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PubMed2026

Relationship between menopausal hormone therapy and incidence risk of breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is widely prescribed for alleviating menopausal symptoms. Prior studies have mainly focused on individual hormone therapy formulations. This meta-analysis comprehensively synthesized evidence across various regimens to systematically evaluate the association between MHT and breast cancer risk. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We systematically searched CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed, and Web of Science from inception through August 2024. Eligible studies examining breast cancer risk following MHT were independently screened and assessed by two reviewers. The review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies were included. The random-effects model showed a significant but heterogeneous overall association (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.09-1.22; I² = 92.4%). Subgroup analysis identified hormone type, use status, and region as key determinants (P for interaction < 0.001). Stratification by hormone type resolved much of the heterogeneity, revealing risk confined to estrogen-progestin therapy (EPT; OR = 1.44, 95% CI: 1.26-1.64), while estrogen-only therapy (ET) showed no overall association (OR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.91-1.10). Study type, region, and sample size were significant effect modifiers. For ET, randomized controlled trials demonstrated a protective effect (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.70-0.87), contrasting with neutral findings from observational studies. CONCLUSIONS: MHT is associated with a modest but significant increase in breast cancer risk, primarily driven by EPT. This risk was not observed with ET in observational studies, though trials suggested a protective effect. Crucially, the association shows marked geographical heterogeneity, indicating risk is modified by regimen and regional factors.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Serotypic and Genomic Diversity of Vibrio anguillarum in Rainbow Trout Farms in Turkey: Implications for Vibriosis Control and Vaccine Candidate Selection.

Outbreaks of vibriosis caused by Vibrio anguillarum are a persistent constraint on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) aquaculture. However, information on the population structure of field strains in Turkey has been lacking. Here, we report the first systematic serotypic, proteomic, and genomic characterization of 23 V. anguillarum isolates collected over 10 years from rainbow trout farms located in six major aquaculture regions of Turkey. Serological analyses based on microagglutination, supported by ELISA characterization of hyperimmune sera, identified a clear predominance of serotype O1, whereas isolate V12 exhibited a non-agglutinating, atypical O-antigen profile. Protein profiling (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting showed largely conserved whole-cell protein patterns among the isolates, but distinct immunogenic bands at 14, 18, and 40 kDa were detected in isolates V18 and V21. Long-read whole-genome sequencing revealed that most Turkish isolates grouped within the global O1 clade, while V12, V25, and V28 isolates occupied more distant branches. Comparative genomics demonstrated a conserved core virulence gene set (RTX toxins, siderophore and iron-uptake systems, motility and adhesion factors, Type VI secretion system), with strain-dependent variation in accessory loci such as anguibactin and T6SS-I. Experimental infections of rainbow trout demonstrated significant differences in virulence among isolates (p < 0.05), with the V18 isolate showing high, the V15 intermediate, and the V12 low-mortality rates. By elucidating the relationship among the serotype, immunogenic protein profiles, virulence gene repertoires, and in vivo pathogenicity, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the antigenic and genomic diversity of Vibrio anguillarum isolates from Turkey. Notably, the identification of V18 and V21 as promising candidate strains for further vaccine evaluation, characterized by high virulence and unique immunogenic features, provides a scientific foundation for the development of serotype-specific vaccination strategies to mitigate vibriosis-associated losses in aquaculture.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A PET imaging in parkinsonian α-synucleinopathies: a systematic review.

Synaptic dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an early and biologically relevant component of α-synucleinopathies. However, conventional imaging biomarkers mainly assess dopaminergic dysfunction, glucose metabolism, or structural damage rather than presynaptic density itself. Synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) PET enables in vivo assessment of presynaptic terminal integrity and may provide complementary information in Parkinson's disease (PD), Parkinson's disease dementia/dementia with Lewy bodies (PDD/DLB), and multiple system atrophy (MSA). This systematic review synthesized the available evidence on SV2A-targeted PET in parkinsonian α-synucleinopathies, focusing on regional imaging patterns, clinical associations, longitudinal findings, and methodological determinants of interpretation. Seventeen reports were included. In PD, the most recurrent finding was reduced SV2A binding in the substantia nigra, although additional involvement of brainstem, caudate, striatal, thalamic, raphe, or cortical regions was reported in selected cohorts. In PDD/DLB, abnormalities appeared broader and more cortical, with evidence of association between cortical SV2A binding and cognitive performance. In MSA, one study suggested a distinct infratentorial and cerebellar pattern with potential relevance for phenotypic stratification. SV2A PET is a promising research biomarker for biological characterization of synucleinopathies. However, the field remains limited by small cohorts, methodological heterogeneity, variable quantification strategies, limited longitudinal evidence, and potential cohort overlap. Multicentre validation and harmonized protocols are required before clinical translation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Comparison of conventional and micro-surgical techniques for gingival recession using collagen matrix: Randomised controlled split-mouth clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of the microsurgical approach in treating gingival recession with collagen matrix by comparing it with Conventional surgery in terms of clinical and patient-centered outcomes. METHODS: A total of 29 patients with bilateral gingival recession in the maxillary canine and/or premolar region were selected. After randomisation, bilateral recession sites were grouped into the test group (Microsurgery under 3.5 X magnification) and the control group (Conventional surgery). All the clinical and patient-reported parameters were recorded at baseline, 1, 3 and 6 months. RESULTS: Both groups showed statistically significant differences in terms of reduction in gingival recession height (GRH), gingival recession width (GRW), clinical attachment level gain (CAL gain), increase in keratinized tissue thickness (KTT) and keratinized tissue width (KTW) after 6 months. But intergroup comparison showed no significant difference in terms of clinical parameters. The only significant difference was noted in terms of patient-centred parameters (Patient satisfactory score, Hypersensitivity score, Root aesthetic scores), which favoured the microsurgical group. CONCLUSIONS: Both groups demonstrated comparable clinical improvement; However, Patient-centred parameters were significantly better with the Microsurgical approach. Selection of the surgical approach should balance patient needs with practical considerations like cost, time, and clinician proficiency.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Respiratory effects of recruitment maneuvers according to lung recruitability assessed by electrical impedance tomography in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Recruitment maneuvers (RM) can improve oxygenation in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), but their physiological effects depend on lung recruitability. This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) evaluated oxygenation, respiratory mechanics, regional ventilation, and cardiorespiratory adverse events responses to a RM followed by electrical impedance tomography (EIT)-guided PEEP titration, using EIT to assess lung recruitability. In this study, fifty patients with moderate-to-severe ARDS underwent a stepwise RM followed by individualized PEEP titration guided by EIT. Lung recruitability was determined using the collapse index at PEEP 6 cmH₂O (CLPEEP6), defined as the proportion of collapsed lung at this PEEP level. Patients were classified into high- and low-recruitability groups based on median CLPEEP6 values. Oxygenation (PaO₂/FiO₂), static compliance (Cstat), driving pressure (Pdriv), regional ventilation distribution, and cardiorespiratory adverse events were compared before and after RM, during subsequent individualized EIT-guided PEEP titration. In patients with high recruitability (CLPEEP6 > 12.5), the PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio and Cstat increased significantly after RM (PaO₂/FiO₂: 100.8 ± 30.3 vs. 125.4 ± 38.3 mmHg, p < 0.05; Cstat: 21.5 ± 5.8 vs. 28.0 ± 7.0 mL/cmH₂O, p < 0.001), Pdriv decreased (19.1 ± 3.5 vs. 15.6 ± 3.2 cmH₂O, p < 0.001). EIT demonstrated a posterior redistribution of ventilation after RM. In contrast, patients with low recruitability (CLPEEP6 ≤ 12.5) showed no significant mechanical or oxygenation improvement and transient hypotension, arrhythmia, and desaturation appeared numerically more common in this group. No barotrauma or cardiac arrest occurred, and ICU mortality was similar between groups. A strategy combining a RM with subsequent individualized EIT-guided PEEP titration was associated with improved oxygenation and lung mechanics in patients with high lung recruitability, whereas patients with low recruitability showed limited physiological benefit, with cardiorespiratory adverse events appearing numerically more frequent. The EIT-derived CLPEEP6 index represents a feasible and clinically applicable https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06733168.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Three-dimensional source apportionment and quantitative characterization of horizontal and vertical transport fluxes of O3 and its precursors in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, China.

Persistent surface ozone (O3) pollution in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region is driven by coupled precursor emissions and multi-scale transport, yet its altitude-dependent transport and source contributions remain insufficiently quantified. Here we integrated the Weather Research and Forecasting and the Comprehensive Air Quality Model with Extensions with the Ozone Source Apportionment Technology and a quantitative transport-flux framework to characterize three-dimensional source apportionment and horizontal/vertical fluxes of O3, Volatile Organic Compounds‌ (VOCs), and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) across dynamic meteorological scenarios. Simulations showed that VOCs and NOx were dominated by local emissions near the surface (73.61 %-82.18 %), whereas surface O3 was primarily controlled by regional transport, with local contributions of only 11.01 %-13.75 %. Notably, the transport dominance further strengthened with altitude, exceeding 93 % at 1.8 km. Industrial and transportation emissions together contributed more than 75 % of precursor emissions and account for approximately 80 % of O3 formation, while favorable/unfavorable meteorological years modulated long-range transport efficiency and the vertical distribution of contributions. Horizontal flux analysis highlighted three major pathways (Northwest-Southeast, Southeast-Northwest, and Southwest-Northeast), with Shijiazhuang serving as a critical pollutant "sink" across altitude layers. Vertical fluxes revealed an altitude transition near 600 m: net downward transport dominated below 600 m, whereas enhanced summer convection promoted upward transport above 600 m. These results support altitude-dependent, scenario-specific strategies for coordinated regional O3 mitigation in the BTH region.

Ozone↗

PubMed2025

An integrated multiscale air quality modelling framework for industrial park pollution: Linking local emissions to regional transport.

Capturing the spatiotemporal distribution of pollutants in industrial parks remains challenging for regional air quality models because of their coarse resolution (3 km), resulting in uncertainties in local emission quantification. To address this, we developed the Integrated Multiscale Air Quality Modelling System for Industry (IAQMS-Industry), coupling the regional Nested Air Quality Prediction Modelling System (NAQPMS) with a city-scale chemical transport model. This framework integrates point-source locations and Gaussian plume dispersion to simulate particulate matter with a diameter smaller than 2.5 micrometres (PM2.5) at 100 m resolution. Applied to the Beijing Yi Zhuang and Tangshan industrial parks and evaluated against observations. The coupled model achieved a normalized mean bias (NMB) ranging from 3.1 % to 6.2 %, improving upon NAQPMS (-16.9 % to -7.7 %). Spatial analysis revealed that coarse regional grids underestimated the PM2.5 concentrations at industrial sites by smoothing gradients, whereas IAQMS-Industry successfully resolved spatial patterns. Industrial point emissions accounted for 22.9 %-26.4 % of PM2.5 in the coupled model, which was significantly greater than the regional model estimates of 1.6 %-13.7 %. These findings indicate that regional models overestimate pollutant dispersion processes in industrial parks while underestimating local industrial impacts. By explicitly resolving point-source dynamics and linking them to regional transport, IAQMS-Industry provides a robust tool for designing targeted emission controls in industrial cities and balancing local air quality improvements with minimized regional pollution outflow. This study underscores the necessity of multiscale modelling for accurate source apportionment and informed environmental governance in industrial zones.

Air Pollution↗

PubMed2026

Genotype II Live-Attenuated ASFV Vaccine Bearing 24 Genes Deletion in 3 Independent Regions Is Able to Provide Complete Protection Against Homologous Lethal Challenge.

African swine fever (ASF) is an acute, febrile, and highly contagious infectious disease of swine with the etiological agent of African swine fever virus (ASFV). The mortality rate of virulent strains is as high as 100%. Strengthening biosafety is so far the most effective way to prevent and control ASF. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a safe and effective vaccine. In this study, a Genotype II live-attenuated ASF vaccine bearing 24 genes deletion in 3 independent regions was constructed based on the highly virulent Eurasian strain ASFV CN/GS 2018 backbone. The resulting mutant ASFV-Δ24 is characterized by complete deletion of 24 genes distributed in 3 genomic positions of 852 to 11 468, 19 732 to 22 929, and 179 519 to 180 617, among which MGF100 and whole MGF300 families are pioneeringly removed. The ASFV-Δ24 displayed a delayed and reduced replication kinetics as well as aberrant icosahedral empty particles devoid of a nucleoid when compared to the parental virus. Animal experiments showed that ASFV-Δ24 was completely attenuated in animals as evidenced by stable body temperature and no ASF-compatible clinical signs in vaccinated pigs. The ASFV-Δ24 could provide complete homologous protection against lethal challenge, as vaccinated pigs demonstrated boosted antibody response, transient but low levels of viremia in blood and virus titers in organs as well as almost undetectable viral shedding. Gene deletions in multiple regions are helpful for prevention of virulence reversion. These results indicate that ASFV-Δ24 can be used as an effective and promising candidate vaccine to control the spread of ASFV.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

A Conserved 3'UTR Stem-loop Directs UPF1/eIF4AIII-Dependent Regulation of GABARAPL1 mRNA.

RNA-binding proteins (RBP) interact with mRNA untranslated regions containing cis-regulatory elements to govern mRNA localization, stability, and translational efficiency. Among these trans-regulatory factors, RNA helicase UPF1 is a central factor which play a role in multiple mRNA decay pathways, including nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD). NMD is triggered when an exon-junction complex (EJC) is located downstream of a premature termination codon. However, in some cases, NMD can be activated in an EJC-independent manner through mechanisms involving the 3'UTR. In the present study, we focused on the GABARAPL1 3'UTR, as previous studies had shown that this region plays a key role in NMD targeting, although the underlying molecular mechanism had not yet been elucidated. Unlike canonical NMD targets such as SC35, we found that the chemical inhibition of eIF4AIII helicase activity did not affect GABARAPL1 transcript levels, indicating that this transcript is regulated through its 3'UTR via an EJC-independent mechanism. We therefore investigated the potential presence of cis-regulatory element within the 3'UTR of GABARAPL1 which can regulate mRNA and protein levels in a UPF1-dependent manner. Furthermore, we identified a conserved RNA region spanning nucleotides 364-421 involved in GABARAPL1 targeting and used biochemical analysis to demonstrate the direct binding of UPF1 and eIF4AIII to this RNA region, to analyse its secondary structure in solution, and to map the protein-binding sites. By complementing these approaches with molecular modelling, we showed that this stem-loop adopts a stable global fold but a local flexibility and dynamic behaviour properties. Together, our results support the role of UPF1 and eIF4AIII as specific regulators of GABARAPL1 transcript and reveal a novel RNA regulatory element within its 3'UTR, which provides a completely unexpected binding site for these factors.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

PubMed2026

Quantifying the combined effects of semi-closed terrain and monsoon on PM2.5 and O3 pollution aggregation in the North China Plain.

The North China Plain (NCP) and its surrounding regions represent one of the key priority areas for air pollution control. As anthropogenic emissions decline significantly, the effect of terrain and meteorology on air pollution pattern has become increasingly prominent, particularly given the NCP's unique semi-closed terrain and East Asian monsoon dynamics. However, quantitative characterization of terrain-dominated blocking effects remains unexplored. Here we quantitatively assess the blocking effects of mountains and terrain-coupled meteorological factors on air pollutant dispersion. We find the NCP on the eastern side of the Taihang Mountains showed high PM2.5 and O3 pollution levels, with winter PM2.5 and summer O3 high-value zones showing opposite north-south aggregation patterns. PM2.5 and O3 concentrations were highest in plains, followed by platforms, hills, and finally mountains. Within the 120-km buffer zones of the typical mountains in the NCP and its surrounding regions, PM2.5 and O3 concentrations increased initially with altitude but then decreased markedly above a threshold altitude. Above the threshold altitude, mountain blocking effects became dominant. The effective blocking altitudes of typical mountains in the NCP and its surrounding regions ranged between 22 and 929 m for winter PM2.5 pollution, and between 19 and 1060 m for summer O3 pollution. The Terrain-Wind Close Index indicates that the terrain-coupled East Asian monsoon showed stronger blocking effects on PM2.5 dispersion in southern NCP during winter and on O3 diffusion in northern NCP during summer, matching observed high-pollution zones. This study offers key insights for regional joint air pollution mitigation strategies, as well as regional pollution assessment.

Particulate Matter↗

PubMed2026

Awake Craniotomy for Eloquent Region Glioblastoma Classified by Tumor Location-A Retrospective and Prospective Cohort Study.

INTRODUCTION: The efficacy of awake craniotomy (AC) with intraoperative mapping for glioblastoma (GBM) in eloquent regions remains debated. This study aims to evaluate functional and survival outcomes of GBM patients undergoing AC stratified by tumor locations. METHODS: A combined retrospective (2015-2023, n = 114: 43 AC vs. 71 standard craniotomy) and prospective cohort (2023-2025, n = 28: 13 AC vs. 15 standard craniotomy) of GBM patients with motor/language-eloquent tumors was analyzed. Tumors were classified into motor subtypes (I: precentral gyrus; II: premotor/supplementary motor; III: internal capsule posterior limb; IV: other) and language subtypes (I: Broca's/precentral; II: postcentral/supramarginal gyrus; III: Wernicke's; IV: insular; V: other). Outcomes included extent of resection (EOR), postoperative motor/language recovery, overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: The retrospective cohort demonstrated that AC has advantages in functional preservation across various motor/language subtypes. However, AC was associated with significantly deteriorated survival outcomes specifically in precentral gyrus GBMs. A prospective cohort study, enrolling only precentral gyrus GBMs for validation, yielded results consistent with the retrospective findings: worsened OS and PFS (OS: HR = 3.223, p = 0.0450; PFS: HR = 2.374, p = 0.0476); reduced EOR (AC: 74.3% ± 5.3%; standard craniotomy: 86.9% ± 12.3%, p = 0.0470); and better motor recovery. CONCLUSIONS: Functional preservation and survival outcomes of AC in GBM exhibited subtype-specific correlations with tumor locations. AC with intraoperative mapping effectively preserves neurological function in GBM patients. However, for tumors involving the precentral gyrus, the AC approach carries greater risks than benefits and should be considered with caution. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Strategic Intervention on Preserving Motor Function During Awake Craniotomy: NCT05143788. Strategic Intervention on Preserving Language Function During Awake Craniotomy: NCT05143775.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Uncovering hidden complexity in the Apis mellifera mitotranscriptome: a polyadenylation-centered perspective.

Mitochondrial transcription is gaining increasing attention as researchers seek to better understand the full coding potential of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Emerging evidence suggests that mtDNA may encode additional elements beyond classical oxidative phosphorylation genes, pointing to a more complex transcriptional architecture than previously recognized. In this study, we explored the mitochondrial transcriptome of Apis mellifera (Insecta: Hymenoptera), with a particular focus on polyadenylation-associated features. Our analysis revealed that both sense and antisense transcripts undergo polyadenylation, although transcript abundance and poly(A) tail lengths varied markedly across mitochondrial genes. Several transcripts exhibited alternative isoforms, either extended or truncated, frequently including intergenic regions. These regions may represent functional non-coding elements or structural variants rather than conventional untranslated regions (UTRs). Interestingly, some transcripts also contained non-templated nucleotide additions particularly cytosine residues immediately upstream of the poly(A) tails. Monocistronic units that included portions of downstream intergenic regions were among the most abundantly represented, suggesting a possible regulatory role for these sequences. To experimentally validate our in silico findings, we performed RT-qPCR to assess relative gene expression and applied 3' RACE-PCR to define transcript boundaries. These approaches confirmed the presence of multiple transcript isoforms and supported the involvement of polyadenylation in shaping mitochondrial RNA diversity. Together, our findings reveal a previously underappreciated level of complexity in the A. mellifera mitochondrial transcriptome and highlight the potential regulatory significance of polyadenylation dynamics and intergenic region transcription.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Characterisation of HIV-1 Gag Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte Epitopes in the Southern African Region-A Systematic Review.

During early HIV-1 infection, robust Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses are mostly targeted at immunodominant Gag p24 epitopes to reduce HIV-1 viraemia to a set-point. The aim of this study was to review the current body of knowledge on HIV-1 Gag CTL epitopes in the southern African region where subtype C is prevalent. Peer-reviewed records were obtained from three databases: PubMed Central, Web of Science Core Collection, and Scopus, using the following search terms: HIV subtype C Gag epitopes, and HIV clade C Gag epitopes. The search results were restricted to countries within the southern African region, and only data published in English and between the years 2000-2025 were considered for this review. The search from the three databases produced a total of 2103 peer-reviewed records, and 49 records were included in the review. The majority of studies (58.44%) were conducted in South Africa, followed by Botswana (15.58%), Zambia (10.39%), Malawi (7.79%), Zimbabwe (6.49%) and Angola (1.30%). There were no studies identified from other southern African countries. A total of 60 Gag CTL epitopes were identified, of which 17 (28.33%) were located within the matrix protein (p17), 33 (55.00%) within the capsid protein (p24), and 4 (6.67%) within the Gag polyprotein (p2p7p1p6). The commonly detected immunodominant epitopes were mostly located within the Gag p24 protein; and included TPQDLNTML (TL9, Gag p24 48-56) and TSTLQEQIGW (TW10, Gag p24 108-117) present at 16.00% and 13.3%, respectively. The proportion of HLA-A, B and C allotypes in this systematic review were 18%, 78%, and 4%, respectively. The more common HLA-B allotypes that restrict immunodominant Gag epitopes and facilitate better control of HIV-1 were HLA-B*57, -B*58:01, -B*42:01 and -B*81:01. This systematic review has provided important insights into the description of immunodominant Gag epitopes and HLA-I alleles that contribute to the control of HIV-1 viraemia in the southern African region. It has also exposed that some CTL epitopes identified in the southern African studies are not reported on the Los Alamos HIV database (LANL HIV database). This highlights a need to have this database updated with this information as it is used as a reference for epitopes. This review could provide insights into the design of an epitope-based HIV-1 vaccine that would also be effective in the southern African region.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Antarctic Peninsula soil carbon stock and efflux: A complex interplay of soil properties and heavy metals.

This study establishes a quantitative framework for understanding surface soil carbon dynamics and ecosystem connectivity in Fildes Peninsula and Ardley Island, King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic Peninsula. The mean soil organic carbon (SOC) stock across all study sites was 1.10 ± 1.93 kg C/m². Restricting net carbon balance analysis to Fildes Peninsula, where soil respiration (Rs) data were available, yielded a site-specific SOC stock of 0.45 ± 0.45 kg C/m². Scaling Rs to a realistic 120-day active season and assuming stable SOC stocks resulted in estimated annual carbon loss of 15 g C/(m2·yr), equivalent to 3.3 % of standing SOC. Comprehensive sensitivity analyses spanning plausible winter respiration (0 %-20 % of summer rates) and annual change in SOC stocks (-1 %-2 %) consistently supported a net carbon sink, with turnover rates constrained to 3.3 %/yr-4.7 %/yr. Principal component analysis showed that ornithogenic processes as the dominant control on SOC, total nitrogen (TN), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd) provide a clear multivariate signature of marine-derived nutrient, while Pb was decoupled from this gradient and associated instead with fine-particle size controls. These results reveal dual but independent drivers of soil metal enrichment in this region. Despite their limited spatial extent, ornithogenic soils store disproportionately large carbon pools. Overall, this integrated analysis reveals how marine-terrestrial subsidies regulate Antarctic carbon cycling and provides a quantitative and reproducible framework for assessing carbon dynamics under ongoing climate change.

Antarctic Regions↗

PubMed2026

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 < 0.001). In addition, native barcoding generated 80% of the total yield achieved by rapid barcoding within approximately 7 h, whereas rapid barcoding required approximately 40 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 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↗

PubMed2026

ReMeDy: A Flexible Statistical Framework for Region-Based Detection of DNA Methylation Dysregulation.

Region-based epigenome-wide association studies have demonstrated improved statistical power and biological interpretability compared with probe-wise analyses of DNA methylation data. However, most existing region-based methods characterize methylation dysregulation primarily through changes in mean methylation levels associated with a phenotype of interest. Substantial evidence indicates that phenotype-associated methylation alterations may also manifest through changes in methylation variability or through joint shifts in mean and variability. Despite this, no existing statistical framework jointly models mean-variance methylation changes in a region-based manner. We propose ReMeDy, a flexible statistical framework that uses a hierarchical likelihood approach within a generalized linear model setting to identify differentially methylated regions, variably methylated regions, and regions exhibiting joint differential and variable methylation at a genome-wide scale. Unlike existing models, ReMeDy operates directly on biologically defined co-methylated regions, allowing it to naturally capture spatial correlation inherent in DNA methylation array data, while avoiding reliance on heuristic, user-defined tuning parameters such as smoothing spans and kernel bandwidths that can substantially influence results and introduce subjectivity. Through extensive simulation studies and comprehensive benchmarking against popular models, we demonstrate that ReMeDy maintains false discovery and Type-I error rates at nominal levels while achieving consistently higher statistical power across a wide range of realistic scenarios. Application to population-level DNA methylation data further shows that ReMeDy identifies biologically meaningful regions and pathways implicated in complex human diseases that are not captured by conventional mean-based analyses alone. ReMeDy is implemented as an open-source R package and is freely available at https://github.com/SChatLab/ReMeDy.

DNA Methylation↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness of grief interventions in underrepresented regions: a systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis.

Background: Most evidence on grief and bereavement interventions originates from Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD) populations, raising concerns about the generalizability and cultural relevance of existing findings in diverse global contexts. Individuals confronted with the death of a close person, particularly in cases of sudden or potentially traumatic loss, may be at increased risk of adverse psychological and physical health outcomes, highlighting the importance of effective interventions. This study aimed to synthesize evidence on the effectiveness of grief interventions in underrepresented regions.Method: A systematic search of Web of Science, APA PsycInfo, and Scopus, supplemented by manual reference checks, identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) targeting bereaved individuals in underrepresented regions. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate overall and subgroup effects based on control type, loss type, and intervention characteristics.Results: Fourteen RCTs comprising 1122 participants were included. Grief interventions demonstrated a significant moderate-to-large effect compared to control conditions (SMD = -0.74, 95% CI [-1.01, -0.47]). Substantial heterogeneity was observed (I² = 77%). No significant subgroup differences were identified.Conclusion: Grief interventions show promising effectiveness across diverse cultural and geographical contexts. However, the limited and heterogeneous evidence base highlights the need for more high-quality RCTs and for the development of culturally sensitive and contextually grounded approaches to mental health care in underrepresented regions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Non-parametric differential methylation analysis characterizes histotype-specific promoter regions in epithelial ovarian cancer.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a heterogenous disease with frequent late-stage diagnosis and high mortality rates, for which no reliable screening tests exist. In recent years, epigenetic biomarkers in the form of DNA methylation in CpG-rich regions have gained increased attention in the scientific community due to their robust nature and accessibility, allowing for diagnosis without the need for invasive surgery. In this study, we investigated the aberrant methylation of promoter regions in early stage EOC through non-parametric methods, with the purpose of characterizing candidate epigenetic biomarkers. The approach was used on a cohort of early stage EOC samples, and results were compared to existing programs for differential methylation. Significant regions were then used to construct a CpG panel for stratifying EOC histotypes through predictive classification in external data. Identified promoter regions were highly reproducible across cohorts, and the constructed CpG model stratified histotypes in external cohorts through predictive classification. Comparisons against other DMP and DMR callers showed a degree of homogeneity between results but also revealed promoter regions that were overlooked despite clear signs of aberrant methylation. Finally, EOC histotypes were found to differ in their methylation distribution types, and results indicate that methods sensitive to non-normally distributed data may be poorly suited to compare groups with different distribution types. The non-parametric approach identified aberrantly methylated promoter regions that were highly reproducible across cohorts. Results from predictive classification indicate that these regions may be useful for the purpose of EOC histotype stratification.

Humans↗