Nevin Manimala

Plant Genome. 2026 Mar;19(1):e70171. doi: 10.1002/tpg2.70171.

ABSTRACT

Genomic selection (GS) is transforming plant breeding by enabling more accurate and efficient identification of superior genotypes. However, its practical implementation remains challenging, as achieving high prediction accuracy is critical for its success. Several factors-including sample size, the degree of relatedness among individuals, and the complexity of target traits-significantly affect the predictive performance of GS models. To address these limitations, recent studies have explored the integration of genomic and phenomic information to enhance prediction accuracy. This integrated approach has shown promising results and continues to gain empirical support. In this study, we propose an alternative strategy to improve the efficiency and accuracy of GS by constructing hybrid kernels that combine genomic and phenomic information. Specifically, we generate two new kernels by combining the original genomic and phenomic kernels, aiming to capture complementary and previously unexploited sources of variation. We applied this approach to multi-year data from the winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) breeding program at Washington State University, using phenomic data collected via unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Our results provide empirical evidence that integrating genomic and UAV-derived phenomic data through hybrid kernel modeling enhances the prediction accuracy of GS models. This approach achieved average improvements of 17.52%, 30.36%, 28.94%, and 16.73% in terms of Pearson’s correlation, normalized root mean square error, and the percentage of correctly identified lines within the top 10% and 20%, respectively, compared with the conventional integration of genomic and phenomic information (M4 and M5). These findings highlight the potential of this method as a valuable and scalable tool for modern plant breeding programs.

PMID:41467268 | DOI:10.1002/tpg2.70171

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2025 Dec 30:e70085. doi: 10.1002/1545-5017.70085. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The pediatric hematology-oncology (PHO) workforce has substantial variability in countries across the Eastern Mediterranean (EM) and South Asian (SA) regions, with variable certification requirements to ensure competency for safe and effective practice. To date, the quality of the training provided has not been evaluated across these regions. To assess this, we conducted a survey of PHO training by comparing the programs against international standards.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted between January and May 2024. The survey was based on the American Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) requirements and implemented through RedCap^R. Descriptive statistics were generated, and p values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.

FINDINGS: Ninety-eight institutions from 21 countries across the EM and SA regions responded to our survey. Of these, 59.1% reported PHO training programs. A core pediatric residency was present within the proximity of the fellowship program in 63.7%. Public sector institutions were more likely to have a training program than private centers. A median of two fellows [1-20] were recruited annually, with a median faculty:fellow ratio of 2. While most programs provided exposure to the entire breadth of hematologic and oncologic diseases, 17% of programs did not offer care to patients with high-risk/advanced malignancies, identifying an experiential deficiency. Across all domains, programs were deficient in the availability of molecular and genetic diagnostics, impacting trainee learning. Accreditation oversight was provided to 87.5% programs. Only a minority of programs facilitated program directors to oversee training.

INTERPRETATION: Our survey provides a baseline overview of the capabilities of training programs in the EM and SA regions. While a majority of programs fulfilled standard requirements necessary for optimal training of PHO fellows, the quality of the exposure could not be ascertained.

PMID:41467257 | DOI:10.1002/1545-5017.70085

J Public Health Res. 2025 Dec 24;14(4):22799036251407366. doi: 10.1177/22799036251407366. eCollection 2025 Oct.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) is a concept covering social, physical, psychological, and environmental factors. This study aimed to evaluate the HRQoL of medical students in Mogadishu, Somalia, using the WHOQOL-BREF instrument.

METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study design to assess QOL among medical students in Mogadishu, Somalia, between August and November, 2024 at selected public and private universities offering undergraduate medical programs. Data were collected using a structured self-administered questionnaire comprising socio-demographic variables (Gender, Age, Residence, Marital Status, Academic Year, and GPA). The WHOQOL-BREF instrument consists of 26 items grouped into 4 domains: physical, psychological, social, and environmental. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Regression with p < 0.05 were statistically significant.

RESULTS: The majority of students (57%) reported their overall QOL as “good,” while 22% reported it as “very good.” A significant association was found between age and psychological health (p = 0.011), with students above 25 scoring highest (76.82 ± 13.88) compared to those aged 21-24 (69.41 ± 15.27) and 18-20 (71.51 ± 15.90). Academic year showed a significant association with social health (p = 0.026), highest in years 3-4 (73.48 ± 20.72), followed by years 1-2 (71.46 ± 21.06), and lowest in years 5-6 (65.85 ± 27.29). In multivariate Age 21-24 years had association with the Psychological domain (β = -0.858, 95% CI: -1.672, -0.045).

CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrates that medical students in Mogadishu generally report a good QOL; however, it underscores the necessity for interventions aimed at improving psychological resilience and social support systems.

PMID:41467229 | PMC:PMC12744053 | DOI:10.1177/22799036251407366

Int J Cardiol Heart Vasc. 2025 Sep 13;61:101794. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcha.2025.101794. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR) is strongly associated with high mortality and morbidity. This meta-analysis aims to compare the outcomes of transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI) versus optimal medical treatment (OMT) alone among patients with severe TR.

METHODS: Electronic databases were systematically searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and propensity score-matched observational studies comparing TTVI with OMT. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Summary estimates were calculated using a random-effects model.

RESULTS: Five studies (3 RCTs, 2 observational; n = 1988 patients) were included. TTVI was associated with a nonsignificant trend toward a lower incidence of all-cause mortality (risk ratio [RR]: 0.70, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.48-1.03; P = 0.071), primarily driven by observational studies. TTVI demonstrated significant benefits in terms of TR severity reduction (RR: 7.82, 95 % CI 5.60-10.93; P < 0.0001), enhanced health status as measured by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (mean difference: +14.46 points, 95 % CI 11.55-17.38; p < 0.0001), and reduced heart failure (HF) hospitalization rates (RR: 0.73, 95 % CI 0.56-0.96; P = 0.025). However, TTVI was associated with an increased risk of major bleeding (RR: 3.21, 95 % CI 1.61-6.39; P = 0.0009).

CONCLUSION: Among patients with severe TR, TTVI was not statistically associated with a lower incidence of all-cause mortality but was associated with a reduced risk of HF hospitalization, significant reduction in TR severity, and improved quality of life. Future large RCTs with extended follow-up are needed to confirm these findings and identify the subset of patients who benefit the most.Systematic review protocol: CRD420251002402 (PROSPERO).

PMID:41467224 | PMC:PMC12744525 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijcha.2025.101794

JGH Open. 2025 Dec 28;9(12):e70333. doi: 10.1002/jgh3.70333. eCollection 2025 Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Dyspepsia is a prevalent gastrointestinal disorder with complex pathogenesis involving the gut-brain axis. While alterations in gut microbiota have been linked to dyspepsia, the role of central nervous system metabolites, particularly those in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential causal relationship between CSF metabolites and dyspepsia using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

METHODS: We conducted a two-sample MR analysis using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics. CSF metabolite data were derived from 532 individuals across two cohorts, and dyspepsia outcome data were obtained from the UK Biobank (7586 cases and 353 608 controls). Instrumental variables (SNPs) were selected based on genome-wide significance (p < 5 × 10^-8), with clumping to eliminate linkage disequilibrium. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was the primary analytical approach, supplemented by MR-Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode methods. Sensitivity analyses, including heterogeneity tests and MR-PRESSO, were used to assess the robustness of the findings.

RESULTS: Among 71 CSF metabolites tested, only butyrate (4:0) showed a significant inverse causal association with dyspepsia (IVW OR = 0.997, 95% CI: 0.996-0.998, p < 0.001; P _FDR = 0.007). Sensitivity analyses indicated no evidence of heterogeneity or pleiotropy. Additional enrichment analysis revealed involvement of genes associated with serine-type peptidase and protein catabolic processes.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides the first genetic evidence linking elevated CSF butyrate levels to a reduced risk of dyspepsia, highlighting a potential neuroprotective role within the gut-brain axis.

PMID:41467218 | PMC:PMC12744957 | DOI:10.1002/jgh3.70333

Digit Health. 2025 Dec 23;11:20552076251351374. doi: 10.1177/20552076251351374. eCollection 2025 Jan-Dec.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The UK healthcare system faces challenges due to an ageing population and chronic bed shortages. An acute hospital-at-home (HaH) model of care can offer an alternative for acutely ill patients requiring hospital admission. However, monitoring thesepatients at home presents its own challenges. We used the National Early Warning Score (NEWS) for patients admitted to a HaH to identify deteriorating patients and ensure safe and timely transfer back to hospital when needed.

DESIGN: Retrospective observational cohort study of patients with selected medical conditions admitted to acute HaH, from an NHS district hospital, between 2014 and 2017.

RESULTS: Of the 502 patients admitted to HaH, 443 (88.2%) were successfully treated and discharged, 1 patient died at HaH (an expected death), and 58 (11.5%) required transfer back to hospital and no fatalities reported after transfer. The AUC for total NEWS was significantly lower for non-transferred patients (14.06) compared to transferred patients (24.71) (p < 0.001). 95% of patients treated at HaH rated their care as excellent or good, and 98% were likely to recommend the service.

CONCLUSION: The study confirms the safe and effective use of the NEWS to identify deteriorating patients in an acute HaH setting, enabling timely transfer back and demonstrating that HaH care can be extended to acutely ill patients. This service could serve as an alternative healthcare system for clinically selected patients. It optimizes resource utilization, reduces the burden on acute medicine departments, and enhances patient experience.

PMID:41467212 | PMC:PMC12743804 | DOI:10.1177/20552076251351374

Asian J Urol. 2025 Oct;12(4):504-511. doi: 10.1016/j.ajur.2024.11.001. Epub 2025 Feb 12.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study attempted to compare the laser energy-based enucleation with the mechanical dissection-based enucleation regarding the enucleation efficiency and the functional outcomes.

METHODS: This was a prospective multicenter study including patients with a prostate exceeding 80 g. Thulium laser enucleation of the prostate was conducted using a high-power thulium laser either through mechanical dissection-based enucleation (Group A) or through laser energy-based enucleation (Group B) according to the preoperative randomization. In Group A, the resectoscope sheath beak was used to liberate the prostate adenoma and laser energy was reserved for adhesions and for hemostasis. In Group B, laser energy was implemented throughout the procedure.

RESULTS: Groups A and B included 68 and 71 patients, respectively, for analysis. The mean (standard deviation [SD]) enucleation time was shorter in Group A than in Group B (55.2 [SD 9.4] min vs. 77.3 [SD 12.5] min, p=0.021). The enucleation efficiency and total operative time were statistically different between the two groups (p=0.032 and 0.039, respectively). Black eschars were observed in 21% of Group A and 100% of Group B. A larger percentage of Group B (35%) expressed more storage symptoms in the first 3 months after surgery than that of Group A (13%). There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the postoperative transient stress urinary incontinence. Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference between the two techniques regarding the overall bleeding, or the hospital stay in patients on antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy.

CONCLUSION: Both mechanical dissection-based and laser energy-based thulium laser enucleation of the prostate are safe and feasible for successful reduction of bladder outlet resistance. The mechanical dissection-based enucleation technique provides higher enucleation efficiency with lower postoperative transient storage symptoms.

PMID:41467207 | PMC:PMC12744696 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajur.2024.11.001

Asian J Urol. 2025 Oct;12(4):419-421. doi: 10.1016/j.ajur.2024.04.004. Epub 2024 Jun 4.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41467205 | PMC:PMC12744695 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajur.2024.04.004

Asian J Urol. 2025 Oct;12(4):462-470. doi: 10.1016/j.ajur.2025.01.005. Epub 2025 Aug 8.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) distraction technologies in managing pain and anxiety in patients undergoing cystoscopy procedures.

METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to July 2024, for studies comparing the use of VR distraction technologies versus no VR distraction in patients undergoing cystoscopy. The primary endpoints evaluated were patient-reported anxiety and procedural pain scores, and post-procedural heart rate (HR). Standardized mean differences (SMDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were computed with the use of a random-effects model. The statistical analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.4.

RESULTS: A total of 575 patients from four randomized controlled trials were included, of whom 289 (50%) underwent the cystoscopy procedure using VR distraction technologies. The mean age of all patients was 57.25 years old, and 395 (69%) of them were male. In our pooled analysis, we did not observe a statistically significant reduction in patient-reported procedural pain (SMD -0.16; 95% CI -0.32-0.00; p=0.060; I ²=0%), anxiety (SMD -0.37; 95% CI -1.65-0.90; p=0.6; I ²=93%), or post-procedural HR (SMD -0.58; 95% CI -1.62-0.45; p=0.3; I ²=97%).

CONCLUSION: In this comprehensive meta-analysis comprising 575 patients who underwent cystoscopy, the use of VR was not associated with a significant difference in pain, anxiety, or HR levels.

PMID:41467201 | PMC:PMC12744748 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajur.2025.01.005

Asian J Urol. 2025 Oct;12(4):529-533. doi: 10.1016/j.ajur.2025.04.002. Epub 2025 Jun 9.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine possible factors that may increase the complexity of reconstruction of pelvic fracture urethral injury. Prediction of complex repair helps in adequate patient counseling and preparation, and possible referral to high-volume reconstructive surgeons.

METHODS: A series of 30 adult male patients with pelvic fracture urethral injury underwent delayed posterior urethroplasty between January 2021 and December 2023 at the Assiut University Hospital and data were collected from medical records. Retrograde urethrography with voiding cystourethrogram was done 3 months after trauma. Defect length was measured and bladder neck position was verified. Urethroplasty was done using an elaborate perineal approach with inferior wedge pubectomy done in select cases.

RESULTS: Patients’ ages ranged from 19 years to 53 years (median 34 years). The overall success rate of urethroplasty was 80%. Displacement of the bladder neck from the midline was significantly associated with prolonged operative time (p=0.004) and increased blood loss (p=0.002). There were strong positive correlations between preoperative defect length and operative time (r_s =0.84) as well as blood loss (r_s =0.78), which were statistically significant (p=0.001).

CONCLUSION: Lateral bladder neck displacement and longer defect length in preoperative retrograde urethrogram were significantly associated with difficult urethroplasty for pelvic fracture urethral injury.

PMID:41467198 | PMC:PMC12744763 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajur.2025.04.002