Tag: nevin manimala

J Econ Entomol. 2025 Nov 16:toaf312. doi: 10.1093/jee/toaf312. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Helicoverpa zea (Bodie) is a widespread damaging pest in the US that has evolved varying levels of resistance to Cry toxins in corn and cotton. To delay resistance evolution to this pest and others targeted by Bt corn, growers in the southern United States are required to plant at least 20% of their corn area with non-Bt corn. However, growers are reluctant to do this. Multiple small-plot research studies show timely planted non-Bt and Bt corn hybrids yield equally; however, growers often think non-Bt hybrids yield less than Bt hybrids. In response, we compared non-Bt and Bt hybrids using grower-owned planting and harvesting equipment. Growers planted 5 corn hybrids as strip plots (Bt-P1197YHR, DKC65-99, non-Bt-P1197LR, DKC67-70, and DKC65-93) in 2022 at 27 locations and 4 hybrids (excluding DKC65-93) in 2023 at 28 locations throughout North Carolina. When corn reached dent (R5), we measured the area of H. zea injury from each hybrid at each location. We calculated yield and economic net returns at harvest. We separated analyses for Bt trait pyramid and hybrid for both feeding and yield. H. zea feeding was at moderate levels, following predictable patterns. There were no significant differences between Bt and non-Bt hybrids within the 2 companies we compared (Pioneer [P] and Bayer [DKC]) across both years. In general, farm profitability is not statistically different when planting a 20% non-Bt refuge compared to planting 100% Bt corn. Factors other than typical H. zea feeding are more impactful on yield in North Carolina.

PMID:41241782 | DOI:10.1093/jee/toaf312

J Econ Entomol. 2025 Nov 16:toaf278. doi: 10.1093/jee/toaf278. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The biological control for fruit flies in Brazil has been extended with the introduction of the parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead, 1905) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) and native parasitoids, such as Doryctobracon brasiliensis (Szepligeti, 1911) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), which show great potential for control. Among the main pest species of fruit flies, Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann, 1830) (Diptera: Tephritidae) have a wide geographic distribution in the South American continent. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the functional response of D. brasiliensis to the density of A. fraterculus larvae and to model the parasitism rates of D. longicaudata and D. brasiliensis on A. fraterculus and that of D. longicaudata when exposed to C. capitata. The experiments were conducted to evaluate the parasitism rate, and the data were subjected to statistical analysis, verifying the probability distribution. The parasitism rate of D. brasiliensis ranged from 82.2% to 35% when 5 and 30 larvae were offered to each female, respectively. The results revealed a type II functional response, indicating that the parasitism rate reached a saturation point as the larval density increased. In A. fraterculus, the average number of larvae parasitized by D. longicaudata females was higher than that of C. capitata at nearly all host densities. The highest percentage of parasitism (55%) was observed at the density of 3 larvae per parasitoid, similar to what was recorded for C. capitata. The results obtained support the biological control program for fruit flies in Brazil, optimizing laboratory rearing and field release.

PMID:41241778 | DOI:10.1093/jee/toaf278

Med Educ Online. 2025 Dec 31;30(1):2585634. doi: 10.1080/10872981.2025.2585634. Epub 2025 Nov 15.

ABSTRACT

The overturning of Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022) has led to varying abortion laws across states in the U.S., potentially influencing medical education choices. While some research has examined abortion policy changes and medical residencies and fellowship decisions, none has investigated abortion policy and medical school decisions. This study aims to determine whether pre-medical students’ personal views on abortion influence their willingness to attend medical schools in states where abortion is illegal at all stages EXCEPT to save the life of the mother. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to pre-medical organizations at the two largest four-year institutions in each U.S. state and the District of Columbia, except Wyoming, which has only one four-year institution. The survey collected demographic data, political affiliation, intended medical specialty, and personal stance on abortion. Participants indicated their willingness to attend medical school in states with different types of abortion policies. There were 182 completed surveys from participants in 20 different states. Analysis showed that students who believed abortion is acceptable and should be legal at all stages were significantly less willing to attend medical school in states where abortion is illegal EXCEPT to save the life of the mother. Abortion policy may influence medical school decisions among pre-medical students, which may have long-term implications for physician distribution, particularly in states with restrictive abortion laws. Future research should explore how these trends impact healthcare workforce shortages and access to reproductive care.

PMID:41241769 | DOI:10.1080/10872981.2025.2585634

J Prosthodont. 2025 Nov 15. doi: 10.1111/jopr.70057. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This systematic review evaluated the effects of simulated gastric acid (SGA) on surface and mechanical properties of dental ceramics to answer the research question: Does immersion in SGA alter the surface roughness, microhardness, fracture strength, and color of dental ceramics?

METHODS: A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, Open Gray, and Google Scholar, in February 2025. Independent reviewers selected and analyzed in vitro studies assessing one or more outcomes-roughness, microhardness, fracture strength, or color-after acid exposure. Data were extracted independently, and risk of bias was assessed using the RoBDEMAT tool.

RESULTS: Out of 2,111 studies, 22 were included. Ceramics analyzed were lithium disilicate (n = 15), polymer-infiltrated feldspathic (n = 11), zirconia (n = 11), feldspathic (n = 8), zirconia-reinforced lithium silicate (n = 7), and leucite-reinforced (n = 4). Surface roughness changes were material-dependent, with feldspathic ceramics most affected and zirconia most stable. Microhardness generally decreased across ceramics. Fracture strength remained mostly unchanged, except for occasional reductions. Polymer-infiltrated ceramics and zirconia showed the greatest color stability. Specimen shapes and dimensions varied across studies, reflecting differences in study aims and testing protocols. Most studies showed appropriate outcome reporting, statistical analysis, and test standardization (>90%). However, operator blinding, when applicable, was not reported in any of the included studies. Randomization (> 87%) and sample size calculation (50%) were also frequently missing.

CONCLUSION: Surface, mechanical, and optical properties of ceramics were affected by acid exposure, varying by material. Zirconia and polymer-infiltrated ceramics show greater stability. Methodological heterogeneity limits conclusions, underscoring the need for standardized protocols and clinical validation.

PMID:41241767 | DOI:10.1111/jopr.70057

Clin Transl Sci. 2025 Nov;18(11):e70406. doi: 10.1111/cts.70406.

ABSTRACT

The All of Us research program, a national longitudinal study conducted by the US National Institutes of Health, provides robust medical history, drug dosage and genomic data from a diverse population. All of Us offers an opportunity to discover novel correlations between drug dosage and genetic variation. However, first it is necessary to evaluate the quality and quantity of the data and its ability to replicate known associations. In this paper, we investigate whether known drug-gene interactions can be recovered from the All of Us dataset, based on data from electronic health records. Focusing on the Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme family, which metabolizes approximately 90% of clinically available drugs, we evaluate 61 drugs metabolized by the enzymes. We then identify significant differences in drug dosages across CYP450 metabolizer phenotypes. Our results validate some known interactors of CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, and CYP3A5. However, we did not recover all validated PGx interactions, potentially due to noise, lack of doctors adjusting drug dosage or phenoconversion. Nevertheless, our findings highlight the potential of the All of Us dataset, which captures some known pharmacogenomic interactions.

PMID:41241757 | DOI:10.1111/cts.70406

BMC Cancer. 2025 Nov 15;25(1):1771. doi: 10.1186/s12885-025-15239-w.

ABSTRACT

It has been observed that lung cancer patients are more susceptible to COVID-19. Establishing the causal relationships between lung cancer and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity is challenging due to numerous confounding factors. Mendelian randomization (MR) is an effective method to investigate the causal association between exposure and outcome variables. However, different studies have yielded conflicting conclusions regarding the role of lung cancer in COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. Lung cancer subtypes exhibit heterogeneity in genetic susceptibility, which may influence the assessment of the true relationship between lung cancer and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity. In this study, we utilized the most recent COVID-19 association data from The COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative with more than two million samples in total, in combination with genetic data of different lung cancer subtypes with more than eighty-five thousand samples, and conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. We examined the associations between lung cancer and its four subtypes with COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, and severity. Our data indicates that lung cancer, overall, does not have a causal association with COVID-19 susceptibility, hospitalization, or severity. However, lung cancer in ever smokers is nominally associated with COVID-19 hospitalization p-value 0.035, false discover rate (FDR) [Formula: see text] and increased severity [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]. Additionally, small cell lung carcinoma is associated with increased COVID-19 severity [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text].

PMID:41241754 | DOI:10.1186/s12885-025-15239-w

Head Face Med. 2025 Nov 15;21(1):76. doi: 10.1186/s13005-025-00552-3.

ABSTRACT

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Functional orthopedics induces mandibular advancement caused by neuromuscular adaptations. These adaptations can affect the position of the hyoid bone and may contribute to the amount of skeletal outcomes. The skeletal response is triggered by the quality and quantity of growth as well as muscular reactions. The aim of this clinical trial was to evaluate the hyoid bone position before and after functional orthodontic treatment.

METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 31 patients (mean age: 12.3 ± 0.9 years) with skeletal class II meeting the following inclusion criteria: ANB > 4°, > ½ Class II molar relationship, overjet > 6 mm, neutral/horizontal growth pattern, and CVMS II-III. All patients were treated with the Sander Bite Jumping Appliance (BJA) with wear time monitored through microsensors. Lateral cephalograms were taken at baseline (t0) and after 1 year (t1). Linear and angular hyoid measurements were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS (v29.0.2.0), employing paired t-tests and an exploratory post hoc grouping based on total mandibular length changes (Δco-pg), with significance set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: BJA therapy resulted in a significant more superior and anterior position of the hyoid in all patients. A greater increase in Δco-pg at t1 was associated with a more pronounced hyoid shift, while patients with a less Δco-pg showed a more inferior hyoid position at t0 and a greater tendency towards a vertical growth pattern.

CONCLUSION: A more inferior initial hyoid position was associated with limited mandibular advancement, suggesting a potential anatomical link to airway physiology, warranting further investigation into its implications for OSA risk.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS); URL: http://www.germanctr.de; Identifier: DRKS00021090; registration date: 12.03.2020.

PMID:41241749 | DOI:10.1186/s13005-025-00552-3

Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2025 Nov 15;11(1):142. doi: 10.1186/s40814-025-01720-7.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: In India, newly married young women (18-25 years of age) face high rates of unintended pregnancy. Poor sexual and reproductive health knowledge combined with restrictive social norms leads to adverse pregnancy outcomes among young women, while limited female autonomy prevents them from accessing accurate healthcare information and support. We examined the feasibility and acceptability of TARANG, a life skills and reproductive health empowerment intervention developed for and with young newly married women using a community-engaged approach.

METHODS: We report the findings from a convergent mixed-methods, single-group cluster pilot study in Rajasthan, India. We recruited 42 newly married women as participants in our study. Of these, 41 participants (retention rate = 97.6%) completed both baseline and endline surveys in July 2023 and January 2024, respectively. The intervention comprised 16 weekly sessions. Attendance was tracked electronically. We assessed three primary outcomes: feasibility (proportion completing ≥ 50% sessions), acceptability (proportion satisfied/somewhat satisfied), and usefulness (proportion finding TARANG useful/somewhat useful). Twelve participants were interviewed to understand intervention acceptance and usefulness, and 6 program staff and moderators were interviewed to understand implementation barriers. We analyzed quantitative data using descriptive statistics and qualitative data using thematic analysis.

RESULTS: Thirty-five participants completed at least one session, with 73.8% attending at least half of the sessions (6 did not attend any sessions). Among those who attended at least one session, 97.1% were satisfied/somewhat satisfied, and 100% found the intervention useful/somewhat useful. Qualitative findings revealed participants’ appreciation for open discussions on sensitive topics like family planning. The intervention filled knowledge gaps in family planning methods, fostered social connections through rapport building, enhanced sense of agency, and improved relationships with mothers-in-law and husbands. Implementation barriers included women’s workload, cultural norms of extended stays at natal homes, and the need for intense rapport building. These insights informed intervention refinements, including session modifications, increased engagement strategies, and integration of educational videos.

CONCLUSION: Our pilot study demonstrated high acceptability and feasibility, with multiple benefits for young, newly married women. Our findings informed adaptations to enhance TARANG’s delivery and satisfaction. The effectiveness of TARANG will be tested in a larger cluster randomized controlled trial currently underway.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06320964). Registered retrospectively on 13 March 2024, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06320964.

PMID:41241746 | DOI:10.1186/s40814-025-01720-7

BMC Med Educ. 2025 Nov 15;25(1):1606. doi: 10.1186/s12909-025-07990-2.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Educational escape rooms are an innovative pedagogical approach to encourage proactive learning among students. This study assessed the learning outcomes and student satisfaction with escape room-based teaching at a medical school in Germany.

METHODS: An interdisciplinary escape room was created based on learning goals from the fields of psychiatry, infectious diseases, and communication skills. The gameplay was repeated eight times and pre-post intervention questionnaires were used to assess knowledge gain of participants. Pre- and post-test scores were analyzed using t-tests and correlation analyses to examine their relationships with gender, age, and semester. Evaluation feedback was summarized with descriptive statistics (mean, SD). Three open-text questions recorded qualitative comments, which were analyzed thematically.

RESULTS: Overall, 45 students (female = 82.2%; male = 17.8%; M_age=24.04 years, SD_age=3.45) fulfilled inclusion criteria. The mean post-test score (M = 71.71, SD = 5.03) was significantly higher (t = 8.65, p < .001) than the mean pre-test score (M = 65.07, SD = 5.29). Female students scored higher than male students in pre-tests (r = .306, p = .041) and post-tests (r = .440, p = .002). A higher semester of study correlated with higher pre-test scores (r = .536, p < .001) and higher post-test scores (r = .411, p = .006). Students rated the teaching method as “good” (M = 1.58; SD = 0.53) and “recommendable to peers” (M = 1.20; SD = 0.45), “fun to play” (M = 1.22; SD = 0.52), and “relevant for teaching” (M = 1.24; SD = 0.48). Students mentioned collaborative teamwork as the best characteristic of escape room teaching and suggested comprehensive briefing and debriefing sessions for improving future sessions.

CONCLUSIONS: Escape room-based teaching resulted in significant knowledge gain. Female gender was associated with higher pre- and post-test knowledge. Students at later stages of their studies had higher pre-test knowledge. The escape room was well perceived by medical students and considered an enjoyable learning environment for medicine-related topics.

PMID:41241744 | DOI:10.1186/s12909-025-07990-2

BMC Geriatr. 2025 Nov 15;25(1):908. doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-06710-1.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Valid and reliable physical performance tests are crucial for accurately assessing the physical performance of people with dementia (PwD) and for evaluating the effects of interventions. However, existing physical performance tests for PwD often show insufficient reliability. This study aims to investigate the reliability of physical performance tests of balance, mobility and lower limb strength and function that were specifically adapted for PwD.

METHODS: We conducted a reliability study with test-retest design and a one-week gap between tests among PwD living in nursing homes. Adaptations were made to either the instruction and administration, or the scoring of the three physical performance tests as follows: The Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques (FICSIT) for balance (adaptations to administration and scoring), the Timed-Up and Go Test (TUG) and its five phases (standing up, walking, turning around, walking, sitting down) for mobility (adaptations to instruction, administration and scoring in terms of analysing the five phases separately, and the Sit-to-Stand test (STS) for lower limb strength and function (adaptations to instruction and administration). The tests were standardized in terms of cues used to administer and guide them. We assessed absolute reliability (Standard Error of Measurement; Coefficient of Variance, Minimal Detectable Change) and relative reliability (Intraclass correlation coefficient; weighted Cohen’s Kappa). The absolute and relative test-retest reliability of the PP tests was assessed.

RESULTS: We examined relative and absolute reliability values of PP tests in a sample of 26 PwD (mean age, 88 years; mean Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, 14). No statistically significant differences were found between baseline and retest. Relative reliability values ranged from 0.258 to 0.505 for balance (FICSIT), 0.011 to 0.860 for mobility (TUG), and 0.506 to 0.678 for lower limb strength and function (STS). Absolute reliability values as indicated by the coefficient of variation (CV) ranged from 23.5 to 92.8.

CONCLUSIONS: Adaptations regarding test administration and/ or scoring did not improve reliability values as compared to the original test versions. TUG test phases showed the highest reliability values for the gait phases. Future adaptations should focus on reducing the cognitive component of demand during physical performance tests. Assistive technologies such as augmented reality could improve test reliability by providing more consistent and controlled test environment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00019205, retrospectively registered, registration date: 11 November 2019.

PMID:41241740 | DOI:10.1186/s12877-025-06710-1