Nevin Manimala

Sports Med Open. 2026 Jan 31;12(1):7. doi: 10.1186/s40798-026-00978-2.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine whether the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism was associated with injury rate and recovery time from non-contact muscle injuries in youth academy players and professional soccer players.

METHODS: The ACTN3 rs1815739 genotype was identified in 76 male soccer players (22 professional, 27 U19 and 27 U17) from a top-level French soccer club. Over three consecutive competitive seasons (2020/21 to 2022/23), the players were prospectively monitored. The club’s medical staff systematically recorded all injuries sustained during soccer exposure. Injury incidence was calculated based on total soccer exposure, and return-to-play time (RTT) for each injury was determined by the medical staff. A total of 312 injuries were documented, including 144 non-contact muscle injuries. Injury incidence rates (IRs) and rate ratios (RRs) were compared across player genotypes, both overall and within each category, using Poisson or negative binomial regression models with exposure time as an offset. RTT was analyzed by genotype using the Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS: Overall genotype distribution was RR, 52.6%; RX, 30.3%; and XX, 17.1%. Across all players, XX carriers had the highest injury incidence (8.54 [6.54-10.39]/1000 h) followed by RX players (6.65 [5.39-7.91]/1000 h) and RR players (5.15 [4.35-5.95]/1000 h), although these differences did not reach statistical significance. The RRs for XX compared with RR players was 1.66 (95% CI: 0.85-3.23, p = 0.140), indicating a non-significant tendency toward higher incidence in XX players. However, RTT differed significantly among genotypes (p = 0.007), with median [IQR] values of 13 [10, 16] days for RR, 16 [14, 22] days for RX, and 18 [13, 19] days for XX. Subgroup analyses showed that RTT differences were significant in U17 players (p = 0.004), with XX requiring longer recovery (23 days) compared to RR players (11 days). However, these genotype-related differences in RTT were not significant among professional soccer players.

CONCLUSION: The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism was associated with recovery characteristics following non-contact muscle injuries in soccer players. Specifically, players with the XX genotype required significantly longer return-to-play times, a pattern evident in youth academy players but not in the professional group.

PMID:41619045 | DOI:10.1186/s40798-026-00978-2

Cancer Causes Control. 2026 Jan 31;37(3):38. doi: 10.1007/s10552-025-02122-z.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The collection of biospecimens in population-based studies enables investigation of molecular mechanisms underlying health outcomes but faces implementation challenges. We describe biospecimen collection outcomes in the Ovarian Cancer Epidemiology, Healthcare Access and Disparities (ORCHiD) study and identify key predictors of consent and return.

METHODS: Among 764 ORCHiD participants recruited from seven state cancer registries (March 2021-October 2024), optional participation in a biospecimen sub-study requiring self-collection of saliva and vaginal swabs was offered. We used Poisson regression with robust error variance to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sociodemographic, clinical, geographic, and logistical factors associated with biospecimen consent and return.

RESULTS: Overall, 435 (56.9%) consented and 230 (52.9% of consenters) returned samples. In unadjusted analyses, unemployed participants were significantly less likely to consent (RR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.53-0.98). In adjusted models, participants who were not married (RR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.00-1.34) and those recruited from California (RR = 1.23, 95% CI: 1.02-1.49) were more likely to consent. Black participants were more likely than White participants to return biospecimens (RR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03-1.65), as were retired versus employed participants (RR = 1.28, 95% CI: 0.99-1.65). Return rates were lower from California (0.66, 95% CI: 0.48-0.90) and North Carolina (RR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41-0.90) versus New York.

CONCLUSIONS: Higher return rates among Black participants suggest that culturally responsive engagement and follow-up strategies may support equitable biospecimen participation in population-based studies.

PMID:41619026 | DOI:10.1007/s10552-025-02122-z

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1007/s00702-026-03110-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an established treatment for severe affective and psychotic disorders. However, there are only few studies on metabolic short-term changes, for example in acid-base balance and electrolyte concentrations after ECT. In this study, serial venous blood gas analysis was utilized to systematically record alterations in these parameters and evaluate them in relation to safety-relevant aspects. Blood samples were obtained via a peripheral intravenous catheter immediately, and then 5, 15, 30, and 60 min after ECT in patients requiring either first or repeat ECT. Blood-gas analyses were performed to monitor concentrations of electrolytes and acid-base status among others. A repeated measures analysis of variance was applied to test for longitudinal changes of blood gas parameters. 47 ECT sessions were included in the final data analysis (19 patients, mean age 54.4 ± 12.7 years, 12 females). Following ECT, there were significant changes in electrolytes and acid-base parameters. The most significant effects were observed in the acid-base status, where there was decline in pH (reference range 7.35-7.45) from a mean of 7.39 to 7.29 followed by a recovery to near normal values within one hour (F(3.4;156.4) = 105.5; p < 0.001; n = 47). Except of an increase in calcium, there were no relevant changes in electrolyte levels. This study demonstrates a statistically significant drop of serum pH after ECT based on complementary alterations in lactate and carbon-dioxide levels. Most of these alterations may simply be due to the convulsive exertion of the tourniquet region. However, they are short-lived and return to baseline within one hour confirming the safety of the method with respect to acid-base alterations.Clinical Trial Registration This study was prospectively registered on April 20, 2020 in the German trial register ( https://www.drks.de/drks_web/ ) The trial registration number is DRKS00021467.

PMID:41619018 | DOI:10.1007/s00702-026-03110-6

Eur Radiol. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1007/s00330-026-12347-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study developed an automated AI-based method for accurate image reconstruction, stenosis detection and plaque calculation in high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (HR-MRVWI) and compared its performance with radiologists.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A deep learning algorithm trained on HR-MRVWI was collected retrospectively from three tertiary hospitals. An independent test set was collected prospectively at another hospital. Model performance was evaluated via the Dice similarity coefficient, average centerline distance and average surface distance in centerline extraction and vessel wall segmentation. Two radiologists reviewed the reconstructed images in randomized order to determine whether the quality matched the clinical diagnosis. The stenosis diagnosis and plaque calculation of the algorithm were compared with the ground truth of the consensus by two radiologists. The relationships of the calculated parameters with plaque vulnerability were also analyzed.

RESULTS: 476 patients (mean age 61 years ± 15 [SD], 286 men) were evaluated. The accuracy of image reconstruction in the independent test set was 92.3%. The consistency between the radiologists and the deep learning-assisted algorithm for stenosis detection was 0.89 (95% CI: 85.4, 90.2) in ≥ 50% stenosis. The accuracies of algorithm in normalized wall index, eccentricity and remodeling indices were 0.94, 0.83 and 0.87. The normalized wall index was highly related to plaque vulnerability. The AI-assisted in diagnosis and vessel wall analysis, which reduced the time from 32.0 ± 11.8 to 12.9 ± 4.3 min (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: A deep learning algorithm for HR-MRVWI interpretation could achieve image reconstruction, vessel stenosis and plaque calculation, which has satisfactory diagnostic performance.

KEY POINTS: Question Can a deep learning system achieve image reconstruction, stenosis diagnosis and plaque calculation in high-resolution MR vessel wall imaging (HR-MRVWI)? Findings The overall time reduced from 32.0 ± 11.8 to 12.9 ± 4.3 min (p < 0.001) with the aid of the system. Clinical relevance This effective deep learning system has great potential for processing head and neck HR-MRVWI images; it assists radiologists’ workloads and saves considerable time in hospitals. Additionally, it provides plaque-related parameters automatically for the evaluation of atherosclerosis patients.

PMID:41619006 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-026-12347-4

Eur Radiol. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1007/s00330-026-12330-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To assess the diagnostic accuracy of chest CT for rib fractures in live children investigated for suspected physical abuse (SPA), using initial and follow-up chest radiographs (CXRs) as the reference standard.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective 10-year (September 2011-2021) multicentre search was performed for children less than two years of age who received CXRs and chest CT for SPA. Nineteen consultant radiologists independently read the images: Round 1 (initial CXRs only), Round 2 (CTs only) and Round 3 (initial and follow-up CXRs). No reporter performed Round 3 before Round 1 or 2. Radiologists reported the presence of rib fractures, fracture age, fracture location and confidence level. CT diagnostic accuracy (sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy) was calculated per patient, per rib and per specific location along the rib arc.

RESULTS: A total of 64 patients (36 boys) with a median age of 2 months were included and assessed by 19 independent consultant radiologists. Patient level analysis: CT sensitivity = 90.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 88.2-92.6), specificity = 74.2% (95% CI: 70.2-78.0). Rib level analysis: CT sensitivity = 85.6% (95% CI: 84.1-87.0), specificity = 94.16% (95% CI: 93.8-94.4). Location level analysis: CT sensitivity = 75.7% (95% CI: 74.0-77.4), specificity = 97.09% (95% CI: 96.9-97.2).

CONCLUSION: Chest CT confers accurate rib fracture detection in live children with SPA, with the potential to replace the current standard of performing six CXRs as part of initial and follow-up imaging for SPA.

KEY POINTS: Question What is the diagnostic performance of chest CT in detecting rib fractures in live children with SPA, using CXR as a reference standard? Findings Chest CT showed 90.6% sensitivity and 74.2% specificity for detecting rib fractures on patient-based analysis, with 79.7% sensitivity for posterior rib fractures. Clinical relevance Chest CT accurately detects rib fractures in children investigated for SPA and may serve as an alternative to initial and follow-up CXR, supporting timely clinical assessment and management.

PMID:41619005 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-026-12330-z

J Int Med Res. 2026 Jan;54(1):3000605261416716. doi: 10.1177/03000605261416716. Epub 2026 Jan 31.

ABSTRACT

BackgroundThis study examined disease-specific quality of life among people living with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in northern Ghana, where the condition remains highly endemic.MethodUsing a cross-sectional design, 264 individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus infection were recruited from 1 regional hospital and 3 district hospitals. Data were collected through structured interviews using the validated hepatitis B virus quality of life (HBQoL) instrument and analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.ResultParticipants had a mean age of 38 years (±16.5), with a nearly equal sex distribution. The overall global HBQoL mean score was 63.6 (±20.0), reflecting a moderate quality of life. Regression analysis identified age, hepatitis B virus profile, and the presence of complications as significant predictors. Each additional year of age increased the odds of better quality of life by 2.8% (odds ratio = 1.028, p = 0.002). Hepatitis B envelope antigen negativity was inversely associated with high quality of life (odds ratio = 0.344, p = 0.013). Additionally, the absence of hepatitis B virus complications was associated with lower odds of good quality of life in this population (odds ratio = 0.300, p = 0.001).ConclusionsThe findings suggest that psychosocial and clinical interventions should complement biomedical care. Addressing the unique quality of life challenges of people living with the hepatitis B virus is essential for holistic management in Ghana and similar settings.

PMID:41618765 | DOI:10.1177/03000605261416716

J Int Med Res. 2026 Jan;54(1):3000605261416714. doi: 10.1177/03000605261416714. Epub 2026 Jan 31.

ABSTRACT

ObjectivesThis study aimed to comprehensively investigate the possible associations between neutrophil- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)-related inflammatory markers and the incidence of sarcopenia among adults in the United States.MethodsThis cross-sectional study analyzed data from 8878 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The potential associations between neutrophil- and HDL-C-related inflammatory markers and sarcopenia were evaluated using multiple statistical methods, including weighted logistic regression analysis, sensitivity analyses, restricted cubic spline models, and subgroup analyses. A receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to thoroughly analyze the predictive accuracy of various inflammatory markers for sarcopenia risk.ResultsAll examined inflammatory markers were significantly associated with sarcopenia. The association between the neutrophil-to-HDL-C ratio and sarcopenia was nonlinear, with risk increasing notably beyond a certain threshold (breakpoint = 2.791), whereas the neutrophil percentage-to-albumin ratio demonstrated a linear association. Further threshold effect analyses identified specific breakpoints for neutrophil-to-HDL-C ratio, platelet-to-HDL-C ratio, lymphocyte-to-HDL-C ratio, and monocyte-to-HDL-C ratio. Notably, the area under the curve value for neutrophil-to-HDL-C ratio exceeded those for other inflammatory markers in receiver operating characteristic analysis (area under the curve = 0.632, 95% confidence interval: 0.612-0.652), suggesting its potential as a promising predictor of sarcopenia prevalence.ConclusionsThe findings suggest positive associations between inflammatory biomarkers and sarcopenia, with the neutrophil-to-HDL-C ratio demonstrating superior predictive performance.

PMID:41618762 | DOI:10.1177/03000605261416714

J Environ Qual. 2026 Jan-Feb;55(1):e70141. doi: 10.1002/jeq2.70141.

ABSTRACT

High total phosphorus (TP) concentrations in freshwater such as streams, rivers, and lakes remain a global issue, causing eutrophication and poor ecological conditions. We extracted annual flow-weighted TP concentration data (N = 3144) from 207 monitored Danish headwater streams (catchment area < 50 km²) during the period 1990-2019 as the basis for developing a machine learning (ML) model for diffuse phosphorus in streams, using 22 potential predictor variables. We tested 70 different algorithms, applying an AI platform and a random split strategy with a holdout dataset (20%), a validation dataset (16%), and four training datasets (4 × 16%) in a fivefold cross-validation procedure across a total of 207 stream stations. The ML algorithm “eXtreme Gradient Boosted trees regressor: XGBoost” was identified as the best-performing model, based on 13 predictor variables, with a relatively high explanatory power for the training dataset (R² = 0.68), the cross-validation dataset (R² = 0.71), and the holdout dataset (R² = 0.66). The most important catchment characteristics of the 13 predictor variables were paved area, tile drained area, clay content in subsoil, farmed area, and TP loss from bank erosion. An external test of model transferability on a dataset, using an additional 142 stream stations (N = 1261), revealed a somewhat lower predictive power of the final model (R² = 0.41). The final model was applied to simulate annual diffuse flow-weighted TP concentrations for 3200 unique headwater catchments (ca. 15 km²) and this analysis now supports the calculation of annual TP loadings to surface waters from otherwise ungauged coast-near areas in Denmark.

PMID:41618754 | DOI:10.1002/jeq2.70141

Clin Transplant. 2026 Feb;40(2):e70444. doi: 10.1111/ctr.70444.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) has emerged as a valuable preservation technique, expanding the donor pool and improving clinical outcomes in liver transplantation (LT). Despite its growing adoption and reported advantages, the perioperative impact of NMP remains incompletely defined. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of NMP versus static cold storage (SCS) on postreperfusion blood product utilization, hemodynamics, and vasopressor requirements.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of adult LT patients at our institution between January 2017 and November 2024. The NMP and SCS groups were matched using propensity scores generated from preoperative and prereperfusion variables.

RESULTS: A total of 1059 patients underwent LT, including 86 NMP and 973 SCS patients. Before matching, significant differences were noted in several preoperative and prereperfusion variables. After 1:3 propensity match, these differences were eliminated. Post-match analysis showed that the NMP group required significantly fewer transfusions (approximately 40% reduction observed across all blood products). NMP was also associated with significantly higher mean arterial pressure and reduced vasopressor requirements following reperfusion.

CONCLUSIONS: NMP was associated with reduced blood transfusion, improved hemodynamic stability, and decreased vasopressor support during the postreperfusion phase of LT.

PMID:41618723 | DOI:10.1111/ctr.70444

Eur J Dent Educ. 2026 Jan 31. doi: 10.1111/eje.70101. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Despite the increasing representation of women in the dental profession, gender inequality remains in academic leadership roles. This study aimed to evaluate the gender distribution of academics and deans working in dental faculties in Türkiye.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cross-sectional analysis was conducted using publicly available data from 154 dental faculties (73 state and 81 foundation) between January and March 2025. Information was collected from 3061 academics, including their gender, academic title, specialty, and university affiliation. Gender classification was confirmed using the records of the Council of Higher Education and cross-validated using the Gender API and NamSor software. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS Statistics (version 23).

RESULTS: Among participants, 62.3% were women and 37.7% were men. Notably, women outnumbered men in nearly all academic ranks, with the highest proportion observed among lecturers (76.5%). Most professors were also women (51.5%), highlighting a remarkable shift in traditional academic gender dynamics. The gender distribution varied across disciplines: women were predominant in pedodontics (80.5%) and restorative dentistry (70%), while men were predominant in oral surgery (62.5%) and implantology (83.3%). In contrast, only 25.8% of deans were women, indicating persistent underrepresentation in high-level administrative positions. Gender detection tools showed high concordance with the actual data (Cohen’s κ > 0.91).

CONCLUSION: Although women represent the majority of academics in Turkish dental faculties, a significant gender gap remains in the top leadership roles. Institutional policies and targeted mentorship programs are needed to promote gender equity in academic advancement and decision-making.

PMID:41618714 | DOI:10.1111/eje.70101