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PubMed2026

Electrospun Nanofiber Dressings for Diabetic Wounds: From Single-Layer to Intelligent Composite Systems.

Diabetic chronic wounds have become a major challenge for clinical treatment due to their complex pathological microenvironment, including persistent inflammatory response, angiogenesis disorder, excessive oxidative stress, and susceptible infection. Traditional dressings as a passive barrier have difficulty meeting the above multiple treatment needs. Electrospinning technology, with its ability to mimic the fibrous network structure of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM), offers a high specific surface area, controllable porosity, and excellent drug-loading capacity, making it an ideal platform for developing a new generation of multifunctional wound dressings. This article provides a systematic review of the research progress on electrospun nanofiber dressings in the treatment of diabetic wounds, focusing on the design evolution from basic single-layer structures to advanced complex structures and elucidating the mechanisms of action and quantifiable effects of each structural type in addressing specific pathological challenges. We also compared the current status of clinical translation for electrospun dressings with that of other advanced wound care platforms and proposed a standardized preclinical evaluation framework. A large number of research data show that these advanced designs can effectively improve the quality of healing. Finally, this paper points out the challenges faced by this field, such as scalable fabrication, in vivo reliability of smart systems, and long-term biosafety, and provides theoretical basis and technical reference for the design of efficient and intelligent electrostatic spinning diabetic wound dressings.

Nanofibers↗

PubMed2026

Robot-assisted versus freehand cannulated-screw fixation for femoral neck fractures: a systematic review of technical, clinical and adoption outcomes.

Robot-assisted guidance may improve the technical precision of percutaneous cannulated-screw fixation for femoral neck fractures. Whether these procedural advantages translate into better clinical outcomes remains uncertain. We compared robot-assisted and conventional freehand fixation in adults with femoral neck fractures. MEDLINE, Embase and CINAHL were searched from inception to 15 July 2026 without language restrictions. Google Scholar was used only as a supplementary search source, together with forward and backward citation searching. Comparative studies of robot-assisted versus freehand fluoroscopy-guided cannulated-screw fixation were included. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I, with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale used as a complementary appraisal of non-randomised studies. Random-effects meta-analyses included prediction intervals and prespecified sensitivity analyses. The protocol was registered prospectively (PROSPERO CRD420261465038). Sixteen comparative studies involving 1,293 participants were included. Of these, 597 underwent robot-assisted fixation and 696 underwent freehand fixation. Two studies reporting random allocation and 14 non-randomised studies were included in the study. Robot-assisted fixation was associated with fewer guide-wire manipulations, greater screw-placement accuracy and 13.9 fewer fluoroscopic acquisitions per procedure (95% confidence interval [CI] -20.3 to -7.5). Earlier radiographic healing and modestly higher final Harris Hip Scores were also observed. Pooled estimates suggested lower risks of union failure, avascular necrosis and composite complications. Fluoroscopy duration, overall operative time and reoperation did not differ significantly. Heterogeneity was substantial for several continuous outcomes, with prediction intervals crossing the null for several estimates, indicating that the magnitude of benefit varied considerably between studies. Some clinical associations were also sensitive to eligibility-restricted analyses. Robot-assisted cannulated-screw fixation improves technical execution compared with freehand fixation. Patient-important clinical superiority and economic value have not been established, and evidence concerning learning curves, operator acceptability and system reliability remains insufficient. Current evidence does not support routine widespread adoption; adequately powered multicentre randomised trials incorporating economic and implementation evaluation are required.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Identification of CD55 as a downstream factor of EP4 receptor signaling in colorectal cancer cells.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) signaling through the E-type prostanoid 4 (EP4) receptor has been implicated in the pathophysiology of colorectal cancer (CRC). We herein identified decay-accelerating factor, also known as CD55, as a novel CRC-associated downstream factor of the EP4 receptor. The integration of transcriptomic profiling of PGE2-stimulated HCA-7 human colon cancer cells with analyses of cancer genomic databases predicted CD55 as a potential EP4 receptor-regulated target. Inhibitor-based experiments showed the induction of CD55 after a PGE2 stimulation required the EP4 receptor and Gi protein in HCA-7 cells, whereas protein kinase A signaling was dispensable. In combination with a toxicogenomic database analysis, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was identified as the predominant effector connecting the EP4 receptor to CD55 upregulation. A single-cell RNA-seq re-analysis of human CRC tissues revealed CD55 upregulation and p38 MAPK-related gene set enrichment in epithelial cells expressing the EP4 receptor, suggesting that this induction mechanism may operate in a subset of epithelial cells in clinical specimens. Collectively, these results delineate a PGE2/EP4 receptor/Gi protein/p38 MAPK signaling axis that induces CD55 expression in HCA-7 cells and epithelial tumor cells, provide new mechanistic clues for understanding the regulation of complement regulatory molecule CD55 expression by prostaglandin signaling.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Ecological momentary assessment studies on food craving among healthy adults: A systematic review.

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) can capture the dynamic nature of food craving in free-living conditions, addressing limitations of laboratory and retrospective reporting methods. This systematic review synthesized findings from EMA studies to characterize 1) methodological features, 2) the temporal dynamics of food craving, and 3) the relationship between craving and eating behaviors. A systematic search of PubMed and PsycINFO databases was conducted following PRISMA guidelines. The review included 23 studies that utilized EMA designs to assess food craving repeatedly in daily life among healthy adults. Most studies employed EMA protocols that prompted participants to respond at pre-specified time points and utilized single-item craving measures. Most craving measures (71%) lacked specificity regarding the type of food craved. Results revealed a consistent positive within-person association between hunger and food craving. Conversely, associations between stress/negative affect and craving were inconsistent, varying by individual traits and context. Momentary food craving appeared to predict subsequent eating outcomes. Evidence suggested food craving may be a dynamic, transient state that co-fluctuates with hunger, functioning as a proximal antecedent to food intake. However, reliance on non-specific food craving measures and EMA protocols prompting at fixed schedules limits the granular understanding of craving mechanisms. Future research requires refining food craving measurement and incorporating randomized prompting within predefined windows, or participant-initiated sampling triggered by specific events (e.g., eating occasion), to better characterize food craving dynamics in relation to eating behaviors.

Humans↗

PubMed2025

The molecular mechanism of cuproptosis and research progress in pancreatic diseases.

PURPOSE: Cuproptosis has been proven to be a novel mode of cell death, distinct from other types of cell death such as necrosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and apoptosis. This study aims to systematically review the molecular mechanisms of cuproptosis in recent years and its research progress in pancreatic diseases. METHODS: By searching PubMed and Web of Science databases, 113 key literatures were included for thematic analysis, covering the molecular mechanism of cuproptosis and its role in the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer, acute and chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, pancreatic cyst, pancreatic injury and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. RESULTS: Cuproptosis refers to the accumulation of copper ions in cells, which leads to instability of ferritin and aggregation of acylated proteins, resulting in oxidative stress-related cell death. Recent studies have shown that cuproptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of various pancreatic diseases, such as pancreatic cancer, acute and chronic pancreatitis, diabetes, pancreatic cysts, pancreatic injuries and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. The inducers of cuproptosis, such as disulfiram, chloroquinolones, and perilla phenols, alleviate pancreatic cancer by promoting cell cuproptosis. Copper chelators such as tetraethylenepentamine and tetrathiomolybdate promote the recovery of pancreatic injury by inhibiting cell cuproptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Cuproptosis plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pancreatic diseases. Further research on the cuproptosis pathway may become a potential target for the treatment of pancreatic diseases.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Driven toward care, avoiding the end: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the relationship between death anxiety and healthcare utilisation.

Both overuse and underuse of the healthcare system have been recognised as significant problems. Relatedly, growing research has recognised the key role of death anxiety in driving various health-relevant behaviours. However, the relationship between death anxiety and healthcare utilisation has not yet been systematically explored. The current systematic review and meta-analysis addressed this gap. In total, 987 papers were screened for inclusion, of which 63 were included in the final review (Ntotal = 21,271). This included 33 quantitative studies, 27 qualitative studies and 3 mixed-methods designs. In total, 17 studies contained sufficient data to be meta-analysed. Overall, the included studies highlighted a significant relationship between death anxiety and healthcare utilisation; in particular, positive associations with desire for life-prolonging treatments and contact with hospitals and medical professionals. By contrast, a negative association was found with other aspects of healthcare utilisation, including hospice use and end-of-life communication. The sample type emerged as a significant moderator, suggesting that the relationship between death anxiety and healthcare usage was strongest in non-medical samples. The current findings suggest that death anxiety plays a key role in utilisation of the healthcare system. The fear of death may need to be targeted in psychological interventions, in order to ensure maximal effectiveness of health services, and improve outcomes for healthcare users.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Nonoperative Management is Associated With Similar Long-Term Patient-Reported Outcomes Compared With Surgery for Cervical Radiculopathy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term patient-reported outcomes between surgical and nonoperative management for cervical radiculopathy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Cervical radiculopathy is a common condition associated with substantial morbidity. While both surgical and nonoperative approaches are effective, it remains unclear which patients benefit most from each strategy and whether earlier operative intervention confers meaningful long-term advantage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to January 2026 for randomized and observational studies comparing surgical and nonoperative management for cervical radiculopathy. Primary outcomes included visual analog scale (VAS) scores for neck and arm pain, neck disability index (NDI), and overall clinical success. Secondary outcomes included analgesia use and sick leave. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using restricted maximum likelihood estimation. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I, and certainty of evidence using GRADE. RESULTS: Eleven studies comprising 1154 patients (surgical: 522; nonoperative: 632) were included. Surgery was not associated with superior outcomes in VAS for arm pain (MD: -0.67, 95% CI: -1.59 to 0.26, P =0.12), VAS for neck pain (MD: -0.50, 95% CI: -1.38 to 0.38; P =0.19), or NDI (MD: -3.69, 95% CI: -9.63 to 2.25, P =0.16) after 12 months of treatment, nor in overall success (RR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.93-1.34, P =0.21). No significant differences were observed in analgesia use ( P =0.54) or sick leave ( P =0.48) at last follow-up. Most studies were rated serious risk of bias and overall certainty of evidence was moderate. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this pooled analysis suggests that long-term pain, disability, and functional outcomes are comparable between patients selected for nonoperative management and those selected for surgery. These findings reflect outcomes within selected cohorts and should not be interpreted as evidence of therapeutic equivalence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The global prevalence of horizontal strabismus: A systematic review and meta-analysis with a focus on ethnic variation.

The prevalence of the 2 types of horizontal strabismus, esotropia and exotropia, varies considerably between studies. This variability has been attributed to factors such as geography/environment, research methodology, age of study subjects, and/or ethnicity. Comprehensive estimates of regional and global prevalences of esotropia and exotropia are lacking, making it difficult to recognize true patterns, trends, and etiologies. We compile prevalences and ratios of esotropia to exotropia from 315 population-based studies and 374 clinic-based studies. We analyze data to assess effects of ethnicity, geography, age, and we identify generational changes of horizontal strabismus. Major ethnicities differ in patterns and ratios of esotropia and exotropia prevalence, not only in Caucasians and East Asians, but also Latinos/Hispanics, South Asians, Africans, and Native Americans. Compared to population-based studies, clinic-based studies underestimate exotropia frequency. By weighing prevalences according to the population size of ethnicities, we estimate the worldwide prevalence of horizontal strabismus in the current generation at 1.81% (138.5 million people), comprising 60.0 million people with esotropia (0.67%) and 87.5 million with exotropia (1.14%). In the previous generation, the worldwide prevalence of horizontal strabismus was 1.64% (86.5 million people), comprising 50.5 million with esotropia (0.96%) and 36.0 million with exotropia (0.68%). Esotropia and exotropia prevalences differ between generations within the same ethnicity, indicating that extrinsic factors can modify the underlying intrinsic (genetic) disposition.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Comparison of Iodinated Contrast Doses Based on Total Body Weight and Lean Body Weight in Pediatric Patients: Impact on Image Quality and Contrast Exposure.

INTRODUCTION: Iodinated contrast dosing in pediatric computed tomography (CT) traditionally relies on total body weight (TBW), which may result in excessive contrast administration, particularly in patients with higher adiposity. Lean body weight (LBW)-based protocols have shown promise in adults but remain underexplored in children. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare contrast volume requirements and hepatic enhancement quality among three dosing protocols: LBW-based, TBW-based, and the Control Group (CG), based on the institutional standard for pediatric abdominal CT. METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 66 patients (age 0-16 years) undergoing contrast-enhanced abdominal CT between September 2023 and August 2024. Patients were randomly assigned to receive iodinated contrast (iobitridol 350mg I/mL) dosed by: (1) LBW (0.63 g iodine/kg x LBW, calculated using Peters formula; n = 23), (2) TBW (0.46 g iodine/kg x TBW; n = 20), or (3) institutional control protocol (2 mL/kg x TBW, equivalent to 0.7 g iodine/kg; n = 23). Kruskal-Wallis, ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA, ANCOVA, Scheirer-Ray-Hare, and Cohen's Kappa tests with Likert scale were used. RESULTS: The LBW group received lower median contrast volumes (27 mL; IQR, 10-80 mL) compared to the TBW group (34.5 mL; IQR, 18-78 mL) and the CG group (40 mL; IQR, 13-80 mL), although the differences did not reach statistical significance (P > 0.05). Notably, this reduction did not compromise hepatic enhancement, which remained comparable to the CG (552 ± 139 HU; P = 0.107). CONCLUSION: Lean body weight may be a useful parameter for estimating contrast dose in pediatric abdominal CT, potentially reducing administered volumes without compromising diagnostic image quality. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: These results provide early evidence that LBW-based dosing may support more individualized contrast administration in pediatric CT, potentially reducing exposure-related risks.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Genome-guided stage- and tissue-resolved transcriptome analysis of Serrodes campana identifies sex-biased antennal expression and candidate chemosensory-related genes.

Serrodes campana is an erebid moth of ecological and forestry relevance; its larvae are mainly associated with the soapberry tree, Sapindus mukorossi, whereas adults exhibit fruit-piercing behavior. However, stage- and tissue-resolved transcriptomic resources for this species remain limited. Here, using a chromosome-level reference genome, we performed a genome-guided transcriptome analysis of S. campana based on 12 RNA-seq libraries representing major developmental stages and key adult tissues. Global transcriptomic analyses revealed pronounced transcriptional differentiation across developmental stages and tissue types. Tissue-enriched gene sets and functional enrichment analyses identified distinct molecular signatures associated with developmental, sensory, and pheromone-associated tissues. Comparative analysis of female and male antennae further revealed sex-biased expression of several candidate chemosensory-related genes. Among 153 curated chemosensory-related candidate genes, most odorant receptor genes showed strong antennal enrichment, whereas other major chemosensory gene families displayed broader but still tissue-preferential expression patterns. In addition, an exploratory comparison of female terminal abdominal gland tissue and male terminal abdominal coremata revealed divergent expression profiles and highlighted candidate genes potentially associated with pheromone-related physiology, reproduction, and tissue-specific signaling. Together, this study provides the first genome-guided stage- and tissue-resolved transcriptomic resource for S. campana and offers a useful foundation for future studies of chemosensory detection, sex-biased gene expression, and pheromone-associated biology in this species.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Use of indocyanine green fluorescence versus patent blue V dye for sentinel lymph node biopsy in early breast cancer, a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is standard for axillary staging in early breast cancer. While the combination of radioisotope and blue dye (e.g., patent blue V, PBV) remains the standard, it has limitations including logistics, variable identification rate (IR), and allergic potential. Indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence is a promising alternative, but high-quality comparative evidence is needed. METHODS: This was a single-center, prospective, randomized controlled trial. Forty patients with early-stage, node-negative breast cancer were allocated to SLNB using either ICG (n = 20) or PBV (n = 20). All patients subsequently underwent completion level I-II axillary lymph node dissection (ALND) as the pathological reference standard for diagnostic performance assessment. Primary outcome was sentinel lymph node (SLN) IR. Secondary outcomes included detection time, number of SLNs retrieved, false-negative rate (FNR), and safety. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. The SLN IR was significantly higher with ICG (100% [20/20]) than with PBV (75% [15/20], p = 0.047). ICG was associated with a significantly shorter median detection time (14.5 vs. 24.0 min, p < 0.001) and retrieved more SLNs (mean: 3.6 vs. 2.4, p = 0.002). Most critically, ICG demonstrated 100% sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and overall diagnostic accuracy, with a 0% FNR. In contrast, PBV achieved a sensitivity of 75%, an overall diagnostic accuracy of 90%, and an FNR of 25%. No ICG-related adverse events occurred. PBV caused skin discoloration in 75% of patients and one (5%) allergic reaction. CONCLUSION: ICG fluorescence achieved a higher SLN IR, shorter detection time, higher sensitivity, lower FNR, and fewer tracer-related adverse events than PBV as a single tracer for SLNB in patients with early-stage breast cancer. These findings suggest that ICG is a promising standalone tracer when radioisotope mapping is unavailable. Larger multicenter studies are required before widespread adoption can be recommended.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Shared Medical Appointments for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Shared medical appointments (SMAs) integrate group-based clinical care with individual medical management and are increasingly used in the treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs) to improve access, engagement, and care coordination. However, their use, outcomes, and implementation in SUD care have not been systematically synthesized. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review registered with PROSPERO (CRD42025639504). MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Cochrane Central were searched from database inception through September 2025. Randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and qualitative studies examining SMAs among adults with SUDs were included. Outcomes of interest included treatment engagement and retention, substance use outcomes, mental health and patient-reported outcomes, and implementation characteristics. Study quality was assessed across quantitative and qualitative designs, and findings were synthesized descriptively. RESULTS: Fourteen studies, representing approximately 578 participants, met inclusion criteria. Twelve studies focused exclusively on opioid use disorder, 1 included both alcohol and opioid use disorders, and 1 did not specify substance type. Treatment retention was reported in 6 studies, with a median 6-month retention of 72.9%. Three studies reported reductions in substance use outcomes, and 2 reported improvements in depression or anxiety. Qualitative studies consistently described high patient satisfaction, peer support, and shared accountability. Implementation studies demonstrated feasibility across diverse outpatient settings, with substantial heterogeneity across study designs and outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: SMAs appear feasible and acceptable for addiction care and may support treatment retention and patient experience. Evidence remains heterogeneous and largely observational, highlighting the need for rigorous comparative studies to better define effectiveness and implementation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Weight Loss without Food Intake Suppression through Size-Dependent Retention of Anti-Inflammatory Nanomedicines.

Obesity is a risk factor for high-mortality health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes, which makes the advancement of efficacious and safe weight loss therapies a high priority in pharmacology. The causal link between obesity and its comorbid conditions is believed to be a chronic state of inflammation originating within adipose tissue, with macrophages playing central roles, an axis that is not targeted directly by current therapies. Here, we use nanocarriers to deliver an anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid receptor agonist to adipose tissue macrophages and report the impact of size on therapeutic effect. Three dextran nanocarriers between 4-30 nm in hydrodynamic diameter released molecular drug cargo at equivalent rates and exhibited similar biological potency in vitro. In vivo in a mouse model of obesity, body weight and body fat were reduced in a size-dependent manner after 2-4 weeks of treatment. Unlike current clinical pharmacotherapies for weight loss, these body composition changes were not associated with changes in food intake. Greater retention of larger dextran nanocarriers in visceral adipose tissue appears to elicit a local change to promote browning by increasing mitochondrial abundance and lipid droplet fragmentation. Further development of this platform may result in a safe and potent modulator of adipose tissue in the state of obesity without direct action on nutrient intake to address malnutrition and lean body mass deficiencies observed with current weight loss pharmacotherapies.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Diagnostic Value and Limitations of Dermoscopy in Humans and Animals: A Critical Comparative Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Dermoscopy is a noninvasive imaging technique that is well-established in human dermatology, where it enhances the diagnosis of neoplastic, inflammatory, infectious, and alopecic skin disorders. In veterinary dermatology, its use is expanding yet remains heterogeneous and largely descriptive, despite growing evidence of conserved dermoscopic patterns across species. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To review the applications of dermoscopy in veterinary dermatology, and to provide a comparative analysis of dermoscopic features observed in dogs, cats, and horses in relation to corresponding findings in human dermatology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review of the literature reporting dermoscopic findings in veterinary dermatology was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched for studies published up to 30 July 2025. Eligible studies included original articles describing dermoscopic features in dogs, cats, or horses. Extracted data included species, dermatological condition, dermoscopic findings, device type and histopathological correlation, when available. Levels of evidence were assessed using the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria. RESULTS: Thirty studies met the inclusion criteria. Most were descriptive case reports or case series. Dermoscopy was applied to a wide range of conditions, including alopecias, parasitic infestations, dermatophytosis, neoplastic and sebaceous lesions, inflammatory dermatoses, and congenital vascular anomalies. Recurrent dermoscopic features showed strong similarities to those described in human dermatology, although species-specific anatomical differences influenced interpretation. CONCLUSIONS: Dermoscopy represents a valuable adjunct diagnostic tool in veterinary dermatology, with clear translational relevance. Standardisation of terminology and further prospective studies are required to support its broader clinical integration.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Silent crises in the COVID-19 pandemic shadow: a six-year medico-legal review of non-lethal intimate partner violence in Morocco.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major global public health concern and one of the most prevalent forms of gender-based violence, with significant consequences. This study analyzes non-lethal IPV cases reported to a medico-legal unit of Casablanca between 2018 and 2023. Data from 4,784 female victims were reviewed, focusing on socio-demographics, violence types, perpetrator relationships, and judicial involvement across the pre-COVID, peak COVID-19, and post-COVID periods. Married women represented 59.2% of victims. Physical violence predominated (83.1%), while sexual violence was underreported (14.7%). The year 2020 marked a sharp increase in reported non-lethal IPV cases (n = 1,005), correlating with pandemic confinement. Among married women, judicial requisition (legal request for forensic examination) and medico-legal certification (medical documentation for judicial use) rates were high (81.5% and 81.0%, respectively). Post-pandemic years declined moderately but remained above pre-COVID levels. International comparison confirmed a global rise in IPV during COVID-19, with Morocco displaying comparatively higher rates of medico-legal documentation and judicial involvement. IPV in Morocco is entrenched and intensified by COVID-19. While the medico-legal system is robust in documentation, the system must evolve by integrating systematic psychological assessment into medico-legal evaluations, standardizing certification and referral protocols, and strengthening coordination between medico-legal, health, and social support services to improve victim protection.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Genome-wide analysis of the plant-specific PLATZ gene family in Taraxacum kok-saghyz and its roles in response to drought and salt tolerance.

Abiotic stress severely limits plant growth and productivity. Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin (TKS), known for its environmental resilience, represents a valuable resource for identifying stress-tolerant genes to improve stress-adaptive crops. Plant AT-rich protein and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) transcription factors serve as core regulators of plant growth, developmental processes, and adaptive responses to various stress conditions; however, they remain uncharacterized in TKS. Here, we identified 10 TksPLATZ genes through a whole-genome analysis. Phylogenetically, these genes were grouped into five distinct evolutionary branches. Promoter sequence analysis revealed multiple types of cis-acting regulatory elements that are connected with hormonal signal responses and environmental stress adaptation. Integrated analysis of transcriptome datasets and RT-qPCR validation demonstrated that TksPLATZ genes display tissue-specific expression profiles and show distinct responsive patterns to drought and salt stress treatments. Among them, TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 were markedly induced under both stressors and were selected for further functional study. We demonstrated that TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 localize to the cell nucleus and act as transcriptional activators and repressors, respectively. Phenotypic data from overexpression experiments in plants confirm that heterologous expression of TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2, and TksPLATZ7 enhances the tolerance of Arabidopsis to salt and osmotic stress. These findings provide valuable genetic resources for improving plant tolerance to environmental stresses.

Salt Tolerance↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy and Safety of Autologous Versus Prosthetic Grafts in the Repair of Popliteal Artery Aneurysms: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) present a severe risk of progression to acute limb ischemia. Open surgery (OS) is the gold standard treatment; however, prosthetic grafts are acceptable in highly selected cases, especially when the great saphenous vein is not available. METHODS: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies comparing autologous versus prosthetic grafts for patency and limb preservation outcomes in patients with PAAs. MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central were systematically searched from inception through October 2024. Outcomes were pooled using a frequentist random-effects model as odds ratios, mean differences, and hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) on RStudio (Version 4.5.0). Risk-of-bias assessments were performed using ROBINS-I and MINORS. RESULTS: Twenty-two observational studies were pooled comprising 9,145 PAAs in 8,370 patients, of whom 6,434 (74.51%) were treated with autologous grafts and 2,200 (25.49%) with prosthetic grafts. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 86 months. Repair with autologous conduits significantly improved long-term primary patency (HR 3.93; P < 0.001), secondary patency (HR 6.02; P < 0.001), and long-term limb salvage (HR 2.69; P = 0.044) compared with prosthetic conduits. There were no significant differences in in-hospital amputation (P = 0.36), myocardial infarction (P = 0.61), mortality (P = 0.50), 2-year primary patency (P = 0.25), 5-year secondary patency (P = 0.06), or length of hospital stay (P = 0.95). Risk of bias was classified as moderate-to-high, reflecting confounding factors inherent to observational studies and moderate methodological quality by MINORS. Despite these limitations, treatment effects consistently favored autologous grafts in both short- and long-term analyses; however, caution is warranted given the limited number of available studies. CONCLUSION: The use of autologous conduits significantly favors both short-term and long-term efficacy and safety in the OS repair of PAAs. Given the limitations of the existing evidence, further comparative studies are needed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Genome-wide identification of the peanut HD-Zip gene family and AhHDZ15 positively regulating salt and drought stress in heterologously overexpressed Arabidopsis.

Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factors play important roles in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, bioinformatic analyses and functional studies of HD-Zip family in peanut are scarce. In this study, 128 AhHDZ genes were identified and classified into four subfamilies in the phylogenetic analysis. Transcriptomic data and RT-qPCR analysis indicated the expression levels of AhHDZ4 and AhHDZ15 were significantly elevated in response to 12 h of salt stress, while AhHDZ4/15/60/69/126 all showed a progressive increase over time in response to drought stress. AhHDZ15 protein was localized in the nucleus. Under salt and drought stress, the germination rates of AhHDZ15-overexpressing in Arabidopsis were significantly higher than wild-type (WT), and root lengths were also significantly longer than WT. In addition, the SOD, CAT, chlorophyll content, and Relative Leaf Water Content (RLWC) value of leaves in AhHDZ15-overexpressing lines were significantly higher than WT, while the MDA content was significantly lower than WT. The above results indicate that heterologous overexpression of AhHDZ15 enhanced salt and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, AhHDZ15 could bind to the L1-box element of the AhVNI2 promoter, thereby activating AhVNI2 transcription and enhancing the expression of downstream salt stress-responsive genes. These findings implies a potential function of AhHDZ15 in peanut that requires further validation.

Arabidopsis↗