Tag: nevin manimala

Curr Environ Health Rep. 2025 Apr 21;12(1):19. doi: 10.1007/s40572-024-00469-0.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Studies examining the effects of social factors on the epigenome have proliferated over the last two decades. Social epigenetics research to date has broadly demonstrated that social factors spanning childhood adversity, to neighborhood disadvantage, educational attainment, and economic instability are associated with alterations to DNA methylation that may have a functional impact on health. These relationships are particularly relevant to brain-based health outcomes such as psychiatric disorders, which are strongly influenced by social exposures and are also the leading cause of disability worldwide. However, social epigenetics studies are limited by the many challenges faced by both epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS) and the study of social factors.

FINDINGS: In this manuscript, we provide a framework to achieve greater rigor and reproducibility in social epigenetics research. We discuss current limitations of the social epigenetics field, as well as existing and new solutions to improve rigor and reproducibility. Readers will gain a better understanding of the current considerations and processes that could maximize rigor when conducting social epigenetics research, as well as the technologies and approaches that merit attention and investment to propel continued discovery into the future.

PMID:40254641 | DOI:10.1007/s40572-024-00469-0

Nat Commun. 2025 Apr 20;16(1):3737. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-58875-3.

ABSTRACT

Breast and cervical cancers are important causes of disability and premature death among women in Sub-Saharan Africa. Previous research has linked girls’ education to cancer service access. Here, we examine the causal effect of girls’ educational attainment on cancer screening practices by means of a natural experiment in Lesotho. In particular, we exploit variation in educational attainment among women that was introduced by an educational policy (a school-entry age cut-off). Data on awareness towards breast cancer, knowledge of Pap smear, breast self-exam, breast clinical exam, and having received a Pap smear is extracted from the Lesotho Demographic and Health Surveys 2009-10 and 2014 (N = 7971). Each additional year of schooling caused by the education policy increases awareness of breast cancer by 4.7 percentage points (p = 0.014, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.0, 8.5), awareness of Pap smear by 5.9 percentage points (p = 0.001, 95% CI: 2.3, 9.5), and engagement in Pap smear by 3.5 percentage points (p = 0.004, 95% CI: 1.1, 5.8). We found no statistically significant effects on breast self-exam and breast clinical exam.

PMID:40254639 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-025-58875-3

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 20;15(1):13644. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-97703-y.

ABSTRACT

Susceptibility of bats to white-nose syndrome (WNS), a lethal disease caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd), may be influenced by the amount of activity outside hibernacula during the winter. We tested the effects of hibernaculum type (aboveground or subterranean) and Pd status (positive or negative) on winter activity of tricolored bats (Perimyotis subflavus) in the southeastern USA along with the effects of ambient temperature, precipitation, and stage of hibernation. We placed acoustic detectors at the entrances of 13 hibernacula (4 aboveground and Pd-positive, 4 aboveground and Pd-negative, 4 subterranean and Pd-positive, and 1 subterranean and Pd-negative) during winter 2020-21 and 2021-22. While neither hibernaculum type nor Pd status alone predicted probability of activity or levels of activity, these factors interacted with temperature, precipitation, and stage of the hibernation period. Activity increased at a greater rate with temperature and time since the onset of hibernation in aboveground and Pd-negative sites and decreased at a faster rate in response to precipitation. Our results suggest that tricolored bats using aboveground hibernacula such as culverts or bridges may be less susceptible to WNS due to greater nighttime activity. However, use of these structures may have other costs such as higher freezing and predation risks.

PMID:40254625 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-97703-y

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 21;15(1):13654. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-96670-8.

ABSTRACT

Although COVID-19 is no longer a global public health threat, its consequences persist, with long COVID affecting at least 10% of patients and manifesting in various organ systems. National and international health agencies promoted vaccination to enhance population immunity, prioritizing healthcare personnel due to their high occupational risk. In a previous study, we found that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among dental teams in Germany was not higher than in the general population. This follow-up investigation aims to assess the vaccination status and the prevalence and severity of long COVID symptoms among dental teams in Germany. As part of a follow-up investigation involving the original cohort, 267 team members from 186 German dental practices previously included in the initial study completed an online questionnaire. The questionnaire covered three topics: (1) vaccination status, (2) confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis, and (3) self-reported long COVID symptoms. One hundred and seventy-two dentists (64.4%), 74 dental assistants (27.7%) and 21 dental hygienists (7.9%) completed the questionnaire. In total, 245 participants (91.8%) were at least once vaccinated. A COVID-19 infection after January 1st 2021 was reported by 146 (54.7%) participants, of which 33 participants (22.6%) suffered from long COVID symptoms. Our results showed lower vaccination rates among dental auxiliary personnel compared to dentists (95.9% vs. 84.2%). Individuals with long COVID symptoms were more often dental assistants (48.5% vs. 29.2%) or dental hygienists (15.2% vs. 8.0%) than dentists (36.4% vs. 62.8%) compared to the group not reporting long COVID symptoms (p = 0.025). In addition, it is unlikely that dental healthcare personnel are more prone to experiencing more severe symptoms compared to the general population. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is likely to help against symptoms of long COVID.

PMID:40254623 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-96670-8

Sci Rep. 2025 Apr 20;15(1):13627. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-97025-z.

ABSTRACT

Sickness absence (SA) changed in various occupations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim was to investigate the prevalence of all-cause sickness absence (SA) during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to in the preceding years, as well as factors associated with all-cause SA and SA due to COVID-19 and COVID-like diagnoses during the COVID-19 pandemic among blue-collar workers in the retail and wholesale industry. A population-based longitudinal cohort study using microdata linked from nationwide registers in Sweden. All 297 378 blue-collar employees aged 18-67 years in wholesale and retail in 2019 were followed during 2016-2021 regarding SA in spells > 14 days. Yearly prevalence rates were calculated for all-cause SA in sociodemographic and occupational groups. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all-cause SA and SA due to COVID-19 or COVID-like diagnoses in 2020 and 2021. The annual prevalences of SA were 7.5-8% in 2016-2018, 10% in 2020, and 9% in 2021. The prevalence of SA due to COVID-19 or COVID-like diagnoses was 2.1% in 2020 and 1.6% in 2021. The OR was higher in the older age groups (OR age 55-64 = 2.38, 95% CI 2.20-2.57 compared to age 25-34). There were few significant occupational differences, however, warehouse and terminal staff had a higher OR (1.37, 1.27-1.48) than sales assistants, daily goods. While SA rates increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, the distribution of SA between sociodemographic or occupational groups did not change markedly. The distribution of SA due to COVID-19 and COVID-like diagnoses was similar to all-cause SA.

PMID:40254621 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-97025-z

BMC Urol. 2025 Apr 21;25(1):96. doi: 10.1186/s12894-025-01781-z.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Nephrectomy for inflammatory renal conditions (IRCs) presents comparable challenges irrespective of the surgical approach. This meta-analysis evaluates whether laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) is safer than open nephrectomy (ON) for managing IRCs, including xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis (XGP), pyonephrosis, and renal tuberculosis.

METHODS: Following PRISMA/Cochrane guidelines, we systematically reviewed studies comparing LN and ON in adults with IRCs. Inclusion required direct LN vs. ON comparisons and perioperative outcomes. Exclusions included pediatric cohorts and studies conflating converted LN cases with ON groups.

RESULTS: From 16 identified studies, 13 met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 868 patients undergoing nephrectomy for IRCs. Of these, 398 (45.9%) underwent ON, and 470 (54.1%) underwent LN. Compared to ON, LN demonstrated a statistically significant (28%) reduction in overall-complications (RR = 0.72, 95% CI [0.6-0.86]; p = 0.0004; low-heterogeneity) and non-significant reduction in high-grade complications (RR = 0.65, 95% CI [0.4-1.06]; p = 0.09; low-heterogeneity), with moderate certainty of evidence. LN was also associated with 53% fewer blood transfusions (post-sensitivity analysis (RR = 0.47, p < 0.0001; low certainty), significant blood loss reduction in XGP-patients (after subgroup analyses MD = -130.8 mL; 95% CI [-203.35 to -58.21]; low certainty), and shorter hospital stays (PMD = -3.04 days; p < 0.00001; very low certainty), albeit with longer operative times (PMD = + 39.05 min; p = 0.03; very low certainty).

CONCLUSION: LN is a safer alternative to ON for IRCs, offering fewer complications, shorter hospitalization, and reduced transfusions despite prolonged operative times. Surgeon expertise and patient-specific selection are critical to optimizing outcomes.

PMID:40254599 | DOI:10.1186/s12894-025-01781-z

BMC Oral Health. 2025 Apr 20;25(1):605. doi: 10.1186/s12903-025-05939-x.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: More time is often needed for adult orthodontic patients compared with juvenile counterparts due to lower tissue vitality. In some cases, the prolonged orthodontic treatment may cause a series of problems, such as enamel demineralization, dental caries, periodontitis and root resorption. Therefore, we aimed to accelerate tooth movement to avoid various adverse reactions by 3D-printing assisted micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) in difficult orthodontics cases.

METHODS: Twenty-eight adult patients (28.3 ± 3.4 years) with slow tooth movement after extraction of bilateral maxillary first premolars were included. The scheme of 3D-printing assisted MOPs was designed to perform bone punctures in the mesial and distal sides of canines.

RESULTS: The average speed of the retraction of canines was 1.02 ± 0.41 mm per month after MOPs and significantly faster than that before the MOPs, 0.34 ± 0.16 mm per month (P < 0.05). Moreover, the evaluation of side effects including root resorption, periodontal damage did not reach statistical difference and pain level was acceptable generally.

CONCLUSION: MOPs assisted by 3D-printing could significantly accelerate tooth movement while achieving greater precision, without notably increasing side effects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2100044685, date of registration: 25/03/2021.

PMID:40254596 | DOI:10.1186/s12903-025-05939-x

BMC Emerg Med. 2025 Apr 20;25(1):69. doi: 10.1186/s12873-025-01191-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Cancer-related emergencies are a significant challenge for healthcare systems globally, including Jordan. Effective triage is critical in ensuring timely and accurate prioritization of care, especially for surgical cancer patients requiring urgent intervention. However, under-triage-misclassification of high-acuity patients into lower urgency categories-can lead to significant delays and worsened outcomes. Despite the recognized importance of accurate triage, limited research has evaluated its impact on cancer patients in Jordan, particularly those requiring surgical care.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the timeliness and prioritization of care for cancer patients admitted through the emergency department (ED) in Jordan. The specific objectives were to examine the association between under-triage and treatment delays and assess its impact on key outcomes, including time to physician assessment, time to treatment, and hospital length of stay.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort design was used to analyze data from 481 cancer patients admitted through the ED in four governmental hospitals across Jordan. Two cohorts were established: surgical cancer patients requiring emergency interventions and non-surgical cancer patients presenting with other oncological emergencies. Triage accuracy was assessed using the Canadian Triage and Acuity Scale (CTAS), and under-triage was identified when patients requiring high urgency care (CTAS I-III) were misclassified into lower urgency categories (CTAS IV-V). Data were collected from electronic health records and analyzed using multiple linear regression to evaluate the association between under-triage and treatment outcomes.

RESULTS: The majority of patients were elderly, with a mean age of 62.6 years (± 10.7), and a significant proportion presented with advanced-stage cancer (83.4% in stages III and IV). Surgical patients frequently exhibited severe symptoms such as acute pain (51.6%) and respiratory discomfort (41.1%). Under-triage rates were 44.1% for surgical patients and 39.4% for non-surgical patients. Among surgical patients, under-triage significantly delayed time to physician assessment (β = 34.9 min, p < 0.001) and time to treatment (β = 68.0 min, p < 0.001). For non-surgical patients, under-triage delays were even greater, with prolonged physician assessment times (β = 48.6 min, p < 0.001) and ED length of stay (β = 7.3 h, p < 0.001). Both cohorts experienced significant increases in hospital length of stay (surgical: β = 3.2 days, p = 0.008; non-surgical: β = 3.2 days, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Under-triage in Jordanian EDs is strongly associated with significant delays in care for both surgical and non-surgical cancer patients, highlighting systemic gaps in acuity recognition and triage processes. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to improve triage accuracy, particularly through oncology-specific training and the integration of evidence-based tools like SIRS criteria. Enhancing ED processes for cancer patients is crucial to reducing delays, optimizing resource allocation, and improving clinical outcomes in this vulnerable population.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

PMID:40254595 | DOI:10.1186/s12873-025-01191-2

Rehabilitacion (Madr). 2025 Apr 19;59(2):100907. doi: 10.1016/j.rh.2025.100907. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Virtual reality (VR) is emerging technologies in the field of rehabilitation of post-stroke patients. The aim of this study was to systematically explore the effects of VR rehabilitation program on functional capacity of stroke patients. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. The searches were carried out in the PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, PEDro and OTSeeker to October 2024. Methodological quality was assessed using the Downs and Black scale and the Version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (RoB 2) was used to assess risk of bias. A total of 4 studies met the inclusion criteria. The type of VR intervention varied among studies using Wii Fit, ARMEO Spring 1.1, Rehabilitation Gaming System and ArmAble™. The meta-analysis indicated that the VR group showed statistically significant improvement in functional ability versus control group. The methodological quality mean was moderate quality level. VR interventions seem to be a promising therapeutic system for functional capacity rehabilitation in people with post-stroke.

PMID:40253724 | DOI:10.1016/j.rh.2025.100907

J Community Health Nurs. 2025 Apr 20:1-18. doi: 10.1080/07370016.2025.2487702. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To understand the impact of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) on quality of life (QOL) in a Midwestern community sample.

DESIGN: Anonymous online cross-sectional community survey.

METHODS: Survey responses collected July 2023-October 2024 were examined from 1,564 individuals reporting prior COVID-19 positive test or diagnosis. Logistic regressions and sensitivity analyses using subset of data were conducted to identify symptoms significantly associated with perceived Current QOL (determined by “Taking everything in your life into account, please rate your current overall QOL”) and Deteriorated QOL (i.e., Current QOL rated lower than QOL prior to SARS CoV-2 infection).

FINDINGS: Current QOL was predicted by pre-infection QOL and more frequent experiences of work/school difficulties, challenges with shopping/cleaning/driving/meal-prep, anxiety, depression, fatigue/tiredness, light headedness/fainting/rapid heartbeat episodes, and diminished activity/exercise tolerance (C-statistic = 0.84). Compared to the full dataset’s primary analyses, sensitivity analysis revealed all identified predictors except three physical symptoms remained significant Current QOL predictors. Deteriorated QOL after SARS-CoV-2 infection was predicted by pre-infection QOL, and more frequent experiences of work/school difficulties, diminished activity/exercise tolerance, anxiety, depression, trouble completing daily activities, fatigue/tiredness, and slow mental processing (C-statistic = 0.85). In contrast, sensitivity analysis revealed frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infection, pre-infection QOL, and more frequent challenges with shopping/cleaning/driving/meal-prep were the only significant predictors of Deteriorated QOL.

CONCLUSIONS: PASC negatively impacted QOL. Pre-infection QOL may influence perceived post-infection QOL.

CLINICAL EVIDENCE: Results make a compelling case for community nurses to identify PASC, rule-out underlying medical causes, and refer patients for interdisciplinary post-COVID rehabilitation to improve health outcomes and QOL.

PMID:40253714 | DOI:10.1080/07370016.2025.2487702