Nevin Manimala

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2025 Dec;21(1):2521188. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2025.2521188. Epub 2025 Jul 1.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to evaluate the economic burden and associated determinants of varicella cases in Qingyang City, Gansu Province, thereby informing the formulation and effectiveness evaluation of varicella prevention and control strategies. Based on socioeconomic and geographic characteristics, varicella cases reported in 2024 from Xifeng District, Heshui County, and Zhenyuan County were selected for cross-sectional surveys. The direct and indirect economic burdens were analyzed using Excel 2010 and SPSS 20.0 software. Univariate analysis (Wilcoxon/Kruskal-Wallis tests) was conducted to identify factors associated with economic burden, subsequently, binary Logistic regression was employed for multivariate analysis of significant variables. A total of 1,010 varicella cases were analyzed. Clinical characteristics revealed a mean disease duration of 10.33 ± 2.45 days and work loss time of 9.45 ± 4.38 days. Healthcare utilization included an average of 1.80 ± 1.15 medical visits and caregiver duration of 9.37 ± 2.46 days. The overall economic burden amounted to $283,428 (US), resulting in a per capita burden of $256 (IQR: $212-$345). Per capita total economic burdens for mild, moderate-severe, and hospitalized varicella cases were calculated as $172, $257 and $487, respectively (χ² = 205.730, p < .001); for cases with 0-dose, 1-dose and 2-dose varicella vaccination histories was $286, $172 and $180, respectively(χ² = 45.507, p < .001); urban versus rural case burden were identified as $277 and $287, respectively (Z = -2.316, p < .05), indicating statistically significant differences across these data sets. The direct economic burden was $95,590, and the indirect economic burden was $187,837. Factors influencing the economic burden included fever severity, the number of rashes, case type, residence type, presence of complications, and varicella vaccination history. Varicella imposes a considerable economic burden in Qingyang, with significant variations associated with vaccination status. The low coverage of varicella vaccination underscores the urgent necessity to implement targeted vaccination strategies and enhance public health education aimed at reducing disease-related costs.

PMID:40590155 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2025.2521188

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025 Jul;24(7):e70329. doi: 10.1111/jocd.70329.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cordyceps is a valuable Chinese herbal medicine known for its various components with antioxidant properties, which may theoretically improve melasma. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a new skin-lightening cosmetic containing Cordyceps extract (referred to as Cordyceps essence) in treating female patients with melasma.

METHODS: Sixty-two women with melasma were enrolled and randomly assigned to two groups for 12 weeks of treatment. Group A received oral tranexamic acid (TXA) combined with topical hydroquinone cream, while Group B received oral TXA combined with topical Cordyceps essence. Changes in the Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI), melanin index (MI), and erythema index (EI) were monitored and assessed before and after treatment. Patient-reported satisfaction and adverse events were also recorded. Additionally, a metabolomic analysis was conducted on 15 randomly selected patients from Group B.

RESULTS: After 12 weeks of treatment, intra-group comparisons revealed that MASI scores, MI, and EI significantly decreased in both Group A and B compared to baseline (p < 0.05). However, inter-group comparisons showed no statistical differences in MASI scores, MI, or EI between the two groups after treatment (p > 0.05). Adverse reactions occurred in 4 people (13.8%) in Group A and 1 person (3.3%) in Group B. Patient satisfaction with treatment was similar in both groups. The metabolomic analysis identified significant differences in 29 metabolites and 15 metabolic pathways after treatment (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that both oral TXA combined with hydroquinone cream and oral TXA combined with Cordyceps essence significantly improved melasma in women. However, the incidence of adverse reactions was lower with topical Cordyceps essence than that with hydroquinone cream. Cordyceps essence appeared to be a promising alternative for patients intolerant to hydroquinone cream. Metabolomic analysis revealed that modulation of melanogenesis-related metabolites, enhanced antioxidant activity, and improved skin barrier function collectively contributed to the clinical improvement in melasma severity. The improvement of melasma with oral TXA and topical Cordyceps essence may be closely linked to changes in endogenous differential metabolites in the skin and the regulation of amino acid metabolic pathways.

PMID:40590148 | DOI:10.1111/jocd.70329

Quintessence Int. 2025 Jul 1;0(0):1-33. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b6335983. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Various salivary cytokines are overexpressed in the saliva of Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) patients. In addition, the levels of salivary cytokines can differ according to local and systemic conditions, besides SjS itself.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the associations and correlations of caries experience, sialometry, and systemic co-morbidities with levels of the following salivary cytokines: Interleukin (IL): IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α and IL-17A among SjS patients.

METHODS: Upon ethical approval and signed informed consent, 20 women with SjS were recruited. Clinical examinations included Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth (DMFT) index measurements, sialometry, and saliva sampling. Levels of salivary cytokines: IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF-α, and IL-17A were measured by Enzyme- Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Statistical analysis was performed using the Independent-Samples Mann-Whitney U Test for the associations between the categorial parameters, and Spearman’s correlation test to analyze the correlations between continuous variables.

RESULTS: We report that Salivary cytokines are inter-correlated in a statistically significant manner (p<0.05). Age is correlated with IL-17A levels (p<0.05), and decayed teeth were cor-related with IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 (p<0.05). The liquid fraction in the unstimulated salivary flow rate significantly correlates with all salivary cytokines that were measured. Cardiac disease is correlated with IL-10 levels, and Rheumatoid Arthritis is correlated with IL-1β levels (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that local factors such as caries experience and salivary flow rates as well as systemic factors such as co-morbidities should be taken into consideration when testing the levels of salivary cytokines in SjS.

PMID:40590144 | DOI:10.3290/j.qi.b6335983

Quintessence Int. 2025 Jul 1;0(0):0. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b6336017. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study assesses the long-term effects of implants on alveolar and basal bone to determine if a patient’s sex affects dimensional changes in the jaw and evaluate whether dental implants halt the atrophy of bone when compared to no post-extraction intervention.

METHODS AND MATERIALS: IRB approval was obtained for this study. Of the 125 patients (432 sites) in the study, 53% were female. All had two CBCTs taken, an average of 4.7 years apart. The scans were divided into three groups. In the control group, the extraction site (first CBCT or T1) was not replaced when the second scan was taken (T2). Group 2 had no implant at T1 and an implant at T2. Group 3 had an implant at T1 and T2. Measurements were made from landmarks at predetermined levels (superior cortex of the IAN or the most inferior point in the nasal floor (NF) in the direction of the crest of bone height (Group C, 2, and 3). To avoid osseous changes due to placement, measurements were made from the inferior alveolar nerve for mandibular implants or the nasal floor for maxillary implants. Recognizing gender-based disparities in jaw size, we monitored percentage changes in bone.

RESULTS: Loss of alveolar bone width across all groups was common. When bivariate analysis was performed after Bonferroni correction (p<0.025), changes in alveolar bone width were significantly greater in females (p = 0.004). Although the loss in the basal bone was present, it was not significant between the sexes nor as great as alveolar bone resorption (p=0.880). When comparing groups using bivariate analysis, differences were not statistically significant between treatment groups and the control group (p=0.050) for basal bone and for alveolar bone (p=0.052). In the regression analysis for sex or groups, neither was statistically significant for either basal or alveolar bone (p >0.05).

CONCLUSION: Dental implants do not arrest post-extraction atrophy in either alveolar or basal bone. Females exhibited a statistically greater rate of alveolar bone loss. Stable long-term implant success necessitates precise placement.

PMID:40590143 | DOI:10.3290/j.qi.b6336017

Quintessence Int. 2025 Jul 1;0(0):0. doi: 10.3290/j.qi.b6335908. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Silver diamine fluoride (SDF) is increasingly recognized as a minimally invasive and effective treatment for early childhood caries (ECC). However, the dark discoloration from its application significantly limits its acceptability among parents, especially for anterior teeth. Zinc, with known antimicrobial and biofilm-modulating properties, has recently been proposed as a potential adjunct to reduce SDF-induced staining.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of zinc pretreatment in reducing SDF-induced discoloration on primary tooth carious lesions that involved dentin. This study also aimed to examine surface morphology and elemental composition changes associated with Zinc adjunct SDF treatments.

METHODS: Extracted human primary teeth were allocated into three groups: untreated control, positive control (38% SDF alone), and experimental group (20M zinc pretreatment followed by 38% SDF). Tooth color changes were assessed using grayscale intensity analysis via standardized photography at baseline, immediately post-treatment, and up to 14 days. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were employed to investigate morphological and compositional changes in both sound and naturally carious dentin areas. Statistical analyses included two-sample t-tests, linear regression, and likelihood ratio tests.

RESULTS: Teeth pretreated with zinc demonstrated less discoloration compared to the SDF-only group. Although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.125), it may have potential clinical relevance. SEM images revealed modified silver deposition patterns characterized by dispersed and less densely packed silver aggregates in zinc-pretreated groups. EDS analysis confirmed the presence of zinc, suggesting its interaction with silver deposition processes.

CONCLUSION: Zinc pretreatment effectively reduces SDF-induced discoloration in primary dentition, potentially improving aesthetic outcomes and parental acceptance. This approach represents a promising advancement in minimally invasive pediatric dental care and warrants further clinical exploration.

PMID:40590141 | DOI:10.3290/j.qi.b6335908

Hypertension. 2025 Jul 1. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.24640. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Automated blood pressure (BP) devices may be less accurate in women than men, but this requires further investigation. This study aimed to determine sex differences in automated BP, measured with a single brand and model of device, compared with manual BP, with a focus on cuff sizes and associations with measures of adiposity.

METHODS: Automated (Omron HEM-907XL) and manual BP were taken sequentially in a random order among a subsample of participants attending the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2017 to 2018. Anthropometry and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry were used to record body size and composition. Analyses, including multivariable regression to determine sex differences in BP, by cuff size, followed complex survey statistical principles.

RESULTS: A total of 3735 participants (49.0% women [95% CI, 46.4-51.6], 45 years [43-46]) were included. In women, automated systolic BP (SBP) incrementally underestimated manual SBP across larger cuffs up to extra-large (-6.4 mm Hg [-8.0 to -4.9]). In men, automated SBP underestimated manual SBP only with extra-large cuffs (-2.4 mm Hg [95% CI-3.9 to -0.9]). Underestimation by automated SBP with extra-large cuffs was independently associated with all measures of body size indicative of increased adiposity in both women and men. Hypertension classification from automated and manual SBP had moderate agreement for adult/large cuffs (weighted kappa range 0.66-0.79) but weak agreement for extra-large cuffs (0.55-0.58) for women and men.

CONCLUSIONS: The automated device used in this study underestimated manual SBP at larger cuff sizes, which was associated with indices of adiposity. Poorer accuracy of automated BP in larger cuff sizes could contribute to inequitable BP-related health care for women and men and requires further investigation.

PMID:40590130 | DOI:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.124.24640

Clin Otolaryngol. 2025 Jul 1. doi: 10.1111/coa.70005. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The effect of noise on the postural control process is of ongoing interest. This exploratory study aims to determine the effect of personal listening devices (PLD) on postural stability among adolescents and young adults.

METHODS: Participants aged between 13 and 25 with a history of PLD usage were included. The study was carried out in two parts. The first part involved determining the PLD listening level and the preferred sound level. In the second part, postural stability was assessed using the modified Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction in Balance (mCTSIB) and dynamic postural stability.

RESULTS: 64 participants were recruited with a mean age of 18.78 (SD: 3.11). The majority were female (62.5%) and of Chinese ethnicity (38.1%). The reported mean PLD listening level and preferred volume levels were 57.50 dB (SD: 6.15) and 46.48% (SD: 15.98), respectively. Male PLD users had higher listening levels and preferred volume levels. Adolescents were found to have a higher listening level than young adults. Female PLD users revealed a higher sway and postural stability index than male PLD users. Young adults were found to have a higher sway and postural stability index. Statistical significance is demonstrated between the age of PLD users and mCTSIB sway index (coef: 0.367; p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION: The current study suggests that the younger generation is susceptible to postural instability following PLD exposure. Yet, the provided data is inadequate to draw a conclusion, and future randomised controlled studies with large sample sizes are warranted.

PMID:40590127 | DOI:10.1111/coa.70005

J Agric Food Chem. 2025 Jul 1. doi: 10.1021/acs.jafc.5c02463. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Thiophenols were recently identified in wine as undesirable compounds contributing to the ashy aftertaste associated with smoke taint. These potential odorants enhanced the unpleasant sensory properties associated with smoke taint at ultratrace (ng/L) levels when present in wine with volatile phenols, but accurate quantification of volatile sulfur compounds at this concentration remains challenging. A simple, stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) method employing ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) was developed and validated for accurate quantification of six thiophenols (benzenethiol, 2-methylbenzenethiol, 3-methylbenzenethiol, 4-methylbenzenethiol, 2-methoxybenzenethiol, and methylsulfanylbenzene) using N-ethylmaleimide (NEM) as a derivatizing agent and a chemically matched deuterated analogue (d₅-benzenethiol) as the internal standard. It was shown that NEM reacted quickly with thiophenols to form stable derivatives in an unmodified wine matrix. The preparation of samples and the analytical method were optimized to achieve limits of quantification at nanogram-per-liter levels and validated in different wine matrices. The developed method was then applied to wines produced from grapes exposed to smoke (pre-veraison) during the 2019 Australian wildfires. The concentration of thiophenols ranged from below the limit of detection (LOD, <0.5 ng/L) to 445 ng/L; statistical relationships with smoke aroma and flavor were investigated.

PMID:40590110 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jafc.5c02463

Microsc Res Tech. 2025 Jul 1. doi: 10.1002/jemt.70030. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Evaluation of the effects of various nanoparticles (NPs), titanium dioxide (TiO₂), cerium dioxide (CeO₂), and copper oxide (CuO), when incorporated into universal adhesive (UA), on the micro tensile bond strength (μTBS), degree of conversion (DC), adhesive interface, and resin tag assessment. Before incorporating nanoparticles (NPs) into UA, elemental analysis was conducted on all NP types using energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The study involved 48 intact human molars, divided into four groups based on UA modification with different NPs: Group 1 (Control), Group 2 (TiO₂NPs), Group 3 (CeO₂NPs), and Group 4 (CuONPs). Samples were restored with composite and light cured. All specimens underwent 10,000 cycles of thermocycling for aging, followed by μTBS testing and failure mode evaluation using a universal testing machine and stereomicroscope. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was employed to assess the DC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was utilized to evaluate resin tag length and examine the adhesive interface. Statistical analysis involved one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukey’s post hoc test for multiple comparisons of μTBS, DC, and resin tag (p < 0.05). Group 3 (2% CeO₂NPs-UA) presented the maximum resin tag length (111.21 ± 2.81 μm) and highest μTBS (15.47 ± 0.88 MPa). However, the lowest bond integrity score (12.64 ± 0.5 MPa) and (76.29 ± 1.69 μm) was presented by Group 1 (0% NPs-UA) (12.64 ± 0.5 MPa) samples. Group 3 (2% CeO₂NPs-UA) (68.54 ± 6.77) adhesive showed DC comparable to 2% CuONPs-UA (67.58 ± 9.65) and UA-unmodified (74.33 ± 8.59) (p > 0.05). The UA enhanced with CeO₂NPs and CuONPs can be viewed as a viable option, given its improved μTBS and resin tag length as observed through SEM. Furthermore, the modification of UA using CeO₂NPs and CuONPs exhibits a DC comparable to that of the unmodified adhesive control.

PMID:40590099 | DOI:10.1002/jemt.70030

Korean J Radiol. 2025 Jul;26(7):650-659. doi: 10.3348/kjr.2025.0049.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of microwave ablation (MWA) and surgical resection (SR) for small (≤3 cm) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in older patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study initially enrolled 319 patients who were aged ≥65 years, had a single HCC ≤3 cm, and had Child-Pugh class A or B. Of these, 108 received MWA and 211 received SR. Overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), local tumor progression (LTP), complications, and postoperative hospital stay were compared between the groups. Hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated using the SR group as reference. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to minimize confounding biases.

RESULTS: After PSM, 80 patients each were included in the MWA and SR groups. There were no statistically significant differences in the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates (MWA: 96.2%, 80.3%, and 55.4%, respectively; SR: 91.3%, 81.4%, and 64.8%, respectively; HR = 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-1.85; P = 0.839) and DFS rates (MWA: 72.4%, 43.2%, and 26.4%, respectively; SR: 78.8%, 51.2%, and 38.0%, respectively; HR = 1.27; 95% CI, 0.84-1.90; P = 0.247) between the MWA and SR groups. MWA was associated with a higher LTP rate (HR = 2.96; 95% CI, 1.21-7.28; P = 0.028). Additionally, older patients in the MWA group had fewer complications (52.5% vs. 97.5%, P < 0.001) and shorter postoperative hospital stay (3 days vs. 6 days, P < 0.001) than those in the SR group.

CONCLUSION: In older patients with a single HCC ≤3 cm, MWA was superior to SR in terms of complications and postoperative hospital stay, and there was no significant difference in the 5-year OS and DFS outcomes. Therefore, MWA may be an alternative curative treatment for such patients.

PMID:40590077 | DOI:10.3348/kjr.2025.0049