Nevin Manimala

Int J Obes (Lond). 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1038/s41366-025-01857-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS: We have developed a novel Bayesian Linear Structural Equations Model (BLSEM) with variable selection priors (available as an R package) to build directed acyclic graphs to delineate complex variable associations and pathways to BMI development. Conditional on standard assumptions used in causal inference, the model provides interpretable estimates with uncertainty for natural direct, indirect (mediated) and total effects.

RESULTS: We showcase our method using data on 4119 offspring followed from the pre-pregnancy period to age 46 years (y) in a Finnish population-based birth cohort. The BLSEM enabled efficiently to analyse all available data over the long-time span, identifying factors to distil potential causal pathways contributing to adult BMI development. All of the associations between early childhood and adolescence variables with adult BMI at 46 y (BMI46) were indirect via multiple paths. For example, maternal prepregnancy BMI, smoking and socioeconomic position are associated with BMI46 through 35, 31 and 26 paths. Another notable feature was that the contribution of very early life factors, particularly prenatal, was captured by growth patterns along childhood, which were the strongest early predictors of middle age BMI46 (the age at adiposity rebound (AgeAR), early growth parameters between the AgeAR to 11 y). BMI and blood pressure measured 15 y earlier also predicted BMI46, all other factors held constant. Genetic predisposition by the polygenic risk score for BMI showed an indirect effect that became apparent at AgeAR and thereafter.

CONCLUSIONS: The Bayesian approach we present and the BLSEM software developed advances methodologies for the analysis of complex, multifaceted life-course data prior to the estimation of potential causal pathways. Our results, although exploratory in nature, suggest that the effective interventions to tackle adverse BMI development could be designed throughout childhood, though the period by AgeAR may be paramount. We feature the importance of integrated life-course analyses that help to understand the contribution of life-stage factors of development.

PMID:40836111 | DOI:10.1038/s41366-025-01857-8

Pediatr Res. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1038/s41390-025-04320-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Current diagnostic and monitoring of pediatric brain tumors rely on invasive tissue biopsies and imaging, highlighting the need for non-invasive alternatives. For that matter, liquid biopsy is a promising method. This pilot study investigated the potential of circulating miRNAs to serve as non-invasive biomarkers of pediatric glioma tumors.

METHODS: The levels of mir-182-5p, mir-10b-5p, mir-106b-3p, mir-25-3p, and mir-21-5p were quantified in plasma samples from 68 pediatric gliomas patients and 12 Healthy controls using Real-time PCR. The results were assessed by differential and ROC curve analysis. Additionally, the involvement of mir-182-5p in pediatric high-grade gliomas aggressiveness was examined by functional studies using two cellular models.

RESULTS: All five circulating miRNAs demonstrated increased levels in pediatric glioma patients compared to HCs, significant correlation with Gliomas, and differential expression between various glioma subtypes. These miRNAs presented potential diagnostic discrimination between HCs and pediatric gliomas, as well as between different glioma subgroups. mir-182-5p showed the highest correlation to glioma and induction of migration as well as invasion ability of pediatric diffuse high-grade glioma 4 (pHGG-4) cells in vitro.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings present circulating miRNAs as promising biomarkers and treatment targets that, with further research, may be clinically utilized for monitoring pediatric glioma tumors.

IMPACT: This study demonstrates the potential of circulating miRNAs as valuable biomarkers for pediatric glioma detection and monitoring. Five examined circulating miRNAs were differentially expressed in pediatric glioma patients compared to controls. These miRNAs were correlated with glioma and could distinguish healthy from gliomas patients. Statistical analysis suggested these miRNAs may also distinguish between various glioma subtypes. Inhibition of the most promising circulating miRNA, miR-182-5p, decreased migration ability and invasiveness of pediatric high-grade glioma IV cells. In the future, the miRNAs studied could have applications as biomarkers for clinical management and treatment targets.

PMID:40836108 | DOI:10.1038/s41390-025-04320-6

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 20;15(1):30527. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-16017-1.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in academic interest regarding the sleep quality of university students. Physical exercise has been extensively studied for its association with sleep quality in this population. However, the roles of anxiety and subjective well-being in mediating the relationship between physical exercise and sleep quality require further investigation. This study examines the interplay between physical exercise (independent variable), sleep quality (dependent variable), and the chain mediating effects of anxiety (mediator 1) and subjective well-being (mediator 2). A sample of 4,142 university students (1,525 males and 2,617 females; mean age = 19.05 ± 1.16 years) participated in this study. Cross-sectional self-report measures were used to assess physical exercise, anxiety levels, subjective well-being, and sleep quality. SPSS software facilitated descriptive statistics and correlation analyses. Subsequently, the SPSS PROCESS macro was employed to test and construct the chain mediation model described in the background and objective. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between physical exercise and both sleep quality and subjective well-being, whereas a significant negative correlation was observed between physical exercise and anxiety. Furthermore, anxiety exhibited a negative association with sleep quality and subjective well-being. Importantly, anxiety and subjective well-being were found to sequentially mediate the link between physical exercise and sleep quality. By integrating clinical psychological (anxiety) and positive psychological (subjective well-being) factors, this study provides deeper insights into the mechanisms through which physical exercise influences sleep quality in college students. Encourage college students to engage in regular physical exercise, as this is often linked to anxiety, subjective well-being, and sleep quality, thereby leading to a higher quality of life.

PMID:40836074 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-16017-1

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 20;15(1):30576. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-16251-7.

ABSTRACT

Unio pictorum (L. 1758) and Unio tumidus (Philipsson, 1788) are common bivalve molluscs from the Unionidae family, with significant ecological importance in aquatic ecosystems. Their shells are essential for species identification and can also be used to assess changes in population structure, individual growth, and body form under varying environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to: (i) compare the individual size and shape of shells, (ii) assess length growth, and (iii) analyse population structures (based on length and age) of the bivalve molluscs Unio pictorum and Unio tumidus between specimens from the early medieval period (EMS) and those currently found (MS) in the Oder River near Szczecin, Poland. EMS shells were collected from archaeological excavations in cultural layers dated to the 10th and 11th centuries. They were located at three sites in Szczecin, approximately 500-700 m from the Oder River. MS specimens were collected using a bottom dredge between 12 and 21 May 2024 from sites within 1,000 m of the excavation area. For both groups, measurements included size, age, growth (using the von Bertalanffy model), and morphometric characteristics (length [L], height [H], width [W]), as well as the Elongation Index and Convexity Index. The shells of Unio pictorum and U. tumidus from the modern sample (MS) exhibited statistically significantly greater length, width, and height compared to those from the early medieval sample (EMS). At the same time, lower values of the Convexity Index and, in U. pictorum, the Elongation Index were recorded in the MS group. The length and age structure of both species in the MS group was dominated by larger and older individuals relative to the EMS group. The growth of contemporary Unio pictorum and U. tumidus can be considered moderate compared to other present-day populations, with maximum predicted ages of eight and nine years, respectively, and asymptotic lengths (L_∞) of 93.85 mm and 87.03 mm. In contrast, in the EMS group, the maximum predicted age and asymptotic length were 10 years and 70.12 mm for U. pictorum, and 6 years and 96.25 mm for U. tumidus, respectively. Higher values of the φ’ and P growth indices in the MS group indicate that both species are currently growing at a faster rate than their early medieval counterparts (EMS). The observed differences in individual and population characteristics of Unio pictorum and U. tumidus between present-day specimens (MS) and those from the early Middle Ages (EMS) are attributed to long-term changes in temperature, nutrient availability, and water regime over the past 1,000 years.

PMID:40836071 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-16251-7

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 20;15(1):30650. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-15056-y.

ABSTRACT

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with EGFR mutations presents a unique challenge due to the development of oligometastasis during treatment with first-line tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The optimal timing of radiotherapy in EGFR-mutant oligometastatic NSCLC remains debated. This study aims to investigate the timing of radiotherapy in relation to disease progression to optimize treatment outcomes. We conducted a retrospective analysis of stage IIIB-IV EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients who received first-line TKI therapy and developed oligoprogressive disease between January 2019 and October 2024. Two groups were compared: one receiving radiotherapy before disease progression (n = 41) and the other post-progression (n = 26). The primary outcomes were progression-free survival (PFS1), progression-free survival after radiotherapy (RT-PFS), and the duration of first-line TKI therapy. Statistical analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox regression. A total of 67 patients were included. The median PFS1 was 13.8 months in the upfront consolidative radiotherapy group versus 9.8 months in the post-progression group (P = 0.391). The median duration of first-line TKI therapy was significantly longer in the post-progression radiotherapy group (20.3 months vs. 13.3 months, P < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significant difference in TKI duration, suggesting delayed radiotherapy improved TKI duration. This retrospective study suggests that the timing of radiotherapy may influence the duration of first-line EGFR-TKI therapy in patients with oligometastatic NSCLC. Administering local therapy at the time of oligoprogression may help prolong TKI benefit without premature treatment escalation. However, given the study’s retrospective design and potential baseline imbalances, these findings should be interpreted with caution and require validation in future prospective trials.

PMID:40836051 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-15056-y

Hypertens Res. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1038/s41440-025-02335-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Exercise is well known to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and mortality. However, studies in individuals with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are limited. This study used large population-based data to investigate the differences in the impact of exercise habits on all-cause and cardiovascular mortality between individuals with and without CKD. This study included participants from the Japan Specific Health Checkups (J-SHC) Study conducted between 2008 and 2014. The exposure of interest was self-reported daily exercise habits. The association between exercise habits and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality was examined using Cox regression analysis based on the CKD status. Of the 469,466 participants, 84,508 (18.0%) had CKD, and 39,343 (46.6%) exercised. During the median follow-up period of 44.0 months, 3932 (2.76/1000 person-years) and 1505 (5.09/1000 person-years) participants died in the non-CKD and CKD cohorts, respectively. Exercise habits were associated with a lower risk of all-cause mortality in the non-CKD and CKD cohorts, with adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals of 0.80 (0.75-0.86) and 0.70 (0.63-0.78), respectively. The effect of exercise habits on mortality was greater in the CKD group (P for interaction = 0.02). Similar results were observed for cardiovascular mortality. Regular exercise was more strongly associated with decreased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in individuals with CKD than in those without. Our study highlights the need for individuals with mild CKD to prioritize exercise habits over those without CKD.

PMID:40836032 | DOI:10.1038/s41440-025-02335-4

Support Care Cancer. 2025 Aug 21;33(9):802. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09862-3.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization for gynecological cancer surgery represents a critical window for assessing and addressing psychological and nutritional vulnerabilities. This prospective observational study investigated changes in emotional distress, anxiety, depression, body-image dissatisfaction, orthorexic tendencies, and nutritional status from admission to discharge, and explored associations between psychological and nutritional variables.

METHODS: A total of 220 women hospitalized for surgical treatment of gynecological cancer were enrolled, with 181 (82.3%) completing both baseline (T0) and discharge (T1) assessments. Psychological outcomes were evaluated using the Distress Thermometer (DT), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Body-Image Scale (BIS), and Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS). Nutritional status was assessed through the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Changes between T0 and T1 were analyzed using paired t-tests. Pearson’s correlations examined associations between psychological and nutritional variables. A multivariable logistic regression identified predictors of clinically relevant distress (DT ≥ 4) at discharge.

RESULTS: Significant improvements were observed in anxiety (p < 0.001), depression (p < 0.001), emotional distress (p < 0.001), and orthorexic tendencies (p < 0.001) between admission and discharge. Conversely, body-image dissatisfaction increased significantly (p < 0.001). Nutritional risk remained high throughout hospitalization, with no statistically significant change (p = 0.221). Higher body-image dissatisfaction at admission predicted a greater likelihood of clinically relevant distress at discharge (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS: Hospitalization offers a pivotal opportunity to identify and address emotional and nutritional needs in women with gynecological cancers. Integrated, multidisciplinary supportive care models targeting both psychological and nutritional vulnerabilities are crucial to promote holistic recovery during and beyond the surgical course.

PMID:40836028 | DOI:10.1007/s00520-025-09862-3

Eur J Hum Genet. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1038/s41431-025-01927-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Access to large patient cohort data and biobanked resources is a catalyst for progress in genomics and biomedical research, increasing statistical power, and unlocking deeper insights-especially in areas like rare diseases and mental health. Responsible research necessitates maintenance of data privacy, regulatory compliance, and research standardization. It can appear that these guiding principles oppose each other and present barriers to responsible Open science. To address these critical challenges, we developed MINDDS-Connect, a federated data collaboration platform that integrates a web-based interface with decentralized Docker instances via a REST API. This architecture allows registered users to securely query samples across the platform’s network, and offers a tool to facilitate the formation of virtual multi-centric meta-cohorts and research collaboration. MINDDS-Connect allows institutions to retain data control while enabling collaborative research and meta-cohort analysis through standardized metadata fields. Its implementation across five European centers enhanced the accessibility of 900 samples, demonstrating its effectiveness in enabling cohort construction and promoting collaborative research. The platform provides a secure, open-source solution consistent with EU Open Science policies, advancing large-scale mental health research.

PMID:40836024 | DOI:10.1038/s41431-025-01927-5

Eur Radiol. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11936-z. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40836022 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11936-z

Eur Radiol. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11923-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the reproducibility and diagnostic accuracy of the Node Reporting and Data System 1.0 (Node-RADS) for detecting pelvic nodal metastases by endometrial cancer (EC) using CT and MRI, among readers with different levels of expertise.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This IRB-approved, single-center retrospective study included 128 patients with EC who underwent preoperative MRI at our Institution (Jan 2020-Dec 2023). Six readers with different levels of expertise in pelvic MRI (2 dedicated pelvic radiologists, 2 residents in their fourth year of training, and 2 residents in their second year of training) independently evaluated preoperative CTs and MRIs and assigned Node-RADS scores. Inter-observer agreement and inter-method agreement were calculated. Node-RADS was compared with post-surgical pathology data.

RESULTS: At surgery, pelvic nodal metastases were detected in 12.5% of the patients. Interobserver agreement in nodal status assessment using Node-RADS varied from κ = 0.783 to κ = 0.426 using MRI, and from κ = 0.936 to κ = 0.295 using CT, with worse results among less experienced readers. MRI and CT were concordant in the N definition in 94-98% of the cases. Using MRI, the most experienced readers showed 63% sensitivity and 100% specificity in the detection of nodal metastases, compared to 44% sensitivity and 96% specificity for poorly experienced readers. Using CT, the most experienced readers showed 50% sensitivity and 100% specificity; the less experienced readers showed 43% sensitivity and 94% specificity.

CONCLUSIONS: Node-RADS is a reproducible and accurate tool for locoregional nodal staging of EC, but only for readers with specific experience in pelvic imaging. MRI outperforms CT in nodal assessment.

KEY POINTS: Question Preoperative assessment of nodal metastases by EC is difficult, but it may help in tailoring the best surgical approach for each patient. Findings Node-RADS is a reliable tool for assessing the presence of pelvic nodal metastases by EC, both on CT and MRI, among experienced readers. Clinical relevance The use of Node-RADS among experienced readers enables detection of nodal metastases with good sensitivity and excellent specificity; MRI should be preferred over CT due to its higher sensitivity.

PMID:40836021 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11923-4