Nevin Manimala

J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 Sep 2;44(1):322. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-01062-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Limited research has been conducted on the effects of dietary fiber (DF) intake on gallstones. We aimed to investigate the actual DF intake in a nationally representative sample in the United States (US) and explore its association with gallstones.

METHODS: We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database, including the 2017-2020 and 2021-2023 cycles. Using participants’ gallstone histories and their average 2-day DF intake, we investigated the actual DF intake among US adults. After adjusting for traditional confounders, we used weighted multivariable logistic regression models, trend tests, spline curve fitting, subgroup analyses, and interaction tests to explore the independent association between DF intake and gallstones.

RESULTS: A total of 8,782 participants were included. The weighted analysis showed the prevalence of gallstones is 10.03%. The average DF intake among adult men and women is 18 ± 10 g/day and 15 ± 7.8 g/day, respectively, which is well below the recommended levels. Multivariable regression analysis revealed a statistically significant negative linear association between DF intake and gallstone prevalence. For every 10 g/day increase in DF intake, the risk of gallstones significantly decreases by 21% (OR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.63-1.00, P = 0.047). Curve fitting showed a negative linear relationship between these two variables (P = 0.003, P for non-linearity = 0.134).

CONCLUSION: A negative linear relationship between DF intake and gallstones among adults in the US was observed, and the current DF intake in the US is far below recommended levels.

PMID:40898378 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-025-01062-3

Antimicrob Resist Infect Control. 2025 Sep 2;14(1):103. doi: 10.1186/s13756-025-01584-9.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Improving healthcare-associated infections, fighting antibiotic resistance, and controlling outbreaks are all made possible by infection prevention and control, a significant global public health concern, particularly in Africa. To pinpoint areas that needed improvement, this study aimed to assess Infection Prevention and Control in Somali Healthcare Facilities using the WHO Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework.

METHODS: 307 healthcare facilities in Somalia, or 30% of the 1,023 facilities listed by the Federal Ministry of Health, had their IPC practices evaluated by cross-sectional research in October and November 2022. Descriptive statistics were used in the study to examine data categorized by facility type, ownership, and location. The facilities were divided into four IPC levels-inadequate, basic, intermediate, and advanced using the World Health Organization’s Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF).

RESULTS: The mean overall IPCAF score was 136/800, which indicates inadequate IPC practices. 85% of the institutions were public hospitals, while the majority (68.83%) were primary healthcare centers. CC1 (IPC Program) and CC 5 (Multi-modal Strategies) got the lowest values out of the eight IPC core components, suggesting major improvement. while CC 7 (Workload, Staffing, and Bed Occupancy) and CC 8 (Environments, Materials, and Equipment) had the greatest results. Inadequate IPCAFs were found in all States. The results highlight the urgent need for national and regional policies to give IPC programs and infrastructure funding the Highest priority, mainly in low-performing areas and primary healthcare settings. Regional differences highlight the need for specialized approaches to increase IPC capacity in every state.

CONCLUSIONS: The initial IPCAF assessment of Somali healthcare facilities reveals inadequate IPC levels, highlighting the need for urgent intervention to improve practices, ensure patient safety, and support the development of a national IPC policy in Somalia.

PMID:40898374 | DOI:10.1186/s13756-025-01584-9

BMC Glob Public Health. 2025 Sep 3;3(1):78. doi: 10.1186/s44263-025-00190-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Health limitations, defined as problems in life that limit an individual from activities of daily living, have been associated with human flourishing, globally. However, how health problems leading to functional limitations vary across multiple demographic characteristics and how these vary across countries requires additional exploration.

METHODS: The Global Flourishing Study is a 5-year longitudinal study of human flourishing among 202,898 individuals across 22 countries. The purpose of this analysis was to assess the regional and demographic variation of health limitations in life associated with health problems in wave 1 of the Global Flourishing Study. The study explored the distributions and descriptive statistics of key demographic features (age, gender, marital status, employment, religious service attendance, education, immigration status) across and within countries. The following hypotheses were tested: (1) the distributions and descriptive statistics of key demographic factors will reveal diverse patterns across the international sample, (2) the proportions of health limitations will vary meaningfully across different countries, and (3) health limitations will exhibit variations across different demographic categories such as age, gender, marital status, employment, religious service attendance, education, and immigration status. These differences across demographic categories will vary by country.

RESULTS: The proportion of health limitations was greater among older age individuals and those with fewer years of education. Being widowed and retired showed higher proportions of having a health limitation compared to those married and working, respectively. The Philippines (0.34), United Kingdom (0.31), and Germany (0.30) had the highest proportions of health problems, while Israel (0.14), Turkey (0.14), and Poland (0.13) had the lowest.

CONCLUSIONS: Understanding key demographic associations of such health problems and daily functioning could help inform policy, programs, and practices aimed at addressing the well-being of individuals who experience health limitations.

PMID:40898369 | DOI:10.1186/s44263-025-00190-6

Inj Epidemiol. 2025 Sep 2;12(1):54. doi: 10.1186/s40621-025-00603-y.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although health inequalities associated with ethnic disadvantage are of increasing concern to policymakers in the United Kingdom (UK), evidence on ethnicity and childhood unintentional injuries is unclear. Given that people from some minority ethnic communities face disproportionate disadvantage such as unemployment, poverty, and insecure and low-quality housing, children from these families might be expected to have higher risks of unintentional injuries compared to their White counterparts.

AIMS: To determine whether the likelihood of unintentional childhood injuries vary among children from minority ethnic backgrounds and whether this variation can be explained by maternal migration status and variables relating to household composition, parenting attitudes and behaviours.

METHODS: We used logistic regression to analyse data from 12,717 children using sweeps two (2003-2004) and three (2005-2006) of the Millennium Cohort Study. Unintentional childhood injuries were measured in the third sweep of data collection when the children were aged five. Exposure variables included socioeconomic information, ethnicity, housing, household composition, maternal migration status and variables relating to parenting, values, and behaviours.

RESULTS: Children from some minority ethnic backgrounds (Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Black African, and ‘other’) were less likely to be injured than White children. Having a mother who was born outside the UK explained the relationship in Pakistani and Bangladeshi children. We observed differences in variables such as parenting style, values, household composition, and smoking and alcohol use among minority ethnic and migrant groups, but these variables did not statistically explain the differences in childhood injury.

CONCLUSIONS: Children from minority ethnic families in the UK are less likely to sustain unintentional injuries compared to their White peers, with this protective effect primarily evident among children whose mothers were born outside the UK. While cultural and behavioural differences were observed between ethnic groups, these did not statistically explain the injury variation. The findings emphasise the importance of disaggregating ethnicity and migrant status in injury prevention research and investigating the mechanisms underlying lower injury rates among first-generation migrant families.

PMID:40898367 | DOI:10.1186/s40621-025-00603-y

Inj Epidemiol. 2025 Sep 2;12(1):55. doi: 10.1186/s40621-025-00610-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the injury and illness epidemiology in Team Korea athletes during 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games. Incidence rates in pre-Olympic training camp and the Olympic Village were calculated and compared.

METHODS: Medical records of Team Korea athletes who competed for 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games were analyzed. This study was conducted in accordance with the International Olympic Committee Consensus Statement 2020. Incidence rates (case per 1000 athlete-days) were calculated and incidence rate ratios were used for comparisons.

RESULTS: Team Korea athletes (n = 122, 57 males and 65 females) were analyzed. A total of 43 injuries (pre-Olympic training camp, n = 6, 8.3 injuries per 1000 athlete-days; Olympic Village, n = 37, 22.9 injuries per 1000 athlete-days) and 53 illnesses (pre-Olympic training camp, n = 16, 22.1 illnesses per 1000 athlete-days; Olympic Village, n = 37, 22.9 illnesses per 1000 athlete-days) newly occurred. The Olympic Village had a greater risk of injury than the pre-Olympic training camp (incidence rate ratio = 2.8, 95% CI: 1.2 to 6.6, p-value = 0.016). However, there was no significant difference in the risk of illness (incidence rate ratio = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.58 to 1.87, p-value = 0.900).

CONCLUSIONS: Team Korea athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympic Games exhibited higher incidences of injury and illness than previous Olympic Games statistics. This single-delegation epidemiological research will contribute to our understanding of the true incidence of health problems in Olympians.

PMID:40898365 | DOI:10.1186/s40621-025-00610-z

Perioper Med (Lond). 2025 Sep 2;14(1):92. doi: 10.1186/s13741-025-00591-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Early return to intended oncological therapy (RIOT) after cancer resection is a determinant for long-term oncological outcomes. Sugammadex is increasingly used to reverse the muscle relaxant effect of rocuronium during general anesthesia. It has been shown to improve early postoperative outcomes, but its impact on RIOT is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that the administration of sugammadex during mastectomy for nonmetastatic breast cancer resection would be associated with better RIOT-related outcomes compared with neostigmine.

METHODS: Women ≥ 18 years who required mastectomy for nonmetastatic breast cancer resection from 2015 to 2022 were included in the retrospective study. They were grouped according to the administration of sugammadex or neostigmine. The study outcomes included time to RIOT, the incidence of RIOT at 90 and 180 days, length of hospital stay, and rate of 30-day hospital readmission. A multivariate analysis was conducted to test the association between sugammadex use and RIOT-related outcomes.

RESULTS: Of 888 patients who met the study criteria, 319 received neostigmine and 569 received sugammadex. Sugammadex patients achieved RIOT at 90 days in 81.9% of the cases, whereas 70.8% of neostigmine patients were able to achieve RIOT (P < 0.001). Similar results were found for RIOT at 180 days (85.8% vs. 76.8%, respectively; P < 0.001). Sugammadex patients achieved RIOT faster than neostigmine patients (37 days, 95% CI: 35-41 days; P < 0.001). However, the multivariate analysis for RIOT initiation and time to RIOT did not show statistically significant differences.

CONCLUSION: The administration of sugammadex, compared with neostigmine, is not associated with significant improvements in RIOT-related variables after breast cancer surgery.

PMID:40898363 | DOI:10.1186/s13741-025-00591-z

Orphanet J Rare Dis. 2025 Sep 2;20(1):470. doi: 10.1186/s13023-025-03877-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is characterized by a typical pattern of muscle involvement, yet it encompasses a wide spectrum of phenotypes, including less common features that remain incompletely defined in the literature. While previous studies have highlighted this clinical variability, no consensus has been reached on how to classify uncommon manifestations, nor have specific predictors been identified. This study aims to describe these uncommon features and explore potential predictors, utilizing data from the French FSHD registry. To this end, we analysed data from 306 FSHD1 patients across nine French neuromuscular referral centres. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and multiple logistic regression models were employed to examine uncommon characteristics and their predictors.

RESULTS: Uncommon features were observed in 19.6% of cases. The most common was a discrepancy between disease severity and D4Z4 repeat unit (RU) count (41.7%), followed by predominant impairment at proximal lower limb or distal upper limb muscles (21.7%). Three unanticipated features emerged: isolated or predominant axial impairment, anosmia and atopic dermatitis. Univariate analysis revealed that uncommon features were associated with higher RU count (6.5 ± 2.1 vs. 5.8 ± 1.8 in typical patients) and older age of onset (32.0 ± 18.8 years vs. 25.0 ± 15.4 years). Such features were more prevalent in the borderline 8-10 RU range, an association confirmed by multivariate analysis (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.21 to 4.87). Later age of onset consistently emerged as a factor across multiple multivariate models.

CONCLUSIONS: This study documents uncommon FSHD features, revealing their association with the 8-10 RU range and later age of onset. These findings further support a complex interplay among genetic and epigenetic modifiers and ageing in shaping the clinical phenotype of FSHD, especially in patients carrying borderline D4Z4 arrays. Differential phenotypes, particularly in relation to RU range and age of onset, points to the importance of harmonized, comprehensive clinical and genetic assessments. Recognizing uncommon features may improve diagnostic accuracy and guide individualized management strategies, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to patient care.

PMID:40898356 | DOI:10.1186/s13023-025-03877-z

BMC Nutr. 2025 Sep 2;11(1):171. doi: 10.1186/s40795-025-01155-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is an increasingly pressing public health concern in Latin America. Lifestyle modification strategies, such as the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) have demonstrated significant benefits in reducing diabetes risk. However, limited evidence exists regarding their effectiveness in Latino communities, particularly when implemented in culturally tailored formats.

METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in Loja, Ecuador, from November 2023 to February 2024. A total of 126 adults aged 18 to 75 years with a FINDRISC score of 12 or higher participated in a 10-session, culturally adapted lifestyle intervention based on the DPP model. The intervention addressed motivation, physical activity, and nutrition. Anthropometric measures, body composition, lipid profiles (total cholesterol, HDL-c, LDL-c, and triglycerides), and fasting glucose levels were assessed before and after the intervention.

RESULTS: Post-intervention results revealed a statistically significant reduction in fasting glucose (from 107.33 ± 20.09 to 104.80 ± 15.65 mg/dL; p = 0.030), while lipid parameters remained unchanged. Both sexes experienced reductions in weight, with women showing greater improvements in systolic blood pressure, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and body fat mass (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that short-term, culturally adapted lifestyle interventions may offer a feasible and effective strategy to improve glycemic outcomes among Latino adults at risk for T2D in community settings.

PMID:40898354 | DOI:10.1186/s40795-025-01155-6

J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 Sep 2;44(1):320. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-00997-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Unorganized caregivers increasingly face significant challenges that impact their participation in the labor market, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. This paper explores the effects of both care intensity and the subjective caregiving burden on the labor force participation and work hours of these unorganized caregivers.

METHOD: We used data from a sample of 1,806 unorganized caregivers in Ghana who provide care to older adults aged 60 and above. High-intensive caregivers were classified as those providing at least 20 h of caregiving per week, while the caregiving burden was measured using the short version of the Zarit Burden Interview score. The results were based on the average marginal effect from a logistic regression model.

RESULTS: The results showed that both high-intensity and high-burden caregiving have notable effects on labor force participation and the work hours of unorganized caregivers. High-intensive caregivers were associated with an approximately 14% increase in the probability of reducing work hours. Also, high-burden caregivers were found to be associated with a 7% increase in the probability of being self-employed. The combined effect of high-intensity and high-burden caregiving was found to amplify the labor market challenges, particularly in reducing work hours and limiting the ability to maintain stable employment.

CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the significant impact of unorganized caregiving on labor market outcomes, particularly for those providing intensive and high-burden care. Policymakers should consider these effects when designing support systems for caregivers to mitigate the negative impact on employment and income stability.​.

PMID:40898351 | DOI:10.1186/s41043-025-00997-x

BMC Nutr. 2025 Sep 2;11(1):170. doi: 10.1186/s40795-025-01153-8.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Up to now, scientific literature has not reported studies evaluating the efficacy of polyglucosamine L112 on body weight, insulin resistance, and cholesterol levels in patients with metabolic syndrome, despite its known antioxidant properties and potential to reduce these parameters, making it a promising candidate for treating metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine the activity of L112 in a subgroup of cases suffering from metabolic syndrome (MS).

METHODS: A subgroup of 26 subjects (8 males and 18 females; age 55 ± 11.3 years; BMI 31.1 ± 1.35 kg/m²) was selected from a previous larger RCT study and statistically analyzed. Among them, 12 subjects were administered a diet and placebo, while 14 were administered a diet and L112 at a dosage of 3 g/day.

RESULTS: In the placebo group, 3 out of 12 cases (25%) showed resolution of metabolic syndrome (MS), whereas in the L112 group, 7 out of 14 cases (50%) showed resolution. Differences were statistically significant (Fisher χ²p < 0.01). L112 was more effective than placebo on the reduction of BMI, BW, insulin resistance, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and fat mass (FM). No modification of fat-soluble vitamins (Vit A, E, D3, K1) and glucosamine levels was shown.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite a relatively short period of administration (3 months), L112 was found to reduce MS in 50% of the cases, acting as a safe medical device as a single daily treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials NCT04375696, 20/12/2021 (https//clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04375696), “Retrospectively registered”.

PMID:40898346 | DOI:10.1186/s40795-025-01153-8