Tag: nevin manimala

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 18;15(1):30205. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-16083-5.

ABSTRACT

With rapid industrialization, the accumulation and contamination of heavy metal(loid)s in soil often has occurred. However, the accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s in soil in non-industrial and tourist cities with high population densities is not well known. Therefore, the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) was taken as an example to investigate the spatial and temporal changes in the characteristics of soil heavy metal(loid)s in non-industrial and tourist cities. The total concentrations of heavy metal(loid)s (As, Co, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Ni, Hg, and Zn) in soil as well as the ecological risk in different functional areas and geographic locations were studied by combining statistical analysis, the land accumulation index, and the potential ecological risk index. Finally, the data in 2018 and 2023 were compared. The results show that in terms of spatial distribution, the high CVs (coefficients of variation) of 0.67 and 0.73 for Cr and Hg, respectively, showed Cr and Hg were more likely to have point sources of contamination. The skewness value of 0.16 for Zn suggests that the distribution may be slightly skewed and flat, with a more uniform distribution, probably due to the high-density distribution of the population and atmospheric deposition. Compared with other areas, heavy metal(loid) concentrations in soils were generally higher in the Macao Peninsula, which may be related to the higher population of waste incineration plants and residential areas located there. Geographically, Hg concentrations in soils were higher near the airport and transportation areas than in other areas. From 2018 to 2023, heavy metal(loid)s (except Zn) in the soils of Macao did not increase significantly but showed a decreasing trend due to tourism-oriented activities, high rainfall, the absence of industry, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Cr, Cd, Zn, and Hg occur more frequently in the lower concentration ranges than the other heavy metal(loid)s and generally show decreasing trends. Although the potential ecological risk of heavy metal(loid)s in Macao was generally low, As had the highest potential risk. Most of the lightly contaminated sites (62%) had a higher geo-accumulation index of Zn than for the other heavy metal(loid)s. This paper can be used as the data support for future research on soil heavy metal(loid) distribution and government policies for non-industrial cities.

PMID:40826219 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-16083-5

CJEM. 2025 Aug 18. doi: 10.1007/s43678-025-00990-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with hip fractures are typically treated with opioids, which are associated with adverse events such as delirium and respiratory depression. The fascia iliaca compartment block (hereafter fascia iliaca block) is a regional analgesia technique which avoids these negative outcomes. We sought to increase the rate of use of this technique to 50% of all patients with hip fractures who presented to our EDs within an 18-month period.

METHODS: We held three Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles designed in accordance with surveys sent to our physician group. The first cycle consisted of the dissemination of educational materials and standardization of equipment carts. Next, we held educational sessions for staff and trainee physicians. The third cycle consisted of additional education, Audit and Feedback methodology and incentives. Our outcome measure was the rate of fascia iliaca blocks performed. We tracked the number of unique physicians performing the fascia iliaca block as well as physician-reported comfort with the procedure for our process measures. Our balancing measure was the rate of adverse events.

RESULTS: We went from a baseline rate of 2.0% to 22.6% of patients receiving fascia iliaca blocks. The number of physicians doing this increased from 6 pre-project to 35. Only one adverse event occurred (arterial puncture), which did not cause any significant patient harm. Our statistical process control chart revealed special cause variation in the form of a shift.

CONCLUSION: Although we did not meet our goal, we were able to significantly improve the rate of fascia iliaca blocks performed at our center. This was largely achieved through educational interventions. Our approach can be adapted by other centers looking to pursue a similar project.

PMID:40826210 | DOI:10.1007/s43678-025-00990-7

Skeletal Radiol. 2025 Aug 18. doi: 10.1007/s00256-025-05014-0. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Distal clavicular osteolysis (DCO) is a commonly encountered cause of shoulder pain resulting from repetitive overuse or antecedent trauma, classically described in young male weightlifters. We propose a variant of DCO in which osteolysis spans the acromioclavicular joint, involving both the anterior acromion and the distal clavicle.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective PACS query identified patients with DCO on shoulder MRIs performed at ≥ 1.5 T over a 1-year period. After inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied, each case was reviewed in a blinded fashion to assess for additional findings of osteolysis involving the acromion. Demographics and patient questionnaire data were recorded and analyzed for statistical significance between groups.

RESULTS: A total of 128 cases of DCO were identified in 127 patients (93 males). Mean age was 39.5 years (SD 11.3 years). Average symptom duration was 409 days (13.4 months). Per questionnaires, 45.3% had a history of antecedent trauma, 62.5% reported lifting weights, 38.3% reported overhead sports, and 32.0% reported repetitive activities. Of the 128 cases, 42 (32.8%) had additional findings of osteolysis involving the acromion. Acromial involvement was seen more commonly in males (p = 0.049). Other than sex, maximum bench press weight was the only statistically significant factor associated with acromial involvement (p = 0.027).

CONCLUSION: We identified a variant of DCO with osteolysis involving the acromion in addition to the distal clavicle. Other than male sex, maximum bench press weight was the only significant factor associated with acromial involvement, suggesting that increased load bearing may contribute to more extensive osteolysis.

PMID:40826189 | DOI:10.1007/s00256-025-05014-0

Int J Colorectal Dis. 2025 Aug 18;40(1):180. doi: 10.1007/s00384-025-04957-z.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a well-established risk factor for rectal cancer development. The association between obesity and survival outcomes in those undergoing resection for rectal cancer remains unclear. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the association between obesity and overall (OS) and disease-free (DFS) in patients undergoing surgery for rectal cancer with curative intent.

METHODS: A systematic review was performed as per PRISMA guidelines. Descriptive statistics (Fisher’s exact test (†)) were used. Meta-analyses were performed using Mantel-Haenszel and generic inverse variance methods using RevMan version 5.4.

RESULTS: Twenty-three studies with 22,520 patients were included (mean follow-up: 59.7 months). Overall, 18.5% of patients were living with obesity (4174/22,520). Obesity was associated with poorer DFS [60.5% (2289/3783) vs. 62.4% (9576/15,335), P = 0.029, †]; however, a non-significant difference was observed at meta-analysis [hazard ratio (HR): 1.12, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.90-1.40, P = 0.320, heterogeneity (I²) = 77%]. Obesity was associated with enhanced OS [67.8% (2500/3687) vs. 59.8% (9048/15,125), P < 0.001, †], results which were replicated at meta-analysis [HR 1.24, 95% CI 1.03-1.50, P = 0.020, I² = 59%]. Using time-to-effect modelling, a non-significant difference in DFS [HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.69-1.24, P = 0.600, I² = 57%] and OS [HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.73-1.37, P = 1.000, I² = 69%] was observed at meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION: Once diagnosed and being treated with curative intent for rectal cancer, patients living with obesity exhibit similar survival outcomes as those living without obesity. This study refutes hypotheses that an ‘obesity paradox’ is protective for survival in patients with rectal cancer. Given the current obesity epidemic, this concept may warrant incorporation into preoperative counselling.

PMID:40826176 | DOI:10.1007/s00384-025-04957-z

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 18;15(1):30249. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-15461-3.

ABSTRACT

Melanoma incidence is increasing worldwide, prompting exploration into novel risk factors beyond traditional exposures like ultraviolet radiation. Recent studies suggest that metabolic and circadian disruptions may also contribute to melanoma development, yet their influence is poorly understood. This study examines the relationships between metabolic syndrome (MetS), circadian syndrome (CircS) and melanoma risk, emphasizing differences between different genders. Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data (2007-2018), this cross-sectional study applied logistic regression to assess MetS and CircS associations with melanoma risk, adjusting for demographic and lifestyle factors. Receiver operating characteristic curves evaluated predictive ability, and restricted cubic spline models examined dose-response patterns. Among 29,132 participants, 209 reported a melanoma diagnosis. Individuals with MetS or CircS showed a higher melanoma risk. Analysis by gender revealed stronger associations in males than in females. In males, melanoma risk rose sharply when more than two MetS components were present, indicating a dose-response pattern. Additionally, the triglyceride glucose index levels showed more notable predictive value in females than males. MetS and CircS are associated with a higher melanoma risk, with a greater effect of MetS components in males. These findings highlight the potential relevance of metabolic and circadian health in understanding melanoma risk patterns.

PMID:40826160 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-15461-3

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 18;15(1):30239. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-15756-5.

ABSTRACT

Ti6Al4V alloy is widely used in aerospace and biomedical applications due to its excellent mechanical and thermal properties, but its poor machinability makes it a difficult-to-cut material. Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM) offers an effective non-conventional machining approach for such materials, where tool electrode selection and process parameters critically influence performance. This study presents a comprehensive experimental investigation into the effect of three tool electrodes-graphite, copper, and brass-on the EDM performance of Ti6Al4V alloy. Key input parameters, including pulse-on time (T_on), pulse-off time (T_off), and current, were selected based on equipment limits and prior studies. Taguchi’s L9 orthogonal array was used for experimental design, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to determine the statistical significance of each factor. Output responses-material removal rate (MRR), tool wear rate (TWR), surface roughness (SR), and dimensional deviation (DD)-were measured and optimized using the Teaching-Learning-Based Optimization (TLBO) algorithm. Among the electrodes, graphite achieved the highest MRR (31.03 mm³/min), lowest TWR (0.4648 mm³/min), and minimal DD (101.76 μm), while brass produced the smoothest surface (SR = 3.19 μm). A collection of non-dominated responses was also found using Pareto optimal points. A minor adequate deviance was observed between the TLBO algorithm’s predicted and actual findings. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis was conducted to evaluate surface morphology. The qualitative SEM results confirmed fewer defects and better surface integrity for graphite electrodes. The findings validate TLBO as an effective tool for EDM process optimization and provide practical guidance for electrode selection in machining Ti6Al4V.

PMID:40826157 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-15756-5

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 18;15(1):30180. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-13709-6.

ABSTRACT

Colorectal cancer (CRC) risk is influenced by a complex interplay between genetic predisposition and lifestyle factors, such as physical activity (PA). We aimed to conduct a genome-wide interaction study (GWIS) to explore single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and genes modulated by PA on CRC risk using data from the UK Biobank. Among 272,270 eligible participants, 2,979 CRC cases were matched with 11,435 controls using a incidence density matching approach to avoid potential biases that may arise when using excessively large unmatched control groups, and to preserve comparability in the timing and distribution of exposure. PA was defined as whether individuals met the international criteria. We used conditional logistic regression models to assess the significance for the SNP x PA interaction on CRC, and we also performed gene-level analysis by aggregating the results of SNP-level analysis. Several SNPs showed nominal interaction signals with p < 5 × 10⁻⁶, including loci mapped to ABI3, ZBTB16, and GABRB3, though none reached significance after FDR correction. Interaction and main effects were often in opposite directions. At the gene and pathway levels, RNASEL, NSD1, and efferocytosis showed nominal signals, although none reached statistical significance after correction. Although we could not find associations that met the significance threshold after adjusting for multiple testing, these preliminary findings help us to understand the interplay between genes and lifestyle in CRC.

PMID:40826151 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-13709-6

Sci Rep. 2025 Aug 18;15(1):30207. doi: 10.1038/s41598-025-10296-4.

ABSTRACT

Climate change endangers the Carpathian region by increasing the risk of fires. In response, our study provides a harmonised dataset with twenty-seven variables and develops an interpretable machine learning-based framework for assessing fire susceptibility across all seven countries of the region. We applied a two-stage process: first, using various feature selection techniques to refine predictors before the modeling phase, and second, utilising the SHAP framework to interpret model predictions. Between these steps, advanced machine learning models were optimised and trained in the H2O environment, demonstrating high predictive accuracy. Our findings revealed eight fire susceptibility clusters. The resulting dataset, susceptibility maps, and detailed interpretative insights serve as a valuable resource for local communities and policy-makers in the region.

PMID:40826149 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-025-10296-4

BMC Res Notes. 2025 Aug 18;18(1):362. doi: 10.1186/s13104-025-07442-6.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Midwives are practitioners of midwifery and are recognized as indispensable professionals for lowering maternal mortality worldwide, particularly in low-income countries. Midwives who aren’t satisfied with their job challenge the prevention and control of maternal mortality and morbidity and had a surge in unfavorable patient outcomes. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of job satisfaction and its associated factors among midwives working at public health institutions in northwest Ethiopia.

METHODS: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February 1st to July 15th, 2022. A total of 422 midwives participated in the study. A simple random sampling method was used to select all eligible participants. Data were collected using a semi-structured, pretested, and self-administered questionnaire. Data version 4.6 software and SPSS 25 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to find factors associated with midwives’ job satisfaction. The statistical association was decided based on the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value of < 0.05.

RESULTS: The prevalence of midwives’ satisfaction with their job was 46.7% (95% CI: 41.8, 52.0). Institutions followed democratic leadership (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI: 1.02, 4.40), having good relationships with their superiors (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.00, 5.02), being satisfied with payment and benefits (AOR = 4.00, 95% CI: 1.45, 9.12), and safe job security (AOR = 5.66, 95% CI: 4.8, 12.68) were found to be statistically significant factors associated with midwives’ job satisfaction.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: In this study the level of midwives’ job satisfaction was low. Thus, setting strategies in exercising democratic leadership, promoting good relations with superiors, providing incentives opportunities, and ensuring work security will have significant role in improving midwives’ satisfaction with their job.

PMID:40826116 | DOI:10.1186/s13104-025-07442-6

Genome Biol. 2025 Aug 18;26(1):249. doi: 10.1186/s13059-025-03734-z.

ABSTRACT

The false discovery rate (FDR) controlling method by Benjamini and Hochberg (BH) is a popular choice in the omics fields. Here, we demonstrate that in datasets with a large degree of dependencies between features, FDR correction methods like BH can sometimes counter-intuitively report very high numbers of false positives, potentially misleading researchers. We call the attention of researchers to use suited multiple testing strategies and approaches like synthetic null data (negative control) to identify and minimize caveats related to false discoveries, as in the cases where false findings do occur, they may be numerous.

PMID:40826107 | DOI:10.1186/s13059-025-03734-z