Tag: nevin manimala

Dialogues Health. 2026 Apr 21;8:100305. doi: 10.1016/j.dialog.2026.100305. eCollection 2026 Jun.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate oral and dental health status, hygiene practices, and access to dental care among adults living in Gaza, Khan Younis, and the central governorates of Palestine.

METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2025 among 39 adults aged ≥18 years residing in the study regions. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire (14 closed-ended and 4 open-ended questions) addressing oral hygiene habits, healthcare access, living conditions, and perceptions of dental services. The survey was administered via Google Forms. Descriptive statistics were used, and categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages.

RESULTS: The study included 39 participants (48.7% women, 51.3% men). None reported adequate access to nutritious food. A high proportion (89.7%) experienced toothache within the last two years. The most common response was self-management with analgesics (71.6%), while other strategies included visiting a health facility (28.6%), tooth extraction (28.6%), and use of traditional remedies (28.6%). A small proportion (5.7%) reported taking no action. Only 46.2% had visited a dentist in the last two years. Open-ended responses highlighted key challenges, including lack of hygiene supplies (25.6%), limited access to dental services (20.5%), financial constraints (5.1%), poor nutrition (5.1%), and ongoing oral health problems (5.1%).

CONCLUSION: Findings indicate a substantial burden of untreated oral conditions and limited access to dental care in a conflict-affected population. Oral health needs should be integrated into humanitarian health responses to ensure access to preventive and essential dental services.

PMID:42100760 | PMC:PMC13146592 | DOI:10.1016/j.dialog.2026.100305

Health Sci Rep. 2026 May 5;9:e72487. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.72487. eCollection 2026 May.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The first 28 days of life, the neonatal period, represent a phase of heightened vulnerability for infant survival globally. Despite advancements in medical interventions and increased healthcare access, a substantial number of newborns continue to succumb to preventable causes annually. This study aimed to ascertain the time to death and its associated factors among neonates admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital, Ethiopia.

METHODS: A retrospective follow-up design was employed, encompassing 385 neonates admitted to the NICU of Tibebe Ghion Specialized Hospital between September 11, 2022 and September 5, 2023. Data were extracted from patient records using a standardized checklist. The outcome was time to death, with surviving neonates considered censored. Data were analyzed using STATA version 17. Kaplan-Meier survival curves analyses were used to estimate the probability of death over time. A Cox proportional hazards model was utilized to identify independent predictors of neonatal mortality. Variables with a p value < 0.05 in the multivariable Cox regression were deemed statistically significant at a 95% confidence interval.

RESULTS: Among the 385 neonates, 12.73% experienced mortality, yielding an incidence rate of 43.80 deaths per 1000 neonatal days (95% CI: 0.03-0.06). The median time to death for neonates was 7 days (95% CI: 6.00, 8.00). After multivariable adjustment, respiratory distress syndrome (Adjusted Hazard Ratio [AHR]: 3.00; 95% CI: 1.27-7.75), congenital anomalies (AHR: 2.90; 95% CI: 1.42-5.91), very low birth weight (AHR: 2.50; 95% CI: 1.18-5.28), and gestational diabetes mellitus (AHR: 4.00; 95% CI: 1.76-9.67) were identified as significant independent predictors of neonatal death.

CONCLUSION: The incidence of neonatal mortality observed in this setting was notable. Respiratory distress syndrome, congenital anomalies, very low birth weight, and gestational diabetes mellitus were found to be independently associated with an increased risk of neonatal death.

PMID:42100758 | PMC:PMC13144749 | DOI:10.1002/hsr2.72487

Health Sci Rep. 2026 May 5;9:e72493. doi: 10.1002/hsr2.72493. eCollection 2026 May.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Traditional fish smoking in Abuesi, Ghana, exposes workers, primarily women, to significant health risks due to prolonged smoke inhalation. This study evaluates the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) concerning safe smoking methods. It examines the prevalence of eye conditions among these fish smokers to assess their awareness of health risks and document the impact of extended exposure to smoke.

METHODS: A cross-sectional design was employed involving 320 fish smokers from Abuesi. Data collection was conducted through structured interviews and detailed eye examinations. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests and logistic regression models, were used to explore relationships between exposure duration and health outcomes.

RESULTS: Most participants were women, mostly between the ages of 30 and 65. While nearly 90% were aware of the health risks linked to smoke exposure, fewer than 30% followed recommended safety practices, which shows a significant gap between what they knew and what they did. Many self-reported health concerns, including mild vision problems (about 22%), moderate impairments (just under 2%), and even cases of blindness (around 3%) were reported. Other frequently mentioned symptoms included breathing difficulties (66%), persistent headaches (58%), and eye irritation (49%). Importantly, the analysis showed that participants with greater awareness were 21% more likely to take safety precautions and 13% less likely to suffer from eye conditions, suggesting that knowledge does have a protective effect when it is acted upon.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights a critical disparity between knowledge and the implementation of safety measures among fish smokers in Abuesi. The results underscore the need for targeted educational programs and intervention strategies to reduce health risks among traditional fish smokers.

PMID:42100753 | PMC:PMC13144757 | DOI:10.1002/hsr2.72493

iScience. 2026 Apr 15;29(5):115753. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2026.115753. eCollection 2026 May 15.

ABSTRACT

Ayahuasca refers to an entheogenic brew and its main vine, Banisteriopsis caapi, whose high morphological diversity underlies traditional folk classifications. This study evaluated whether machine learning algorithms can recover folk classifications using images of dried leaves. We analyzed 47 vine plants, mainly B. caapi folk types and Diplopterys cabrerana as an outgroup, using adaxial and abaxial leaf image features related to color, shape, texture, and filters. All evaluated algorithms showed statistically similar performance; however, support vector machine (SVM) achieved the highest accuracy, reaching 70% overall and over 90% for the folk types Hybrid and Arara, and the related outgroup species D. cabrerana. Lower accuracy in Cabi and Quebrador reflects morphological overlap. Confusion matrix and similarity network analyses showed only partial agreement with previous ethnobotanical classifications. Focusing on subtle variation within a single species, this study demonstrates that integrating traditional knowledge with machine learning enables automated validation of folk taxonomies.

PMID:42100741 | PMC:PMC13145879 | DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2026.115753

Geohealth. 2026 May 6;10:e2025GH001501. doi: 10.1029/2025GH001501. eCollection 2026 May.

ABSTRACT

Extreme heat has been associated with adverse health outcomes, yet its impact on asthma exacerbations remains understudied. This is, in part, due to data limitations: research that relies on weather station records and aggregated health statistics cannot resolve fine-scale differences in heat impacts. This study investigates the association between heat wave definitions and summertime asthma-related emergency department visits in Baltimore, Maryland from 2016 to 2022, including 819 adult and 695 pediatric exacerbations. Using geocoded electronic health records and air temperature measurements at several spatial resolutions, we applied a case-crossover design with conditional logistic regressions at the census block group and tract levels. We found strong associations between asthma exacerbations and nighttime heat wave definitions based on relative thresholds of minimum temperatures when census block group or tract level temperature estimates were used. These relationships were significant for both age groups and showed elevated risks in socially vulnerable areas. In contrast, heat wave definitions derived from the city’s primary National Weather Service synoptic weather station show associations between asthma and daytime heat extremes, suggesting that the character of the heat hazard depends on the scale at which it is defined. The extreme heat event definition used by Baltimore City’s Code Red system showed no significant association with exacerbations. These findings highlight the importance of data resolution in shaping health inferences related to extreme heat in urban environments. Further, this study demonstrates that, regardless of spatial scale, extreme heat is associated with asthma exacerbations in both age groups.

PMID:42100719 | PMC:PMC13147955 | DOI:10.1029/2025GH001501

Front Microbiol. 2026 Apr 22;17:1815688. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1815688. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcus species, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, are leading opportunistic pathogens responsible for a wide range of infections, with antimicrobial resistance-including high rates of macrolide resistance-severely limiting treatment options. The msrA gene encodes the ABC-F protein MsrA, which mediates inducible resistance to 14-membered macrolides and type B streptogramins. Despite its clinical and epidemiological relevance, the evolutionary forces, selective pressures, and transmission routes shaping msrA in staphylococci remain insufficiently understood.

METHODS: Six hundred and one complete staphylococcal msrA coding sequences (CDSs) were retrieved from GenBank. Evolutionary analyses of msrA included nucleotide diversity (π), selection metrics (d_N-d_S , π_a/π_s, Tajima’s D, Fu’s Fs, FUBAR, MEME, and aBSREL), and conservation mapping using DnaSP in relation to MsrA functional domains (UniProt P23212). Linkage disequilibrium (LD) was assessed using ZnS, Za, ZZ, and Wall’s statistics. Recombination and transmission pathways were inferred using GARD, RDP4-embedded algorithms, SplitsTree network analysis, and the PHI test.

RESULTS: Forty-one msrA allelic variants were determined, with five predominant alleles accounting for approximately 90% of CDSs; allele 19 was almost exclusive to S. aureus. Nucleotide diversity was moderate (π ≈ 0.039-0.042), and strong purifying selection predominated (π_a/π_s ≈ 0.169; d_N-d_S = -0.138 ± 0.016; strongly negative Fu’s Fs), with only four codons showing evidence of episodic positive selection. Three highly conserved regions were identified, mainly overlapping the inter-domain linker and the second nucleotide-binding domain across MsrA. Moderate-to-high LD with minimal decay indicated the persistence of only a limited number of successful allelic variants. Predominant msrA alleles were largely plasmid-associated. Recombination analyses revealed frequent interspecies transfer within Staphylococcus, with S. aureus acting as a central donor to Staphylococcus chromogenes and Staphylococcus saprophyticus, as well as rare intergeneric transfers involving Citrobacter, Enterococcus, Corynebacterium, and Pseudomonas.

CONCLUSION: These findings support a dual evolutionary strategy for msrA: strong purifying selection preserves its essential ribosomal-protection function, while plasmid-mediated dissemination promotes the spread of fit alleles. S. aureus appears to be a key reservoir and vector, facilitating both interspecies and intergeneric transmission. Clinically, this underscores the need for surveillance of plasmid-borne msrA and targeted control of S. aureus reservoirs to limit resistance to macrolides and type B streptogramins.

PMID:42100691 | PMC:PMC13144154 | DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2026.1815688

Front Microbiol. 2026 Apr 22;17:1784126. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1784126. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

This study dealt with developing a Raman spectroscopic method for estimating the degree of virulence of Streptococcus mutans bacteria isolated from clinical swab samples. Raman experiments aimed at establishing suitable spectroscopic parameters to quantify bacterial virulence and were conducted on a limited series of six clinical isolates three of which were genomically classified as Cnm-positive and three as Cnm-negative. Samples were characterized after biofilm purification and compared with cultures of the same bacteria in physiological state of equilibrium, namely, after long-term stabilization in vitro. Statistically significant series of ten Raman spectra were collected at different locations on each clinical sample, and their averages interpreted as multiomic snapshots of bacterial structure. Building upon the spectroscopic analyses described in the companion paper Part I, Raman characterizations of clinical isolates revealed a significant degree of variability in the bacterial structure, but also suggested clear classification criteria for clinical samples. These spectroscopic criteria reflected specific biochemical circumstances affecting the structure of bacteria in their pathophysiological state. Raman algorithms based on the fractional balance between proteins and peptidoglycans, and the degree of protein structural disorder vs. presence of oxysulfur compounds enabled insightful classifications of bacterial virulence, which matched genomic analyses. These structural characteristics, which allowed distinguishing between Cnm-positive and Cnm-negative bacteria, could provide fast and unbiased diagnostic criteria for risk assessments of endocarditis and hemorrhagic strokes as induced by Cnm-positive bacteria. In summary, the present study proposes a new spectroscopic approach to oral flora-related diagnostics and confirms the potential utility of Raman spectroscopy in chairside analyses of clinical isolates.

PMID:42100687 | PMC:PMC13148223 | DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2026.1784126

Stat Anal Data Min. 2025 Aug;18(4):e70026. doi: 10.1002/sam.70026. Epub 2025 Jul 2.

ABSTRACT

Atrial fibrillation (AF), a cardiac arrhythmia characterized by an abnormal and rapid heartbeat, has the potential to develop into stroke, heart failure, and, ultimately, mortality. The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a pivotal tool in the diagnosis of AF, offering a quick, cost-effective, and non-invasive mean to record the heart’s electrical activity. Recent studies are increasingly engaged in the implementation of deep learning techniques for ECG feature extraction for AF prediction. In addition, the application of Mendelian randomization (MR) methodologies has been investigated to identify causal associations between genetically imputed pre-defined ECG characteristics and cardiovascular diseases, such as AF. DeepFEIVR, a non-linear extension of the classical instrumental variable (IV) regression model, was designed with the objective of extracting disease-associated causal features from high-dimensional data, such as neuroimaging data. In this article, we applied DeepFEIVR as well as its variant (with residual inclusion), DeepFEIVR-RI, to the large UK Biobank dataset. The application of DeepFEIVR and DeepFEIVR-RI showed that the genetic components in ECGs could contribute to the development of AF statistically significantly (p values < 10^-8). Another contribution of this article is an extension to both DeepFEIVR and DeepFEIVR-RI to accommodate a large number of IVs. A comparison of results from DeepFEIVR and DeepFEIVR-RI, based on various choices of IVs, was conducted. Furthermore, we applied a recent algorithm called dnn-loc, enabling a visual examination on specific ECG components as extracted causal features for AF, thus advancing the understanding of the etiology of AF.

PMID:42100677 | PMC:PMC13148375 | DOI:10.1002/sam.70026

J Parasitol Res. 2026 May 6;2026:6617259. doi: 10.1155/japr/6617259. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Schistosomiasis, a parasitic waterborne infection, remains a major public health challenge in disadvantaged regions, with schoolchildren (5-14 years) at high risk due to frequent water exposure. The study is aimed at assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to schistosomiasis among school-aged children in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) and examining how sociodemographic and environmental factors influence KAP outcomes.

METHODS: A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 759 schoolchildren aged 5-14 years, enrolled in Grades 0-7. Data were collected using a structured, closed-ended, interview-administered questionnaire, which included sections on sociodemographic characteristics, clinical history, and KAP related to schistosomiasis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate associations and describe the data using R software (Version 4.3.1).

RESULTS: Only 11% participants were aware of schistosomiasis, mainly learning from school (62%) or home (35%). Key environmental factors included urinating in rivers (44%), living near water bodies (21.1%), and swimming (11.3%). Knowledge and attitude scores showed a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.33; p < 0.001). Gender and grade level significantly influenced KAP scores, with males and older children (Grades 4-7) exhibiting better knowledge (p = 0.015), attitudes (p = 0.023), and practices (p = 0.001). Females had lower knowledge scores (β = -0.15; p = 0.018), while older children displayed fewer positive attitudes (β = 0.07; p = 0.038) and poorer practices (β = 0.11; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Significant gaps in knowledge, poor attitudes, and inadequate hygiene practices highlight the need for targeted education and community-based strategies to improve KAP and reduce schistosomiasis risk in NMB schoolchildren.

PMID:42100674 | PMC:PMC13147206 | DOI:10.1155/japr/6617259

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2026 Apr 22;16:1779186. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2026.1779186. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Co-infection with Aspergillus and Mucorales in the intensive care unit (ICU) represents a devastating syndrome with high mortality that is frequently clinically occult. Clinically distinguishing this co-infection from invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is challenging but critical for tailoring precise antifungal strategies.

METHODS: We conducted a single-center, retrospective observational study involving 93 critically ill patients (75 with Aspergillus infection and 18 with co-infection) admitted between 2017 and 2025. We compared clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers, and immunophenotypes between groups. A three-stage variable selection strategy integrating univariable regression pre-screening, multi-algorithm importance ranking (LASSO, Ridge, and Random Forest), and clinical applicability filtering was employed to identify predictors for a multivariable logistic regression nomogram.

RESULTS: The co-infection group exhibited substantially higher ICU mortality than the sole Aspergillus group, although the difference did not reach statistical significance (72.2% vs. 53.3%, p = 0.24).Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrated that initiation of amphotericin B within <7 days of diagnosis or strong clinical suspicion was significantly associated with improved survival (log-rank p < 0.0001). A three-stage variable selection strategy integrating univariable regression, multi-algorithm importance ranking (LASSO, Ridge, and Random Forest), and clinical applicability filtering identified four key predictors. The resulting multivariable logistic regression nomogram – incorporating NK cell count, C-reactive protein, corticosteroid use history, and Gram-positive bacterial co-infection – demonstrated robust discrimination (AUC = 0.878, 95% CI: 0.789-0.967), with good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow p = 0.849) and stability on internal validation (cross-validated AUC = 0.860).

CONCLUSION: Aspergillus and Mucorales co-infection constitutes a distinct, high-mortality clinical entity in the ICU. The developed nomogram, integrating clinical, immunological, and inflammatory features, may facilitate the early identification of high-risk patients and guide timely initiation of Mucorales-active therapy to improve prognosis.

PMID:42100654 | PMC:PMC13144045 | DOI:10.3389/fcimb.2026.1779186