Nevin Manimala

J Med Entomol. 2025 Jul 2:tjaf084. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjaf084. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Larviciding is an important part of effective integrated mosquito management. However, growing resistance to chemical- and bacterial-based insecticides requires biocontrol agents with novel modes of action. Entomopathogenic fungi are good candidates for larval control due to their capability to infect mosquito larvae and their production of larvicidal compounds. In this study, we isolated a strain of Trichoderma atroviride from Aedes albopictus larvae collected in Manhattan, KS, USA. We used a laboratory-based microcosm assay to expose L3 Ae. albopictus larvae to T. atroviride conidia and culture supernatant treatments. Larvae were monitored daily for survival and development to pupae and adults. In addition, adult survival was monitored for 10 d postpupation, and wing lengths were measured to assess mosquito size. Our results revealed that T. atroviride culture supernatant was a potent larvicide toward Ae. albopictus. However, conidia by themselves were not larvicidal, indicating the major mode of killing was through toxicity exerted by the culture supernatant. We further show that larval exposure to T. atroviride supernatant delayed larval development to pupae. Sex-specific adult survival was not affected by larval exposure to T. atroviride. However, wing length of male and female mosquitoes were reduced, indicating a reduction in adult mosquito body size as compared to the control. Taken together, this study identifies the culture supernatant from a novel strain of T. atroviride as a potent larvicide of Ae. albopictus, potentially expanding the toolbox for biological control of mosquitoes.

PMID:40600310 | DOI:10.1093/jme/tjaf084

J Neurotrauma. 2025 Jul 2. doi: 10.1089/neu.2025.0126. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Targeted manipulation of dietary omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids has previously been shown to decrease nontraumatic headaches in controlled trials. This study assessed the effects of a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids and low in omega-6 linoleic acid (H3L6 diet) on headache frequency and severity, headache impact, and plasma nociceptive mediators in a persistent post-traumatic headache (pPTH) population. One hundred and twenty-two participants with pPTH were randomized 1:1 to 12 weeks of either the H3L6 (n = 62) or a control (n = 60) diet. A priori primary end-points were the plasma levels of the antinociceptive docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) derivative 17-hydroxy-DHA and the Headache Impact Test (HIT-6) score. Secondary end-points included headache days/month and average daily headache pain intensity (0-10 scale). Statistical analyses followed intention-to-treat principles and were adjusted for baseline values. Relative to the control group, the H3L6 group significantly reduced headache days/month (-2.1, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -3.5 to -0.8, p = 0.002) and average headache intensity (-0.9, 95% CI: -1.2 to -0.5, p < 0.001) and increased circulating 17-hydroxy-DHA (nanograms/milliliter; difference 0.07, 95% CI: 0.02-0.11, p = 0.003), although it did not significantly improve HIT-6 scores (-1.6, 95% CI: -4.0 to 0.8, p = 0.18). In conclusion, the H3L6 diet reduced headache pain and increased antinociceptive mediators, supporting its potential as an adjunct nonpharmacological pPTH therapy.

PMID:40600308 | DOI:10.1089/neu.2025.0126

Addiction. 2025 Jul 2. doi: 10.1111/add.70123. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Dispensing of prescription stimulants to adults has risen dramatically over the past decade. Examining trends in nonprescribed use of prescription stimulants can inform public health responses. Most studies in the United States (U.S.) have faced challenges in assessing trends over time due to changes in survey methodologies and variation in populations assessed. We examined data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study to assess changes in nonprescribed use of prescription stimulants in the U.S. from 2013 to 2022.

DESIGN: The PATH Study is an ongoing longitudinal study of U.S. youth and adults, representative of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. Repeated cross-sectional estimates at each wave were used (8 total waves). Trends from Wave (W) 1 (September 2013-December 2014) to W7 (January 2022-April 2023) were assessed. Full-sample and replicate weights were used; joinpoint analyses and wave-to-wave comparisons were applied to test trends.

SETTING: Civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. youth and adults.

PARTICIPANTS/CASES: Youth aged 12-17 and adults aged 18 + were assessed, with a total of 45 727 participants at wave 1 (Ns vary by wave).

MEASUREMENTS: Past 12-month (P12M) prevalence of nonprescribed use of Ritalin or Adderall was assessed. Nonprescribed use of stimulants was assessed across subgroups according to age (12-17, 18-24, 25-39, ≥40) and sex (male, female).

FINDINGS: While wave-to-wave comparisons showed fluctuations across certain waves, overall, there were no statistically significant changes in P12M prevalence of Ritalin or Adderall nonprescribed use (1.3% at W1 and 1.5% at W7) across the study period. However, statistically significant differences in trends existed across age groups. Among 12-17 year-olds, nonprescribed use prevalence remained stable (1.4% in W1 and 1.5% in W7). Nonprescribed use prevalence also remained stable for 18-24-year-olds from W1 to W3, but then significantly declined (p = 0.016) from W3 (5.3%) to W7 (2.6%). There were no significant changes in nonprescribed use prevalence among 25-39-year-olds (1.7% in W1 and 2.4% in W7) and those aged ≥40 (0.3% in W1 and 0.9% in W7). Across most waves, young adults aged 18-24 had a statistically significantly higher prevalence of nonprescribed use. Neither sex had significant trends in P12M nonprescribed use prevalence.

CONCLUSIONS: Despite an increase in dispensing of prescription stimulant medications in the United States, the prevalence of nonprescribed Ritalin or Adderall use does not appear to have increased, as assessed in the nationally representative Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study. The prevalence of nonprescribed Ritalin or Adderall use among young adults aged 18-24, the age group with the highest nonprescribed use prevalence, declined 2013 to 2022.

PMID:40600292 | DOI:10.1111/add.70123

Multivariate Behav Res. 2025 Jul 2:1-24. doi: 10.1080/00273171.2025.2496507. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The social relations model (SRM) is a linear random-effects model applied to examine dyadic round-robin data within social networks. Such data have a unique multilevel structure in that dyads are cross-classified within individuals who may be nested within different social networks. The SRM decomposes perceptual or behavioral measures into multiple components: case-level random effects (in-coming and out-going effects) and dyad-level residuals (relationship effects), the associations among which are often of substantive interest. Multivariate SRM analyses are increasingly common, requiring more sophisticated estimation algorithms. This article evaluates Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation of multivariate-SRM parameters, compares MCMC to maximum-likelihood estimation, and introduces two methods to reduce bias in MCMC point estimates using empirical-Bayes priors. Four simulation studies are presented, two of which reveal dependency of small-group results on priors by manipulating location and precision hyperparameters, respectively. The third simulation study explores the impact of sampling more small groups on prior sensitivity. The fourth simulation study explores how Bayesian model averaging might compensate for underestimated variance due to empirical-Bayes priors. Finally, recommendations for future research are made and extensions of the SRM are discussed.

PMID:40600284 | DOI:10.1080/00273171.2025.2496507

Percept Mot Skills. 2025 Jul 2:315125251357047. doi: 10.1177/00315125251357047. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to examine the precision, dependability, and relevance of AI-based evaluations in contrast to conventional human evaluations. In all, 200 7-8-year-old students from urban and suburban schools participated in the study. Based on movement speed, accuracy, and smoothness, KineticAI’s assessment of their motor skills divided them into three categories: proficiency, developing, and emerging. A thorough examination of KineticAI’s validity and reliability was ensured by evaluating its psychometric qualities using COSMIN criteria. Furthermore, AI-generated scores and human evaluator ratings were compared using TGMD-3 as a standard. Mean Absolute Error (MAE), Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICC), and Bland-Altman plots were among the statistical techniques used to evaluate the degree of agreement. With an ICC of 0.94, the results show that KineticAI achieves great accuracy and dependability, showing strong consistency with human judgments. With running (3.8), jumping (4.2), hopping (5.1), and balancing (4.9) points, the AI system demonstrated a negligible mean absolute error (MAE) across motor skills, thereby proving its accuracy. Disparities in motor proficiency were also found by gender and school, with suburban girls scoring the lowest and urban boys the highest. These results highlight how crucial it is to provide everyone with fair access to organized physical activity programs to close developmental gaps. The study indicates that KineticAI offers a scalable, objective, and efficient alternative to traditional motor assessments. It is a valuable tool for use in schools, rehabilitation clinics, and sports training programs.

PMID:40600279 | DOI:10.1177/00315125251357047

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2025 Jul 2:traf060. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/traf060. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Chagas disease, caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, is a vector-borne disease that can lead to serious cardiac alterations. The Caribbean nation of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) is not considered Chagas endemic by major public health organizations, but Trinidad is home to six T. cruzi vector species as well as T. cruzi-infected vertebrate hosts, including humans. Here we present the most comprehensive assessment to date of Chagas disease in TT based on information from published literature, museum specimens, hospital and veterinary records and archival documents. Panstrongylus geniculatus is the most abundant and well-studied T. cruzi vector species in TT, where it is found in and around human homes with human blood meals and with T. cruzi infection prevalences >83%. Wildlife reservoirs of T. cruzi in TT include commonly hunted species, which may pose a risk of T. cruzi transmission during preparation or consumption of infected carcasses. Blood bank data from 2020 showed a 0.5% seropositivity rate for T. cruzi, which is higher than that reported for 13 Chagas-endemic countries. By presenting the entomological, ecological, epidemiological and clinical evidence in a single report, we aim to present what is known about Chagas disease on the island, identify knowledge gaps and pinpoint areas of future research and public health focus, with the goal of sending a call to action for increased attention to Chagas disease in TT.

PMID:40600276 | DOI:10.1093/trstmh/traf060

Vet Clin Pathol. 2025 Jul 2. doi: 10.1111/vcp.70024. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Reference intervals (RIs) are an essential tool for assessment of clinical pathology data of animals, and are particularly important for monitoring the health status of free-ranging and captive wildlife, such as koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to: (1) provide comprehensive serum biochemistry reference intervals based on clinically healthy South Australian koalas from two populations, Mount Lofty Ranges (MLR) and Kangaroo Island (KI); and (2) identify any factors that can affect biochemical analytes, including koala retrovirus (KoRV) and Chlamydia pecorum subclinical infection status, age, sex, and population.

METHODS: Serum biochemistry analytes were determined in 206 clinically healthy South Australian koalas caught from the wild in 2016 and 2018 using a Cobas 8000 Chemistry Analyzer and analyzed using Reference Value Advisor and SPSS v28 Statistical software.

RESULTS: Biochemical reference intervals were established. Also, clinically and statistically significant differences in analytes were found based on age for alkaline phosphatase and phosphate, and albumin: globulin ratio, globulins, and total protein, most likely associated with physiological bone growth and immunological development, respectively, as observed in other species. Statistically significant differences between animals subclinically positive for KoRV and Chlamydia pecorum, were found for glucose and gamma glutamyl transferase respectively; however, these were marginal, and their reference intervals were similar.

CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first to describe serum biochemical reference intervals for clinically healthy South Australian koalas of known Chlamydia and KoRV infection status. It represents an important tool to assist health assessments of koalas by veterinarians, as well as research and population monitoring.

PMID:40600275 | DOI:10.1111/vcp.70024

Circ Heart Fail. 2025 Jul 2:e012777. doi: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.125.012777. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis among older adults (often octogenarians) is increasing. We aimed to determine whether age and geriatric syndromes bear any impact on the management and outcomes in transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis and assess the risk of ageism.

METHODS: In a prospective, multicenter cohort study, 256 patients diagnosed with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis from March 2021 to March 2024 underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). The study evaluated the prevalence and clinical associations of CGAs across different disease stages (National Amyloidosis Centre stage). Key CGA domains included disability, malnutrition, depression, frailty, Short Physical Performance Battery, and cumulative deficits (sum of the single CGA items). Associations of these measures with disease-modifying therapy and overall mortality were analyzed.

RESULTS: Median age was 82 years (men: n=223 [87%]; variant: n=19 [7.4%]); 129 (50.3%) patients received disease modifiers. Those ≥85 years had significantly lower odds of receiving disease-modifying therapy even after adjusting for disability, frailty, and cumulative deficits. Over 1.9 (interquartile range, 1.0-2.3) years, 45 (17.6%) patients died. After adjustment for National Amyloidosis Centre stage, diuretics and disease modifiers, CGA domains of disability, malnutrition, Short Physical Performance Battery, frailty, and number of deficits, but not age, were significantly associated with mortality. Assessment of CGA domains improved National Amyloidosis Centre prognostic accuracy.

CONCLUSIONS: In a national prospective cohort of patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, older age was associated with lower prescription of disease modifiers, even among individuals with a low burden of geriatric syndromes. However, when adjusted for geriatric domains, age was not associated with survival, indicating potential ageism. Because some geriatric syndromes may be modifiable, a CGA could enhance risk stratification, reduce age-related bias, and improve outcomes.

PMID:40600269 | DOI:10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.125.012777

Wound Repair Regen. 2025 Jul-Aug;33(4):e70060. doi: 10.1111/wrr.70060.

ABSTRACT

Split-thickness skin graft donor site wounds present significant challenges in pain management and healing optimization. This intra-individual comparative study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a novel topical solution containing tranexamic acid, adrenaline and bupivacaine versus standard paraffin-chlorhexidine dressings, with side allocation determined by computer randomisation after graft harvesting. Twelve patients received standardised solution application on one donor site and standard treatment on the contralateral site, with each side’s dressing changes performed according to protocol. The treatment group demonstrated significantly lower mean pain scores across all time intervals (1.1 vs. 5.3 at 24 h, p < 0.001). Mean epithelialization rates at Days 10-14 were higher in the treatment group (97.1% vs. 94.8%, p < 0.05), with faster time to complete healing (median 12 vs. 16 days, p = 0.002). No significant hemodynamic changes occurred following solution application, with only one case of transient tachycardia reported. Vancouver Scar Scale scores at eight weeks showed a trend favouring the treatment (3.8 vs. 4.2, p = 0.15), although this difference was not statistically significant. No infections were observed in either group. These findings suggest that this novel topical solution with transparent film dressing effectively reduces pain and accelerates healing in donor site wounds without compromising safety, providing a promising new option for managing these challenging surgical wounds.

PMID:40600255 | DOI:10.1111/wrr.70060

Eur J Orthod. 2025 Jun 12;47(4):cjaf052. doi: 10.1093/ejo/cjaf052.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the effects of clear aligner treatment in adult patients with moderate Class III malocclusion, comparing the lower molar distalization and Class III elastics protocol with the application of Class III elastics alone.

NULL HYPOTHESIS: There is no significant difference between lower molar distalization and the use of Class III elastics alone in the correction of Class III disharmony.

TRIAL DESIGN: Two-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation ratio.

PARTICIPANTS: 31 adult patients with moderate Class III malocclusion were blindly assigned into two groups.

INTERVENTIONS: Group 1 (7 f, 8 m; 19.1 ± 1.7 y) was treated with lower molar distalization combined with Class III elastics and dento-alveolar expansion. In Group 2 (9 f, 6 m; 19.7 ± 0.1.3 y) all subjects underwent Class III elastics and dento-alveolar expansion.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: to evaluate changes in the position of the lower first molars and of the lower incisors at the end of both treatment protocols (i.e. lower molar distalization and Class III elastics vs Class III elastics).

SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: to compare sagittal and vertical skeletal changes obtained at the end of treatment with both protocols.

OUTCOME ASSESSMENT: a customized cephalometric analysis, including 16 dento-skeletal variables, was performed before (T0) and at the end of treatment (T1) with an average time interval of about 24 +/- 6 months.

RANDOMIZATION: randomization sequence was generated with a 1:1 allocation ratio.

BLINDING: cephalometric analysis and statistical comparisons were conducted by blinded operators.

RESULTS: 30 patients completed treatment and were included in the final analysis (1 drop-out in Group 2). Group 1 revealed a significant improvement in vertical and sagittal position of both molars and incisors compared to Group 2 (respectively L6-MP, -2.8 mm and -0.6 mm; L6^MP, -0.7° and -2.5°, L6 crown-CoGo, -1.4 mm and -0.2 mm; L6 apex-CoGo, -3.3 mm and -1.5 mm; L1 crown-CoGo, -2.9 mm and + 1.9 mm; L1 apex- CoGo -1.7 mm and + 2.6 mm). Both groups showed a significant increase in upper incisor inclination (Group 1, + 2°; Group 2, + 2.7°), overjet (Group 1, + 1.6 mm; Group 2; + 1.3 mm), and overbite (Group 1, + 1.3 mm; Group 2; + 1.1 mm).

CONCLUSIONS: The lower molar distalization protocol combined with Class III elastics allowed a more significant improvement in occlusal relationships in the treatment of Class III malocclusion in adult patients, compared to a protocol that involves the use of intermaxillary elastics alone.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06859606.

PMID:40600239 | DOI:10.1093/ejo/cjaf052