Nevin Manimala

Arthrosc Tech. 2024 Sep 21;14(3):103243. doi: 10.1016/j.eats.2024.103243. eCollection 2025 Mar.

ABSTRACT

Osteochondral knee defects typically affect young, active patients, altering knee biomechanics and eventually leading to joint degeneration. There are several treatment methods; one less expensive and potentially effective option is the combination of autologous impaction bone grafting with autologous matrix-induced chondrogenesis (BG-AMIC). BG-AMIC is a safe and effective treatment for deep knee osteochondral lesions, with a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement in patient-reported outcomes. We describe a single-stage, safe, and efficient approach whose efficacy has already been proven.

PMID:40207341 | PMC:PMC11977119 | DOI:10.1016/j.eats.2024.103243

Front Cardiovasc Med. 2025 Mar 26;12:1569904. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2025.1569904. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Serum uric acid (SUA) and lipid metabolism disorders are closely associated with atrial fibrillation (AF) and its prognosis. In patients with non-valvular AF (NAF), we evaluated the combined predictive value of SUA, triglycerides (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) for stroke to enhance stroke risk prediction and management.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We included 3,176 NAF patients treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2020 to December 2023. We analyzed SUA concentration and lipid profile, along with relevant clinical data, to assess their impact on the occurrence of ischemic stroke (IS) in NAF patients. Due to gender differences in TG (1.39 mmol/L vs. 1.28 mmol/L for males, P = 0.031;1.57 mmol/L vs. 1.28 mmol/L for females, P = 0.001) and SUA levels (424 µmol/L vs. 397 µmol/L for males, P = 0.008; 361 µmol/L vs. 328 µmol/L for females, P = 0.004), we determined the thresholds for SUA (400 µmol/L in males and 330 µmol/L in females) and TG (1.28 mmol/L in males and 1.29 mmol/L in females) that predict stroke events in NAF patients by restricted cubic spline curves. Kaplan-Meier cumulative risk analysis indicates that a gender-based combined assessment of SUA and TG enhances stroke risk stratification in NAF patients. Compared to patients with low levels of SUA and TG, those with high levels of these biomarkers have a higher risk of IS (HR = 1.98). On multivariable Cox regression analysis with potential confounders, elevated SUA and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of stroke. In summary, we developed the CHA₂DS₂-VASc+SUA+TG+LDL stroke risk prediction model. Its clinical predictive value was assessed using Harrell’s C-statistic (C-index), integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) statistics, and net reclassification index (NRI) analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: SUA, TG and LDL were strongly associated with stroke for NAF. The combination of SUA, TG, and LDL effectively enhanced the predictive value of the CHA₂DS₂-VASc score for IS.

PMID:40207305 | PMC:PMC11979146 | DOI:10.3389/fcvm.2025.1569904

Comput Appl Math. 2025;44(5):227. doi: 10.1007/s40314-025-03139-5. Epub 2025 Apr 5.

ABSTRACT

For the Abelian sandpile model on Sierpiński graphs, we investigate several statistics such as average height, height probabilities and looping constant. In particular, we calculate the expected average height of a recurrent sandpile on the finite iterations of the Sierpiński gasket and we also give an algorithmic approach for calculating the height probabilities of recurrent sandpiles under stationarity by using the connection between recurrent configurations of the Abelian sandpile Markov chain and uniform spanning trees. We also calculate the expected fraction of vertices of height i for $i\in \{0,1,2,3\}$ of sandpiles under stationarity and relate the bulk average height to the looping constant on the Sierpiński gasket.

PMID:40207288 | PMC:PMC11980430 | DOI:10.1007/s40314-025-03139-5

Microbiome Res Rep. 2024 Oct 31;4(1):4. doi: 10.20517/mrr.2024.49. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Aim: Changes in host-associated microbial communities (i.e., the microbiota) may modulate responses to checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. In the KELLY phase II study (NCT03222856), we previously demonstrated that pembrolizumab [anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)] combined with eribulin (plus microtubule-targeting chemotherapy) showed encouraging antitumor activity in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC) who had received prior treatments. Methods: A total of 58 fecal and 67 saliva samples were prospectively collected from a subset of 28 patients at baseline (BL), after three treatment cycles, and end of treatment. Shotgun metagenomics, 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and bioinformatics and statistical approaches were used to characterize fecal and oral microbiota profiles. Results: Treatment caused no substantial perturbations in gut or oral microbiota, suggesting minimal drug-related microbial toxicity. Bacteroides and Faecalibacterium were the dominant gut microbiota genera, while Prevotella and Streptococcus were present in both oral and gut samples, highlighting potential gut-oral microbial interactions. Additionally, clinical benefit (CB) appeared to be associated with gut-associated Bacteroides fragilis (B. fragilis) and a BL oral abundance of Streptococcus ≥ 30%. Notably, B. fragilis NCTC 9343 supernatant induced dose-dependent lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release from the MCF-7 (HR-positive/HER2-negative) BC cell line. Conclusion: These findings suggest that specific gut and oral microbiota may modulate the effectiveness of combinatory anti-BC therapies, potentially through the action of microbial metabolites.

PMID:40207279 | PMC:PMC11977384 | DOI:10.20517/mrr.2024.49

J Arrhythm. 2025 Apr 9;41(2):e70060. doi: 10.1002/joa3.70060. eCollection 2025 Apr.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Very high-power short-duration (vHPSD) catheters are associated with less irrigation fluid load than standard (STD RF) ablation catheters. However, the impact of this fluid reduction on biomarkers in pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) for atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown.

METHODS AND AIM: Biomarkers of heart failure, myocardial injury, and systemic inflammation status as Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), high-sensitivity Troponin I (hsTnI), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were collected pre- and post-procedure of PVI for symptomatic AF. The study aimed to assess the impact of vHPSD catheter compared to an STD catheter (respectively irrigation of 8 vs. 15 mL/min during ablation) on biomarker alterations.

RESULTS: The study included 83 consecutive patients (59 males [71.1%], mean age 62.6 ± 11 years), with vHPSD catheters used in 53 cases (63.9%). No significant baseline differences were observed between groups.Fluid irrigation resulted in significantly lower with vHPSD catheter than STD RF (434.8 ± 105.6 vs. 806.6 ± 256.5 mL, p < .001). Correspondingly, BNP variation was significantly lower in the vHPSD group than in the STD RF group, both in absolute change (12 [IQR -9-47] pg/mL vs. 44.5 [IQR 21-88.7] pg/mL, p = .002) and percentage change (16.3 [IQR -13.2-108.6] % vs. 84.1 [IQR 32.5-172.1] %, p = .012). When considering absolute values, a statistically significant increase in BNP was found only in the STD catheter group (from 52 [IQR 35.2-113.5] to 113 [IQR 66.7-189.5] pg/mL, p < .001), whereas no significant increase was observed in the vHPSD group (p = .06). CRP levels increased post-PVI in both groups, but the delta was significantly lower in the vHPSD group (p = .025). No significant differences in post-procedural hsTnI were detected between groups.

CONCLUSION: The use of a vHPSD catheter is associated with reduced fluid irrigation and a correspondingly smaller increase in BNP, a biomarker indicative of fluid overload and heart failure.

PMID:40207269 | PMC:PMC11980087 | DOI:10.1002/joa3.70060

Vet Med Int. 2025 Apr 2;2025:2401778. doi: 10.1155/vmi/2401778. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is an inflammation of the mammary glands without visible changes on milk or under. In dairy cattle production, it is the common and economically significant form of mastitis. Despite such impacts, little is known about its prevalence and associated factors in the different regions of Ethiopia. Hence, this review aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of SCM from studies reported on Ethiopian dairy cows and explore factors associated with the prevalence of SCM. Articles reporting SCM in the Ethiopian dairy cows, published between 2012 and 2022, were searched from EMBASE, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus databases, and Google scholar. Article identification, screening, and inclusion were made following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Data were extracted independently and reviewed by two reviewers, and the trim-and-fill method was used to assess publication bias between studies. Data were managed using statistical tools in … software (Version …). Thirty-four eligible cross-sectional studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of SCM in Ethiopian dairy cows was found to be 43.19% (95% CI: 38.24%-48.13%). It was found that the prevalence of SCM varied between studies (I ² = 97.12%; p < 0.001). Based on subgroup and meta-regression analyses, Addis Ababa had the highest estimated prevalence of SCM at 54.11% (95% CI: 40.18-68.03), followed by Amhara region at 52.07% (95% CI: 34.49-69.66). The review revealed that SCM is prevalent in Ethiopian dairy cows, with different factors associated with its prevalence. To ensure dairy cows’ welfare as well minimize the public health risks from the milk, early detection and proper management of SCM would be crucial.

PMID:40207268 | PMC:PMC11981709 | DOI:10.1155/vmi/2401778

Vet Med Int. 2025 Apr 2;2025:7469192. doi: 10.1155/vmi/7469192. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Background: Brucellosis is a bacterial zoonotic disease that leads to reproductive losses in animals, posing significant public health risks and economic challenges in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia. This study aims to estimate the seroprevalence and identify risk factors associated with small ruminant brucellosis in the region. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2022 in six selected kebeles of the Dubti district in the Afar region of Ethiopia to investigate the seroepidemiology of ovine and caprine brucellosis. Researchers collected 300 serum samples from apparently healthy sheep (69) and goats (231). The samples were initially screened for brucella antigens using the rose bengal plate test (RBPT). Reactors identified by the RBPT were then confirmed using the indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA) at the Animal Health Institution (AHI). The study employed descriptive statistics, Pearson’s chi-square (X ²), and univariable logistic regression analyses to analyze the data. Results: The overall seroprevalence of brucella infection in small ruminants in this study was 6.7% (20 out of 300). Specifically, the seroprevalence rate in sheep was 7.2% (5 out of 69), and in goats, it was 6.5% (15 out of 231). The chi-square and univariable logistic regression analyses showed no significant association between brucella seropositivity and factors such as species, sex, age, parity, district, or abortion history (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of this study reveal that brucella infection is circulating in small ruminants in the study area and the broader Afar region. Further research should be conducted across the entire region that focuses on determining the regional seroprevalence of brucella, conducting molecular-based isolation, and identifying biotypes.

PMID:40207267 | PMC:PMC11981701 | DOI:10.1155/vmi/7469192

Meas Sci Technol. 2023 Mar;34(3):035301. doi: 10.1088/1361-6501/aca993. Epub 2022 Dec 21.

ABSTRACT

Real-time viscosity measurement techniques have been used to analyze the transition of hydrogels from a liquid state to a gel state. Measuring real-time changes in viscosity can be done through passive rheometry with the addition of tracer particles. Particle Diffusometry quantifies Brownian motion of sub-micron sized fluorescent particles by computing diffusion coefficients via statistical averaging. Herein, we demonstrate a method to study viscosity changes as a function of time using Particle Diffusometry for a temporally and spatially resolved rheometry measurement technique. We refined the PD algorithm using synthetic images of particles suspended in a liquid undergoing a sigmoidally decreasing viscosity trend to simulate the viscosity change of the solution during gelation. Then, the technique is applied to visualize the temporal and spatial gradients of diffusion coefficient during polyacrylamide hydrogel formation experiments. This work establishes the groundwork for quantifying over time changes in Brownian motion.

PMID:40207254 | PMC:PMC11981600 | DOI:10.1088/1361-6501/aca993

Bull World Health Organ. 2025 Apr 1;103(4):281-284. doi: 10.2471/BLT.24.291587. Epub 2025 Feb 13.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40207244 | PMC:PMC11978408 | DOI:10.2471/BLT.24.291587

Bull World Health Organ. 2025 Apr 1;103(4):266-274. doi: 10.2471/BLT.24.292434. Epub 2025 Feb 25.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of Peru’s strategy to introduce new vaccines in the poorest regions with high child mortality rates.

METHODS: We analysed data from nationally representative annual health surveys conducted between 2004 and 2022. We examined associations between vaccine coverage and poverty (proportion of households in the poorest 40% of the national wealth index) at the ecological level using the country’s 25 regions and at the individual child level using household wealth quintiles. We obtained vaccination data from home-based records.

FINDINGS: The surveys included 49 023 children aged 18-29 months. In the ecological analyses, coverage for Haemophilus influenzae type b, pneumococcal conjugate and rotavirus vaccines was positively associated with poverty prevalence in the initial post-introduction period, but these associations disappeared over time. In contrast, the individual-level analyses indicated that children from wealthier families were consistently more likely to be vaccinated than children from poorer families. In the most recent period (2018-2022), vaccination coverage in the wealthiest quintile was about 10 percentage points higher than in the poorest quintile. Coverage levels for boys and girls were similar. Children whose low-income families were enrolled in the Juntos cash transfer programme had higher coverage than the rest of the population.

CONCLUSION: The strategy increased coverage in the poorest districts initially and, as national coverage grew, regional disparities were eliminated. However, socioeconomic differences persisted, with wealthier children maintaining higher vaccination rates throughout the study. To eliminate these disparities, geographic targeting should be complemented with household-level targeting.

PMID:40207242 | PMC:PMC11978405 | DOI:10.2471/BLT.24.292434