Nevin Manimala

J R Soc Interface. 2025 Feb;22(223):20240663. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2024.0663. Epub 2025 Feb 27.

ABSTRACT

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) is a congenital heart disease responsible for 23% of infant cardiac deaths each year in the United States. HLHS patients are born with an underdeveloped left heart, requiring several surgeries to reconstruct the aorta and create a single-ventricle circuit known as the Fontan circulation. While survival into early adulthood is becoming more common, Fontan patients often have a reduced cardiac output, putting them at risk for a multitude of complications. These patients are monitored using chest and neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), but their scans do not capture energy loss, pressure, wave intensity or haemodynamics beyond the imaged region. This study develops a framework for predicting these missing features by combining imaging data and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models. Predicted features from models of HLHS patients are compared with those from control patients with a double outlet right ventricle (DORV). We infer patient-specific parameters through the proposed framework. In the calibrated model, we predict pressure, flow, wave intensity (WI) and wall shear stress (WSS). Results reveal that HLHS patients have lower compliance than DORV patients, resulting in lower WSS and higher WI in the ascending aorta and increased WSS and decreased WI in the descending aorta.

PMID:40013336 | DOI:10.1098/rsif.2024.0663

Nurs Crit Care. 2025 Mar;30(2):e13307. doi: 10.1111/nicc.13307.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Mechanically ventilated patients often experience a loss of smell sensation because of the tubes used in the ventilation process. This can have a significant impact on their overall well-being. As a result, there has been a growing interest in exploring ways to reintroduce and stimulate the sense of smell among these patients.

AIM: To explore the smell ability among tracheal intubated patients and identify the factors influencing olfactory function in this population.

STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study. Data were collected in four adult intensive care units (ICUs) in two hospitals in Egypt. Patients who were intubated via endotracheal or tracheostomy tube with no prior history of olfactory dysfunction were enrolled. Olfactory function was assessed using the Sniffin’ Sticks test, which measured odour threshold, discrimination and identification. The test was validated for the Egyptian population through cultural adaptation and test-retest reliability. Statistical analyses, including multiple linear regression and decision tree regression, were utilized to identify significant predictors of olfactory function. This study adhered to STROBE checklist.

RESULTS: A total of 334 adult patients completed the study. Among the patients, 47.0% were classified as anosmic, 48.8% as hyposmic and 4.2% as normosmic. The mean total olfactory score was 17.64 ± 6.01. Older age and the method of oxygen therapy, particularly mechanical ventilation, were significant predictors of reduced olfactory function (p < .001). The decision tree analysis highlighted age as the primary determinant of olfactory performance, followed by the method of oxygen therapy.

CONCLUSIONS: This study identified a high prevalence of olfactory dysfunction in tracheal intubated patients and demonstrated that age and oxygen therapy methods are critical factors influencing olfactory function.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Recognizing olfactory dysfunction in tracheal intubated patients, may aid in improving patient care, as early detection can lead to better management strategies and improve overall prognosis.

PMID:40013332 | DOI:10.1111/nicc.13307

Cancer Med. 2025 Mar;14(5):e70667. doi: 10.1002/cam4.70667.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: After colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment, patients undergo five-year follow-up involving carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) tests, imaging, and colonoscopies. This retrospective cohort study explores adherence to the CRC follow-up guideline in the Netherlands until 2021 and its association with treatment of recurrences with curative intent.

METHODS: Stage II/III CRC patients with recurrent disease within 3 years after diagnosis were selected from the Netherlands Cancer Registry (n = 430). Adherence to CEA tests, imaging, and colonoscopy was classified as ‘according to/more follow-up’ or ‘less follow-up’ than recommended. Logistic regression analyses examined factors associated with receiving less follow-up and the relationship between ‘follow-up adherence’ and ‘treatment with curative intent’, potentially mediated by ‘mode of detection’ (symptomatically vs. routine test).

RESULTS: In total, 18.3% patients had fewer CEA tests, 41.4% fewer imaging, and 56.1% fewer colonoscopies than recommended. Factors associated with fewer follow-up moments were tumor localization, age (≥ 75 years), comorbidities, tumor differentiation and adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients receiving fewer CEA tests faced 4.8 times higher odds (95% CI: 2.9-8.1) of symptom-detected recurrence and were less likely to be curatively treated (OR = 0.5; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9). Mediation analysis indicated a significant average causal mediation effect (p = 0.003), emphasizing the mediating role of mode of detection. Receiving fewer imaging and colonoscopies showed insignificant total effects on treatment with curative intent.

CONCLUSION: Our findings offer insights into follow-up adherence, detection mode, and treatment with curative intent. The discovery that adherence was highest for CEA, along with the correlation between CEA adherence and treatment with curative intent, aligns with the recent adaptation of guidelines emphasizing CEA measurement over imaging.

PMID:40013322 | DOI:10.1002/cam4.70667

J Oral Biol Craniofac Res. 2025 Jan-Feb;15(1):159-162. doi: 10.1016/j.jobcr.2024.12.014. Epub 2025 Jan 10.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The intricate process of chewing and swallowing is compromised following mandibular resection. An evaluation of chewing and swallowing is crucial to comprehend the quality of life following surgery in cases when bone repair was not performed. The purpose of this study is to evaluate chewing and swallowing in mandibulectomy patients without bony reconstruction.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: This study involved ten patients, including four with H defects, three with L defects, and three with LC defects, after a one-year postop period. Using Robbin’s penetration aspiration scale, video fluoroscopy was used to evaluate swallowing. Using a functional oral intake scale, chewing was assessed. Fischer’s exact test was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS: Robbin’s penetration aspiration scale score of 1 was noted in all 10 patients. According to FOIS, 50 % of patients with H defect scored 4, and 66.7 % of those with L defect scored 6. The results were not significant when the scores were correlated with the type of defect.

CONCLUSION: Mandibular surgical defects which were not reconstructed with bone were shown to affect the quality of life in our study. Chewing efficiency was poorest in patients with H defect. Swallowing efficiency was not affected adversely in this group of patients.

PMID:40013302 | PMC:PMC11864122 | DOI:10.1016/j.jobcr.2024.12.014

J Adv Vet Anim Res. 2024 Dec 28;11(4):1023-1029. doi: 10.5455/javar.2024.k853. eCollection 2024 Dec.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the viability of nitrogen distribution in milk to detect adulteration in market milk.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Raw cow milk was obtained from the dairy farm at Bangladesh Agricultural University Dairy Farm (BAUDF). Fluid market milk, nonbranded bulk powdered milk, and local brand powdered milk were bought from the Mymensingh city area. The milk samples were T1 (milk from a known source-BAUDF, control group), T2 (reconstituted nonbranded bulk powdered milk), T3 (reconstituted local brand powdered milk), T4 (fluid market milk from Goala), T5 (mixture of 75% T1 and 25% T2), and T6 (mixture of 50% T1 and 50% T2). There were four replications in each variable, and the samples were tested for their physicochemical properties (specific gravity and acidity), gross composition (total solids, ash, milk fat, lactose, and total protein), and nitrogen distribution [casein nitrogen, noncasein nitrogen (NCN), and nonprotein nitrogen (NPN)].

RESULTS: Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) among the milk samples about their physicochemical properties and gross composition. The T2 and T6 samples imparted lower protein content (p < 0.05). Much lower (p < 0.05) casein content was found in T2 and T6 than in T1. The NCN content among the samples also differed significantly (p < 0.05). All groups showed similar NPN values (p > 0.05) but the T1 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: The results from this study show the potential of the nitrogen distribution of milk to detect adulterated and reconstituted market milk; however, a hefty dataset is required before being adopted at the field level.

PMID:40013295 | PMC:PMC11855442 | DOI:10.5455/javar.2024.k853

J Adv Vet Anim Res. 2024 Dec 29;11(4):1114-1121. doi: 10.5455/javar.2024.k862. eCollection 2024 Dec.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of quail egg supplements enriched with marine macroalgae Eucheuma spinosum on body weight and physiological conditions of Sprague Dawley rats during pregnancy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study used a completely randomized experimental design. The test animals were 25 pregnant white rats aged 3 months and weighed ± 200 gm. Pregnant rats were divided into five treatments and five repetitions; each repetition contained one pregnant rat. T0: control treatment; T1: treatment group consuming quail eggs from quail fed commercial feed; T2: treatment group consuming quail eggs from quail fed with 3% E. spinosum; T3: treatment group consuming quail eggs from quail fed with 4% E. spinosum; T4: treatment group consuming quail eggs from quail fed with 5% E. spinosum. The parameters measured were egg proximate, egg iron, egg cholesterol, red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular Hb (MCH), mean corpuscular Hb concentration (MCHC), white blood cell (WBC), lymphocytes (LYM), neutrophils (NEUT), RBC distribution width (RDW), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), glucose, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA).

RESULTS: The addition of E. spinosum into quail feed at concentrations of 3%, 4%, and 5% did not show statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in the proximate levels (water, ash, fat, protein, and carbohydrates) compared to the control. However, the analysis of iron in quail eggs indicated a significant increase (p < 0.05) in comparison to the control treatment. In addition, the supplementation of E. spinosum in the quail feed resulted in significantly reduced (p < 0.05) quail egg cholesterol levels when compared to the control treatment. Furthermore, the supplementation of quail egg produced by quail fed with E. spinosum did not significantly affect the birth weight of the pups, RBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, LYM, NEUT, RDW, PDW, MPV, MDA, and SOD when compared to the control treatment (p > 0.05). Meanwhile, the mother weight, Hb, HCT, cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and glucose levels significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared to the control.

CONCLUSION: The administration of E. spinosum with concentrations of 3%, 4%, and 5% can increase iron levels and decrease cholesterol levels in quail eggs. The administration of quail egg supplements produced by quail-fed additional macroalgae E. spinosum can increase body weight, Hb, and HCT in pregnant rats. The addition of marine macroalgae with concentrations of 4% and 5% can decrease the levels of cholesterol, LDL, and glucose and increase serum HDL levels in pregnant rats.

PMID:40013288 | PMC:PMC11855413 | DOI:10.5455/javar.2024.k862

Heliyon. 2025 Jan 7;11(2):e41719. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41719. eCollection 2025 Jan 30.

ABSTRACT

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e31849.].

PMID:40013265 | PMC:PMC11862490 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41719

Heliyon. 2025 Jan 2;11(2):e41606. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41606. eCollection 2025 Jan 30.

ABSTRACT

Alternative feedstuffs offer a cost-effective and sustainable option for livestock nutrition, playing a crucial role in niche market development. Brewer’s spent grains (BSG), a byproduct of the expanding craft microbrewery industry, are a particularly promising feed source due to their availability and nutrient content. However, variability in BSG composition poses challenges for their effective incorporation into precision diet formulations. This study aimed to evaluate the variability in the nutrient composition of BSG from craft microbreweries and classify them for precision diet formulation using multivariate analyses. BSG samples from 29 craft microbreweries were collected and analysed for their nutrient composition using wet chemistry methods. Principal components analysed included crude protein (CP), ash and protein corrected neutral detergent fiber (apNDFom), non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), and ether extract (EE). Principal component analysis (PCA) was employed to identify the most significant nutrient variations, and hierarchical clustering of the principal components was used to group the samples into four distinct clusters. These clusters were further evaluated through in vitro fermentation tests, assessing gas production, digestibility, and fermentation characteristics. Statistical analyses were conducted using R software. The principal components (energy (PC1) and protein (PC2) were the primary factors driving BSG variability. Hierarchical clustering produced four distinct feed clusters, which showed significant differences (P < 0.05) in fermentation profiles, The apNDFom digestibility varied across clusters, with energy-dense feeds (higher and lower energy grains) demonstrating higher digestibility (P < 0.05). The third cluster (CL3), characterized by low protein content, had significantly lower NH₃-N concentrations after fermentation (P < 0.05). Regarding gas and volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, clusters exhibited significant differences (P < 0.05) compared to an alfalfa standard, highlighting the diverse fermentation characteristics of BSG. The variability in energy and protein content among BSG samples results in distinct fermentation profiles, which can influence animal performance and environmental outcomes. These findings emphasize the importance of classifying BSG and incorporating precision formulation to mitigate adverse effects and maximize the benefits of this alternative feedstuff.

PMID:40013264 | PMC:PMC11862493 | DOI:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e41606

Res Sci Technol Educ. 2023 Oct 16;43(1):294-311. doi: 10.1080/02635143.2023.2268005. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A major challenge for effective practical work in school science is to encourage students to connect hands-on aspects to minds-on principles, in other words to Think Back-and-Forth (TBF). Teacher behaviour is pivotal in achieving this goal, but teachers lack guidelines how to accomplish this.

PURPOSE: In this study, we identified good practices that were conducive to minds-on learning experiences during practical work.

SAMPLE: The sample consisted of 15 practical physics and chemistry lessons in Dutch lower secondary education grades 8 and 9.

DESIGN AND METHODS: For each lesson, we obtained video-observations of the teacher and learner reports of the students in which they self-reported their learning. The videos were analysed in detail on teacher attention for TBF, congruent pedagogy, mitigation of the cognitive load of the hands-on aspects, and student autonomy. Answers on the learner reports were analysed for minds-on remarks and these were related to the observed lesson characteristics through a multilevel binary logistic model.

RESULTS: Three lesson characteristics were identified as statistically significant predictors of minds-on learning experiences (p < .05), i.e. substantial attention to TBF, congruent pedagogy, and mitigation of the hands-on cognitive load. A qualitative analysis offered insight into the importance of carefully incorporating these characteristics.

CONCLUSIONS: To reach minds-on learning experiences the teacher should give substantial attention to TBF throughout various phases of the lesson. Congruent pedagogy demands that the practical work is balanced given the prior knowledge of the students. Finally, mitigating the cognitive load of the hands-on aspects encompasses some way to prevent students from being distracted by too demanding hands-on elements. Consequently, we recommend that practical work should be designed in accordance with these three lesson characteristics.

PMID:40013259 | PMC:PMC11854045 | DOI:10.1080/02635143.2023.2268005

J Inflamm Res. 2025 Feb 22;18:2629-2646. doi: 10.2147/JIR.S495784. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a critical cardiovascular event characterized by sudden coronary blood flow interruption, leading to myocardial ischemia and necrosis. Despite advances in acute therapeutic measures, understanding the metabolic damage related to AMI, particularly through specific protein expressions, remains limited. This study utilized Olink cardiovascular metabolomics technology to explore cardiovascular metabolism-related protein biomarkers associated with AMI, aiming to address the clinical need for early diagnosis and targeted therapy.

METHODS: This study utilized Olink cardiovascular metabolomics technology to analyze 92 cardiovascular metabolism-related proteins in coronary blood samples from 20 AMI patients and 10 healthy controls. Differentially expressed proteins were identified using statistical t-tests, followed by functional enrichment analysis (GO and KEGG) and protein-protein interaction network construction. Five core proteins were validated in plasma samples from an additional 125 AMI patients and 120 healthy controls via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To evaluate diagnostic performance, receiver operating characteristic curves were generated using GEO-related datasets, and Mendelian randomization analysis was employed to investigate the causal relationship between core proteins and AMI risk.

RESULTS: The study identified 32 proteins with significantly altered expression levels between AMI patients and healthy controls. Among these, five core proteins-PCOLCE, FCN2, REG1A, DEFA1, and CRTAC1-were significantly associated with key biological processes such as metabolism, collagen formation, and the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. These proteins showed strong correlations with clinical indicators, including BMI, LVEF, NT-proBNP, CK-MB, and cTnT. FCN2 and DEFA1 were further validated as having a causal relationship with AMI risk, indicating their potential as diagnostic biomarkers.

CONCLUSION: The identified core proteins PCOLCE, FCN2, REG1A, DEFA1, and CRTAC1 are potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis and risk assessment of AMI. These findings suggest that these proteins could serve as targets for future therapeutic interventions aimed at mitigating cardiovascular metabolic damage in AMI.

PMID:40013238 | PMC:PMC11863793 | DOI:10.2147/JIR.S495784