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PubMed2026

Modulation of heart rate and heart rate variability during animal-assisted treatment of patients in a minimally conscious state: A randomized controlled crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Animal-assisted treatment (AATx) is a promising and increasingly used approach in neurorehabilitation, yet its psychophysiological effects remain largely unexplored. Patients in a minimally conscious state (MCS) show severely altered consciousness with minimal but definite behavioral signs of awareness. Because behavioral assessment in this population is limited, psychophysiological measures such as heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) may offer valuable insights into autonomic regulation during therapy. AIM: The present study investigated whether AATx influences HR and HRV compared to treatment as usual (TAU). METHODS: A randomized controlled crossover design with repeated measures was conducted. HR and HRV data were recorded using an Empatica E4 wristband, and linear mixed-effects models were fitted for each outcome variable. The analytic sample included twenty-one patients with MCS who completed at least one of the four sessions. RESULTS: We found a significant decrease in mean HR (estimate = -12.75, p = .041) and a significant increase in the standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) (estimate = 15.76, p = .020) during AATx compared to TAU from the pretreatment to the posttreatment phase, indicating enhanced parasympathetic activation and greater autonomic flexibility. Other HRV parameters revealed no significant effects of AATx, though trends were consistent with the hypotheses. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide preliminary physiological evidence that AATx can modulate autonomic activity in MCS patients. Despite limitations related to sample size and recording quality, the results highlight the potential of AATx as an emotionally engaging intervention in early neurorehabilitation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of acute resistance exercise on prefrontal oxygenation and task-switching performance: Considerations of loading strategies and blood flow restriction.

Although acute resistance exercise (RE) has been proposed to influence cognitive flexibility and underlying neural mechanisms, it remains unclear whether these effects vary across loading strategies and whether exercise-induced prefrontal hemodynamic responses translate into cognitive outcomes. The present study examined (1) prefrontal cortex (PFC) oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) responses across exercise sets and conditions, (2) the effects of low-load (LL), LL with blood flow restriction (BFR), and high-load (HL) RE on task-switching performance, and (3) whether exercise-related PFC O2Hb responses were associated with pre- to post-exercise changes in task-switching performance. Thirty physically active adults completed three randomized, counterbalanced RE conditions consisting of four sets of barbell squats. LL was performed at 30% one-repetition maximum (1RM) with and without BFR, whereas HL was performed at 70% 1RM. Cognitive flexibility was assessed pre- and post-exercise using a modified Stroop task, indexed by switch-cost reaction time (RT) and accuracy. PFC O2Hb was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy during exercise and expressed as changes from the resting baseline for each set (Sets 1-4). PFC O2Hb increased across sets, rising from Set 1 to Set 3 before plateauing, with no differences observed across conditions. Switch cost RT and accuracy did not improve from pre- to post-exercise, and no differences across conditions were detected. PFC O2Hb during the final set was not associated with changes in switch cost. These findings suggest that although acute RE elicits robust increases in prefrontal hemodynamic activity, such responses may not translate into acute improvements in cognitive flexibility.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy, acceptability, and related outcomes of pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar mania: a systematic review and dose-related network meta-analysis across different age groups.

BACKGROUND: Acute bipolar mania carries negative social and economic consequences. We investigated the comparative efficacy/response/acceptability of pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar mania, considering dose effects across different age groups. METHODS: We conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) to search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing pharmacological interventions with one another or placebo in acute bipolar mania patients, indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus (from inception through 2025.12.24). Co-primary outcomes were change in manic symptoms/response/and acceptability. Tolerability/remission and rate of adverse events were secondary outcomes. Confidence-In-Network-Meta-Analysis was likewise appraised. RESULTS: 113 RCTs, encompassing 49 distinct treatment combinations, included 20,666 participants. Sensitivity analysis retaining only low-risk-of-bias studies and excluding outliers for possible effect modifiers indicated that risperidone 3 mg/day(SMD = -7.57;95%C.I. = -8.25;-5.85); tamoxifen 160 mg/day(SMD = -1.73;95%C.I. = -2.32;-1.13); rivastigmine 3 mg/day(SMD = -1.13;95%C.I. = -1.06;-0.58); haloperidol 30 mg/day(SMD = -0.96;95%C.I. = -1.25;-0.75); valproate 750 mg/day(SMD = -0.76;95%C.I. = -1.48;-0.58); tamoxifen 40 mg/day(SMD = -0.75;95%C.I. = -1.41;-0.59); celecoxib 400 mg/day(SMD = -0.74;95%C.I. = -1.20;-0.38); paliperidone extended-release 12 mg/day(SMD = -0.62; 95%C.I. = -0.91;-0.32); olanzapine 15 mg/day(SMD = -0.59;95%C.I. = -0.60;-0.38); olanzapine 20 mg/day(SMD = -0.52;95%C.I. = -0.66;-0.38); risperidone 4 mg/day(SMD = -0.53;95%C.I. = -0.76;-0.29); allopurinol 600 mg/day(SMD = -0.54;95%C.I. = -0.67;-0.22); cariprazine 12 mg/day(SMD = -0.49;95%C.I. = -0.66;-0.33); risperidone 4.2 mg/day(SMD = -0.46;95%C.I. = -0.75;-0.17); lithium 1500 mg/day(SMD = -0.42;95%C.I. = -0.57;-0.28); ziprasidone 160 mg/day(SMD = -0.49;95%C.I. = -0.68;-0.31); asenapine 20 mg/day(SMD = -0.38;95%C.I. = -0.53;-0.22); haloperidol 8 mg/day(SMD = -0.34;95%C.I. = -0.63;-0.05); aripiprazole 15 mg/day(SMD = -0.33;95%C.I. = -0.61;-0.06) outperformed placebo. Ziprasidone 160 mg/day, celecoxib 200 mg/day, asenapine 20 mg/day, and asenapine 10 mg/day proved more efficacious than placebo in children. No statistically significant differences were reported between treatments and placebo for response/remission/acceptability/tolerability, and manic/hypomanic switch. A meta-regression of efficacy effect sizes against the adapted AMSTAR-Plus content scores showed that larger SMDs were associated with lower AMSTAR scores, indicating lower study quality, warranting further caution for such large efficacy estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with previous NMAs and current guidelines, expanding the current knowledge base while concurrently appraising different drugs, doses, and age groups.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Outcomes of patients with myelofibrosis treated with ruxolitinib and anemia-supporting medications.

OBJECTIVE: This post hoc analysis of the phase 3b JUMP trial evaluated addition of anemia-supporting medications to ruxolitinib in patients with myelofibrosis and anemia. METHODS: 101 patients with baseline hemoglobin <12.0 g/dL initiated an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) or danazol <3 months post-enrollment and maintained ESA/danazol ≥3 months; 97% initiated ESAs. Patients enrolled in JUMP who had hemoglobin <12.0 g/dL but did not initiate ESAs/danazol within 3 months were evaluated as an unmatched comparator. Total JUMP population data were also analyzed for spleen length (≥50% reduction from baseline) and symptom response (≥6.5-point improvement in FACT-Lym score). RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar to comparator JUMP patients (no ESAs/danazol within 3 months, n = 1242). Mean total daily ruxolitinib dose remained >25 mg. Week 24 spleen length response was achieved by 37% of patients; 26% achieved symptom response, similar to the comparator population (28% and 26%, respectively) and comparable to the total JUMP population (N = 2233). Outcomes were similar between the hemoglobin <12.0 g/dL analysis population and patients with baseline hemoglobin <10.0 g/dL (n = 52). In all groups, hemoglobin levels increased after Week 4 following an expected initial decrease. DISCUSSION: This analysis suggests that patients treated with ruxolitinib and anemia-supporting care continued to receive optimal ruxolitinib dosing; spleen-length and symptom response rates in these patients were comparable to the overall JUMP population, the majority of whom did not have anemia. CONCLUSION: Results support use of anemia-supporting medications with ruxolitinib and may allow maintenance of ruxolitinib dose intensity in patients with myelofibrosis and anemia.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Diurnal differences in the effects of heat exposure on renal function: A randomized controlled crossover trial.

High temperature is a major risk factor for kidney injury, and population exposure to nighttime heat is increasing as the climate warms. However, whether renal responses to heat exposure differ between daytime and nighttime remains unclear. Forty-one healthy adults participated in a randomized crossover experiment conducted in a controlled laboratory setting. Participants were exposed to heat (32°C during daytime; 30°C during nighttime) and thermoneutral conditions (26°C) for 8 h. Blood and urine samples were collected before and after each exposure to examine various renal biomarkers reflecting glomerular filtration function, tubular injury, and early kidney stress. Heat exposure affected both blood and urinary biomarkers of kidney function, with notable diurnal differences in renal responses. Daytime heat exposure primarily affected blood markers of glomerular filtration, increasing creatinine by 7.67% (95% CI: 4.73%-10.61%) and cystatin C by 3.05% (95% CI: 0.17%-5.93%), while reducing estimated glomerular filtration rate by 0.05% (95% CI: 0.02%-0.08%). In contrast, nighttime heat exposure predominantly elevated urinary biomarkers of early kidney stress, including insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (58.40%, 95% CI: 27.66%-89.14%), kidney injury molecule-1 (47.25%, 95% CI: 18.91%-75.59%), and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-2 (51.88%, 95% CI: 22.26%-81.51%). Moreover, increases in insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 were significantly greater at night than during the day. Sleep-related parameters, including sleep quality, duration, and heart rate variability, partially mediated nighttime heat effects on renal responses. These results indicated that heat exposure induced different diurnal patterns in renal responses.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A phase I clinical study of the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of SHR-2106, an anti-CD40 antibody, following single intravenous or subcutaneous administration in healthy participants.

BACKGROUND: SHR-2106 is a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody that blocks CD40-CD40L interactions and has demonstrated immunosuppressive activity and graft-prolonging effects in preclinical studies. This first-in-human Phase I study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity of single intravenous or subcutaneous doses of SHR-2106 in healthy adults. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase I study enrolled healthy participants. Fifty-one participants were enrolled in seven cohorts and received five intravenous doses (50-1200 mg) or two subcutaneous doses (300 and 600 mg). Safety, serum pharmacokinetics, CD40 occupancy on B cells, and anti-drug antibodies were assessed using standard clinical and bioanalytical methods. RESULTS: SHR-2106 demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile, and most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild to moderate laboratory abnormalities with incidence rates comparable to placebo. SHR-2106 exhibited nonlinear pharmacokinetics consistent with target-mediated drug disposition, with a dose-dependent increase in geometric mean terminal half-life following intravenous administration (1.83-10.7 days). Absolute bioavailability after subcutaneous administration was approximately 60%. CD40 occupancy exceeded 80% within 24 h at all doses, with saturation duration increasing from 7 to 70 days across the intravenous dose range and remaining comparable between routes at matched doses. Anti-drug antibody incidence decreased with increasing intravenous dose and did not significantly affect pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. CONCLUSION: SHR-2106 was well tolerated and achieved rapid and sustained CD40 engagement, supporting dose and route selection for Phase II studies.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Thoracic paravertebral block with different doses of liposomal bupivacaine versus ropivacaine for postoperative analgesia in single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) with different doses of liposomal bupivacaine (LB) or ropivacaine in patients undergoing single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery. METHODS: A total of 105 patients scheduled for video-assisted single-port thoracoscopic lung surgery were randomized in a 1:1:1 ratio into three groups: low-dose LB group (group LL), high-dose LB group (group HL), or ropivacaine group (group R). All received ultrasound-guided TPVB at the T5/6 level preoperatively. The primary outcome was the area under the curve (AUC) of NRS of pain at activity (AUC-aNRS) from 1 to 72 h postoperatively. Secondary outcomes included the AUC of NRS of pain at rest (AUC-rNRS) from 1 to 72 h postoperatively, NRS of pain at rest and at activity at 1, 6, 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively, and the cumulative opioid consumption at 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively. Additionally, postoperative recovery and adverse events were assessed. RESULTS: AUC-aNRS differed significantly among groups (p = 0.0092), with high-dose LB lower than low-dose LB (p = 0.0071), but not versus ropivacaine. No significant difference was found in AUC-rNRS (p > 0.05). The group-by-time interactions for NRS of pain at rest and at activity were not significant (p > 0.05). Cumulative opioid consumption at 24, 48, and 72 h was lower in group HL versus group LL (all p < 0.017), but not versus ropivacaine. Postoperative recovery and adverse events showed no differences (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: LB combined with TPVB is not superior to ropivacaine for postoperative analgesia in single-port thoracoscopic lung resection.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Novelty seeking and rapid symptom improvement across active and sham accelerated iTBS conditions: A pooled individual-patient data analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is highly prevalent and often treatment-resistant. Accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (aiTBS) is a promising intervention for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), though outcomes vary. Personality traits have been examined in relation to rTMS outcomes, yet their role in aiTBS remains underexplored. This pooled individual-patient-data analysis of two randomized, sham-controlled trials examined associations between baseline Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) traits and one-week symptom change, and whether they differed by condition. METHODS: The left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex was targeted for 20 sessions over 4 days. Personality was assessed with the TCI, depression severity with the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS-17). TCI-symptom-change associations were examined with a robust linear mixed-effects model, adjusting for age, gender, repeated measurements, and study membership. RESULTS: 104 participants were included (M/F 45/59; mean age 40.9 ± 12.7; active/sham 50/54). The model yielded a Time × Novelty Seeking interaction (β = -1.70, p = 0.021): higher baseline Novelty Seeking was associated with faster symptom reduction, without a between-arm difference. However, the interaction did not survive Holm correction across 14 trait-interaction tests (adjusted p = 0.294) and is therefore exploratory. No other interaction reached the uncorrected threshold. CONCLUSIONS: Higher baseline Novelty Seeking showed a nominal association with faster symptom reduction, without a difference between active and sham conditions. Because it did not survive multiplicity correction and was not reproduced in within-arm analyses, it is preliminary and may reflect contextual or nonspecific processes. Independent replication is required before temperament assessment can be clinically informative.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Metabolic ketosis attenuates NLRP3 inflammasome activation and is associated with improvements in hepatic steatosis and liver stiffness in MASLD: a pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is increasingly recognized as a systemic metabolic-inflammatory disorder in which metabolic stress and innate immune activation, particularly through the NLRP3 inflammasome, contribute to disease progression. Metabolic ketosis, characterized by increased levels of circulating ketone bodies, especially β-hydroxybutyrate, has emerged as a promising strategy to modulate substrate utilization, inflammatory signaling, and hepatic injury. However, clinical evidence integrating molecular, metabolic, and hepatic outcomes remains limited. METHODS: In this pilot randomized controlled trial, 20 participants with newly diagnosed MASLD were randomly assigned to either a 3-month intervention with a daily C8-enriched medium-chain fatty acid formulation (m-CAP; meta-Capridin, providing approximately 20 g/day of C8) or a standardized low-carbohydrate dietary protocol. Metabolic indices, inflammatory mediators, adipokines, and hepatic enzymes were assessed. The expression of key inflammasome components (NLRP3, caspase-1, and ASC) was evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, and hepatic steatosis and liver stiffness were measured via transient elastography. RESULTS: The C8-enriched intervention was associated with increased circulating β-hydroxybutyrate levels, indicating the achievement of nutritional ketosis. Changes over time were observed in metabolic parameters, including fasting serum glucose (p < 0.05), HOMA-IR (p < 0.05), body fat percentage (p < 0.05), and BMI (p < 0.05). Alterations in inflammatory mediators and adipokine-related outcomes were also observed following the intervention. At the molecular level, changes in inflammasome-related markers were detected, including caspase-1 mRNA expression (p < 0.05) and NLRP3 expression at the transcriptional (p < 0.05) and protein levels (p < 0.01), whereas ASC expression remained unchanged. Changes in hepatic steatosis (p < 0.01) and liver stiffness measurements were observed following the intervention. Given the absence of significant Group × Time interactions for several secondary outcomes, these findings should be interpreted as exploratory and hypothesis-generating. CONCLUSIONS: Induction of metabolic ketosis was associated with changes in metabolic, inflammatory, and hepatic parameters in patients with MASLD. The observed associations between ketosis, inflammasome-related markers, and noninvasive liver outcomes warrant further investigation of ketosis-based interventions as adjunctive approaches in MASLD. Larger and longer-term clinical trials are needed to confirm these findings and to determine whether short-term changes in liver stiffness reflect sustained alterations in hepatic status rather than structural fibrosis regression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT); Unique identifier: IRCT20170315033086N12; Registration date: 19 September 2024; Registry URL: https://www.irct.ir. IRCT is a primary registry in the WHO Registry Network (https://www.who.int/tools/clinical-trials-registry-platform/network/primary-registries).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of oral JMKX003002 in Chinese healthy participants: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- and multiple-ascending dose, and food-effect phase I clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharma-codynamics (PD) of the sodium-hydrogen exchanger 3 (NHE3) inhibitor JMKX003002 in Chinese healthy participants. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This phase I, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included a single-ascending dose (SAD) study with seven cohorts (1 mg [n = 4] and 5, 20, 50, 75, 100, or 125 mg [n = 8]), a food-effect (FE) study with six sequence groups (25 mg twice daily, n = 4), and a multiple-ascending dose (MAD) study with two cohorts (10 mg or 20 mg twice daily, n = 10). RESULTS: JMKX003002 was well-tolerated, with mostly mild treatment-related adverse events. One Grade 3 diarrhoea occurred in each of the 50 mg and 125 mg groups. No serious adverse events were reported, and no participants discontinued or withdrew due to treatment-emergent adverse events. Most plasma samples were below the limit of quantification (0.2 ng/mL), with only transient detection of low concentrations, indicating low systemic exposure. JMKX003002 was primarily excreted in stool (79.9% recovered) and was undetectable in urine. The PD results consistently showed decreased urinary sodium and phosphorus, along with increased stool sodium and phosphorus, compared to baseline across all three studies. One day after discontinuation, stool sodium and phosphorus remained elevated relative to baseline in the MAD study. Mixed-effects model analysis in the FE study demonstrated significant food effect on stool sodium and phosphorus excretion. CONCLUSION: JMKX003002 exhibited favorable safety and tolerability with minimal systemic exposure. It effectively increased sodium and phosphorus excretion in stool. These promising findings warrant further investigation of JMKX003002 to evaluate its clinical benefits. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300070473). Registered on April 13, 2023; prospectively registered.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy and Safety of Once-Weekly Semaglutide 2.0 mg as an Add-On to Dose-Reduced Insulin Glargine versus Dose-Titrated Insulin Glargine in People With Type 2 Diabetes and Overweight (SUSTAIN OPTIMIZE).

AIMS: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) management with basal insulin can lead to hypoglycaemia and weight gain. SUSTAIN OPTIMIZE compared once-weekly semaglutide 2.0 mg as add-on to dose-reduced insulin glargine (Sema+IGlarreduced) versus dose-titrated IGlar (IGlartitrated) on glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), body weight (BW), daily insulin dose, and participant satisfaction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SUSTAIN OPTIMIZE was a 40-week, phase 3b, open-label, randomised study. Adults with T2D, overweight (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2), and treatment with basal insulin ≤ 40 units/day were randomised 1:1 into Sema+IGlarreduced or IGlartitrated. The primary endpoint was change in HbA1c using a non-inferiority approach. Secondary endpoints assessed superiority of Sema+IGlarreduced versus IGlartitrated in reducing HbA1c, BW, daily insulin dose, and improving Diabetes Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire change version (DTSQc) scores. RESULTS: Overall, 573 participants were randomised. Sema+IGlarreduced achieved both non-inferiority and superiority versus IGlartitrated in HbA1c reduction (estimated treatment difference [ETD]: -0.74%; 95% confidence interval [CI95]: -0.90, -0.59) and superiority in BW change (ETD: -8.5 kg; CI95: -9.5, -7.4), relative daily insulin dose change (ETD: -121.9%; CI95: -143.1, -100.6), and DTSQc scores (ETD: 2.6; CI95: 1.6, 3.5) (p < 0.0001 for all endpoints). No new safety concerns were identified. Severe hypoglycaemia was reduced (rate ratio: 0.45; CI95: 0.23, 0.87; p = 0.02), while gastrointestinal events were higher for Sema+IGlarreduced (310 vs. 32 events). CONCLUSIONS: Once-weekly subcutaneous semaglutide 2.0 mg as add-on to dose-reduced IGlar achieved superior reductions in HbA1c, BW, and daily insulin dose in people with T2D and overweight, while reducing their risk for severe hypoglycaemia compared to dose-titrated IGlar alone.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

The circadian clock proteins PRR modulate root hair development via the RHD6/RSL module in Arabidopsis.

Root hairs, derived from trichoblasts, are critical for plant growth and environmental adaptation. Although environmental cues are known to influence root hair development, how endogenous timing systems such as the circadian clock integrate into the core transcriptional network governing root hair formation remains unclear. Here, we show that the circadian clock-associated protein PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR5 (PRR5) physically interacts with ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE6 (RHD6) and RHD6 LIKE1 (RSL1), two basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors essential for root hair initiation. Genetic analyses suggest that PRR proteins contribute to root hair development under long-day conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana. Simultaneous disruption of PRR5, PRR7, and PRR9 results in defective root hairs, whereas PRR5 overexpression markedly increases root hair density and length. Transcriptomic and RT-qPCR analyses reveal that PRRs enhance the expression of RHD6, RSL1, and multiple downstream root hair-responsive genes, while modulating their temporal expression patterns. Furthermore, PRR5-mediated root hair promotion requires RHD6/RSL1, and PRR proteins enhance RHD6-dependent activation of the RSL4 promoter. PRRs also contribute to root hair development under phosphate-deficient and salt-stress conditions. Together, these findings establish a molecular framework in which PRR proteins regulate the RHD6/RSL network to coordinate root hair development and environmental responses.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2026

A combined stimulus of acute fasting and exercise modulates hippocampal mitochondrial quality control in healthy mice.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Exercise and fasting are recognized for their ability to improve brain health and mitigate neurodegeneration. However, little is known about how these interventions acutely impact mitochondrial quality control mechanisms including mitophagy. METHODS: We examined the effects of a single bout of fasting and exercise (FEx) on hippocampal mitochondrial function and proteomic remodeling in male and female mice. To assess in vivo autophagy dynamics, we combined proteomics with chloroquine (CQ) inhibition of autophagic flux. Mice were assigned to sedentary (Sed), fasting (F), exercise (Ex), or combined FEx groups and received unilateral intrahippocampal injections of CQ or PBS following treatments. Four hours later, hippocampi were collected for analysis. RESULTS: LC3-II levels significantly increased in the FEx group only following CQ treatment, indicating enhanced autophagic flux. Proteomic profiling showed sedentary males failed to mount a robust response to FEx however females exhibited upregulation of proteins involved in the TCA cycle, glutathione metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation, suggesting greater mitochondrial adaptability. Functional assays supported these findings, females showed increased complex IV activity post-FEx. The mitochondrial DNA / nuclear DNA ratio increased after FEx regardless of sex, and upstream regulator analysis predicted activation of mitochondrial biogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Together, these data reveal sex-specific mitochondrial remodeling in response to acute fasting and exercise. Defining these normative responses is critical for understanding how mitochondrial adaptability shapes resilience or vulnerability to neurological challenges.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Assessment of the safety and efficacy of sodium pentaborate pentahydrate in individuals with overweight and obesity: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 dose-finding trial.

The present study aimed to examine the short-term safety and tolerability of sodium pentaborate pentahydrate (NaB) and to explore preliminary efficacy and dose selection as secondary objectives in individuals with overweight or obesity. In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 1/2 trial, conducted from July 2024 to January 2025, 177 adults with overweight or obesity were randomized, of whom 116 completed the 12-week trial. Participants received placebo or NaB at doses of 200, 400, 600, 800, or 1,000 mg for 12 weeks, alongside a standardized diet and exercise programme. The primary safety objective was to investigate short-term safety and tolerability through adverse events, hypoglycaemic episodes, gastrointestinal adverse events, and changes in haematological and biochemical parameters. The primary exploratory efficacy outcome was percentage change in body weight from baseline to week 12. Secondary and exploratory efficacy outcomes included body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences, waist-to-hip ratio, glycaemic markers, lipid parameters, and blood pressure. Baseline characteristics were broadly similar across groups (all p ≥ 0.05), and no major short-term safety signal was observed. Mean body weight decreased in the 400 mg (-2.6 kg), 600 mg (-1.2 kg), and 1,000 mg groups (-3.1 kg). Compared with placebo, the 1,000 mg dose resulted in the largest reductions in body weight (mean difference, -2.30 kg; p = 0.01) and BMI (mean difference, -0.85 kg/m2; p = 0.02). The 1,000 mg dose showed preliminary efficacy for reducing body weight and BMI over 12 weeks compared with placebo, with no major short-term safety signal and no clinically meaningful changes in renal, hepatic, or haematological markers. All reported adverse events were mild. These short-term findings are exploratory and require confirmation in future phase 3 trials with extended follow-up to investigate long-term safety and efficacy.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The RrWRKY75-mediated activation of ascorbate synthesis in Rosa roxburghii Tratt contributes to salt stress tolerance.

L-Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a key antioxidant that alleviates oxidative stress in plants. Previous yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) screening identified RrWRKY75 as a transcription factor capable of binding to the promoter of RrGGP2 (GDP-L-galactose pyrophosphatase 2), a key structural gene responsible for massive AsA accumulation in Rosa roxburghii fruit. The function of RrWRKY75 in plant stress responses remains unclear. Here, RrWRKY75 is verified to specifically bind to the RrGGP2 promoter and activate its transcription. This positive regulatory effect on RrGGP2 transcript levels and AsA accumulation is further confirmed through overexpression or silencing of RrWRKY75 in R. roxburghii fruit or callus. Among various abiotic stress conditions, RrWRKY75 expression is significantly induced by salt stress. Upon its overexpression in callus or Arabidopsis thaliana, elevated AsA levels and antioxidant capacity are observed, thereby enhancing salt tolerance. Interestingly, RrWRKY75 also binds to the promoter of RrUNE12, a salt-responsive factor in R. roxburghii, and activates its expression. Moreover, yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays confirm the physical interaction between RrWRKY75 and RrUNE12, which jointly upregulates RrGGP2 expression and AsA production. Collectively, RrWRKY75 boosts AsA biosynthesis and salt tolerance both by directly trans-activating RrGGP2 and by synergizing with RrUNE12 through transcriptional activation and protein complex formation. These findings provide insights into the regulatory role of RrWRKY75 in abiotic stress tolerance and offer valuable genetic resources for R. roxburghii germplasm improvement.

Rosa↗

PubMed2026

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the gills and hepatopancreas of freshwater-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic nitrite stress.

To investigate the differences in molecular responses between the gills and hepatopancreas of freshwater-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic nitrite stress, a 30-day chronic stress experiment was conducted with a control group and a stress group. Transcriptomic analysis of the gills and hepatopancreas was performed using Illumina sequencing; differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and GO, KEGG, GSEA, PPI, and RT-qPCR validation were carried out. The results showed that 196 DEGs (161 up-regulated and 35 down-regulated) were identified in the gills, and 287 DEGs (199 up-regulated and 88 down-regulated) in the hepatopancreas, with only 18 DEGs shared between the two tissues. DEGs in the gills were enriched in oxidoreductase activity, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism; DEGs in the hepatopancreas were enriched in lipid transporter activity, phagosome, ECM-receptor interaction, and riboflavin metabolism. GSEA revealed significant suppression of the mTOR pathway in the gills and the Polycomb complex pathway in the hepatopancreas. PPI network analysis identified hub genes P5CS and eEF2 in the gills, and PER, TUBB1, SHMT, and TUBB4B in the hepatopancreas. RT-qPCR validation was consistent with the RNA-seq results (R2 = 0.764). This study indicates that, under chronic nitrite stress, the gill response is centered on redox regulation and inhibition of growth metabolism, whereas the hepatopancreas response primarily involves lipid transport, cytoskeletal remodeling, and phagosome activation. The two tissues synergistically adapt through fundamental biosynthetic and motor protein pathways. This research provides molecular evidence for deciphering the nitrite tolerance mechanisms in freshwater-cultured shrimp.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Validated UPLC-MS/MS quantification and intracellular PK-PD Modeling of periplocin-related cardiac glycosides in H/R-injured H9c2 cells.

Reliable intracellular quantification is essential for characterizing the target-site disposition and exposure-response relationships of bioactive natural products. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of periplocin and four related cardiac glycoside metabolites in H9c2 cell lysates. Acceptable linearity, precision, recovery, and stability were achieved for intracellular quantification. Cells were treated with each compound at 50 μM, and intracellular concentrations and cell viability were monitored over 48 h. In hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) -injured cells, the time to maximum intracellular concentration was shortened for all five compounds, indicating altered cellular disposition under injury conditions. Cell viability was improved by all compounds during the observation period. Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) integration was performed using a sigmoid Emax model, and acceptable model fits were obtained, with Akaike information criterion (AIC) values ranging from 79.22 to 130.46. Low apparent EC50 values were estimated under this single-dose design, whereas the estimated Ke0 values suggested delayed equilibration with the effect compartment. These findings indicate that sustained cytoprotective responses can be produced by periplocin and related metabolic markers in injured cardiomyocytes. This intracellular bioanalytical strategy provides a quantitative approach for linking cellular exposure to pharmacodynamic response and may support further evaluation of periplocin-related cardiac glycosides.

Tandem Mass Spectrometry↗

PubMed2026

Innovation-related perception as a key driver of alternative protein acceptance: evidence from an early-stage model for cultivated meat and algae-/microalgae-based alternative protein products in Italy.

Alternative proteins are increasingly considered part of the transition toward more sustainable food systems, yet their diffusion depends critically on consumer acceptance. This study investigates the early-stage acceptance of two alternative protein categories in Italy-cultivated meat and algae-/microalgae-based alternative protein products. Focusing on the first three phases of acceptance, the analysis examines how innovation-related perception (IRP) shapes consumer perceived value (CPV), consumer perceived risk (CPR), and subsequent affective (AFF), cognitive (COG), and conative (CON) responses. Data were collected through an online survey administered to 238 Italian respondents and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results show that IRP is the main upstream driver of early-stage acceptance in both product domains: more favourable perceptions strongly increase perceived value and reduce perceived risk. In turn, CPV exerts a much stronger influence than CPR on both affective and cognitive attitudes. A tentative cross-model comparison suggests only a descriptive variation in the final transition toward conative acceptance: affective and cognitive responses were both significant in the two models, with a relatively larger affective coefficient for cultivated meat and more balanced coefficients for algae-/microalgae-based products. Overall, the findings support a process-based interpretation of alternative protein acceptance and highlight the central role of innovation-related perception in shaping early consumer responses. These results provide relevant implications for communication strategies, product positioning, and policy actions aimed at improving the acceptability of alternative proteins in food cultures characterised by strong culinary traditions.

Italy↗