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PubMed2026

Prevalence of psychosis in South Asia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Psychotic disorders are a major contributor to global disability, yet prevalence data from South Asia which inhabits a quarter of the world's population, remain limited. Reliable estimates are essential for health service planning, policy, and closing the substantial treatment gap. This review provides the first comprehensive synthesis of psychosis prevalence across South Asia. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Global Health, and Medline to 18 December 2024 for DSM- or ICD-based prevalence studies in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies in community or clinical populations were included. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Random-effects meta-analyses estimated pooled prevalence using the logit transformation. Heterogeneity was explored with meta-regression of key methodological variables (publication year, diagnostic system, residential setting). FINDINGS: Thirty-one studies from five countries were included. Among community-dwelling adults, pooled point prevalence was 0.85% and lifetime prevalence was 1.40%, with inter-country differences (India 1.18%, Pakistan 2.13%, Nepal 2.90%). Clinical samples showed substantially higher proportions of individuals with psychosis in service settings (11.44%), reflecting concentration of cases in treatment-seeking samples. Data for children and adolescents were limited and summarised narratively. Heterogeneity was high across meta-analyses, and exploratory meta-regression did not identify any significant moderators. INTERPRETATION: Psychosis prevalence estimates in South Asia appear higher than global averages but should be interpreted cautiously due to substantial heterogeneity and methodological variation; nevertheless, they highlight the need for culturally sensitive screening, improved detection, and strengthened mental health services.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Leading with Innovation: Maternal Health Transformation in New York City Health + Hospitals.

New York City's (NYC) maternal health crisis drew close attention in the late 2010s, driven by alarming data: Approximately 30 women died annually during childbirth in NYC, Black non-Hispanic women were 12 times more likely to die than white women, and more than 3,000 women experienced life-threatening birth complications each year. In response, NYC committed $12.8 million in July 2018 to reduce maternal mortality and eliminate racial disparities.NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H)-the nation's largest public health system, serving 1.1 million patients annually with roughly 15,000 births per year-became the primary vehicle for this initiative. With 80 percent of the system's deliveries covered by Medicaid and a patient population that is 51.2 percent Hispanic and 27.1 percent Black, H+H is uniquely positioned to lead the fight against maternal health inequity.Three flagship programs anchor H+H's response to the city's maternal mortality rate. The OB Simulation Program, launched in 2012 and expanded in 2018, was the first in the nation to use mannequins of color to train thousands of providers in obstetric emergencies. The Maternal Home Program, piloted at H+H's Kings County Hospital in 2019 and scaled system-wide by 2021, has served more than 10,341 patients, generating more than 33,000 referrals for social, behavioral health, and community resources. The Cardio-Obstetrics Program located at Kings County Hospital targets cardiovascular disease-the leading cause of maternal death among Black women-through screening, education, and community outreach. These programs are a health equity imperative, made more urgent by impending federal Medicaid cuts resulting from the H.R.1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act (passed on July 4, 2025).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Responding to a protracted tuberculosis outbreak: lessons from multiple rounds of investigation in a Chinese boarding school.

PURPOSE: This study analysed a multi-semester pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) cluster outbreak in a Chinese boarding school to provide evidence for future epidemic control. METHODS: Contacts were screened via symptoms, infection tests and chest radiography. Screening expanded progressively from close contacts to same-floor contacts, then all students and staff. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) with single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and bioinformatics analysis was used for lineage classification, transmission clustering (≤12 SNPs defining a cluster) and drug resistance prediction. RESULTS: From 2020 to 2022, 20 students were diagnosed with PTB, half laboratory-confirmed. Most cases clustered in class 16 and were epidemiologically linked to the primary case (case 0), who had household PTB exposure. Case 0 and case 1 had diagnostic delays exceeding 3 and 6 months, respectively. WGS of five isolates (case 1, 3, 4, 9 and 10) collected over three semesters showed all belonged to lineage 2 and differed by ≤12 SNPs, confirming the same transmission chain. The infection rate in class 16 (46.34%) was significantly higher than other case classes (19.05%) and classes without cases (8.27%) (χ2 = 61.169, p < 0.001). No new cases were detected during a one-year follow-up of students involved in the outbreak after the final round of screening, nor among household contacts of all cases followed up to the present. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of entry health examinations facilitated the outbreak. Delayed diagnosis, incomplete contact screening and absence of preventive treatment led to cross-semester persistence. The infection rate disparity confirms class 16 as the outbreak epicentre. Improving community case management, extending contact follow-up and enhancing cluster outbreak measures are recommended to prevent future outbreaks.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Diversity and population connectivity of members of the family Eunicidae inhabiting deep-water corals in the North Atlantic.

Eunicid polychaetes are often found in association with Cold Water Corals (CWCs), even establishing symbiotic relationships, such as those described between Desmophyllum pertusum and Eunice norvegica. While genetic connectivity of CWCs across the North Atlantic has been widely studied, little is known about their associated fauna in this regard. Here, we present a study combining a focused analysis of the genetic and genomic connectivity of E. norvegica with a regional assessment of the distribution and evolutionary relationships of three CWC-associated eunicid species from the Cantabrian Sea and the North of the United Kingdom (190-1,230 m depth). An integrative approach using genetic (16S, COI and 18S), morphological and ecological data allowed the identification of the eunicids studied, with new records of Eunice cf. nicidioformis and Leodice cf. antarctica in the Cantabrian Sea, as well as previously undocumented associations with CWC species. In addition, RADseq data contributed to the delimitation of the closely related species E. norvegica and Eunice philocorallia. Moreover, the genetic connectivity of E. norvegica was studied trough a RADseq (1,067 neutral SNPs) approach. Our results indicate a single panmictic population across approximately 2,000 km, suggesting that oceanographic currents facilitate passive dispersal of E. norvegica lecithotrophic larvae, aided by coral host stepping-stones. The connectivity patterns observed for E. norvegica mirror those of D. pertusum, on which the worm is ecologically dependent. Our study highlights the importance of using integrated genetic, morphological and ecological data to characterise and delineate understudied CWC-associated species and improve our understanding of their dispersal capabilities and genetic connectivity to inform future conservation recommendations.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Single-cell transcriptome revealed the aberrant keratinocytes activation in antigen presentation in atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD), a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, has been extensively studied using single-cell genomics. However, keratinocytes, as key effector cells in AD, have underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood and require further investigation. METHODS: We integrated single-cell transcriptomic data from skin tissues of healthy controls, chronic active AD patients, spontaneously healed AD (SHAD) patients, and an ovalbumin-induced AD mouse model. The study particularly emphasized the gene expression and cellular dynamics of keratinocytes across the different groups, as well as their interactions with immune cells. RESULTS: Compared to healthy controls, we observed significant changes in the keratinocyte transcriptome, cellular state, and keratinocyte-immune cell ligand-receptor interactions in AD skin, particularly the marked activation of genes involved in antigen processing and presentation. Interestingly, such gene activation was not observed in keratinocytes from the ovalbumin-induced AD mouse model, despite its phenotype closely resembling human AD. Furthermore, in SHAD, we identified a recovery of both the ligand-receptor interaction patterns and antigen processing and presentation genes, accompanied by a notable shift in the transcriptome. This involved a significant downregulation of genes related to cytoplasmic transcription and oxidative phosphorylation. Notably, this pattern was not observed in the self-healing mouse model following the removal of ovalbumin stimulation. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the persistent activation of antigen processing and presentation pathways in keratinocytes may be a key driver of chronic inflammation in AD. Therefore, redirecting anti-allergic therapeutic strategies from solely targeting immune cells to targeting of keratinocyte-mediated antigen presentation may offer a more effective approach. Furthermore, we raise concerns about the use of ovalbumin-induced mouse models to recapitulate human chronic AD, as the underlying mechanisms may differ significantly.

Dermatitis, Atopic↗

PubMed2026

Therapeutic Exercise Protocol During Hospitalization in Pediatric Oncohematological Patients: Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Leukemias, lymphomas, and central nervous system tumors are among the most common pediatric cancers and may lead to motor deficits, impaired balance, reduced muscle strength, fatigue, and decreased functional capacity. Early physiotherapy during hospitalization may help prevent inactivity and support functional preservation in this population. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a therapeutic exercise program on quality of life, muscle strength, fatigue, and functional capacity in hospitalized pediatric oncohematological patients. METHODS: Thirty participants aged 8-17 years with oncohematological diseases were randomized to an intervention group (IG) or a minimal active physiotherapy comparator group (CG). Assessments included the 6-min walk test, handgrip dynamometry, the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and the PedsQL Cancer Module at admission and discharge. The IG performed daily 25-min supervised sessions including aerobic, resistance, and breathing exercises with ambulation guidance, whereas the CG received breathing exercises and ambulation guidance. RESULTS: No significant group × time interactions were observed for total fatigue or its domains, overall quality of life or its assessed domains, handgrip strength, or six-minute walk test distance. Time-related changes were observed for some outcomes, but these occurred without evidence of differential change between groups and were not interpreted as effects of the structured exercise protocol. No intervention-related adverse events requiring permanent protocol discontinuation were recorded. CONCLUSION: The structured in-hospital therapeutic exercise protocol could be delivered under close clinical supervision without recorded intervention-related adverse events requiring permanent discontinuation. However, the structured protocol did not demonstrate superiority over the minimal active physiotherapy comparator for fatigue, quality of life, muscle strength, or functional capacity. These findings should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size, clinical heterogeneity, variable intervention exposure, and limited intervention-fidelity data. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ReBEC), RBR-8sxnfyd.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Impact of Albuminuria-Lowering Treatments on Cardiovascular Predictive Ceramides in Diabetes: Post Hoc Analysis of the ROTATE Trials.

AIM: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in individuals with diabetes. Diabetic kidney disease, closely related to CVD risk, is prevalent in up to 40% of this population. Emerging evidence suggests ceramide lipids as accurate biomarkers for CVD. We assessed the effect of four albuminuria-lowering drugs on CVD-related ceramides in diabetes by post hoc analysis of the ROTATE trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty six adults with type 1 (T1D) as well as 37 with type 2 diabetes (T2D) with a urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR) of 30-500 mg/g participated in a 4-week 4-time randomized crossover study with periods of telmisartan, empagliflozin, linagliptin and baricitinib treatment, each separated by a 4-week washout period. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of each period and ceramide lipids (Cer16, Cer18, Cer20, Cer22, Cer24 and Cer24:1) were measured. The effect of each treatment was evaluated using linear mixed-effect models. RESULTS: At baseline, individuals with T2D had greater levels of Cer22 and Cer24 compared to the individuals with T1D. Among the treatments, linagliptin was the only drug that demonstrated a reduction of Cer22, Cer24 and Cer24:1 from baseline by 22.6% (95% CI: -33.58; -9.79, p = 0.001), 25.7% (95% CI: -38.94; -9.69, p = 0.003) and 19.6% (95% CI: -31.34; -5.95, p = 0.007), respectively. No changes in the ceramides were observed for the other drugs. CONCLUSION: Our exploratory findings suggest that certain albuminuria-lowering drugs may affect ceramide levels as a secondary effect. However, further mechanistic investigations are needed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of CPAP on endothelial activation and fibrinolytic balance in coronary artery disease with obstructive sleep apnea: The RICCADSA randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) promotes endothelial activation and a prothrombotic milieu through intermittent hypoxia, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation, mechanisms closely linked to atherosclerosis progression. The vascular effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) remain incompletely understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the longitudinal effects of CPAP treatment on endothelial adhesion molecules and fibrinolytic balance in patients with CAD and OSA. METHODS: In this randomized controlled analysis from the RICCADSA trial, 210 revascularized CAD patients with moderate-to-severe OSA were assigned to CPAP (n = 104) or no-CPAP (n = 106) and had available biomarker measurements at baseline and 12 months. Circulating intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were assessed. Linear mixed-effects models were used to examine longitudinal changes and time-by-treatment interactions adjusted for cardiometabolic covariates. RESULTS: For ICAM-1, no significant time-by-treatment interaction was observed. For PAI-1, a borderline time-by-treatment interaction suggested a numerically smaller increase in the CPAP group compared with no-CPAP (p = 0.09). CPAP treatment was associated with a significantly greater reduction in VCAM-1 over time compared with no-CPAP (time-by-treatment interaction p = 0.045 in adjusted models). CONCLUSIONS: CPAP treatment was associated with selective modulation of vascular biomarkers in patients with CAD and OSA, characterized by attenuation of endothelial activation reflected by reduced VCAM-1 levels, while fibrinolytic imbalance appeared largely resistant to intervention. These findings support pathway-specific vascular responses to CPAP and provide mechanistic insight into residual atherosclerotic risk in this high-risk population.

Aged↗

PubMed2026

Effects of a programmed reflexology therapy on sleep quality, insomnia, and fatigue among individuals with poor sleep quality: evidence for autonomic nervous system modulation.

Poor sleep quality is closely associated with autonomic dysregulation and increased risks of cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental disorders. Foot reflexology is a widely used complementary therapy; however, its physiological mechanisms and comparative efficacy remain insufficiently explored. This study aimed to compare the effects of manual reflexology treatment (MRT) and foot massage equipment (FEM) on autonomic nervous system function, sleep quality, insomnia severity, and fatigue in adults with poor sleep quality. Using a randomized crossover design, 32 participants with poor sleep quality received MRT and FEM interventions for 6 weeks each (once weekly, 30-40 min/session). Heart rate (HR), blood pressure, and heart rate variability (HRV; time- and frequency-domain indices) were assessed at weeks 1 and 6 before and after each intervention. Subjective outcomes included the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and Fatigue Assessment Scale (FAS). Following MRT, participants demonstrated significantly greater reductions in global PSQI scores and all PSQI components compared with FEM. MRT also resulted in larger improvements in insomnia severity and both mental and physical fatigue. In contrast, FEM primarily improved physical fatigue. Physiologically, MRT induced an immediate decrease in HR and significant increases in HRV time-domain indices (SDNN, RMSSD, pNN50), which were sustained after 6 weeks. Frequency-domain analysis further revealed reduced LF, increased HF, and a lower LF/HF ratio, indicating enhanced parasympathetic activity and cumulative autonomic modulation. In conclusion, programmed manual reflexology, delivered according to the TIDieR framework, is more effective than mechanical foot massage in improving autonomic balance, sleep quality, insomnia severity, and fatigue in individuals with poor sleep quality. These findings support MRT as a feasible and evidence-based non-pharmacological complementary intervention for sleep health promotion. TRIAL REGISTRATION: clinicaltrials.gov; NCT Number: NCT07402460; Registered 3 February 2026.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Effects of free-weight resistance training based on hexagonal barbell deadlift in older women: A 24-week randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This randomized controlled trial examined effects of a 24-week hexagonal barbell deadlift (HBDL)-based free-weight resistance training program on body composition, trunk muscle function, and functional performance in older women. METHODS: Thirty-two women (67.6 ± 6.3 years) were randomly assigned to an HBDL group (DG, n = 16) or control group (CG, n = 16). DG trained twice weekly for 24 weeks under supervision. Primary outcomes were body composition and isokinetic trunk peak torque and average power at 60°/s and 120°/s. Secondary outcomes were isokinetic knee function, mobility, and maximal isotonic strength. Between-group differences after the intervention were examined by analysis of covariance (α = 0.05). RESULTS: After intervention, DG showed greater trunk lean mass (+0.4 kg vs. -0.2 kg, p = 0.006) than CG, and reductions in body fat percentage (-1.4% vs. +0.3%, p = 0.003), total fat mass (-1.1 kg vs. +0.3 kg, p = 0.013), and regional fat mass (trunk, gluteal, thigh; all p < 0.05). Trunk extensor peak torque at 60°/s (+26.0% vs. -6.3%, p < 0.001) and average power at 60°/s (+38.1% vs. -7.6%, p < 0.001) and 120°/s (+33.2% vs. +0.1%, p = 0.002) improved significantly. DG also showed better eyes-closed static balance and 6-min walk performance (both p < 0.05). Whole-body lean mass and lower-limb isokinetic strength did not differ between groups. Attendance was 89.6% with no adverse events. CONCLUSION: HBDL-based free-weight resistance training is a safe, feasible, and effective strategy to improve body composition, trunk extensor function, and mobility in older women.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Uric Acid-to-HDL Cholesterol Ratio is Associated with Hepatic Steatosis but Not Fibrosis in Nonobese Adults: A NHANES 2017-2020 Study.

BACKGROUND: Although metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has traditionally been regarded as a disease closely related to obesity, its prevalence is gradually rising in nonobese populations. The uric acid-to-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (UHR) is a novel metabolic biomarker that has been shown to be associated with MASLD. However, its role in nonobese individuals remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the association between UHR and nonobese MASLD. METHODS: Data from the 2017 to 2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. UHR was calculated as the serum uric acid (UA) divided by the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). Liver steatosis (using controlled attenuation parameters, CAP) and fibrosis (using liver stiffness measurement, LSM) were evaluated through vibration-controlled transient elastography (VCTE). Multivariate linear regression was employed to evaluate associations. Nonlinear relationships were examined using smoothed curve fitting. RESULTS: This analysis included 3573 participants (47.41% male; aged 20-80 years). Log2-UHR was positively associated with CAP (β = 9.96, 95% CI: 6.93-12.98, P < 0.001) and MASLD prevalence (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.38-1.95, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses revealed significant interactions by sex, age, ethnicity, and smoking status (all P for interaction < 0.05), with stronger associations in females, adults aged 40-59 years, individuals of other Hispanic ethnicity, and never-smokers. Moreover, the association between log2-UHR and CAP was linear and positive (P < 0.01). No significant association was found between log2-UHR and LSM (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: UHR is independently associated with hepatic steatosis but not fibrosis in nonobese US adults, suggesting its potential utility as an early risk assessment to tool. Large scale prospective studies are needed in the future to further validate the conclusions of this study.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Sex-stratified mortality trends in preterm birth complications in Sierra Leone: progress, persistence, and equity implications.

BACKGROUND: Preterm birth complications remain a leading cause of neonatal mortality in Sierra Leone, despite recent health system gains. Evidence on long-term sex-specific disparities in mortality due to preterm birth complications is limited, constraining equitable neonatal care planning. OBJECTIVE: To examine two‑decade trends in sex‑stratified mortality from preterm birth complications using standardized equity indicators. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal analysis of sex-disaggregated mortality estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Health Estimates (GHE), accessed through the WHO Health Equity Assessment Toolkit (HEAT), Built-in Database Edition (Version 6.0). Mortality rates per 100,000 population were extracted for 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016, and 2021. Inequality was assessed using absolute difference (D), relative ratio (R), population attributable risk (PAR), and population attributable fraction (PAF). RESULTS: Mortality declined substantially between 2001 and 2021 for both males (85.1-49.3 per 100,000) and females (71.2-39.9 per 100,000). Male mortality remained consistently higher across all years, with relative ratios indicating approximately 20-25% excess mortality among male neonates. Absolute inequalities narrowed modestly over time, whereas relative inequalities remained largely unchanged. PAR and PAF remained close to zero throughout the study period. Wider uncertainty intervals in earlier years reflected limited empirical data availability. CONCLUSION: Although preterm mortality declined over two decades, a persistent male disadvantage remained in Sierra Leone. These findings highlight the importance of integrating sex-disaggregated equity monitoring into neonatal policies and programmes. Future research should evaluate strategies to reduce the persistent excess mortality among male neonates while sustaining overall improvements in neonatal survival and progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 3.2.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

TNF-NF-κB signaling mediates immune-biomineralization crosstalk during shell repair under ocean acidification in Mytilus edulis.

Ocean acidification (OA) impairs biomineralization in bivalves, but its effects on immune-biomineralization crosstalk during shell repair remain unknown. Here, we exposed adult Mytilus edulis bearing standardized shell perforations to three pH levels (8.1, 7.9, and 7.7) for up to 40 days. OA slowed early repair and caused microstructural disorganization and an approximately 87% reduction of compressive strength at pH 7.7, yet the damaged area appeared largely closed by day 15, suggesting a decoupling between morphological closure and functional recovery. In addition, transcriptomic profiling of hemocytes and mantle tissue, based on an average of 6.5 Gb of clean reads per sample mapped to the M. edulis reference genome (NCBI Assembly GCF_000511035.1), revealed that these shell-level defects were accompanied by coordinated immune and metabolic reprogramming. Hemocytes, the primary immune effector cells of bivalves, exhibited pH- and time-dependent shifts with moderate acidification (pH 7.9) promoting inflammatory transcripts, whereas severe acidification (pH 7.7) suppressed these signals while upregulating stress-associated pathways; both treatments consistently downregulated lysosomal proteases and NF-κB negative regulators. The mantle, a primarily mineralizing organ, paradoxically upregulated immune-related genes while suppressing oxidative phosphorylation and extracellular matrix pathways. This tissue-level imbalance, with hemocytes recruited but functionally constrained and mantle metabolically suppressed yet immunologically activated, points to TNF-NF-κB pathway modulation as a key mediator of shell repair under acidification. Our findings demonstrate that visible shell closure masks underlying structural and mechanical failure, and that immune regulation, rather than simple suppression or activation, critically shapes the repair outcome. These results advocate for multifunctional indicators beyond closure area to assess shell integrity in acidified marine environments.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Plasma proteomics reveal SERPINA1 and CD59 as candidate biomarkers for COVID-19 severity stratification and prognosis prediction.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has been closely associated with coagulation abnormalities. However, existing biomarkers, including D-dimer and fibrin degradation products (FDP), exhibit limited accuracy in stratifying disease severity and predicting long-term clinical outcomes. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to use proteomic analysis to identify plasma biomarkers associated with COVID-19 severity and prognosis, and validate their predictive utility for mortality and thromboembolic complications. METHODS: Plasma proteomic profiles were analyzed across three COVID-19 severity classes. Differential expression analysis and functional analysis were performed. Clustering analysis was used to identify proteins correlated with disease severity. Candidate biomarkers were validated in an independent cohort. Predictive performance of the biomarkers for mortality, sepsis and venous thromboembolism was evaluated using bootstrap-corrected ROC analyses and multivariable regression analyses. RESULTS: Proteomic analysis revealed progressive involvement of the coagulation and complement pathway with increasing disease severity. SERPINA1 and CD59 were identified as candidate biomarkers and exhibited significantly higher plasma levels in severe cases. Bootstrap-corrected ROC analyses demonstrated strong predictive performance: SERPINA1 achieved AUCs of 0.775 and 0.924 for 30-day and 12-month mortality, and CD59 achieved AUCs of 0.720 for sepsis; the combined model further improved prediction of 12-month mortality (AUC 0.946) and sepsis (AUC 0.904), outperforming D-dimer and FDP. Multivariable regression confirmed their independent prognostic value. CONCLUSION: This exploratory study identifies SERPINA1 and CD59 as candidate prognostic biomarkers in COVID-19, highlighting the role of coagulation and complement-related pathways in disease severity and warranting further prospective validation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Genomic and One Health insights into Vibrio parahaemolyticus from environmental, seafood and clinical sources.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a leading cause of seafood-borne gastroenteritis worldwide, with climate warming facilitating its spread to high-latitude areas. In this study, we analyzed 212 genomes of environmental and seafood-associated isolates collected from seven cities in Zhejiang Province, China (2019-2024), alongside 228 clinical genomes from public databases. The 212 isolates were assigned to 172 sequence types (STs), with ST490 being the most frequent (5/212, 2.36%). Forty-four serotypes were identified, dominated by OL3:KUT (12.68%). High ST and serotype diversity were observed across different sample types and sources, with median pairwise single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) ranging from 57,431 to 58,378, indicating comparable genetic diversity across groups. All isolates carried tlh and T3SS1 but lacked tdh and T3SS2. Resistance rates against ampicillin and cefazolin were 54.72% (116/212) and 44.34% (94/212), respectively, with multidrug resistance (MDR) detected in nine isolates, predominantly from seafood (7/9). A total of 63 distinct antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) spanning seven classes were identified. Isolates from aquaculture farms and wet markets exhibited greater resistance category diversity and higher ARG carriage than those from coastal or riverine sites. In contrast, the 228 clinical isolates harbored only 25 ARGs across two classes, with a significantly lower proportion of isolates carrying multiple ARG classes (0.44% vs. 6.13%, P < 0.001). Human isolates formed tighter phylogenetic clusters, although a minority were closely related to environmental/foodborne strains. Overall, our findings demonstrate the genetic diversity and resistance potential of V. parahaemolyticus across environmental, seafood, and clinical sources, highlighting the importance of the One Health approach to comprehensive public health risk assessment.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus↗

PubMed2026

Uce-based phylogeny and classification of Megachilini.

The generic-level classification of the bee tribe Megachilini (Megachilidae) has remained controversial due to poor phylogenetic resolution at the base of the group, particularly among the brood parasitic genera and the numerous dauber ("Chalicodoma s. l.") lineages. We present a phylogenomic analysis of Megachilini based on ultraconserved elements (UCEs), sampling 52 ingroup taxa with emphasis on the dauber lineages. We also present a combined UCE + six-gene analysis to improve taxon coverage, resulting in a dataset with 127 ingroup taxa. Maximum likelihood, coalescent, and Bayesian analyses of multiple UCE matrices recover largely congruent topologies with substantially improved support relative to previous studies. Our results strongly support the monophyly of Megachilini, the early divergence of Noteriades and Gronoceras, and a single origin of brood parasitism. All remaining non-parasitic Megachilini form a moderately supported clade sister to the brood parasitic lineage. The leafcutter bees are monophyletic and nested within dauber lineages. Several major dauber clades are consistently recovered, including an exclusively Australian clade corresponding to the Hackeriapis group of subgenera, while several recognized subgenera are paraphyletic. The lineage known as Morphella, previously placed in synonymy with the subgenus Callomegachile, was not closely related to that subgenus and is here treated as a valid subgenus. Divergence-time analyses place the crown age of Megachilini in the late Eocene to early Oligocene, with major extant lineages diversifying during the Miocene. Limited morphological diagnosability of several clades indicates that splitting non-parasitic lineages into numerous genera would result in an impractical classification that would widen the gap between taxonomists and non-specialists and exacerbate the taxonomic impediment in bees. We therefore advocate retaining a single genus Megachile for non-parasitic Megachilini (excluding Noteriades and Gronoceras), as the classification best supported by phylogenomic evidence and most robust to future taxon sampling.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Intramuscular Fat Infiltration and Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intramuscular fat infiltration (IMFI) is considered to be closely associated with knee osteoarthritis (KOA); however, its overall association, muscle-specific involvement, and clinical relevance remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: To quantify the association between IMFI and KOA, identify affected muscle groups, and evaluate prognostic value. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase up to December 2025 for observational studies. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed bias (NOS/JBI). Pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) were calculated using random-effects models, with subgroup and sensitivity analyses. RESULTS: Seventeen studies were included. IMFI was significantly higher in KOA patients than controls (SMD = 0.63, 95% CI 0.41-0.85, I2 = 84.7%). Anatomically, the anterior thigh muscles (rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis) demonstrated a significant pooled effect (SMD = 0.96, 95% CI 0.66-1.25, I2 = 3.2%) and showed the strongest pooled association, whereas posterior, medial, and composite measures did not demonstrate significant associations. At the individual muscle level, a single study reported a notable association for the semimembranosus (SMD = 1.25, 95% CI 0.57-1.93); however, this finding is based on limited evidence and requires confirmation in future studies. Subgroup by imaging modality: CT demonstrated a significant association (SMD = 0.59, 95% CI 0.28-0.90), while MRI and ultrasound did not show significant associations. Elevated IMFI was also associated with reduced muscle strength, higher KOA incidence, structural progression, and increased knee replacement risk. CONCLUSION: A moderate positive association exists between IMFI and KOA, with notable muscle-specific heterogeneity. Anterior thigh muscles show the strongest pooled association, whereas individual muscle findings require further confirmation. These findings suggest that IMFI may represent a promising potential marker warranting further prospective investigation for risk stratification, though causality and its role in modifying disease progression remain to be established.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Transcriptomics reveals species-specific adaptive strategies to calorie restriction in two Argopecten scallops with distinct lifespans.

Calorie restriction (CR) is a well-established non-genetic intervention for lifespan extension in multiple model organisms. Seasonal food shortage in cold and temperate seas may mimic CR, inducing in bivalves a response similar to that in vertebrates and thereby prolonging life expectancy. However, the relationship and the mechanism underlying the food availability and lifespan in bivalves remain largely unexplored. Two closely related scallop species the short-lived warm-water Argopecten irradians (lifespan <2 years) and the longer-lived cold-water Argopecten purpuratus (7-10 years) provide an ideal comparative system to investigate species-specific adaptive strategies. In this study, we subjected both species to CR for 30 and 56 days and performed comparative transcriptomic profiling, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and physiological assays to elucidate their distinct molecular responses. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that A. purpuratus exhibited substantially more DEGs than A. irradians at both time points under CR, with both species showing downregulation of metabolic pathways but to different extents. A. irradians mounted an early nutrient-sensing response at 30 days (IGF1R, PIK3R3, INSR suppression), indicating acute sensitivity to limitation; by contrast, A. purpuratus displayed delayed FoxO activation at 56 days, along with its downstream effectors NFKBIA, CREB3L4, and SMAD4, suggesting a gradual adaptive program may link to its extended lifespan. WGCNA identified three negatively correlated modules in each species, with coral2 being the most prominent in A. irradians and darkolivegreen in A. purpuratus. The former was dominated by ciliary motility genes, whereas the latter featured coordinated repression of oxidative phosphorylation. Additionally, both species exhibited conserved suppression of mTOR/S6K growth signaling and activation of cellular maintenance programs. Collectively, these findings expand the understanding of CR-mediated longevity regulation in bivalves and provide candidate gene resources for future functional studies and breeding programs.

Pectinidae↗