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From population to individual: advocating personalised digital tools for heat-health early warning in a changing climate.

Escalating heat extremes under climate change are imposing substantial health burdens, with 2023 and 2024 consecutively breaking global temperature records. Mounting evidence suggests that heatwaves elevate the risks of hospitalisation and mortality across multiple disease categories, including ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and acute kidney injury. Nonetheless, most existing heat-health warning systems remain primarily reliant on population-level predictions, and considering individual differences and disease-specific considerations when defining warning levels would benefit the effectiveness of early prevention for high-risk groups. In this Viewpoint, which is based on the framework of precision public health-delivering the right intervention to the right population at the right time-we propose a framework for personalised digital heat-health early warning tools comprising three dimensions: individualised, risk-stratified prediction models that generate tiered early warnings; personalised health prompts coupled with theory-informed behavioural interventions; and adaptive, equity-oriented alert delivery mechanisms tailored to diverse populations. Such tools have the potential to bridge precision disease prevention and climate adaptation, thereby helping to mitigate heat exposure risks and disease burdens, particularly among high-risk populations. Future implementation research will be essential to address substantial challenges related to feasibility, validation, and equity.

Journal Article

Developmental roles of LSD1/KDM1A-like (LDL) proteins in plants.

LYSINE-SPECIFIC DEMETHYLASE 1-like (LDL) proteins are conserved FAD-dependent amine oxidases that serve as pivotal regulators in plants. While animal systems typically rely on a single LSD1/KDM1A enzyme, the Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes an expanded family of LDL homologues (FLD, LDL1, LDL2, and LDL3), resulting in substantial subfunctionalization and specialized recruitment mechanisms. This review explores the diverse developmental roles of plant LDLs, ranging from flowering time and circadian clock regulation to heterochromatin maintenance and epigenetic regulation. We discuss the redundant roles of FLD, LDL1, and LDL2 in repressing the floral repressor FLC and their nonredundant specialized function within the CCA1/LHY-TOC1 circadian feedback loop. A central focus of our review is the emerging mechanism of transcription-coupled demethylation, in which LDLs associate with the phosphorylated C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II to modify chromatin cotranscriptionally within gene bodies. By integrating findings from Arabidopsis thaliana and crops such as tomato and soybean, we illustrate how the diversified LDL-mediated regulatory toolkit facilitates precise, gene-specific regulation. Ultimately, the LDL family represents a cornerstone of the sophisticated epigenetic strategies that regulate plant phenotypic plasticity in response to developmental and environmental cues.

Circadian clock

A chromosome-level, haplotype-resolved genome assembly for the barn owl, Tyto alba.

Recent advances in long-read sequencing have enabled near telomere-to-telomere (T2T) assemblies across diverse taxa. However, avian genomes remain challenging due to numerous microchromosomes, small, typically < 20Mb, DNA molecules that are gene-, GC-, and repeat-rich. As a consequence, microchromosomes are often missing from genome assemblies. Here, we present a chromosome-level, haplotype-resolved genome assembly for the Western barn owl (Tyto alba). Using a trio-binning strategy with Illumina parental reads combined with PacBio HiFi and Oxford Nanopore Technologies data, we generated two phased contig sets. These were scaffolded into 40 linkage groups using a linkage map. Comparative analyses identified unplaced HiFi scaffolds corresponding to microchromosomes, which we integrated into six additional microchromosomes using long reads information. The two assemblies present 46 chromosomes, matching the karyotype of the species. They exhibit strong synteny between parental haplotypes, except for a &#x223c;38 Mb complex region on chromosome 7 containing nested inversions. This high-quality reference provides a haplotype-resolved and chromosome-level genome for Strigiformes, enabling fine-scale studies of structural variation and avian genome evolution.

Tyto alba

LC-IMS-MS profiling of avocado acetogenins reveals tissue-dependent distribution and cultivar-specific metabolic signatures.

This study presents a comprehensive characterisation of acetogenin-related metabolites in avocado using an LC-IMS-MS workflow. A total of 26 metabolites were semi-quantified across peel, pulp and seed tissues from three cultivars (Hass, Bacon and Fuerte). The integration of ion mobility spectrometry enabled the generation of the first experimental database of collision cross section (CCS) values for avocado acetogenins, improving confidence in metabolite annotation. Results revealed a pronounced tissue-dependent distribution, with seeds and pulp as the primary reservoir of several acetogenins, whereas the peel consistently exhibited lower concentrations. In contrast, acetogenin levels remained largely stable throughout ripening. Clear cultivar-dependent differences were observed, with Hass displaying a distinct metabolic profile compared to Bacon and Fuerte. Multivariate analysis confirmed these findings, showing tissue-dependent cultivar differentiation. This study provides new insights into avocado chemical diversity and highlights the potential of avocado by-products as consistent and promising sources of bioactive acetogenins.

Persea

Pervasive hybridization and introgression in Diervilleae (Caprifoliaceae).

Diervilleae (Caprifoliaceae) is a horticulturally important lineage with striking floral diversity and a long history of interspecific crossing, suggesting reticulate evolution. We integrated nuclear SNPs and whole plastome data to reconstruct a phylogenomic backbone for the tribe and to identify hybrids, cultivated accessions, and introgression among lineages. Nuclear and plastid phylogenies consistently recover Weigela and Diervilla as reciprocally monophyletic and resolve four major lineages within Weigela, providing a reproducible framework for revising sectional limits and species boundaries. Cultivated accessions form a well supported clade sister to W. florida and show predominantly W. florida ancestry while retaining contributions from multiple wild lineages, consistent with recurrent crossing, backcrossing, and selection. Analyses of wild populations reveal recurrent hybrids and enable plausible parental combinations to be inferred. Tests across the genome further indicate strong evidence for historical introgression across Diervilleae, with the strongest signals involving W. middendorffiana, W. maximowiczii, and Diervilla. Fossil evidence, divergence time estimation, and paleodistribution modelling together suggest range expansion during the Miocene and Pliocene followed by climate driven contraction, providing a spatiotemporal context for episodic contact, introgression, and the East Asia-North America disjunction.

Hybridization, Genetic

Assembly and Characterization of the First Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Tussilago farfara L.: Insights into Biological Functions and Phylogenetic Relationships within the Asteraceae Family.

Tussilago farfara L., a member of the Asteraceae family, is an economically valuable species due to its edible and medicinal properties. To elucidate the structural characteristics, genetic mechanisms, and evolutionary pathways of the organelle genomes of T. farfara, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated its mitochondrial genome for the first time. The complete mitochondrial genome of T. farfara spans 306,024&#xa0;bp and contains 33 mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs), 3 rRNAs, and 22 tRNAs. Analysis of the nucleotide substitution rate and genetic diversity revealed that most mitochondrial genome genes may have undergone purifying selection, indicating a slow evolutionary rate and a relatively conserved genomic structure. We further identified 13 fragments of chloroplast-derived DNA integrated into the mitochondrial genome, evidencing intracellular gene transfer. Collinearity analysis showed that Arctium lappa shares the most extensive mitochondrial homologous sequences and the highest sequence similarity with T. farfara. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial genome helped to clarify the evolutionary and taxonomic position of T. farfara within the Asteraceae family. The mitochondrial genome sequence of T. farfara provides a valuable genomic resource for species identification and for evolutionary studies within the Asteraceae family.

Genome, Mitochondrial

Emerging techniques of CRISPR/Cas system in antiviral therapy and diagnostics: Applications, limitations, and translational perspectives.

The CRISPR/Cas (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats) system is a versatile technology for developing antiviral medicines and editing viral genomes in both diagnostics and vaccine synthesis. Emerging insights into class 2 effectors, such as Cas9, Cas12, and Cas13, which target viral DNA and RNA, have revolutionized vaccines against viruses such as HIV, HPV, HBV, and EBV. Innovative diagnostic techniques such as SHERLOCK, DETECTR, and FELUDA have demonstrated system's diversity and accuracy in detecting the virus markers, supporting clinical decision-making, indicating adaptability and precision of CRISPR. This review critically evaluates CRISPR's role in RNA editing, emphasizing its importance for functional genomics and development of recombinant vaccines. Translational challenges are critically discussed, including off-target effects, delivery limitations, and ethical issues, for which unique approaches such as high-fidelity Cas variants, non-viral delivery systems, and bioethical frameworks are evaluated to address these limitations. This review also covers other social implications, such as accessibility and biosecurity risks, associated with CRISPR technologies Collectively, these advances underscore the transformative potential of CRISPR technologies in shaping next-generation antiviral diagnostics and therapeutics.

CRISPR-Cas Systems

Deciphering CD8+ T cell exhaustion in human cancers through single-cell and spatial transcriptomics.

Exhausted CD8+ T cells (Tex) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) represents a critical barrier limiting anti-tumor immune responses. Tex cells are characterized by upregulated inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors, reduced cytotoxicity, and functional heterogeneity. Their genomic features and regulatory networks remain poorly defined, and only a minority of patients respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), through high-resolution transcriptomic profiling, has revealed diverse Tex subpopulations, identified subpopulation-specific marker genes and regulatory pathways. Spatial transcriptomics has further mapped the spatial distribution of Tex and their interaction networks with immune cells, tumor cells, and stromal cells, elucidating the impact of spatial heterogeneity on Tex functionality. Current studies indicate that the exhausted state of Tex is dynamic and modifiable, with functional differences among subpopulations closely associated with tumor progression and therapeutic response. However, the genomic characteristics, epigenetic regulation, and spatial interaction mechanisms of Tex require further exploration. This review summarizes recent advances in high-resolution omics technologies for precisely dissecting Tex heterogeneity, functional features, and interactions with other cells. It emphasizes the central value of optimizing Tex-targeted tumor immunotherapy strategies, providing theoretical foundations and directional guidance for developing more effective anti-tumor immunotherapies.

Humans

PGPR inoculation and growth enhancement of crops cultivated in hydroponic systems.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are ubiquitous rhizosphere microorganisms that promote plant health through various mechanisms. Although the study of PGPR inoculants in soil has been done for ages, their application in hydroponic systems has received relatively limited attention. This review identifies PGPR inoculants that are commonly used in hydroponics, methods of application, and their effects on plant growth and nutrient use efficiency. Literature shows that PGPR inoculants improve plant performance in controlled hydroponic systems through the production of growth-stimulating substances, nitrogen fixation, and improved nutrient acquisition. However, the plant growth responses are highly variable depending on the composition of nutrient solutions, environmental factors, crop and microbe species, and the type of hydroponic system. The review identifies various challenges of PGPR inoculation in hydroponic systems and future research directions to address the current gaps. Generally, the productivity of hydroponic systems can be enhanced through advanced inoculation strategies and the development of suitable carrier materials to improve inoculant survival, viability, and functions. Emphasis should also be placed on designing system-specific microbial consortia and Synthetic communities that are tailored to the unique ecological conditions of hydroponic systems.

Hydroponics

Insights into the regulation of the HOTAIR proximal promoter.

HOTAIR (HOX transcript antisense RNA) is a HOXC-cluster long intervening non-coding RNA (lincRNA) whose cancer relevance is tightly coupled to how its transcription is wired into hormone, hypoxia, inflammatory, and developmental signaling. HOTAIR is known to associate with cancer cell proliferation, motility, tumor invasion, and metastasis. The present mini-review focuses on the regulatory architecture and mechanistic complexity of HOTAIR transcriptional regulation, with emphasis on three organizing principles. First, we consider the impact of promoter choice between a canonical proximal promoter (P1), which supports the 2.2-2.4 kb transcript, and an alternative upstream promoter/TSS (P2), which contributes to context-dependent transcription initiation. Second, we examine the long-distance enhancer-promoter communication between HOTAIR distal enhancer and P1/P2. Third, we summarize the recent epigenetic and epi-transcriptomic mechanisms involved in HOTAIR transcript initiation and elongation. A combination of these events determines isoform-specific transcription to govern cell-type-, context-, and cancer specific modulation of HOTAIR expression that promotes tumor formation and cancer progression. Finally, the review proposes how large-scale RNA datasets, long-read sequencing, and isoform-specific studies can refine our understanding of this versatile lincRNA's regulation.

Humans

Positive psychology interventions during pregnancy: A systematic review.

Positive psychology interventions (PPI) have been applied and demonstrated evidence in various population groups. The present systematic review focused on the types and influence of PPI on the physical and psychological health of pregnant women. Studies that matched the selection criteria were identified on EBSCOhost, PsychINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus and four positive psychology journals. From the 2528 records identified, finally eight studies were included in the review. PPI in this review were delivered utilising various positive psychology components such as hope, gratitude and optimism based on existing theories, for example, the strengths theory, broaden-and-build theory, and hope theory. Most interventions were conducted from 14 gestational weeks onwards and were delivered via virtual platforms or mobile applications. As a result of this systematic review, it was identified that PPIs for maternal well-being were aimed at improving (1) physical health, including labour pain, nausea and vomiting; (2) psychological health, including stress, emotions, anxiety and depression; and (3) subjective health, including life satisfaction, perceived social support and quality of life. Most of the selected studies provided significant evidence towards improvement of well-being outcomes from administering PPI. For future studies, in-depth PPI integrated coping and support approaches should be further evidenced among diverse pregnant populations.

Humans

An impact assessment of the European medical device regulations implementation - the current status quo.

BACKGROUND: This research aims to assess the current impact of the medical and in-vitro diagnostic devices regulations (MDR/IVDR) on the device industry in the EU, under the lens of postimplementation and the amending regulation, and in advance of the final transition to the IVDR/MDR in the future. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A quantitative survey was administered to a diverse cohort of medical device enterprises, ranging from micro to large organizations. RESULTS: The survey indicates that the MDR/IVDR has harmed innovation, leading many manufacturers to seek initial device approval and launch elsewhere before in Europe. There is evidence that some manufacturers have rationalized their existing product portfolios and removed devices from the market as they stated they would in previous industry surveys. The MDR/IVDR has been shown to negatively impact manufacturers, with increased costs related to notified body (NB) fees, maintaining and updating documentation, recertification fees, and hiring additional staff. CONCLUSION: This study provides a current status of the effects of MDR/IVDR on manufacturers and finds that despite amending regulations and other interventions taken by the EU to mitigate regulatory burden, ensure product availability, and address stakeholder concerns, the EU is no longer the market of choice for new products.

Equipment and Supplies

A Systematic Review of Lived Experiences of Receiving a Diagnosis of ADHD in Adulthood.

OBJECTIVE: With rising numbers of adults seeking and receiving ADHD diagnoses, understanding their first-hand experiences of the diagnostic process is key for sensitive support and service design. This systematic review collates, evaluates and synthesises the existing evidence-base on lived experiences of adult ADHD diagnosis. METHOD: Keyword searches of six databases generated 10,357 citations, which were subjected to a systematic screening process that identified 21 relevant studies. Findings were analysed using thematic synthesis. RESULTS: Analysis generated three overarching themes, elaborating how diagnostic experiences are shaped by adults' Relationship with Self, Relationship with Others, and Relationship with Systems. Personally, diagnosis was widely experienced as a pivotal identity event, triggering biographical reflection that could foster greater self-compassion, but also grief, anger and identity confusion. Socially, diagnosis facilitated interpersonal understanding and communication, but also exposed adults to stigma and introduced dilemmas about diagnostic disclosure. Systemically, adults experienced the diagnostic process as beset by barriers and delays, and reported highly variable access to post-diagnosis supports or treatment. CONCLUSION: Results suggest receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood is a complex relational process that can be both validating and destabilising, with variation in experiences resulting from individual biographies, interpersonal resources, stigma climates, and service structures.

Humans

Longitudinal associations between family factors and the neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes of children with congenital heart disease: A systematic review.

Family factors have been gaining increased attention in understanding adverse neurodevelopmental and psychosocial outcomes for children with congenital heart disease (CHD). To clarify relevance, we undertook a systematic review of only longitudinal studies which assessed such associations. Comparisons with the contribution of disease/surgical factors were also made where included studies considered such. We included longitudinal studies which assessed dynamic family factors (e.g. parent mental health, attachment, family functioning) and later child outcomes. Searches were conducted across CINAHL, Medline-Pubmed, PsychInfo and SCOPUS Web of Science. The NIH Quality Assessment Tool was used to evaluate study quality and risk of bias. Eighteen studies, utilizing data from 11 study samples and 2109 participants, met inclusion criteria. These studies included samples from infancy, with follow-up periods stretching into young adulthood, and with various degrees of CHD severity. The quality of studies was "good" to "fair", with key limitations of attrition and limited sociocultural diversity in samples. Findings suggested that family factors predicted later child psychosocial outcomes and more consistently than severity of disease indicators. This contrasted with a much smaller number of studies examining family factors and child neurodevelopmental outcomes, where no reliable conclusions could be reached. Findings highlight the importance of screening and family focused interventions for this population.

Child

Complete mitochondrial genomes of eight cyclophyllidean tapeworms: genome pattern and phylogenetic analysis.

Cyclophyllidean tapeworms are widespread parasites of significant medical and veterinary importance. However, mitochondrial (mt) genomic resources for cyclophyllideans from China, particularly those recovered from wildlife hosts, remain comparatively limited. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete mt genomes of eight cyclophyllidean isolates collected from diverse wild and domestic hosts in China, including two Hymenolepis sp. isolates and two Raillietina sp. isolates from China, and four additional isolates of previously sequenced Taenia species. The circular mt genomes ranged from 13,387 to 14,021&#xa0;bp in length, encoding 36 typical genes with variable non-coding regions. Comparative analysis revealed highly conserved gene composition and mostly conserved mt architecture, with localized rearrangement patterns detected among the cyclophyllidean lineages examined. In particular, all sampled Taeniidae exhibited a consistent trnL1-trnS2 arrangement, whereas the examined non-Taeniidae families showed the trnS2-trnL1 arrangement, confirming and extending, across additional wildlife-associated isolates, a previously proposed family-associated gene-order marker within Cyclophyllidea. Phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated amino acid sequences of the 12 protein-coding genes placed the eight isolates within their expected families, in topologies broadly consistent with previous mitogenomic studies. These data provide additional Chinese mitogenomic references, especially for underrepresented wildlife-associated isolates, and support family-associated gene-order patterns in Cyclophyllidea.

Animals

Functional neuroimaging subtypes of obsessive-compulsive disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) exhibits substantial clinical heterogeneity that may reflect underlying neurobiological diversity. Neuroimaging-based subtyping may advance precision psychiatry by identifying biologically distinct subgroups with differential treatment responses. This study systematically synthesized evidence from functional neuroimaging subtyping studies in OCD to identify reproducible neurobiological subtypes, characterize their clinical profiles, and establish a consensus-based classification framework. We reviewed 40 original studies employing machine learning, clustering, normative modeling, or classification approaches, encompassing approximately 8,150 patients. Consensus clustering identified three reproducible neurobiological subtypes. The Limbic-Hyperactive subtype, comprising approximately 40% of patients, exhibited amygdala and insula hyperconnectivity, elevated anxiety levels, predominant contamination and washing symptoms, and favorable response to cognitive-behavioral therapy. The Fronto-Striatal-Hypoconnected subtype, comprising approximately 35% of patients, demonstrated reduced orbitofrontal-striatal connectivity, cognitive inflexibility, predominant checking and ordering symptoms, and a favorable response to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. The Global-Disrupted subtype, comprising approximately 25% of patients, exhibited widespread connectivity disruption, greater symptom severity, and poor treatment response. Support vector machine classification achieved 81.5% accuracy for subtype assignment, though classification of OCD versus healthy controls showed limited generalizability in multisite settings (AUC 0.567-0.673). These findings support a neuroimaging-based framework for personalized treatment selection but require prospective validation.

Humans

Ambrosia beetle invasions are structured by inbreeding, intraspecific hybridisation, and bridgeheads.

When invasive populations establish in regions far from their origin, they may accumulate deleterious mutations that limit population viability and later expansion. Invasions stemming from such bridgehead populations may experience further sequential bottlenecks. However, deleterious mutations can be masked or eliminated when populations outbreed with other lineages. Here, we analyse global invasions of a species complex of persistently inbreeding ambrosia beetles, using genomic data (N=247) from invasive populations in Africa, North America and Australia, and from native populations in Asia. We mostly focus on one species of this complex (Euwallacea fornicatus) which poses a severe threat to tree species worldwide and is rapidly expanding its global range. We uncover a single lineage of this species across California, South Africa, and Western Australia, involving an invasive bridgehead and containing almost no nuclear genetic variation. In South Africa we identify a second lineage that has repeatedly hybridised with the first lineage. Genetic patterns in the native range indicate that such opportunistic outbreeding may be common. Despite lacking nuclear variation, the first lineage contained two CO1 haplotypes that were also observed in every hybrid lineage, pointing to heteroplasmy and possible hybrid origins of this lineage. Native populations had fewer missense mutations than invasive populations, indicating that opportunistic outbreeding may help purge fixed deleterious mutations when local lineage diversity is high. These findings highlight the importance of outbreeding even when inbreeding is common, and they demonstrate the biosecurity threat posed by subsequent gene flow into invasive populations.

Journal Article

Genome-wide scans reveal candidate genes associated with wing morph differentiation in Tetrix japonica.

Wing dimorphism is an important dispersal-related trait in insects, but its genomic basis remains poorly understood in pygmy grasshoppers. Here, we integrated genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analyses, population structure inference, selection scans, and functional annotation to investigate genomic differentiation between long- and short-winged Tetrix japonica. Principal component analysis (PCA), ADMIXTURE, and phylogenetic analyses revealed weak genome-wide separation between morphs, indicating differentiation on a largely shared genetic background. Genome-wide scans based on the fixation index (FST), nucleotide diversity ratios, and Tajima's D, using 50-kb non-overlapping windows and empirical top-5% outlier thresholds, identified multiple candidate regions across seven chromosomes. The broader long- and short-winged candidate sets spanned 9.35&#xa0;Mb and 9.37&#xa0;Mb and directly overlapped 82 and 77 genes, respectively. Candidate genes were associated with signaling/hormone regulation, membrane transport, metabolism, cytoskeletal organization, extracellular matrix structure, and development. Short-winged candidate genes were significantly enriched for ABC-type transporter activity and ATP hydrolysis activity. Because all individuals originated from a single laboratory-maintained population with weak genome-wide structure, these regions should be regarded as candidate loci from a screening-stage analysis that require validation in independent populations and by functional assays, rather than as confirmed targets of selection.

Animals