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PubMed2026

Sea urchin co-culture boosts abalone growth by reducing environmental stress and remodeling gut microbiota.

Biofouling and microenvironmental deterioration are major bottlenecks restricting the intensive aquaculture of Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai). While co-culturing offers an eco-friendly mitigation strategy, the underlying mechanisms promoting abalone growth remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the growth performance of H. d. hannai co-cultured with varying densities of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius). By employing transcriptome and 16S rRNA sequencing of the abalone gut, we investigated the synergistic responses of host gene expression and gut microbiota. Compared with the monoculture group, the co-culture groups showed significantly less biofouling and greater growth of abalone, with the co-culture (n = 15) exhibiting the best outcomes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 1444, 760, and 508 DEGs in G5, G10, and G15, respectively, compared with G0. These DEGs were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways, including glycolysis and sterol metabolism, indicating a shift in intestinal energy metabolism from stress defense toward growth under co-culture conditions. Gut microbiota profiling identified Proteobacteria and Firmicutes as the dominant phyla, with specific functional taxa (e.g., Psychrilyobacter and Akkermansia) enriched in a density-dependent manner. Furthermore, correlation analysis demonstrated that growth traits positively correlated with growth-promoting taxa (e.g., the unclassified AB1 lineage), but negatively correlated with potentially opportunistic taxa (e.g., Tabrizicola). These findings provide insights into a potential synergistic mechanism of "environmental stress alleviation-metabolic reprogramming-microecological remodeling" driving abalone growth, providing a theoretical foundation for optimizing co-culture systems and developing growth-associated biomarkers.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Specialized pro-resolving mediator (SPM)-enriched supplementation modulates inflammatory biomarkers in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis: Blood plasma analysis from the GAUDI study.

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic pain and functional impairment, associated with persistent inflammation, potentially due to impaired resolution. Specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators (SPMs) regulate inflammation resolution and restore homeostasis. The GAUDI study previously demonstrated that SPM supplementation reduces pain and improves quality of life (QoL) in patients with knee OA. This analysis assesses the impact of SPM supplementation on inflammatory biomarkers (IB) and SPM levels and their relationship with clinical outcomes. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of the GAUDI trial, a randomized, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Spain in adults with symptomatic knee OA who received daily supplementation with SPMs or placebo for 12 weeks. Endpoints included changes in plasma IB and SPM levels and their correlation with clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Changes in IL-1 (15.9 vs. -1.1 pg/ml, p-value: 0.051) and IL-18 (10.3 vs. -1.4 pg/ml, p-value: 0.29) showed a tendency toward reduction in the SPM group compared to the placebo group. Changes in IL-1 and IL-8 positively correlated (r = 0.707, p-value: 0.005 and r = 0.551, p-value: 0.04; respectively) with changes in WOMAC score and negatively correlated (r = -0.797, p-value <0.001 and r = -0.804, p-value <0.001; respectively) with changes in EuroQoL-5 VAS score. Changes in IL-1 (r = 0.554, p-value: 0.048) and IL-6 (r = 0.631, p-value: 0.014 and r = 0.572, p-value: 0.031) correlated with changes in OMERACT-OARSI pain score. No significant differences in IB levels were observed between groups during the intervention. Minor changes in SPM levels point to metabolic pathways at work with SPM supplementation. In patients with a BMI ≥25 kg/m², most IB tended to decrease following SPM consumption. CONCLUSIONS: This analysis suggests a potential association between SPM supplementation, decreased inflammation, and improved pain and QoL in patients with knee OA. Subtle changes in blood plasma SPM levels were detected that indicate, through bioinformatics analysis, a pathway-specific metabolome activation induced by SPM supplementation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT05633849. Registered December 1st, 2022. Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT05633849.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of rumen fluid transplantation on longissimus dorsi muscle development in Xizang sheep: An association analysis based on transcriptomic and serum metabolomic profiles.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of rumen fluid transplantation (RFT) on the growth and development of the longissimus dorsi muscle in female Xizang sheep. After RFT, muscle lightness differed significantly between the two groups, with the LDC group showing significantly higher lightness than the LDT group. In contrast, no significant differences were observed between groups in other muscle phenotypic traits, including drip loss, pH, cooking loss, shear force, redness, and yellowness. Antioxidant-related indices (SOD, GSH-PX, MDA, CAT, and T-AOC) also showed no significant differences between groups. Histological analysis revealed that muscle fiber length, width, and density were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Transcriptomic analysis identified 515 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 419 were downregulated. KEGG analysis indicated that genes involved in muscle development-related pathways, such as cell adhesion and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, were predominantly downregulated. Key serum metabolites (L-kynurenine, IPA, allantoin, and propionylcarnitine) showed highly significant positive correlations with muscle fiber growth indices. In contrast, metabolites such as l-carnitine, acetylcarnitine, and citrulline were negatively correlated with muscle fiber growth, but positively correlated with the expression of muscle structure-related genes (COL11A1 and EFNA5) and with meat lightness. Overall, this study provides new insights into the potential molecular basis by which RFT influences muscle growth and development. However, the mechanisms by which RFT affects muscle development and meat quality-related traits remain unclear and warrant further investigation.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Versus Transjugular Portal Pressure Measurements: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: Published reviews of endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient (EUS-PPG) have emphasized feasibility and safety. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis specifically to evaluate how closely EUS-based portal pressure measurements track invasive comparator measurements in prospective paired studies and to summarize agreement, technical success, and adverse events. METHODS: We searched major databases through January 2026 for prospective cohorts reporting same-patient EUS-based portal pressure measurement and invasive hemodynamic measurements. Correlations were pooled with random-effects models and analyzed separately for studies comparing EUS-PPG with hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) and studies comparing EUS-based portal measurements with direct portal venous pressure. Agreement and threshold discordance were summarized descriptively. RESULTS: Six prospective cohorts (127 attempted procedures) were included. In studies using HVPG as the comparator, the pooled correlation was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.72-0.89; I2 = 0%). In studies comparing EUS-based portal measurements with direct portal venous pressure, the pooled correlation was 0.86 (95% CI, 0.72-0.93; I2 = 16.9%). Technical success was 95.3%. EUS-PPG-attributed adverse events occurred in 2.4% of procedures, with no procedure-related deaths. Agreement data were limited. Reported limits of agreement were wide (approximately - 6 to + 7 mmHg), and discrepancies of 5 mmHg or greater occurred in 4 of 30 paired measurements. CONCLUSIONS: EUS-based portal pressure measurement is feasible and shows a strong association with invasive hemodynamic comparators, but the evidence base remains small (six cohorts, 127 attempted procedures). Further study will be necessary to establish patient-level agreement, procedural reproducibility, EUS-specific clinically significant portal hypertension thresholds, and whether HVPG-based decision thresholds can be transferred to EUS-derived measurements.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Quantitative susceptibility mapping in neurodegenerative diseases: An umbrella review of iron-related biomarkers and mechanisms.

Pathological iron accumulation is a common pathophysiological hallmark across multiple neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), motivating the need for accurate, non-invasive quantification methods. Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is an advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that enables in vivo measurement of tissue magnetic susceptibility (χ), providing a sensitive proxy for iron content. This umbrella review systematically evaluates the diagnostic accuracy, clinical correlations, and distinct iron distribution patterns of QSM in major NDDs, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and atypical Parkinsonism. We included 15 (13/15 were rated Low or Critically Low on AMSTAR 2) systematic reviews and meta-analyses (through July 15, 2026); however, the findings should be interpreted cautiously because of heterogeneity and the low methodological quality. A Corrected Covered Area (CCA) analysis demonstrated only slight overlap of primary studies across the included reviews (CCA = 5.42%). Collectively, the evidence indicates that QSM provides comparable or higher diagnostic sensitivity and reliability than conventional R2* and SWI techniques, particularly for deep gray matter structures. The findings support significant iron overload in the substantia nigra, particularly in the pars compacta, as a robust biomarker for PD that correlates with motor severity and disease duration. Furthermore, regional iron profiling in the basal ganglia is critical for differential diagnosis; specifically, elevated χ in the putamen and globus pallidus effectively distinguishes multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy from idiopathic PD. Distinctively, AD and ALS exhibit specific χ alterations in the thalamus, motor cortex, and hippocampus, reflecting divergent iron-related pathophysiological mechanisms, which correlate with cognitive impairment and upper motor neuron signs. Overall, QSM shows diagnostic promise and offers mechanistic insights into iron-related neurodegenerative processes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Assay-dependent variability in peptide biomarker quantification: experimental evidence from renalase in chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Renalase is a promising biomarker for kidney disease, but published levels vary widely between studies. We hypothesised that variability in commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) kits and matrix effects (serum vs plasma) drive these inconsistencies. METHODS: Paired serum and plasma samples from 56 participants (28 chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 2-5, 28 healthy controls) were tested using three commercial renalase ELISAs (BTLAB, Cloud-Clone, EIAab). We assessed intra-assay precision, inter-assay agreement (Spearman's rank correlation and Bland-Altman analysis on log10-transformed values), matrix effects, and associations with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Diagnostic performance was evaluated by Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. RESULTS: Inter-assay renalase concentrations differed markedly (up to orders of magnitude), with weak inter-assay correlations (r ≤ 0.25). Bland-Altman analyses revealed large, systematic biases between kits. Only the BTLAB assay showed consistent serum/plasma agreement, a significant correlation with eGFR (ρ ≈ 0.32-0.42, p < 0.05), and moderate discriminatory performance for CKD in serum (AUC = 0.70) and plasma (AUC = 0.68). Cloud-Clone and EIAab produced divergent results and strong matrix-dependent biases. CONCLUSIONS: Observed variability among commercial ELISA platforms may compromise comparability between studies. Harmonisation, standardised reference materials, and cross-validation are necessary before renalase assays can be used reliably in clinical practice.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Characterization of local tolerability of TV-46000, a long-acting subcutaneous formulation of risperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia.

TV-46000 is a long-acting injectable antipsychotic (LAI) approved for the treatment of adults with schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. LAIs like TV-46000 can improve adherence and reduce relapse in patients with schizophrenia; however, injection site reactions (ISRs) can contribute to LAI discontinuation. ISRs with TV-46000 treatment were characterized using data from two phase 3 trials of patients with schizophrenia (RISE [NCT03503318], SHINE [NCT03893825]) and a phase 1 study of patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Patients in the pooled safety population (aged 16-67 years) from RISE and SHINE (n = 525 TV-46000, n = 179 placebo) received 4554 TV-46000 injections and 2721 placebo injections. ISRs were reported in 19 % (n = 102) of patients who received TV-46000, corresponding to an exposure-adjusted event rate (EAER)/100 patient-years of 48.67. ISRs led to 9 (1.7 %) treatment discontinuations of TV-46000. The most frequently reported ISR adverse events were injection site pain (EAER, 15.38, n = 36 [7 %]) and injection site nodule (EAER, 12.01, n = 35 [7 %]). ISR frequency and pain and nodule adverse event frequency decreased after the first injection. In the phase 1 study (n = 99), mean injection site pain scores were highest immediately after injection, showed a notable decrease within 10 min of injection, and further decreased within 1 h after injection. In conclusion, for >4500 injections evaluated, ISR rates with TV-46000 were modest. Most ISRs were mild or moderate and rarely led to treatment discontinuation. Results support the favorable tolerability of TV-46000 as a treatment for schizophrenia in adults.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Healthcare transition readiness in an adolescent and young adult urologic population: The ADHERENT study.

INTRODUCTION: There is a paucity of research regarding transition to adult services within pediatric and adolescent urology. Several recent articles have discussed the barriers in transitioning urologic patients from pediatric to adult health care, but empiric data that may drive intervention are lacking. This study proposes to begin to address this gap in literature and to provide information that may lead to improved understanding of how best to support transition in urologic care. OBJECTIVES: 1) to identify modifiable and non-modifiable factors related to transition readiness as measured by Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) scores in a congenital urologic population and 2) to evaluate the relationships between TRAQ scores (a validated questionnaire measuring transition readiness) and scores measuring anxiety levels related to transition (using an adapted, non-validated questionnaire). STUDY DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study of adolescent and young adult patients with complex congenital urologic diagnoses. Subjects were electronically administered the validated TRAQ and a study-developed ADHERENT survey, which assesses anxiety and worry surrounding transition. Regression models for the outcomes of the TRAQ and ADHERENT scales were developed to assess multivariable associations with variables of clinical importance. RESULTS: The youngest subgroup (14-17 years of age) compared to the oldest subgroup (21-25 years of age) had significantly lower TRAQ scores [regression estimate = 12.3 (95 % CI: 2.9, 21.7), p = 0.010]. Additionally, single participants versus those in a stable relationship had significantly lower TRAQ scores [estimate = 8.7 (95 % CI: 1.9, 15.4), p = 0.012]. The Spearman correlation coefficient between TRAQ and ADHERENT scores was 0.52 (p = <0.001), indicating a positive, moderate relationship between the two measures, suggesting more readiness correlated with less anxiety. DISCUSSION: This study found that age, higher education, and stable relationship status were associated with higher measures of transition readiness. There was a correlation found between more transition readiness and less anxiety surrounding transition. This finding can be used to inform future research and emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary support throughout the transition process. CONCLUSION: Early discussion of transition of care and education around transition readiness are not the only solution to improving transition success. The second phase of ADHERENT seeks to understand the patient experience and to include adolescents and young adults in shaping effective healthcare transition strategies.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A STORM-based protocol for nanoscale imaging and quantitative analysis of protein-associated and phospholipid-associated structures in natural rubber.

Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) enables nanoscale mapping of molecular components beyond the diffraction limit; however, its reproducible implementation in hydrophobic polymer matrices remains challenging because fluorescence-labeling specificity, fluorophore photoswitching, three-dimensional localization, chromatic registration, and quantitative image analysis must be carefully controlled. This protocol presents a standardized experimental workflow for dual-color labeling, astigmatism-based three-dimensional STORM acquisition, and quantitative analysis of protein-associated and phospholipid-associated structures in natural rubber (NR). The workflow covers sample pretreatment, Cy5 NHS ester labeling of protein-associated primary amines, DiI labeling of phospholipid-rich domains, STORM imaging-buffer preparation, three-dimensional single-molecule localization, dual-channel registration, generation of standardized xy projections, aggregate-size analysis, and projected lateral spatial correlation assessment. Reproducibility is supported by defined acquisition and localization criteria, three independent sample preparations with at least five fields of view analyzed per condition, and unlabeled, single-color, dye-only matrix, and processing-associated Cy5 controls. Mean lateral localization precisions of 11.8 ± 2.3 nm for Cy5 and 13.5 ± 2.9 nm for DiI were obtained, while two-dimensional Fourier ring correlation analysis of the xy projections yielded effective lateral image resolutions of approximately 25 and 28 nm, respectively. Image-based particle segmentation and localization-coordinate-based density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) were applied to standardized xy projections as complementary quantitative approaches. Application of the protocol to untreated, centrifuged, and protease-treated NR samples demonstrated treatment-associated changes in the detected abundance and projected size distributions of protein- and phospholipid-associated aggregates, together with a non-monotonic change in their projected lateral spatial correlation. These observations describe alterations in nanoscale organization but do not, by themselves, establish stable protein-phospholipid complex formation. Unlike previous studies that primarily demonstrated the feasibility of STORM imaging in rubber materials, the principal contribution of this work is an end-to-end, step-by-step protocol incorporating defined controls, three-dimensional localization, image-quality metrics, chromatic-registration procedures, and complementary quantitative-analysis pipelines for non-expert users. The workflow may be adaptable to other hydrophobic polymers and soft-material systems after appropriate optimization and validation.

Rubber↗

PubMed2026

Formation of environmental persistent free radicals in soil of ammunition demolition site: Roles of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and heavy metals.

Environmental Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) are a particular type of contaminant present in soil. This study investigated the formation process, environmental behavior, and main influencing variables of EPFRs in soils contaminated with heavy metals and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) from an ammunition demolition site. The results showed that the concentration of total organic carbon (TOC) in the soil was negatively correlated with EPFRs (r = -0.29). In contrast, the content of TNT and copper was significantly positively correlated with EPFRs (r = 0.90 and 0.78, respectively), indicating that TNT acts as a precursor macromolecule in the formation of EPFRs in this type of contaminated soil. Transition metal Cu may be an essential carrier in EPFR production. In order to explore the possible formation mechanism of EPFRs, a simulation experiment was carried out under different temperature and light conditions. The results showed that the photolysis process of TNT was impacted by external energy sources such as heat and light. TNT was firstly adsorbed onto the surface of a transition metal (Cu), and then EPFRs were formed through further electron transfer. This is the first study to detect significant levels of EPFRs in the soil at ammunition demolition sites.

Trinitrotoluene↗

PubMed2026

Revealing the Shared Genetic Architecture of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease-Related Traits Through Genomic Structural Equation Modeling.

Although individual traits related to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have been investigated through large-scale genome-wide association studies (GWASs), the shared genetic susceptibility across these traits remains unclear. We therefore conducted a multivariate GWAS of key MASLD-related traits to elucidate their common genetic architecture. We applied genomic structural equation modeling to model a latent genetic factor (MASLD-F) underlying genetically correlated MASLD-related traits, leveraging their GWAS-derived genetic correlations. We then performed functional annotations, including fine-mapping, transcriptome-wide association study, and cell- and tissue-type-specific enrichment analyses, and conducted Mendelian randomization analyses to identify modifiable risk factors. Our multivariate MASLD-F GWAS identified 50 independent variants across 48 genomic loci. Transcriptomic imputation identified several MASLD-F-associated genes, including ARNTL, NPC1, BTBD10, VDAC2, TSKU, SFMBT1, and ABHD17C. We observed significant enrichment of MASLD-F-related genetic signals predominantly in brain tissues, pancreatic islets, and the adrenal gland. Additionally, six modifiable risk factors and four modifiable protective factors for MASLD-F were identified. These findings reveal a complex shared genetic architecture underlying MASLD components, thereby expanding our understanding of disease pathogenesis and providing novel insights for precision medicine and public health interventions.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

Effects of aerosol aging on composition and light-absorbance of nitrogen-containing organic compounds: Evidences from ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis.

Nitrogen-containing organic compounds (NOCs) are key components of particulate matter (PM), but their compositional evolution and light-absorbing properties during atmospheric aging remain poorly understood. In this study, ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with Orbitrap mass spectrometry was used to semi-quantitatively analyze 59 PM1 samples collected in Shanghai. NOCs accounted for 31 % and 64 % of the detected species in negative (ESI-) and positive (ESI+) ionization modes, respectively. Atmospheric aging significantly reduced the molecular diversity of polar organics, with both the number and mass concentration percentages of CHON- compounds showing significant negative correlations with aging degree. Van Krevelen analysis demonstrated a decrease in the number of carboxylic-rich alicyclic molecules and their CHON- contributions during the aging process (from 37.7 % in fresh samples to 21.2 % in aged samples). CHN+ compounds, a major NOCs group in ESI+ mode, also decreased with aging. Correlation analyses involving the Bep/(Bep+Bap) ratio, relative humidity, and mass absorption efficiency at 365 nm revealed a decline in light absorption capacity with aging, suggesting aqueous-phase oxidation as a dominant aging mechanism. CHON- and CHN+ compounds were identified as the principal light-absorbing constituents in PM1. This work provides new insights into the aging-induced transformations of NOCs in urban PM1, and their changing role in light absorption, highlighting the need for further investigation of the aging mechanisms of NOCs.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2026

Lower androgen sulfate metabolites in women with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may be associated with changed metabolism and disposition.

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS), characterized by joint hypermobility and multisystem involvement, is the most common type of EDS. Its comorbidities are wide-ranging, reflecting the involvement of connective tissue and its role in a multitude of processes. hEDS has been hypothesized to have hormonal aspects since the disorder is diagnosed more often in women and symptom changes closely correlate with hormonal shifts. To better understand the etiology and biochemical changes in hEDS and its comorbidities, a multiple-omics study was performed in women, controls (n = 45) and those with hEDS (n = 45), alongside the collection of questionnaires related to symptom severity. Metabolomic evaluation was performed on serum samples and RNA isolated from fibroblasts cultured from skin punches was analyzed for transcriptomics. Samples from hEDS patients had statistically significantly lower levels of multiple androgen sulfate metabolites, compared with controls, driven largely by participants aged 30-49. Changes to other classes of steroid hormones (corticosteroids, progestogens, and estrogens) were largely not significant between hEDS and control groups. Transcriptomics of skin fibroblasts from hEDS patients revealed downregulation of multiple enzymes involved in biosynthesis, metabolism, and disposition of androgens, compared with controls. Multiple steroid hormones correlated with symptoms surveyed in 18-29 year old participants with hEDS. Shifts in steroid hormone metabolites in hEDS compared with controls may be due to changes to metabolism and disposition, but more validation is necessary to be conclusive. This data provides insights into the unclear links between steroid hormones and hEDS and its comorbidities.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Immunohistochemical evaluation of Ki-67 and GLI1 in sporadic and nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome-associated odontogenic keratocysts.

INTRODUCTION: Odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) is a developmental odontogenic cyst that may occur sporadically (OKCsp) or in association with nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) (OKC-sy). NBCCS is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by morphological abnormalities and an increased predisposition to several neoplasms, including basal cell carcinomas. Mutations in the tumour suppressor gene PTCH1 have been reported in patients with OKC and NBCCS. PTCH1 participates in a signalling cascade that culminates in the translocation of GLI transcription factors to the nucleus, thereby activating target genes involved in cell proliferation. Aberrant GLI1 expression has been associated with increased proliferation in lung adenocarcinoma and other cancers. OBJECTIVE: To compare GLI1 and Ki-67 protein expression in OKCs associated with NBCCS versus sporadic OKCs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 13 OKCsp and 9 OKCsy from a children's hospital and university ... Immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-GLI1 and anti-Ki-67 to assess GLI1 expression and cell proliferation. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in GLI1 or Ki-67 expression in the epithelial component of OKCsy versus OKCsp. A positive correlation between GLI1 and Ki-67 expression was detected in the total sample (r = 0.71, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The positive correlation between GLI1 and Ki-67 expression in OKCs suggests an association between SHH pathway activity and cell proliferation in both sporadic and syndromic lesions.

GLI1↗

PubMed2026

Effect of Music on Pain, Anxiety, and Satisfaction During Intrauterine Device Application: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

This randomized controlled trial aimed to determine the effect of music played during intrauterine device (IUD) insertion on perceived pain, state anxiety, and satisfaction levels. The study was conducted with 70 women who applied to a maternal and child health and family planning center and were randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups using simple randomization. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-I), and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), as well as Bluetooth speakers and the musical piece Evgeny Grinko-Valse. Participants in the intervention group listened to music before and during the IUD insertion procedure, whereas the control group received routine care only. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26 with appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Women in the music group had significantly lower perceived pain (p < 0.001) and state anxiety levels during the procedure (p = 0.022), and significantly higher satisfaction levels compared with the control group (p < 0.001). In addition, post-procedure state anxiety levels were positively correlated with pain intensity experienced during and after the procedure (r = 0.542 and r = 0.496, respectively; p < 0.001), and negatively correlated with procedural satisfaction (r = -0.652; p < 0.001). These findings suggest that listening to music during IUD insertion may help reduce pain and anxiety while potentially enhancing patient satisfaction. Trial Registration: NCT06215183.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Symptom assessment and health-related quality of life in children with lower urinary tract dysfunction: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) significantly impacts children's health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but key determinants of this impairment remain incompletely understood within a patient-centered framework. METHODS: This retrospective cross-sectional study enrolled 272 children with LUTD. Clinical symptoms were assessed using the Dysfunctional Voiding Scoring System (DVSS) and the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), and HRQoL via the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™) 4.0 Generic Core Scales. RESULTS: The mean total PedsQL score was 83.66 ± 16.07, with the School Functioning domain being the most impaired (73.75 ± 20.94). Univariate analysis identified older age (≥11 years), daytime urinary leakage, overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms, and abnormal DVSS scores as factors associated with reduced HRQoL (all P < 0.05); multivariate regression further confirmed only older age and abnormal DVSS were independent influencing factors (both P < 0.001). A significant negative correlation existed between the total DVSS score and the total PedsQL score (r = -0.390, P < 0.01), indicating that greater symptom severity predicts poorer overall HRQoL. CONCLUSION: This study indicates that in children with LUTD, the severity of voiding dysfunction (quantified by DVSS) is inversely correlated with HRQoL. Voiding dysfunction impairs multiple domains of daily functioning, including physical well-being, emotional adjustment, social interaction, and school performance. Shifting from a symptom-focused to a patient-centered care model and integrating routine HRQoL assessment into standard clinical management can optimize clinical practice for pediatric LUTD.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Boosting domestic wastewater treatment with quorum signal-augmented heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacterial-algal aerobic granular sludge.

The aerobic bacterial-algal granular sludge (ABGS) enhanced with heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria, as a novel symbiotic technology, exhibits fluctuating treatment efficiency and unstable performance primarily due to the unstable symbiotic relationship. This study proposes an innovative approach to strengthening the bacteria-algae symbiosis by introducing exogenous signaling molecules. Concurrently, high-throughput, correlation analysis of environmental factors and metagenomic sequencing techniques are employed to elucidate the enhancement mechanisms of the signaling molecules. The results demonstrate that signaling molecule enhancement boosted total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency by 24.51 % in the bacteria-algae symbiotic system (X1). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization revealed that the addition of signaling molecules resulted in more compact aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and markedly improved stability. High-throughput sequencing showed signaling molecules enriched denitrifying bacteria (Hydrogenophaga, Pseudoxanthomonas, Thauera, Zoogloea) and organic-degrading Desulfomicrobium, optimizing microbial diversity and enhancing nitrogen/organic removal. Correlation analysis of environmental factors indicate that the addition of C8-HSL facilitates the enrichment and functional activation of specific genera. Metagenomic analysis revealed that signaling molecules enhanced the system's denitrification performance by modulating gene expression and associated metabolic pathways. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis further confirmed that the signaling molecules upregulated the expression of the napA, nirK, and nirS genes. An increased abundance of the napA gene facilitated aerobic denitrification (NO₃⁻-N→NO₂⁻-N), while upregulated abundance of the nirK and nirS genes accelerated nitrite reduction (NO₂⁻-N→N₂). This study aims to provide theoretical and practical foundations for implementing advanced bacteria-algae symbiotic technologies.

Denitrification↗

PubMed2026

Plasma proteome profiling identifies XPNPEP3 as a novel biomarker associated with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To identify plasma protein differences between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and to evaluate the diagnostic potential of X-prolyl aminopeptidase 3 (XPNPEP3) for identifying MASLD in T2DM patients. METHODS: Twenty T2DM inpatients were categorized into groups with and without MASLD and their plasma samples were analyzed using data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry, followed by bioinformatics analysis to identify differentially expressed proteins. The cohort was then expanded to 84 patients, and plasma XPNPEP3 levels were validated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Correlation between XPNPEP3 and clinical indicators were evaluated, and diagnostic performance was determined via receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Immunohistochemistry was employed to compare hepatic XPNPEP3 expression between the two groups. RESULTS: Proteomic analysis identified 176 differentially expressed proteins, with XPNPEP3 exhibiting the most significant down-regulation by fold change. In the validation cohort, plasma XPNPEP3 was significantly lower in T2DM+MASLD versus T2DM alone. XPNPEP3 levels were negatively correlated with diabetes duration, liver function markers, and triglyceride levels, and was identified as an independent factor inversely associated with MASLD in T2DM.ROC analysis demonstrated strong diagnostic performance for XPNPEP3, further enhanced when combined with BMI and diabetes duration.  Immunohistochemistry confirmed reduced hepatic XPNPEP3 expression in T2DM+MASLD patients. CONCLUSIONS: Lower plasma XPNPEP3 is independently associated with MASLD in T2DM patients and demonstrates strong diagnostic potential, positioning XPNPEP3 as a promising biomarker for diagnosing MASLD in T2DM patients and a novel target for non-invasive diagnostic tool development.

Humans↗