 10.1002/hon.70105.

ABSTRACT

When describing relationships between variables and an outcome, dichotomization of continuous variables remains a widely used approach in medical research despite many drawbacks: the loss of information which reduces the statistical power to detect an association, the risk of misclassification and the problem of comparability of the results. Alternative approaches based on flexible functions are available and would allow to use all the information contained in the data and thus to model the possible non-linear relation between the continuous variable and the outcome. But these alternative approaches are rarely used probably because of a lack of clear guidance. This article aimed to illustrate the use of splines through an example based on hematological study. We showed the information provided by the plot of survival probabilities at a pre-specified time and according to the level of a continuous variable, thus displaying the trends of the studied phenomenon, as compared to a simple cut-off approach. In view of the major issues surrounding the patients’ health, it is more than necessary to use the most powerful statistical approaches for greater precision in the understanding of health phenomena so that we may make more informed decisions. We hope this article will encourage the use of these approaches.

PMID:40401449 | DOI:10.1002/hon.70105

Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis. 2025 May 22. doi: 10.1089/vbz.2025.0019. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Rodents are associated with the spread of deadly zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases. Their widespread distribution is strongly linked to their ability to thrive in human-altered environments with access to food and shelter. Thus, humans are exposed to zoonotic agents that can spread and infect them directly and indirectly. We sourced published literature on ectoparasites associated with Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, and Mus musculus from various academic databases such as Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. The relevant literature was screened and selected in R statistical software using the packages ”metagear” and ”revtool.” We reviewed and analyzed a total of 53 articles published between 1994 and 2024. The literature review covered studies from 29 countries, represented by six continents, namely, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, and South America, with the majority of the studies from Asia. R. rattus had the most published studies. Our literature review identified 87 species of zoonotic ectoparasites, with Xenopsylla cheopis, Polyplax spinulosa, and Laelaps echidninus being the most reported across all host species. Mites were the most reported ectoparasites (40.83%), followed by fleas (25%), ticks (20%), and lice (14.17%). Most of these ectoparasites were reported from R. rattus, with the highest number of documented ectoparasites. Investigating the prevalence, distribution, and potential risks of alien invasive rodents and their ectoparasites is paramount for public health and improving integrated pest management control strategies.

PMID:40401442 | DOI:10.1089/vbz.2025.0019

Mov Disord Clin Pract. 2025 May 22. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.70140. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Abnormal posture occurs in about 30% of Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. The neuromuscular taping (NMT) is a new treatment that induces micromovements that stimulate skin receptors. Application of NMT with a decompression and eccentric technique expands the interstitial spaces and therefore improves circulation and absorption of liquids by reducing the pressure under the skin favoring the muscular relaxation.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a 4-week, randomized, observer-blind, trial of NMT on pharmacologically treated PD patients with postural abnormality according to the item 3.13 of Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS).

METHODS: The primary endpoint of the study was the change in kinetic evaluation using movement analysis technique. Main secondary endpoint was change in scale UPDRS part III score from baseline to week 4, comparing NMT+Pharmacological therapy (NMT+PT) or only Pharmacological therapy (PT). 46 PD patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups. Both groups remained on stable pharmacological treatment throughout the entire duration of the study. The NMT-PT group received 8 sessions of specific decompression with neuromuscular taping.

RESULTS: At the end of the study, the kinematic data showed statistically significant change in α1 (the parameter related to the sagittal trunk inclination), close to 12% of improvement in the NMT-PT group.

CONCLUSIONS: Results showed a significant improvement in some kinematic parameters along with an improvement in motor and nonmotor symptoms in NMT + PT group compared to PT. NMT can represent a valid therapeutic option in combination with neurorehabilitation to treat abnormal posture in PD patients.

PMID:40401435 | DOI:10.1002/mdc3.70140

Neurourol Urodyn. 2025 May 22. doi: 10.1002/nau.70080. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: We examined the role of subtypes of adenosine receptors in bladder dysfunction and changes in the adenosine receptor expression in the bladder using male rats with partial bladder outlet obstruction (BOO).

METHODS: In Sprague-Dawley rats (male 8-weeks old), BOO was produced by a partial ligation of the urethra along a metal rod of a 1.2 mm outer diameter. Control rats underwent sham operation. Awake cystometrograms (CMG) were first recorded during saline instillation, and then an adenosine A1 receptor agonist (CCPA, 4.1 μM), an adenosine A2A antagonist (ZM241385, 15 μM), or inosine (1 mM) were applied intravesically in sham and BOO rats. In addition, mRNA levels of adenosine receptor subtypes in the bladder wall were measured using RT-PCR. Histological studies of bladder specimen were also performed.

RESULTS: Weights of BOO bladders were significantly (p < 0.0001) larger compared with sham bladders. In CMG, a number of non-voiding contractions (NVCs), bladder contraction amplitudes during voiding, bladder capacity, and post-void residual (PVR) were significantly (p < 0.001) increased compared with sham rats. Voiding efficiency (VE) was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced in BOO versus sham rats. Intravesical application of CCPA or inosine did not induce statistically significant effects on CMG parameters in BOO rats. Yet, ZM241385 induced a significant (p = 0.040) reduction in NVCs of BOO rats. mRNA levels of adenosine A2A and A3 receptors were significantly (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0145, respectively) upregulated in the BOO bladder mucosa, whereas adenosine A2B receptors showed a significant (p < 0.0001) reduction in the BOO bladder mucosa compared with sham bladders. Histologically, we found the thickened detrusor muscle layer in BOO versus sham rats.

CONCLUSIONS: The male rat model of BOO seems to be suitable for exploring urethral obstruction-related bladder dysfunction at the compensated phase. In addition, the adenosine A2A receptor subtype would be a potential target for the treatment of male BOO patients with bladder overactivity.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: A clinical trial registration is not required as this study reported the basic research data using animal models.

PMID:40401426 | DOI:10.1002/nau.70080

Environ Sci Technol. 2025 May 22. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.4c14013. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Marine pollution from potentially toxic elements (PTEs) threatens coastal ecosystems, making long-term assessments essential. This study analyzes trends in Al, Cr, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Hg using 446 samples of Fucus ceranoides, F. spiralis, and F. vesiculosus collected between 1990 and 2021 at 173 coastal sites in NW Spain. A consistent resampling approach revealed significant declines in most anthropogenic PTEs, including Cu (-84.7%), Cr (-84.6%), Hg (-49.6%), and Cd (-36.7%) over time. In contrast, arsenic increased by 36.1%, but the underlying causes remain unclear, with potential factors including changes in sediment inputs, bioavailability, or emerging sources such as groundwater discharges. Higher PTE levels were detected in inner estuarine areas, but no consistent latitudinal patterns emerged. Overall, the results suggest effective mitigation of coastal pollution, with reduced bioavailable PTEs entering the food web via Fucus spp. However, rising As levels and complex contamination dynamics underscore the need for continued monitoring. This study offers the most comprehensive standardized assessment of long-term PTE trends in brown algae to date, providing valuable insights for environmental policy and coastal management.

PMID:40401394 | DOI:10.1021/acs.est.4c14013

Brief Bioinform. 2025 May 1;26(3):bbaf223. doi: 10.1093/bib/bbaf223.

ABSTRACT

Network analysis has become an essential tool in biological and biomedical research, providing insights into complex biological mechanisms. Since biological systems are inherently time-dependent, incorporating time-varying methods is crucial for capturing temporal changes, adaptive interactions, and evolving dependencies within networks. Our study explores key time-varying methodologies for network structure estimation and network inference based on observed structures. We begin by discussing approaches for estimating network structures from data, focusing on the time-varying Gaussian graphical model, dynamic Bayesian network, and vector autoregression-based causal analysis. Next, we examine analytical techniques that leverage pre-specified or observed networks, including other autoregression-based methods and latent variable models. Furthermore, we explore practical applications and computational tools designed for these methods. By synthesizing these approaches, our study provides a comprehensive evaluation of their strengths and limitations in the context of biological data analysis.

PMID:40401349 | DOI:10.1093/bib/bbaf223