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PubMed2026

Life-course stress exposure and cognitive decline in middle-aged and older Chinese adults: The role of sex differences and educational protection.

BACKGROUND: Stressful life events (SLEs) across the life course have been associated with cognitive decline, but evidence on their cumulative impact and potential modifiers remains limited. We aimed to examine the associations between SLE exposure in childhood, adulthood, or both life stages and cognitive trajectories, and to investigate whether these associations vary by sex and education. METHODS: We used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, a nationally representative cohort of adults aged ≥45 years. Participants with complete data on SLEs, cognition, and covariates were included (n = 5922). SLEs were retrospectively assessed for childhood and adulthood. Cognitive function was measured using a composite score (range 0-21) across three waves (2011-2015). Linear mixed-effects models examined longitudinal associations, adjusting for sociodemographic factors, health behaviors, and chronic conditions, with interaction analyses for sex and education. RESULTS: Compared with participants reporting no SLEs, cumulative exposure showed the strongest association with cognitive decline (β = -0.52, 95% CI -0.69 to -0.35), followed by childhood-only (β = -0.34, -0.48 to -0.20) and adulthood-only exposure (β = -0.22, -0.37 to -0.07). Sex significantly moderated the associations for childhood and cumulative exposure, with women exhibiting greater cognitive vulnerability. Higher educational attainment attenuated the associations between single-period stress and cognitive decline, with only partial protection observed against cumulative adversity. CONCLUSION: Cumulative life-course stress is associated with accelerated cognitive decline in Chinese middle-aged and older adults. Women appear more vulnerable to stress-related cognitive effects, whereas higher education confers partial resilience, highlighting the need for sex-sensitive and education-informed prevention strategies.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Liver Cancer Risk and Incidence Attributable to Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Meta-Analysis and Population-Attributable Modeling Study of Over 1.2 Million Individuals.

HIV-induced immune suppression and chronic inflammation elevate the risk of cancer progression. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies published between January 1, 1984 and October 13, 2023 to assess the association between HIV infection and liver cancer. People living with HIV (PLHIV) had a higher risk (pooled relative risk = 3.36, 95% CI: 2.72-4.15). The global PAF for HIV-attributed liver cancer was 1.43% in 2019, with a three-fold increase over the past 30 years. The Asia-Pacific region recorded the second highest new cases of HIV-attributed liver cancer in 2019, and the highest age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) in Eastern and Southern Africa. Particularly, the ASIR of HIV-attributed liver cancer increased rapidly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with the highest estimated annual percentage change reaching 22.98%. PLHIV have an increased risk and incidence of liver cancer. In regions with high burden of HIV-attributed liver cancer, it is essential to integrate prevention and effective treatment for HIV, viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, and liver cancer.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Examining early-phase symptom trajectories in interpersonal psychotherapy versus antidepressant medication for adults with depression: A dynamic time warp network analysis.

BACKGROUND: Depression is characterized by substantial symptom heterogeneity, which is often concealed when examining total severity scores. Analyzing symptom-level change can improve our understanding of treatment effects and recovery processes. This study, therefore, examined dynamic symptom networks during early-phase interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressant treatment, assessing patterns of symptom change across as well as differences between treatments. METHODS: Using weekly item-level Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) data from a randomized clinical trial comparing IPT and SSRIs for adults with depression, this preregistered study examined symptom trajectories in the first six weeks of treatment with Dynamic Time Warping (DTW). RESULTS: Depressive symptom trajectories and DTW-based symptom networks were largely similar for IPT and SSRI. In both conditions, changes in somatic symptoms of anxiety and middle insomnia tended to precede improvements in depressed mood. CONCLUSIONS: Early symptom change may occur outside the core affective domain, underscoring the importance of monitoring symptoms broadly. Symptom-level patterns may reflect patients' stage of recovery and provide clinically relevant information beyond total severity scores. The absence of differences in improvement patterns between IPT and SSRI suggest few indications for treatment selection based on baseline symptom profiles. Future research should replicate and extend these findings to subsequent treatment phases using more frequent assessments and a broader range of interventions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Distress Intolerance, Social Anxiety, and Depressive Symptoms in Adolescents: Evidence from Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel and Cross-Lagged Panel Network Analyses.

Social anxiety and depressive symptoms frequently co-occur during adolescence, yet the mechanisms underlying their longitudinal associations remain insufficiently understood. Distress intolerance has been proposed as a transdiagnostic risk factor implicated across internalizing symptoms. However, it remains unclear whether distress intolerance is predicted by social anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as the underlying mechanisms among these three constructs. The specific symptoms most centrally involved in these cross-domain associations remain poorly understood. The present study investigated the longitudinal associations among distress intolerance, social anxiety, and depressive symptoms using a dual-method framework combining random-intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPM) and cross-lagged panel network (CLPN) analyses. A total of 1,378 Chinese adolescents (Mage = 12.57, SDage = 0.63; 50.4% female) were assessed at three time points with six-month intervals between waves. The RI-CLPM analyses revealed that higher distress intolerance prospectively predicted subsequent increases in both social anxiety and depressive symptoms, whereas elevated social anxiety and depressive symptoms in turn predicted subsequent increases in distress intolerance. Moreover, distress intolerance mediated the longitudinal associations between social anxiety and depressive symptoms. Additionally, distress intolerance was also indirectly associated with its own subsequent levels through social anxiety and depressive symptoms. The CLPN analyses revealed that fear of negative evaluation and fatigue were the strongest predictors of other network nodes from T1 to T2 and from T2 to T3, respectively. In contrast, distress intolerance symptoms were predominantly predicted by other nodes in both cross-lagged networks. These findings extend prior views of distress intolerance as a unidirectional vulnerability by showing that distress intolerance is also predicted by social anxiety and depressive symptoms and accounts for part of their longitudinal associations across adolescence.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Translational reprogramming of TGF-β signaling via TRMT61A-mediated tRNA m1A drives prostatic fibrosis and hyperplasia.

Dysregulation of the epitranscriptomic landscape is closely linked to pathological proliferation, but its specific role in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) remains unclear. Here, we identify the tRNA methyltransferase TRMT61A as a critical driver of BPH progression. We found that TRMT61A and global N1-methyladenosine (m1A) levels are aberrantly upregulated in human BPH tissues. Functionally, TRMT61A knockdown potently suppresses prostate cell proliferation and reduces stromal fibrosis, inducing G1 cell cycle arrest and reversing pathological remodeling both in vitro and in vivo. By integrating ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq) and tRNA-seq, we observed that TRMT61A drives translational reprogramming. TRMT61A preserves the stability of specific tRNA isoacceptors (e.g., tRNA-Leu-CAA), which is required for the efficient decoding of mRNAs containing m1A-dependent codons. Consequently, TRMT61A selectively promotes the translational elongation of the key receptor TGFβR1. This amplifies downstream TGF-β/SMAD signaling and drives epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) without affecting mRNA transcription. In summary, our study reveals how TRMT61A drives BPH progression through TGFβR1 translation, highlighting the therapeutic potential of targeting epitranscriptomic pathways to reverse prostatic hyperplasia and fibrosis.

Male↗

PubMed2026

Integrated multi-omics analyses identify an RAS-SLC11A2-associated molecular framework linking iron metabolism with PCOS-related cardiometabolic risk.

INTRODUCTION: PCOS is a common endocrine disorder with elevated cardiometabolic risk, yet the role of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS)-iron metabolism axis in this comorbidity remains unclear. We explored its underlying mechanisms and evaluated the therapeutic potential of gentiopicroside. METHODS: Integrated multi-omics analyses combining transcriptomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, Mendelian randomization, machine learning, molecular docking, and in vitro functional assays were performed to identify shared molecular pathways and therapeutic targets across PCOS, hypertension, NAFLD, and T2DM. RESULTS: SLC11A2 was consistently dysregulated in PCOS transcriptomic datasets, and associated with iron metabolism, inflammatory response and oxidative stress pathways. Genetic analyses validated RAS-related regulation in hypertension susceptibility and revealed shared genetic architecture between PCOS and cardiometabolic traits. Network and single-cell analyses characterized SLC11A2-associated molecular patterns in disease-relevant cell types; machine learning identified disease-classifying molecular signatures. Gentiopicroside alleviated inflammatory and oxidative stress phenotypes, including reduced IL-6 expression and reactive oxygen species accumulation. CONCLUSION: This study defines an RAS-SLC11A2 molecular framework linking iron metabolism dysregulation to PCOS-related cardiometabolic risk, elucidating the mechanisms connecting ovarian dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress and hypertension, and supports gentiopicroside as a promising therapeutic candidate.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Muscular fiber properties and multi-omics investigation of larval and adult locomotor muscle in Microhyla fissipes.

During metamorphosis, Microhyla fissipes undergoes a critical transition from an aquatic to a terrestrial lifestyle, accompanied by significant remodeling of skeletal muscle. Notably, larval tail muscle degenerates, while adult hindlimb muscle develops. However, the molecular mechanisms that orchestrate these muscle type-specific adaptations to the changing environment remain unclear. In this study, histological observation, transcriptomics, and metabolomics were integrated to compare locomotor muscles from two stages: larval muscle from tail versus adult muscle from hindlimb. Our results revealed that adult muscle fibers exhibited reduced diameter and shorter sarcomere length compared to those of tadpoles. Transcriptomic analysis identified 4103 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 2182 up-regulated and 1921 down-regulated genes. Up-regulated genes were mainly involved in energy metabolism and cellular homeostasis pathways, including PPAR signaling and oxidative phosphorylation, whereas down-regulated genes were associated with carbohydrate metabolism and cell proliferation pathways, such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and PI3K-Akt signaling. Metabolic profiling indicated a metabolic shift from anaerobic to aerobic energy production, with 57 differential metabolites identified, mainly involved in protein metabolism and insulin-related pathways. Integrated multi-omics analysis further highlighted the AMPK and FoxO signaling pathways play key roles in this process. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that the metabolic and structural differences between larval and adult skeletal muscles are mediated by AMPK- and FoxO-dependent signaling pathways, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying adaptive development and locomotor transition in anuran amphibians.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

A narrative review of what cohorts have taught us and how they have laid the foundation for much of our understanding of type 2 diabetes.

This narrative review provides a historical perspective on how observational research on type 2 diabetes has been developed and consolidated over the last 50 years and how well-designed cohort studies will provide us with knowledge for research and practice in the future and aid guideline development. We have included data from a large number of cohorts from every continent that have been used to study the development and/or progression of type 2 diabetes, including cohorts that are general population-based, disease-based, intervention-based and registry-based. We have structured the results from the past 50 years based on the following themes: diagnosis and screening, complications, risk factors and pathophysiology. We also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of observational research when compared with other research designs. Finally, we discuss the emerging and future directions for type 2 diabetes research using cohorts, which include novel developments, such as artificial intelligence, precision health and the exposome. We conclude that cohort research has significantly advanced our understanding of type 2 diabetes and aided guideline development, and complements experimental work, such as human randomised controlled trials and animal studies. Both approaches are essential and complementary in our pursuit to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the development and progression of type 2 diabetes, and to change dogma, practice and policies for better outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Endovascular intervention for acute stroke in the very late window: A meta-analysis of 90-day mRS and procedural outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates the effectiveness of Endovascular Therapy (EVT) in very late windows (beyond 24 h) for patients with ischemic stroke, focusing on 90-day mortality, functional outcomes, and procedural success. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis followed Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines to evaluate the effectiveness of endovascular therapy (EVT) in acute ischemic stroke patients. Literature from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus was reviewed using specific keywords. Studies included those after 2000 with outcomes such as functional independence (mRS 0-2), mortality, TICI scores, and neurological improvements. RESULTS: The data findings reveal mixed outcomes across studies on EVT beyond 24 h. Sarraj et al. (2023) found a significant improvement in functional independence with EVT (38% vs. 10%, p < 0.05), despite an increased risk of sICH. The forest plots for mRS and procedural outcomes show some significant results, such as Sarraj (2023) for mortality (p < 0.05), but most other studies indicated no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The study has concluded that Endovascular Therapy (EVT) beyond 24 h can improve functional outcomes and reduce mortality in selected ischemic stroke patients, though patient selection remains crucial.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

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

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

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Exercise-induced chronic adaptations and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) in patients with depression: A systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Although exercise has been shown to alleviate depressive symptoms, potentially by affecting the body's inflammatory response, evidence in this area remains inconsistent. This study synthesized the most recent evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the relationship between exercise-induced chronic adaptations and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with depression. METHODS: Eligible RCTs were identified from six electronic databases. Effect sizes were pooled using mean differences (MDs) and standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Two independent researchers assessed the certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) guidelines. RESULTS: The review included 21 RCTs involving 1572 participants, six of which were included in the meta-analysis. No evidence of efficacy was observed for the chronic effects of exercise on the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) (MD = -0.01, 95% CI [-0.06, 0.04], p = 0.79), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (SMD = -0.30, 95% CI [-0.64, 0.04], p = 0.08), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (SMD = -0.18, 95% CI [-0.50, 0.14], p = 0.27) in patients with depression. However, the pooled results for certain markers were not robust. The certainty of evidence for each outcome was very low owing to inconsistency, indirectness, and imprecision. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence for exercise improving pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with depression during the chronic phase remains exploratory and uncertain. Well-designed, adequately powered studies incorporating a broader range of immune biomarkers and dynamic multi-time-point assessments are urgently needed to determine whether exercise-induced chronic adaptations can modulate inflammatory pathways in depression.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Uncovering molecular regulatory networks of low-temperature stress response in Trachinotus ovatus via integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses.

Golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) is one of the most economically important marine fish species in China. It is susceptible to low-temperature stress, which significantly challenges its production and supply. Nevertheless, study on the regulatory mechanisms underlying low-temperature stress responses in golden pompano remains limited. Here, we firstly performed a time-series transcriptome analysis to reconstruct dynamic response patterns under low-temperature stress in golden pompano. Transcriptome profiling identified common differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including fos, hlf, and hmgb1, as well as condition-specific DEGs across distinct low-temperature stress groups. Based on cluster analysis, all DEGs were classified into five distinct expression patterns, reflecting diversified regulation of expression in golden pompano during low-temperature stress. Furthermore, condition-specific regulatory modules were explored via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), highlighting that the two module hub genes, serbf2 and lipc, might respond to low-temperature stress by regulating the lipid catabolic process. Subsequently, untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that glycerophospholipid metabolism was a significantly enriched common pathway, highlighting its crucial role in mediating the response to low-temperature stress. Finally, by integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, a gene-metabolite interaction network associated with glycerophospholipid metabolism under low-temperature stress was established. These findings underscore the significance of multiple candidate genes and glycerophospholipid metabolism in golden pompano's response to low-temperature stress, thereby laying a solid molecular foundation for the development of low-temperature-tolerant fish strains.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Incidence of silent cerebral lesions during pulsed field ablation for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

BACKGROUND: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) is a first-line treatment for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF). Complications such as silent cerebral lesion (SCL) may occur during ablation. Pulsed field ablation (PFA) is a non-thermal method thatablates cardiac tissue via irreversible electroporation. Limited studies have reported the incidence of SCL during PFA, with highly variable results. However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) remain scarce. The objective of this study was to compare perioperative SCL incidence between PFA and RFCA, and to identify risk factors for SCL during PFA. METHODS: In this prospective pilot RCT (ChiCTR2400088774), 62 patients with PAF were randomized 1:1 to undergo PFA or RFCA. Cerebral MRI (3.0 T) was performed preoperatively and 24-48h postoperatively. SCL was defined as a new acute brain lesion on MRI without neurological deficits. Baseline and surgical data of the patients were collected. RESULTS: SCL was detected post-procedure in 6.45% (2/31) in the RFCA group, 12.90% (4/31) in the PFA group. No statistically significant difference in the incidence of postoperative SCL was detected between the two groups (p = 0.67). Left atrium dimension (LAD), left atrial operation time (LAOT), left ventricular end-diastolic dimension (LVEDD), and total operation time (TOT) were significantly higher in SCL group than those in no-SCL group (p < 0.05) through univariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: SCL incidence was 12.90% in the PFA group versus 6.45% in the RFCA group. While no statistically significant difference was detected between two groups, the numerically higher rate in the PFA group warrants larger studies to evaluate cerebral safety associated with PFA.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Assessment of the Potential of Different Anthropometric Indices in Predicting the Risk of Diabetes and Associated Co-morbidities.

Diabetes, a chronic disorder, is showing a rapidly increasing trend globally. India holds the second position in the global diabetes epidemic. The present investigation is an assessment of different anthropometric measurements and their association with type 2 diabetes to determine their diagnostic potential for diabetes as well as its co-morbidities. In this cross-sectional study, we have measured anthropometric parameters and blood biomarkers in subjects with diabetes. We have presented the comparisons of cost- and time-effective anthropometric variable with costly and time-dependent biochemical variables in control and diabetic groups (n = 233/group). Correlations between anthropometric variables and biochemical measurements, as well as the diagnostic utility of anthropometric variables for diabetes, were evaluated. The diagnostic utility of anthropometric variables for diabetes was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Neck circumference, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), skinfold thickness, and body roundness index (BRI) displayed high specificity and diagnostic utility for diabetes, emphasizing their potential in predicting diabetes and the further development of metabolic syndrome. The study highlights the importance of cost- and time-effective anthropometric assessments in diabetes risk evaluation and calls for further research to elucidate this intricate relationship and develop personalized management strategies.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Systematic modular engineering of genome-integrated Escherichia coli MG1655 for high-level 2'-fucosyllactose production.

2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL), the most abundant human milk oligosaccharide (HMO), has attracted considerable interest for its prebiotic and immunomodulatory functions, with broad applications in infant nutrition. In this study, we report the development of a high-yield, genome-integrated 2'-FL-producing strain based on Escherichia coli MG1655 through systematic modular optimization. Starting from a single-copy BKHT strain (MGC06), we first optimized the copy number of the α-1,2-fucosyltransferase (α-1,2-FT) gene BKHT. Subsequently, the GDP-L-fucose supply was enhanced through coordinated genomic integration of the gene clusters cpsG-cpsB and gmd-fcl, while the multidrug efflux transporter gene mdfA was integrated to improve product export and strain robustness. BKHT copy number was then re-evaluated in the optimized background, with four copies yielding the highest production. The final engineered strain, harboring all genetic modifications stably integrated into the chromosome, produced 17.18 g/L 2'-FL in shake-flask culture. In fed-batch fermentation using a 5-L bioreactor, this strain achieved a titer of 154.12 g/L after 60 h, with a productivity of 2.57 g/L/h. Notably, throughout the entire fermentation process, no antibiotics or inducers were supplemented, underscoring the genetic stability and regulatory compliance of this plasmid-free system. To our knowledge, this represents the highest 2'-FL titer reported to date, positioning our engineered strain as a promising candidate for commercial 2'-FL production.

Escherichia coli↗

PubMed2026

Measuring economic efficiency in adult intensive care units: A systematic review of methods, metrics, and evidence.

OBJECTIVES: Intensive care units (ICUs) consume substantial hospital resources, yet "efficiency" is inconsistently defined and measured. This study systematically reviewed how economic efficiency has been conceptualised and quantified in adult ICUs and appraised the quality of evidence. METHODS: Following PRISMA 2020 and a PROSPERO-registered protocol (CRD420251107866), we searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and Web of Science (2000-August 2025), plus global grey sources. Eligible studies explicitly defined efficiency and reported an efficiency metric/model linking ICU inputs (e.g., staff, beds/capacity, time, consumables, or costs) to outputs/outcomes (e.g., throughput/discharges, length of stay/resource use, risk-adjusted mortality). Dual independent screening and extraction were performed. Study quality was appraised using MMAT, and findings were synthesised narratively (SWiM), given heterogeneity. RESULTS: 39 studies (2001-2025) from 17 countries were included, all from high-income or upper-middle-income settings. Four methodological families were identified: (1) frontier modelling (predominantly DEA; occasional SFA/RFDH), (2) benchmarking indicators (risk-adjusted mortality and LOS/resource-use ratios; "efficiency matrix" quadrant classification), (3) cost-outcome evaluations, and (4) operational/process metrics. Across families, variation in decision-making units, input/output selection, and risk adjustment limited comparability; long-term and patient-reported outcomes were absent, and equity considerations were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS: ICU efficiency research is feasible but fragmented and often methodologically limited. Standardised definitions, validated risk adjustment, uncertainty quantification, and inclusion of patient-centred and equity-relevant outcomes are needed before efficiency metrics can reliably inform value-based decision making.

Intensive Care Units↗

PubMed2026

Whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing and ceRNA network analyses provide novel insights into the antibacterial immune response of Hippocampus abdominalis against Vibrio harveyi.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) stand as newly-arisen molecular types that exert regulatory effects, able to operate as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to engage microRNAs (miRNAs) in interaction, resulting in the recovery of target mRNA expression and activity. Increasing evidences indicate that the ceRNA network affects various biological processes in mammals, including development, cellular differentiation, metabolism, immune response, and disease pathogenesis. In teleost fish, the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks have been reported occasionally. However, up to now, the roles of lncRNAs in the big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) remains unclear. In this study, we reported for the first time, via whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing, the lncRNA mediated ceRNA regulatory network in Vibrio harveyi-infected H. abdominalis. A total of 4197 differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs), 1317 DE-lncRNAs, and 183 DE-miRNAs were identified. Furthermore, the crosstalk between miRNAs and lncRNAs as well as between miRNAs and mRNAs was inferred based on the negative correlations between miRNAs and their target lncRNAs/mRNAs. A core immune associated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA putative regulatory network was thus constructed, comprising 211 lncRNA-miRNA and 224 mRNA-miRNA pairs. In conclusion, our findings provide an integrative overview of the ceRNA regulatory networks on the underlying immune responses to V. harveyi infection in the big-belly seahorse, and offer a solid theoretical foundation for the comparative immunological research of teleost fish.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

The future of precision oncology and artificial intelligence in Belgium: scenarios and policy responses.

PURPOSE: Precision medicine, also known as personalized medicine, enables the provision of tailored health services to patients. In the prevention, early detection, and treatment of cancers, precision medicine is highly promising, given the increasing use of genomic profiling for diagnosis and adapting therapies in several tumor types. Artificial Intelligence (AI) can support this process by analyzing vast amounts of relevant data. However, high-quality data and financial investments in the health system are essential for the implementation of precision medicine and AI solutions in routine cancer care. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Building on the quantitative outcomes of a foresight exercise published in another study, this article collects qualitative data to gain more detailed insights into the future of precision oncology in Belgium and discusses the role of AI in this field. It reports the results of a series of expert workshops, focusing on four hypothetical future scenarios that are centered around technological and economic issues that must be overcome for the widespread use of precision oncology in Belgium. FINDINGS: The study concludes that all four scenarios discussed in the workshops would require supportive policy measures in Belgium, which should go beyond mere technological and economic considerations, such as involving patient associations and the public in policy design or creating multi-disciplinary expert groups for precision medicine. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to employ foresight methodology to illustrate possible future scenarios, scrutinize feasible approaches for implementing precision oncology in Belgium, and discuss the use of AI in this context.

Belgium↗