Search PubMedSearch

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Microalgae-based systems”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

1,293 records · Page 23Linked to original sources

Development and validation of a novel LC-MS/MS method for simultaneous quantification of fidaxomicin and metabolite (OP-1118) from feces for gut pharmacobiome studies.

Fidaxomicin is a first-line antibiotic for treating Clostridioides difficile infection. While it has low systemic absorption and reaches high colonic concentrations, it is hydrolyzed to a less active metabolite, OP-1118. Few studies have completely described critical experimental details of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for quantifying fecal fidaxomicin and OP-1118. This study developed and validated a simple, fast, and sensitive LC-MS/MS method to quantify fidaxomicin and OP-1118 in human and mouse feces. This method simplified fecal sample preparation without the use of solid phase extraction and optimized LC-MS/MS parameters. A broad working range (0.3-1000 ng/ml) in both diluted human and murine fecal matrices was achieved with good intra- and inter-day accuracy (93-107%), precision (1-7%), and recovery (70-105%) as well as little IS-normalized matrix effects. This method was utilized to quantify fidaxomicin and OP-1118 in human and murine fecal samples. This novel method was simple, fast, sensitive, and accurate in analyzing fecal fidaxomicin and OP-1118 and could be deployed to facilitate gut pharmacobiome research.

Feces

Blood Bile Acids for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Diagnosis and Disease Activity Assessment: A Metabolomics Meta-Analysis.

Alterations in circulating bile acids (BAs) have been reported in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but the consistency of these changes across clinically relevant comparisons remains unclear. Our goal was to investigate systemic BA alterations in IBD using a metabolomics meta-analysis with an exploratory analysis of BA-related gene expression as a supporting context. A systematic review and meta-analysis of 28 metabolomics studies examined blood BA profiles associated with IBD, IBD diagnosis, and disease activity assessment. Univariate analysis and logistic regression modeling of two independent IBD cohorts explored the blood BA-related genes and IBD. Across 28 studies that comprised 5056 IBD patients, 1721 healthy controls, and 314 non-IBD patients, 131 BAs were reported. Eight predefined clinical comparisons were eligible for the meta-analysis. Lower secondary BA levels were consistently observed in IBD patients compared with controls, between UC and CD, and in active versus remission patients. Deoxycholic acid, glycodeoxycholic acid, and taurodeoxycholic acid were frequently decreased, whereas glycocholic acid was increased in certain comparisons. Transcriptomics analyses revealed differential expression of several BA-related genes in blood, including SLC51A, ABCB4, and ACOT8, across the comparisons. Our findings identify consistent circulating BA alterations in IBD and highlight the relevance of blood BA for future biomarker research in the diagnosis and disease activity assessment.

Humans

Differential contributions of mt-Tr and Cs variants to developmental cochlear defects and mitochondrial dysfunction in A/J mice.

A/J mice exhibit early-onset hearing loss linked to Cdh23, mitochondrial tRNA-Arg (mt-Tr), and citrate synthase (Cs) variants. Although developmental cochlear defects have been identified in juvenile A/J mice, the hierarchical contributions of mt-Tr versus Cs remain unclear. Using reciprocal intercross-derived strains to decouple mitochondrial haplotypes from nuclear factors, we demonstrate that the mitochondrial background is the primary determinant of auditory dysfunction. Mice with A/J mtDNA (AXB strains) displayed significantly higher ABR thresholds, accelerated hair cell attrition, and severe stereocilia dysmorphology compared to those with B6 mtDNA (BXA strains), occurring largely independently of the Cs genotype. While the Cs mutation exacerbated hearing loss, its impact was secondary to that of the dominant mitochondrial background. Systemic behavioral assessments and mitochondrial assays confirmed that A/J mitochondria exert a more profound metabolic impact than the Cs mutation. Our findings establish that the mitochondrial genomic background, with the mt-Tr locus as a prominent candidate variant, serves as the principal driver of developmental cochlear defects and early-onset hearing loss in A/J mice, while the nuclear Cs mutation acts as a synergistic modifier. This study underscores the critical role of mitonuclear crosstalk in inner ear maturation and provides new insights into the etiology of hereditary hearing loss.

Animals

Influence of nicotine on protein expression around hydrophilic osseointegrated implants: A proteomic study in male rats.

OBJECTIVE: To ensure the success of dental implant treatment, various factors must be considered, including osseointegration and systemic conditions. There is evidence in the literature that smokers may exhibit alterations in tissue healing, which can compromise the success of implant rehabilitation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the influence of nicotine on the protein profile of bone tissue around hydrophilic implants during the osseointegration process in rats. DESIGN: Bone tissue samples from the control and nicotine groups (n = 3 per group) were subjected to protein extraction, mass spectrometry, and bioinformatic analyses. Protein identification was performed using Proteome Discoverer 2.1 software and the SEQUEST algorithm, and the protein data were compared with those of a protein database of Rattus norvegicus obtained from UniProt. RESULTS: A total of 740 proteins were detected in both the control group and the nicotine-exposed group. Among them, the proteins biglycan, periostin and histone H4 were highlighted because of their higher abundance in the healthy implant group, while they were reduced in the nicotine-exposed group. CONCLUSIONS: Nicotine has the potential to alter the protein profile of bone tissue around hydrophilic implants during osseointegration, which may impair tissue remodeling and healing.

Animals

Voluntary Knowledge Brokering to Promote Evidence-Based Nursing Practice: A Qualitative Study.

Knowledge brokering is a process of connecting knowledge producers with users to facilitate evidence-based practice through relationship building and information sharing. This descriptive qualitative study aimed to clarify knowledge brokering by nurses in Japanese hospitals. Twelve registered nurses in Japanese hospitals participated. They had over 5 years' clinical experience, including experience in conducting research, particularly staff research, and education. Data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews and analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis revealed a central theme: continuous efforts to foster empathy among colleagues and spontaneously promote evidence-based practice: multifaceted brokering activities by clinical nurses. Findings identified 10 categories categorized into four interconnected gears: establishing the foundational ground, assessing clinical needs and staff readiness, tailoring and diffusing evidence, and sustaining and evolving evidence-based practice. Even nurses without formal titles voluntarily bridged the research-practice gap, providing new insights into informal brokering. Brokers communicated considerately, balanced evidence with clinical context, negotiated practical compromises, and fostered staff research competency.

Humans

Prevalence of Theileria luwenshuni in goats (Capra hircus) on Tarama Island, Okinawa, Japan.

Caprine theileriosis is an economically important tick-borne disease caused by various Theileria species, particularly Theileria lestoquardi, Theileria luwenshuni, and Theileria uilenbergi, in goats (Capra hircus). Goat farming plays an economically and culturally important role on Tarama Island, Okinawa, Japan. Because goats on the island are mainly managed under an extensive grazing system, tick infestation is common. However, Theileria infections have not previously been investigated in goats on Tarama Island. To address this, archived DNA samples prepared from blood collected from 44 goats on Tarama Island were screened using a universal PCR assay targeting 18S rRNA sequences of Theileria and Babesia species. Two DNA samples were positive, and sequencing analysis of the amplicons identified T. luwenshuni. To further investigate the epidemiology of T. luwenshuni on Tarama Island, blood samples were subsequently collected from 96 goats across 19 farms. From each blood sample, a thin blood smear was prepared and genomic DNA was extracted. Microscopic examination of Diff-Quik-stained smears detected intraerythrocytic Theileria-like organisms in 35 (36.5%) goats. In addition, screening of DNA samples using a newly developed T. luwenshuni-specific PCR assay detected 77 (80.2%) positive goats, and the subsequent sequencing analysis confirmed the PCR results. Given that T. luwenshuni can cause severe disease in small ruminants, our findings highlight the importance of managing T. luwenshuni infection in goats on Tarama Island.

Animals

The circadian clock proteins PRR modulate root hair development via the RHD6/RSL module in Arabidopsis.

Root hairs, derived from trichoblasts, are critical for plant growth and environmental adaptation. Although environmental cues are known to influence root hair development, how endogenous timing systems such as the circadian clock integrate into the core transcriptional network governing root hair formation remains unclear. Here, we show that the circadian clock-associated protein PSEUDO-RESPONSE REGULATOR5 (PRR5) physically interacts with ROOT HAIR DEFECTIVE6 (RHD6) and RHD6 LIKE1 (RSL1), two basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors essential for root hair initiation. Genetic analyses suggest that PRR proteins contribute to root hair development under long-day conditions in Arabidopsis thaliana. Simultaneous disruption of PRR5, PRR7, and PRR9 results in defective root hairs, whereas PRR5 overexpression markedly increases root hair density and length. Transcriptomic and RT-qPCR analyses reveal that PRRs enhance the expression of RHD6, RSL1, and multiple downstream root hair-responsive genes, while modulating their temporal expression patterns. Furthermore, PRR5-mediated root hair promotion requires RHD6/RSL1, and PRR proteins enhance RHD6-dependent activation of the RSL4 promoter. PRRs also contribute to root hair development under phosphate-deficient and salt-stress conditions. Together, these findings establish a molecular framework in which PRR proteins regulate the RHD6/RSL network to coordinate root hair development and environmental responses.

Arabidopsis

Tissue-derived extracellular matrix hydrogels instruct epigenetic adaptation in metastatic colonization.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a central role in regulating tumor progression and metastatic colonization by providing biochemical and mechanical signals that shape cancer cell fate. However, most organoid culture systems rely on basement membrane extracts that fail to reproduce the tissue-specific extracellular environments encountered during metastasis. Here, we develop tissue-derived decellularized matrix hydrogels to reconstruct organ-specific microenvironments and investigate epigenetic adaptation to ECM cues during metastatic colonization. Patient-derived colorectal cancer organoids cultured in colon-derived matrices exhibited enhanced maintenance of stem-like phenotypes and colon-specific chromatin accessibility landscapes compared with cultures grown in basement membrane extracts, demonstrating improved physiological relevance for primary tumor modeling. When exposed to matrices derived from secondary organs, the organoids showed distinct growth phenotypes accompanied by rapid, tissue-dependent chromatin accessibility remodeling, indicating that ECM composition alone can reshape regulatory programs governing metastatic adaptation. Notably, liver-derived matrices selectively activated hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A)-associated transcriptional networks and created a context-specific dependence on c-MET signaling for survival. Functional perturbation of HNF4A or c-MET signaling confirmed that both are required for organoid formation specifically within the liver matrix environment. Together, these findings establish tissue-derived matrix hydrogels as instructive bioactive materials that actively regulate cancer cell epigenetic states and reveal microenvironment-specific therapeutic vulnerabilities during early metastatic colonization.

Journal Article

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence Against Politically Active Women: A Systematic Review of Psychological and Political Consequences and Women's Coping Behaviors.

Technology-facilitated gender-based violence presents critical challenges for politically active women, whose professional roles often expose them to elevated levels of online abuse with far-reaching impacts on their emotional well-being, professional engagement, and participation in public life. This systematic review synthesizes findings from 48 studies employing qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research to examine the psychological and political consequences and coping mechanisms associated with online harassment. Eighty-one percent of the included studies (39/48) report psychological distress, anxiety, and fear among targeted women, with 31% of the studies (15/48) identifying online harassment as a trigger for (re-) traumatization. The political consequences are equally significant, with 62% of the studies (30/48) documenting modifications in political messaging, 39% (19/48) noting reduced engagement with online platforms, and 29% (14/48) showing that women abandon their online presence altogether. Additionally, 20% (10/48) of the studies report cases of women withdrawing from their political roles. In terms of coping strategies, 66% (32/48) report women blocking or muting harassers, while 37% (18/48) document women reporting abuse to authorities or platforms. This study highlights the pervasive impact of technology-facilitated violence on women's emotional well-being, and their political participation and underscores its broader implications for democratic discourse and social equity.

Humans

Proficiency-based training and evidence-based methodology: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess adherence of self-labelled proficiency-based progression (PBP) studies to evidence-based PBP criteria and examine associations with training outcomes. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews. PubMed, CENTRAL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Scopus were searched from inception to 1 March 2023. Prospective English-language studies on healthcare procedural training reporting objective performance outcomes were included; non-prospective, non-quantitative, non-procedural, non-English studies, and reviews were excluded. Pre-specified outcomes included adherence to 18 evidence-based PBP criteria and objective performance metrics (errors, steps, time); secondary outcomes included proficiency benchmark achievement and Likert ratings. Data extraction was performed independently by multiple reviewers. Study quality was assessed using the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument and risk of bias by two investigators. Effect sizes were pooled using random-effects models (DerSimonian-Laird), expressed as the ratio of means (ROM) for continuous outcomes and bias-corrected odds ratios for dichotomous outcomes. RESULTS: Of 646 studies identified 175 met inclusion criteria. In the PBP studies (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;18), 94% fulfilled minimum criteria (use of a proficiency benchmark, its quantitative definition, and requirement for demonstration prior to progression) vs 36% of non-PBP studies (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;157). If all PBP criteria were included, 83% of PBP studies used these criteria vs only 2% of non-PBP-studies. In quantitative analysis (27 randomised clinical studies, 761 participants), ROM results showed that PBP training reduced the number of performance errors by 58% (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) and procedural time by 28% (P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.006), increasing number of steps performed by 22% (P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.03). When stratified based on number of criteria fulfilled, meta-regression demonstrated that increasing the number of PBP criteria fulfilled was associated with progressive and systematic trainee performance improvement. CONCLUSIONS: The more training methodologies adhere to established PBP criteria, the better training outcome will be.

Humans

Synchronicity of parent-child sleep and potential mechanisms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Existing evidence indicates that parent and child circadian rhythms are associated, but studies have mainly examined factors affecting child sleep health. This systematic review addressed two questions: a) is there a synchronous relationship between parent and offspring sleep? and b) what are the potential mechanisms? PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO, and Scopus were searched from inception to April 2025. Forty-six studies comprising over 100000 parent-child dyads across 16 countries were included. Results showed small-to-moderate parent-child synchronicity in sleep duration (r&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.18, 95% CI [0.14, 0.23]), sleep efficiency (r&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.30, 95% CI [0.19, 0.41]), bedtime (r&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.34, 95% CI [0.20, 0.46]), and wake up time (r&#x202f;=&#x202f;0.48, 95% CI [0.24, 0.66]), with stronger effects observed in mother-child dyads. Synchronicity in sleep continuity was moderate, whereas associations in sleep satisfaction were small and non-significant. Mechanisms included genetic and hormonal factors, bedtime routines, shared environments, and attachment. These findings are consistent with family systems theory's premise that sleep is a relational phenomenon. Observed synchronicity in sleep timing may partly reflect shared external constraints like work and school schedules. Most studies were cross-sectional, limiting causal or directional conclusions. Future research should adopt standardized methodologies and longitudinal designs to clarify mechanistic pathways.

Humans

Elucidation of the immunotoxicity of PEDOT: PSS on RAW264.7 macrophages by oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and NF-&#x3ba;B pathway activation.

Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT: PSS) nanoparticles, widely used conductive polymers, pose environmental and health risks due to their nanoscale dispersion. However, the characteristics of PEDOT: PSS in aquatic systems and the underlying mechanisms of its toxicity in animal and cell models remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the toxicological effects of PEDOT: PSS nanoparticles on macrophages, with a focus on RAW 264.7 cells. After an acute exposure to PEDOT: PSS nanoparticles at different concentrations (5, 10, 20 &#x3bc;g/mL), we observed significant impairments in cell viability, proliferation, migration, adhesion, and phagocytosis, as well as morphological alterations. Concurrently, there was a marked upregulation of inflammatory markers, including reactive oxygen species (ROS), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-&#x3b1;), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1&#x3b2;), indicating the induction of oxidative stress and inflammation. Mechanistically, PEDOT: PSS nanoparticles activated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-&#x3ba;B) signaling pathway, a key regulator of inflammatory responses, suggesting that they may mediate inflammatory responses and cell damage via activation of the NF-&#x3ba;B signaling pathway. These findings reveal the toxic mechanism of PEDOT: PSS nanoparticles in macrophages and provide new insights into their biological safety implications.

Animals

Forensic taphonomy in fluvial water: A systematic review.

Human remains are frequently recovered from fluvial (lotic) water environments. Rivers, streams, canals and other flowing water bodies pose distinct challenges in forensic practice, particularly due to their current. Compared to other aquatic contexts, fluviatile taphonomy is underrepresented in the forensic literature and the last comprehensive summary was written over a decade ago. Therefore, a systematic review was performed to collect and summarise the current knowledge in forensics about fluvial taphonomy, including decomposition of remains, transport characteristics, search, postmortem submersion interval (PMSI) estimation, taphonomic alterations, and differences to other water bodies. 92 reports met the inclusion criteria for this review, most of them showed a moderate risk of bias. Their main findings were summarised and two major challenges identified. First, predictions about fluvial transport of human bodies pose a tremendous issue in forensic practice, leading to later detection and lower recovery rate of remains, complicating various subsequent analyses. Second, PMSI estimations are difficult particularly due to variable environmental conditions in fluviatile systems. Recommendations for future research in the area of fluvial forensic taphonomy include that case-related data such as the detailed decomposition state and river characteristics need to be made available. More standardised research protocols are required for a facilitated comparison between studies, environments and regions. This review provides forensic practitioners with a comprehensive, updated resource for the investigation of fluvial remains. It also guides future research towards a more efficient practice to build the basis for a broader, more robust and comprehensive synthesis, subsequently supporting analyses in forensic casework.

Humans

Microbial diversity, functional activities, and safety risks in fermented tea: a comprehensive review.

Microbial fermented teas are gaining global popularity due to their unique sensory profiles and health benefits. The quality and safety of these products are governed by complex microbial ecosystems that orchestrate the biotransformation of tea leaf components. This review addresses a critical paradox in the field: the same microbial activities that generate desirable bioactive metabolites, such as theabrownins and organic acids, also create ecological niches for mycotoxigenic fungi, posing significant health risks from contaminants like ochratoxin A, citrinin, and aflatoxins. While extensive research has cataloged the microbial diversity in these systems, a comprehensive framework linking processing environments to microbial community assembly, functional outcomes, and quantifiable safety risks remains elusive. This review systematically bridges this gap by synthesizing current knowledge on the microbial consortia-dominated by Aspergillus, Penicillium, Bacillus, and Lactiplantibacillus species-that drive tea fermentation. We critically analyze their functional roles in enhancing flavor, bioactivity, and potential probiotic activity while simultaneously evaluating the mechanisms of mycotoxin production and accumulation. By integrating microbial ecology, biochemistry, and food safety, we propose a forward-looking perspective focused on transitioning the industry from traditional, spontaneous fermentation to modern, controlled biotechnological processes. This approach, centered on the use of defined starter cultures, predictive modeling, and active biocontrol strategies, provides a roadmap for ensuring the consistent quality and safety of fermented tea products, ultimately unlocking their full potential as high-quality functional foods.

Tea

Base editing reversal of radiation sensitivity in NHEJ1 immunodeficiency.

Inherited defects of DNA double-stranded break (DSB) repair can result in radiosensitive/radiation-sensitive (RS) SCID (RS-SCID). We applied base editing to reverse NHEJ1 mutations in patient fibroblasts, exemplifying how this technology can help interrogate RS sequence variants.

Journal Article