Nevin Manimala

J Econ Entomol. 2025 Aug 20:toaf210. doi: 10.1093/jee/toaf210. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Dietary-administered probiotics may address poor health and performance in honey bees (Apis mellifera L. [Hymenoptera: Apidae]). Human-grade probiotics are an affordable source of general probiotics. We examined the effects of human-grade probiotics by comparing colony and individual level health and performance between colonies administered a probiotic every other week, and those not given probiotic supplementation (control treatment group). We found that probiotics did not statistically increase individual honey bee health and performance as measured by body lipid level, tibial length, and weight of bees, nor colony performance as measured by monthly assessments of brood area, colony weight, and Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) mite infestation rate.

PMID:40834321 | DOI:10.1093/jee/toaf210

N Engl J Med. 2025 Aug 21;393(8):764-773. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2410542.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP) is a rare disease characterized by progressive surfactant accumulation and hypoxemia caused by autoantibodies against granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), which alveolar macrophages require to clear surfactant. Molgramostim is a formulation of inhaled recombinant human GM-CSF, but its efficacy and safety in patients with aPAP have not been studied sufficiently.

METHODS: In this phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned patients with aPAP to receive molgramostim at a dose of 300 μg or placebo once daily for 48 weeks. The primary end point was the change from baseline to week 24 in the diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO), which was adjusted for hemoglobin concentration and expressed as a percentage of the predicted value. Secondary end points adjusted for multiplicity were the change from baseline in DLCO at 48 weeks and the change from baseline in the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire total (SGRQ-T) and activity (SGRQ-A) scores (scores range from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating better quality of life) and in exercise capacity at 24 and 48 weeks.

RESULTS: A total of 164 patients underwent randomization: 81 were assigned to receive molgramostim and 83 to receive placebo. The least-squares mean change in DLCO from baseline to week 24 was 9.8 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.3 to 12.3) with molgramostim and 3.8 percentage points (95% CI, 1.4 to 6.3) with placebo (estimated treatment difference, 6.0 percentage points; 95% CI, 2.5 to 9.4; P<0.001). The least-squares mean change in DLCO from baseline to week 48 was 11.6 percentage points (95% CI, 8.7 to 14.5) with molgramostim and 4.7 percentage points (95% CI, 1.8 to 7.6) with placebo (P<0.001), and the least-squares mean change in the SGRQ-T score at week 24 was -11.5 points (95% CI, -15.0 to -8.0) and -4.9 points (95% CI, -8.3 to -1.5), respectively (P = 0.007). No significant between-group difference in the change in SGRQ-A score was observed at 24 weeks, so no statistical inference was drawn with respect to subsequent secondary end points. The percentage of patients with at least one adverse event and the percentage with at least one serious adverse event were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Once-daily inhaled molgramostim led to a greater increase in pulmonary gas transfer than placebo in patients with aPAP. (Funded by Savara; IMPALA-2 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04544293; European Union Clinical Trials Information System number, 2024-511052-41-00.).

PMID:40834301 | DOI:10.1056/NEJMoa2410542

Arch Endocrinol Metab. 2025 Aug 20;69(4):e250098. doi: 10.20945/2359-4292-2025-0098.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the practices of Brazilian endocrinologists in educating patients with adrenal insufficiency about stress-induced glucocorticoid adjustments.

METHODS: This was a cross-sectional online survey carried out with 280 endocrinologists across Brazil. The survey included demographic questions and ten clinical vignettes assessing knowledge of appropriate glucocorticoid adjustments during various stressful situations. All participants provided informed consent, and the study protocol was approved by the local Ethics Committee. Statistical analysis compared responses based on physician demographics and practice settings.

RESULTS: The mean percentage of correct answers was 63.3%. A significant proportion of respondents (41.1%) incorrectly believed that patients should not self-administer intramuscular hydrocortisone during an adrenal crisis. Older physicians tended to provide more conservative (and potentially harmful) glucocorticoid dosing recommendations in certain scenarios. Physicians working in both outpatient and hospital settings demonstrated better knowledge of patient education and emergency glucocorticoid administration.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed moderate adherence to guidelines among Brazilian endocrinologists regarding adrenal insufficiency management and patient education. There is a need for improved education on glucocorticoid self-administration and targeted interventions to address knowledge gaps across different clinical scenarios. Further research is needed to evaluate the impact of these findings on patient outcomes and develop strategies to optimize the management of adrenal insufficiency in Brazil.

PMID:40834281 | DOI:10.20945/2359-4292-2025-0098

Am J Primatol. 2025 Aug;87(8):e70068. doi: 10.1002/ajp.70068.

ABSTRACT

Assessing body weight is common practice for monitoring health in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Body composition analysis via quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR) is a more in-depth assessment allowing measurements of lean and fat mass, but it is expensive and remains unavailable to most. Alternatively, body condition scoring (BCS) is an instrument-free method for visually inspecting and palpating lean and fat tissue. Animals are rated for lean and fat mass abundance, using an ordinal scale with species-specific descriptions as reference. However, modified BCS systems developed for other species are being used, because no BCS system has been fully validated for marmosets. The accuracy of BCS in identifying marmosets with poor body condition or obesity remains unknown. We assessed an adapted BCS for marmosets (n = 68, 2-16 years). Objectives were to (1) determine whether BCS predicts body weight and body composition, and (2) evaluate the performance of BCS as a screening test for low body condition and obesity in marmosets, in comparison to QMR body composition analysis. BCS predicted body weight and body composition (F(15, 166) = 7.51, Wilks’ Λ = 0.240, p < 0.001), and was better at predicting low lean mass and obesity, than at predicting low adiposity. Marmosets with low BCS had higher odds of low lean mass (B = 3.37, (95% CI, 0.95-5.78), OR = 29.0, p = 0.006). Marmosets with excessively high BCS had higher odds of obesity (B = 2.72, (95% CI, 1.07-4.38), OR = 15.23, p = 0.001). The accuracy rates of BCS in identifying low body condition (79.4%-91.2%) and obesity (77.9%) suggest that it can serve as an instrument-free screening method in marmosets.

PMID:40834231 | DOI:10.1002/ajp.70068

Rev Col Bras Cir. 2025 Aug 18;52:e20253812. doi: 10.1590/0100-6991e-20253812-en. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Patients who undergo to gastroplasty present massive weight loss and the plastic surgery represents an important play in the treatment. The aim of this study is to present the profile of patients who underwent plastic surgery after bariatric surgery performed at the Reference Public Hospital in West-Center of Brazil.

METHODS: A descriptive, analytical and retrospective study was performed in a single public hospital on patients who underwent post-bariatric plastic surgery from January 2011 to December 2023. Three hundred and sixteen patients who underwent plastic surgery following Roux-Y gastroplasty were studied. Measures included BMI (body mass index) before gastroplasty and before plastic surgery, medical complications and comorbidities.

RESULTS: 316 patients (297 female, 19 male) with a mean age of 43 years underwent 268 separated operations. The average BMI at the time of plastic surgery was 27,39kg/m2 . Average weight loss was 47,44kg and mean pre-weight loss BMI (max BMI) was 45,5kg/m2 .The most important preplastic comorbities were: arterial hypertension (12,7%), degenerative artrophaty (7,0%), diabete melito (5,7%) and methabolic syndrom (4,4%). From 316 patients operated, 75,7% were underwent abdominoplasty followed by mammaplasy (41,4%), ritidoplasty (12,0%), and brachioplasty (12,0%). Thirty-nine (12,3%) patients had hernia repair in combination with abdominoplasty. The complication rate was 31,3%.

CONCLUSION: Epidemiological profile of postbariatric patients who underwent body contour surgery showed peculiar clinical, anthropometric and surgical aspects, specially the low prevelence of comorbidities, the low number of associated surgeries and rate of postoperative complications in the group studied.

PMID:40834225 | DOI:10.1590/0100-6991e-20253812-en

J Neuroophthalmol. 2024 Dec 13;45(3):343-349. doi: 10.1097/WNO.0000000000002275.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries that often cause vision problems. They have significant impacts on everyday life, cognitive capacity, and sports performance, and may affect injury prevalence in fast contact sports such as ice hockey. A functional vision questionnaire specifically designed for sports was used here to study the correlation between vision problems and concussion history.

METHODS: In this national cross-sectional concussion study, 860 Finnish elite-level male adolescent ice hockey players (aged 13-21 years) answered a functional vision questionnaire and performed a computerized neurocognitive test, ImPACT. Totally 265 athletes reported a history of at least 1 concussion. All data were statistically compared with age-matched athletes with no concussion history (n = 595). For further analysis, athletes were divided into subgroups by age and number of previous concussions.

RESULTS: Previously concussed athletes reported more general and eye-specific symptoms than their healthy controls. Increases in eye fatigue, frontal headaches, and blinking were statistically significant. Also statistically more problems with depth perception and evaluating distances, concentration problems, blurred vision, and losing the object in sight were observed among athletes with concussion history.

CONCLUSIONS: Concussion history reflects an increase in the prevalence of vision deficits, as determined by multiple disturbances in the near triad. The significant number of vision problems in the concussion history groups strongly suggests that functional vision should routinely be evaluated in athletes. The vision problems observed in the athletes with concussion history may indicate an increased injury risk that should be addressed.

PMID:40833794 | DOI:10.1097/WNO.0000000000002275

JAMA Dermatol. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.2881. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Previous research suggests that patients with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) may face a higher risk of serious infections compared with those with psoriasis. However, these studies are subject to limitations that could constrain their reliability.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the risk of hospitalization from noncutaneous infections, infection profiles, and the length of stay (LOS) of adult patients with HS and psoriasis treated with adalimumab.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted using deidentified claims data from the MarketScan database. All adult patients with HS or psoriasis who initiated adalimumab therapy between January 2017 and December 2020 were included. Data were analyzed from October 2023 to March 2024.

EXPOSURES: New users of adalimumab diagnosed with psoriasis or HS, identified using International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision codes and adalimumab prescriptions.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was hospitalization from noncutaneous infections in a time-to-event analysis using inverse probability weighting to account for confounders in the Cox regression models. Secondary outcomes included the infection types compared using incidence rate ratios and LOS analyzed with multivariable Poisson regression.

RESULTS: Of 10 349 included patients, 5641 (54.5%) were female, and the mean (SD) age was 44.8 (12.8) years. The cohort included 1650 patients with HS and 8699 with psoriasis. The HS cohort was younger (mean [SD] age, 36.2 [11.5] years vs 46.5 [12.4] years) and predominantly female (1271 [77.0%] vs 4370 [50.2%]), with higher rates of obesity, Crohn disease, anxiety, and depression. The weighted Cox analysis indicated an increased risk of serious infection in patients with HS (hazard ratio, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.34-1.86). This group also had a higher likelihood of sepsis and genitourinary infections (sepsis: incidence rate ratio, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.35-3.12; genitourinary infections: incidence rate ratio, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.22-3.86) and greater odds of prolonged LOS (odds ratio, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.13-1.45) compared with the psoriasis cohort.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cohort study, among adults treated with adalimumab, those with moderate to severe HS had an elevated risk of infection and different infection profiles compared with those with psoriasis. Future research should focus on the impacts of disease severity and treatment regimens on infection risk and develop targeted prevention strategies.

PMID:40833768 | DOI:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.2881

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2025 Aug 20:dkaf305. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkaf305. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The global rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant health concern. Nitrofurantoin is used as a first-line antibiotic against many uropathogenic bacterial pathogens, including uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), and an analysis is required to assess the current global prevalence of nitrofurantoin-resistant UPEC.

METHODS: Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar was performed to find studies reporting nitrofurantoin-resistant UPEC in humans. Studies were included/excluded based on predefined criteria and focused only on isolates collected from the urinary tract. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s (JBI’s) Checklist for Prevalence Studies. Statistical analysis was performed using Metafor and Meta (R packages) to estimate the pooled prevalence, assess publication bias and perform heterogeneity analysis.

RESULTS: Sixty-three studies comprising 774 499 UPEC isolates collected between 1996 and 2024 were analysed and demonstrated a global pooled prevalence of nitrofurantoin-resistant UPEC isolates to be 6.9% (95% CI: 4.8%-9.7%). Continent-wise subgroup analysis showed Europe to have the lowest prevalence, while Asia has the highest prevalence. Decade-wise subgroup analysis showed the global prevalence increased from 2.8% (1996-04) to 8.2% (2005-14) and then decreased to 7.6% in the last decade (2015-24). Substantial heterogeneity was seen among the studies examined, as well as statistically significant publication bias.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings show considerable global prevalence of nitrofurantoin-resistant UPEC isolates, with the prevalence being higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Sufficient education should be provided where possible, and antimicrobial stewardship should be intensified to slow the rate of AMR increase worldwide.

PMID:40833762 | DOI:10.1093/jac/dkaf305

JAMA Dermatol. 2025 Aug 20. doi: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.2980. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IMPORTANCE: Achieving good disease control in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) remains a major challenge. Combining multiple systemic immunomodulatory therapies has been shown to be beneficial in other immune-mediated diseases with reasonable safety profiles, but data on the current use and safety of combination targeted therapy among individuals with PsA are limited.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use and safety of combination targeted therapies among adults with PsA.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Data from the IBM MarketScan Commercial Claims Database from January 2015 to December 2024 were used to describe use patterns and perform safety analyses. Data were analyzed from April 2024 to June 2025. A validated claims algorithm was used to identify adults with PsA, who were separated into a standard therapy control cohort that was matched 2:1 with the combination targeted therapy cohort.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Descriptive analysis of the use of combination targeted therapies. The safety analysis included a comparison of frequencies of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes for serious or opportunistic infections requiring an inpatient level of care. Relative risks (RRs) were calculated before and after propensity score matching.

RESULTS: Among 82 399 individuals identified with PsA, 542 individuals (median [IQR] age, 52.5 [44.0-59.0] years; 341 female individuals [62.9%]) were receiving combination targeted therapy for 3 consecutive months and 200 (median [IQR] age, 55.0 [45.0-61.0] years; 114 female individuals [57.0%]) were receiving combination therapy for 6 consecutive months. The 2 most common combinations used were a tumor necrosis factor inhibitor with apremilast (34%-37%) and an interleukin 17 inhibitor with apremilast (27%-29%). The serious infection incidence rate among patients receiving combination targeted therapy ranged from 7.38 to 15.00 events per 1000 patients; the opportunistic infection incidence rate ranged from 0 to 1.85 events per 1000 patients. Patients receiving combination targeted therapy did not have a significantly increased risk of serious infection (propensity score-matched 3-month and 6-month RRs, 0.53 [95% CI, 0.17-1.63] and 1.50 [95% CI, 0.34-6.65], respectively) or opportunistic infection (adjusted 3-month and 6-month RRs, 1.00 [95% CI, 0.09-11.02] and not applicable, respectively) across all analyses.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: The results of this cohort study suggest that among commercially insured adults with PsA, around 1% of individuals were receiving combination targeted therapy. The most common combinations used different biologics with apremilast. This study found no significant difference between the incidence of serious bacterial and opportunistic infections requiring hospitalization compared with standard therapy, suggesting that combination targeted therapy may not be associated with significantly increased infection risk, but further larger studies are needed.

PMID:40833728 | DOI:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.2980

Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg. 2025 Aug 20;47(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s40902-025-00477-6.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of secondary alveolar bone grafting in patients with cleft lip and palate by comparing the clinical effectiveness of autologous bone grafts and xenogeneic graft materials. The objective is to provide evidence-based insight into the comparative efficacy of these grafting approaches.

MAIN BODY: A systematic search of the literature published between January 2004 and January 2023 identified 606 studies. Following a series of screening processes, five studies met the inclusion criteria, including only two randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The selected studies specifically evaluated xenogeneic bone graft materials derived from bovine sources, with allograft materials excluded. The results demonstrated no statistically significant difference between autologous and xenograft grafts in terms of postoperative bone graft volume and height in patients with cleft lip and palate. These findings provide important insight into the comparative effectiveness of grafting materials used in secondary alveolar bone grafting.

CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the findings indicate that autologous and xenogeneic graft materials yield comparable outcomes in secondary alveolar bone grafting for patients with cleft lip and palate. These results may inform clinical decision-making and guide future research in optimizing grafting strategies.

PMID:40833719 | DOI:10.1186/s40902-025-00477-6