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PubMed2026

The Neurological Impact of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review of Post-Operative Neuropathic and Non-Neuropathic Complications.

Metabolic and bariatric surgery achieves durable weight loss and meaningful improvement in obesity-related comorbidities yet carries a risk of neurological complications that remains under-recognised in routine clinical practice. This systematic review, registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024591611) and conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses 2020 guidelines, searched MEDLINE, Embase, Emcare, CINAHL and Cochrane databases through September 2023 to evaluate the incidence, spectrum, timing, pathophysiology and management of post-operative neurological complications. Twelve studies comprising over 5000 patients were included. Reported incidence ranged from 1.4% to 16%, with peripheral neuropathy the most frequent manifestation. Mononeuropathies, particularly carpal tunnel syndrome, were prominent in several cohorts, while central complications including Wernicke encephalopathy occurred less commonly but with considerably greater severity. Thiamine deficiency was the predominant aetiological factor. Onset varied from days to several years postoperatively, with early presentations typically compression-related and later ones nutritionally mediated. Outcomes were generally favourable with early intervention, though severe or delayed cases were associated with persistent neurological deficits and occasional mortality. Neurological complications after bariatric surgery are heterogeneous and largely preventable, and structured post-operative follow-up with consistent adherence to nutritional supplementation remains central to reducing long-term harm.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A Multi-omics Regulated Cell Death Framework Defines Immune Phenotypes and Guides Precision Therapy in Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is molecularly and immunologically heterogeneous, contributing to variable treatment response. Because regulated cell death (RCD) intersects with tumor metabolism, immune regulation, and therapeutic susceptibility, we built an RCD-centered framework for CRC stratification. Multi-cohort transcriptomic data were used to infer RCD subtypes with non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) and non-negative least squares (NNLS). Genomic, bulk RNA-seq, single-cell RNA-seq, and spatial transcriptomic datasets were integrated to characterize subtype-associated biology. Machine-learning models were developed for immunotherapy response and survival-risk estimation. Candidate compounds were screened by GDSC2-based drug-sensitivity modeling and molecular docking, and FSTL3 was functionally assessed in vitro. The framework separated CRC samples into two RCD-related phenotypes resembling immune-hot and immune-cold states. RCD1 showed immune activation and higher mutational burden, whereas RCD2 showed immune-suppressed features, intratumoral heterogeneity, and aggressive biology. RCD-associated signatures showed potential for predicting immunotherapy response and survival risk. Dasatinib was prioritized for immune-cold, high-risk tumors, with preliminary evidence supporting its activity in CRC cells, while functional assays suggested a role for FSTL3 in growth, invasion, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and apoptosis regulation. These findings suggest that RCD-based multi-omics analysis may refine CRC stratification and help generate therapeutic hypotheses.

Colorectal cancer↗

PubMed2026

Longitudinal Neurocognitive Changes for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review With Structured Narrative Synthesis.

OBJECTIVES: Neurocognitive changes in hematological malignancies (HM) and as a sequela of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remain under-recognized. These changes may substantially affect patients' quality of life. Therefore, this review systematically evaluated longitudinal neurocognitive changes in patients with HM undergoing HSCT. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched on October 30, 2025. Longitudinal studies assessing neurocognitive changes in patients with HM undergoing HSCT, with or without healthy controls, were included. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for before-after studies. Effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to quantify changes in neurocognitive performance. RESULTS: Nine of 2012 studies met the inclusion criteria, with overall moderate study quality. Improvements may occur post-HSCT; however, allogeneic HSCT and myeloablative conditioning were main risk factors identified for persistent cognitive decline. In line with white matter damage, executive function and attention/processing speed impairments likely represent core deficits, which may affect other cognitive impairments. Post-HSCT changes depend on task characteristics, cognitive load, and conditioning intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should emphasize regular neurocognitive assessment to guide cognitive rehabilitation, implement pre-transplant cognitive rehabilitation strategies to mitigate post-HSCT cognitive decline, and enhance treatment outcomes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Behind the Curtain of Care. Nurses' Experiences Providing Care to Consumers With Alcohol and Other Drug Issues: A Qualitative Scoping Review.

AIM: To scope and synthesise qualitative literature relating to nurses' experiences of providing care to consumers with alcohol and other drug issues and explore how meaning is constructed in practice. DESIGN: Scoping review. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Findings were analysed using thematic analysis. DATA SOURCES: Systematic searches were conducted between September and November 2025 across Medline, Emcare, CINAHL and Google Scholar, using controlled vocabulary and keywords relevant to nurses' experiences of providing care to consumers with alcohol and other drug issues. RESULTS: Twenty-four studies from 12 countries were included. Seven themes were identified: emotional aspects of care, education, training and skills in practice, the spectrum of stigma, ethical issues in professional practice, navigating pain management, limited support, and how meaning is constructed in practice. CONCLUSION: Nurses' experiences of providing care to consumers with alcohol and other drug issues are shaped by multiple intersecting factors influencing care delivery and professional practice. Further research is needed to examine how workplace culture, language and interpersonal interactions influence healthcare experiences, and inform education, service development and support needs. REPORTING METHOD: Reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No patient or public contribution.

alcohol and other drugs↗

PubMed2026

Surgical management and outcomes of total colonic aganglionosis in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: Total colonic aganglionosis (TCA) is a rare form of Hirschsprung disease, and there is no consensus regarding its optimal surgical management. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate different surgical approaches and outcomes in children with TCA. METHODS: A systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE and Embase was performed for studies published between January 2000 and December 2025. The review followed PRISMA guidelines and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251078401). Eligible studies included patients aged ≤18 years with TCA who underwent conventional pull-through procedures (CPT; Duhamel, Soave, Swenson, Rehbein, and Ikeda-Soper) or non-conventional techniques (NCPT; STATE procedure, J-pouch, right- or left-sided colonic patch pull-through, and ileocecal patch). A subgroup analysis comparing Duhamel and ileoanal pull-through procedures (IAPT) was also performed. Outcomes included fecal incontinence, Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis (HAEC), requirement for additional interventions, postoperative intestinal obstruction, and mortality. Meta-analysis was performed using jamovi software, version 2.3.28, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Seven studies including 134 patients compared CPT (n = 85) with NCPT (n = 49), and ten studies including 274 patients compared Duhamel (n = 143) with IAPT (n = 131). Across both comparisons, pooled odds ratios (ORs) showed no statistically significant differences in fecal incontinence, HAEC, requirement for additional interventions, postoperative intestinal obstruction (Duhamel vs IAPT only), or mortality. For CPT versus NCPT, the pooled ORs were 1.1 for fecal incontinence (95% CI, 0.44-2.73; p = 0.837), 1.1 for HAEC (95% CI, 0.49-2.71; p = 0.743), 4.3 for requirement for additional interventions (95% CI, 0.86-22.1; p = 0.074), and 3.4 for mortality (95% CI, 0.52-21.5; p = 0.198). For Duhamel versus IAPT, the pooled ORs were 1.4 for fecal incontinence (95% CI, 0.60-3.36; p = 0.423), 0.6 for HAEC (95% CI, 0.22-2.06; p = 0.503), 1.8 for requirement for additional interventions (95% CI, 0.62-5.50; p = 0.262), 1.1 for postoperative intestinal obstruction (95% CI, 0.21-6.01; p = 0.875), and 1.03 for mortality (95% CI, 0.25-4.20; p = 0.965). CONCLUSION: No statistically significant differences were identified between CPT and NCPT or between Duhamel and IAPT for the evaluated outcomes in children with TCA. However, the absence of statistically significant differences should not be interpreted as evidence of equivalence, particularly given the small sample sizes, wide confidence intervals, and clinical and methodological heterogeneity of the studies included. The choice of surgical approach should be individualized according to disease extent, patient-specific factors, institutional experience, and surgical expertise. TYPE OF STUDY: Meta-analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Retention strategies and participant retention rates among prospective longitudinal pregnancy cohorts: a systematic mapping review.

Prospective longitudinal pregnancy cohorts can answer questions about fetal and early life exposures and later health outcomes; however, there are challenges to retaining participants in longitudinal studies, particularly over life transitions like the birth of a child. Optimal methods for retaining participants in longitudinal research are unclear. A systematic mapping review was conducted to identify prospective cohort studies and randomized controlled trials that enrolled pregnant participants and their infants. Data on retention rates and 17 retention strategies was extracted. A random effects meta-analysis generated pooled annual retention rates inversely weighted to the number of baseline participants. Spearman rank coefficients were used to assess correlation between strategy use and retention. A random-effects meta-regression was used to determine if select retention strategies were associated with participant retention. We identified 130 studies, involving 472 022 pregnancies. A downward trend in pooled mean retention rates were observed. Studies utilized an average of 6.8 (SD 3.9) retention strategies. Statistically significant associations were not observed between strategy use and retention rates at follow-up (p > 0.05). Prospective studies of pregnant people and their infants used multiple retention strategies. Participant retention rates declined over time, suggesting that additional factors may influence study participation in the postpartum period.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Toxicological effects of propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate on gallstone pathogenesis: An integrated mendelian randomization, network toxicology, and experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Gallstone disease is a prevalent digestive disorder with substantial global socioeconomic burden. Propyl 4-hydroxybenzoate (PP), a widely used paraben preservative, exhibits potential metabolic and hepatic toxicity, yet its role in gallstone pathogenesis remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the causal association between PP exposure and gallstone formation and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) was performed using genome-wide association study (GWAS) data. Network toxicology, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulation were applied to screen for core targets. In vivo experiments, transcriptome sequencing, Western blot (WB), and ELISA were conducted for mechanistic validation. RESULTS: MR confirmed a causal link between circulating PP levels and an elevated risk of gallstones (P < 0.05), with AKT1 identified as the key target. In mice, PP aggravated gallstone formation by activating the AKT1-NF-κB-CXCL1 pathway, enhancing hepatic inflammation and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation; these effects were reversed by AKT inhibition. CONCLUSION: PP promotes gallstone formation via the AKT1-NF-κB-CXCL1-NETs axis. Our findings highlight PP as an environmental risk factor for gallstones, providing novel insights into their prevention and targeted therapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

A Letter Matters: ADRB2 rs1042713 c.46A Modulates Anti-osteogenic Effect of Epinephrine in Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic bone disease affecting millions worldwide, characterized by long-term asymptomatic development that manifests in low-energy fractures. Due to their high stability, genetic markers represent a promising strategy for early diagnostics. The ADRB2 rs1042713 polymorphism is one such marker, considered as a potential predictor for OP. Although the anti-osteogenic role of the β2-adrenergic receptor is well-established, debate continues on which allele (G or A) of this polymorphism drives bone deterioration. In this study, we examined the influence of the ADRB2 rs1042713 G/G and A/A variants on osteogenic differentiation in patient-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) under treatment with the endogenous agonist epinephrine. We show that epinephrine (whose levels are often elevated in comorbid conditions) drastically impairs osteogenic differentiation, specifically at the matrix mineralization stage in MSCs A/A. Epinephrine fails to activate the canonical β2-adrenergic receptor pathway and promotes receptor perinuclear and nuclear localization in MSCs A/A. Crucially, metformin, a common anti-diabetic drug, rescues this anti-osteogenic effect. These results open new perspectives for early diagnostics by identifying epinephrine sensitivity as a critical factor, while also suggesting a potential therapeutic strategy to counteract epinephrine detrimental effect in individuals carrying the ADRB2 rs1042713 A-allele.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A systematic review of human avoidance learning: Cognition, computation, and methods.

Avoidance behaviour is fundamental for survival but can become maladaptive in clinical conditions. A large body of literature has accumulated on the dynamics of human avoidance learning. However, current theories and overviews do not provide an exhaustive account of this evidence. In this systematic review, we identify N = 116 studies on human avoidance learning. We analyse these studies with the goal of distilling robust empirical phenomena as a basis for theory-building, and examine their diagnostic value in differentiating between competing theories. We find that the evidence is difficult to reconcile with foundational two-factor and classical safety-signal accounts, and most strongly supports expectancy- and inference-based views, in which avoidance responses are selected with respect to represented consequences. At the same time, no current framework provides a complete account of the evidence: several findings point to an additional role for operant valuation, Pavlovian influences, and contextual or latent-state control over the expression of avoidance. Methodologically, we observe that the problem setting in the most common experimental paradigms is radically simpler than real-world avoidance and therefore unlikely to expose the limits of inferential or reflective mechanisms. Consequently, we argue that paradigms with greater computational demands and more realistic action affordances are required to identify the mechanisms underlying avoidance learning. Collectively, these insights provide a foundation for theoretical refinement, computational modelling, and methodological innovation, with implications for advancing interventions targeting maladaptive avoidance.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Targeting Gasdermins for Therapeutic Interventions in Central Nervous System Injury.

Central nervous system (CNS) injuries are the leading cause of permanent disability and premature death in adults worldwide, with their incidence continuing to rise amid social development. These injuries not only severely impair the quality of life but also impose a heavy burden on the global public health system. Current clinical interventions, such as decompression and thrombolysis, can alleviate primary injury but fail to effectively reverse the secondary neuroinflammatory damage. Traditional anti-inflammatory therapies, which cannot block the upstream source of the inflammatory cascade, have led to repeated failures in global clinical translation research over the past decades. Gasdermins were first characterized in studies of systemic inflammatory diseases. These proteins form transmembrane pores to drive the release of proinflammatory factors and inflammatory cell death, serving as key mediators of host innate immunity. Recent studies have revealed that gasdermins play critical roles in regulating the initiation and amplification of neuroinflammation following CNS injury. To clarify the therapeutic potential of gasdermins as targets for injury repair, this review systematically summarizes the structure and function of gasdermins, as well as their cell-specific activation and regulatory mechanisms. We further elaborate on their pathological roles in these injuries and the corresponding therapeutic strategies, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for basic research and clinical translation in this field.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Bacterially produced dsRNA targeting SePGRP-LB reduces population fitness of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and increases its susceptibility to SeMNPV.

The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is an important agricultural pest, and S. exigua multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (SeMNPV) is a host-specific biological control agent. However, baculovirus efficacy can be limited by host antiviral responses. S. exigua peptidoglycan recognition protein LB (SePGRP-LB) has been identified as an antiviral immune factor, suggesting that its suppression may increase larval susceptibility to SeMNPV. In this study, bacterially produced double-stranded RNA targeting SePGRP-LB (bac-dsPGRP-LB) was orally delivered to larvae to induce RNA interference. Feeding bac-dsPGRP-LB reduced SePGRP-LB transcript levels by 24.0% to 65.7% over 7 d. SePGRP-LB knockdown prolonged fifth-instar larval development, reduced female pupal weight, shortened male adult longevity and the oviposition period, and decreased fecundity by approximately 51%. Life table analysis further showed significant reductions in the intrinsic rate of increase (r), finite rate of increase (λ), and net reproductive rate (R0) following bac-dsPGRP-LB treatment. During SeMNPV infection, co-feeding with bac-dsPGRP-LB significantly suppressed SePGRP-LB expression, increased the SeMNPV genomic load, and reduced larval survival compared with the SeMNPV + bac-dsGFP treatment. These findings identify SePGRP-LB as a promising RNAi target for simultaneously reducing S. exigua fitness and enhancing its susceptibility to SeMNPV under laboratory conditions.

SePGRP-LB↗

PubMed2026

Unconfined compressive strength prediction for the ordinary Portland cement-steel slag-silica fume ternary system based on response surface methodology.

This research was undertaken to address environmental concerns associated with industrial solid waste and to reduce cement consumption in geotechnical engineering. It specifically investigates the feasibility of using steel slag (SS) and silica fume (SF) as partial substitutes for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in soil stabilization. The effects of SS, SF, OPC, and initial moisture content on the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of stabilized soil were investigated through single-factor experiments and response surface methodology (RSM). The results show that SS and SF can synergistically enhance the strength of stabilized soil, although their interaction effect was not statistically significant within the investigated ranges. Compared with soil stabilized solely with OPC, the addition of 18 % SS and 10 % SF reduced OPC consumption by 3 % without compromising strength. Microstructural and compositional analyses further revealed that SS mainly supplied calcium- and silica-bearing components, while SF provided highly reactive silica and micro-filling effects, jointly promoting hydration reactions and improving the compactness of the stabilized soil matrix. As a result, more hydration products were formed in the OPC/SS/SF-stabilized soil than in the OPC-stabilized soil, which contributed to pore filling and strength enhancement. This study provides useful guidance for the sustainable utilization of industrial solid waste and the low-carbon development of soil stabilization materials.

Construction Materials↗

PubMed2026

Innovations in microbial physical mutagenesis for food fermentation: An overview from traditional to emerging technologies.

Microbial strains serve as an important factor affecting fermentation efficiency and product quality. To obtain superior strains, mutation breeding is a classic strategy. Compared to chemical mutagenesis, physical mutagenesis directly induces genomic changes, providing notable advantages such as the elimination of chemical residues and environmental sustainability, hence rendering it a favored method for enhancing food-grade microorganisms. Conventional physical mutagenesis mostly depends on UV, rays, high pressure, or space radiation. As physical technologies advance, emerging methods such as ion implantation, plasma, microwave, ultrasound, and pulsed light are widely utilized for genetic modification. Mutagenesis technologies are progressively transitioning from single-effect to multi-effect synergy. Recent evaluations indicate that emerging technologies can enhance microbial mutation efficiency at the application level relative to established technologies. Nonetheless, the systematic clarification and comparative analysis at the mechanistic level remain inadequate, hindering intuitive comprehension of the qualities and distinctions across techniques. Furthermore, physical mutagenesis encounters several significant obstacles, such as cellular damage, limited rates of advantageous mutations, and laborious screening processes. This review carefully elucidates the mechanisms and properties of physical mutagenesis technology and delineates the distinctions among approaches through comparative analysis. Simultaneously, solutions for optimizing mutagenesis are presented to tackle the principal challenges mentioned above. This review aims to offer a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the enhanced application of physical mutagenesis technologies in microbial breeding.

Mutagenesis↗

PubMed2026

Primary pulmonary salivary gland-type tumors in cytopathology practice: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Primary pulmonary salivary gland-type tumors (PSGTs) are rare but clinically significant tumors that originate from the submucosal glands of the tracheobronchial tree. Cytologic samples taken during bronchoscopy are a key component of preoperative evaluation. However, cytologic diagnosis remains challenging because of the submucosal growth and morphologic overlap of PSGTs. In addition, current knowledge of the cytohistologic correlation of PSGTs is fragmented. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of cytologic diagnoses of PSGTs. METHODS: A comprehensive, systematic literature search of the PubMed database was conducted to identify studies with cytologic and histologic diagnoses of PSGTs. Comprehensive data on diagnostic and clinical factors, when available, were collected for all individual patients. The data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using OpenMeta (Analyst) software. RESULTS: In total, 49 studies comprising 106 patients were identified. Final cytohistologic concordance was demonstrated in 48.1% of cases. Fine-needle aspiration showed the highest sensitivity (75.0%), followed by bronchial/tracheal washing (38.1%), and bronchial brushing (34.2%). Adenoid cystic carcinoma was the most common histologic subtype, accounting for 67 cases, followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma, which accounted for 27 cases. CONCLUSIONS: The cytologic diagnosis of rare PSGTs remains challenging. Overall, cytohistologic concordance was 48.1%. However, fine-needle aspiration demonstrated greater diagnostic accuracy than exfoliative cytology and may facilitate a more accurate preoperative assessment.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Parallel evolutionary trajectories rewire enteropathogenic Escherichia coli adhesion to restore host attachment.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) causes disease in children, presenting as chronic diarrhea that can impair physical and cognitive development. The attachment of typical EPEC (tEPEC) to the gut epithelium via bundle-forming pili (BFP) is a key factor in its virulence. Yet, infections by atypical EPEC (aEPEC), which lack BFP, have become increasingly common. To investigate how aEPEC recover host-attachment in the absence of BFP, we performed experimental evolution using a non-adherent E. coli, constructed to mimic the ancestor of aEPEC, and selected adherent progeny. Highly adherent variants evolved through phase-variable activation of type I fimbriae (T1F), followed by two alternative trajectories: bacterial filamentation, which increases T1F avidity, or point mutations in the T1F adhesin FimH that enhance ligand affinity. Extending our analysis to the genomes of 327 aEPEC strains isolated from infected patients revealed that similar FimH mutations are common. We further demonstrated experimentally that these naturally occurring variants often increase epithelial-attachment. Our findings implicate T1F in aEPEC pathogenesis and suggest it may be clinically relevant for anti-adhesion therapy. More broadly, these results indicate that impaired host-attachment can be rapidly compensated by upregulating and optimizing an alternative adhesin, and that combining experimental evolution with comparative genomics can reveal evolutionary trajectories occurring in nature.

Bacterial Adhesion↗

PubMed2025

Comparison of three tracking methods to assess usage of two pediatric powered mobility devices for young children with cerebral palsy.

Powered mobility devices are underutilized for promoting self-initiated mobility in young children with cerebral palsy due to prioritization of walking, caregiver effort, device characteristics, and environmental factors. Understanding device usage patterns is important to assess the impact of powered mobility interventions on child outcomes. As part of clinical trial (NCT04684576), three objective tracking methods including integrated loggers, Global Positioning System trackers (GPST), and caregiver reported activity logs (CRAL) were compared to provide insights into device usage patterns. Metrics included play session frequency, session duration, total usage minutes, and unique usage days for two powered mobility devices: Modified Ride-on Cars (MROC) and the Permobil Explorer Mini (EM). Twelve children with cerebral palsy used each device for eight consecutive weeks in home and community settings (16 weeks total), with device ordered randomized. Results showed no significant differences among tracking methods for the MROC. For the EM, only session duration differed between GPST and CRAL. Correlation analysis revealed variable relationships amongst tracking methods for both devices. The EM was used more frequently than the MROC, with significantly greater total usage minutes and session duration via CRAL, not GPST. The findings highlight the need for reliable tracking technologies that can be used across powered mobility devices.

Child, Preschool↗

PubMed2026

The spatial and temporal distribution of Staphylococcus aureus along a tropical Hawaiian watershed.

Staphylococcus aureus is a leading cause of community-acquired skin and soft-tissue infections worldwide. One major route of exposure is recreating in marine waters, but knowledge is limited regarding the drivers of S. aureus in surface waters that discharge into marine environments. This study explores spatial and temporal distributions of S. aureus, including antimicrobial-resistant and virulence genes, using both culture-dependent and molecular techniques across a tropical Hawaiian watershed with a gradient of human influence. Negative binomial generalized linear mixed models revealed that the interaction between spatial and temporal factors was the strongest predictor of S. aureus and associated genes. Cultured S. aureus was highest at mid-watershed sites in summer, which included a popular swimming hole, suggesting human shedding as a significant source. Molecular detection of S. aureus (femA gene) yielded concentrations two orders of magnitude higher than cultured concentrations and peaked at estuarine sites with the greatest nutrients and water residence times. In the winter at upstream sites with no public access, staphylococci antibiotic-resistant (mecA) and S. aureus virulence gene (etb) were elevated, indicating highly pathogenic S. aureus strains in surface waters may originate from zoonotic sources. Our findings indicate that human and zoonotic sources contribute antibiotic-resistant and virulent S. aureus to watersheds, with streams facilitating environmental transmission to marine waters. This watershed-scale assessment enables the prediction of spatial and temporal conditions associated with elevated S. aureus concentrations, thereby reducing exposure and infections.

Staphylococcus aureus↗

PubMed2026

The HOXA gene cluster: a critical regulator in bone-related disorders.

BACKGROUND: Skeletal homeostasis relies on the dynamic balance between bone formation and bone resorption. The disruption of this balance acts as the central pathological mechanism of multiple metabolic bone diseases including osteoporosis, and is closely correlated with the progression of various other bone-related disorders. As pivotal transcription factors regulating embryonic development and cell fate, the homeobox A (HOXA) gene family plays an essential role in skeletal physiological and pathological processes. METHODS: This review systematically summarizes recent research advances of the HOXA gene family in bone-related diseases, concludes the evolutionarily conserved regulatory patterns of HOXA members, and clarifies the molecular mechanisms by which HOXA genes mediate bone metabolic disorders and the occurrence as well as development of bone diseases. RESULTS: Accumulating evidence demonstrates that HOXA family members present complex functions and strong heterogeneity in bone-related diseases. They participate in the pathogenesis of bone diseases via three evolutionarily conserved regulatory manners: determining regional patterning, modulating signaling pathways, and integrating epigenetic and non-coding RNA (ncRNA) regulatory networks. CONCLUSION: Further exploring the underlying mechanisms of the HOXA family in bone-related diseases provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of bone disorders. Meanwhile, it also supplies solid theoretical basis and potential therapeutic targets for the development of novel HOXA-targeted therapeutic strategies against bone diseases.

Humans↗