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The prevalence of isthmic and degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: an analysis of 1376 patients.

INTRODUCTION: Typically, spondylolisthesis is an asymptomatic spinal condition that is often captured accidently in radiographic studies. The limited studies reviewing incidence primarily used lateral radiographs, which lack the granularity of advanced imaging. In response, computed tomography (CT) has been recommended to enhance the accuracy of spondylolisthesis diagnosis (degenerative versus isthmic). In the present study, we sought to determine the prevalence of isthmic and degenerative spondylolisthesis using CT imaging. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of 1,680 patients who underwent abdominal/pelvic CT scans at a single level-1 trauma center from January 1, 2017, to January 31, 2017. RESULTS: A total of 1,680 CT scans were screened, of which 1,376 patient scans met the inclusion criteria of having undergone complete imaging (axial and sagittal images). The average age of the study population was 57.1 (standard deviation, 18.7) years; 51.1% were female, and 83.2% were Caucasian. The prevalence of isthmic spondylolisthesis was 5.4% (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;71): 3.6% of cases were at the L5-S1 level, 2.1% were at the L4-L5 level, and 0.6% were at the L3-L4 level. The female-to-male ratio was 0.73:1. The prevalence of degenerative spondylolisthesis was higher at 21.5% (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;285), and the level most commonly affected was L4-L5 (11.8%), followed by L5-S1 (9.7%) and L3-L4 (4.6%). The female-to-male ratio was 1.3:1. There was a higher prevalence of degenerative spondylolisthesis in women at L4-L5 (51.2% vs. 35.6%; P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.001). CONCLUSION: We found that degenerative spondylolisthesis was more prevalent, occurring primarily in older women, between the L4-L5 vertebrae. On the other hand, isthmic spondylolisthesis more commonly occurred within male patients between the L5-S1 vertebrae. Our study is one of the first to recognize a high rate of degenerative spondylolisthesis within the L5-S1 region, highlighting the utility of CT scan to visualize spinal translation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Humans

Hydroxyl Radical Inactivation of Vesicle-Cloaked and Free Murine Norovirus: Linking Biomolecular Oxidation to Lifecycle Disruption and Infectivity Loss.

Hydroxyl radicals (&#x2022;OH) play a central role in inactivating human viruses during advanced oxidation processes for water and wastewater treatment, solar disinfection, and natural attenuation in sunlit aquatic environments. Human norovirus, a leading cause of gastroenteritis, is efficiently transmitted through water and exhibits strong environmental persistence. The recent discovery of vesicle-cloaked virus clusters (viral vesicles) further challenges water treatment and reuse, particularly for norovirus elimination. We investigated &#x2022;OH inactivation kinetics and mechanisms of murine norovirus 1 (MNV-1), a human norovirus surrogate, in free-virus and vesicle-cloaked forms. &#x2022;OH rapidly inactivated both MNV-1 vesicles and free MNV-1 with second rate constants of &#x223c;1010 M-1 s-1; however, the vesicle membrane provided a 2.24-fold protective effect to cloaked MNV-1, resulting in slower inactivation kinetics than those of free MNV-1. &#x2022;OH oxidized viral capsid proteins and genomes together with vesicle proteins and lipids, resulting in impaired CD300lf receptor and cell-based binding, disrupted genome replication, and diminished viral assembly. Despite these biochemical and functional impairments, most vesicle structures remained largely intact following &#x2022;OH exposure. This study establishes a quantitative framework linking biomolecular damage to viral infectivity loss through functional impairment and lifecycle disruption, providing mechanistic insights into advance water disinfection strategies and public health protection.

Norovirus

Integrin-Linked Kinases 1, 4, and 5 participate in cell wall-mediated innate immunity to leaf and root pathogens.

The cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway is triggered by plasma membrane-localized receptors in plant cells and serves to orchestrate responses to cell wall damage by initiating compensatory changes under stressful environments. The essential role of CWI maintenance as part of plants' interactions with pests or pathogens and during growth is well known. Nevertheless, CWI pathways remain to be fully characterized. Here, we show that altered Integrin-Linked Kinase 1 (ILK1) expression causes widespread defects in the transcriptional program activated by the bacterial elicitor flg22, primarily in genes associated with cell wall integrity and immunity. These transcriptional deficiencies are recapitulated in mutant lines with altered ILK4 or ILK5 expression. Analysis of molecular and cellular defenses in ilk mutants revealed reduced callose accumulation in leaves treated with bacterial (elf18) and plant (pep1) elicitors and increased pathogen susceptibility. Histochemical analysis of cell-wall-associated staining across diverse cells and organs of ilk mutants revealed modified lignin-associated patterns in the root xylem and altered calcofluor staining patterns in the seed coat. All ilk mutants exhibited altered root morphology due to mechano-touch and high-NaCl stress. Based on these results, we propose that ILKs contribute to pathways connecting elicitor-triggered immune signaling with cell-wall-associated stress responses and that ILK-related defense functions may extend to the cotton root-nematode interaction, while the mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Cell Wall

Prenatal exposure to particulate matter (PM) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) among children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The global surge in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) cases, coupled with evidence linking prenatal Particulate Matter (PM) exposure to developmental disruption, demands a comprehensive review to design targeted health interventions. This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate the strength and consistency of evidence linking prenatal PM exposure to ASD across studies, quantifying this relation to identify actionable environmental risk thresholds. This study employed PRISMA protocols to systematically extract and evaluate evidence from PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect (2010-2024), and screened 4,013 articles to identify qualified case-control and cohort studies (n=29). Data synthesis employed random-effects modeling, accompanied by comprehensive assessment through I2 statistics, Q-tests, funnel plots, Duval and Tweedie's trim-and-fill analysis, and Egger's regression, to ensure validity. A meta-analysis of 16&#xa0;case-control studies revealed a 34&#x202f;% increased risk of ASD associated with prenatal PM exposure (pooled OR=1.34; 95&#x202f;% CI: 1.13-1.54), despite substantial between-study heterogeneity (I2=94.02&#x202f;%, p<0.001). Publication bias was not significant (Egger's test p value=0.114). Critical trimester-specific analysis uncovered that third-trimester exposure significantly increased ASD risk (OR=1.17; 95&#x202f;% CI: 1.01-1.34), while first-trimester (OR=1.02; 95&#x202f;% CI: 0.92-1.11; I2=49.18&#x202f;%, p<0.10) and second-trimester exposures (OR=1.13; 95&#x202f;% CI: 0.88-1.38; I2=92.59&#x202f;%, p<0.001) showed non-significant associations. This review identified prenatal and early life exposure to PM as a risk factor for ASD, indicating a trimester-specific vulnerability. It highlighted the necessity of focused air quality interventions and targeted guidance to reduce prenatal PM exposure to alleviate ASD risk during the critical-window.

Child

Performance comparison of rapid and native barcoding methods for Oxford Nanopore sequencing of Poliovirus Viral Protein 1 (VP1) amplicons.

Accurate and timely sequencing of poliovirus is critical for global eradication efforts, particularly for molecular epidemiology based on the typing region of the genome, viral protein 1 (VP1). While Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) sequencing has expanded capabilities for poliovirus surveillance, the relative performance of different ONT library preparation methods, including ligation-based (Native Barcoding) and transposase-based (Rapid Barcoding) approaches, has not been systematically evaluated. In this study, we compared rapid barcoding and native barcoding workflows for sequencing VP1 amplicons from 17 type 2 poliovirus-positive samples, each processed in triplicate. Native barcoding generated significantly more sequencing output, producing approximately 2.3-fold greater total read yield than rapid barcoding, and demonstrated higher run-to-run reproducibility (R2 = 0.979-0.998 vs. 0.847-0.929, respectively; p&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.001). In addition, native barcoding generated 80% of the total yield achieved by rapid barcoding within approximately 7&#x202f;h, whereas rapid barcoding required approximately 40&#x202f;h to reach the same output. Despite these differences, both methods produced identical VP1 consensus sequences across all samples, with comparable read quality (median per-base Q-scores of approximately Q17-Q18). Rapid barcoding provided substantial practical advantages, reducing hands-on library preparation time (55 vs. 200&#x202f;min) and per-sample cost ($12.82 vs. $16.54), while simplifying workflow and reducing technical complexity. These findings indicate that sequencing yield may not be a determinant of downstream analytical outcomes for poliovirus VP1 ONT sequencing. Rapid barcoding therefore represents a cost-effective and efficient approach for routine poliovirus surveillance, whereas native barcoding remains advantageous in applications requiring rapid data generation or maximal sequencing depth.

Poliovirus

Selective monitoring of trace-level catechin and myricetin in herbal and aqueous matrices using magnetic MIP-DSPME: Optimization via design of experiments.

A novel dispersive solid-phase microextraction approach utilizing a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) integrated with HPLC-UV detection was developed for the concurrent quantification of catechin and myricetin in herbal extracts and aqueous samples. The sorbent was engineered as a core-shell nanocomposite, consisting of a selective polymer layer deposited onto Fe3O4@SiO2-APTMS magnetic nanoparticles. Dual-template imprinting using catechin and myricetin generated complementary binding cavities within the polymer framework. Experimental variables influencing extraction were systematically screened and subsequently optimized. A Plackett-Burman design was first applied to identify the most influential factors, with pH and sorption time identified as the dominant variables. These parameters were subsequently fine-tuned using a central composite design, and the optimization process was completed in only 30 experimental runs. The sorption characteristics of the imprinted sorbent (MMIP) were compared with those of its non-imprinted counterpart (MNIP). The MMIP demonstrated markedly higher maximum binding capacities (Qmax), reaching 119.3&#xa0;mg&#xa0;g-1 for myricetin and 112.1&#xa0;mg&#xa0;g-1 for catechin, whereas the corresponding values for the MNIP were 32.55 and 32.08&#xa0;mg&#xa0;g-1, respectively. Moreover, the affinity constants (KL&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.760-0.950&#xa0;L&#xa0;mg-1) were approximately 2.3-fold higher for the MMIP, confirming its stronger and more selective interactions with the target analytes. The selectivity coefficients for the targeted flavonoids relative to structurally related compounds, including ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, melatonin, and curcumin, exceeded 3.5 for the MMIP, whereas the corresponding values for the MNIP were close to 1.1, demonstrating the high molecular recognition capability of the imprinted sorbent. Method validation demonstrated limits of detection (LODs) of 0.33-0.59&#xa0;ng&#xa0;mL-1 and limits of quantification (LOQs) of 1.10-1.96&#xa0;ng&#xa0;mL-1, and excellent linearity over the concentration range of 5.0-5500&#xa0;ng&#xa0;mL-1 (R2&#xa0;>&#xa0;0.998). The method achieved recoveries of 93.96% to 105.69% with RSDs below 5.5%, while the preconcentration factors ranged from 209 to 229. Furthermore, the sorbent retained more than 95% of its extraction efficiency after four consecutive reuse cycles and more than 80% after six cycles, demonstrating excellent stability and reusability. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of six medicinal plant extracts and water samples, showing negligible matrix interference and superior sensitivity, selectivity, and operational simplicity compared with conventional solid-phase extraction methods.

Flavonoids

Risk Factors for Long-Term Health-Related Quality-of-Life and Mental Health Outcomes in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) often leads to long-term disability, including persistent mental health issues and lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Early interventions can improve recovery, but because resources limit routine monitoring of all patients, trauma care remains largely symptom-driven. The combination of long-term disability and limited capacity for routine follow-up highlights the need for risk-stratified follow-up care and reliable evidence on early prognostic factors. However, the existing literature is sparse and methodologically heterogeneous, limiting the clinical applicability of findings. We therefore conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify early risk factors for poorer long-term mental health and HRQoL outcomes. A systematic search of seven electronic databases identified studies of adult patients with TBI, with outcomes assessed at least 6 months postdischarge. Two authors independently screened the studies, assessed the risk of bias, and extracted the data. We pooled effect estimates using a random-effects meta-analysis and calculated 95% prediction intervals. A narrative synthesis was applied when meta-analysis was not feasible. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024576912) and reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Of the 8,104 articles screened, 64 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 334,672). Most studies (58%) had a low risk of bias. Female sex, socioeconomic disadvantage, psychiatric history, assaultive-related injuries, and previous TBI were consistently associated with worse long-term outcomes. Across meta-analyses, assault-related injuries more than doubled the odds of post-traumatic stress disorder (odds ratio [OR] = 2.72; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.01-3.66, I2 = 0%). Higher odds were also observed among females (OR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.11-1.59, I2 = 0%), individuals with prior TBI (OR = 1.56; 95% CI: 1.07-2.27, I2 = 0%), and those with psychiatric history (OR = 2.38; 95% CI: 1.83-3.10, I2 = 48%). We found that female sex (OR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.38-2.16, I2 = 58%), prior TBI (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.25-1.85, I2 = 0%), and psychiatric history (OR = 3.25; 95%CI: 1.86-5.69, I2 = 98%) were associated with higher odds of depression. Furthermore, higher pooled anxiety scores were observed in females and in individuals with a psychiatric history. The study identified several readily available factors present before or at discharge that are associated with poor long-term HRQoL and mental health outcomes. Leveraging these factors in follow-up protocols, prediction modeling, and clinical decision support systems may facilitate risk-stratified postdischarge care for TBI patients.

Humans

Histopathologic, Genomic, and Clinical Characteristics of Primary Cutaneous Melanocytic Tumors With Concomitant NRAS Q61 and IDH1 R132C Mutations.

Cutaneous melanocytic tumors with concomitant NRAS Q61 and IDH1 R132C mutations have been described as intermediate-grade melanocytomas with characteristic biphasic morphology, but the malignant end of this genotype-defined spectrum remains poorly characterized. We assessed histopathologic, immunohistochemical, molecular, and clinical features of 16 primary cutaneous melanocytic tumors harboring both mutations. Following integrated review, 7 tumors were classified as melanocytoma and 9 as melanoma. Melanocytomas showed reproducible biphasic architecture with congenital nevus-like features, a biphasic HMB-45 pattern, low Ki-67, PRAME negativity, retained p16, and minimal copy number variations (CNVs). Melanomas retained partial morphologic overlap in a subset but were distinguished by higher-grade cytology, immunohistochemical features supportive of malignancy, and progression-associated genomic alterations, including TERT promoter mutation (9/9), 9p21/CDKN2A loss (4/7), and higher CNV burden. NRAS and IDH1 variant allele frequencies were strongly concordant (r = 0.83, P < 0.001), supporting their presence in the same dominant clone. Clinically, two patients presented with stage IIIB disease, but no distant metastasis or melanoma-related death occurred during a median melanoma follow-up of 3.9 years (IQR, 2.5-5.1). In exploratory analyses, moderate-to-severe atypia (RR, 6.2; 95% CI, 1.0-38.8; P = .009), Ki-67 &#x2265;10% (RR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.1-18.4; P = .003), lymphocytic infiltrate (RR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.3; P = .03), absence of the typical biphasic pattern (RR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.3; P = .03), and complete p16 loss (RR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.1-5.3; P = .03) were associated with molecular or clinical progression to melanoma, defined as the presence of at least one of the following: TERT promoter mutation, pathogenic CDKN2A mutation, 9p21/CDKN2A loss, &#x2265;3 genome-wide segmental CNVs, or any metastasis. These findings support the existence of NRAS/IDH1 co-mutated melanoma as the malignant counterpart of NRAS/IDH1-mutated melanocytoma within a single genotype-defined spectrum.

IDH1 mutations

Pairwise Comparative Safety and Effectiveness of Anti-TNF Blockers, Vedolizumab, and Ustekinumab During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Biologic therapies, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) blockers, vedolizumab (VDZ), and ustekinumab (UST), are generally considered safe during pregnancy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), though comparative data remain limited. This meta-analysis examines their safety and effectiveness. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science was conducted through July 2025. Eligible studies reported maternal or neonatal outcomes in pregnant IBD patients treated with biologics. Studies were pooled using a random-effects model to calculate risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. Primary outcomes were preterm birth and disease activity; secondary outcomes included pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. RESULTS: Nine observational studies (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;6,054) were included. Compared to TNF blockers, VDZ was associated with a higher risk of preterm delivery (RR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.35, 95% CI 1.04-1.75, I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0%) and active disease (RR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.55, 95% CI 1.01-2.40, I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;50%). UST was associated with a higher risk of active disease (RR&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.30, 95% CI 1.06-1.60, I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0%) and congenital anomalies (RR&#x2009;=&#x2009;2.08, 95% CI 1.30-3.32, I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0%) compared to TNF blockers. Compared to UST, VDZ was linked to increased risks of preterm birth (RR&#x2009;=&#x2009;2.60, 95% CI 1.03-6.57, I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0%) and low birth weight (RR&#x2009;=&#x2009;2.38, 95% CI 1.01-5.60, I2&#x2009;=&#x2009;0%). No significant differences were observed for live births, abortions, hospitalizations, or neonatal infections. CONCLUSION: TNF blockers showed a favorable safety and effectiveness profile, VDZ and UST performed broadly similar, and all three biological classes appeared compatible with safe use in pregnancy to maintain effective disease control. Observed differences reflect that VDZ and UST cohorts likely had longer disease duration, prior biologic exposure, and more active disease. The results of this meta-analysis support the continuation of biologic therapy for disease control in pregnant patients with IBD. Treatment decisions should be individualized and tailored to each patient's clinical context.

Female

Thymosin-&#x251;1 for people with chronic hepatitis B.

RATIONALE: Chronic hepatitis B is a global public health concern. It is caused by infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). The goal of treating chronic HBV infection is to prevent progression to chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. Individual studies have evaluated various immunomodulatory therapies with inconsistent results. Thymosin-&#x251;1 is known to have antiviral effects; however, results of randomised clinical trials on the effects of thymosin-&#x3b1;1 as a potential treatment for people with chronic HBV have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of thymosin-&#x251;1 therapy in people with chronic hepatitis B. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, MEDLINE, four other databases and six trials registers, in addition to reference checking, citation searching, and contacting study authors to identify trials for inclusion. The latest search date was 10 June 2026. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated thymosin-&#x3b1;1 at any dose, route of administration, or formulation type, in people with chronic hepatitis B regardless of age, sex, or ethnicity. Thymosin-&#x3b1;1 could have been administered as monotherapy, in combination with an additional drug, or in addition to standard medical treatment and compared with placebo, no intervention, the same additional drug, or the same standard medical treatment. OUTCOMES: Our critical outcomes were all-cause mortality, serious adverse events, and health-related quality of life. Among our important outcomes were HBV-related morbidity, HBV-related mortality, non-serious adverse events, and the proportion of people without histological improvements. RISK OF BIAS: We used the Cochrane Risk of bias 2 tool (RoB 2) to assess risk of bias. SYNTHESIS METHODS: We followed Cochrane methods. We conducted meta-analyses for predefined outcomes using data from the longest follow-up period, irrespective of the risk of bias judgements. We presented dichotomous outcome results as risk ratios (RRs) and continuous outcome results as mean differences, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) at their longest follow-ups. We used the random-effects model for our primary analyses. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. INCLUDED STUDIES: We included 10 RCTs conducted in Bangladesh, China, Italy, Korea, Singapore, and Taiwan, with 1349 randomised participants (range: 12 to 690; 1045 (77.5%) were male). Among the trials reporting age, none included participants younger than 17 years (age range: 17 to 75 years). The trials were published between 1991 and 2018, and assessed thymosin-&#x251;1 in adults with chronic hepatitis B infection, with or without comorbidities. Only two trials mentioned comorbidities (cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure). The trials compared thymosin-&#x251;1, with or without a cointervention, with placebo or no intervention, or with the same cointervention. The control interventions were placebos in two trials and no intervention in two. The remaining six trials administered co-interventions, such as interferon, pegylated interferon, lamivudine, and standard medical therapy (entecavir or tenofovir), and entecavir. Follow-ups ranged from six months to five years after the end of treatment (median: 12 months). Four trials were funded by industry, five by research grants, and one provided no information. All 10 trials (11 records) provided data on at least one outcome in our review. We identified no ongoing trials. Sixteen studies are awaiting assessment due to incomplete reporting. We received no responses to our enquiries. SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS: Thymosin-&#x251;1, compared with the control interventions, may reduce all-cause mortality (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.96; I&#xb2; = 0%; 3 studies, 907 participants; very low-certainty evidence), serious adverse events (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.99; I&#xb2; = 0%; 5 studies, 1056 participants; low-certainty evidence), HBV-related mortality (RR 0.53, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.96; I&#xb2; = 0%; 3 studies, 907 participants; very low-certainty evidence), non-serious adverse events (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.27 to 0.83; I&#xb2; = 0%; 5 studies, 300 participants; very low-certainty evidence), and may have little to no effect on health-related quality of life (MD 0.70, 95% CI -2.55 to 3.95; I&#xb2; not applicable; 1 study, 161 participants; very low-certainty evidence; score range: 0 to 100; the higher the score, the better) and on histological improvement (RR 0.51, 95% CI 0.13 to 2.06; I&#xb2; = 74%; 2 studies, 702 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of thymosin-&#x251;1 on hepatitis B-related morbidity (RR 0.86, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.40; I&#xb2; = 3%; 3 studies, 854 participants; very low-certainty evidence). We judged the certainty of evidence to be low for serious adverse events and very low for the remaining outcomes. Reasons for downgrading were mainly due to study limitations, including overall high or some concerns for risk of bias; imprecision of the pooled effect estimates (including wide or very wide confidence intervals crossing the line of no effect, and small participant numbers); and inconsistency due to substantial heterogeneity (I&#xb2; = 74%). The test for subgroup differences provided no evidence of differences in effect according to thymosin&#x2011;&#x3b1;1 administration for any outcome (P &#x2265; 0.05). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: We assessed the certainty of evidence as very low for all outcomes except for serious adverse events (low). Therefore, we are not sure whether thymosin-&#x3b1;1 monotherapy versus placebo or no intervention, or with the same co-interventions, reduces all-cause mortality, serious adverse events, HBV-related mortality, and non-serious adverse events, nor whether it has any effect on quality of life (based on one trial) and histological improvement. The effect of thymosin-&#x251;1 on HBV-related morbidity is very uncertain. We observed no statistically significant differences between trials with and without cointerventions. We found no ongoing trials. FUNDING: This Cochrane review had no dedicated funding. REGISTRATION: Protocol available via DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD014610.

Humans

Noncombustible Nicotine or Tobacco Product Use After Smoking Cessation and Major Vision-Impairing Diseases: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the risk of major vision-impairing eye diseases among smokers who quit combustible cigarettes (CC) and switch to noncombustible nicotine or tobacco products (NNTPs) compared with those who completely quit using tobacco. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. PARTICIPANTS: About 179 273 adults from the Korean National Health Insurance Service who smoked CC in 2011 to 2012 and reported cessation in 2018 to 2019, classified into complete quitters and NNTP switchers. METHODS: This nationwide longitudinal cohort study followed participants for up to 6 years and identified incident major vision-impairing eye diseases (cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and refractive and accommodation disorders) using standardized diagnostic codes. Propensity score matching was applied to emulate a pseudo-randomized comparison, balanced on key demographic, clinical, comorbidity, and lifestyle characteristics. Subdistribution hazard ratios (SHRs) were evaluated using the Fine-Gray subdistribution hazards model accounting for all-cause mortality as a competing risk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adjusted SHRs for incident major vision-impairing eye diseases. RESULTS: Among 32 316 matched participants followed for a mean of 4.6 years, 6328 incident major vision-impairing eye disease events occurred. The incidence was 41.1 and 44.0 per 1000 person-years for complete quitters and NNTP switchers, respectively. Switching to NNTPs was associated with an increased risk of major vision-impairing eye disease (SHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.02-1.13). The risk elevation was most pronounced for diabetic retinopathy (SHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.00-1.53) and refractive and accommodation disorders (SHR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01-1.12). These findings were robust across inverse probability-weighted and Cox proportional hazards models. The association remained consistent in sensitivity analyses and across clinical subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Transitioning from CC to NNTPs is associated with a modest but consistent increase in the risk of major vision-impairing eye diseases compared with complete nicotine abstinence. These findings challenge the assumption that substituting NNTPs for CCs is visually harmless and indicate that, from an ophthalmic perspective, complete cessation of all nicotine products should remain the preferred cessation goal.

Humans

The R2R3-MYB transcription factor ScMYB20 negatively regulates drought and salt tolerance through a dual-repression of ScCHALCONE SYNTHASE-1 (ScCHS1)-mediated flavonoid biosynthesis in the desert moss Syntrichia caninervis.

The desert moss Syntrichia caninervis is one of the most desiccation-tolerant land plants known and provides a powerful system for dissecting the molecular foundations of extreme stress adaptation in early-diverging land lineages. The MYB transcription factor superfamily orchestrates secondary metabolism and stress signaling across plants, yet its lineage-specific evolution and mechanistic deployment in bryophytes remain poorly understood. Here, we identified 65 ScMYB genes in the S. caninervis genome and showed that the family expanded predominantly through dispersed duplication, with no detectable synteny to vascular-plant MYBs, indicating bryophyte-specific neo-functionalization. Integrating phylogenetic clustering, cis-element architecture and stress-responsive expression profiling, we pinpointed ScMYB20, a nuclear-localized, S13-subgroup R2R3-MYB that is rapidly and strongly induced by dehydration and salinity. Heterologous overexpression in Arabidopsis, together with overexpression and RNAi in S. caninervis, demonstrated that ScMYB20 negatively regulates drought and salt tolerance by suppressing antioxidant capacity, osmotic adjustment and photosynthetic performance, while concomitantly elevating ROS and MDA accumulation. Mechanistically, ScMYB20 directly binds a TAACCA motif in the ScCHS1 promoter to repress its transcription, and simultaneously sequesters the WD40 protein ScTTG1, a positive transcriptional activator of ScCHS1, thereby antagonising ScTTG1-mediated activation. Transient ScCHS1 overexpression restored flavonoid accumulation, antioxidant capacity and stress tolerance. Together, our findings define a dual-repression module (ScMYB20-ScTTG1-ScCHS1) that fine-tunes flavonoid flux under abiotic stress, and provide evolutionary and mechanistic insights into how R2R3-MYB repressors evolved to balance metabolic investment and stress survival in land plants.

Syntrichia caninervis

Association of cancer antigen 15-3 with distant recurrence in immunohistochemically defined breast cancer subtypes in Canadian Cancer Trials Group MA.32.

BACKGROUND: Circulating levels of cancer antigen (CA) 15-3 have been associated with distant breast cancer recurrence; data on breast cancer subtypes are sparse. We examined associations of CA 15-3 with outcomes across immunohistochemically defined breast cancer subtypes in MA.32. METHODS: A total of 3649 participants with T1-3, N0-1, M0 breast cancer were randomly assigned; 2740 (75.1%) provided blood at entry (mean = 278&#x2009;days postdiagnosis) and 6&#x2009;months later. Prognostic associations of baseline and 6-month change in CA 15-3 with distant recurrence-free survival (RFS) were examined in luminal (estrogen receptor-positive and/or progesterone receptor-positive, HER2-negative), triple-negative (estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, HER2 negative) and HER2-positive (any estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor) breast cancer using Cox proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Mean age was 52&#x2009;years. Breast cancer was luminal in 1589 (58.7%), triple negative in 655 (24.2%), and HER2 positive in 464 (17.1%) participants. Median follow-up was 96&#x2009;months. CA 15-3 at study entry was not associated with outcome in any subtype. Rising CA 15-3 at 6&#x2009;months was associated with poor distant RFS in luminal and triple-negative breast cancer (hazard ratio [HR] per 25% increase&#x2009;=&#x2009;1.41, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.0001, and HR = 1.35, P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.0001, respectively). New elevations in CA 15-3 at 6&#x2009;months were adversely associated with distant RFS in those with luminal or triple-negative breast cancer (HR = 4.14, 95% CI = 2.69 to 6.38; P&#x2009;<&#x2009;.001; and HR = 3.57, 95% CI = 1.59 to 7.99; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;.002, respectively). In HER2-positive breast cancer, CA15-3 was not associated with distant RFS. CONCLUSION: Rising CA 15-3 was associated with reduced distant RFS in luminal and triple-negative breast cancer but not in HER2-positive breast cancer. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01101438.

Humans

Acetazolamide to prevent ventilatory drive withdrawal in REM sleep apnoea: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) pathogenesis during rapid-eye movement (REM) sleep has been linked to dips in ventilatory drive and downstream genioglossus hypotonia. The carbonic anhydrase inhibitor acetazolamide is known to increase ventilatory drive and improve OSA severity. Therefore, we tested the effect of acetazolamide on REM-predominant OSA severity (apnoea hypopnoea index (AHI) and hypoxic burden, co-primary outcomes) and underlying physiological mechanisms (ventilatory drive, ventilation and pharyngeal muscle activity). METHODS: 11 participants with REM-predominant OSA per baseline polysomnography (REM AHI/non-REM AHI&#x2265;2) were allocated to receiving acetazolamide 500&#x2009;mg for three nights (first night at half dose) or placebo according to a randomised, crossover, double-blind design. Detailed physiological polysomnography with recording of diaphragm and genioglossus electromyography was conducted after each intervention, with a 1-week washout in between. RESULTS: As hypothesised, acetazolamide reduced AHI by 35.5% (95% CI 23.1% to 46.3%) and hypoxic burden by 35.9% (95% CI 21.1% to 48.4%) vs placebo (p<0.001), meeting the primary endpoint. Mechanistic analysis in REM revealed that, unexpectedly, acetazolamide did not mitigate dips in ventilatory drive versus placebo (first decile (+0.1 (-1.0 to 1.3) L/min, p=0.8). Rather, acetazolamide reduced collapsibility (increased ventilation at eupneic drive: +1.4 (1.2 to 1.8) L/min) and raised muscle responsiveness (ventilation vs drive slope: +32 (25 to 41) %ventilation/drive, p<0.001; genioglossus versus drive slope: +0.33 (0.13 to 0.54) %max/(L/min), p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Acetazolamide modestly improved REM OSA, with meaningful improvements in upper airway physiology, but failed to mitigate the dips in ventilatory drive responsible for REM OSA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05589792.

Humans

Non-tobacco nicotine dependence and postoperative complications after total ankle arthroplasty: A propensity-matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The clinical impact of non-tobacco nicotine dependence (NTND) is poorly defined. This study evaluated the association between NTND and complications following total ankle arthroplasty (TAA). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using the TriNetX Research Network was performed. Adults undergoing primary TAA (Current Procedural Terminology [CPT] 27702) between 2010 and 2025 were included. Patients were categorized into NTND (International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision [ICD-10]: F17, excluding tobacco-specific codes) and nonsmoker cohorts. Propensity score matching (1:1) yielded 939 NTND patients and 939 controls. Ninety-day medical and wound complications and &#x2265;&#x202f;2-year mechanical outcomes were assessed. RESULTS: NTND patients had higher rates of 90-day readmission (11.7% vs 6.5%; OR 1.9), wound disruption (4.3% vs 2.6%; OR 1.7), surgical site infection (3.1% vs 1.6%; OR 2.0), and sepsis (2.4% vs 1.1%; OR 2.3). At a minimum 2-year follow-up, NTND was not associated with increased risk of mechanical complications. CONCLUSION: These findings challenge the assumption that smokeless nicotine products are benign in the perioperative setting and support incorporating NTND screening and cessation counseling into preoperative optimization protocols. Future prospective studies are warranted to further characterize the dose-dependent effects of non-tobacco nicotine exposure and to evaluate the impact of perioperative cessation strategies on outcomes following TAA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Humans

Recombinant vs Standard Influenza Vaccine in Adults With Severe Obesity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with severe obesity are at increased risk of severe influenza and may have impaired immune responses to vaccination. Recombinant influenza vaccine (RIV) may provide enhanced protection compared with egg-based standard-dose influenza vaccine (SD), but data in this high-risk population are limited. METHODS: The AP-HP FLUO trial (NCT05409612) was an open-label, randomized clinical trial conducted in 15 centers in France (November 2022-March 2023) with 6 months of follow-up. Adults with BMI &#x2265;35 kg/m2 were randomized 1:1 to receive RIV or SD, using minimization by center, age (<50 vs &#x2265;50 years), and BMI (<40 vs &#x2265;40 kg/m2). The primary outcome was the ratio (RIV/SD) of geometric mean hemagglutinin-inhibition (HAI) titers (GMTs) for 4 influenza strains 28 days after vaccination. Safety and reactogenicity were also assessed. RESULTS: A total of 206 participants were included (104 RIV, 102 SD). Median age was 50 years, 60.2% were women, and median BMI was 41.0 kg/m2. At Day 28, GMT ratios favored RIV for A/H1N1 (1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.3), A/H3N2 (2.0; 95% CI, 1.3-3.2), and B/Yamagata (1.3; 95% CI, 1.0-1.8), but not for B/Victoria (0.9; 95% CI, 0.6-1.3). The effect did not vary significantly across the different age and BMI groups. By Day 180, titers did not differ significantly. Reactogenicity and safety profiles were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In adults with severe obesity, RIV elicited stronger short-term humoral immune responses than an egg-based standard-dose vaccine, suggesting potential additional benefit for influenza prevention in this vulnerable population.

Humans

Exploring sex differences in endocannabinoid system biomarkers and their relationship with antidepressant treatment outcomes in major depressive disorder: a CAN-BIND 1 secondary analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sex differences in major depressive disorder (MDD) are well documented, but it remains unclear whether sex-related variation in peripheral endocannabinoid system (ECS)-related biomarkers is detectable in MDD. OBJECTIVES: To examine baseline sex differences in ECS-related mRNA expression, DNA methylation, and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MDD, and associations between baseline ECS markers and antidepressant outcomes in sex-stratified analyses. METHODS: Among 178 participants with MDD from CAN-BIND-1, all received escitalopram for 8 weeks; non-responders then received adjunctive aripiprazole from Weeks 8-16.Response was defined as &#x2265;&#x2009;50% reduction in MADRS score, and remission as MADRS&#x2009;&#x2264;&#x2009;10. ANCOVAs examined baseline sex differences and sex-stratified biomarker associations with percent MADRS reduction at Weeks 8 and 16, as well as categorical response and remission outcomes. Covariates included site, baseline MADRS, age, and ethnicity. False discovery rate correction was applied. RESULTS: Baseline sex differences in methylation were observed for CACNA1H, GABRB2, MAGL, and GABRR2, though none survived correction. No baseline sex differences in mRNA expression or SNPs were detected after correction. Lower baseline DAGLA mRNA in males was associated with greater Week 8 symptom improvement (FDR corrected). This association was not observed in females. No associations with response or remission at Weeks 8 or 16 survived correction. IMPLICATIONS: Baseline sex differences in peripheral ECS-related markers were not detected in this sample. Larger studies are needed to verify whether ECS-related biomarkers, particularly DAGLA, contribute to antidepressant outcomes in a sex-specific manner.

Humans

Human iPSC-EV-loaded nanofiber stent coatings accelerate vascular repair by enhancing EGFR/HIF-1&#x3b1; signaling and suppressing ROCK1-mediated remodeling.

Arterial disease management is shifting from antiproliferative drug-eluting stents toward approaches that restore endothelial function and modulate smooth muscle cell (SMC) behavior. Stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) carry miRNAs that promote endothelial proliferation and migration while restraining aberrant SMC growth and inflammation. Here, human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived EVs were collected by ultracentrifugation and incorporated into 50:50 poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA 503) core-shell nanofibrous membranes, which were fabricated as stent coatings for sustained release to overcome rapid clearance and poor tissue retention. EVs derived from three independent iPSC lines all enhanced tube formation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under hypoxic and serum-starved conditions and revealed a trend toward reduced platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB)-induced smooth muscle cell (SMC) migration. The fabricated core-shell nanofibers enabled sustained EV release, maintaining therapeutic efficacy for 28 days. Small RNA sequencing (NGS) analysis demonstrated that EVs from these independent iPSC lines shared miR-148a-3p and members of the miR-92 family, which collectively accounted for more than 75% of the reads within the 25 top-expressed miRNA set. In vitro, iPSC-EVs enhanced HUVEC proliferation and survival signaling by downregulating the negative regulators ERRFI1 and VHL, which are specific targets of miR-148a-3p and the miR-92 family, thereby activating the EGFR and HIF-1&#x3b1; axes and driving downstream ERK1/2 and VEGF expression under hypoxic and serum starvation stress conditions. Concurrently, iPSC-EVs prevented PDGF-BB-induced SMC phenotypic switching by downregulating ROCK1, a target of miR-148a-3p, thereby inhibiting downstream AKT and ERK signaling and preserving contractile markers while suppressing the synthetic phenotype. In vivo, the iPSC-EV-functionalized scaffolds significantly accelerated re-endothelialization and inhibited neointimal hyperplasia, evidenced by the upregulation of angiogenic factors (VEGF, CD31) and the concurrent suppression of pathological remodeling markers (&#x3b1;-SMA, MMPs) and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TGF-&#x3b2;1). Therefore, iPSC-EVs enriched with specific miRNAs and delivered via PLGA 503 core-shell nanofibers promote endothelial repair while suppressing SMC overgrowth, providing a promising strategy for vascular healing.

Core-shell nanofibers