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Adaptive proteomic remodeling and eNOS upregulation in luminal endothelium and perivascular adipose tissue of patent saphenous vein grafts after CABG.

OBJECTIVE: Long-term patency of saphenous vein grafts (SVGs) remains a significant challenge in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The biological factors underlying successful human grafts are poorly understood. We aimed to characterize the structural and molecular features associated with successful graft function. METHODS: Patent and occluded SVG and internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts were obtained from explanted hearts of CABG patients undergoing heart transplantation for end-stage heart failure not attributable to graft failure, along with freshly harvested ITA and SVG controls. Samples underwent histomorphological analysis, immunohistochemistry (IHC), and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) proteomics. RESULTS: Patent ITA (ITA-P) showed minimal intimal hyperplasia with medial reinforcement, whereas patent SVGs (SVG-P) had organized, α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA)-positive myofibroblast-rich neointima. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was markedly upregulated in patent grafts at two sites-the luminal endothelium and adventitial microvessels within perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT)-and lost at both sites in occluded SVG (SVG-O). Adventitial CD31-positive microvessels were significantly increased in patent grafts. Proteomically, ITA-P and SVG-P shared a largely common adaptive proteome enriched in translation, RNA processing, and extracellular matrix (ECM) organization, with shared upstream activation of NR4A3, EGFR, and STAT1, and conduit-specific signatures (IGF-1/RUNX2 in ITA-P; RETN/SRC/PTGES in SVG-P). PTGES was strongly expressed in the adventitia of SVG-P. CONCLUSIONS: Patent arterial and venous bypass grafts exhibited a shared adaptive phenotype characterized by dual-site upregulation of eNOS in both the luminal endothelium and the perivascular microvessels/PVAT. In SVG-P, PTGES was co-upregulated alongside eNOS, indicating a mechanistic link between the proteomic and IHC findings. These findings highlight the perivascular compartment as a site of adaptive, eNOS-associated changes in patent vein grafts.

Humans

Effects of lavender oil preparation silexan on different symptoms of major depression - results from a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is characterized by depressed mood, anhedonia, and loss of energy, which can be accompanied by associated symptoms and co-morbidities. Psychiatric scales such as the Montgomery &#xc5;sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) must account for the complex nature of depression. METHODS: The MADRS total score change between baseline and week 8 was the primary outcome measure in a randomized, double-blind clinical trial investigating the antidepressant efficacy of 8&#xa0;weeks' treatment with silexan compared to sertraline and placebo in patients with mild or moderate MDD. We report on a pre-planned, exploratory analysis of the individual MADRS items. Treatment effects were assessed using analyses of covariance with baseline adjustment, based on an estimand strategy. RESULTS: 498 subjects (silexan 170, sertraline 171, placebo 157) were treated and analyzed. After 8&#xa0;weeks, silexan was superior to placebo for 5 out of the 9 MADRS items analyzed ("apparent sadness", "reported sadness", "reduced appetite", "concentration difficulties", "lassitude"; P&#xa0;<&#x2009;.05) and showed clinically important adjusted mean value differences >0.2 points for 7 out of the 9 items. Item-level results for silexan and sertraline were mainly comparable. CONCLUSIONS: Silexan had a strong over-all antidepressant effect, with the most pronounced improvements affecting the cardinal symptoms of depression. TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT2020-000688-22 first entered on 12/08/2020. Significance statement Patients with depressive disorders can show many different symptoms. To better characterize the clinical action of an antidepressant, it is therefore important to analyze not only the overall value of a depression scale but also the individual items that describe these symptoms. Silexan is a preparation from lavender oil whose antidepressant effect has been proven in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled 8-week study in patients with mild or moderate major depressive disorder. Based on the individual items of the Montgomery &#xc5;sberg Depression Rating Scale that was used as the main outcome for efficacy, we found in an exploratory, hypothesis-generating analysis that silexan had a rather broad antidepressant effect in the participants of our study, with potentially clinically meaningful advantages over placebo for 7 out of the 9 individual items investigated. This applied in particular to the main symptoms of depression, namely sadness and lassitude. Our single-item analysis thus helps to understand the antidepressant effects of silexan in more detail. Significant outcomes In patients with mild to moderate major depressive disorder, lavender oil preparation silexan has a clinical profile similar to that of the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor sertraline based on an item-level analysis of the Montgomery-&#xc5;sberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS). Silexan has a significant antidepressant effect that includes an alleviation of depressed mood, anhedonia, and loss of energy, the cardinal symptoms of depression. The broad improvement of symptoms of depression could not be explained by the proven anxiolytic efficacy silexan alone but indicates an independent, direct antidepressant effect. The present item-level analysis provides valuable and detailed additional insights into the therapeutic profiles of silexan and sertraline and may help clinicians to tailor antidepressant treatment to the specific symptoms of a patient. Limitations For item-level analyses of the MADRS, no validated thresholds for the assessment of the clinical importance of changes over time have been defined, taking into account that different items may have different thresholds. Even though our analyses were pre-defined, they were exploratory and did not include studywise type I error level control. Their generalizability beyond the study population is therefore limited.

Humans

Early Worsening of Diabetic Retinopathy Following Initiation of Hybrid Closed-Loop/Automated Insulin Delivery Systems in Type 1 Diabetes: A Systematic Review and Structured Study-Level Synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Hybrid closed-loop (HCL) systems achieve rapid, algorithm-driven improvements in glycaemia in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Paradoxically, rapid improvement in glycaemic control is associated with early worsening of diabetic retinopathy (EWDR), a phenomenon established in the intensive insulin therapy era. Whether HCL initiation carries a clinically meaningful EWDR risk is unknown. No systematic review has previously addressed this question. METHODS: A systematic review and structured quantitative synthesis was performed using study-level estimates only (PROSPERO CRD:420261391951). MEDLINE, SCOPUS and Web of Science were searched to 14th May 2026. Studies reporting retinal outcomes in people with T1D initiating any HCL system were eligible. Two reviewers independently screened studies and extracted data. Risk of bias was assessed using ROBINS-I and certainty of evidence using the GRADE framework. EWDR incidence was summarised using study-level proportions, and comparative studies were summarised using study-specific risk ratios for HCL versus control therapy. Given substantial heterogeneity in EWDR definitions, retinal assessment timing, follow-up duration, and comparator groups, no pooled or meta-analytic estimates were derived. RESULTS: Eight studies (n&#x2009;=&#x2009;1487 participants; 860 HCL users) were included; all were observational and six were retrospective. EWDR varied markedly with the timing of retinal assessment. In studies assessing the retina within &#x2264;&#x2009;12&#x2009;months of HCL initiation, EWDR rates ranged from 8.9% to 26.5%. Studies with longer follow-up reported lower rates of retinal worsening or incident DR, 6.7% at 24&#x2009;months and 6.1% over a mean follow-up of 4.9&#x2009;years, suggesting that these studies may capture background DR progression rather than true early worsening. Three comparative studies included 177 HCL users and 315 controls; EWDR study-specific risk ratios were directionally inconsistent, ranging from 0.32 to 1.51, and were therefore not pooled. The most consistently identified risk factors were higher baseline HbA1c and older age. The magnitude of HbA1c reduction was not a consistent predictor of EWDR in the HCL context, in contrast to pre-HCL era evidence. Risk of bias ranged from moderate to critical and certainty of evidence was very low for all outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Study-defined retinal worsening was reported in a minority of participants. The current evidence base is dominated by retrospective studies, variable retinal assessment timing, and inconsistent EWDR definitions. Well-designed prospective studies with protocol-specified retinal surveillance anchored to HCL initiation are required to generate reliable incidence estimates, identify risk factors, determine visual consequences, and inform standardised screening guidance.

Humans

Cooperative anaerobic catabolism of chlorinated organic compounds: implications for sustainable bioremediation.

Biodegradation research historically followed a reductionist approach focused on axenic (pure) cultures capable of catabolizing the specific contaminant(s) of interest. While this approach has substantially advanced our understanding of the microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of contaminant degradation under laboratory conditions, it does not capture the complexity of natural and engineered environments. During in situ bioremediation, microbiomes are exposed to mixtures of contaminants, and microbial interactions profoundly influence contaminant transformation and fate. In anoxic environments, degradation of chlorinated compounds is often sustained by metabolic cooperation among taxonomically and physiologically distinct microorganisms. Through the exchange of metabolites such as hydrogen, formate, acetate, and other nutrients, microbial populations establish interdependent networks that overcome thermodynamic and physiological constraints, enabling self-sustaining systems of contaminant transformations that would be inefficient or impossible with individual organisms. We highlight examples of microbial interactions that underpin anaerobic catabolism of chlorinated contaminants, including systems resulting in self-sustained anaerobic bioremediation.

Biodegradation, Environmental

The landscape of pruning for large language models: A systematic review and unified taxonomy.

Confronting the inherent tension between the exceptional capabilities and the immense computational costs of Large Language Models (LLMs), pruning has become a crucial technique for achieving efficient deployment. However, a systematic analytical framework dedicated specifically to LLM pruning remains absent. In this paper, we aim to bridge this gap. We first elucidate the theoretical foundations that underpin the effectiveness of pruning, namely overparameterization and redundancy, and then propose a multidimensional taxonomy that organizes existing approaches along the axes of granularity, timing, and criteria. Building upon this unified perspective, we further analyze performance recovery mechanisms and the broader evaluation ecosystem, while also exploring forward-looking challenges such as interpretability, automation, and hardware-algorithm co-design. Through this comprehensive synthesis, we seek to provide an integrated and coherent analytical lens for advancing both research and practice in LLM pruning.

Large Language Models

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

Rare clinical complications following scorpion envenomation worldwide: A systematic review.

Scorpion envenomation is an important public health problem in many tropical and subtropical regions and may result in rare but life-threatening grade III complications involving multiple organ systems. This systematic review synthesizes published articles from 2000 to 2025 that describe uncommon, severe clinical manifestations following scorpion stings. A total of 71 rare clinical complications were identified, encompassing cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, renal, hematological, ocular, dermatological, and other systemic manifestations. Cardiovascular complications were the most frequently reported, whereas neurological complications exhibited the greatest clinical diversity. Mesobuthus tamulus and Hemiscorpius lepturus were most commonly associated with severe complications, and children younger than 10 years appeared to be at increased risk of serious neurological involvement. These findings highlight the remarkable clinical heterogeneity of grade III scorpion envenomation and emphasize the importance of early recognition, species-specific clinical awareness, and timely management to reduce severe outcomes in endemic regions.

Humans

Mapping antibody sequences and effector functions across spatial niches.

Antibodies are fundamental to human health but can also drive pathology. Each antibody has a molecular specificity, encoded by their clonally heritable B cell receptor (BCR). Recent advances in spatial transcriptomics coupled with repertoire sequencing have enabled capturing antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) and their clonal BCR within their tissue microenvironment. However, our understanding of antibody production niches remains limited. Furthermore, where antibodies are produced can be distinct from where antibodies exert their effector function. Here, we propose a conceptual spatial framework to distinguish between 'antibody production niches', defined by the ASC, BCR, and niche composition, versus 'antibody functional niches', composed of the antibody, antigen, and effector landscape. We then examine the possibilities and challenges to map and link antibody-encoding sequences and antibody effector functions using current and emerging technologies. Combined, we argue that integrating spatial sequence data with the antibody functional context is essential to decode the architecture of antibody-mediated immunity.

Humans

Pricing Combination Therapies: A Systematic Review of Value Attribution, Cost-Sharing Mechanisms and Policy Frameworks.

BACKGROUND: Combination therapies are increasingly central to modern pharmacotherapy, particularly in oncology and other high-burden diseases. However, pharmaceutical pricing and reimbursement systems remain largely designed for single-product-single-indication interventions. When multiple patented medicines are used together, especially when owned by different manufacturers, conventional pricing frameworks may struggle to align prices with the value of the combination while preserving incentives for innovation and timely patient access. OBJECTIVE: To identify, describe, and critically assess the methods, models, and policy frameworks proposed in the literature to establish prices for combination therapies, with particular attention to value attribution mechanisms, cost-sharing arrangements between manufacturers, and budget impact considerations. METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and a pre-registered Open Science Framework protocol. Searches were performed in MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, EconLit, CRD databases, and grey literature sources for publications up to July 2025. Eligible studies analysed pricing approaches, economic models, reimbursement mechanisms, or policy frameworks relevant to combination therapies, including more recent multi-indication pricing literature. Given the heterogeneity of the literature, findings were synthesized using a structured narrative and thematic approach. RESULTS: Sixty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The literature was dominated by conceptual and policy analyses, with relatively few empirical or implementation-oriented studies. Value attribution emerged as the central methodological challenge in pricing combination therapies. Several complementary approaches were proposed to operationalise value attribution, including adaptations of indication- or pathway-based pricing, manufacturer cost-sharing arrangements, managed entry agreements, and outcome-based reimbursement mechanisms. Empirical evidence suggests that health systems continue to rely primarily on pragmatic and often partial solutions rather than fully specified pricing frameworks. A complementary review of the multi-indication pricing literature indicates that, although the two fields address different pricing problems, they share important methodological and institutional lessons that can inform the development of pricing frameworks for combination therapies. CONCLUSIONS: The literature provides a growing repertoire of conceptual approaches for pricing combination therapies but limited empirical evidence on implementation. Pricing frameworks should place value attribution at their core while combining complementary policy mechanisms adapted to national pricing and reimbursement systems. Lessons from multi-indication pricing provide a valuable foundation but require additional governance mechanisms to address value attribution, multi-manufacturer negotiation, and implementation challenges specific to combination therapies.

Journal Article

Hypoxaemia and mortality in children with lower respiratory infection in low-income and middle-income countries: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxaemic lower respiratory infections (LRIs) are a leading cause of childhood mortality, with the highest burden in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Hypoxaemia-low peripheral capillary oxyhaemoglobin saturation (SpO2)-is a marker of severity, and WHO recommends hospitalisation and oxygen administration for patients with SpO2 <90%. We aimed to update estimates from a 2015 systematic review and meta-analysis examining the association between hypoxaemia and mortality among children with LRIs in LMICs by incorporating studies published over the subsequent decade and evaluating mortality risk across multiple SpO2 thresholds. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis by searching PubMed, Embase, LILACS, Global Index Medicus, Web of Science, and Scopus for peer-reviewed studies published between Jan 1, 2015, and June 18, 2025, with combined terms related to pneumonia, children, mortality, and LMICs. We also included selected earlier studies through citation checking. Eligible studies reported associations between hypoxaemia and mortality in children younger than 5 years with LRIs in LMICs. We excluded case reports and case series with fewer than five deaths, studies focused exclusively on the neonatal period, and those limited to children with specific comorbidities or to postoperative patients, for consistency with the original review. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed quality. Eligible studies were combined with those from the original review and analysed using random-effects models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) by hypoxaemia threshold subgroup. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023433946). FINDINGS: We identified 7734 records; 26 new studies met inclusion criteria and were combined with 18 from the original review. The 44 studies were published between 1993 and 2024 and were primarily from Africa (25 [57%] of 44) or Asia (19 [43%]); some studies spanned multiple locations. Data from 33 studies including 155&#x2009;633 participants were included in the primary meta-analysis. Hypoxaemia of any threshold was associated with higher odds of LRI mortality (OR 4&#xb7;36 [95% CI 3&#xb7;52-5&#xb7;39]) compared with no hypoxaemia. For SpO2 <90% versus 90-100%, OR for death was 4&#xb7;75 (95% CI 3&#xb7;42-6&#xb7;58). For SpO2 90-94% versus 95-100%, mortality risk was more than twice as high (OR 2&#xb7;27 [95% CI 1&#xb7;22-4&#xb7;25]). Heterogeneity was substantial (I2 64-85% across analyses), and eight (24%) of 33 studies in the primary meta-analysis had a high overall risk of bias; however, a sensitivity analysis restricted to studies with low or moderate risk of bias yielded similar results. INTERPRETATION: SpO2 <90% strongly predicts mortality in children with LRIs in LMICs. Children with SpO2 90-94% also have elevated risk, suggesting that paediatric LRI and pneumonia treatment algorithms should consider management at this hypoxaemia threshold. FUNDING: None.

Journal Article

A systematic review and network meta-analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with oral submucous fibrosis risk.

BACKGROUND: Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic and insidious oral disease characterized by hyalinization of the subepithelial connective tissue and progressive fibrosis of the oral submucosa. It is a precancerous condition of oral squamous cell carcinoma. Studies have demonstrated that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are closely associated with susceptibility to OSF. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the association between SNPs and OSF risk and to rank the strength of the association between different genetic models and OSF susceptibility. METHODS: Literature related to OSF was comprehensively searched from PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, and Wangfang databases up to July 2025. Full-text case-control studies with patients diagnosed with OSF were included. Quality assessment was performed to evaluate the risk of bias. RevMan 5.4, GeMTC 0.14.3, and STATA 17.0 were used for the pairwise and Bayesian network meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 24 studies with 2545 cases and 3772 controls, covering 13 SNPs in 11 genes, were included in our meta-analysis. We found that CYP1A1 rs4646903:T>C, CYP1A1 rs1048943:A>G, GSTT1 null genotype, GSTM1 null genotype, and XRCC3 rs861539:C>T were associated with an increased risk of OSF, while MMP2 rs243865:C>T and MMP3 rs3025058: 5A>6A were associated with a decreased risk of OSF. Further Bayesian network meta-analysis indicated the top 5 genetic models with the highest association with OSF risk in network group 1 were the dominant model, homozygous model, allelic model, and recessive model of CYP1A1 rs1048943:A>G (ranked 1-4), and the heterozygous/dominant model of CYP1A1 rs4646903:T>C (both ranked 5). While the allelic models of XRCC3 rs861539:C>T and MMP3 rs3025058: 5A>6A ranked first for predicting OSF in group 2 and group 3, respectively. CONCLUSION: Some specific SNPs are significantly related to the risk of OSF. Among them, the dominant model of CYP1A1 rs1048943:A>G may be the most strongly associated genetic model with OSF risk. Future large-sample, well-designed studies with detailed genotype data are needed to validate the roles of these SNPs in OSF risk.

Humans

Timing of aneurysm repair and clinical outcomes after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) causes substantial morbidity and mortality, and guidelines recommend aneurysm repair as early as feasible. However, the association between onset-to-treatment time and outcomes remains uncertain. This review synthesized evidence across multiple clinical outcomes and examined whether treatment modality modifies this association. METHODS: Searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and LILACS for studies comparing clinical outcomes across different onset-to-treatment windows in adults with confirmed aSAH. Findings were synthesized narratively according to the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWiM) guideline. The review was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420261415084). RESULTS: Twenty reports comprising 11,096 participant records were included, with likely overlap between two reports. Treatment categories ranged from <6&#xa0;h to &#x2265;15&#xa0;days. Earlier securement likely reduced pretreatment rebleeding, particularly when untreated or markedly delayed patients were included, although treated-cohort comparisons were inconsistent. More methodologically informative adjusted analyses showed no reproducible independent association between treatment timing and functional outcome or mortality. No consistent association emerged for vasospasm or related cerebral ischemia, hydrocephalus, or length of stay. Two observational studies modeled time continuously: one found a significant U-shaped mortality association with an estimated nadir at 32.6&#xa0;h, whereas the other showed a similar but non-significant adjusted pattern with an estimated nadir near 12.16&#xa0;h. These findings are highly susceptible to confounding by indication and survivor bias and do not establish benefit from treatment delay. Three studies formally tested modality-timing interaction; one found a significant mortality interaction and two did not. Additional stratified analyses showed no consistent modality-specific pattern. Certainty of evidence for the timing-mortality association was very low because of serious risk of bias, inconsistency, and imprecision. CONCLUSION: Earlier aneurysm securement remains supported for preventing pretreatment rebleeding. The independent association of treatment timing with mortality or functional outcome remains uncertain. The observed mortality patterns are hypothesis-generating and do not define a validated therapeutic window, support intentional treatment delay, or justify changing current guideline recommendations. Prospective multicenter studies using continuous-time modeling and rigorous methods to address confounding and survivor bias are needed.

Humans

Colorimetric gold nanosensors for monitoring protein aggregation: implications for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia worldwide. It remains a major public health challenge due to the lack of early diagnostic tools and effective disease-modifying therapies. Molecularly, AD is characterized by extracellular amyloid-&#x3b2; (A&#x3b2;) plaques and intracellular Tau tangles, as well as soluble oligomers that are likely the neurotoxic species. However, the transient and heterogeneous nature of these oligomers makes them difficult to detect using conventional biosensing approaches. Nanomaterial-based colorimetric biosensors have emerged as promising platforms for detecting protein aggregates and discovering aggregation inhibitors. Specifically, the localized surface plasmon resonance properties of metallic nanomaterials can enable rapid, label-free, and visually detectable colorimetric sensing of molecular interactions. These features can be leveraged to monitor protein aggregation processes in real time and achieve high-throughput screening of aggregation inhibitors, which may collectively enable early detection and timely intervention of AD progression. This Review Article presents the design and engineering of gold-nanomaterial-based colorimetric biosensors for monitoring protein aggregation and highlights the current challenges and emerging opportunities for applying these nanosensors to combat AD.

Journal Article

Transcription regulation of cell fate plasticity - from embryonic development to tissue regeneration.

Cell fate plasticity refers to the capacity of cells sharing the same genome to alter, reverse, or reconfigure their identity under physiological, pathological, or experimental conditions. This property underlies embryonic development, cellular reprogramming, and tissue regeneration, but becomes progressively restricted as lineage identity is stabilized. Embryonic development represents an intrinsic process of fate transitions, whereas reprogramming and regeneration reveal how differentiated cells can dedifferentiate or transdifferentiate under specific conditions. Across these contexts, plasticity is governed by multilayered regulatory networks involving transcription factors, epigenetic regulators, cofactors, and the core transcription machinery. Robust regulatory programs stabilize cell identity, whereas stochastic fluctuations in gene expression and chromatin state can prime cells for fate transitions, adding a tunable dimension to plasticity control. In this review, we synthesize recent advances in the regulation of cell fate plasticity across development, reprogramming, and regeneration, highlighting how transcription factors, epigenetic modifications, transcriptional cofactors, and core transcription machinery cooperate to control cell fate decisions and plasticity.

Animals

Comprehensive quality profiling and comparative metabolic characterization of seven dominant fresh-eating Chinese olive (Canarium album Lour.) cultivars in Southern China.

Fresh-eating Chinese olive (Canarium album Lour.) is a subtropical fruit endemic to southern China with considerable commercial value, yet systematic quality characterization of dominant cultivars remains scarce. This study established a multi-dimensional quality dataset for seven dominant cultivars from Fujian and Guangdong provinces, integrating nutritional components, soluble sugars, organic acids, mineral elements, volatile profiles, and non-targeted metabolomics. Significant cultivar-specific differences were observed across all evaluated dimensions: "Lingfeng" exhibited a sugar-dominant low-acid profile, whereas "Sanleng" showed elevated phenolic constituents accumulation. Volatile profiling identified terpenoid-based candidate discriminatory biomarkers, and metabolomic analysis revealed phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, tryptophan metabolism, and starch and sucrose metabolism as the most variable pathways. Correlations between untargeted profiling and targeted absolute quantification validated untargeted result reliability and revealed their complementarity in nutritional evaluation. These findings provide baseline data for FECO germplasm evaluation and targeted industrial utilization.

China

Multi-omic biomarkers in cardiovascular disease: Discovery to clinical translation.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of mortality worldwide, necessitating improved risk stratification and early detection strategies. Multiomics approaches that integrate genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics offer unprecedented opportunities for biomarker discovery and precision medicine in cardiovascular care. This narrative review examines the current landscape of multiomics biomarkers for CVD, tracing their evolution from discovery to clinical translation. We synthesize evidence from recent studies evaluating the clinical utility of integrated omics approaches across diverse cardiovascular conditions, including atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation. High-throughput proteomics has identified novel protein signatures that enhance cardiovascular risk prediction beyond traditional risk factors. Metabolomics has revealed pathway-specific biomarkers, including trimethylamine N-oxide and lipid species, associated with atherogenesis. Polygenic risk scores derived from genomic data demonstrate incremental value when combined with clinical risk scores. Multiomics biomarkers represent a transformative approach to cardiovascular risk assessment and disease management.

Humans

Statistical test to compare the linkage model and the admixture model based on central limit results.

In the Admixture Model, the probability that an individual carries a certain allele at a specific marker depends on the allele frequencies in K ancestral populations and the proportion of the individual's genome originating from these populations. The markers are assumed to be independent. The Linkage Model is a Hidden Markov Model that extends the Admixture Model by incorporating linkage between neighboring loci. We prove consistency and asymptotic normality of maximum likelihood estimators for the ancestry of individuals in the Linkage Model, complementing earlier results by (Pfaff et al., 2004; Pfaffelhuber and Rohde, 2022; Heinzel, 2025) for the Admixture Model. These results are used to prove that a statistical test that allows for model selection between the Admixture Model and the Linkage Model is an asymptotic level-&#x3b1;-test. Finally, we demonstrate the practical relevance of our results by applying the test to real-world data from The 1000 Genomes Project Consortium (2015).

Genetic Linkage

Playing with Fire, Losing the Drive: Bidirectional Links Between Problematic Smartphone Use and Grit Dimensions.

This study examined bidirectional longitudinal associations between grit dimensions (consistency of interest [CI] and perseverance of effort [PE]) and problematic smartphone use (PSU) and tested cognitive flexibility as a mediating mechanism. A sample of 1,641 Chinese university students (55.2 percent female; Mage = 20.1 years) completed measures at two time points 6 months apart. A four-variable cross-lagged panel model revealed that CI and PSU negatively predicted each other over time, whereas PSU unidirectionally predicted decreased PE. Cognitive flexibility partially mediated the PSU-to-PE pathway (indirect effect = -0.004, 95 percent bootstrap CI [-0.010, -0.0001]). Competing models analysis confirmed this directionality: the forward mediation (PSU &#x2192; cognitive flexibility &#x2192; PE) was significant, whereas the reverse was not. These findings demonstrate that grit dimensions exhibit distinct longitudinal patterns with PSU and identify cognitive flexibility as a cognitive mechanism through which PSU specifically undermines effort persistence. Implications for dimensional approaches to grit and targeted interventions are discussed.

Humans