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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The association of SCN1A polymorphisms with epilepsy and drug resistance: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Neurogenetics. 2025 Apr 3;26(1):42. doi: 10.1007/s10048-025-00823-w.

ABSTRACT

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological afflictions worldwide, with one-third of patients exhibiting resistance to treatment. It has been speculated that the polymorphisms of the sodium channel alpha subunit 1 (SCN1A) gene are associated with both the occurrence of epilepsy and its resistance to treatment. The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature and conduct meta-analyses revealing the associations of the SCN1A polymorphisms with epilepsy and resistance to treatment. We conducted a search of Pubmed, Web of Science, and Scopus, and if more than two studies investigated a polymorphism, odds ratios for association with epilepsy and/or resistance to treatment were calculated in three allelic, homozygous, and recessive genetic models. The initial search yielded 4106 items, and a total of 64 articles met the final inclusion criteria. With respect to the occurrence of epilepsy, the rs2298771 polymorphism was revealed to be negatively associated in the recessive model, while the associations of other polymorphisms were not statistically significant. With regard to resistance to treatment, rs2298771 was revealed to be positively associated across all three models, and rs10167228 was positively associated in the allelic and homozygous models, but not the recessive model. Other polymorphisms were not shown to be associated with resistance to treatment. In conclusion, we demonstrated that the rs2298771 polymorphism had a significant and negative association with the occurrence of epilepsy. Furthermore, rs2298771 and rs10167228 polymorphisms had positive associations with resistance to treatment. Further studies are needed to explore these associations among other polymorphisms.

PMID:40178659 | DOI:10.1007/s10048-025-00823-w

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

The importance of political and religious affiliation in explaining county-level COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy

Health Econ Rev. 2025 Apr 3;15(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s13561-025-00605-y.

ABSTRACT

The authors use county-level data to test whether an array of socioeconomic, demographic, political and religious variables explain COVID-19 vaccination rates. Results presented here build upon previous investigations of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in different contexts and are largely consistent with those findings. Background controls such as county’s percent male (+), median age (+), percent White (-), median household income (+), percent self-employed (-), and the percent with a college or higher education (+) explain county-level vaccination rates for COVID-19. Political affiliation (Percent Republican (-)) remains the strongest predictor in terms of overall statistical significance. The county’s percent Catholic (+) and percent Evangelical (-) are also very strong predictors, though in opposite directions. This analysis includes state-level fixed effects and several robustness checks.

PMID:40178642 | DOI:10.1186/s13561-025-00605-y

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Determination of the prevalence of complete type retrotransverse and arcuate foramen of the atlas using three-dimensional computed tomography images

Surg Radiol Anat. 2025 Apr 3;47(1):113. doi: 10.1007/s00276-025-03619-7.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of complete type retrotransverse (RTF) and arcuate foramen (AF)’s in a large cohort using three-dimensional (3D) computed images (CT) and explore their correlation with each other.

METHODS: Between January 2023 and August 2024, all neck and cervical vertebrae CTs taken in our hospital were scanned retrospectively. It is noted the presence or absence of complete RTF and AF, laterality, gender, and age of those included in the study.

RESULTS: A total of 2000 patients were included in the study, with an equal distribution of females and males. The prevalence of complete AF was 6.4%, 10%, and 16.3% bilaterally, unilaterally, and in total. The prevalence of complete AF was 12% in females and 20.6% in males. The gender prevalence differences of bilateral AF were statistically significant (p < 0.001). The prevalence of complete RTF was 1.8%, 8.9%, and 10.6% bilaterally, unilaterally, and in total. The prevalence of complete RTF was 9.7% in females, and 11.6% in males. The prevalence differences between genders were insignificant (p = 0.173). The ipsilateral prevalence of complete AF and RTF was 0.2%, 0.2%, and 0.4%, respectively, bilateral, unilateral right, and unilateral left.

CONCLUSIONS: The complete AF and RTF prevalences in the study group were not uncommon. The prevalence of complete AF and RTF together is quite rare. Complete RTF is more common in elderly patients and on the left side, while complete AF does not show any difference in laterality and age, and is more common in males than in females.

PMID:40178635 | DOI:10.1007/s00276-025-03619-7

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

5-Aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) in paediatric brain tumour surgery-a systematic review and exploration of fluorophore alternatives

Childs Nerv Syst. 2025 Apr 3;41(1):150. doi: 10.1007/s00381-025-06810-8.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Paediatric brain tumours represent the most common solid malignancies in children, with extent of resection being a critical prognostic factor. Fluorescence-guided surgery using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) is well-established for adult high-grade gliomas, but its efficacy and safety in paediatric populations remain unclear. This systematic review evaluates the utility of 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery in paediatric brain tumours and explores alternative fluorophores.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, analysing studies from MEDLINE and EMBASE published up to October 2024. Data on patient demographics, tumour fluorescence patterns, surgical outcomes, and adverse effects were extracted. Statistical analyses assessed fluorescence differences across tumour types and administration parameters.

RESULTS: Twenty-three studies, including 281 paediatric patients (mean age, 10 years), were analysed. The most common tumours included pilocytic astrocytomas (n = 45), medulloblastomas (n = 45), glioblastomas (n = 35), and ependymomas (n = 27). Strong fluorescence was observed more frequently in high-grade gliomas compared to low-grade gliomas (p < 0.00001), non-glioma tumours (p < 0.00001), and high-grade non-glioma tumours (p = 0.000485). Adverse effects were mostly transient; rare complications included transaminitis and dermatologic reactions.

CONCLUSION: 5-ALA fluorescence-guided surgery shows promise in the resection of high-grade gliomas in paediatric patients, improving intraoperative visualisation. However, limited fluorescence in low-grade and non-glioma tumours underscores the need for tumour-specific approaches. Emerging alternatives, such as fluorescein sodium and tozuleristide, offer potential advantages. Future research should focus on optimising 5-ALA dosing, refining timing protocols, and conducting robust prospective trials to establish efficacy and safety in paediatric populations.

PMID:40178625 | DOI:10.1007/s00381-025-06810-8

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Bacillus sp. Strain Fo03, a Phosphate Solubilizing Bacterial Strain, Promotes Potato Growth and Decrease Inorganic Fertilizer

Curr Microbiol. 2025 Apr 3;82(5):228. doi: 10.1007/s00284-025-04198-x.

ABSTRACT

Biofertilizers are a sustainable biotechnological alternative for decreasing use of inorganic fertilizer. Some bacterial strains, such as Bacillus pumilus, can solubilize phosphates, making them available to crops such as potato (Solanum tuberosum L. cv. Citlali). In this paper was studied the effect of Bacillus sp. strain Fo03, a phosphate solubilizer bacterial strain, on the growth promotion, production, and sprouting of potatoes under greenhouse conditions, compared with inorganic fertilizer. Five treatments were assayed: NPK 100% (T1), NK 100% (T2), Bacillus sp. strain Fo03, BP (T3), BP + NPK 50% (T4), and BP + NK 50% (T5). The parameters evaluated were plant height, fresh and dry weights, number of internodes, SPAD values, fresh weight of tubers, total number of tubers, number of tubers with diameters greater than or equal to 15 mm, length and width of sprouts. Treatments T1 and T4 showed a similarity in plant height (21.65 cm, 20.95 cm), number of internodes (12.42, 13.11), fresh weight (9.97 g, 5.53 g), and dry weight (1.87 g, 1.08 g), respectively. The tuber fresh weight (g), number of total tubers, tuber diameter ≥ 15 mm, and sprout width were statistically significant in T4 compared to the treatment with Bacillus sp. strain Fo03. The highlight result was the effect combined of Bacillus sp. strain Fo03 and the half dose of mineral fertilizer (NPK 50%) for having good yield of potato cultivation (growth, production, and sprouting), providing to farmers an alternative response for decreasing use of inorganic fertilizers. The use of Bacillus sp. strain Fo03 as biofertilizer may have a promising effect on the quality of potatoes, particularly in sprout length and width.

PMID:40178614 | DOI:10.1007/s00284-025-04198-x

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Decoding the genetic links between substance use disorder and cancer vulnerability

Psychopharmacology (Berl). 2025 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s00213-025-06781-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide, imposing a significant public health burden. While cannabis and opioids are widely used in cancer pain management, their potential for abuse and addiction has raised concerns regarding their long-term health effects, including possible associations with cancer risk. However, the relationship between substance use disorders (SUDs) and cancer susceptibility remains controversial. This Mendelian randomization (MR) study aimed to investigate the potential causal effects of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and opioids use disorder (OUD) on cancer vulnerability.

METHODS: We conducted a two-sample MR study using summary statistics from genome-wide association studies, including data from FinnGen and UK Biobank. The primary analytical approach was the inverse-variance weighted (IVW), complemented by a range of sensitivity analyses to assess the robustness of the findings.

RESULTS: IVW analysis identified a causal association between OUD and bladder cancer (OR = 1.040, 95% CI 1.004-1.078, P = 0.029, adj. P = 0.125), acute myeloid leukemia (OR = 0.931, 95% CI 0.885-0.978, P = 0.005, adj. P = 0.061) and ovarian cancer (OR = 0.937, 95% CI 0.891-0.984, P = 0.010, adj. P = 0.064). Sensitivity analysis yielded directionally consistent results. Reverse MR analysis provided no statistically significant evidence supporting a causal effect of these cancers on OUD (all P > 0.05). Additionally, no evidence of a significant causal relationship was observed between CUD and any cancer type (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a potential causal link between OUD and increased susceptibility to bladder cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, and ovarian cancer, warranting further investigation in larger, multi-ethnic population studies. These results contribute to the ongoing discourse on the long-term health impacts of substance use disorders and highlight the need for further research to elucidate their potential oncogenic effects.

PMID:40178608 | DOI:10.1007/s00213-025-06781-3

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Clinico-radiological attributes of abnormal pancreaticobiliary junction

Abdom Radiol (NY). 2025 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s00261-025-04917-9. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of abnormal pancreaticobiliary junction (APBJ) on Magnetic Resonance Cholangio-Pancreatography (MRCP) in patients with and without choledochal cyst (CDC), and study their clinico-radiological profile.

METHODS: We have retrospectively screened all MRCP studies (n = 13,482) done in our Radiology department over 18 months and documented the presence and type of APBJ (any length of extra-duodenal common channel) and CDC, other co-existing pancreaticobiliary abnormalities including complications.

RESULTS: Prevalence of APBJ was 0.5% (n = 67) with 77% of them showing CDC (52/67) while only 0.85% of patients without APBJ have CDC (p value < 0.0001). The most common type of CDC associated with APBJ was Todani Type I (86%) followed by type IV (14%). 31% of CDC patients had APBJ (52 out of 165) while the majority of patients with CDC (69%) did not have APBJ. Between the CDC (n = 52) and non-CDC (n = 15) subgroups of APBJ, there was statistically significant difference in the age (25 vs. 40 years, p value 0.003), gender, length of common channel (14.4 ± 6 mm vs. 10.6 ± 5 mm, p value 0.03), JSPBM type of APBJ and the risk of biliary malignancy (1.9% vs. 26.7%, p value 0.008, Odds ratio 13.8). Although idiopathic pancreatitis was also more common in the non-CDC subgroup, this difference was not statistically significant. There was no statistical correlation between the length of common channel and occurrence of CDC, biliary calculi, malignancy or pancreatitis.

CONCLUSION: Any length of common pancreaticobiliary channel outside the duodenal wall must be considered as APBJ; there is no correlation between the actual length of common channel and occurrence of its complications. The often overlooked and underdiagnosed subgroup of APBJ without biliary dilatation are 13.8 times more likely to develop biliary malignancy than the CDC group. We therefore suggest a necessary shift in surveillance strategies and advocate for routine screening of patients with APBJ for any biliary malignancy, even in the absence of CDC, and perhaps subject them to prophylactic cholecystectomy.

PMID:40178587 | DOI:10.1007/s00261-025-04917-9

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Embracing graphical abstracts in European Radiology

Eur Radiol. 2025 Apr 3. doi: 10.1007/s00330-025-11555-8. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:40178573 | DOI:10.1007/s00330-025-11555-8

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Parenting pathways to friendship: how Self-Control and emotion management skills mediate preschoolers’ social lives in China?

BMC Psychol. 2025 Apr 2;13(1):325. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02641-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Parenting styles have been identified as significant factors influencing children’s social behaviors, particularly in their peer interactions. However, the specific mechanisms through which different parenting styles affect these behaviors, particularly among children aged 3-6, remain understudied.

OBJECTIVE: Applying the theoretical frameworks of SLT and SRT, this study aimed to explore how authoritarian and authoritative parenting styles affect peer interactions in 3- and 6-year-old children, focusing on the mediating role of self-control and emotion management skills.

METHODOLOGY: A survey was conducted using a stratified cluster random sampling method, with 2,397 participants recruited from 16 kindergartens in 10 provinces and 7 regions across the country. The study employed descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, structural equation modeling, and bootstrap method to examine the relationships between parenting styles, self-control, emotion management skills, and peer interactions.

RESULTS: Authoritarian parenting style is negatively and strongly correlated with children’s peer interactions ( β = -0.57, p > 0.05); self-control fully mediated this relationship, accounting for 32.79%, and emotion management skills partially mediated 16.39%. Authoritative parenting had a direct effect on peer interactions ( β = 0.07, p < 0.05); self-control partially mediated 26.47% and emotion management skills 35.29% of the total effect; individual self-control (stable psychological traits) and emotion management skills (dynamic psychological processes) are important bridges through which family parenting practices influence the socialization process of children, and are also essential internal resources for achieving positive social adjustment.

CONCLUSIONS: This study contributes to the existing literature by providing empirical evidence on the differing effects of authoritarian and authoritative parenting styles on children’s peer interactions, while highlighting the crucial roles of self-control and emotion management skills in these relationships. The findings offer practical implications for parents and educators in Chinese families, suggesting effective parenting strategies that promote positive social development among young children.

PMID:40176199 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-02641-z

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Nevin Manimala Statistics

Integrative network analysis reveals novel moderators of Aβ-Tau interaction in Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimers Res Ther. 2025 Apr 2;17(1):70. doi: 10.1186/s13195-025-01705-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Although interactions between amyloid-beta and tau proteins have been implicated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the precise mechanisms by which these interactions contribute to disease progression are not yet fully understood. Moreover, despite the growing application of deep learning in various biomedical fields, its application in integrating networks to analyze disease mechanisms in AD research remains limited. In this study, we employed BIONIC, a deep learning-based network integration method, to integrate proteomics and protein-protein interaction data, with an aim to uncover factors that moderate the effects of the Aβ-tau interaction on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early-stage AD.

METHODS: Proteomic data from the ROSMAP cohort were integrated with protein-protein interaction (PPI) data using a Deep Learning-based model. Linear regression analysis was applied to histopathological and gene expression data, and mutual information was used to detect moderating factors. Statistical significance was determined using the Benjamini-Hochberg correction (p < 0.05).

RESULTS: Our results suggested that astrocytes and GPNMB + microglia moderate the Aβ-tau interaction. Based on linear regression with histopathological and gene expression data, GFAP and IBA1 levels and GPNMB gene expression positively contributed to the interaction of tau with Aβ in non-dementia cases, replicating the results of the network analysis.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that GPNMB + microglia moderate the Aβ-tau interaction in early AD and therefore are a novel therapeutic target. To facilitate further research, we have made the integrated network available as a visualization tool for the scientific community (URL: https://igcore.cloud/GerOmics/AlzPPMap ).

PMID:40176187 | DOI:10.1186/s13195-025-01705-x