SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “male sexual function”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

1,715 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

PubMed2026

Mapping antibody sequences and effector functions across spatial niches.

Antibodies are fundamental to human health but can also drive pathology. Each antibody has a molecular specificity, encoded by their clonally heritable B cell receptor (BCR). Recent advances in spatial transcriptomics coupled with repertoire sequencing have enabled capturing antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) and their clonal BCR within their tissue microenvironment. However, our understanding of antibody production niches remains limited. Furthermore, where antibodies are produced can be distinct from where antibodies exert their effector function. Here, we propose a conceptual spatial framework to distinguish between 'antibody production niches', defined by the ASC, BCR, and niche composition, versus 'antibody functional niches', composed of the antibody, antigen, and effector landscape. We then examine the possibilities and challenges to map and link antibody-encoding sequences and antibody effector functions using current and emerging technologies. Combined, we argue that integrating spatial sequence data with the antibody functional context is essential to decode the architecture of antibody-mediated immunity.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Microbial diversity, functional activities, and safety risks in fermented tea: a comprehensive review.

Microbial fermented teas are gaining global popularity due to their unique sensory profiles and health benefits. The quality and safety of these products are governed by complex microbial ecosystems that orchestrate the biotransformation of tea leaf components. This review addresses a critical paradox in the field: the same microbial activities that generate desirable bioactive metabolites, such as theabrownins and organic acids, also create ecological niches for mycotoxigenic fungi, posing significant health risks from contaminants like ochratoxin A, citrinin, and aflatoxins. While extensive research has cataloged the microbial diversity in these systems, a comprehensive framework linking processing environments to microbial community assembly, functional outcomes, and quantifiable safety risks remains elusive. This review systematically bridges this gap by synthesizing current knowledge on the microbial consortia-dominated by Aspergillus, Penicillium, Bacillus, and Lactiplantibacillus species-that drive tea fermentation. We critically analyze their functional roles in enhancing flavor, bioactivity, and potential probiotic activity while simultaneously evaluating the mechanisms of mycotoxin production and accumulation. By integrating microbial ecology, biochemistry, and food safety, we propose a forward-looking perspective focused on transitioning the industry from traditional, spontaneous fermentation to modern, controlled biotechnological processes. This approach, centered on the use of defined starter cultures, predictive modeling, and active biocontrol strategies, provides a roadmap for ensuring the consistent quality and safety of fermented tea products, ultimately unlocking their full potential as high-quality functional foods.

Tea↗

PubMed2026

Functional and Nutritional Potential of Chickpea Protein Hydrolysates: A Systematic Review and Plant-protein Network Analysis.

Chickpea is a protein-rich legume increasingly explored as a substrate for functional plant-based ingredients. Chickpea protein hydrolysates (CPHs) and chickpea-derived peptides (CPs), obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis or simulated gastrointestinal digestion, may provide technological and biological properties while supporting the valorization of chickpea fractions and by-products. This review integrates a network analysis of title-abstract terms from 5,728 unique Scopus and PubMed records on plant protein hydrolysates with a systematic review of 72 studies focused on CPH production, peptide characterization, bioactivity, and translational gaps. The evidence indicates that CPHs and CPs show promising antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer-related activities, mainly supported by biochemical assays, cell models, and animal studies. However, heterogeneous hydrolysis protocols, incomplete peptide characterization, inconsistent bioactivity methods, limited scale-up evidence, and the absence of human intervention trials restrict translation. Future studies should prioritize standardized protocols, mechanistic validation, bioavailability, sensory and regulatory assessment, food-matrix validation, and clinical trials.

Cicer↗

PubMed2026

Gut microbiota and metabolic alterations in participants with flatulence identify Faecalibacterium prausnitzii as a key microbial target for clinical intervention.

Flatulence is closely associated with gut dysbiosis, yet the characteristic microbial signatures, metabolic alterations, and actionable intervention targets remain unclear. This limited mechanistic understanding has hindered the development of precise microbiota-based strategies for managing flatulence. Here, we found that participants with flatulence exhibited marked shifts in gut microbial functions and fecal metabolic profiles compared with healthy controls, characterized by enhanced abnormal fermentation, enrichment of oxidative stress-related functions, elevated low-grade inflammatory signatures, and reduced anti-inflammatory and mucosal-protective metabolic features. Faecalibacterium prausnitzii was significantly negatively associated with the high-gas-producing phenotype. In vitro replenishment experiments further validated the role of F. prausnitzii in reducing gas production, promoting butyrate generation, and remodeling butyrate-associated microbial communities. Based on microbial interaction analysis, we identified Bifidobacterium longum CCFM1319 as a candidate strain for targeting F. prausnitzii. In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, supplementation with B. longum CCFM1319 significantly increased intestinal F. prausnitzii abundance and improved flatulence-related symptoms. Collectively, these findings reveal the microbiota and metabolic dysbiosis underlying flatulence, highlight the key regulatory role of F. prausnitzii, and lays the foundation for targeted microbiota-based intervention strategies for flatulence.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Diagnostic communication in functional neurological disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis of patient acceptance and clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Diagnostic disclosure is a key therapeutic moment in Functional Neurological Disorder (FND). This systematic review aimed to evaluate quantitative evidence on diagnostic acceptance, understanding, satisfaction, symptom outcomes, and healthcare utilisation following diagnostic disclosure in FND, and to conduct a meta-analysis of diagnostic acceptance. METHODS: Systematic searches of PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science identified quantitative studies in adults with FND. Screening followed predefined inclusion criteria. Data were extracted using a structured template and risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects meta-analysis of proportions was conducted using the Freeman-Tukey transformation. RESULTS: Fifteen studies were included, four of which contributed to the meta-analysis (n = 481). Reported diagnostic acceptance rates ranged from 38.7% to 90%, although the timing and method of assessment varied across studies. Pooled acceptance was 0.68 (95% CI 0.44-0.88), with substantial heterogeneity. Structured or reinforced communication was frequently associated with improved understanding and satisfaction, although its superiority for diagnostic acceptance was not established. In some studies, diagnostic acceptance was associated with more favourable clinical outcomes, although findings were inconsistent. Some studies reported reductions in healthcare utilisation or costs following satisfactory diagnostic explanation, whereas others found no sustained overall reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnostic communication in FND is associated with differences in acceptance, understanding, and downstream clinical and healthcare outcomes. Approximately two-thirds of patients were reported as accepting the diagnosis following disclosure, although the timing and method of assessment varied substantially across studies. Empathic and evidence-informed communication may enhance understanding and engagement, although its effects on healthcare use and recovery remain uncertain. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Diagnostic disclosure should be delivered clearly, empathically, and with reinforcement over time. Written information, reputable educational resources, and opportunities for follow-up clarification may support patient understanding and engagement, although stronger comparative evidence is needed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Thrombus Metabolism-Based Molecular Subtyping for Prognostic Risk Stratification in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Preliminary Study.

AIMS: To preliminarily characterize metabolic molecular subtypes of cerebral thromboemboli and evaluate their clinical significance in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS-LVO). METHODS: Untargeted metabolomics was performed on thromboemboli retrieved from 36 patients with anterior circulation AIS-LVO using ultra-performance coupled liquid chromatography with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS). Unsupervised hierarchical clustering was employed to identify distinct metabolic molecular subtypes, and their associations with stroke etiology, radiographic severity, and functional outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Two distinct thrombus metabolic molecular subtypes (C1 and C2) were identified based on 12 metabolites significantly associated with both short-term (7-day ∆NIHSS) and long-term (90-day mRS) functional outcomes. The C1 subtype, predominantly cardioembolic, exhibited enhanced lipid metabolism, whereas the C2 subtype, primarily atherothrombotic, demonstrated increased folate metabolism. Patients with C1 thromboemboli presented more severe admission ischemic lesions (as indicated by ASPECTS) and experienced poorer short-term and long-term outcomes. A six-metabolite signature derived from LASSO regression was identified for exploratory discrimination of thrombus metabolic subtypes, etiological subtypes, and 90-day outcomes. CONCLUSION: This preliminary exploratory study identifies two metabolically distinct thrombus molecular subtypes with clinical implications in anterior circulation AIS-LVO, providing a novel basis for risk stratification and personalized secondary prevention and warrants further investigation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Impact of real-time respiratory function monitoring on neonatal mask ventilation training: a multicentre simulation-based crossover study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether visibility of respiratory function monitor (RFM) feedback improves mask ventilation performance and influences subsequent ventilation performance during neonatal resuscitation training. DESIGN: multicentre randomised crossover simulation study. PARTICIPANTS: Healthcare professionals involved in neonatal resuscitation training across participating centres. INTERVENTION: Participants performed positive pressure ventilation (PPV) on both term and premature manikins under two conditions: with visible RFM feedback and with the display masked. The order of feedback visibility was randomised. Each participant completed ventilation assessments in both conditions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcomes were expired tidal volume (Vte) and mask leak (%). The proportion of breaths within the target Vte range (4-8 mL/kg) was calculated as a performance indicator. Secondary outcomes included variability in Vte and mask leak to assess ventilation stability between conditions. RESULTS: Visible RFM feedback was associated with lower mask leak and improved ventilation stability in the preterm manikin and with tidal volumes entering the target range in the term manikin. Participants initially ventilated with visible feedback maintained performance after feedback removal, suggesting a carry-over learning effect. CONCLUSION: In this multicentre crossover simulation study, visible RFM feedback was associated with changes in mask ventilation performance and evidence of a carry-over learning effect following feedback removal. Real-time visibility of respiratory parameters may strengthen neonatal resuscitation training.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Subacute and long-term changes in cognitive functioning after administration of classic psychedelics, MDMA and ketamine: A systematic review of clinical and preclinical evidence.

Psychedelic agents induce a window of heightened neuroplasticity that extends beyond acute intoxication, during which neural circuits are more amenable to change. This period may facilitate changes in cognition relevant to the treatment of psychiatric disorders. This systematic review synthesised clinical and preclinical evidence of subacute and long-term (≥1 day) effects of classic and non-classic psychedelics on cognition. MEDLINE, EMBASE, APA PsycInfo and Web of Science were searched to identify human and animal studies investigating psychedelics and cognition (executive function, attention, decision-making). Sixty-seven (47 clinical, 20 preclinical) articles met inclusion criteria. Psilocybin demonstrated the most consistent evidence of subacute and longer-term cognitive improvement, particularly in cognitive flexibility and attention. Ketamine showed enhancement across cognitive domains, although findings were heterogeneous. LSD and DMT showed no consistent subacute changes, while MDMA was associated with transient cognitive impairments that resolved within days. Risk of bias assessments revealed selective outcome reporting, poor reporting of missing data and inadequate methodological detail, limiting the confidence of findings. Current evidence provides preliminary support for subacute changes in cognition following administration of select psychedelic agents. Cognitive improvements were more frequently seen in psychiatric populations than healthy subjects, which may reflect a remediation of existing cognitive deficit rather than enhancement above normal functioning. Adequately powered, controlled studies with standardised reporting of cognitive outcomes are required to determine the magnitude, durability and clinical relevance of psychedelic-associated cognitive change.

Hallucinogens↗

PubMed2026

Context-dependent functional diversity of dorsomedial posterior parietal neurons revealed by single-unit fMRI mapping during naturalistic viewing.

The dorsomedial posterior parietal cortex (dmPPC) plays an important role in episodic processing by integrating sensory, cognitive, and motor information across distributed brain systems. However, how individual dmPPC neurons participate in large-scale functional organization during naturalistic experience remains poorly understood. To address this question, we combined single-unit electrophysiology and awake fMRI in five rhesus macaques of both sexes viewing identical naturalistic video stimuli. Using single-unit fMRI mapping, we generated whole-brain neuron-BOLD functional maps by correlating individual neuronal activity with voxel-wise fMRI signals across the brain. We found that neuron-BOLD functional maps exhibited strong context-dependent organization, with neurons recorded during the same video context showing substantially greater similarity than neurons recorded during different video conditions. Compared with neuronal spiking activity or critical fMRI frames alone, neuron-BOLD functional maps more robustly captured contextual structure. Despite this shared large-scale organization, a substantial subset of neighboring neurons recorded simultaneously from the same electrode displayed markedly distinct whole-brain association patterns, revealing substantial local functional heterogeneity within the dmPPC. This local heterogeneity was not readily explained by waveform-based putative cell class or by opposing neuronal firing dynamics. In addition, distributed cortical and medial temporal regions exhibited highly context-dependent neuron-BOLD association patterns during naturalistic viewing. Together, these findings demonstrate that dmPPC neurons participate in dynamic and heterogeneous large-scale functional organization during naturalistic episodic processing. More broadly, this study establishes single-unit fMRI mapping as a framework for linking single-neuron activity to distributed whole-brain dynamics across contextual conditions.Significance Statement Using single-unit fMRI mapping, this study examined how individual dorsomedial posterior parietal cortex (dmPPC) neurons relate to large-scale brain activity during naturalistic video viewing in macaque monkeys. We found that neuron-BOLD functional maps exhibit strong context-dependent organization and capture contextual structure more robustly than neuronal spiking activity or fMRI frames alone. Despite this shared organization, a substantial subset of neighboring dmPPC neurons displayed markedly distinct whole-brain association patterns, revealing local functional heterogeneity that was not readily explained by waveform-based putative cell class or opposing firing dynamics. These findings provide insight into how local neuronal populations participate in distributed brain-wide functional organization during naturalistic episodic processing.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

The Impact of Baseline Negative Emotions on Postoperative Quality of Life in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study.

OBJECTIVE: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity that develops during puberty without a clear etiology. Beyond physical manifestations, AIS severely impacts adolescents' psychological and social well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. While advancements in surgical techniques have enhanced objective outcomes, existing studies on AIS have primarily focused on objective indices, with limited attention to the long-term impact of preoperative negative emotions on patient-reported subjective quality of life. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 112 eligible AIS patients who underwent posterior spinal correction surgery between April and August 2023 were enrolled. Inclusion criteria included confirmed AIS, completion of 2-year follow-up, and informed consent; exclusion criteria included missing imaging/questionnaire data, comorbid psychiatric/neurological diseases, or prior spinal surgery. Patients were grouped using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) administered on admission. Quality of life was assessed preoperatively and 2 years postoperatively using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22, evaluating self-image, mental health, pain, function, treatment satisfaction) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36, assessing 8 physical and mental health dimensions). Statistical analysis was performed via SPSS, using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test. p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics (age, gender, BMI, surgical parameters, scoliosis type, preoperative/postoperative Cobb angles) between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Preoperatively, SRS-22 and SF-36 scores showed no inter-group differences (all p > 0.05). Postoperatively, the Negative Emotion Group had significantly lower scores in SRS-22 mental health (3.9 ± 0.3 vs. 4.5 ± 0.2) and treatment satisfaction (4.0 ± 0.3 vs. 4.6 ± 0.7), as well as SF-36 general health (68.6 ± 6.4 vs. 79.7 ± 13.3), role-emotional (61.3 ± 9.3 vs. 70.8 ± 9.7), and mental health (61.8 ± 14.3 vs. 68.9 ± 10.7) (all p < 0.05); no inter-group differences were observed in physical function-related dimensions. Both groups showed significant improvements in physical function-related dimensions postoperatively. The Non-Negative Emotion Group also exhibited significant improvements in SRS-22 self-image/pain and SF-36 bodily pain (all p < 0.05), while the Negative Emotion Group showed no significant improvements in these dimensions. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative anxiety and depression do not affect the recovery of physical function in AIS patients after spinal correction surgery but significantly impede improvements in subjective quality of life dimensions, including mental health and treatment satisfaction. These findings highlight the need to integrate psychological assessment and targeted interventions into the perioperative management of AIS. Such a patient-centered approach will help optimize both physical and psychological outcomes, ultimately achieving comprehensive rehabilitation for AIS adolescents.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Distinct functions of mammalian RAD51 paralogs in genome maintenance.

RAD51 paralogs (RAD51B, RAD51C, RAD51D, XRCC2, and XRCC3) are evolutionarily conserved essential proteins for cell survival and genome maintenance. RAD51 paralogs were originally identified to play a role in homologous recombination-mediated repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). However, investigations over the last decade have uncovered new roles of RAD51 paralogs beyond DSB repair in replication stress responses, including replication fork progression, fork stability, and its restart. Recent structural studies have not only uncovered the molecular architecture of previously known RAD51 paralog complexes but also identified novel paralog complex assemblies, providing mechanistic insights into their various genome-maintenance functions. Additionally, a role for RAD51 paralogs in resolving R-loops has been identified, and studies with cancer-associated variants suggest that RAD51 paralogs are potential determinants of cancer susceptibility and therapeutic responses. In the present review, we highlight the recently deciphered structures and novel functions of RAD51 paralog complexes and discuss the clinical and therapeutic implications.

Rad51 Recombinase↗

PubMed2026

Targeting Both Oncogenic Signaling and Dependence Receptor Function is Required to Fully Suppress MET Exon 14 Skipping-Driven tumorigenesis.

Receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) classically function as oncogenic drivers that promote survival and proliferation upon ligand binding. A subset of RTKs can also function as dependence receptors, inducing apoptosis in the absence of their ligands. Genetic alterations that enhance RTK signaling are well characterized in cancer and can be targeted with kinase inhibitors, which show limited efficacy in some clinical settings. Elucidation of whether oncogenic mutations can promote tumorigenesis by directly abolishing the pro-apoptotic activity of dependence receptors could help improve strategies to target RTKs. Here, we identified MET exon 14 skipping (METex14Del) as a paradigmatic example of an oncogenic alteration that drives tumorigenesis through genetic inactivation of the dependence receptor function of an RTK. METex14Del removed both the caspase cleavage site and adjacent CBL-binding motif, preventing generation of the pro-apoptotic p40MET fragment while sustaining oncogenic MET signaling. Uncoupling regulatory functions of MET using genome editing showed that loss of apoptosis capacity is a critical determinant of METex14Del-driven tumorigenesis. Combined-but not individual-mutation of the caspase and CBL sites was sufficient to recapitulate resistance to apoptosis and tumor growth induced by METex14Del in HGF-humanized mouse models. Importantly, inducible re-expression of p40MET in METex14Del-expressing cells restored apoptotic sensitivity, decreased tumor formation in vivo, and resensitized tumors to capmatinib. Together, these findings redefine RTKs as receptors with dual oncogenic and tumor-suppressive functions and show that disruption of dependence receptor-mediated apoptosis is an oncogenic mechanism. These results provide a conceptual framework explaining why therapies targeting only RTK signaling may fail and support strategies restoring dependence receptor function to achieve durable tumor suppression.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Studies on functional differentiation of xpr1a and xpr1b genes in zebrafish.

Xenotropic and polytropic retrovirus receptor 1 (XPR1) is known to be involved in various biological processes, including phosphate homeostasis, cellular signaling, brain and vascular mineralization, whereas its specific contribution to bone development remains incompletely characterized. Due to genome duplication in teleosts, zebrafish Danio rerio possess two paralogous genes of XPR1 namely xpr1a and xpr1b, whose functional divergence remains unclear. The amino acid sequence similarity between zebrafish xpr1a and xpr1b was 83.26%. In situ hybridization demonstrated overlapping localization in the head and spinal cord at 24-48 hpf, while diverged by 72 hpf, with xpr1a becoming restricted to the head while xpr1b persisted in both regions. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to generate xpr1a and xpr1b mutants. The xpr1a mutants are comparatively healthy, viable but with mild growth reduction, whereas the xpr1b mutants display high mortality, reduced body length and severe vertebral deformities. Interestingly, all the double mutants died at the embryonic stage. Moreover, to further investigate the molecular and regulatory mechanisms, we conducted comparative transcriptome analysis on bone and brain tissues from xpr1b+/+ and xpr1b-/- zebrafish. In bone tissue, 6749 DEGs were identified, comprising 3846 upregulated and 2903 downregulated genes. These DEGs were mainly enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and ECM-receptor interaction. RT-qPCR validated results showed that seven osteogenesis-related genes (col1a1a, sp7, runx2b, col1a2, col1a1b, alp1 and entpd5), and two phosphate homeostasis related genes (slc20a2 and pdgfba), which are essential for skeletal mineralization and phosphate homeostasis, exhibited significantly downregulated expression in bone tissue of xpr1b mutant zebrafish. These results highlight the pivotal role of xpr1b in regulating skeletal mineralization and phosphate metabolism, thereby elucidating the functional specialization of XPR1 paralogs while providing a theoretical basis for understanding bone developmental mechanism in teleost vertebrates.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Social support and cognitive function in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: An active social lifestyle may protect against cognitive decline in older adults, but few studies have examined specific social support dimensions in relation to specific cognitive domains. This study examines associations between social support dimensions and cognitive function in older women. METHODS: The Early versus Late Intervention Trial with Estradiol (ELITE) was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial of oral 17β-estradiol versus placebo in postmenopausal women, designed primarily to evaluate the timing hypothesis on atherosclerosis progression and cognitive decline; the present analysis is a secondary, hypothesis-generating examination of the psychosocial substudy data (2009-2012). A total of 448 women completed psychosocial assessments every 6 months. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline, 2.5, and 5 years using composite scores for executive function, verbal memory, visual memory, and global cognition derived from 14 standardized tests. Perceived social support was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study-Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS; 0-100 scale). Paired cognitive-psychosocial assessments were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models adjusted for age, marital status, blood pressure medication, BMI, education, income, race, and randomized treatment (hormone therapy or placebo). RESULTS: A total of 298 women (mean age 60.3 y) provided 322 paired visits. Positive associations were observed between instrumental social support and visual memory (β(SE)=0.0044(0.0022), 95% CI: -0.00002 to 0.0088, P=0.051) and between positive social interaction and global cognition (β(SE)=0.0092(0.0046), 95% CI: 0.0001-0.0182, P=0.047). In age-stratified analyses, the positive social interaction-global cognition association was significant among women <65 years (P=0.042) but not women ≥65 years (P=0.34). No association survived false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple comparisons. CONCLUSIONS: In this sample of healthy middle- to older-aged women, no association between specific dimensions of social support and cognitive domains was statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. These hypothesis-generating findings suggest any association is modest at best and warrant confirmation in studies designed specifically for this question.

Cognitive function↗

PubMed2026

Utility of hearing aid use on neurocognitive functions and auditory processing: A systematic review.

PURPOSE: Hearing loss not only affects the peripheral auditory system but also leads to changes in central auditory pathways and neurocognitive skills. The use of hearing aids has shown potential benefits in mitigating the adverse effects of hearing loss. Earlier literature showed various studies assessing the impact of hearing aid use on cognitive functions and auditory processing, a comprehensive review of the existing literature is warranted. Existing literature showed heterogeneous outcomes among studies investigated the effect of Hearing aid use in combating the adverse effects of hearing loss on neurocognitive functions and auditory processing. METHOD: Databases including PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Index Copernicus were searched (2005-2025) using English keywords on hearing aid effects on neurocognition and auditory processing in individuals with hearing loss. Studies on effect of hearing aid use on neurocognition and auditory processing were included, while those involving cochlear implant users or other neurological disorders unrelated to hearing loss were excluded. Titles, authors and publication years were examined, and duplicates were removed. RESULTS: Total of 61 research papers were found on specific area and were included in the present review. Findings of these 61 articles have been analysed and are reported in this article. The outcome of the present study showed usefulness of hearing aid use on neurocognitive functions and auditory processing. CONCLUSION: The present literature review emphasized the importance of early rehabilitation through hearing aid use to alleviate the adverse effects of hearing loss on neurocognitive function and auditory processing.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

PPRC1 is a prognostic biomarker and key regulator of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation in multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable haematological malignancy, underscoring the need for novel prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and biological significance of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-related protein 1 (PPRC1) in MM. METHODS: Expression and clinical data were obtained from public databases and an independent local cohort. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate prognostic value. Differential expression analysis, pathway enrichment analysis and single-cell RNA-seq data analysis were used to explore biological functions. PPRC1 was silenced in MM cell lines using siRNA to assess its effects on cell survival and oxidative phosphorylation. RESULTS: PPRC1 was significantly upregulated in MM and was associated with advanced disease stage and poor overall survival. Multivariate Cox analysis identified PPRC1 as an independent prognostic factor. A nomogram incorporating PPRC1 and revised-ISS improved survival prediction. Functional analyses revealed that PPRC1 was positively correlated with oxidative phosphorylation and oncogenic signalling pathways. A potential connection between PPRC1 expression and immune cell infiltration was observed. PPRC1 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis and impaired oxidative phosphorylation in MM. CONCLUSIONS: PPRC1 acts as a prognostic biomarker and metabolic regulator in MM by sustaining mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. These findings highlight PPRC1 as a potential therapeutic target in MM.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A User-Friendly Protocol for Microinjection into Teleost Embryos to Study Gene Function.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) and medaka (Oryzias latipes) are popular teleost models used in developmental biology and functional genomics. To achieve high-quality and reproducible microinjections, it is essential to have robust protocols for breeding, egg collection, and the precise delivery of genetic material. In this protocol, we present a comprehensive and optimized methodology for setting up breeding tanks under controlled photoperiod conditions to maximize egg yield while minimizing contamination. We provide detailed procedures for sex identification, pair selection, the use of grated breeding inserts, and methods to increase egg collection efficiency. We outline procedures for making injection gel beds, pulling needles, and calibration using one-microliter microcapillaries to achieve consistent nanoliter-scale injections. Our protocol outlines settings for the pico-liter injector that are optimized to deliver a precise amount per pulse with minimal variability. Finally, we demonstrate the application of these methods for gene knockdown using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides, gene knockout using CRISPR-Cas9, and gain-of-function mRNA overexpression experiments. Phenotypic assessments conducted at various developmental stages to evaluate gene-specific effects reveal consistent phenotypic outcomes between the morpholino and CRISPR-Cas9 approaches. This easy and comprehensive protocol enables efficient, precise, and scalable genetic manipulation of zebrafish and medaka embryos, thereby supporting advanced functional studies in developmental biology and disease modeling. To our knowledge, this is the first unified protocol for both zebrafish and medaka microinjection systems achieving 97.7% phenotype penetrance in CRISPR-Cas9 knockouts with precision together with a triple validation approach that confirms gene function across multiple techniques.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Functional role and regulatory network of miR-22-3p in chicken hepatic lipid metabolism.

Although microRNA-22-3p (miR-22-3p) is abundantly expressed in the avian liver, its epigenetic role in lipid homeostasis remains largely uncharacterized. To elucidate its in vivo function, 14-day-old female Qingyuan Partridge chickens were intravenously injected with lentiviral vectors to establish miR-22-3p overexpression and knockdown models. Phenotypic analysis demonstrated that miR-22-3p knockdown significantly elevated hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels (p < 0.05) and drove marked steatosis, whereas its overexpression reduced TG content. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) revealed profound metabolic remodeling, identifying 23 core lipid-associated genes (e.g., ELOVL6, FADS2, ACSBG2, and PTGIS) heavily enriched in steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, and elongation pathways. In conclusion, miR-22-3p functions as a bidirectional epigenetic rheostat that negatively regulates hepatic lipid deposition by orchestrating a multilayered polygenic network, providing novel molecular targets for mitigating avian metabolic disorders and optimizing production traits in indigenous poultry breeds.

Animals↗