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PubMed2026

The effects of visuomotor training and tDCS stimulation on visuomotor integration and visual processing: an electrophysiological approach.

BACKGROUND: Visuomotor integration coordinates visual and motor cortical activity to produce goal-directed responses and can be indexed by Rolandic Mu-rhythm suppression and visual evoked potential (VEP) P100 parameters. Perceptual-motor training improves visuomotor performance, and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over primary motor cortex (M1) has been reported to enhance motor learning when paired with training. This study examined whether anodal M1 tDCS augments the effects of Senaptec visuomotor training in healthy adults. METHODS: Sixty participants were randomized to active anodal tDCS (five 10-minute sessions, 1 mA; n = 31) or sham (n = 29) over M1 immediately before each Senaptec training session; 53 completed all sessions and post-testing. Outcomes were Mu-suppression ratios, VEP P100 latency and amplitude, and Senaptec measures of visual sensitivity and visuomotor control. RESULTS: Active tDCS produced no augmentation of any outcome, with no significant group × time interaction for any measure, consistent across composite and task-level analyses. Training alone produced no change in Mu suppression or visuomotor control. By contrast, both groups showed significant training-related gains in visual sensitivity, including near-far quickness and stereopsis, accompanied by shorter P100 latencies and larger amplitudes, indicating more efficient early visual processing. CONCLUSIONS: A clear dissociation emerged: training produced robust improvements in early visual processing, whereas neither tDCS nor training altered sensorimotor (Mu) or visuomotor-control measures. The tDCS results should be interpreted cautiously given the modest dose and limited power to detect small effects, rather than as evidence of inefficacy. Tablet-based perceptual training enhanced visual processing independent of neuromodulation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Integrated assessment of biocontrol potential and genome analysis of endophytic Bacillus velezensis MGL-B1 against mango stem-end rot.

Mango stem-end rot is a globally significant postharvest disease that severely threatens the mango industry, primarily caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea. However, information on biocontrol agents targeting this pathogen in mango remains limited. In this study, we isolated and identified a strain of Bacillus velezensis MGL-B1 from mango leaf tissues for the first time, which exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Both in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that MGL-B1 effectively inhibited the growth of B. dothidea, with an in vivo biocontrol efficacy reaching 83.72 ± 5.10%, comparable to that of the commonly used chemical fungicide thiabendazole. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that MGL-B1 acts by directly disrupting the integrity of the pathogen's mycelial cell membrane. In addition, its released volatile organic compounds (VOCs) also displayed significant antifungal activity, with components such as 2-nonanone, 2-nonanol, and phenylethyl alcohol being confirmed to exert antifungal effects in in vitro fumigation assays. qPCR analysis showed that MGL-B1 treatment significantly upregulated the transcriptional levels of genes involved in plant-pathogen interaction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and antioxidant defense pathways in mango fruits, with upregulation folds of 16.32, 37.19, and 75.93, respectively; meanwhile, the expression of browning-related genes such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was markedly suppressed. Whole-genome sequencing further revealed 14 biosynthetic gene clusters for antimicrobial compounds, including five unknown gene clusters. Collectively, B. velezensis MGL-B1 represents a promising biocandidate strain with multiple antifungal mechanisms and excellent control efficacy, providing a valuable resource for green and sustainable management of mango diseases.

Mangifera↗

PubMed2026

IMPROVE kidney care: perspectives from marginalised people with CKD and risk factors for CKD on access to, and experience of, kidney care services: a cross-sector collaborative exploration, employing qualitative approaches.

BACKGROUND: Access to, and experience of, chronic kidney disease (CKD) care is inequitable-with barriers to accessing quality care for marginalised groups. We conducted an exploratory study employing qualitative approaches to understand the factors that influence access to, and experience of, healthcare services for marginalised people with CKD and at risk of CKD. METHODS: An exploratory study employing qualitative approaches was conducted as a cross-sector collaboration between kidney care services and an activist, antiracist community-based research and social justice organisation (Mabadiliko Community Interest Company (CIC)). Two groups were recruited: 1) those with risk factors for CKD or early-stage CKD, and 2) people who presented late to kidney care services. Semi-structured interviews were co-designed with people with lived experience and conducted by Mabadiliko CIC. Thematic analysis was undertaken, with themes refined by participants. RESULTS: Twenty interviews were undertaken with a diverse cohort of participants. Knowledge and awareness of CKD was limited, and compounded by a lack of delivery of accessible, culturally congruent information. Significant barriers to accessing kidney care exist for marginalised people, including people who are from global majority ethnic backgrounds, Disabled people, and/or people experiencing material hardship. These barriers are compounded by interpersonal discrimination and paternalistic power dynamics within healthcare interactions. CONCLUSION: This study captures the experiences of marginalised people at different stages of their journey with CKD, in accessing and engaging with kidney care services. Participants faced a complex array of challenges, highlighting opportunities for multi-level intervention. We outline recommendations to address these issues, co-developed with participants.

chronic kidney disease↗

PubMed2026

Comprehensive multi-post-translational modifications profiling reveals age-associated remodeling in skeletal muscle.

Sarcopenia, characterized by the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, is a major hallmark of aging. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) play essential roles in regulating protein activity and cellular homeostasis; however, how multiple PTMs are remodeled during skeletal muscle aging remains incompletely characterized. Here, we performed comprehensive multi-layered proteomic profiling of skeletal muscle from young (3-month-old) and aged (24-month-old) mice, systematically quantifying the global proteome together with five major PTMs: acetylation, phosphorylation, N-glycosylation, O-glycosylation, and ubiquitination. In total, we identified 5 337 proteins and mapped thousands of PTM sites, generating an integrated atlas of age-associated proteomic and PTM remodeling in skeletal muscle. Pathway enrichment analyses revealed distinct modification-specific patterns: acetylation and phosphorylation were predominantly associated with metabolic and mitochondrial-related pathways; N-glycosylation was enriched in immune- and secretory pathway-related processes; O-glycosylation was associated with muscle contraction-related pathways; and ubiquitination was preferentially linked to cytoskeletal organization in muscle cells. Correlation analyses further uncovered diverse association patterns among different PTMs across protein- and modification-level datasets. Phosphorylation and ubiquitination exhibited consistent positive associations, whereas acetylation and ubiquitination showed both inverse and concordant co-variation patterns across subsets of proteins. Phosphorylation and O-glycosylation displayed heterogeneous association patterns across different proteins, and acetylation and phosphorylation demonstrated positive correlations with distinct age-associated directional changes across protein subsets. Together, these results provide a comprehensive, multi-dimensional view of age-associated remodeling of the skeletal muscle proteome and multiple PTM layers, offering a valuable resource for understanding molecular alterations accompanying muscle aging and sarcopenia.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Adherence and effectiveness of multicomponent exercise fall prevention programmes across delivery formats in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and multilevel meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Multicomponent exercise is widely implemented for fall prevention in older adults, but the role of exercise adherence and delivery format in determining intervention effectiveness remains inadequately understood, particularly in analyses that account for within-study outcome dependence. METHODS: We searched five databases to 23 November 2025 for RCTs of multicomponent exercise in adults aged ≥60 years. Fall outcomes were synthesised using three-level random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression, with adherence evaluated as continuous/categorical factors and as moderator alongside delivery format, accounting for within-study effect-size dependence. RESULTS: Forty-one publications were included, comprising 36 distinct cohorts and involving 20,202 participants. Multicomponent exercise programmes significantly reduced fall incidence (IRR = 0.776, 95% CI 0.641-0.939), risk of experiencing at least one fall (RR = 0.914, 95% CI 0.858-0.974), and fall-related injury incidence (IRR = 0.754, 95% CI 0.663-0.858). Programmes achieving adherence ≥75% were independently associated with greater reductions in fall incidence (IRR = 0.501, 95% CI 0.336-0.747) and fall risk (RR = 0.821, 95% CI 0.697-0.967). Mean adherence was highest in combined individual and group delivery, lower in single-format programmes, though including a group component may enhance adherence. CONCLUSIONS: Multicomponent exercise fall prevention programmes are effective for fall prevention in community-dwelling older adults, whereas evidence for their protective effects on fall-related injury outcomes remains limited. Adherence is an important factor influencing programme implementation and intervention effectiveness.

Aged↗

PubMed2026

Neighborhood Hostility is Associated With the Relationship Between Park Proximity and Physical Activity Among Youth: National Evidence From Chile.

PURPOSE: Physical inactivity among youth is highly prevalent worldwide. Although proximity to parks and recreational facilities is generally associated with higher physical activity (PA), unsafe or hostile neighborhood environments may limit their use. This study examined whether neighborhood hostility moderates the association between access to recreational facilities and adherence to World Health Organization PA guidelines among Chilean youth. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from the 2024 National Physical Activity and Sport Survey of Chile, including 3,477 urban participants stratified into childhood (5-10 years), early adolescence (11-13 years), and late adolescence (14-17 years). Built environment exposures included perceived access to recreational facilities, a cumulative neighborhood hostility score (0-5). Logistic regression models were stratified by age group and adjusted for covariates. Interaction terms assessed moderation by neighborhood hostility, and causal mediation analyses were performed. RESULTS: Adherence to World Health Organization guidelines was low (41.9% in childhood, 43.8% in early adolescence, and 43.9% in late adolescence). Greater distance to recreational facilities was associated with lower odds of meeting activity guidelines. Higher neighborhood hostility was independently associated with lower PA levels. Among adolescents, neighborhood hostility substantially attenuated the association between proximity and activity. Mediation analyses indicated partial mediation, with effective park utilization emerging as the strongest mechanism, accounting for 21.8% of the association (p < .001), followed by psychological motivation (11.9%). DISCUSSION: Proximity to recreational infrastructure alone is insufficient to promote PA in hostile neighborhoods. Policy approaches should integrate infrastructure provision with strategies addressing neighborhood safety and promoting active engagement.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Target Capture of Ancient Shell DNA Enables Phylogenetic Reconstruction of Deep-Sea Molluscs.

Target capture is widely used to enrich endogenous DNA from calcium phosphate skeletal material in vertebrates, but its performance on calcium carbonate hard parts widely produced by invertebrates remains poorly understood. Here, we compared DNA recovery from four fresh and 12 ancient (eight radiocarbon-dated to 1671-1135 years old before present) deep-sea vesicomyid clam shells, including species Archivesica marissinica, A. nanshaensis and A. okutanii, using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) or target capture of ultraconserved elements (UCEs). WGS achieved 16.65% on-target read recovery of UCEs from fresh soft tissue, but < 1% from shell specimens. By contrast, UCE capture in the same specimen increased on-target reads by up to 155-fold, reaching 29.84% in fresh shells and up to 72-fold, reaching 19.89% in ancient shells. Target capture of UCEs recovered 142-1001 loci per sample compared to 0-230 with WGS alone. Ancient shells of A. marissinica and A. okutanii, based on reads mapped with bwa-mem2 and bbmap, exhibited characteristic post-mortem DNA damage signals, with average 5'-end C-to-T misincorporation rates of 3.46% and 15.97%, respectively, exceeding the levels observed in fresh A. marissinica shells (maximum 1.24%). UCE-based phylogenetic reconstructions incorporating shell ancient DNA recovered two major clades within Pliocardiinae, consistent with published phylogenomic trees. Together, these findings demonstrate that target-capture enrichment enables effective recovery of highly degraded DNA from ancient mollusc shells and supports robust phylogenetic inference at the intrageneric scale, expanding the utility of shells-one of the most abundant invertebrate remains-for evolutionary, biogeographic and conservation studies.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Histidine Supplementation Stabilizes Hearing and Vision and Improves Growth in HARS1-Related Autosomal Recessive Disorder Associated With Usher-Like Symptoms.

Autosomal recessive HARS1-related disorder (originally described as Usher syndrome type 3B) caused by a homozygous Y454S variant in the histidyl-tRNA synthetase gene (HARS1) is characterized by progressive sensorineural hearing and vision loss and respiratory deterioration with risk for sudden death following febrile illnesses. In-vitro studies have previously shown that histidine can rescue a humanized yeast model for pathogenic HARS alleles. Fourteen children homozygous for HARS Y454S were treated with supplemental oral histidine (50 mg/kg BID) and monitored with bloodwork and physical, visual, and audiometry assessments during a 3-year clinical trial, then followed for more than 4 years on histidine in the post-trial period. Patient fibroblasts were assessed for response to histidine. Hearing and vision remained stable, and growth improved significantly. Children remained healthy, with no severe deteriorations despite exposure to bacterial and viral infections, including COVID-19. Gains in growth were maintained in the post-trial period on varying levels of histidine supplementation. Daily oral histidine supplementation in children with autosomal recessive HARS1-related disorder can ameliorate or slow the progression of disease and is safe, inexpensive, and well tolerated. This study adds to the growing list of autosomal recessive ARSopathies (aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase disorders) that are amenable to amino acid supplementation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy of Oral Baicalin in Canine Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomised Placebo Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Baicalin has shown efficacy in various dermatitis models in animals. However, its therapeutic effects on naturally occurring canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) have not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of baicalin in dogs with cAD. ANIMALS: 56 client-owned dogs were enrolled. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All dogs were randomly divided to receive oral baicalin or placebo over a 90day period. All subjects had veterinary evaluations using the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index, 4th iteration (CADESI-04) during the trial and owners were requested to evaluate itching using the pruritus Visual Analog Scale (PVAS) and to complete a quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaire at Day (D)0 and D90. Additionally, the transepidermal water loss (TEWL), total serum IgE levels (IgE), complete blood count and serum biochemical results were measured at D0 and D90. RESULTS: The significant decreases in CADESI-04 (p < 0.001), PVAS (p < 0.001), TEWL (p = 0.014), IgE (p < 0.001) and QoL scores (p < 0.001) were observed in the baicalin group D90 compared to baseline. When compared to placebo, the baicalin group had significantly lower scores in CADESI-4 and PVAS (p < 0.001). A significantly higher proportion of subjects in the baicalin group showed a good-to-excellent treatment response (82.1%) compared to those in the placebo group (35.7%). The treatment was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Baicalin had a significant benefit in alleviating pruritus and reducing clinical signs in dogs with mild-to-moderate cAD and was well tolerated.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Stable chloroform emissions in southeastern China: insights from recent observations.

Chloroform (CHCl3) is a short-lived ozone-depleting substance not currently regulated under the Montreal Protocol. Due to the unique meteorological conditions in East Asia, CHCl3 emitted in this region has a greater potential to reach the stratosphere and contribute to ozone depletion. As an essential component of national CHCl3 emissions, southeastern China has attracted increasing attention. However, long-term observational data in this region remain relatively scarce, with no updates since 2020. In this study, we continuously measured atmospheric CHCl3 concentrations at a remote monitoring station in southeastern China from 1 June 2023 to 31 May 2025. Frequent concentration enhancements were observed during the monitoring period, with mixing ratios ranging from 9.3 to 134.1 ppt and an average value of 36.8 ± 19.7 ppt. Back-trajectory analysis indicated that air masses associated with elevated CHCl3 levels primarily originated from coastal industrial provinces in eastern China. Using the Potential Source Contribution Function and Concentration Weighted Trajectory methods, we identified the Yangtze River Delta (Jiangsu, Anhui, and Zhejiang Provinces) and Jiangxi Province as dominant source regions. Emissions of CHCl3 in southeastern China were estimated using the Tracer Ratio Method to be approximately 30.1 ± 5.3 Gg/yr from 2023-06-01 to 2025-05-31, indicating overall stability relative to earlier estimates and no apparent upward trend. These findings provide updated insights into the current status of CHCl3 emissions in southeastern China and highlight the need for continued monitoring and emission assessment of CHCl3 in East Asia, given its unregulated status and implications for ozone layer recovery.

Air Pollutants↗

PubMed2026

Dynamic lysine acetylation and succinylation of platelet proteins regulates platelet storage lesion: mechanistic insights from multi-omics.

OBJECTIVES: Platelet storage lesion (PSL) severely impairs platelet function during storage, presenting a major hurdle in transfusion medicine; however, the dynamic interplay between global proteomic changes and post-translational modifications (PTMs) underlying these functional deteriorations remains insufficiently characterized. Here, we report the first comprehensive multi-omics analysis integrating global proteomics, acetylomics, and succinylomics to dissect the molecular dynamics during platelet storage. METHODS: We performed quantification of global proteomics, acetylome and succinylome based on TMT-labeled LC-MS/MS analysis, combined with antibody-affinity enrichment and purification. Dynamic molecular changes and functional transformation of platelet were also characterized under proper conditions stored for 1, 3, 5, 7 days, respectively. RESULTS: We systematically characterized 3,609 proteins, 1,308 acetylation sites, and 1,947 succinylation sites across multiple storage time points (D1, D3, D5, D7). We distinct temporal patterns of post-translational modifications, with succinylation showing more extensive coverage than acetylation in platelets. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed extensive metabolic reprogramming involving complement activation, energy metabolism, and cellular detoxification processes. The identification of specific motif patterns provided mechanistic insights into the functional specificity of these modifications. Random forest machine learning identified 20 core regulatory proteins representing critical nodes in PSL development. Furthermore, we employed real - time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT - QPCR) to measure the expression levels of key genes related to platelet function and PTM - associated pathways. CONCLUSION: By mapping the interplay between proteomic abundance shifts and PTM dynamics, this study provides a multidimensional understanding of PSL, establishing a foundational framework for optimizing storage protocols and enhancing transfusion safety.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMed2026

Medication safety in older adults in India: an integrative PhD synthesis of direct evidence and contextual implementation evidence.

BACKGROUND: Unsafe medication practices among older adults are an important global health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where multimorbidity, fragmented care, self-medication, and informal healthcare provision intersect. OBJECTIVE(S): To synthesize direct evidence on medication safety among older adults in India and contextual evidence on deprescribing and community-level provider interventions relevant to safer medication use. METHODS: This PhD synthesis integrates four studies: a record-based cross-sectional study on polypharmacy and cardiovascular autonomic function in Kolkata; a six-city community study of 600 Indian older adults; a systematic review and meta-analysis on deprescribing preventive medications in frail or end-of-life older adults; and a systematic review of informal healthcare provider interventions in low- and middle-income countries. Studies I-II provided direct Indian older-adult evidence, while Studies III-IV provided indirect contextual evidence for their optimization and implementation. RESULTS: Polypharmacy was associated with higher anticholinergic burden and numerically higher cardiac autonomic neuropathy although residual confounding limits causal interpretation. In the multicity study, one-third had polypharmacy, while potentially inappropriate medications, prescribing omissions, and self-medication were common. Risks were higher with multimorbidity, recent hospitalization, care transitions, or living alone. Deprescribing showed no statistically significant increase in mortality, hospitalization, or major cardiovascular events, but heterogeneity was high and certainty low to very low. Informal-provider interventions showed the potential to improve knowledge, referral, case management, and medication-related practices. CONCLUSIONS: Medication safety among older adults in India requires an integrated continuum approach, but direct evidence supports only some components and implementation strategies that need prospective evaluation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The Role of Small Segmental Duplications in Generating Identical Isoforms Through Alternative Splicing Sites.

Alternative splicing plays a crucial role in expanding proteomic diversity but can also generate identical isoforms under certain conditions. While mutually exclusive splicing of tandem exons has occasionally been reported to produce identical isoforms, the extent to which other splicing events contribute to this phenomenon remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that alternative 5' and 3' splice site selection can also lead to the formation of identical isoforms, providing an additional type of splicing event for functional redundancy in transcriptomes. To address this, we analyzed reference genome annotations from 15 plant species, including Arabidopsis thaliana and wheat (Triticum aestivum), obtained from the RefSeq database. Identical isoforms were computationally defined as transcripts with distinct exon-intron structures but identical coding sequences. Our analysis reveals that the majority of alternative 5' and 3' fragments originate from small segmental duplications, suggesting that sequence repetition within gene regions facilitates the emergence of such splicing patterns. We also observed differences in the annotated 5' UTRs of some identical isoforms. However, since the alternative splicing sites themselves were not located within UTRs, these differences may reflect annotation uncertainty rather than genuine AS-derived variation. Given that UTR predictions in reference databases are not always precise, such observations should be interpreted cautiously. Expression analysis using an isoform-specific k-mer approach confirmed that identical isoforms can be differentially regulated. These findings suggest that, beyond expanding protein diversity, alternative splicing can also generate redundant isoforms that are differentially expressed at the RNA level, indicating potential regulatory roles. By elucidating the structural and regulatory factors contributing to the formation and retention of identical isoforms, our study provides new insights into the evolutionary and functional significance of alternative splicing in plants.

Alternative Splicing↗

PubMed2026

Novel histopathologic findings in abdominoscrotal hydrocele: Clues to pathogenesis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether underlying histological alterations in hydrocele sac wall can provide an explanation of difference in abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) and communicating hydrocele (CH) behavior. The aim of this study is to assess the immunohistopathologic characteristics of CH and ASH sac walls in pediatric patients. METHODS: In a retrospective case-control study, patients diagnosed with ASH or CH underwent surgical management at a tertiary pediatric center. Samples of ASH or CH wall sac were obtained for histopathologic evaluations, especially for contractile units and fibromuscular components. These assessments comprised Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for smooth muscle actin (SMA), Myogenin and Caldesmon (H-CALD) to identify and quantify the presence of cells with striated or smooth muscle origins. All patient's imaging, clinical and demographic data were evaluated. All statistical analysis performed using SPSS software and p-value of <0.05 considered as the level of significance. RESULTS: Among 38 patients in our case-control study, 14 (36.84%) patients referred with bilateral hydrocele. The intra-operative observation of all ASH cases indicated no patent processus vaginalis. The IHC evaluations of ASH and CH specimens demonstrated that there is a significantly higher expression of SMA (median 5.73% versus 0.56%, P-Value <0.001), H-CALD (median 9.28% versus 0.18%, P-Value <0.001) in comparison to those of CH. CONCLUSION: The higher expression of smooth muscle and myofibroblast origins in the ASH wall suggests the potential of consistent contractility, which likely affects the secretion-reabsorption imbalance. Performing histologic studies can enhance our understanding of ASH pathogenesis and clinical characteristics.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Non-smoked cannabis consumption formats and Cannabis Use Disorder severity in an illicit setting: Evidence from Chile, 2020-2024.

BACKGROUND: Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) has become an increasing public health burden, particularly in Chile. Non-smoked cannabis formats and products have been independently associated with CUD but remain understudied in the region. This study compares CUD severity among individuals aged 12 to 65 in Chile who consume cannabis via edibles, vaporization or both versus those who exclusively smoke it. METHODS: We obtained secondary data from three waves of the Chilean National Survey on Drugs in the General Population (ENPG), a three-stage stratified probabilistic sampling design study conducted in 2020, 2022, and 2024. Our pooled cross-sectional sample included individuals (n = 3543) who reported cannabis use in vaped, edible, both vaped and edible or exclusively smoked format in the past 12 months. We used a partial proportional odds model to estimate the association between CUD severity and consumption formats. RESULTS: Cannabis vaping group showed higher odds of presenting at least mild CUD (OR = 6.21 [95% CI: 3.75-10.3]), as did the edible group (OR = 1.73 [95% CI: 1.08-2.78]) and both group (OR = 5.92 [95% CI: 2.72-12.87]), compared to exclusive smokers. However, only the vaped group demonstrated higher odds for all severity levels. CONCLUSION: Compared with exclusive smokers, users of vaporizers and/or edibles showed a stronger association with CUD. This association may be explained by consumption patterns and total THC exposure. Further research is needed to characterize the average THC exposure by consumption format, acknowledging contextual confounders such as the legal framework.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Adolescents' Growing Sensitivity to Psychosocial Stressors: Evidence From Two Decades of Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) Data in the Nordic Countries.

PURPOSE: We tested a perception-based explanation for rising psychosomatic complaints among adolescents in the Nordic countries. Specifically, we examined whether adolescents have become more sensitive to psychosocial stressors, reflected in stronger associations between stressors and psychosomatic complaints in 2022 than in 2002. METHODS: Data were drawn from the 2002 to 2022 waves of the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children survey among 15-year-olds in five Nordic countries (N = 7,263 in 2002 and 6,739 in 2022). Psychosomatic complaints were examined in relation to stressors in the following three domains: interpersonal relationships, school-related strain, and body- and activity-related factors. Moderated regression analyses tested whether associations between stressors and complaints differed between survey years. Sex and perceived family finances were included as covariates. RESULTS: Four of five psychosocial stressors showed stronger associations with psychosomatic complaints in 2022 than in 2002. Perceived poor family finances, although less prevalent in 2022, were more strongly related to complaints. Girls consistently reported higher levels of psychosomatic complaints, and the association between school pressure and complaints was stronger among girls. DISCUSSION: Although several psychosocial stressors declined in prevalence, their associations with psychosomatic complaints strengthened over time. These findings suggest that rising complaints may reflect changes in how psychosocial stressors are linked to adolescents' psychosomatic symptoms, rather than increases in exposure to those stressors. This shift highlights the importance of considering how adolescents interpret and respond to everyday stress when addressing population trends in mental health.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Mapping the Molecular Evolution and Role of Wild Rice GLYIII Protein-Encoding Genes in Abiotic Stress Response.

To address the need for sustainable food production amid rapid global climate change, developing rice varieties that grow optimally even under harsh conditions is essential. An effective approach in this direction would be to harness the stress resilience traits of the crop wild relatives (CWRs) of rice. Among the various crucial stress-responsive genes, the Glyoxalase III (GLYIII) gene family is of utmost importance for its ability to detoxify the toxic glycolytic byproduct, methylglyoxal (MG), in a less energy-intensive, single-step process, as well as for its multifaceted cytoprotective role. In our study, a comprehensive genome-wide search across the Oryza genus revealed that GLYIII genes are conserved across wild rice genotypes. Their number has expanded during domestication, driven by gene duplications. Interestingly, only a few orthologous pairs showed positive selection, suggesting that the functions of most others need to be constrained and or conserved.We found that higher GLYIII activity, Total Antioxidant Capacity, endogenous glutathione (GSH) levels, and free radical scavenging activity contributes to the stress resilience of wild rices O. punctata, O. meridionalis, and O. nivara, in addition to other factors. , , . , . Our qRT-PCR analysis revealed differential expression of the OpGLYIII, OmGLYIII, and OnGLYIII genes across different developmental stages and in response to various abiotic stresses. Furthermore, we report that wild rice GLYIII proteins, specifically OpGLYIII-3, OmGLYIII-3, and OnGLYIII-5, exhibit high catalytic efficiency over a broad pH range and at higher temperatures under in vitro assay conditions. Overexpression of these proteins was found to impart substantial stress resilience to the transformed E. coli cells. These findings collectively suggest that GLYIII proteins constitute a key component of the abiotic stress response machinery in wild rice.

Oryza↗

PubMed2026

Meta-analysis of growth and inactivation kinetics of Legionella.

Quantitative risk assessments intended to inform evidence-based water management plans and public health targets for Legionella in engineered water systems are constrained by fragmented and heterogeneous growth and inactivation kinetics. We conducted a meta-analysis of 25 growth and 39 thermal- and chemical-inactivation studies, fitting microbial persistence models to harmonize parameters. Nonlinear models outperformed first-order formulations, indicating that lag phases and resistant or protected subpopulations are central to Legionella persistence. Random forest analysis identified environmental and methodological drivers of variability based on 226 growth rates and reduction times for thermal (209) and chemical (135) inactivation. Growth was primarily governed by temperature, nutrient availability, and compatible Legionella-host pairings; thermal inactivation by quantification method, temperature, and turbidity; and chemical inactivation by inoculum size, disinfectant type, concentration, and host-associations. Accordingly, temperature-dependent growth parameters and exposure metrics for heat, free-chlorine, and monochloramine, expressed as TT (Temperature×time) and CT (Concentration×time), were derived as condition-specific inputs for predictive models. Growth optima around 37-40 °C, together with lag-time estimates, indicate that hot-water temperature setbacks and energy-saving practices may favor Legionella proliferation under repeated or prolonged lukewarm exposure. Culture- and viability-based TT differences highlight the need to consider viable‑but-non-culturable persistence in monitoring programs. CT comparisons suggest monochloramine may be advantageous because of its lower apparent sensitivity to host-associated protection. Although limited by restricted experimental conditions, the findings show that predictive models should account for microbial ecology, water matrix effects, and quantification endpoints. Future kinetic studies should prioritize realistic multi-host systems, strain pre-adaptation, complementary viability measurements, and standardized protocols and reporting to ensure reproducibility and enable robust system-level predictive modeling.

Legionella↗