Nevin Manimala

Environ Monit Assess. 2026 Mar 30;198(4):380. doi: 10.1007/s10661-026-15227-y.

ABSTRACT

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) are persistent PFAS of growing regulatory concern, yet robust spatiotemporal evidence in Vietnam remains limited. Here, we developed a 12-month surface-water monitoring dataset with triplicate sampling across an ≈45-site lake-river-estuary-coastal network in Northern Vietnam, quantified PFOA/PFOS by LC-MS/MS, and translated the observations into a control-prioritization framework. Across pooled station-month observations (n = 552), PFOA showed a median of 7.56 ng/L (p95 = 30.95), while PFOS was higher with a median of 16.55 ng/L (p95 = 107.77). Concentrations consistently increased along the basin transport-retention continuum, with stable hotspots in downstream and estuarine nodes (e.g., Ba Lat, Cua Day, Do Son, Sam Son, Tra Co) and the water-body hierarchy estuaries > river (downstream) > coastal > lakes. Clear seasonality was observed, with PFOS peaking in January/December and PFOA peaking in February/December. Mechanistic interpretation combined field covariates with water-particle-DOC partitioning concepts, adsorption-desorption tests using reference sediment, and multivariable modeling, consistently identifying suspended solids and dissolved organic carbon as dominant drivers, especially for PFOS. Ecological screening using risk quotients (RQ) indicated PFOS-driven concern at priority downstream/estuarine nodes. In parallel, integrated exposure scenarios (drinking water and fish consumption) suggested seafood intake can dominate PFOS exposure, yielding tail risks for children and high-seafood consumers even when mixture-level indices remain generally acceptable under baseline scenarios.

PMID:41906047 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-026-15227-y

Sci Rep. 2026 Mar 30. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-44124-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Comparative analyses of nucleotide sequences across diverse taxa, including viruses, bacteria, plants, and mammals, consistently reveal patch-type sequence identities of around 45%. These identities consist of short stretches interspersed by mismatches. Similarly, identity patterns emerge in alignments of randomized shuffled or scrambled sequences. These findings suggest patch-type identities reflect intrinsic statistical properties of the four-letter genetic alphabet. Such patterns likely function as recognition signals for illegitimate recombination, a mechanism that promotes sequence insertions, exchanges, and rearrangements without extensive homology. Patch-type identities have been observed at integration sites of foreign DNA and may play a role in evolutionary innovation and rapid diversification (e. g. SARS-CoV-2). Simulation data support the ideas that the frequency and length distribution of matching segments can be predicted by statistical models based on base composition, yet may also create local environments conducive to recombination. Further, the statistical architecture of the genetic alphabet encodes not only biological information, but also the potential for genome remodeling and adaptation during evolution. By bridging fundamental sequence properties with biological outcomes, this study provides a framework for exploring how randomness at the nucleotide sequence level can give rise to order and complexity across the tree of life.

PMID:41905996 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-44124-0

Sci Rep. 2026 Mar 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-37151-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Maternal nutrition is crucial for optimal child growth and development, reducing pregnancy complications like low birth weight and premature birth. Adequate nutrition during pregnancy and breastfeeding helps prevent nutrient deficiencies with long-lasting effects. However, poor maternal nutrition can lead to adverse child growth outcomes, such as intrauterine growth restriction and developmental issues. The main objective of this study was to investigate the factors influencing maternal nutrition practices and its implication for child growth and development in the communities of Jimma Town. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2024 among 423 mothers. Face-to-face interviews were conducted by trained data collectors to gather detailed information on socio-demographic characteristics, maternal health, nutrition, and child growth and development. The multivariate analysis was conducted to control the confounding influence using variables that were eligible for multivariable logistic regression analysis and had a p-value of less than 0.25. In the multivariable logistic regression, factors with p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant predictors. This study of 423 mothers with a 100% response rate identified key factors affecting child growth. Education was significant, with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) of 4.02 for primary, 5.44 for secondary, and 2.95 for college education. Casual laborers had a lower AOR of 0.19, while marital status (AOR = 1.14) and income levels between 6,001 and 10,000 (AOR = 2.11) positively impacted outcomes. Important health indicators included no pregnancy support (AOR = 0.27), no antenatal care (AOR = 0.30), and a fetal heartbeat (AOR = 4.02). Nutritional practices such as not consuming calcium-rich foods (AOR = 0.43) and adequate breastfeeding (AOR = 6.10) were linked to better development. Children with a normal BMI (AOR = 2.62) and appropriate birth weight (AOR = 1.16) showed improved growth outcomes, all at a 5% significance level. The analysis reveals that being educated mothers, having husbands employed in NGOs or in private business, being married mothers, having a family monthly income (6001-10,000), having a normal BMI, having a breastfeeding frequency of 6-8 per day, having pregnancy support, increasing the number of meals during pregnancy and lactation, having a balanced diet, having antenatal visits, having tetanus toxoid, having nutritional counseling, and taking different supplements during pregnancy like folic acid, iron, calcium, omega-3, vitamins, and zinc can improve child growth and development. Interventions aimed at improving maternal education, economic support, and nutritional health are essential for enhancing child growth in the community.

PMID:41905984 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-37151-4

Sci Rep. 2026 Mar 29. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-46269-4. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:41905973 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-46269-4

Br J Nutr. 2026 Mar 30:1-27. doi: 10.1017/S0007114526106965. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to evaluate adherence to the Mediterranean diet, a recognized healthy eating pattern, and the tendency toward orthorexia nervosa in professional athletes, and to examine their relationship with physical activity levels. The study was conducted with athletes (n=134) at the Turkish Olympic Preparation Center (TOHM). Data were collected using a questionnaire covering: socio-demographic information, dietary habits, anthropometric measurements, the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and the ORTO-11 scale assessing orthorexic tendencies. Of the participants, 17.2% had poor dietary quality, 60.4% moderate, and 22.4% good dietary quality. According to the ORTO-11 (cutoff ≤25 points), 30.6% of athletes exhibited orthorexic tendencies. Athletes adhering to a diet had significantly higher orthorexia tendencies compared to non-dieters (p<0.05). A significant association was found between athletic experience and orthorexic tendencies, particularly among those with 4-8 years and ≥8 years of experience (p<0.05). Moreover, athletes consuming three main meals had significantly higher KIDMED and ORTO-11 scores than those consuming two meals (p<0.05). No statistically significant correlation was found between the KIDMED score, ORTO-11 score, and physical activity level (p>0.05). Professional athletes showed moderate adherence to the Mediterranean diet, while certain groups displayed higher orthorexia tendencies. Diet quality and orthorexic tendencies differed significantly with eating habits such as athletic experience and meal patterns, whereas physical activity level had no effect. These findings highlight the importance of multidisciplinary nutrition strategies focusing on both performance and sustainable healthy eating behaviors.

PMID:41905962 | DOI:10.1017/S0007114526106965

J Clin Periodontol. 2026 Mar 29. doi: 10.1111/jcpe.70120. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To compare the impact of intraoral scanning (IOS) and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) registration on implant positional accuracy in robotic computer-assisted implant surgery (r-CAIS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients requiring implant placement in the anterior or premolar regions were enrolled and randomly allocated to either a CBCT group or an IOS group at a 1:1 ratio. Implant positional accuracy was assessed by comparing planned versus actual implant positions using global platform deviation, global apex deviation and angular deviation. Subgroup analyses were performed based on jaw position and span length. The implant survival rate and patient satisfaction were recorded at prosthesis delivery. Statistical analysis was performed using linear mixed-effects modelling.

RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were included (16 patients with 25 implants in each group). In the IOS group, the global platform deviation, global apex deviation and angular deviation were reported as mean ± standard deviation (SD): 0.89 (0.65) mm, 0.95 (0.77) mm and 1.91 (1.98)°, respectively. In the CBCT group, the corresponding values were 0.88 (0.42) mm, 0.98 (0.46) mm and 1.84 (1.46)°. No statistically significant differences were found between IOS and CBCT groups (p > 0.05) regardless of jaw position or edentulous span. The implant survival rate and patient satisfaction were 100% in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative registration using IOS is non-inferior to CBCT-based registration in implant accuracy for r-CAIS, supporting its application as a radiation-free alternative for registration in partially edentulous patients with sufficient number of stable residual teeth.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2400093045.

PMID:41905961 | DOI:10.1111/jcpe.70120

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2026 Dec;39(1):2650951. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2026.2650951. Epub 2026 Mar 29.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Infants born before 32 weeks of gestation are at high risk of developing intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), which is associated with significant mortality and morbidity as well as long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. There is currently a lack of consensus regarding the impact of delivery mode on these infants. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the association between mode of delivery and the incidence of severe intraventricular hemorrhage (sIVH) in very to extremely preterm infants born before 32 weeks of gestation.

METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland, using integrated obstetric and neonatal databases. Live births born between 23 + 0 and 31 + 6 weeks from 2015 to 2023 were included. Confounders were selected a priori based on a direct acyclic graph, and severe IVH incidence was compared between vaginal and cesarean delivery using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS: A total of 683 infants were eligible for analysis. The proportion of children born by cesarean section was 77.5%. The incidence of sIVH in preterm infants delivered by cesarean section was 4.7% compared to 3.9% in vaginal deliveries. The univariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated no significant association between cesarean section and sIVH (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.53-3.28, p = 0.529).

CONCLUSION: In this cohort of very and extremely preterm infants, there was no significant association between the incidence of severe IVH and mode of delivery. These findings do not support cesarean sections as a preventive measure for sIVH and highlight the importance of optimizing pre-, peri-, and postnatal factors that impact haemodynamic stability.

PMID:41905948 | DOI:10.1080/14767058.2026.2650951

Environ Health Prev Med. 2026;31:24. doi: 10.1265/ehpm.25-00416.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: New tobacco products, including heated tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, are rapidly increasing in popularity among younger populations worldwide, particularly in Japan. Thus, clarifying the effects of both active and passive smoking of new tobacco products during pregnancy is an urgent public health concern. We focused on nausea and vomiting in pregnancy (NVP) which is traditionally and epidemiologically considered an indicator of healthy pregnancy progression. In this study, we classified maternal and paternal smoking status focussing on new tobacco product use and investigated its association with the absence of NVP.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study used control data from a case-control study designed to explore modifiable factors for anorectal malformations. The questionnaire survey was conducted within seven Japanese regions between December 2019 and March 2023, enrolling a total of 1,522 postpartum women. The study included 1,450 postpartum women who delivered singleton babies and provided complete information. The main outcome was the absence of NVP. The exposure was the smoking status of mothers and their partners, classified into four categories: dual users (combustible cigarettes and new tobacco products), new tobacco product-only users, combustible cigarette-only users, and non-smokers (reference). Logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the absence of NVP.

RESULTS: Based on maternal smoking status, the absence of NVP was reported in 27.1% of dual users, 25.0% of new tobacco product-only users, 18.0% of combustible cigarette-only users, and 15.2% of non-smokers. Maternal dual use was associated with an increased OR of the absence of NVP (adjusted OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.02-4.22). After restricting to non-smoking mothers, the adjusted OR for paternal combustible cigarette smoking was 2.62 (95% CI: 1.25-5.50).

CONCLUSION: Our main finding was the positive association between maternal dual use of new tobacco products and combustible cigarettes during pregnancy and the absence of NVP. This suggests that smoking cessation guidance during pregnancy, including new tobacco products, is particularly warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.

PMID:41905935 | DOI:10.1265/ehpm.25-00416

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2026 Dec;39(1):2648184. doi: 10.1080/14767058.2026.2648184. Epub 2026 Mar 29.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major causes of neonatal mortality and an important factor influencing the growth and development of newborns. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of LBW and its related maternal and neonatal factors.

METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The research subjects were 89,214 pregnant women who gave birth at Maternity & Child Healthcare Hospital of Longgang District, Shenzhen City from 2015 to 2021. Factors associated with LBW encompassed demographic characteristics, antenatal and obstetric factors, and neonatal states. R software was used for statistical analyses, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify the significantly related factors of LBW.

RESULTS: The prevalence of LBW in this study was 3.88%. Education level (Junior college and below vs. College and above, OR: 1.18, 95%CI 1.09-1.29), parity (Nulliparous vs. Parous, OR: 1.37, 95%CI 1.20-1.56), pre-pregnancy BMI (Underweight vs. Normal, OR: 1.62, 95%CI 1.47-1.78), mode of delivery (Cesarean section vs. Vaginal delivery, OR: 1.70, 95%CI 1.56-1.86), congenital malformation (Yes vs. No, OR: 2.79, 95%CI 2.40-3.25), sex of neonate (Female vs. Male, OR: 1.70, 95%CI 1.56-1.85), Apgar 1 min score (<7 vs. ≥7, OR: 4.57, 95%CI 2.73-7.58), number of antenatal care visits (<8 vs. ≥8, OR: 1.97, 95%CI 1.80-2.15), gestational age (<37 weeks vs. ≥37 weeks, OR: 48.80, 95%CI 44.65-53.36), pregnancy complications (Yes vs. No, OR: 1.69, 95%CI 1.52-1.88) were identified as risk factors for LBW. Number of pregnancies (2 vs. 1, OR: 0.82, 95%CI 0.72-0.94; ≥3 vs. 1, OR: 0.75, 95%CI 0.64-0.87) was considered as a protective factor. Premature birth, pregnancy complications, and insufficient antenatal care visits had synergistic effects on LBW.

CONCLUSIONS: LBW was correlated with specific maternal and neonatal factors, and there were interactions between the influencing factors. Compared with a single intervention, comprehensively assessing pregnancy risks to develop personalized antenatal care may be more effective.

PMID:41905931 | DOI:10.1080/14767058.2026.2648184

Nihon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi. 2026;63(1):48-59. doi: 10.3143/geriatrics.63.48.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To develop a dementia and delirium nursing education program for nurses in acute care hospitals with the aim of enhancing their practical competencies. The program, based on person-centered care, included a 60-minute workshop and regular case conferences held two to three times per week. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the program by examining changes in nurses’ knowledge and self-efficacy regarding dementia and delirium nursing, as well as patient outcomes, including falls, self-removal of tubes or catheters, and the use of physical restraints.

METHODS: The program was conducted over a three-month period from November 2023 to January 2024 in a gastrointestinal surgical ward of an acute care hospital with a 7:1 nurse-to-patient ratio. Twenty-five nurses participated in this study. Questionnaires assessing knowledge and self-efficacy were administered before and after intervention. Patient outcome data, including falls, self-removal of tubes or catheters, and use of physical restraints, were collected from the medical records and compared before and after the intervention.

RESULTS: Nurses’ knowledge and self-efficacy significantly improved after the intervention. Although the total number of patients with dementia and delirium increased significantly, the incidents of self-removal of tubes or catheters and the use of physical restraints significantly decreased. Falls decreased from two to zero, although this difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS: The program was effective in improving nurses’ knowledge and self-efficacy in dementia and delirium care and in reducing self-removal of tubes or catheters, as well as reducing the use of physical restraints.

PMID:41905923 | DOI:10.3143/geriatrics.63.48