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PubMed2026

Acupuncture improves depressive symptoms and prefrontal cortical function in mild to moderate depressive disorder: A randomized sham-controlled trial and fNIRS study.

BACKGROUND: Depressive disorder is a common mental illness associated with substantial functional impairment. Although pharmacotherapy is widely used, its effectiveness is often limited by adverse effects and poor adherence. Acupuncture has been increasingly applied as a complementary treatment for depression, and its neurobiological characteristics remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, sham-controlled trial aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture for mild to moderate depressive disorder and to investigate its effects on prefrontal cortical function using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). METHODS: Patients with mild to moderate depressive disorder were randomly assigned to a real acupuncture (RA) group or a sham acupuncture (SA) group and received standardized treatment for 8 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), and a traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score. A subset of participants underwent fNIRS assessment during resting-state and task-based conditions to evaluate prefrontal cortical activation and functional connectivity. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, the RA group showed significant reductions in SDS and SAS scores and significant improvements in SF-36 emotional domains, with effects emerging at Week 4 and persisting up to 12 weeks after treatment. Improvements were greater and more stable in the RA group than in the SA group. fNIRS analyses revealed enhanced activation in dorsolateral and medial prefrontal regions and strengthened prefrontal functional connectivity following acupuncture, whereas neural changes in the SA group were limited. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture is effective for improving depressive and anxiety symptoms and quality of life in patients with mild to moderate depressive disorder. Modulation of prefrontal cortical activation and connectivity may underlie its antidepressant effects.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness and moderators of PE and CPT in adult PTSD treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition that challenges mental health services worldwide. Effective psychological interventions are crucial for treatment, among which Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are prominent. Comparative analyses of these treatments, considering moderators such as patient demographics and treatment specifics, are necessary to tailor interventions effectively.Objective: This meta-analysis synthesised findings from 175 treatment arms across 163 studies to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of PE and CPT for PTSD. Effect sizes were calculated as Hedges' g for between-group (treatment vs. control) and within-group (pre-post) comparisons.Results: Using a random-effects model, the overall pooled effect size was large (Hedges' g = 1.67, 95% CI [1.56, 1.79]), suggesting substantial treatment-related symptom improvement. Multivariate meta-regression revealed, across the full sample, none of the main effects or interactions was significant. A sensitivity analysis excluding 10 influential outliers reduced the overall effect size (g = 1.55), indicating that PE was associated with larger effects than CPT among non-military samples, and larger effects were observed in studies with a higher proportion of female participants, military samples, and samples with lower proportions of sexual trauma. Treatment-by-sample-characteristic interactions were not significant in the trimmed model.Conclusions: Findings suggest that PE and CPT produce large effects in reducing PTSD symptoms, with some variation across treatment type and sample characteristics. Results underscore the importance of examining contextual moderators such as treatment setting and population type and highlight the need for transparent reporting of key sample features to improve future meta-analytic precision.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Multimodal alignment improves generalizability of genomic biomarker prediction in computational pathology.

Computational pathology models that use digitized histopathology whole-slide images have the potential to become a cost-effective and scalable alternative to molecular assays for the prediction of genomic biomarkers, a key task in precision oncology. However, as new genomic biomarkers are discovered or quantified, large, labeled datasets must be prospectively collected to train new models. To address this challenge, we developed multimodal alignment for biomarker learning and generalization (MARBLE), a multimodal contrastive pretraining strategy that integrates structured biomarker knowledge into representation learning of histopathology images. MARBLE aligns histopathology-derived representations with representations of genomic biomarkers generated by a large language model (LLM) and a protein language model (PLM). This biologically informed alignment enables data-efficient generalization to novel, out-of-distribution biomarkers. Using the MSK-IMPACT cohort of over 40,000 patients across multiple biomarker panel versions, we design experiments grounded in real-world data to demonstrate the value of our proposed approach.

CP: computational biology↗

PubMed2025

Systematic Review of Symptoms of Catatonia in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Catatonia is a complex neuropsychiatric syndrome characterized by disturbances in mood, motor function, behavior and speech. It is increasingly recognized in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), although its identification remains challenging due to the overlapping clinical features of the two conditions. Shared characteristics, such as echophenomena, mannerisms, social indifference and repetitive behaviors can obscure accurate diagnosis. Although reports suggest a significant prevalence of catatonia among individuals with ASD, the condition remains poorly understood and frequently under recognized, leading to substantial diagnostic and treatment challenges. A systematic review was conducted to characterize the symptoms of catatonia in individuals with ASD. The literature search included peer-reviewed journal articles published in English from 1980 onward, focusing on studies examining co-occurring catatonia and ASD. A qualitative framework analysis was implemented to evaluate 45 peer-reviewed studies, with findings interpreted in relation to, and extending beyond, the diagnostic criteria for catatonia outlined in the International Classification of Diseases, 11th revision (ICD-11). The objective was to identify symptom patterns extending beyond current diagnostic frameworks and to support improved clinical recognition and diagnostic precision in ASD populations. The review identified six primary symptom clusters associated with catatonia in individuals with ASD: (1) psychomotor activity, (2) speech disturbances, (3) changes in behavior/skills/functions, (4) mental health symptoms, (5) physiological symptoms, and (6) symptoms related to arousal and awareness. Notably, several symptoms observed within these clusters are not currently included in the ICD-11 diagnostic criteria for catatonia. These additional symptoms include tics, motor compliance, incoherent speech, self-injury, impaired cognition, and appetite changes, suggesting a broader clinical presentation of catatonia in ASD populations than is presently captured in existing diagnostic frameworks. The findings of this review highlight the significance of enhancing clinicians' awareness and understanding of how catatonia manifests in individuals with ASD. Most notably, six symptom clusters, psychomotor changes, speech disturbances, behavioral and functional regression, affective and psychiatric symptoms, physiological symptoms, and arousal/awareness disturbances, were observed. Several symptoms identified in this review are not included in the current diagnostic criteria, and their recognition may facilitate in earlier identification and timely intervention, potentially preventing the severe consequences of untreated catatonia in this population.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Pedagogical Efficacy of LLM-Generated Synthetic Data Versus Real-World Clinical Records: A Randomized Controlled Non-Inferiority Trial.

BACKGROUND: Expert-reviewed clinical cases generated by large language models (LLMs) may supplement case resources in medical education, but their short-term educational performance relative to real-case-derived teaching materials remains uncertain. We compared immediate post-training test performance after teaching with the two types of case materials and assessed non-inferiority against a prespecified margin. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, parallel-group, randomized non-inferiority trial. Through the Wenjuanxing online platform, participants were randomized 1:1 to learn with either real-case-derived teaching cases compiled by clinicians and reviewed by experts or AI-generated clinical cases produced by Gemini 3.0 Pro from fully de-identified matched real cases and reviewed by three senior general surgery specialists with full-professor rank. The primary outcome was the total score on an independent 10-item immediate post-training test (0-10 points), with a prespecified non-inferiority margin of -0.5 points. Secondary outcomes included the training-phase performance score, learning efficiency index, single-item mental effort rating, case realism, and case-source judgment. RESULTS: A total of 403 participants were randomized, of whom 386 were included in the modified intention-to-treat analysis: 192 in the real-case group and 194 in the AI-generated case group. The mean post-training test score was 4.95 (SD, 3.35) in the real-case group and 4.61 (SD, 3.35) in the AI-generated case group. The mean difference (AI-generated minus real-case group) was -0.335 points (95% CI, -1.006 to 0.337). Because the lower bound of the confidence interval was below the prespecified non-inferiority margin of -0.5 points, non-inferiority was not demonstrated (one-sided P = 0.314). No significant between-group differences were observed in the training-phase performance score, learning efficiency index, or single-item mental effort rating. AI-generated cases received lower realism ratings for Level 3 cases. The proportion of participants with at least one high-confidence completely incorrect response was 1.6% in the real-case group and 2.1% in the AI-generated case group. CONCLUSIONS: In this short-term, text-based online case-learning setting, no statistically significant between-group difference was observed in immediate post-training test performance; however, non-inferiority of AI-generated clinical cases relative to real-case-derived teaching materials was not demonstrated.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Exploring the perceptions, experiences, and behaviours that nurses and midwives face in relation to sleep: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

BACKGROUND: The importance of sleep for nurses and midwives is increasingly being recognised. Poor sleep is known to have negative impacts on physical health, mental wellbeing, and work performance. This has prompted efforts to promote and support staff sleep. However, further efforts are needed to understand how nurses and midwives consider and manage sleep to ensure that meaningful and effective interventions are adopted and sustained. AIMS: This review of qualitative evidence aims to examine nurses' and midwives' perceptions, experiences, and behaviours around sleep. METHODS: This review followed JBI's systematic meta-aggregative approach including development of an a priori protocol. A systematic search of six electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Scopus) was undertaken to identify qualitative studies that examine nurses' and midwives' perceptions, experiences, and behaviours related to sleep. The search was conducted on the 10th of October 2024. Study selection, quality appraisal, data extraction, and synthesis followed JBI approaches and the ConQual approach was used to report assessment of synthesised findings. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies were included for review, and 245 findings were aggregated into 24 categories and nine synthesised findings related to the perceptions, behaviours, and experiences. While sleep was perceived as important, poor sleep was often understood as an expected and inevitable part of the job and that there was a need to always be awake to provide continual care. Experiences influencing sleep related to personal circumstances and work-related factors, as well as professional training and institutional practices. A range of behaviours, including planning time to sleep, using sleep aids, modifying the sleep environment, and altering daytime behaviours were also described. CONCLUSION: This review identified a range of perceptions, behaviours, and experiences that may influence the sleep of nurses and midwives which are vital to supporting individual and workforce wellbeing and safe, effective clinical practice. Insights from this review can be used to better understand nurses' and midwives' relationship with sleep and to develop and enhance targeted sleep interventions and programs that aim to promote and support healthy sleep among nurses and midwives. Open Science Framework Registration: 10.17605/OSF.IO/F32UM.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Sex modifies the association of high-altitude hypoxia with poor sleep quality and depression in school-age children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND: While chronic exposure to high-altitude hypoxia is known to impair sleep and mental health, whether these effects are sex-dependent remains unclear. This study addresses a critical gap by investigating how sex modifies the association between high-altitude hypoxia and risks of poor sleep quality, depressive symptoms, and their co-occurrence in children and adolescents. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study (March-May 2024), we enrolled 1,345 long-term residents of the Shannan Tibet Autonomous Prefecture (altitude: 3,650-4,800 m) and 2,909 age-matched controls from low-altitude plains (Anhui Province, China). Sleep quality and depression were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), respectively. Sex-stratified analyses and interaction metrics (RERI/AP/SI) were employed to evaluate additive and multiplicative effects. RESULTS: High-altitude residents exhibited significantly higher prevalence of poor sleep (24.2% vs. 18.7%, P < 0.001), depression (23.6% vs. 15.3%, P < 0.001), and their co-occurrence (12.6% vs. 8.6%, P < 0.001) compared to low-altitude controls. A significant negative additive interaction (RERI = - 0.78, 95% CI: -1.35 to - 0.3; P < 0.001) indicated that sex modifies the altitude-outcome association. Specifically: (1) high-altitude residence significantly increased poor sleep risk in males (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.26-2.03) but not in females (OR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.07-1.79); and (2) the expected female predominance in poor sleep observed in the plain region (OR = 1.452, 95% CI: 1.191-1.769) disappeared in the plateau region (OR = 0.865, 95% CI: 0.667-1.121). Similar patterns were independently replicated for depressive symptoms. These findings confirm that high-altitude exposure differentially increases risk in males rather than protecting females. CONCLUSION: Males show marked vulnerability to high-altitude-associated sleep and mood impairments, while females demonstrate resilience. Sex-tailored interventions for high-altitude populations, particularly targeting male adolescents, are urgently needed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Extended Reality Interventions for Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Recovery After Total Knee Arthroplasty: Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses.

BACKGROUND: Nonpharmacologic interventions are important for treating knee pain due to osteoarthritis or after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and extended reality (XR) technology may enhance treatments for these indications. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review aimed to evaluate XR interventions for pain due to knee osteoarthritis (KOA) or for recovery after TKA. METHODS: Databases were searched through May 2023 and updated in December 2025. Eligible trials evaluated XR interventions to treat KOA pain or after TKA. We classified interventions by depth of immersion and clinical mechanism. We used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria to determine the certainty of evidence for prioritized outcomes. Meta-analyses were performed when ≥3 studies evaluated similar comparisons, outcomes, and time points. RESULTS: Eligible trials addressed KOA (k=12) or recovery after TKA (k=9). Sample sizes ranged from 36 to 306 participants, and most studies had a follow-up of ≤3 months. Nineteen studies assessed pain-related functioning and pain intensity, and 5 assessed adverse events (AEs). For KOA, 10 studies examined interactive digital rehabilitation (IDR), and 2 examined virtual reality (VR)-digitally augmented exercise (DAE). IDR for KOA may result in better pain-related functioning (low certainty of evidence [COE]; pooled standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.59, 95% CI -1.11 to -0.06; prediction interval [PI] -1.72 to 0.55; k=5) and lower pain intensity at 6-8 weeks (low COE; pooled SMD -0.46, 95% CI -0.92 to 0.00; PI -1.39 to 0.47; k=4). VR-DAE for KOA (k=2) produced inconsistent results (very low COE). For post-TKA studies, 5 examined IDR, 2 examined VR-DAE, 1 examined VR-distraction, and 1 examined VR-psychoeducation. Post-TKA IDR may result in better pain-related functioning (low [k=4] and moderate COE [k=1]) but little to no difference in pain intensity (low-moderate COE; pooled SMD at 3-4 months -0.12, 95% CI -0.75 to 0.52; PI -1.63 to 1.27; k=3). VR-psychoeducation probably results in lower pain at 4 weeks (moderate COE; k=1), and VR-distraction may result in 6 months (low COE; k=1), whereas VR-DAE produced mixed findings (k=2; very low COE). IDR was not associated with AEs, and VR may not be associated with AEs for KOA (high and low COE), though AE reporting was uncommon (k=5) and evidence was very uncertain for post-TKA. CONCLUSIONS: IDR may augment treatment for KOA and post-TKA recovery, and VR may benefit post-TKA rehabilitation. This review is the first to stratify by level of immersion, clinical mechanism, and follow-up duration and to systematically evaluate AEs. IDR may be ready for integration into KOA care, while use after TKA needs more evidence. Randomized controlled trials with implementation outcomes could determine how XR interventions can be used for KOA, whereas trials evaluating efficacy and AEs are needed before their use for post-TKA.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

2024-2025 BNT162b2 KP.2 COVID-19 full season vaccine effectiveness from vaccine registries linked to administrative claims in two states: A cohort study in non-immunocompromised adults.

BACKGROUND: Data on effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccinations during the 2024-2025 respiratory season are limited, particularly among those with underlying medical conditions (UMC). We estimated BNT162b2 KP.2 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against COVID-19-associated hospital admission, emergency department (ED), and urgent care (UC) visits in two U.S. states. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study of non-immunocompromised adults living in Louisiana or California, with ≥1 year prior continuous enrollment in insurance plans contributing to the HealthVerity claims database beginning August 22, 2024. The effectiveness of BNT162b2 KP.2 vaccine (2024-2025 formulation, hereafter referred to as BNT162b2), measured as a time-varying exposure against hospital admission, ED, or UC encounters with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) code U07.1 was calculated as 1 - adjusted hazard ratio using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age group, sex, state, insurance payor, presence or absence of UMCs, and pre-index healthcare utilization. Stratifications included those aged 65 years and older, those aged 18-64 years with UMCs, and those aged 18-64 years without UMCs. RESULTS: The cohort included 6,256,421 individuals (93% California, 7% Louisiana); 330,565 (5%) received the BNT162b2 vaccine. Vaccinated individuals were older and had more comorbidities, wellness visits, and prior influenza vaccination. Overall, 66% of the study population had ≥1 UMC; the most prevalent conditions were obesity (25%), history of immunocompromised conditions (23%), and mental health conditions (19%). COVID-19-related encounter rates for ED, UC or hospitalization were lower among vaccinated compared to unvaccinated persons (25.1 vs 36.3 per 100,000 person-months). Among all adults, VE was 37% against hospitalization, 12% against ED/UC encounters, and 16% against ED/UC/hospitalization encounters. Results were similar across age groups and UMCs. CONCLUSIONS: BNT162b2 provided protection against COVID-19-associated outcomes of ED, UC or hospitalization among non-immunocompromised U.S. adults, including those with UMCs, over the course of the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season, supporting continued vaccine recommendations. REGISTRATION: This study was posted on clinicaltrials.gov prior to analyses (NCT06923137).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2026

Advanced mitigation strategies for acrylamide formation in foods: Mechanistic insights, emerging innovations, and future perspectives.

Acrylamide is a heat-induced contaminant formed predominantly in carbohydrate-rich foods during high-temperature processing, posing significant concerns due to its potential carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and genotoxic effects. This review critically examines the mechanisms of acrylamide formation, emphasizing the role of the Maillard reaction and key precursors such as asparagine and reducing sugars, along with the influence of processing conditions including temperature, time, pH, and moisture. Various mitigation strategies are comprehensively discussed, ranging from raw material selection and genetic approaches to enzymatic treatments such as asparaginase and the application of natural and chemical inhibitors. Advances in processing technologies, including optimization of conventional thermal methods and emerging non-thermal techniques such as cold plasma and ultrasound, are evaluated for their effectiveness. The review also highlights the role of food additives, functional ingredients, and fermentation in reducing acrylamide formation. Furthermore, recent developments in analytical techniques, including chromatographic methods, biosensors, and artificial intelligence-based predictive models, are explored for improved detection and control. Risk assessment, toxicological implications, and global regulatory frameworks are also examined. Finally, future perspectives focusing on genetic engineering, personalized nutrition, and digital technologies such as AI and blockchain are discussed to support sustainable and industry-applicable mitigation strategies.

Acrylamide↗

PubMed2026

Does Timing Matter? Age of First Mobile Phone Acquisition and Psychological Outcomes in Middle and Late Adolescence.

The age at which adolescents acquire their first smartphone has decreased markedly in recent years; however, evidence on its long-term effects on psychosocial adjustment remains limited. This study investigated whether age at first mobile phone acquisition is associated with psychosocial functioning in middle and late adolescence, including social integration and competence, emotion regulation difficulties, disordered eating behaviors and problematic social media use (PSMU). The sample comprised 1179 adolescents aged 15-17 years (53.8% female). Linear regression and generalized additive mixed models were used to examine both linear and nonlinear associations, adjusting for age, gender and school clustering. Earlier smartphone acquisition was linearly but weakly associated with greater emotion regulation difficulties, disordered eating and PSMU, even after adjustment for covariates. In contrast, associations with social integration and competence were nonlinear: acquiring a first smartphone between ages 6 and 10 or after age 13 was associated with lower social integration in adolescence, whereas acquisition between ages 11 and 13 was linked to higher social functioning. These findings suggest that the developmental timing of first smartphone access shows a modest association with subsequent psychosocial functioning during middle and late adolescence. Focusing on the timing of access, alongside other demographic and contextual factors, may contribute to a better understanding of digital influences on adolescent well-being.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

An RPA-assisted homogeneous electrochemical DNA sensor for on-site eDNA detection toward early warning of crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks.

Crown-of-thorns starfish (COTS) outbreaks seriously threaten coral reef ecosystems, while conventional monitoring approaches are time-consuming and often lack sufficient sensitivity for early warning. Existing electrochemical DNA sensors usually require complex electrode-surface immobilization procedures, which can lead to uneven probe distribution, significant steric hindrance, and poor stability. Meanwhile, the low concentration of environmental DNA (eDNA) in marine environments further complicates detection. To overcome these challenges, this study developed a homogeneous electrochemical DNA sensor assisted by recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) for COTS eDNA detection. Target DNA was first amplified by RPA, and the amplification products were then hybridized in solution with capture probe (CP)-modified magnetic beads (MB) and biotin-labeled signal probe (SP) to form sandwich-structured MB complexes. These complexes were subsequently magnetically enriched and immobilized on the electrode surface for electrochemical signal readout. Under optimized conditions, the sensor displayed a linear response to COTS genomic DNA from 3.77 fg/μL to 1 ng/μL, with an LOD of 2.02 fg/μL and an LOQ of 3.77 fg/μL. The sensor was applied to Xisha Islands samples, and the results agreed with droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) (P > 0.05), demonstrating its potential for sensitive and reliable on-site COTS eDNA detection.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Imaging techniques for assessing the hand in systemic sclerosis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare autoimmune connective tissue disease frequently associated with hand involvement, leading to significant functional impairment. Imaging techniques provide unique opportunities to visualize and quantify structural and functional abnormalities of the hand, supporting diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment evaluation. This systematic review summarizes the imaging techniques used in SSc. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed and Embase was conducted. Eligible studies included original research articles in English that applied or evaluated imaging techniques of the hands in SSc, published after 2000. Ultrasound and nailfold capillaroscopy were excluded, given their established use. Screening was performed independently by two authors. Findings were synthesized by clinical manifestations, study quality was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. RESULTS: Sixty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. In total, 25 distinct imaging techniques were identified, enabling assessment of various hand structures, including vascular involvement, inflammation, fibrosis, calcifications, erosions, and bone marrow edema. Vascular imaging was most extensively studied, particularly in the context of Raynaud's phenomenon and digital ischemia, with multiple techniques demonstrating impaired perfusion and altered thermoregulatory responses. MRI consistently detected subclinical inflammatory and erosive changes of joints and soft tissues,. CT-based techniques provided detailed assessment of calcinosis cutis, while optical and photoacoustic methods showed promise for quantifying skin fibrosis. CONCLUSION: Imaging techniques provide valuable, complementary insights into hand involvement in SSc, often revealing subclinical disease. Despite promising results, limited standardization and longitudinal validation currently restrict clinical implementation. Future studies should focus on harmonizing protocols and validating against clinically meaningful outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A Novel Moisturizer Formulated With Micronized Centella asiatica and Mandelic Acid Improves Mature, Crepey Skin.

BACKGROUND: Dermatoporosis is a condition of fragile, aging skin that manifests as altered pH, wrinkles, laxity, easy bruising, and hyperpigmentation. This study evaluated efficacy, safety, and subject perception after the use of a novel cream, GC (Galderma Laboratories, LP, Fort Worth, TX), on subjects with mature, aging skin. METHODS: A 12-week multicenter, randomized, blinded, in-use study enrolled female and male subjects aged 40 to 60 years of all races, ethnicities, and Fitzpatrick skin types. Subjects were required to have a history of fragile skin and dry, crepey skin on the knees and thighs. GC cream was applied to knee and upper thigh skin twice daily. Assessments included clinical grading, digital photography, bioinstrumentation (skin texture, pH, and heatmap hydration), standard safety assessments, and satisfaction. RESULTS: Use of GC cream for 12 weeks resulted in significant improvements in skin crepiness, photodamage, and firmness, as well as decreased skin pH and early improvements in skin roughness and smoothness from baseline. Corneometer heatmapping documented improved skin hydration over baseline. No adverse events were reported; the GC cream was well tolerated, and subjects reported high satisfaction. CONCLUSION: Twice-daily application of the novel GC skin cream significantly improved the overall skin quality of mature, aging skin, including crepiness, photodamage, firmness, texture, pH, and hydration. GC cream was well tolerated with high subject satisfaction. These data are intended to help guide healthcare providers and patients in choosing an effective moisturizer that was specifically designed for patients with fragile, mature skin.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Integrative modeling of the genome structure and dynamics in fission yeast.

Genome organization in the nucleus is highly structured and dynamic. Recent advances in genomic technology have enabled the measurement of genome-wide architecture and locus-specific motion, yielding contact maps and live-cell trajectories. However, these outcomes are derived from different modalities and are not directly comparable, with their quantitative integration being a key challenge. Here we establish a genome-wide live-cell imaging platform in fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, tracking 131 chromosomal loci, along with the spindle pole body (SPB) and nucleolus, to construct a quantitative map of locus dynamics. By integrating these dynamics with contact data through polymer modeling of Hi-C data, we build a physics-based "digital twin" of the S. pombe genome consistent with the spatiotemporal dynamics of interphase chromatin. We validate it against genome-wide mobility patterns and known architectural features, including centromere and telomere clustering. The model also identifies distinct dynamical regimes: centromere- and telomere-proximal loci relax within [Formula: see text]150 s, whereas the remaining loci relax within [Formula: see text]70 s. We measure semiperiodic dynamics of SPB motion, including a characteristic peak near 225 s and [Formula: see text] fluctuations. We use the model with SPB-directed forcing to show how these low-frequency components propagate through the genome to drive genome-wide chromatin displacements. Together, this predictive physics-based modeling framework integrates genome structure and dynamics to reveal how nuclear mechanical driving forces shape chromosome motion, linking mechanically driven chromatin responses to genome maintenance and regulation.

Schizosaccharomyces↗

PubMed2026

A Standardized Nursing-Led Protocol Integrated Pain, Sleep, Medication Adherence, and Symptom Management in Postherpetic Neuralgia.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a persistent neuropathic pain condition after herpes zoster that frequently coexists with sleep disturbance, medication-related problems, and fluctuating symptoms. This study evaluated whether a standardized nursing-led protocol could improve multidimensional short-term outcomes beyond usual care. In this prospective, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 128 adults with PHN were allocated 1:1 to usual care or usual care plus an eight-week protocol integrating structured pain assessment, sleep monitoring, medication-adherence support, and rule-based digital symptom monitoring. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in change in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score from baseline to Week 8. Secondary outcomes included Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), MMAS-8 medication adherence, symptom burden, pain-related nocturnal awakenings, breakthrough pain, rescue analgesic use, adverse events, rule-based alerts, and nursing satisfaction. Week-8 data were available for 116 participants (57 usual care; 59 protocol). Mean NRS scores decreased from 7.19 ± 1.08 to 4.82 ± 1.53 in the usual-care group and from 7.28 ± 1.05 to 3.24 ± 1.28 in the protocol group. An NRS reduction of at least 2 points occurred in 49.1% and 76.3% of participants, respectively. The protocol group also showed larger improvements in PSQI, MMAS-8, symptom burden, and nocturnal awakenings, with fewer breakthrough-pain episodes and less rescue-analgesic use. These findings support further evaluation of the standardized nursing-led protocol in preregistered multicenter trials with intention-to-treat analyses and longer follow-up.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Post-Breakup Instagram Surveillance: Attachment Style, Personality Traits, and Breakup Distress as Predictors.

The end of a romantic relationship is one of the most emotionally challenging life events. Social media platforms such as Instagram enable users to monitor an ex-partner, a behavior known as Interpersonal Electronic Surveillance (IES), which may complicate coping. This study examined associations with retrospectively reported IES on Instagram during the first 3 weeks post-breakup, focusing on attachment, personality, and breakup-related emotional distress. Previous studies suggest that higher anxious attachment and emotional distress are related to increased monitoring behaviors on Facebook. The present research extends this approach to Instagram, a popular platform among Generation Z, and additionally examines personality factors. Data from N = 232 participants (aged 18-27 years; 84 percent women), who had experienced a breakup within the past year and followed their ex-partner on Instagram, were collected using a cross-sectional online questionnaire. The survey included standardized measures and self-constructed items. Hierarchical regression analyses including breakup-related variables, mediation analyses, and independent-samples t-tests were conducted. Due to extremely low internal consistency, Agreeableness was excluded from inferential analyses. The analyses indicated that Extraversion was the only personality trait directly associated with increased IES. Attachment styles showed no direct associations after emotional distress was included in the model. Emotional distress emerged as the most consistent factor associated with IES, showing patterns consistent with indirect associations involving Neuroticism and anxious attachment, suggesting a central role of emotional distress in post-breakup surveillance behavior. These findings highlight digital monitoring as a potentially maladaptive coping strategy and underscore the importance of addressing social media use in post-breakup adjustment.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Journey Mapping of the Patient Experience from Diagnosis to End of Life in Lung Cancer: A Qualitative Meta-Synthesis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically synthesize the lived experiences and journey narratives of lung cancer patients across disease stages, and identify key tasks and pain points during the disease course through patient journey mapping, providing evidence for comprehensive disease management throughout the patient journey. METHODS: Ten databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, and SinoMed, were systematically searched, with a search period from database inception to August 15, 2025. The JBI Critical Appraisal Tool for qualitative studies was used to evaluate the quality of studies, and the results were integrated using a meta-aggregative approach. RESULTS: Thirteen studies were included. Based on the patient journey mapping, the lung cancer patient journey comprises four potential stages: evaluation and diagnosis, initial treatment, maintenance therapy, and end-of-life. A total of 30 themes emerged within three dimensions: tasks, emotions, and pain points. Each dimension of each stage consists of 2-3 themes. CONCLUSION: The journey of lung cancer patients is protracted and complex, characterized by stage-specific needs and challenges. Future management strategies should be tailored to these distinct phases, providing precision supportive care to optimize treatment outcomes and enhance patients' quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This Patient Journey Map integrates routine clinical pathways with patients' lived experiences across each stage, revealing stage-specific challenges and providing targets for tailored nursing interventions. The framework promotes multidisciplinary, digitally enabled supportive care and indicates the importance of including patients' social circles to enhance patient-centered outcomes.

Humans↗