Nevin Manimala

Iran J Child Neurol. 2025;19(2):119-129. doi: 10.22037/ijcn.v19i2.46670. Epub 2025 Mar 11.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Binaural processing deficits are commonly observed in children with specific learning disabilities (SLD). These deficits can significantly hinder learning, specifically in noisy environments, making rehabilitating binaural processing crucial. This study aimed to implement an auditory training program based on binaural interaction tasks at the brainstem level in children with learning disabilities who exhibit binaural processing issues and to assess its effectiveness.

MATERIALS & METHODS: A sample of fourteen children diagnosed with SLD was randomly divided into intervention (n=7) and control groups (n=7). The intervention group participated in a 12-week auditory training program based on binaural interaction. The training exercises were designed with modifications to a test battery classified as assessments of binaural interaction. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included masking level difference and Persian auditory recognition of words-in-noise tests.

RESULTS: The Wilcoxon signed-rank test showed a statistically significant change in the masking level difference and Persian auditory recognition of words-in-noise results from pre- to post-intervention within the intervention group. Additionally, a nonparametric analysis of covariance indicated a significant difference in post-intervention outcomes between the two groups, with both assessments showing a meaningful effect from the rehabilitation (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: This study’s findings suggest that computerized auditory training focused on binaural interactions may effectively address binaural processing challenges in children with SLD. Further research is recommended to confirm these initial findings and explore the benefits of binaural auditory training for social communication in this population.

PMID:40231283 | PMC:PMC11994137 | DOI:10.22037/ijcn.v19i2.46670

Iran J Child Neurol. 2025;19(2):109-117. doi: 10.22037/ijcn.v19i2.43612. Epub 2025 Mar 11.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: One of the clinical presentations of COVID-19 infection in children is seizure. Furthermore, based on other studies during the epidemy of the Omicron variant in Iran and other parts of the world, the incidence of seizure in children increased. Moreover, the distribution of different seizure types remains to be discovered due to the newness of the Omicron variant epidemic and the lack of studies in this field. Understanding the connections between demographic factors and different seizure types is crucial, as managing this disorder varies based on the type of seizure and the individual characteristics of each patient. This study aims to investigate the relationship between age and gender with the type of seizures in children under 18 years of age with the Omicron type of COVID-19.

MATERIALS & METHODS: In this this analytical cross-sectional study included 45 children diagnosed with COVID-19 and having seizures. The required information, including demographic characteristics and clinical findings of seizures, was recorded in them.

RESULTS: No statistically significant relationship was observed between demographic characteristics and the type of seizures.

CONCLUSION: Although this study contains significant clinical results, more studies are needed to clarify this issue due to its limitations.

PMID:40231278 | PMC:PMC11994132 | DOI:10.22037/ijcn.v19i2.43612

Iran J Child Neurol. 2025;19(2):77-91. doi: 10.22037/ijcn.v19i2.46613. Epub 2025 Mar 11.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a rapid-onset inflammatory central nervous system (CNS) disorder in children, causing demyelination, encephalopathy, and neurological deficits, often following infections.

MATERIALS & METHODS: This 10-year retrospective study evaluated pediatric patients with seronegative acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM), focusing on clinical, laboratory, and imaging profiles. The various profiles were assessed to determine age- and/or sex-based differences.

RESULTS: The study reviewed 36 patients, with an average age of 6.08 years and predominantly male (61.1%). Clinical presentations included fever, nausea, vomiting, and seizures, with left facial hemiparesis being more common in girls (P-value = 0.023), while abnormal deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) and right-sided pathologies were more common in older patients (P-value < 0.05). Recent laboratory results have revealed differences between peripheral lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear (PMN) cells. Imaging revealed predominantly bilateral lesions, with older patients more likely to show lesions in the right parietal and occipital lobes (P-value = 0.01 and 0.04). Bilateral parietal lobe lesions were significantly correlated with several laboratory findings across the different subgroups. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that these findings were statistically significant in regards to peripheral PMN and lymphocytes in the age category and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein in the gender category (P-value < 0.05). Additionally, girls, particularly those who were older, had significantly higher involvement of the cervical spine (P-value = 0.04 and 0.02).

CONCLUSION: This study reveals age and sex-related differences in the clinical presentation and imaging findings of seronegative pediatric ADEM, showcasing the various demographic factors in patient profiles.

PMID:40231275 | PMC:PMC11994128 | DOI:10.22037/ijcn.v19i2.46613

Front Oncol. 2025 Mar 31;15:1404686. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1404686. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Haematological malignancies (HMs) are primary cancers of the blood and blood-forming organs. They are heterogeneous and of diverse clinical features, treatment protocols and prognoses. They constitute a significant source of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Northeastern Nigeria, being the region in the country with the worst literacy rate and poverty indices, is also battling with the burden of these diseases with the limited health facilities to adequately diagnose and treat these ailments. There is paucity of a comprehensive data on HMs in the region, so this study aims to report on the multi-centre burden of the common HMs in the region and to discuss their patterns of distribution and management challenges.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a 5-year retrospective study where records of cases of HMs diagnosed in the four health facilities [viz., Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), Bauchi; Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Gombe; Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital (MAUTH), Yola; and Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Azare] were collected from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022. Data on the age, gender, diagnosis and subtypes of some malignancies were also obtained and analysed using the SPSS Version 23.0 statistical software.

RESULTS: A total of 493 cases of HMs, which constituted 8.2% of all cancers, were diagnosed during the period under review. Paediatric HMs constituted 42.0% (207/493) of the HMs. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) constituted the majority of the HMs at 115/490 (23.5%), while multiple myeloma (MM) was the least at 38/493 (7.7%). An average cost of 5,000 to 10,000 United States dollars is required to manage an HM in Nigeria. Late presentation of patients, non-availability and inadequate number of personnel, inability to pay for investigations and/or treatments due to financial constraints, and limited facilities for tests such as flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, cytogenetic and molecular genetic analyses were the challenges identified in the institutions in Northeastern Nigeria that manage cancer patients.

CONCLUSION: Haematological malignancies are common in our environment, and there are limited facilities and expertise to accurately diagnose and treat them in the region and Nigeria in general.

PMID:40231268 | PMC:PMC11994308 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2025.1404686

Front Oncol. 2025 Mar 31;15:1568764. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2025.1568764. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is the most common malignancy of the penis. Considering the increase in incidence of PSCC in many countries, there is a need for better and effective therapies for these patients. The tumor microenvironment may offer insights into a better understanding of the tumor, which may inform on predictive and prognostic targets. In this study, we investigated immune cell infiltration into the stroma of PSCC, and how it may be affected by multiple factors including smoking, HIV infection, and/or HPV infection.

METHODS: We carried out a prospective analytical cross-sectional study at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Consenting patients with confirmed PSCC, attending the Urology Clinic and scheduled for partial or total penectomy were enrolled into the study. HIV testing by serology, HPV detection and genotyping on fresh tumors by real time PCR, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry staining for CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ cells on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, and flow cytometry for immunophenotyping circulating immune cells were done.

RESULTS: We enrolled 33 participants into the study. The participants had a mean age of 56 years, the majority (84.8%) were HIV positive, high-risk HPV was detected in 63.6% of the tumors, and 57.6% were positive for both HIV and high-risk HPV. HPV-positive PSCC tumors had a significantly lower proportion of infiltrating lymphocytes in the stroma on H&E staining than HPV-negative tumors [18% vs 53%; p=0.025]. Smokers had a significantly lower number of infiltrating CD8⁺ cells in the stroma than non-smokers [68 vs 99; p=0.035]. No difference in the density of stromal lymphocytes between HPV/HIV co-infected and non-co-infected individuals was observed. There was a statistically significant positive correlation in number of CD3⁺ (⍴=0.38; p=0.027) and CD8⁺ (⍴=0.40; p=0.02) cells in the stroma and intra-tumor. Factors including histological stage, tumor grade, HPV status, and HIV status seem to influence the correlation in number of stroma and intra-tumoral immune cells.

CONCLUSION: Smoking and presence of hrHPV is associated with a lower density of infiltrating lymphocytes in the stroma of PSCC. There is a positive correlation in the number of CD3⁺ and CD8⁺ cells between the stroma and intra-tumoral compartment of PSCC.

PMID:40231254 | PMC:PMC11994432 | DOI:10.3389/fonc.2025.1568764

Int J Gen Med. 2025 Apr 8;18:1983-1998. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S511534. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Despite significant advancements in the epigenetics of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), particularly in the domain of microRNA (miRNA), little is known about miRNAs that play a causal role in CRS. This study aims to identify miRNAs with a causal relationship to CRS and explore their potential clinical value and mechanisms in CRS.

METHODS: We conducted small RNA sequencing on blood and nasal samples to find miRNAs with consistent expression differences in CRS. These miRNAs were confirmed via qRT-PCR and assessed for clinical relevance through Spearman correlation and statistical analysis used to evaluate diagnostic accuracy. Bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR, a genetic causal inference method) analyzed their causal links to CRS. Target genes of causally significant miRNAs were identified using miRWalk, and their mechanisms were explored through pathway enrichment and validation studies.

RESULTS: We identified differentially expressed miRNAs in blood and nasal tissues using a |log2(Fold Change)| > 0.58 and P-value < 0.05 threshold. Following False Discovery Rate correction, hsa-miR-941 was identified as an upregulated miRNA in both CRS patient samples. The experimental validation of miR-941 expression closely matched sequencing results. Spearman and statistical analysis associated miR-941 expression changes with CRS severity and diagnostic accuracy. Bidirectional MR demonstrated a significant association of miR-941 with CRS risk, without evidence of reverse causality. Target gene and Western blot assays suggested miR-941’s potential influence on CRS through the PI3K/AKT pathway.

CONCLUSION: There is a positive causal relationship between hsa-miR-941 and CRS, making hsa-miR-941 a valuable target for the diagnosis and treatment of CRS. These findings position miR-941 as a valuable biomarker and therapeutic target, providing new opportunities for precision medicine in CRS treatment. miR-941 may exert its effects by modulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

PMID:40231245 | PMC:PMC11994465 | DOI:10.2147/IJGM.S511534

Int J Gen Med. 2025 Apr 10;18:2067-2075. doi: 10.2147/IJGM.S512606. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical significance of STAT6, ERG, miR-647 in prostate cancer (PCa).

METHODS: This was a retrospective study. There were 210 consecutive patients diagnosed with prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia in our hospital from July 2020 to July 2023. Among those patients, 108 patients pathologically diagnosed as prostate cancer were divided into the prostate cancer group (PCa group), and 102 patients pathologically diagnosed as having benign prostatic hyperplasia were divided into the benign prostatic hyperplasia group (BPH group).

RESULTS: The levels of STAT6 mRNA, ERG mRNA, and miR-647 expression in prostate cancer tissue were higher than those in BPH tissues, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05) . The levels of STAT6 mRNA, ERG mRNA, and miR-647 indicators in prostate cancer patients were not significantly different with respect to patient age and tumor size (P > 0.05) but were related to lymph node metastasis, T stage, and Gleason score (P < 0.05). On the other hand, the tPSA/fPSA had significantly different between two groups (P < 0.05). PCa group had smaller MRI sagittal diameter and anteroposterior diameter in comparison to BPH group (P < 0.05), furthermore, PCa group had larger PI-RAD in comparison to BPH group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The higher level of STAT6, ERG, and miR-647 in prostate tissue are closely related to the occurrence of prostate cancer and have certain value in predicting the onset of prostate cancer.

PMID:40231243 | PMC:PMC11995998 | DOI:10.2147/IJGM.S512606

J Allergy Clin Immunol Glob. 2025 Mar 18;4(2):100455. doi: 10.1016/j.jacig.2025.100455. eCollection 2025 May.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The treatment of chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) remains a challenge despite novel therapies such as omalizumab. With growing international interest in research on CSU, a comprehensive review of the global productivity, collaborations, and trending topics in CSU research may help inform future directions in patient management.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to outline the trends in CSU research by using bibliometric analysis, focusing specifically on global productivity, collaborative efforts, and emerging research topics spanning from 1977 to 2023.

METHODS: Publications related to CSU, including original articles, reviews, and letters, were sourced from the Web of Science Core Collection, and statistical analyses were performed using the Bibliometrix package in R and IBM SPSS Statistics.

RESULTS: A total of 2940 publications from 77 countries were analyzed. CSU research activity has increased exponentially since 2010, with more than half of the publications (50.2% [1477 of 2940]) published since 2016. These publications appeared in allergy, immunology, and dermatology journals led predominantly by European, Asian, and American researchers. International collaborations rose from 11.3% to 22.2%. Shifts in research focus, such as a shift in treatments from antihistamines to omalizumab, and growing emphasis on quality of life were noted.

CONCLUSION: This study revealed a dynamic and increasingly collaborative CSU research landscape, emphasizing the need for continuous global partnerships to enhance treatment outcomes and improve patients’ quality of life. Challenges regarding access to advanced therapies persist, highlighting the importance of expanding international collaborations and inclusive research practices.

PMID:40231228 | PMC:PMC11994327 | DOI:10.1016/j.jacig.2025.100455

Nurs Res Pract. 2025 Apr 7;2025:5550685. doi: 10.1155/nrp/5550685. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Background: Migration of healthcare workers has become a foremost issue of health systems, generally from developing countries toward countries with higher income, producing destructive effects on health indicators. Aim: This study was proposed to investigate the intentions of migration among graduated and postgraduate Sudanese nursing students and the causes behind their intentions to migrate and determine the proportions and characteristics (e.g., per gender and profession) of Sudanese nursing students, both graduated and postgraduate, who intend to migrate. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was carried out in Khartoum State, Sudan, between January and April 2022. The study involved 321 Sudanese nurses, both graduate and postgraduate, who were selected through convenience sampling. Data collection was performed using a semistructured, self-administered questionnaire created by the researchers. The questionnaire, prepared in English, was distributed via Google Forms on social media platforms. The study received approval from the Research and Ethics Committee of Alzaiem Alazhari University. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their involvement. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, Version 25. The results were presented in frequency tables and cross-tabulations. The Chi-square test was used to assess statistical significance, with a p value of < 0.05 considered significant. Results: The current study reflected that half of the nurses (49.5%) were willing to migrate after graduation if provided the opportunity. More than a third (36.8%) of them are interested in migrating to the Gulf countries, while that quarter (24.9%) of them said their main reason for migration is to save money quickly. There was a significant association between five sociodemographic variables (age, sex, education program, marital status, and place of residence) and the reason for migration with a p value of 0.05. Conclusion: The study concluded that there is high intention among graduated and postgraduate nursing students in Sudan to migrate and work outside Sudan.

PMID:40231226 | PMC:PMC11996273 | DOI:10.1155/nrp/5550685

Ann Afr Med. 2025 Apr 14. doi: 10.4103/aam.aam_230_24. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

CONTEXT: The global spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 since its emergence in 2019 has led to widespread challenges in healthcare, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic.

AIM: The aims of this study were to explore the prevalence of arterio-venous thrombosis (AVT) in COVID-19 patients, along with baseline characteristics and predictors of AVT.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This retrospective cohort study review of charts from adult patients presenting between March 1, 2020, and October 30, 2021, at King Fahd Hospital of the University.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with both AVT and COVID-19 were included and categorized into groups: brain stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), pulmonary embolism (PE), and deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Demographic and clinical data were collected from electronic medical records, and patients were followed up 1 year after discharge.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: SPSS was used.

RESULTS: Five hundred nine adult patients were admitted with COVID-19, and 195 were diagnosed with AVT. Brain stroke, MI, PE, and DVT were observed in 48.7%, 25.6%, 10.8%, and 14.9% of cases, respectively. Risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, and smoking were more prevalent among stroke patients. Follow-up revealed varying mortality rates and recurrent AVT cases among different AVT syndromes.

CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights a higher incidence of AVT, particularly brain stroke, in COVID-19-positive patients, with overlapping AVT syndromes observed. The findings emphasize the intricate relationship between COVID-19 and AVT, necessitating further research and targeted interventions to address this critical aspect of the disease.

PMID:40229925 | DOI:10.4103/aam.aam_230_24