Nevin Manimala

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2025 Jul 16. doi: 10.1007/s12010-025-05340-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Myocardial infarction (MI) is a concerning coronary heart disease with increasing rates of death and morbidity worldwide. One potential approach to prevent MI involves exploring invertebrate supplements within the nanoliposome formulation to improve targeted delivery, thereby mitigating MI-induced heart damage. Therefore, the study aimed to evaluate the cardioprotective efficacy of liposomal delivery of Allolobophora caliginosa coelomic fluid (ACCF-liposomes) on adrenaline-induced MI in rats. Thirty male albino rats were allocated into five groups: Control, Untreated MI, MI-treated ACCF, MI-treated free liposomes, and MI-treated ACCF-liposomes. The treatment regimen spanned 21 days. Electrocardiography (ECG), biochemical, oxidative stress, inflammatory mediators, electrolyte balance, histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses, and DNA fragmentation were evaluated. Liposomal delivery of ACCF has shown promise in regulating ECG criteria and reducing myocardial markers, particularly AST, LDH, MMP-2, creatine kinase, and troponin-I. It also improves lipid metabolism and inhibits myocardial oxidative stress. Additionally, ACCF and ACCF-liposomes treatment improves cardiomyocyte architecture and reduces DNA fragmentation in myocardial infarcted rats. Furthermore, encapsulating ACCF within liposomes statistically reduced the expression of iNOS and Beclin-1 in cardiac tissue. This suggests that liposomal delivery of ACCF enhances its effectiveness in treating myocardial infarction, potentially via its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic attributes.

PMID:40668529 | DOI:10.1007/s12010-025-05340-y

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2025 Jul 16. doi: 10.1007/s11356-025-36733-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Global population growth, industrialization, urbanization, and climate change have been shown to be major drivers leading to degradation of water resources, especially those designed for human and animal consumption. In this context, Water Safety Plans (WSPs) have been introduced to identify and assess potential site-specific risks as well as to develop mitigation strategies aimed at preventing and minimizing impacts. One of the crucial steps in the application of the WSP approach is to assess the risk posed by potential sources of contamination and to identify which chemicals may be of concern for a specific drinking water supply area. Identifying substances that may represent a risk based on their chemical-physical-toxicological profile, but which have not yet been monitored, and which could reasonably be present in the territory due to specific, often not very evident, explicit, and difficult to trace industrial processes is a complex but fundamental exercise within the implementation of a WSP. This is particularly challenging since chemical compounds and ingredients are renewed very quickly according to production needs and technological improvements. In this work, we developed an approach to identify these substances by integrating information reported in the European CHemical Agency (ECHA) database with site-specific data on industrial activities. The proposed approach was implemented within the deeply industrialized area of the Veneto Region (Italy), specifically located at the foothills of the Alps where major aquifers are being used for water provision, historically affected by severe groundwater/surface water contamination. A list of 46 non-regulated chemicals of concern was obtained, and the substances were further prioritized based on chemical PMT characteristics, site-specific environmental occurrence, and the quantity of wastewater discharged by the industrial activities. The results were consistent with those reported in similar prioritization exercises implemented at the EU scale, although several peculiarities emerged due to specific local characteristics of the case study area. The identification of chemical substances and other parameters of concern (especially if not yet regulated) represents an essential and undelayable propaedeutic activity for the definition of a coherent and evidence-based monitoring plans.

PMID:40668517 | DOI:10.1007/s11356-025-36733-5

Arch Osteoporos. 2025 Jul 16;20(1):96. doi: 10.1007/s11657-025-01570-z.

ABSTRACT

Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-associated osteoporosis increases fracture risk, yet clinical guidance remains unclear. A survey of 89 Italian nephrologists revealed heterogeneous biomarker availability and varied treatment approaches. Denosumab was the preferred antiresorptive agent, while anabolic drugs were rarely used. Findings highlight progress in CKD-related bone health management despite existing uncertainties. CKD-associated osteoporosis comprises the skeletal effects of a complex mineral and bone disorder causing increased risks of fragility fractures (FF), cardiovascular events, and mortality. Existing clinical guidance about CKD-associated osteoporosis is vague, leading us to hypothesize that a treatment gap exists and that clinical practice is dependent on local availability of diagnostic tools.

PURPOSE AND METHODS: The aim of the current survey was to determine current attitudes and practices among Italian nephrologists regarding the evaluation and management of CKD-associated osteoporosis. An online survey was designed, consisting of 9 thematic groups with a set of 16 closed questions regarding the availability of biomarkers and BTMs at reference laboratories and their use for the diagnosis and treatment of CKD-associated osteoporosis in patients with different stages of CKD, including CKD stages G4-5 and dialysis patients. Results were compared to a previous survey on the use of BTMs from 2022.

RESULTS: Eighty-nine Italian nephrologists participated in the survey, reporting that parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D measurements were available in 92-100% of their reference laboratories. Measurements for fibroblast growth factor-23, Klotho, Matrix Gla protein, procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide, and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b were available in 64-74% of cases. Regarding PTH cut-off values, 47.2% followed KDOQI and 43.8% followed KDIGO recommendations. Vitamin D was widely used across CKD stages (cholecalciferol 27-37.1%, calcifediol 9-12.4%, calcitriol 47.2-53.9%, and paricalcitol 21.3-30.3). Denosumab was the preferred antiresorptive agent in all CKD stages (22.5%-28.1%), while the use of bisphosphonates was uncommon in advanced CKD. Anabolic drugs were rarely prescribed.

CONCLUSIONS: The availability of bone biomarkers is heterogeneous, and an uncertainty still exists regarding the clinical use of biomarkers in CKD-associated osteoporosis. Nonetheless, our findings indicate that Italian nephrologists are increasingly taking proactive steps to prevent and treat bone fragility in CKD patients.

PMID:40668510 | DOI:10.1007/s11657-025-01570-z

Updates Surg. 2025 Jul 16. doi: 10.1007/s13304-025-02332-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The climate emergency requires effective measures to reduce the environmental impact of the healthcare system. Approximately 20% of medical waste originates from operating rooms. Proper waste segregation, along with adherence to a correct definition of biohazardous waste, are good practice procedures in the operating unit that ensure waste reduction. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of waste segregation in a multispecialty Surgical Unit. During a 3-week observational period, compared with a subsequent 3-week experimental period, counts of paper and plastic bags and the number and weight of biohazardous waste were recorded. The experimental period incorporated heightened waste sorting attention and introduced new criteria for surgical uniform disposal. While no significant differences in paper and plastic bag production were observed between the two periods, there was a non-statistically significant reduction in numbers and weight of biohazardous waste (p = 0.22; p = 0.16 respectively). Multiple regression analysis revealed a statistically significant 20 kg reduction in biohazardous waste over 3 weeks, with the same number of surgical procedures performed (p<0.05), resulting in 3.7 kg of biohazardous waste per surgical procedure. This reduction increased to 24 kg in the second period under the same number and type of interventions (p<0.05). Notably, General Surgery, Urology, Otolaryngology, and Orthopedics were identified as the surgical branches with the highest biohazardous waste production. In particular, orthopedic procedures generated 9.35 kg of hazardous medical waste per intervention, with statistical significance (p = 0.006). A careful separate collection of waste in the operating room, focusing on limiting biohazardous waste production, could be an important tool for reducing environmental impact and fostering economic savings. A good practice involves finding tailored solutions through teamwork as demonstrated by the present study.

PMID:40668508 | DOI:10.1007/s13304-025-02332-9

Oral Radiol. 2025 Jul 16. doi: 10.1007/s11282-025-00841-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify characteristic findings of odontogenic myxoma (OM) and assess the role of MRI in differentiating OM from ameloblastoma by analysing cyst-like areas.

METHODS: MRI images from 12 and 15 patients with OM and ameloblastoma, respectively, were retrospectively evaluated to determine imaging features useful for differentiation. We analysed cyst-like areas in OM using apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values and gadolinium contrast patterns, comparing them with those in ameloblastoma. ADC values were statistically assessed via the Mann-Whitney U test.

RESULTS: In OM, the mean ADC value of cyst-like areas was 1.84 × 10⁻³ mm²/s. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images showed signal enhancement, with a gradual increase on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI). Conversely, in ameloblastoma, the mean ADC value was 2.28 × 10⁻³ mm²/s. Unlike OM, its cyst-like areas lacked enhancement, with only the solid areas exhibiting a rapid signal increase on DCE-MRI. ADC values were significantly higher in ameloblastoma (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The presence or absence of contrast enhancement in cyst-like areas aids in differentiating OM from ameloblastoma. Additionally, ADC values may be used to differentiate between these tumors in the absence of contrast agents.

PMID:40668502 | DOI:10.1007/s11282-025-00841-2

Arch Osteoporos. 2025 Jul 16;20(1):98. doi: 10.1007/s11657-025-01580-x.

ABSTRACT

This retrospective analysis of 11,595 individuals aged ≥ 50 years from the Taiwan Biobank demonstrated that prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD). Prolonged T2DM duration correlated with increased lumbar spine BMD, while its effect on femoral neck BMD was nonsignificant after adjusting for confounding factors.

PURPOSE: The relationship between T2DM, prediabetes and BMD has remained uncertain due to conflicting findings in previous research. This study aims to investigate the association between T2DM, prediabetes and BMD among middle-aged and older adults with Taiwan Biobank database.

METHODS: The retrospective study included 11,595 patients aged ≥ 50 years from the Taiwan Biobank (2012-2021), comprising 2,476 in the control group, 6,877 in the prediabetes group, and 2,242 in the T2DM group. Categorical variables were analyzed with Pearson’s chi-square, and continuous data was obtained using the Mann-Whitney U test. Significant variables (p < 0.05) in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariate logistic regression analysis. Patients with T2DM or prediabetes exhibited higher BMD at all measured sites compared to controls (p < 0.001).

RESULTS: Multivariable analysis demonstrated that both conditions were independently associated with a lower osteoporosis rate. Individuals with T2DM for > 10 years had higher lumbar spine BMD compared to those with T2DM for 5-10 or < 5 years. However, T2DM duration > 10 years was associated with lower BMD at the bilateral femoral necks compared to those with a duration of 5-10 years. After adjusting for confounders, diabetes duration ≥ 10 years was no longer a significant predictor of lower femoral neck BMD. In the normal-weight category, individuals with T2DM had a significantly lower prevalence of osteoporosis than those with prediabetes and controls (p < 0.001). This inverse association was not observed in the underweight, overweight, or obese groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Prediabetes and T2DM are correlated with higher BMD in middle-aged and older adults. A longer T2DM duration is associated with increased BMD at the lumbar spine but not the femoral neck after adjusting for confounders.

PMID:40668498 | DOI:10.1007/s11657-025-01580-x

J Behav Med. 2025 Jul 16. doi: 10.1007/s10865-025-00585-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Living with a chronic health condition (CHC) can negatively impact quality of life (QoL) through a complex interaction of mental health challenges, functional limitations, and disease management demands. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a transdiagnostic approach that shows promise in addressing shared challenges across various CHCs by fostering psychological flexibility (PF). PF has been associated with improved QoL and functional outcomes and reduced psychological symptoms in individuals living with specific CHCs; yet its mediating role in these outcomes remains underexplored. This secondary analysis examined whether changes in PF mediated improvements in QoL, psychological symptoms, and functional impairment among individuals with various CHCs. Participants (n = 100) were randomized to a six-session self-guided, online ACT program or a waitlist control group. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-treatment, and four-week follow-up. Results revealed that increases in PF significantly mediated improvements in QoL, with indirect effects indicating that higher PF at post-treatment predicted better QoL at follow-up. The ACT group demonstrated significant reductions in functional impairment at follow-up compared to the waitlist group, though this effect was not mediated by changes in PF. Improvements in psychological symptoms were not statistically significant and were not mediated by PF. These findings suggest that ACT effectively enhances PF, which subsequently improves QoL in individuals with CHCs. This supports the transdiagnostic applicability of ACT for improving mental health and QoL across diverse chronic conditions. Future research should explore additional mechanisms underlying ACT’s effects and investigate ways to optimize its impact on functional and psychological outcomes within CHCs.

PMID:40668495 | DOI:10.1007/s10865-025-00585-8

Curr Med Sci. 2025 Jul 16. doi: 10.1007/s11596-025-00093-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a prediction model to assess the risk of sepsis-induced coagulopathy (SIC) in sepsis patients.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of septic patients admitted to the Intensive Care Units of Shandong Provincial Hospital (Central Campus and East Campus), and Shenxian People’s Hospital from January 2019 to September 2024. We used Kaplan-Meier analysis to assess survival outcomes. LASSO regression identified predictive variables, and logistic regression was employed to analyze risk factors for pre-SIC. A nomogram prediction model was developed via R software and evaluated via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA).

RESULTS: Among 309 patients, 236 were in the training set, and 73 were in the test set. The pre-SIC group had higher mortality (44.8% vs. 21.3%) and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) incidence (56.3% vs. 29.1%) than the non-SIC group. LASSO regression identified lactate, coagulation index, creatinine, and SIC scores as predictors of pre-SIC. The nomogram model demonstrated good calibration, with an AUC of 0.766 in the development cohort and 0.776 in the validation cohort. DCA confirmed the model’s clinical utility.

CONCLUSION: SIC is associated with increased mortality, with pre-SIC further increasing the risk of death. The nomogram-based prediction model provides a reliable tool for early SIC identification, potentially improving sepsis management and outcomes.

PMID:40668489 | DOI:10.1007/s11596-025-00093-5

Qual Life Res. 2025 Jul 16. doi: 10.1007/s11136-025-04025-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSES: Children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience persistent impacts on quality of life (QoL). While most previous studies have relied on cross-sectional designs, this prospective cohort study intended to: (1) assess longitudinal changes in patient-reported QoL over a three-year period; (2) identify distinct QoL trajectory subgroups; and (3) examine demographic, physiological, psychological, and clinical determinants associated with trajectory membership and multidimensional QoL outcomes.

METHODS: Two hundred children and adolescents with T1D from China were followed for three years in a longitudinal cohort study. QoL was measured using the Quality of Life Scale for Children and Adolescents (QLSCA) at baseline from June 2019 to May 2020, with follow-up visits at years 1, 2, and 3 thereafter. Trajectories of QoL and associations with determinants were identified via iterative estimations of group-based trajectory models and multivariable multinomial logistic regression, respectively. The specific impacts of the determinants on QoL were revealed using multiple linear regressions. Changes in QoL dimensions over time were examined using linear mixed models, while changes in determinants were analyzed using both linear mixed models and generalized estimating equations.

RESULTS: Four QoL trajectory groups were identified (N = 200): poor (19.5%), moderate (27.5%), improving (17.5%), and good (35.5%) QoL. Improved QoL was associated with higher paternal education, greater height, lower glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fewer hypoglycemic episodes, and reduced depression levels. Furthermore, the frequency of self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), Self-Management of Type 1 Diabetes for Adolescents (SMOD-A) scores, and higher parental education were positively correlated with improvements in various QoL dimensions. In contrast, higher State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-Trait (STAI-T) and Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) scores were negatively correlated with relationship between teacher and pupil, negative emotions, and other QoL aspects. Throughout the study, a significant increase in the use of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin pumps was observed, along with improvements in SMBG and self-management ability. Notably, a reduction in the monthly frequency of hypoglycemic episodes and anxiety levels was also observed. Statistically significant improvements were found across several QoL dimensions, including companionship, self-esteem, physical feeling, activity opportunity, and physical activity ability, with the most pronounced improvement seen in physical activity ability.

CONCLUSION: This study identified the dynamic trajectories of QoL changes in a cohort of children and adolescents with T1D and screened potential determinants that enhance QoL. These insights are valuable for developing tailored, individualized diabetes management strategies aimed at improving long-term outcomes for T1D patients.

PMID:40668484 | DOI:10.1007/s11136-025-04025-7

Qual Life Res. 2025 Jul 16. doi: 10.1007/s11136-025-04019-5. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40668483 | DOI:10.1007/s11136-025-04019-5