Nevin Manimala

Int J Surg. 2025 Jun 20. doi: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000002517. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Neuroblastoma is a highly malignant, systemic sympathetic nerve tumor. Traditional surgical approaches often involve extensive excision, which can lead to additional tissue damage, underscoring the need for accurate and real-time tumor margin delineation. In this study, we introduce the application of Terahertz Time-Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS) for tumor margin assessment and rapid pathological evaluation in neuroblastoma.

METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were employed to establish a subcutaneous tumor-bearing model in nude mice. Using a THz-TDS system, we conducted in vivo imaging of tumor-bearing mice in time domain signal and frequency domain signal, and performed transmission-mode THz detection on hematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained neuroblastoma tissue sections. In THz imaging, superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) was introduced as a contrast agent to enhance the imaging performance.

RESULTS: The results revealed a strong THz reflection signal at the tumor site in the tumor-bearing mice, with the THz imaging system clearly delineating the tumor region in agreement with pathological findings. Neuroblasotuma tissues exhibited higher THz absorption coefficients compared to normal tissues. THz spectroscopy provide an excellent imaging contrast ratio in 0.5-1.0 THz, which can be further improved with SPIO nanopartical agent. Additionally, we observed a statistically significant differences of refractive index and absorption coefficient between the HE-stained tumor and healthy tissue sections (P < 0.01) within the frequency range of 0.5-1.5 THz.

CONCLUSION: This work shows that THz-based imaging technology is able to distinguish the neuroblastoma and normal tissues in time and frequency domain, which offers a great potential for in vivo applications of neuroblastoma treatment. As an advanced technique, novel THz applications could open new avenues for precise diagnosing intraoperative neuroblastoma margins.

PMID:40540248 | DOI:10.1097/JS9.0000000000002517

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2025 Jun 20. doi: 10.1007/s12011-025-04713-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant activity, elemental content, and chemometric classification of 21 coffee samples sourced from various retail outlets in Jazan, Saudi Arabia. The samples represent a range of geographical origins and roasting levels. Each sample was ground independently and freshly prepared prior to the analysis. Total phenolic content(TPC) was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu method, while antioxidant activity was assessed using the DPPH radical scavenging assay. Elemental analysis was conducted using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and volatile compound profiling was performed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) are classified as chemometric techniques and are used to evaluate multidimensional datasets. The caffeine content ranged from 18.48% to 62.48%. TPC values were between 52.0 and 69.0 mg GAE/mL, and DPPH antioxidant activity ranged from 39.0% to 75.5%. Among the elements detected, manganese (Mn) had the highest average concentration (1769.43 ± 683.41 ppb), followed by copper (Cu: 806.38 ± 257.93 ppb) and zinc (Zn: 523.71 ± 340.80 ppb). Toxic elements such as arsenic (As), beryllium (Be), chromium (Cr), and antimony (Sb) were not detected. PCA and HCA successfully classified the samples based on their elemental and phytochemical profiles. GC-MS identified volatile compounds including fatty acid esters, aromatic hydrocarbons, and steroid derivatives unique to specific samples. Notably, strong correlations among Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb suggested co-accumulation patterns. This study provides an integrated assessment of the chemical composition of commercial coffee products, complemented by nutritional and health evaluations, and illustrates the strategic use of chemometric techniques for distinguishing or classifying coffee samples.

PMID:40540238 | DOI:10.1007/s12011-025-04713-y

J Comput Neurosci. 2025 Jun 20. doi: 10.1007/s10827-025-00909-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

According to current anatomical models, motor cortical areas, the basal ganglia, and the ventral motor thalamus form partially closed (re-entrant) loop structures. The normal patterning of neuronal activity within this network regulates aspects of movement planning and execution, while abnormal firing patterns can contribute to movement impairments, such as those seen in Parkinson’s disease. Most previous research on such firing pattern abnormalities has focused on parkinsonism-associated changes in the basal ganglia, demonstrating, among other abnormalities, prominent changes in firing rates, as well as the emergence of synchronized beta-band oscillatory burst patterns. In contrast, abnormalities of neuronal activity in the thalamus and cortex are less explored. However, recent studies have shown both changes in thalamocortical connectivity and anatomical changes in corticothalamic terminals in Parkinson’s disease. To explore these changes, we created a computational framework to model the effects of changes in thalamocortical connections as they may occur when an individual transitions from the healthy to the parkinsonian state. A 5-dimensional average neuronal firing rate model was fitted to replicate neuronal firing rate information recorded in healthy and parkinsonian primates. The study focused on the effects of (1) changes in synaptic weights of the reciprocal projections between cortical neurons and thalamic principal neurons, and (2) changes in synaptic weights of the cortical projection to thalamic interneurons. We found that it is possible to force the system to change from a healthy to a parkinsonian state, including the emergent oscillatory activity, by only adjusting these two sets of synaptic weights. Thus, this study demonstrates that small changes in the afferent and efferent connections of thalamic neurons could contribute to the emergence of network-wide firing patterns that are characteristic for the parkinsonian state.

PMID:40540231 | DOI:10.1007/s10827-025-00909-2

Ann Surg Oncol. 2025 Jun 20. doi: 10.1245/s10434-025-17617-x. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) are becoming increasingly prevalent. However, whether the two surgical procedures share the same oncologic outcomes remains controversial.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective study was conducted. Patients who underwent radical cystectomy for histologically confirmed bladder cancer at ten centers between 2012 and 2019 were enrolled. Data on baseline conditions, perioperative details, pathological results, and survival outcomes were collected. The primary outcome measures were overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Propensity score matching was conducted to reduce the effects of bias and confounding variables, while multiple imputation was applied to address missing variables.

RESULTS: A total of 2766 patients were enrolled, including 1291 LRC patients and 1475 RARC patients. After propensity score matching, a total of 753 pairs of patients were obtained. In the RARC group, organ-confined diseases were detected in 482 patients (64.0%). Lymph node metastasis was observed in 120 (15.9%) patients. In the LRC group, organ-confined diseases were detected in 521 (69.2%) patients, and 101 (13.4%) patients had lymph node metastasis. The median follow-up time was 47.6 months (33.4-63.4 months) for the RARC group and 45.6 months (23.1-70.8 months) for the LRC group. Survival analysis showed no statistically significant differences in OS (HR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.72-1.10, p = 0.269), RFS (HR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.69-1.01, p = 0.069), and CSS (HR: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.68-1.08, p = 0.196) between the two groups. Recurrent bladder cancer, T stage, and lymph node metastasis were identified as significant risk factors.

CONCLUSIONS: There were no statistically significant differences in oncologic outcomes between RARC and LRC.

PMID:40540221 | DOI:10.1245/s10434-025-17617-x

Acta Diabetol. 2025 Jun 20. doi: 10.1007/s00592-025-02544-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: This study evaluates the contribution of common variants in Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young (MODY) genes on type 1 diabetes (T1D), using a polygenic score (PGS) approach.

METHODS: 485 children and youth diagnosed with T1D from at least 1 year and 271 healthy controls (HC) were recruited. Personal information (i.e. age, sex, height, weight) were collected for each participant, and clinical information (i.e. age at diagnosis, disease duration, presence of autoantibodies and ketoacidosis at onset (DKA)) were also obtained for T1D subjects. Participants were genotyped using Illumina Infinium Global Screening Array. PGS based on Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in 16 MODY genes were developed. The association of this PGS with T1D susceptibility and clinical disease characteristics was assessed by regression analysis.

RESULTS: A PGS including 335 SNPs in MODY genes discriminates T1D from HC (AUC = 60.1%, AIC = 787.6). This PGS was significantly higher in T1D compared to HC (p-value = 0.0004, pseudo-R2 = 2.85%). Moreover, regression analysis between PGS and T1D clinical characteristics showed higher PGS values in T1D subjects with zinc transporter 8 autoantibodies (ZnT8A) compared with T1D subjects without ZnT8A (p-value = 0.04). A similar trend was also observed for antibodies directed against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GADA), although the association did not reach statistical significance (p-value = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that a polygenic approach based on MODY genes may discriminate T1D from HC and may contribute to patient stratification, helping to better understand T1D heterogeneity.

PMID:40540212 | DOI:10.1007/s00592-025-02544-w

Int Ophthalmol. 2025 Jun 20;45(1):252. doi: 10.1007/s10792-025-03631-1.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the short-term effects of topical latanoprostene bunod on corneal and anterior segment parameters in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

METHODS: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on 30 eyes of 30 patients with POAG. All participants received topical latanoprostene bunod monotherapy. Corneal and anterior segment parameters, including keratometry, corneal thickness, endothelial cell characteristics, and corneal densitometry, were measured before and approximately after one month of treatment using the Pentacam HR and non-contact specular microscopy. Statistical analysis was performed to compare pre- and post-treatment measurements.

RESULTS: No significant changes were observed in corneal keratometry, endothelial cell density, hexagonality, or anterior chamber parameters including anterior chamber angle, depth, and volume following treatment (p > 0.05 for all). Although reductions in central corneal thickness and thinnest corneal thickness were noted, these changes were not statistically significant (p > 0.05 for both). A significant decrease in densitometric parameters was observed in most corneal zones after treatment, including anterior, central, posterior, and total thickness measurements (p < 0.05 for all). In contrast, no significant change was found in the peripheral 10-12 mm zones (p > 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION: Short-term use of latanoprostene bunod reduced corneal densitometry values, suggesting improved corneal transparency without significantly affecting corneal thickness, endothelial cell characteristics, or anterior segment parameters. Further long-term studies with larger sample sizes are needed to evaluate its prolonged effects on corneal health.

PMID:40540210 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-025-03631-1

Brain Imaging Behav. 2025 Jun 20. doi: 10.1007/s11682-025-01029-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to investigate the disparities in volumes of hippocampal subfields and alterations in whole-brain functional connectivity among individuals diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study comprised a total of 32 diabetic patients with retinopathy (DR group, n = 32) and 38 healthy adults (HC group, n = 38), who underwent psychological cognitive testing along with structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging. The FreeSurfer software was utilized for the extraction and computation of hippocampal subfield volumes, as well as the overall volumes of the left and right hippocampus. The volumetric comparisons were conducted by employing independent sample t-tests in SPSS 26.0. The functional connectivity comparisons were subjected to statistical analysis using the Matlab software. Age, education level and grnder were used as control variables, and partial correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between differences in volume and functional connectivity values with psychological cognitive test results and clinical indicators. The volume of the left hippocampal tail and fissure, as well as the right hippocampal C3, C4 and fissure regions in the DR patient group, exhibited significant differences compared to the HC group (P < 0.05, FDR < 0.05). Regions of interest were identified based on the segmented volume differences, and compared to the HC group, enhanced connectivity was observed between the left hippocampal tail and the left caudate nucleus (MNI: x,y, z=-6, 12, 9) and the right caudate nucleus (MNI: x,y, z = 9, 12, 12) in DR patients. Additionally, reduced connectivity was observed between the left hippocampal fissure and the right precentral gyrus (MNI: x, y, z = 57, 0, 45) and the right supplementary motor area (MNI: x, y, z = 9, 3, 60). Partial correlation analysis, with age, education level, and gender as covariates, showed no significant associations between the imaging changes and clinical indicators or cognitive scores. The alterations in hippocampal volume and function observed in patients with DR may potentially underlie their cognitive impairment and sensorimotor deficits, thus suggesting a plausible neuropathological mechanism.

PMID:40540191 | DOI:10.1007/s11682-025-01029-2

Int Ophthalmol. 2025 Jun 20;45(1):255. doi: 10.1007/s10792-025-03632-0.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the main reasons related to non-surgical discharge (NSDS) among patients recruited for cataract surgery in the Northwest Indian screening camps (SCs) and evaluate the potential actions that could be undertaken to improve the SC programs in India.

METHODS: Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of patients’ medical records selected for elective cataract surgery at Sankara Eye Hospital, a tertiary eye care center in Jaipur, Rajasthan, between January 1 and December 31, 2023. After SCs’ thorough examination, recruited patients suitable for cataract surgery were further evaluated in the hospital to assess anesthetic and ophthalmic suitability. Reasons for NSDS, classified as patient-related, administrative-related, and anesthesia-related, were recorded. Univariate and multivariablelogistic regression were conducted to evaluate the effects of statistically significant variables on the reasons for NSDS.

RESULTS: 13,219 patients were recruited from screening to undergo cataract surgery. Of 13,219, 1036 (7.8%) were discharged without surgical interventions. Patient-related reasons accounted for 57.14% of total causes, with 301 (29.06%) patients refusing to consent to surgery. 78 patients (7.5%) were discharged due to the lack of the required intraocular lens, whereas 288 patients (27.8%) reported a blood pressure > 140/90 mmHg, whereas 22 (2.1%) were discharged due to uncontrolled diabetes. Patients aged 65 years or older had 1.61-fold greater odds of being discharged due to anesthesia-related causes (95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.23-2.10, p < 0.001) compared to patients aged less than 65 years.

CONCLUSIONS: Albeit rare, NSDS-related factors should be considered to better counsel patients in SCs and prevent avoidable blindness in India.

PMID:40540165 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-025-03632-0

AMB Express. 2025 Jun 20;15(1):97. doi: 10.1186/s13568-025-01903-8.

ABSTRACT

Emerging evidence links gut microbiota (GM) to venous thromboembolism (VTE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and pulmonary embolism (PE), but causal insights are limited. Using two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR), we assessed causal effects of 211 GM taxa and 489 plasma metabolites on VTE/DVT/PE. Genetic instruments (single nucleotide polymorphism) for GM and metabolites were leveraged to infer causality, complemented by mediation and pathway analyses. Sixteen GM taxa (e.g., protective Firmicutes, Clostridia; risk-enhancing Bacteroidetes, Desulfovibrionaceae) and 40 metabolites showed causal associations with VTE/DVT/PE. Reverse MR identified 11 GM changes secondary to thrombosis. No pleiotropy or heterogeneity was detected. Ten metabolite-mediated pathways (e.g., arginine biosynthesis) bridged GM to thrombosis, suggesting GM-metabolite interactions as potential biomarkers for thrombotic risk stratification and prognosis.

PMID:40540143 | DOI:10.1186/s13568-025-01903-8

Int Ophthalmol. 2025 Jun 20;45(1):249. doi: 10.1007/s10792-025-03633-z.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the effects of vitreopapillary adhesion (VPA) on the optic disc (OD) microvascular structure using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

METHODS: Thirty five patients with complete PVD at the posterior pole and residual optic disc adhesion (stage 3) (using the posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) staging by Uchino et al.) were included in the study. As a control group, 34 healthy individuals were included. RNFL thickness, rim area, disc area, cup/disc ratio, perfusion and flux index measurements were analysed with an optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).

RESULTS: While there was no statistically significant difference between the retinal nerve fiber layer thicknesses of both groups except the upper quadrant, the upper quadrant of RNFL thickness was found to be statistically significantly thinner in the vitreo-papillary adhesion (VPA) group. Mean value of disc area was 1.94 ± 0.38 in the adhesion group and 2.17 ± 0.42 in the control group (p = 0.060). Cup/disc ratios of VPA and control groups were 0.16 ± 0.15, 0.44 ± 0.14, respectively (p = 0.000).Cup volumes were also statistically significantly smaller in the adhesion group in parallel with the c/d ratio (0.02 ± 0.04, 0.16 ± 0.19 p = 0.000). Optic disc perfusions were 43.77% ± 2.22% in the adhesion group and 45.31 ± 1.20% in the control group (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION: The significantly lower C/D ratio and cup volume in patients with vitreopapillary adhesion indicates that adhesion may occur more frequently in especially crowded discs. Although OCTA may be misleading in VPA patients, close monitoring of increased synretic vitreous gel traction on the OD with OCTA may be beneficial especially in patients with completed macular PVD. Monitoring VPA with OCTA may provide valuable insights into early vascular alterations that may contribute to non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) or papillary vitreous detachment neuropathy.

PMID:40540137 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-025-03633-z