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Genome-resolved analysis reveals disruption of gut microbial vitamin B and K2 biosynthesis during Toxoplasma gondii infection in mice.

UNLABELLED: Toxoplasma gondii infection remodels the gut microbiome, yet its impact on microbial vitamin biosynthetic potential and host redox metabolism remains unclear. Here, we integrated mouse gut metagenomes with publicly available metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) to construct a genome-resolved atlas of B-vitamin and vitamin K2 biosynthesis. From 45,697 MAGs, we curated 4,771 representative genomes, of which 2,682 met high-quality criteria (completeness &#x2265;90%, contamination <5%). Functional annotation identified 229,717 vitamin-related genes corresponding to 177 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) orthologs across de novo pathways for eight B vitamins, thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenate (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9), cobalamin (B12), and vitamin K2. Among the high-quality genomes, 1,665 encoded complete de novo pathways for at least one vitamin, highlighting functional specialization and community-level complementarity. Transcripts per million-normalized metagenomic read counts revealed significant differences in KEGG ortholog abundances across six of the nine vitamin pathways. Reanalysis of metagenomic data from infected mice (acute, chronic, and control; n = 10 per group) revealed a stage-dependent reduction in &#x3b1;-diversity of vitamin biosynthesis pathways during acute infection, and a clear &#x3b2;-diversity separation from chronic and control groups. Core niacin biosynthesis genes (nadB, nadA, nadC) displayed phylum-specific redistribution, indicating selective remodeling of microbial NAD+ precursor production under infection-induced metabolic stress. These results suggest that T. gondii infection disrupts cooperative vitamin biosynthetic networks while specifically modulating niacin pathways linked to host NAD+ metabolism. IMPORTANCE: Gut microbes can synthesize essential vitamins, but how infection alters this function is poorly understood. By integrating mouse gut metagenomes with genome-resolved microbial data, we show that Toxoplasma gondii infection reshapes the vitamin biosynthetic potential of the gut microbiome in a stage-dependent manner. Acute infection reduces the diversity of vitamin biosynthesis pathways and shifts the taxonomic distribution of key niacin biosynthesis genes involved in microbial NAD+ precursor production. These findings identify vitamin metabolism, especially niacin-related pathways, as a sensitive functional axis of microbiome remodeling during infection. Our work links microbial taxonomic changes to functional metabolic consequences and suggests that microbiome-mediated regulation of NAD+-related metabolism may contribute to host redox adaptation during T. gondii infection.

B vitamins

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

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

Core-shell nanofibers

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles as food-based nanocarriers: Mechanisms, functional applications, and future perspectives in food systems.

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are a promising type of postbiotic nanoparticle derived by fermentation of probiotics, and have gained growing interest as a potential application in food science and nutrition. These are lipid bilayer vesicles of nanoscale, which are naturally released by probiotic cells and contain a wide variety of bioactive molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Moreover, PDEVs are highly stable, biocompatible, and can be easily engineered to have surfaces with high functionality, which makes them good candidates in functional engineering. In contrast to traditional live probiotics, PDEVs overcome the difficulties of preserving microbial viability during processing and storage, thus providing superior safety, stability, and predictable biological performance. This is a systematic review of the various functions of PDEVs in food systems. We conclude on the processes through which PDEVs control intestinal barrier integrity, alter gut microbiota composition, and alter host immune responses, and their potential to enhance gut health when added to functional foods. In addition to their health-promoting effects, PDEVs have shown significant potential as natural antimicrobial agents to preserve food and as effective nanocarriers of hydrophobic bioactive compounds, including fucoxanthin, to improve their stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. Moreover, PDEVs can be used as new regulators of microbial fermentation. However, it should be noted that a lot of the evidence that is available is still preliminary and the effectiveness of these applications in real food-processing and storage conditions has not been fully proven. Although they have potential, there are a number of challenges that still hinder the widespread use of PDEVs in the food industry. These involve the creation of scalable and cost-effective production processes, batch-to-batch consistency, vesicle stability in a variety of food matrices, and regulatory and safety considerations. Other emerging engineering approaches, such as surface functionalization and cargo loading, are also discussed in this review and could further increase the specificity, functionality, and application versatility of PDEVs in food systems. Moving forward, the incorporation of PDEVs into the next generation functional foods, novel food preservation methods, and customized nutrition plans should be prioritized in future studies. Further developments in these fields can make PDEVs useful platforms at the interface of food microbiology, nanotechnology, and human health.

Probiotics

Analysis of end-stage renal disease mediated by cuproptosis-related genes.

OBJECTIVE: The complex pathophysiological mechanism of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has not been fully understood. Cuproptosis is a newly discovered type of programmed cell death. Therefore, this study attempts to clarify the relationship between cuproptosis-related genes (CRGs) and the phenotype of ESRD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The National Center for Biological Information Gene Expression Omnibus database was applied to obtain the GSE37171 dataset comprising whole-genome microarray analysis of peripheral blood samples. A 3&#xa0;:&#xa0;1 case-control design was employed with 75 ESRD patients and 20 healthy controls who were frequency-matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. Based on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and genes related to cuproptosis, CRGs were identified. Thereafter, we explored two different subpopulations based on the cuproptosis gene and analyzed their expression and immune infiltration. Genes specific to the CRG cluster were identified through the weighted gene co-expression network analysis algorithm, and the best prediction model was determined and verified by four machine learning methods. RESULTS: The study identified 14 differentially expressed CRGs, among which ATP7B, SLC31A1, LIAS, LIPT1, DLD, MTF1, CDKN2A, DBT, and DLST had relatively high expression levels in the ESRD samples. Compared with the control group, expression levels of FDX1, DLAT, PDHA1, PDHB, and GLS were significantly lower in the ESRD group, and CRGs played a key role in the regulation of immune infiltration in ESRD. Two cuproptosis-related molecular clusters were identified in the ESRD samples. Cluster2 was more correlated with the immune infiltration of ESRD. By analyzing the intersection points between CRG cluster and key genes of ESRD, a total of 888 specific DEGs were identified. Functional differences related to specific DEGs were further explored using gene set variation analysis. Five significant genes (SMC5, USP47, USP53, AGA, and DMXL1) were identified by the support vector machine model as key predictors for ESRD disease risk, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 1.00 in internal validation. However, external validation in independent cohorts is required prior to clinical application. Individual gene analysis showed an AUC >&#xa0;0.81 in discriminating ESRD patients from healthy controls, and the expression of all 5 genes in ESRD patients was significantly lower than in the control group. CONCLUSION: This study clarified the relationship between CRGs and the phenotype of ESRD, analyzed their specific roles in the immune microenvironment, and obtained a predictive model, providing new insights for the study of its potential therapeutic targets.

Humans

A dual-dimensional CRISPR toolkit enables one-step high-efficiency multiplex genome editing in Komagataella phaffii.

Against the backdrop of green biomanufacturing, engineering methanol-utilizing Komagataella phaffii (K. phaffii) represents an effective strategy to expand the one carbon (C1) product profile and speed up the industrialization of C1-based bioeconomy. To address the technical challenges of low efficiency and cumbersome experimental procedures for multiplex gene editing and precise large-fragment integration during the reconstruction of complex metabolic pathways in K. phaffii, this study established a CRISPR toolkit - Efficient Multi-Gene Editing System 3.0 (EMGES 3.0) - which enabled one-step large-fragment integration coupled with multiplex gene knockout. EMGES 3.0 was constructed through the synergistic optimization of a repair-engineered chassis and an episomal CRISPR vector. For chassis engineering, five DNA repair modules: &#x394;lig4 (DNA Ligase IV, non-homologous end joining end ligation), ppMRE11(The endogenous MRE11 gene from Pichia pastoris) overexpression (The Meiotic Recombination 11, DNA double-strand break end resection), &#x394;rad9 (Radiation-Sensitive 9, DNA damage checkpoint regulation), &#x394;mph1 (Mutator Phenotype Helicase 1, improvement of homologous recombinant strand extension), and PapRecT-PaSSB co-expression (stabilization of recombination intermediates) were integrated to generate the highly recombinogenic strain Y09. For vector engineering, cenARS was replaced by panARS and the endogenous promoter PGAP was employed to drive the double hammerhead ribozyme-single guide RNA-hepatitis delta virus ribozyme (double HH-sgRNA-HDV: dHgH)-mediated sgRNA expression, yielding the optimized vector Nov_pGAP_panARS_pLAT1_Cas9. These two features on K. phaffii together enhanced the EMGES 3.0 to a higher standard of transformation rate and editing efficiency. According to our results, EMGES 3.0 achieved dual-functional gene knockout efficiencies between 76.6% and 100%. For insertion of medium-long fragments (>4.5&#x202f;kb), the efficiency achieved 93.3%. In addition, the one-step integration of ultra-long fragments (>16&#x202f;kb) achieved 14.8%, which was reported for the first time. Furthermore, the efficiency of simultaneous long-fragment integration at three neutral loci reached 38.4% (>15&#x202f;kb). We applied the system for one-step production of free fatty acids (FFAs, yield: 5.82 &#x223c; 7.30&#x202f;mg/L/OD600) and resveratrol (yield: 1.14 &#x223c; 1.28&#x202f;mg/L) using methanol as the sole carbon source. EMGES 3.0 provides a robust technical foundation for complex compounds biosynthesis and high-yield industrial strains, while also advancing K. phaffii as an industrial synthetic biology chassis for efficient C1 utilization.

CRISPR-Cas Systems

Multi-omics reveals that burdock seed aglycone alleviates renal fibrosis by restoring mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation function.

Renal fibrosis (RF), a common pathological process driving chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression to end-stage renal failure, is closely associated with oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Arctigenin (ATG), the main active component of burdock seed, exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities, but its mechanisms in RF treatment remain unclear. Here, we performed integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses to identify key targets and pathways of ATG in a unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced rat RF model. Multi-omics enrichment analysis revealed that NDUFS8 and NDUFS2 were the core targets of ATG, with the OXPHOS pathway as the central intersecting pathway. Our results suggest that ATG exerts anti-renal fibrosis effects by targeting the OXPHOS pathway to inhibit excessive reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress. SIGNIFICANCE: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to impose an escalating global health and socioeconomic burden, while renal fibrosis (RF), as the convergent pathological endpoint of virtually all progressive nephropathies, remains the principal determinant of irreversible renal failure and adverse clinical outcomes. Despite extensive efforts to develop antifibrotic therapies, effective clinical interventions remain elusive, largely due to the complex and multifactorial nature of RF pathogenesis. In this study, we employed an integrated multi-omics framework encompassing transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to systematically decipher the antifibrotic mechanism of arctigenin (ATG), a bioactive natural compound derived from traditional Chinese medicine. Our findings identify mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation as the pivotal regulatory axis underlying the renoprotective effects of ATG and further establish key catalytic subunits of mitochondrial complex I as its direct molecular targets. Mechanistically, ATG not only restores complex I activity and reprograms mitochondrial energy metabolism but also preserves the intracellular stability and localization of these subunits, thereby preventing their aberrant release-mediated inflammatory activation and disrupting the self-perpetuating cycle linking metabolic dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis progression. Beyond revealing a previously unrecognized dual mechanism integrating metabolic and inflammatory regulation, this study provides compelling evidence that mitochondrial dysfunction is not merely a secondary consequence of tissue injury but a fundamental driver of fibrotic remodeling. Importantly, our work highlights the translational potential of natural product-based mitochondrial interventions for CKD treatment and supports a broader conceptual shift toward metabolism-centered therapeutic strategies for chronic fibrotic diseases. Given the central role of mitochondrial dysfunction across multiple organs, these findings may also have far-reaching implications for the treatment of systemic fibrosis-related disorders beyond the kidney.

Animals

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 &#x2265;25 kg/m&#xb2;, 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

Factors Associated With Accelerated Fracture Healing in Patients With Traumatic Brain Injury and Extremity Comminuted Fractures: A Retrospective Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVE: Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been clinically associated with accelerated bone healing, the factors that determine which patients experience this phenomenon remain poorly defined, and previous findings are conflicting. This study aimed to investigate the clinical factors associated with accelerated fracture healing in patients with TBI combined with comminuted fractures of the limbs, so as to provide an evidence-based foundation for elucidating the clinical phenomenon of TBI-promoted fracture healing. METHODS: A retrospective case-control study design was employed. Patients between January 2020 and April 2024 with concurrent diagnoses of TBI and comminuted fractures were included. Based on radiographic findings and RUST/mRUST scores, patients were divided into an accelerated healing group (AHG) and a normal/delayed healing group (NDHG). Clinical data including demographics (age, sex, BMI), TBI characteristics (injury site, GCS score), admission laboratory indices (blood count, coagulation function, inflammatory markers), and fracture site/local soft tissue conditions, as well as functional outcomes assessed by the Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) questionnaire at final follow-up were collected. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify independent factors influencing accelerated fracture healing. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate their predictive value. RESULTS: A total of 119 patients were included, with 69 in the AHG and 50 in the NDHG. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, BMI, GCS score, and platelet count (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). Univariate analysis showed that age, BMI, GCS score, red blood cell count, and platelet count were associated with accelerated fracture healing (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.20). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that younger age (OR&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.875, 95% CI: 0.821-0.934) and lower GCS score (indicating more severe TBI; OR&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.490, 95% CI: 0.339-0.707) were independent predictors of accelerated fracture healing. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for age and GCS score in predicting accelerated healing were 0.893 and 0.851, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with TBI combined with comminuted fractures, younger age and greater TBI severity (lower GCS score) are independent predictors of accelerated fracture healing. These findings assist clinicians in the early identification of patients with high healing potential to optimize treatment strategies, facilitate the early identification of high-risk patients, and provide clinical clues for further exploration of the molecular mechanisms underlying neurohumoral regulation of bone regeneration.

Humans

Multisensory stimulation for promoting development and preventing morbidity in preterm infants.

RATIONALE: Multisensory stimulation is a structured, developmentally appropriate intervention that provides simultaneous or sequential stimulation of two or more senses (e.g. tactile, auditory, visual, or vestibular) in a controlled and non-stressful manner, with the aim of supporting early neurodevelopment in preterm infants. It has the potential to enhance physiological regulation in preterm infants by stabilizing key functions, such as respiratory patterns, heart rate, and oxygen saturation; reducing the need for respiratory support; and improving feeding performance and sleep regulation. Targeted multisensory interventions have also been associated with improved neurodevelopmental outcomes, including enhanced psychomotor development and visual function. OBJECTIVES: To assess the benefits and harms of multisensory stimulation compared to any single sensory intervention or standard care on major neurodevelopmental disability, mortality, and growth in preterm infants. SEARCH METHODS: We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, CINAHL, Epistemonikos, two trial registries, and conference abstracts up to 28 November 2025. We checked reference lists of included trials, and systematic reviews on sensory interventions. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: We included 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing multisensory stimulation in preterm infants with no intervention (placebo or standard care), and one RCT comparing multisensory stimulation with single-sense stimulation (tactile stimulation). OUTCOMES: Our critical outcomes were major neurodevelopmental disability at 18 to 24 months: cerebral palsy (CP), developmental delay, intellectual impairment, blindness, sensorineural deafness; death during initial hospitalization; and total weight gain (grams), assessed at discharge. When comparing multisensory stimulation with single-sense intervention, we also included weight gain during the intervention, an outcome added during the post-hoc analysis. Important outcomes were duration of hospital stay, of NICU stay, and of respiratory support; and time until full oral feeding. RISK OF BIAS: We used the Cochrane tool, RoB 2. SYNTHESIS METHODS: We conducted meta-analyses using fixed-effect models to calculate risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous data, and mean differences (MDs) for continuous data, each with its 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We assessed statistical heterogeneity by calculating the I2 statistic when we included more than two trials in a meta-analysis. We evaluated the certainty of evidence using GRADE. INCLUDED STUDIES: We included 19 trials (1554 newborn infants): 18 studies compared multisensory stimulation with standard care; one compared multisensory stimulation with single-sensory stimulation (tactile). In 10 studies, the primary aim was to assess the neurobehavioral outcomes of multisensory stimulation on preterm neo-nates. The other nine studies aimed to assess the impact of multisensory stimulation on weight gain during the intervention, weight gain until hospital discharge, length of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay, length of hospital stay, time until full oral feeding, length of respiratory support, or a combination. In the abstract we report results for the critical outcomes only. We identified 13 ongoing studies. Four studies are awaiting assessment. SYNTHESIS OF RESULTS: Multisensory stimulation compared to standard care No studies reported on these major neurodevelopmental disabilities, assessed at 18 to 24 months' corrected age (CA): developmental delay, intellectual impairment, blindness, or sensorineural deafness. One study reported on rates of CP at 12 months of age. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of multisensory stimulation on CP (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.58; I&#xb2; not applicable; 1 study, 18 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The evidence suggests that multisensory stimulation may result in little to no difference in death during initial hospitalization (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.73; I&#xb2; not applicable; 1 study, 395 participants; low-certainty evidence). Multisensory stimulation may increase total weight gain prior to discharge (MD 72.67, 95% CI 68.23 to 77.12; I&#xb2; = 0%; 3 studies, 474 participants; low-certainty evidence). Multisensory stimulation compared to single-sense (tactile) stimulation No studies reported on major neurodevelopmental disability, assessed at 18 to 24 months' CA, or death during initial hospitalization. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of multisensory stimulation compared to tactile stimulation on weight gain during the intervention (MD -175.00, 95% CI -376.60 to 26.60; I&#xb2; not applicable; 1 study, 20 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The certainty of the evidence was low to very low across outcomes, primarily due to risk of bias, imprecision from small sample sizes and wide CIs, and in some cases, inconsistency. The evidence base was also limited by the lack of reporting of relevant outcomes and reliance on surrogate outcomes or shorter follow-up periods. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence on multisensory stimulation in preterm infants is limited and of low to very low certainty. No included studies reported on major neurodevelopmental disabilities at 18 to 24 months' CA, which represented a critical outcome for this review. Evidence regarding the effect of multisensory stimulation on CP is very uncertain, as it is based on a single small study reporting a surrogate outcome at 12 months. Multisensory stimulation may result in little to no difference in mortality during the initial hospitalization. It may increase total weight gain prior to discharge. However, the clinical significance of this finding is uncertain, particularly given the low certainty of the evidence and the multifactorial nature of growth in preterm infants. The evidence is very uncertain about the effect of multisensory stimulation compared to single-sense (tactile) stimulation on weight gain during the intervention. The only included study did not report major neurodevelopmental disabilities at 18 to 24 months' CA, mortality during the initial hospitalization, or total weight gain prior to discharge, which represented the critical outcomes for this review. Overall, the current evidence does not allow firm conclusions about the effectiveness of multisensory stimulation in promoting development or preventing morbidity in preterm infants. Future studies on multisensory stimulation should use more rigorous designs, larger samples, and report interventions using the template for intervention description and replication (TIDieR) checklist to ensure transparency. They should also report essential outcomes, such as neonatal death, major neurodevelopmental disabilities, length of hospital and NICU stay, time to full oral feeding, duration of respiratory support, and weight gain, to better assess the long&#x2011;term effects of multisensory stimulation in preterm infants. FUNDING: This Cochrane review had no dedicated funding. REGISTRATION: Protocol available via DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD016073.

Humans

Temporal proteomic analysis reveals a three-phase adaptation strategy in Phytophthora cinnamomi during salinity stress.

Phytophthora cinnamomi, a highly invasive hemibiotrophic oomycete, threatens global agriculture, forestry, and native ecosystems. Although drought and temperature effects on P. cinnamomi-host interactions are well studied, current knowledge of abiotic stress responses in P. cinnamomi remains largely centered on infection and phytopathology, with limited molecular insight into the pathogen's direct response to salinity independent of its host. To address this gap, we combined growth assays, time-resolved proteomics, and network analysis to define how P. cinnamomi responds and adapts to salinity exposure. Growth assays showed that NaCl-modified agar enhanced mycelial expansion in a concentration-dependent manner, with 100&#xa0;mM NaCl significantly increasing growth at 48, 72, and 96&#xa0;h compared with controls, while 50&#xa0;mM NaCl remained comparable to control conditions. Temporal proteomic analysis of 100&#xa0;mM NaCl treatment at 0, 1, 6, 12, and 24&#xa0;h post treatment revealed dynamic shifts in protein abundance. Early induction of ROS (Reactive Oxygen Species)-detoxifying enzymes, including glutathione S-transferases and peroxidases, was consistent with ROS-specific staining assays. Network analysis identified modules enriched for redox regulation, ATP generation, ion transport, and translational control, highlighting multi-layered adaptation to elevated NaCl levels. Notably, clusters of conserved hypothetical proteins were strongly upregulated, indicating unexplored stress tolerance components in Phytophthora species. Here, we propose that P. cinnamomi rapidly activates a three-phase strategy involving metabolism readjustments, redox defenses, and cellular structure alterations under salinity conditions. With increasing soil salinization due to climate change, our study provides first mechanistic insights into P. cinnamomi's adaptive plasticity and ecological resilience to abiotic stress. SIGNIFICANCE: This study represents the first temporal proteomic analysis of salinity stress adaptation in Phytophthora cinnamomi, revealing a sophisticated three-phase adaptation strategy. This research fundamentally advances our understanding of how this globally destructive plant pathogen, P. cinnamomi, maintains environmental resilience. Our findings reveal proteome remodelling as a mechanistic framework for understanding stress tolerance in oomycetes, a group of microorganisms responsible for some of the world's most destructive agricultural and forest diseases. Our results show proteins involved in emergency damage control through metabolic recalibration to sustained adaptation. These findings have relevance for predicting pathogen behavior under climate change scenarios, where increasing soil salinity threatens agricultural productivity while simultaneously enhancing pathogen survival and virulence. Understanding how P. cinnamomi responds to prolonged salinity exposure may inform targeted biocontrol strategies and improve predictive models of disease pressure in salt-affected agricultural regions. The temporal analysis framework we present offers a broadly applicable approach for understanding microbial stress adaptation, with implications extending beyond plant pathology to environmental microbiology and biotechnology applications where stress tolerance is paramount.

Phytophthora

Effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on markers of endothelial function in persons with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

AIMS: The endothelium maintains vascular health by regulating blood flow and protecting against inflammatory damage. In type 2 diabetes (T2DM), however, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia place a significant burden on the endothelium, potentially leading to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). While semaglutide and empagliflozin have been shown to reduce CVD risk in T2DM, it remains unclear whether these benefits are mediated by improved endothelial function. This post-hoc analysis explores the effects of these agents on markers of endothelial function, i.e. the reactive hyperaemic index (RHI) and the endothelial-derived cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) E-Selectin, ICAM-1, P-Selectin, and VCAM-1. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of a 32-week randomized trial evaluating the separate and combined effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on cardio-renal organ damage. One hundred and twenty participants with type 2 diabetes, age&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;50 were randomized to four groups (semaglutide, empagliflozin, the combination or placebo). An increase in RHI and/or a decrease in CAMs were considered beneficial. RESULTS: RHI increased compared to baseline (0.11, 95%CI [0.008;0.21], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.03) but not compared to placebo in the semaglutide group (0.11, 95%CI [-0.04;0.24], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.16). There was no effect on RHI in the empagliflozin group. Compared to placebo, E-Selectin decreased significantly in the semaglutide and combination groups (-9, 95%CI [-14.1;-5.1] p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01 and&#xa0;-&#xa0;9, 95%CI [-14.3; -5.2] p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01, respectively). VCAM-1 increased in the same groups, compared to placebo (12.3, 95%CI[2.8;20.8] p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.01 and 16.2, 95%CI [7.2;24.3], p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01, respectively).P-Selectin and ICAM-1 was not significantly affected in any of the groups, compared to placebo (p&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;0.11 and p&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;0.09, respectively). CONCLUSION: Semaglutide improved endothelial function compared to baseline, but not significantly versus placebo, which likely is due to limited power. CAM responses were heterogeneous, suggesting distinct roles in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. ClinicalTrialsRegister.eu: EudraCT 2019-000781-38.

Aged

A Smartphone-Based Ecological Momentary Intervention for Workplace Mental Health: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Work-related stress has been widely associated with an increased risk of various mental disorders and poor mental well-being. The fast-growing mobile health services industry has provided new opportunities for workplace mental health. OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of Neurum (Neurum Limited), a smartphone-based intervention tool featuring ecological momentary assessments and interventions that aims to reduce workplace stress in real-time and real-world settings. METHODS: A total of 201 working adults were recruited for a 4-week smartphone-based intervention that incorporated cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness exercises, and self-regulation exercises delivered on Neurum. A simple randomization procedure was used. Participants in the intervention group were encouraged to log mood journals, complete mental health exercises, and provide user feedback whenever applicable. The key outcome was measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 items (DASS-21; Cronbach &#x3b1;=0.87). RESULTS: The intervention group consisted of 102 participants, while the control group consisted of 99 participants. More participants dropped out from the intervention group (n=21) than from the control group (n=2; &#x3c7;21=18.259; P<.001). The final sample consisted of 178 participants (male: 85/178, 47.8%; female: 93/178, 52.2%; mean age of 34.65, SD 7.67 y). Analyses revealed that after the 4-week intervention, the DASS-21 scores decreased in the intervention group (mean difference [MD]post-pre intervention=-14.518) but increased in the control group (MDpost-pre intervention=3.319; F1,176=59.358, P<.001; &#x3b7;2=0.252). This effect was largely led by stress reduction (F1,176=64.679, P<.001; for the intervention group, MDpost-pre intervention=-6.692, while for the control group, MDpost-pre intervention=2.000). On average, participants completed 6.27 (SD 9.4) exercises and provided 9.74 (SD 18.2) mood journal logs, with a daily engagement of 4.95 (SD 6.89) minutes. However, the associations between the changes in DASS-21 scores and the numbers of exercises or mood journal logs did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: This study primarily established the effectiveness of Neurum in alleviating depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms in noninstitutionalized working adults, with a satisfactory user retention rate. Despite potential health-related culture differences, Neurum contributed to evidence-based digital health in nonclinical settings for timely needs and general accessibility as an alternative to traditional, face-to-face, and high-cost mental health services. Future directions involving a personalized approach in online mental health services were discussed.

Humans

Phase 3 Trial of Oral Infigratinib in Children with Achondroplasia.

BACKGROUND: Achondroplasia is a genetic skeletal condition caused by FGFR3 pathogenic variants. Infigratinib, an oral FGFR1-3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, down-regulates key pathways in the pathogenesis of achondroplasia. METHODS: In this phase 3, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, we randomly assigned children with achondroplasia (3 to 17 years of age) in a 2:1 ratio to receive infigratinib (at a dose of 0.25 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo once daily for 52 weeks. The primary end point was the change from baseline in the annualized height velocity in the infigratinib group as compared with the placebo group at week 52. Key secondary end points were the change from baseline in the height z score and in the upper-to-lower body segment ratio at week 52. The primary analysis evaluated the treatment effect at week 52 in the full analysis population, with missing data handled with a prespecified imputation approach. RESULTS: In all, 114 patients underwent randomization: 75 patients to receive infigratinib (with 1 withdrawal before treatment) and 39 patients to receive placebo. The difference between infigratinib and placebo in the least-squares mean change from baseline to week 52 was 1.74 cm per year (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31 to 2.17; P<0.001) for the annualized height velocity, 0.32 (96% CI, 0.23 to 0.41; P<0.001) for the height z score, and -0.02 (96% CI, -0.06 to 0.01) for the upper-to-lower body segment ratio. Adverse events occurred in 71 of 74 patients (96%) in the infigratinib group and in 37 of 39 patients (95%) in the placebo group; serious adverse events occurred in 4 of 74 patients (5%) and 1 of 39 patients (3%), respectively. No serious adverse events or adverse events leading to treatment discontinuation were considered by the investigator to be related to infigratinib or placebo. CONCLUSIONS: In children with achondroplasia, treatment with once-daily oral infigratinib for 52 weeks resulted in a significantly greater increase from baseline in the annualized height velocity than placebo. (Funded by BridgeBio Pharma; PROPEL 3 ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT06164951; EudraCT number, 2023-506130-67.).

Adolescent

Vitamin D Deficiency During Pregnancy Is Associated With Greater LDL-C Increase, Elevated &#x3b2;-Hydroxybutyrate and Altered Neonatal Metabolic Markers-A Secondary, Pooled Analysis of the Randomized, Controlled Vitamin D and Lifestyle for Gestational Diabetes Prevention Trial (DALI).

INTRODUCTION: Vitamin D (vitD) plays a role in metabolic regulation, including lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. During pregnancy, profound physiological changes in lipid handling and ketogenesis occur to support fetal development. However, the extent to which maternal vitamin D status influences these metabolic adaptations and fetal metabolic markers remains unclear. METHODS: In this secondary analysis, we examined lipid distribution throughout pregnancy-from before 20&#x2009;weeks' gestation to delivery-in women with overweight or obesity, stratified by vitamin D status (deficiency, insufficiency, or sufficiency), assessing both maternal and cord blood. Main inclusion criteria were: age&#x2009;>&#x2009;=18&#x2009;years, singleton pregnancy, <&#x2009;20&#x2009;weeks' gestation, BMI &#x2265;&#x2009;29&#x2009;kg/m2. Women with GDM <&#x2009;20&#x2009;weeks' gestation were excluded. In total, 962 pregnant women were divided into vitD deficient (<&#x2009;30&#x2009;nmol/L, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;102), insufficient (30-50&#x2009;nmol/L, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;222) and sufficient (>&#x2009;50&#x2009;nmol/L, n&#x2009;=&#x2009;638) groups. VitD levels and lipid concentrations were assessed at <&#x2009;20, 24-28 and 35-37&#x2009;weeks' gestation and in cord blood. RESULTS: Compared with vitD sufficient women, women with vitD deficiency had significantly larger increases in LDL-C throughout pregnancy and &#xdf;-OH-butyrate at 24-28&#x2009;weeks' gestation, in adjusted analysis. VitD in cord blood was highest in offspring of mothers with vitD sufficiency. In cord blood, significantly higher &#xdf;-OH-butyrate was observed with vitD deficiency; lipid concentrations were similar between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Early vitamin D deficiency before 20&#x2009;weeks of gestation was associated with altered metabolic trajectories during pregnancy, including greater increases in LDL cholesterol and ketone body concentrations in women with overweight or obesity, as well as higher cord blood ketone levels in their offspring. These findings suggest that early maternal vitamin D status may influence maternal and fetal metabolic adaptations, although causal relationships and clinical implications require further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Trial registered at ISRCTN registry (https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN70595832) trial number ISRCTN70595832. Registration date 02/12/2011.

Humans

Quo vadis, BGA? A collaborative EDNAP exercise on the challenges and progress in forensic biogeographical ancestry inference.

There is a broad consensus that forensic tests for the prediction of externally visible characteristics (EVC) and analysis of biogeographic ancestry (BGA) of an individual are technically reliable. However, interpretation of the results and population-specific genotype distribution patterns remains challenging. EVC and BGA analyses provide valuable information for population genetics studies and as investigative leads for criminal cases, as well as for historical and contemporary identification tests. However, inaccurate or incorrect predictions, for example, from subjective bias in the interpretations made, have the potential to misdirect police investigations. The legal situation regarding EVC and BGA testing varies by country: ranging from countries where it is explicitly prohibited, to those without specific regulations on biogeographic ancestry prediction, and others that have already enacted laws governing its use. The reluctance to utilize these analyses is not only due to legal restrictions and data protection concerns, but also to initial limited sets of sufficiently comprehensive forensic DNA assays. Forensic BGA marker panels typically contain up to &#x223c;300 SNPs. This relatively small number of genetic markers, along with limited reference population data, complicates the interpretation of results from donors of unknown origin. This paper presents the results of a collaborative EDNAP study, which, for the first time, evaluated the approach to reporting EVC and BGA data between international laboratories. For the study, DNA from nine individuals with self-reported ancestry was collected and analysed using various forensic panels differing in the number and composition of ancestry-informative markers genotyped, comprising: the Precision ID mtDNA Whole Genome Panel, the VISAGE Basic Tool and the VISAGE Enhanced Tool for Appearance and Ancestry Prediction, and the Ion AmpliSeq&#x2122; PhenoTrivium Panel. To ensure full data protection, all SNP genotypes and uniparental marker haplotypes obtained were not shared with third parties. Instead, the genetic data were analysed using a range of commonly used population analysis software packages. These analysis outcomes were then distributed to twelve European forensic laboratories (both academic and law enforcement institutions), who were asked to prepare reports based on their interpretation of the phenotypes and ancestry they inferred from the analysis data. A questionnaire sent alongside the genetic information, aimed to evaluate which difficulties were encountered by the participants in processing the BGA analysis data they were given.

Humans

Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of RIPK1 inhibitor, SAR443820, in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (HIMALAYA): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

BACKGROUND: RIPK1, a protein regulating inflammatory signalling and cell death, is implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathophysiology. SAR443820 is a selective, oral, CNS-penetrant, reversible RIPK1 inhibitor. We aimed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of SAR443820 in participants with ALS. METHODS: This multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial was conducted at 63 clinical sites in 13 countries (Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the USA). Adults (aged 18-80 years) with a diagnosis of possible ALS, clinically probable ALS, clinically probable laboratory-supported ALS, or clinically definite ALS, in accordance with the revised El Escorial World Federation of Neurology criteria, were randomly assigned (2:1) by use of a stratified block design (blocks of three) to receive either 20 mg SAR443820 orally twice per day or matching placebo in the 24-week double-blind period. Randomisation was done centrally using interactive response technology and stratified by geographical region of trial site, region of ALS onset, use of riluzole, use of edaravone, and use of the combination of sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol. Participants, care providers, investigators, and outcomes assessors were masked to trial intervention. The primary outcome was a change in ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised (ALSFRS-R) total score from baseline to week 24 and was calculated for all participants who had an ALSFRS-R total score available at baseline and at week 24. Safety analyses included all randomly assigned participants receiving one dose or more of trial intervention. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05237284) and was terminated early. FINDINGS: Between April 13, 2022, and July 17, 2023, 397 participants were screened and 305 randomly assigned to SAR443820 (n=203) or placebo (n=102); six were excluded from the primary analysis due to missing baseline ALSFRS-R values. Mean age was 56&#xb7;9 years (SD 11&#xb7;5); 183 (60%) participants were male and 122 (40%) were female. Least squares mean change in ALSFRS-R from baseline to week 24 was -6&#xb7;73 (95% CI -7&#xb7;48 to -5&#xb7;98) for SAR443820 group (n=169) and -6&#xb7;32 (-7&#xb7;36 to -5&#xb7;27) for placebo group (n=87). There was no statistically significant difference between the study groups (least squares mean difference -0&#xb7;41 [95% CI -1&#xb7;71 to 0&#xb7;88]). Participants in the SAR443820 group had higher incidence of adverse events (171 [85%] of 202 vs placebo 80 [78%] of 102) and treatment discontinuations (28 [14%] of 202 vs placebo five [5%] of 102), with elevated hepatic enzymes being the most common cause. Nine deaths occurred in the double-blind period (seven [3%] of 202 in the SAR443820 group and two [2%] of 102 in the placebo group); none was attributed to SAR443820. INTERPRETATION: SAR443820 did not show clinical benefit and was associated with higher hepatic enzyme increase, indicating that further clinical development of SAR443820 in ALS is not warranted. FUNDING: Sanofi.

Humans