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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Enumeration Approach to Atom-to-Atom Mapping Accelerated by Ising Computing

J Chem Inf Model. 2025 Feb 2. doi: 10.1021/acs.jcim.4c01871. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Chemical reactions are regarded as transformations of chemical structures, and the question of which atoms in the reactants correspond to which atoms in the products has attracted chemists for a long time. Atom-to-atom mapping (AAM) is a procedure that establishes such correspondence(s) between the atoms of reactants and products in a chemical reaction. Currently, automatic AAM tools play a pivotal role in various chemoinformatics tasks. However, achieving accurate automatic AAM for complex or unknown reactions within a reasonable computation time remains a significant challenge due to the combinatorial nature of the problem and the difficulty in applying appropriate reaction rules. In this study, we propose a rule-free AAM algorithm, which enumerates all atom-to-atom correspondences that minimize the number of bond cleavages and formations during the reaction. To reduce the computational burden associated with the combinatorial optimization (i.e., minimizing bond changes), we introduce Ising computing, a computing paradigm that has gained significant attention for its efficiency in solving hard combinatorial optimization problems. We found that our Ising computing framework outperforms conventional combinatorial optimization algorithms in terms of computation times, making it feasible to solve the AAM problem without reaction rules in an acceptable time. Furthermore, our AAM algorithm successfully found the correct AAM solution for all problems in a benchmark data set. In contrast, conventional AAM algorithms based on chemical heuristics failed for several problems. Specifically, these algorithms either failed to find the optimal solution in terms of bond changes, or they identified only one optimal solution, which was incorrect when multiple optimal solutions exist. These results emphasize the importance of enumerating all optimal correspondences that minimize bond changes, which is effectively achieved by our Ising-computing framework.

PMID:39893651 | DOI:10.1021/acs.jcim.4c01871

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

A single-cell and spatial wheat root atlas with cross-species annotations delineates conserved tissue-specific marker genes and regulators

Cell Rep. 2025 Feb 1;44(2):115240. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115240. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Despite the broad use of single-cell/nucleus RNA sequencing in plant research, accurate cluster annotation in less-studied plant species remains a major challenge due to the lack of validated marker genes. Here, we generated a single-cell RNA sequencing atlas of soil-grown wheat roots and annotated cluster identities by transferring annotations from publicly available datasets in wheat, rice, maize, and Arabidopsis. The predictions from our orthology-based annotation approach were next validated using untargeted spatial transcriptomics. These results allowed us to predict evolutionarily conserved tissue-specific markers and generate cell type-specific gene regulatory networks for root tissues of wheat and the other species used in our analysis. In summary, we generated a single-cell and spatial transcriptomics resource for wheat root apical meristems, including numerous known and uncharacterized cell type-specific marker genes and developmental regulators. These data and analyses will facilitate future cell type annotation in non-model plant species.

PMID:39893633 | DOI:10.1016/j.celrep.2025.115240

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Exploring the mediating role of the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) in the association between obesity and sleep-disordered breathing

Eat Weight Disord. 2025 Feb 2;30(1):11. doi: 10.1007/s40519-025-01717-4.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Exploring novel mediators affecting the relationship between obesity and sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) is necessary. This study aimed to explore the mediating role of the non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) in the association between body mass index (BMI) and SDB using data from the 2015-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles.

METHODS: Total 7639 participants were included. SDB was defined based on the self-reported frequency of snoring, snorting, or excessive daytime sleepiness. The BMI and NHHR were calculated based on height and weight measurements and laboratory data, respectively. Weighted multivariate logistic and linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the associations, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was used to assess dose-response relationships. Mediation analysis was performed to evaluate the NHHR’s role in the BMI-SDB association. Subgroup analyses were performed to assess differences across various populations.

RESULTS: SDB symptoms were observed in 51.05% of participants. Higher BMI was significantly associated with increased SDB risk. RCS analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between BMI and SDB. Subgroup analyses indicated a positive correlation between BMI and SDB was stronger among nonhypertensive participants. NHHR was positively associated with BMI and SDB. Mediation analysis showed that the NHHR explained 5.44-8.12% of the BMI-SDB association.

CONCLUSIONS: BMI is a critical factor in the risk of SDB, and the NHHR partially mediates this relationship. BMI and cholesterol levels should be managed to mitigate the SDB risk.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V-cross-sectional observational study.

PMID:39893618 | DOI:10.1007/s40519-025-01717-4

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Heavy metals pollution in riverine sediments: Distribution, source, and environmental implications

Environ Monit Assess. 2025 Feb 2;197(3):225. doi: 10.1007/s10661-025-13623-4.

ABSTRACT

This research reports heavy metal pollution in riverine sediments from River Kabul, Pakistan, which could endanger human health and ecology via the food web. The results revealed a substantial special variation in the average contents (mg/kg) of chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), iron (Fe), and aluminum (Al) in riverine sediments, in the order of Fe (20,234.51) > Al (17,550.86) > Mn (375.45) > Zn (149.08) > Ni (89.11) > Cr (83.36) > Pb (45.29) > Cu (19.86) > Cd (7.48) > Co (6.28) > Hg (0.81). Among the heavy metals, Cd exhibited the highest degree of pollution along the river, followed by Hg > Ni > Zn > Pb > Al > Cr > Mn > Fe > Cu > Co. The overall contamination factor (CF) values for the sum of heavy metals were highest at monitoring site S-9, followed by S-8 > S-10 > S-6 > S-5 > S-7 > S-1 > S-4 > S-12 > S-3 > S-2 > S-1 with pollution load index (PLI) > 1, whereas the geo-accumulation index (Igeo) values of Cd and Hg fluctuated between Levels 3, 4, and 6, suggesting moderate to extreme pollution in the river. The correlation statistics determined the fate and distribution of heavy metals by establishing significant positive correlations between the specific metals of bounded sediments. The cluster analysis separates the correlated metals into Groups A and B, and Groups 1 and 2. While the principal component analysis evaluates the qualitative behavior of clustering by discerning industrial, agrochemicals, mining, and domestic wastewater discharges, leakages of lubricants along with multiple geogenic inputs, erosion of mafic and ultramafic rocks, and minimal atmospheric deposition are all potential sources of Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, Fe, and Al contamination. In terms of risk, the contaminations of Mn, Co, Cu, Zn, and Pb in riverine sediments were 85, 100, 100, 17, and 11%, respectively, representing a rare biological influence because their value is less than their corresponding threshold effect concentrations (TECs), whereas the levels of Mn, Ni, Cd, and Hg were above their probable effect concentrations (PECs) of 100, 100, 81, and 52%, respectively, representing prominent adverse biological influence. Based on consensus-based TECs and PECs, the contamination levels of Cr, Mn, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb were 100, 85, 83, 19, 48, and 90%, respectively, indicating occasionally exhibited adverse biological effects on the riverine population. Besides, the overall potential ecological risk index (PERI) of Cd and Hg, in particular, exhibited the maximum pollution level ( E r i ≥ 320), suggesting a very high potential ecological risk in the drainage that requires special attention from pollution control authorities.

PMID:39893612 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-025-13623-4

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Etiology, presentation, and outcomes of hyperprolactinemia due to pituitary masses in children and adolescents

Endocrine. 2025 Feb 2. doi: 10.1007/s12020-025-04176-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Hyperprolactinemia in children and adolescents can result from various etiologies, including pituitary masses. Understanding the underlying causes, clinical presentation, and outcomes is essential for effective management.

METHOD: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, analyzing clinical data from patients diagnosed with hyperprolactinemia secondary to pituitary masses. The study included patients aged under 18 years, who were diagnosed between January 2018 and September 2024. Patients were classified into two groups: those with prolactinoma and those with non-prolactinoma causes, including non-functioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) and craniopharyngiomas. Serum prolactin levels, imaging studies, and treatment responses were assessed.

RESULTS: A total of 33 patients with hyperprolactinemia attributed to pituitary masses were identified. The diagnoses among the patients were as follows: 54.5% had prolactinomas, 24.2% had NFPAs, and 21.2% had craniopharyngiomas. The age at diagnosis ranged from 8.4-17.9 years. In the prolactinoma group, the mean age at diagnosis was 15.6 ± 2.1 years, while in the non-prolactinoma group, it was 13.5 ± 2.9 years, and a statistically significant difference was observed (p = 0.024). The median prolactin level was 258 ng/mL (range: 30.5-14,35 0 ng/mL). According to the diagnoses, the median prolactin level was 491.5 ng/mL (range: 249-14,350 ng/mL) for prolactinomas, 45.6 ng/mL (range: 30.5-68.5 ng/mL) for NFPAs, and 61 ng/mL (range: 44-72 ng/mL) for craniopharyngiomas. Menstrual irregularities, headaches, and galactorrhea were the most commonly reported complaints. Overweight/obesity was present in 39.3% of the entire cohort, while patients with prolactinomas demonstrated a significant reduction in BMI SDS following cabergoline treatment. Cabergoline treatment achieved a 100% success rate in patients with prolactinomas.

CONCLUSION: We observed a higher prevalence of hyperprolactinemia due to NFPAs and craniopharyngiomas compared to previous reports. Notably, obesity was prevalent among patients and demonstrated a favorable response to cabergoline therapy. These findings emphasize the necessity for future studies, particularly larger prospective trials incorporating genetic analyses, to enhance our understanding of the characteristics and treatment outcomes of pediatric hyperprolactinemia.

PMID:39893604 | DOI:10.1007/s12020-025-04176-0

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

A Prospective, Active-controlled, Randomized, Double-blind, Multicenter, Phase III Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Biosimilar Denosumab vs Reference Denosumab in the Treatment of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis

J Assoc Physicians India. 2025 Jan;73(1):e8-e13. doi: 10.59556/japi.73.0772.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Denosumab, a human monoclonal antibody that exhibits strong affinity and specificity for the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANK-L), is essential in regulating bone turnover. Its inhibition of RANK-L decreases bone resorption by preventing the development, function, and survival of osteoclasts. The objective of the study was to evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of biosimilar denosumab with the reference product, Prolia (denosumab), in Indian women suffering from postmenopausal osteoporosis.

METHODS: This phase III study was a prospective, active-controlled, randomized, double-blind trial that included postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis. Participants were randomly allocated in a 2:1 ratio to receive either the biosimilar denosumab (Treatment A) or the reference denosumab (Prolia®; Treatment B). All participants also received daily supplementation of 500 international units (IU) of vitamin D3 and 1000 mg calcium. The primary outcomes measured were the bone mineral density (BMD) percentage change at the lumbar spine and the neck of femur, while the secondary endpoint assessed changes in biomarkers from baseline at months 6 and 12.

RESULTS: The lumbar spine BMD percentage change for group A vs group B from baseline to month 6 was 5.69 ± 0.88 (p < 0.0001) vs 5.08 ± 1.19 (p < 0.0001), and at 12 months was 7.26 ± 1.05 (p < 0.0001) vs 7.31 ± 1.40 (p < 0.0001), demonstrating equivalent efficacy. Both treatment groups showed statistically significant improvement in femoral neck BMD at 12 months. No statistically significant difference was noted in the ln-transformed primary pharmacokinetic parameters, including C-max, AUC0-120d, and AUC0-∞.

CONCLUSION: Biosimilar denosumab was comparable to reference denosumab with respect to its efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis. Thus, biosimilar denosumab is expected to improve the quality of life in osteoporotic patients at affordable prices.

PMID:39893524 | DOI:10.59556/japi.73.0772

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

From population-based to personalized laboratory medicine: continuous monitoring of individual laboratory data with wearable biosensors

Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci. 2025 Feb 1:1-30. doi: 10.1080/10408363.2025.2453152. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Monitoring individuals’ laboratory data is essential for assessing their health status, evaluating the effectiveness of treatments, predicting disease prognosis and detecting subclinical conditions. Currently, monitoring is performed intermittently, measuring serum, plasma, whole blood, urine and occasionally other body fluids at predefined time intervals. The ideal monitoring approach entails continuous measurement of concentration and activity of biomolecules in all body fluids, including solid tissues. This can be achieved through the use of biosensors strategically placed at various locations on the human body where measurements are required for monitoring. High-tech wearable biosensors provide an ideal, noninvasive, and esthetically pleasing solution for monitoring individuals’ laboratory data. However, despite significant advances in wearable biosensor technology, the measurement capacities and the number of different analytes that are continuously monitored in patients are not yet at the desired level. In this review, we conducted a literature search and examined: (i) an overview of the background of monitoring for personalized laboratory medicine, (ii) the body fluids and analytes used for monitoring individuals, (iii) the different types of biosensors and methods used for measuring the concentration and activity of biomolecules, and (iv) the statistical algorithms used for personalized data analysis and interpretation in monitoring and evaluation.

PMID:39893518 | DOI:10.1080/10408363.2025.2453152

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Single-Step Breeding Value Estimations and Optimum Contribution Selection in Endangered Dual-Purpose German Black Pied Cattle (DSN) Using a Breed Specific SNP Chip

J Anim Breed Genet. 2025 Feb 1. doi: 10.1111/jbg.12929. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The aims of the present study were to perform single-step genomic predictions in the dual-purpose German Black Pied cattle (DSN) breed considering a DSN specific SNP chip (DSN_200 K), and to use the corresponding estimated breeding values (EBV) in ongoing optimum genetic contribution (OGC) selection. All results were compared with the application of the commercial Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip (50 K). The traits of interest in the present study (due to the differing breeding history of these traits in the past) included 305-day lactation protein percentage (Pro%) of 9029 DSN cows, fat-to-protein ratio (FPR) from the first test-day of 8773 DSN cows, and stature (STAT) measured in cm of 4409 DSN cows. The DSN cows represented the calving years 2008-2019. Genotyping of 2797 DSN animals was conducted using both the DSN_200 K and the 50 K. From the genotyped animals, a subset of 1800 cows had phenotypic records for all three traits FPR, Pro% and STAT. Heritabilities from the single-step genetic parameter estimations were quite large for Pro% (0.69) and STAT (0.78), but small for FPR (0.11). The choice of the SNP chip only had minor effects on variance components, heritabilities and EBVs. Furthermore, genetic parameters were very similar from genetic-statistical models additionally considering a linear regression on pedigree-based inbreeding coefficients. OGC selection was applied to a pool of 1125 pre-selected bull sires (BS) and bull dams (BD). A more relaxed genetic relationship constraint was associated with favourable effects on the average EBVs for Pro%, FPR and STAT, and a declining number of selected BS. The gains in genetic merit were marginal when relaxing the constraint at 0.06 for the genetic relationships or higher. The same associations were found for an overall breeding index (I-DSN), considering the three traits with equal weights. Consequently, we suggested OGC applications with a genetic relationship constraint of 0.06, which contributed to genetic gain in I-DSN of 17.9%, and to increased diversity due to an increased number of BS, when compared to the current practical elite animal selection scheme. A large number of finally selected BS and BD was identical when either using EBV from the DSN_200 K or from the 50 K. From such perspective, we only see marginal extra value for the specific DSN SNP-chip application.

PMID:39893511 | DOI:10.1111/jbg.12929

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Mediating Mendelian randomization in the proteome identified potential drug targets for obesity-related allergic asthma

Hereditas. 2025 Feb 1;162(1):12. doi: 10.1186/s41065-025-00376-w.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: With the development of the economy, the number of obese patients has been increasing annually worldwide. The proportion of asthma patients associated with obesity is also gradually rising. However, the pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma remains incompletely understood, and conventional pharmacological treatments generally show limited efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore the causal relationship between obesity and allergic asthma, elucidate the pathogenesis of obesity-related asthma, and identify the plasma proteins involved in its development, providing new insights for clinical interventions.

METHODS: In this study, we employed a two-step approach for mediation Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis, utilizing stringent selection criteria to identify instrumental variables (IVs). This approach was used to assess the causal impact of obesity on allergic asthma and to validate the plasma proteins identified as mediating factors. We further explored the functions and enriched pathways of the mediating proteins using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Finally, we conducted drug-targeted MR analysis to evaluate the potential of each mediator plasma proteins as a drug target gene. If significant heterogeneity remained among the IVs, we applied the weighted median method as the primary analytical tool. Otherwise, we utilized the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method as the main analytical approach. Additionally, we conducted various sensitivity analyses and statistical tests to further illustrate the robustness of the observed associations.

RESULTS: The research findings indicate a causal relationship between obesity and allergic asthma. Plasma proteins such as TPST1, ROR1, and DAPK1 mediate this relationship, with TPST1 accounting for over 10% of the mediation effect. GO and KEGG analyses show that the genes corresponding to these mediator proteins are primarily enriched in pathways related to responses to stimuli, carbohydrate synthesis and metabolism, regulation of certain protein activities, and synaptic connections. The drug-targeted MR analysis suggests that SIGLEC12, BOLA1, HOMER2, and TPST1 all have the potential to be drug target genes.

CONCLUSION: This study suggests that obese patients defined by BMI may promote the development of allergic asthma by influencing the expression of plasma proteins such as TPST1, ROR1, and DAPK1. Furthermore, some of these plasma proteins, including TPST1, could potentially serve as therapeutic targets for treating allergic asthma in these patients. However, further research is needed to explore their therapeutic potential and the mechanisms underlying their effects.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

PMID:39893495 | DOI:10.1186/s41065-025-00376-w

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The effect of the work-family conflict, subjective socio-economic status, and physical activity on the perceived quality of life of working women in Iran: the mediating role of quality of work life

BMC Womens Health. 2025 Feb 1;25(1):45. doi: 10.1186/s12905-025-03578-6.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: The conflict between work and family responsibilities has created many challenges for working women in Iran. This study aimed to examine the effect of work-family conflict (WFC), subjective socio-economic status (SSS), and physical activity (PA) and quality of working life (QWL) on the quality of life (QOL) of working women in Kermanshah, Iran.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 392 working women in Kermanshah, the most populous city in western Iran. The data gathering tool was a six-part questionnaire, including demographic checklist, PA scale, a question on SSS, WFC scale, QWL questionnaire, and QOL questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS and AMOS software.

RESULTS: The majority of participants (69.4%) were inactive or had low levels of PA during their leisure times. The highest positive correlation was observed between QWL and QOL (r = 0.309, p-value < 0.001). The highest direct effect among the variables belonged to the SSS on QWL (β = 0.41, p-value = 0.001) and QOL (β = 0.20, p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis of indirect effects indicated that QWL played a mediating role between SSS and QOL (β = 0.092, p-value < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: The findings of this study revealed that variables such as SSS, PA, and QWL had significant direct effects on QOL. However, WFC had no significant effect on QOL. Moreover, QWL had a significant positive mediating role between SSS and QOL.

PMID:39893490 | DOI:10.1186/s12905-025-03578-6