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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

Physiological and molecular responses of coelomocytes to low- to mid-frequency acoustic exposure in the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius.

Underwater noise is a widespread environmental pollutant in marine ecosystems, yet the effects of low- to mid-frequency acoustic exposure on immune physiology and molecular responses in echinoderms remain unclear. In this study, the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus intermedius was exposed to continuous pure-tone acoustic stimulation at 80, 125, 250, 500, 750, and 1000 Hz for 3 h. Results showed that acoustic exposure significantly affected redox homeostasis, energy metabolism, and immune function in S. intermedius coelomocytes: the antioxidant system and glutathione redox balance were altered, as indicated by increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, elevated reduced glutathione (GSH) content, and a higher GSH/GSSG ratio; glycolysis-related enzyme activities were enhanced, with increased pyruvate kinase (PK) activity under 125-500 Hz exposure and elevated hexokinase (HK) activity at 250 Hz; and immune function was impaired, as shown by increased coelomocyte mortality, reduced phagocytic activity, and inhibited acid phosphatase (ACP) and alkaline phosphatase (AKP) activities, whereas respiratory burst activity showed no significant change. Among all treatments, 250 Hz induced the most pronounced physiological responses. Transcriptomic analysis of coelomocytes from the 250 Hz group identified 663 differentially expressed genes, including 537 upregulated and 126 downregulated genes, mainly enriched in pathways related to apoptosis, phagosome, lysosome, glutathione metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, and carbohydrate metabolism. These findings indicate that low- to mid-frequency acoustic exposure can act as a physiological and molecular stressor to S. intermedius coelomocytes by affecting redox homeostasis, enhancing energy metabolism, and suppressing immune effector processes, with 250 Hz showing the strongest effect under the present exposure conditions. This study provides experimental evidence for evaluating the potential biological effects of low- to mid-frequency acoustic exposure on benthic echinoderms.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

EDucation and eXercise for gluteal tendinopathy in an Irish context (EDX-Ireland): findings from the LEAP-Ireland feasibility randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess feasibility of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) investigating effectiveness of 6 sessions of an EDucation and eXercise intervention delivered over 8 weeks (EDX-Ireland) for gluteal tendinopathy, against usual care. EDX-Ireland was modified from a 14-session EDucation and eXercise intervention (EDX), delivered over 8 weeks, previously evaluated in an Australian RCT. DESIGN: Feasibility parallel RCT. METHODS: Participants were randomly assigned to physiotherapist-led EDX-Ireland or usual care. EDX-Ireland comprised 6 sessions of education, hip abductor strengthening and functional loading over 8 weeks, supported by a home exercise programme. Primary outcomes included success of different recruitment strategies and recruitment/retention rates. Secondary outcomes measured global rating of change and other clinical outcomes. Descriptive statistics (percentage, mean, standard deviations and 95% confidence intervals (CI)) are presented. RESULTS: Of 323 individuals who expressed interest in study participation, 119 completed physical examination screening, and 65 met criteria and consented to participate (recruitment rate 55%). Sixty-five people (89% women; mean age 53.1 ± 9.3 years), were randomised to EDX-Ireland (n = 32) or usual care (n = 33). Eighty-three percent (n = 54) were recruited via social media/community, 3% (n = 2) from general practitioners and 14% (n = 9) from orthopaedic/rheumatology. Retention was 92% (95% CI 82-97%, n = 60) at 8-weeks, and 89% (95% CI 79-96%, n = 58) at 3-months. Feasibility thresholds were met. Effect size estimates indicate that 134 participants would be required for a future RCT. CONCLUSION: Pre-defined recruitment and retention thresholds were met, indicating that a RCT evaluating 6 sessions of physiotherapist-delivered education and exercise against usual care for gluteal tendinopathy is feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05516563).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Factors associated with successful integration of pharmacists into residential aged care teams: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: Australia's Aged Care Onsite Pharmacist program aims to support quality use of medicines in residential aged care homes. This is a novel role introduced into existing teams in a complex environment. Factors associated with successful integration since implementation are currently unknown. AIM: This study aims to explore the perspectives of pharmacists and other stakeholders within aged care homes regarding successful integration of the novel aged care pharmacist service into healthcare teams. METHODS: A qualitative approach, using interpretive descriptive methodology, was used to explore perspectives. Semi-structured focus groups and interviews with pharmacists, nursing and care staff, allied health professionals, general practitioners, residents, and family members were undertaken. Data were collected via Zoom™, audio- and video-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Two researchers undertook inductive thematic analysis to identify key themes. RESULTS: 30 participants across focus groups, focus-group interviews, interviews, and member-checking processes contributed. An overarching theme of proactivity and showing a genuine interest in others underpinned three key themes. Theme 1: Pharmacists needed to be seen, through physical presence and availability, as well as developing a distinct identity. Theme 2: Pharmacists needed to build trust, through collaboration in real time and demonstrating value. Theme 3: Pharmacists needed to develop an understanding of the aged care home environment, including social and contextual norms, as well as procedures, routines and roles. DISCUSSION: This research complements existing understandings of interprofessional collaboration and teamwork amongst healthcare professionals. Themes were interlinked; we used a sensitising framework, social cognitive theory, to present and explain the findings and interactions that can support pharmacist integration into existing teams. Aged care services should structure onboarding to prioritise early visibility, clarify roles and organisational needs, and foster in-person collaboration. Pharmacists should demonstrate proactivity and an authentic interest in all staff, residents and families.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy and safety of add-on topiramate vs. metformin on cardiometabolic profile in patients of schizophrenia on atypical antipsychotics with metabolic syndrome: an active-controlled, rater-blinded, parallel-design randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome is common among patients with schizophrenia, but current treatment options are limited, with metformin being the most studied. While placebo-controlled studies suggest potential benefits of topiramate, comparative efficacy and safety data are lacking. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of topiramate versus metformin for treating metabolic syndrome and reducing cardiovascular risks among patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A randomised, open-label, parallel-group clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients of schizophrenia with metabolic syndrome, randomised equally to receive either topiramate (50 mg/day) or metformin (1000 mg/day) for eight weeks. Primary outcome was cardiovascular risk score (QRISK3), and secondary outcomes were LDL∶HDL ratio, insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and clinical global impression-Schizophrenia scale (CGI-SCH) scores. RESULTS: Over the study period, QRISK3 scores improved significantly in both groups [topiramate: MD = 0.61 (0.02 to 1.21), p = 0.04; metformin: MD = 0.45 (0.07 to 0.83), p = 0.02], with no significant between-group difference in unadjusted analysis (p = 0.648). However, ANCOVA adjusting for baseline QRISK3 revealed a significantly greater improvement in the topiramate group (β = -0.324, p = 0.043). Metformin showed significant within-group improvements in LDL: HDL ratio and HOMA-IR; however, ANCOVA adjusting for baseline HOMA-IR showed the between-group difference remained non-significant (β = -1.209, p = 0.078). Both groups showed significant improvements in PANSS and CGI-SCH scores, with no significant between-group differences in MoCA scores. A moderate correlation between the QRISK3 change, the PANSS change, and the CGI-SCH-I scores was observed in the topiramate group and the total population. Regression analysis identified PANSS change as a predictor of QRISK3 improvement. CONCLUSION: Topiramate demonstrated comparable, and on adjusted analysis superior, cardiovascular risk reduction compared to metformin, supporting its use as a viable alternative in the management of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia on atypical antipsychotics, particularly where metformin is contraindicated.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Maternal disease control and pregnancy outcomes with anti-CD20 therapy versus natalizumab in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Management of multiple sclerosis (MS) during pregnancy requires balancing maternal disease control with fetal safety. Among high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies, anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies and natalizumab are commonly used in women with active disease, yet their comparative effectiveness and safety during pregnancy remain incompletely defined. This systematic review evaluated maternal disease activity and pregnancy-related outcomes associated with anti-CD20 exposure compared with natalizumab in pregnant women with MS. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception through February 2026. Eligible studies included pregnant women with MS exposed to anti-CD20 before or during pregnancy and reporting maternal disease activity compared to natalizumab. RESULTS: Seven studies were included, comprising six observational cohort studies and one pharmacovigilance disproportionality analysis. Across studies, anti-CD20 exposure was consistently associated with lower relapse activity than natalizumab, particularly in the postpartum period. Anti-CD20 strategies were also associated with markedly lower postpartum MRI activity and more favorable disability-related outcomes where reported. Meta-analysis of three studies demonstrated a significant reduction in postpartum MRI activity with anti-CD20 therapy compared with natalizumab (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02-0.24; I² = 0%). No clear increase in major congenital anomalies was identified, although some data suggested higher odds of small for gestational age and maternal antibiotic use with anti-CD20 exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Anti-CD20 therapy was associated with lower maternal disease activity than natalizumab during pregnancy, especially for relapse prevention and postpartum MRI suppression. However, evidence regarding fetal and neonatal safety remains limited, warranting cautious individualized treatment decisions and further comparative research.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

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

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

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of adjunctive bifrontal tDCS on depressive symptoms and cognitive performance in major depressive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for antidepressant effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in major depressive disorder (MDD) is heterogeneous, and cognitive effects remain uncertain. We compared depressive symptoms and DSST performance during active and sham bifrontal tDCS in medicated outpatients with MDD and baseline HAMD-17 ≥ 15. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover pilot trial, adults with MDD and inadequate response to an adequate antidepressant trial were assigned to active→sham or sham→active tDCS sequences while continuing antidepressants. Each period comprised 10 sessions over 2 weeks. Active stimulation was delivered at 2 mA for 20 min (anode F3, cathode F4); sham used the same montage with brief ramping only. No washout interval was used. No washout interval was used. The primary outcome was HAMD-17; secondary outcomes were DSST and CGI ratings. RESULTS: Of 38 randomized participants, 32 completed both periods and were analyzed per protocol. HAMD-17 scores were lower during active than sham stimulation (mean difference -3.63, 95% CI -5.86 to -1.40; p = 0.002), but the condition-by-sequence interaction was significant (p = 0.026). No condition effect was observed for DSST (p = 0.261) or CGI-Severity (p = 1.000); CGI-Improvement was strongly sequence-dependent (p < 0.001). In an exploratory first-period analysis, adjusted T1 HAMD-17 scores were lower in the active-first group (adjusted difference -4.90, 95% CI -7.92 to -1.87; p = 0.003). Adverse effects were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Active tDCS was associated with lower HAMD-17 scores, but the pooled contrast was order-dependent and cannot be interpreted as a definitive treatment effect. No DSST benefit was observed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

An allograft inflammatory factor enhances sperm viability by modulating intracellular calcium in oyster Crassostrea gigas.

As an important aquaculture bivalve, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas faces severe constraints in artificial reproduction, where low sperm motility often leads to fertilization failure and limits the sustainable development of the oyster aquaculture industry. In the present study, the variation of sperm from different oyster individuals was observed, and high-quality sperm possessed intact, elongated flagella with no structural abnormalities, while low-quality sperm showed shortened flagella with frequent tangling or coiling defects. Transcriptomic analysis comparing high- and low-quality sperm revealed significantly reduced expression of genes associated with sperm motility and release (CgAIF1, CgAchR, CgSEX), sperm quality and development (CgEP4, CgIFi2b), and cryoprotection (CgISPs) in low-quality sperm. Notably, an allograft inflammatory factor (designed as CgAIF1) encoding EF-hand domain, known as Ca2+ binding activity, was among the most significantly downregulated in low-motility sperm. CgAIF1 is highly expressed in haemocytes, ganglia, and gonads of oysters. Incubation with the recombinant AIF1 protein (rCgAIF1) significantly improved sperm curvilinear velocity, thereby enhancing the overall motility of C. gigas sperm. Furthermore, rCgAIF1 incubation increased intracellular Ca2+ levels (2.13-fold at 30 min, 2.71-fold at 60 min) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (1.44-fold at 30 min, 1.24-fold at 60 min) in sperm, suggesting potential roles in calcium homeostasis regulation and antioxidant defense. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that CgAIF1 significantly enhances motility of oyster sperm, providing a scientific basis for artificial breeding and seed production in oyster aquaculture.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Acute pre-exercise oral intake of cacao polyphenols attenuates central fatigue development during sustained low-intensity ankle dorsiflexion exercise in healthy young male adults.

This double-blind, randomized, crossover study investigated whether acute cacao polyphenol (CP) ingestion attenuates neuromuscular fatigue in 19 healthy young male adults. After consuming CP or placebo, participants performed sustained isometric ankle dorsiflexion at 25% of maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) torque until task failure. Neuromuscular function (MVIC torque, voluntary activation [VA%], doublet torque) and electromyographic activity were assessed before, immediately after, and during recovery (1 and 5 min). Salivary chromogranin A and α-amylase were measured at baseline and 1 min post-task. Only VA% and chromogranin A showed significant condition × time interactions (p = 0.027-0.039). VA% significantly decreased from before to immediately after the task and 1 min post-task in both conditions (p ≤ 0.002), with significantly higher values in the CP condition than in placebo immediately after and 1 min post-task (p ≤ 0.037). Chromogranin A significantly increased from baseline to 1 min post-task in the placebo condition (p < 0.001) but not in the CP condition (p = 0.083). These findings suggest that acute CP ingestion attenuates the decline in central motor drive and autonomic stress responses following strenuous exercise, without altering performance or peripheral recovery, supporting its potential as a nutritional strategy for modulating central fatigue.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

In vivo genome-wide CRISPR screens identify FOXR1 as a suppressor of CD8+ T cell antitumor immunity.

T cell dysfunction critically limits the efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapies in solid tumors, yet the intrinsic regulators of T cell dysfunction remain incompletely understood. Through an in vivo genome-wide CRISPR screen in tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, we identified Forkhead Box R1 (FOXR1) as a potent transcriptional suppressor of CD8+ T cell effector functions. Genetic ablation of FOXR1 significantly enhanced cytokine production and cytotoxic capacity in both murine and human CD8+ T cells, whereas its overexpression impaired T cell activation and effector molecule expression. Mechanistically, multiomics integration of RNA-seq, CUT&Tag-seq, and ATAC-seq revealed that FOXR1 binds directly to promoter regions of key effector genes, including IL2, GZMB, and PRF1, and represses their expression. Importantly, FOXR1 deletion in human anti-CD19 CAR T cells improved their efficacy against solid tumors, demonstrating that FOXR1 is a checkpoint of T cell effector function and targeting FOXR1 is a promising strategy to enhance CAR T cell efficacy against solid tumors.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Individual differences in brain dynamics across a social cognition network induced by cortico-cerebellar tDCS in adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition with core diagnostic domains of social communication impairments, restricted interests and repetitive behaviors. Idiosyncratic brain organization is a potential hallmark of ASD. Previous transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) studies often targeted dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, with changes oin brain dynamics averaged across the cohort. We utilized a magnetoencephalographic (MEG) array to characterize individual differences in brain dynamics induced by cortico-cerebellar tDCS across nodes of a social cognition network. A randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, within-subject clinical trial was conducted in a cohort of 24 young adults with ASD or high autistic traits. Two separate sessions of computerized social learning activities were combined with verum/sham tDCS, with anodal electrode over right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and cathode on right deltoid. Following stimulation, theta- and alpha-band activity were evaluated within nodes of a social cognition network: bilateral TPJ, fusiform, medial prefrontal cortex and Crus I/II of cerebellum. Idiosyncratic participant-specific up- and down-regulation of theta- and alpha-band activity occurred across the network. Activity in right Crus I/II, a region inundated by the stimulation current, strongly correlated with the change of activity summed across all cerebral cortical nodes in theta- but not alpha-band. Intrinsic theta-band activity is believed to mediate input/output relationships in cerebellar cortex and to drive synaptic plasticity. These results suggest that theta-band stimulation of cerebellar cortex might be an effective therapy for individuals on the autism spectrum who present with cerebellar hyperactivity.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiles of time-dependent dynamic changes in LPS-induced macrophage polarization.

The temporal proteomic and phosphoproteomic reprogramming during early M1 macrophage polarization (0-6 h) remains poorly understood. We performed time-resolved proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses of LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages at seven time points within 6 h. Time-clustering of differentially expressed molecules revealed two patterns: initial change with partial recovery, and sustained dysregulation. Upregulated proteins and phosphorylation sites were enriched in the Rho GTPase signaling pathway, T-cell receptor signaling pathway, NF-κB cascade, osteoclast differentiation pathway, and antiviral immune pathway. Downregulated pathways were associated with cell cycle regulation, chromatin remodeling, RNA metabolism, and mRNA processing, indicating resource reallocation to prioritize acute inflammatory responses. Kinase-substrate network analysis confirmed the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK), protein kinase B (AKT), and ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) families as core upstream phosphorylation regulators. Integrated analysis revealed synergistic and antagonistic relationships between proteomic and phosphoproteomic changes. This study provides a temporal molecular atlas of M1 polarization, delineating inflammatory signaling dynamics and offering a basis for therapeutic target discovery in inflammatory diseases. SIGNIFICANCE: Macrophage M1 polarization is a central event in innate immune defense against pathogenic invasion, yet its dysregulation is a pivotal driver of the onset and progression of a broad spectrum of inflammation-associated disorders, spanning autoimmune diseases, infectious conditions and inflammatory bone diseases, making the dissection of its molecular regulatory mechanisms an urgent research priority in immunology and translational medicine. Dynamic molecular events within 0-6 h after LPS stimulation are critical for initiating and shaping M1 inflammatory activation, yet systematic time-resolved proteomic and phosphoproteomic profiling remains insufficient.In this study, we comprehensively characterized temporal proteome and phosphoproteome changes at seven consecutive time points during macrophage polarization, clarified two distinct dynamic molecular patterns, identified core signaling pathways and key kinase regulators involved in inflammatory reprogramming, and uncovered the leading role of post-translational phosphorylation modifications in initiating polarization. This work delineates the time-series molecular atlas of early macrophage activation, provides novel insights into the temporal regulatory mechanism of inflammatory signaling networks, and lays a solid experimental foundation for exploring new intervention targets and regulatory nodes in clinical translational research.

Lipopolysaccharides↗

PubMed2026

Molecular characterization of 16 MAPK genes in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and the differences of their mRNA expression between Qiandao Lake and Taihu Lake.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), a serine-threonine protein kinase, is involved in a variety of stress-induced responses and also plays an important regulatory role in cell metabolism. In the study the open reading frames (ORFs) of 16 MAPK genes in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) were obtained and verified, with the evaluations of their taxonomy, structures, conserved motifs, and evolutionary linkages. And the expression patterns of these genes in the silver carp from Qiandao Lake and Taihu Lake were explored for better understanding the response of MAPK genes to different water environment. MAPK genes of silver carp were divided into three subfamilies, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) subfamily, p38 subfamily and C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) subfamily. All these genes possessed similar structures and conserved motifs of MAPK family. Realtime qPCR revealed that the expression patterns of 10 MAPK genes (ScMAPK1, ScMAPK3, ScMAPK4, ScMAPK7, ScMAPK15, ScMAPK8a, ScMAPK8b, ScMAPK9, ScMAPK10 and ScMAPK11) in head kidney, spleen and gill of silver carp in Taihu Lake and Qiandao Lake were different. These findings provide a basis for further research on the function of MAPK in silver carp.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Herbicolin A, an antifungal lipopeptide produced by Pantoea agglomerans APC 4211 is a promising biocontrol agent against food spoilage fungi.

Fungal contamination of food with yeast and molds is associated with major economic losses due to spoilage and also poses health risks in the form of mycotoxin production. The strain Pantoea agglomerans APC 4211 isolated from leaves of Ilex aquifolium (holly tree) has broad spectrum antifungal activity against a variety of food spoilage fungi. Genomic analysis of the strain confirmed the presence of biosynthetic gene clusters potentially encoding for the enzymatic machinery required for the production of the antifungal lipopeptide herbicolin A. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis of the cell-free supernatant (CFS) confirmed the presence of molecular masses corresponding to herbicolin A (1300.8 Da), and herbicolin B (1138 Da). Purified herbicolin A has desirable properties for biotechnological applications, including potent antifungal activity against a range of spoilage fungi, thermal stability and resistance to proteases. The lipopeptide has low cytotoxicity against epithelial cell lines and has minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) lower than those of some commercial antifungal drugs (0.2-2.5 mg/L). In a model dairy system (10% skim milk), herbicolin A demonstrated excellent solubility and stability, effectively eliminating Aspergillus niger and Penicillium notatum at a concentration of 5 mg/L. Overall, the study determines herbicolin's A spectrum against food spoilage organisms and examines potential applications in food. In conclusion, herbicolin A is a potent, naturally occurring antifungal agent with the potential to be applied as a biopreservative in food systems, providing a safe, clean-label, and efficient compound for synthetic preservatives replacement.

Pantoea↗

PubMed2026

Are Adverse Childhood Experiences Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Patients with Severe Mental Illness?

BACKGROUND: Patients with severe mental disorders (SMD) are at substantially elevated risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS), contributing to excess cardiovascular morbidity and premature mortality. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been associated with dysregulation of metabolic pathways, yet their contribution to MetS risk in SMD remains poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the association between ACEs and MetS in outpatients with bipolar disorder (BD) and schizophrenia (SZ) in clinical remission and to identify independent and incremental predictors of MetS using a hierarchical analytical framework. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 140 outpatients with SMD (96 with BD and 44 with SZ) in clinical remission, recruited from a university hospital in Eastern Turkey. MetS was defined according to NCEP-ATP III criteria, and ACEs were assessed using the Turkish version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Scale (ACE-TR). Hierarchical and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to examine factors associated with MetS. RESULTS: MetS was highly prevalent in this sample (46.4%). ACE-TR total score was independently and consistently associated with MetS across all hierarchical models (odds ratio [OR] range: 1.68-1.77), with each one-unit increase conferring approximately 71% higher odds in the fully adjusted model (OR = 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.26-2.32; P = 0.001). The number of hospitalizations was the only other independently associated variable (OR = 1.19; 95% CI 1.02-1.39). Sexual abuse (16.9% vs. 2.7%; P = 0.004), emotional neglect (63.1% vs. 30.7%; P < 0.001), and physical neglect (30.8% vs. 14.7%; P = 0.022) were significantly more prevalent in the MetS group. ACE-TR total score was positively correlated with waist circumference and triglyceride levels. CONCLUSION: The strong and consistent association between ACEs and MetS underscores the importance of trauma-informed care models in psychiatric practice, where metabolic comorbidity remains a leading cause of premature mortality.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

TNF-NF-κB signaling mediates immune-biomineralization crosstalk during shell repair under ocean acidification in Mytilus edulis.

Ocean acidification (OA) impairs biomineralization in bivalves, but its effects on immune-biomineralization crosstalk during shell repair remain unknown. Here, we exposed adult Mytilus edulis bearing standardized shell perforations to three pH levels (8.1, 7.9, and 7.7) for up to 40 days. OA slowed early repair and caused microstructural disorganization and an approximately 87% reduction of compressive strength at pH 7.7, yet the damaged area appeared largely closed by day 15, suggesting a decoupling between morphological closure and functional recovery. In addition, transcriptomic profiling of hemocytes and mantle tissue, based on an average of 6.5 Gb of clean reads per sample mapped to the M. edulis reference genome (NCBI Assembly GCF_000511035.1), revealed that these shell-level defects were accompanied by coordinated immune and metabolic reprogramming. Hemocytes, the primary immune effector cells of bivalves, exhibited pH- and time-dependent shifts with moderate acidification (pH 7.9) promoting inflammatory transcripts, whereas severe acidification (pH 7.7) suppressed these signals while upregulating stress-associated pathways; both treatments consistently downregulated lysosomal proteases and NF-κB negative regulators. The mantle, a primarily mineralizing organ, paradoxically upregulated immune-related genes while suppressing oxidative phosphorylation and extracellular matrix pathways. This tissue-level imbalance, with hemocytes recruited but functionally constrained and mantle metabolically suppressed yet immunologically activated, points to TNF-NF-κB pathway modulation as a key mediator of shell repair under acidification. Our findings demonstrate that visible shell closure masks underlying structural and mechanical failure, and that immune regulation, rather than simple suppression or activation, critically shapes the repair outcome. These results advocate for multifunctional indicators beyond closure area to assess shell integrity in acidified marine environments.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Tranexamic acid in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a well-established antifibrinolytic medication in the general population. However, its efficacy and safety for patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) remain inconclusive. Consequently, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness and safety of TXA for spontaneous ICH. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) following established methodological standards. Our search encompassed eight electronic databases from inception to April 25, 2024. The primary outcome was a reduction in all-cause mortality. The secondary outcomes included improvements in functional independence, neurological impairment, activities of daily living, and reduction in hematoma expansion (HE). Fixed-effects or random-effects model were performed for pooled data where eligible. RESULTS: A total of 9 RCTs that initially enrolled 3,124 patients were included. There were no significant differences observed concerning all-cause mortality (RR, 1.03; 95% CI [0.89-1.18]), hematoma expansion (RR, 0.90; 95% CI [0.80-1.00]), improvement of functional independence (RR, 1.02; 95% CI [0.92-1.12], neurological impairment (MD, -0.88 [95% CI, -2.22-0.45]), or activities in daily living (MD, -0.83 [95% CI, -29.25-12.59]). The pooled data indicated that TXA for ICH was associated with a decrease in hematoma volume from baseline (MD, -1.74; 95% CI [-2.47 to -1.02]). No significant difference in adverse events was observed between the TXA group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, TXA does not affect all-cause mortality, functional outcomes, or neurological impairment, nor does it reduce HE, despite reducing hematoma volulume. TXA use for ICH requires careful clinical consideration.

Humans↗