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PubMed2026

Activity shapes large herbivores' ecological influences.

The ecological effects of large herbivores are shaped by their spatial and temporal patterns of activity (i.e. where, when and how intensely they use specific locations). When large herbivores' ecological influences are perceived to be undesirable, the traditional approach has been to reduce their population size. This numbers-first logic assumes that ecological effects scale primarily with abundance. We argue that this framing provides an incomplete understanding of large herbivores' ecological impacts. Using African elephants (Loxodonta africana) as a well-documented case study, we show that ecological effects on plants, animals and ecosystem processes correlate more with spatio-temporal patterns of activity than with population size. In large, open systems characterized by strong gradients of water availability, forage quality, shade and risk, elephants concentrate into predictable hotspots while relaxing activity elsewhere, generating localized impacts and opportunities for recovery. By contrast, in small, fenced or fragmented landscapes, where movements are constrained, and gradients are weak, spatial self-regulation breaks down, producing homogenized use and widespread ecological effects. We contend that understanding where, when and under what constraints herbivores use space provides a more general and mechanistic basis for interpreting ecological influence than abundance alone, with implications that extend beyond elephants to large herbivores globally.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness of Mobile-Delivered Exercise and Yoga Programs on Depressive Symptom Reduction in Employees: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Mental health challenges such as stress and depression are prevalent among employees. Mobile health platforms that deliver exercise or yoga interventions offer a promising approach to improve mental health outcomes in this population. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of 12-session adaptive moderate-intensity exercise and yoga programs delivered via a motion-detecting digital platform in reducing stress and depressive symptoms among employees. METHODS: This was an unblinded, 3-arm, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial conducted at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital and Boramae Medical Center between November 2023 and January 2024. Eligible participants were full-time employees. Seventy-five participants were randomly assigned to an exercise, a yoga, or a cognitive behavioral therapy-based self-care control group using computer-generated randomization. The exercise and yoga groups engaged in motion-detecting, adaptive physical activity training, whereas the control group accessed mobile-based, self-directed stress management educational materials. The intervention was largely automated, with no individualized therapeutic guidance provided. Allocation was concealed until trial entry. All recruitment and outcome assessments were conducted in person at the hospitals. The primary outcomes were perceived stress and depressive symptoms, whereas the secondary outcomes included posttraumatic stress, insomnia severity, cognitive stress response, occupational stress, and burnout. Physiological outcomes were assessed using heart rate variability and electroencephalography. Measurements were collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at 4-week follow-up. Data were analyzed using a multivariate linear model to evaluate the main effects of time, group, and time×group interactions. RESULTS: Of the 75 randomized participants (exercise: n=24, 32%; yoga: n=25, 33.3%; and control: n=26, 34.7%), 71 (94.7%) who completed at least 9 of the 12 sessions (≥40 min each) were included in the outcome analysis (exercise: n=21, 29.5%; yoga: n=24, 33.8%; and control: n=26, 36.6%). For the coprimary outcomes, the group×time interaction for depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) approached but did not reach the Bonferroni-corrected threshold (F4,136=2.71; P=.03; adjusted α=.025); however, planned pairwise comparisons revealed significantly greater improvement in the yoga group compared to the control group at 4-week follow-up (β=-3.67; adjusted P<.001). For the Perceived Stress Scale, the interaction was not significant (P=.29), although a significant main effect of time (P<.001) indicated overall stress reduction across all groups. For secondary outcomes, a significant group×time interaction was found for the Cognitive Stress Responses Scale (P=.003), indicating differential trajectories of improvement. The yoga group showed a consistent linear decrease, whereas the exercise group showed immediate but less sustained gains. CONCLUSIONS: Digitally delivered adaptive yoga programs demonstrated superior and sustained improvements in depressive symptoms and Cognitive Stress Responses Scale scores compared with the active cognitive behavioral therapy-based self-care control group. However, the exercise program showed more modest and less sustained effects, warranting further investigation using larger samples.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Epigenetic drift and LINE-1 activation in aging brain: Implications for neurodegenerative disease.

Brain aging and age-associated neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), are largely attributed to epigenetic drift which is characterized by the gradual accumulation of alterations in neural cell methylation patterns over time. These methylation changes are particularly evident in transposable element (TE)-derived sequences such as Long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) which comprises approximately 17% of the human genome. During aging, LINE-1 elements gradually lose their methylation, as well as the regulatory safeguard mechanisms that usually keep them inactive. This repression loss can lead to LINE-1 reactivation, contributing to harmful effects including genomic instability, neuroinflammation, and more. Together these findings indicate that impaired epigenetic maintenance, especially in repetitive genome regions, plays a key role in biological aging of neurons and glial cells. In this narrative review, we discuss the methylation dynamics and regulatory mechanisms of LINE-1 retrotransposons, their activation processes during aging, and contribution to age-associated neurological diseases. We also highlight the potential of targeting LINE-1 methylation to restore methylation homeostasis, epigenetic stability and delay brain aging.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The composition of the periostracum in the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta and the mantle's response to sulfide.

The razor clam Sinonovacula constricta inhabits sulfide-rich intertidal sediments and exhibits remarkable tolerance to this toxicant, yet the role of its periostracum in sulfide adaptation remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the composition and structure of the periostracum proteins, and the response of the mantle to sulfide stress. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the periostracum is approximately 10 μm thick and contains 1.43 wt% sulfur, and proteomic analysis further confirmed the presence of organic sulfur (Cys/Met-rich proteins), suggesting its involvement in sulfur deposition. Using LC-MS/MS, we identified 77 high-confidence proteins from the periostracum, which were classified into six functional categories: enzymes, framework proteins, immune-related proteins, calcium ion-related proteins, other proteins, and proteins with unknown functions. Phylogenetic analyses of representative proteins revealed bivalve-specific evolutionary patterns, with several proteins exclusively present in Bivalvia, such as Unknown protein 2 and 7, which possess signal peptides and low-complexity domains. For the sulfide exposure experiment, razor clams were subjected to three Na2S concentrations (0, 10, and 100 μM). qPCR analysis showed that, compared with the control group, Chitin-binding protein 3 and Tyrosinase were significantly upregulated in the mantle, peaking in the 100 μM group at 48 h (5677.84-fold and 157.20-fold, respectively), whereas Collagen and Cadherin 3 were generally suppressed. This study represents one of the most comprehensive proteomic profiles of the razor clam periostracum and highlights the mantle's potential role in sulfide tolerance, offering insights for sulfur-tolerant aquaculture breeding and bioremediation applications.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Astigmatic vector outcomes after FS-LASIK versus SMILE for high myopic astigmatism: a single-center retrospective comparative cohort study without cyclotorsion compensation.

PURPOSE: To compare astigmatic correction vector outcomes between femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE, also termed Keratorefractive Lenticule Extraction, KLEx) without intraoperative cyclotorsion compensation in patients with high myopic astigmatism (- 2.00 to - 3.75 D), and to clarify procedure-specific correction tendencies under this non-standardized alignment protocol. METHODS: This single-center retrospective comparative cohort study enrolled 155 eyes (one eye randomly selected per patient) that underwent FS-LASIK (80 eyes) or SMILE/KLEx (75 eyes) for high myopic astigmatism correction from January 2023 to July 2024 in Beijing Fenglian Jiayue Lige Clinic. Intraoperative cyclotorsion compensation was intentionally disabled to isolate inherent procedural astigmatism correction characteristics. Standardized Alpins vectorial analysis was performed at 3 months and 12 months postoperatively. PRIMARY ENDPOINT: 12-month Alpins correction index (CI). Multivariable propensity score adjustment was applied to mitigate confounding by clinical treatment selection bias. Statistical multiplicity control was implemented for secondary vector and visual outcomes. RESULTS: Baseline demographic, refractive, corneal and ocular biometric parameters were balanced between groups after propensity matching. No statistically significant intergroup differences were detected in uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), residual cylinder, safety index or efficacy index at 3 and 12 months (all P > 0.05). Under the non-cyclotorsion-compensated protocol, significant intergroup differences were identified in the magnitude of surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), correction index (CI), and magnitude error (ME) at both follow-up timepoints (all P < 0.0001). Target induced astigmatism (TIA), difference vector (DV), index of success (IOS), and angle error (AE) magnitudes were comparable between groups (all P > 0.05). The vector mean axis of DV differed significantly between groups at 3 and 12 months (Watson-Williams circular test, all P < 0.0001). No reoperations were documented in clinic medical records for either cohort. No standardized dry eye questionnaires, tear film testing or corneal nerve density metrics were collected to quantify dry eye adverse events; only unstructured clinical notes were reviewed for complication screening. CONCLUSIONS: Under surgical alignment without cyclotorsion compensation, FS-LASIK and SMILE/KLEx both yielded acceptable visual and refractive safety/efficacy for high myopic astigmatism (- 2.00 to - 3.75 D) at 1-year follow-up, but demonstrated divergent astigmatism correction tendencies: FS-LASIK exhibited relative astigmatism overcorrection (vector mean DV: - 0.35 ± 0.43 D × 91°, CI > 1), while SMILE/KLEx showed relative undercorrection (vector mean DV: - 0.21 ± 0.53 D × 12°, CI < 1). These correction biases are specific to the study's manual limbal alignment protocol without cyclotorsion tracking and cannot be generalized to modern optimized surgical platforms equipped with automated cyclotorsion compensation. Residual refractive errors across both groups are likely multifactorial, including differential corneal stromal healing responses, divergent femtosecond/excimer laser tissue modification mechanisms, and uncorrected intraoperative ocular cyclotorsion.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Nanopore-based epigenomic profiling reveals the absence of widespread CpG methylation in the African swine fever virus genome.

DNA methylation is a critical epigenetic mechanism implicated in regulating replication and transcription in DNA viruses. However, the epigenetic landscape of African swine fever virus (ASFV), a large double-stranded DNA virus infecting pigs, remains controversial. Here, we systematically profiled the DNA methylome of the first ASFV strain isolated in Hong Kong (HK_NT_202103) using Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) R10.4.1 sequencing. We employed a paired design: native whole-genome sequencing (WGS) against a methylation-free whole-genome amplification (WGA) control. Using conservative thresholds, we found no evidence of 5-methylcytosine (5mC), especially typical CpG methylation, across the viral genome. Importantly, clear CpG methylation signals were successfully detected in the host genome from WGS data, confirming the functionality of the workflow to detect 5mC at CG sites. While widespread 5mC seems absent, a small number of putative N6-methyladenine (6mA) loci were identified. A specific 6mA candidate exhibited raw ionic current disruptions and gene-level intersection with another ASFV isolate (CAS19-01/2019), although it lacked single-base consensus across different methylation callers or between the two isolates. Although our biological findings are restricted to a single isolate under specific experimental conditions, this study introduces a novel, highly rigorous ONT framework for viral epigenomics research. Furthermore, the absence of ASFV CpG methylation indicates that host CpG-depletion remains a viable strategy for viral metagenomic enrichment. Ultimately, our work offers a critical methodological baseline for ASFV surveillance and highlights the necessity of targeted experimental validation for rare viral modifications.

African Swine Fever Virus↗

PubMed2026

Fungal drivers of mycotoxin contamination in wheat: Early warning and plasma-based control.

Mycotoxin contamination in wheat is a major food safety concern; however, quantitative evidence linking fungal community signals, mycotoxin exceedance risk, and wheat quality traits in naturally contaminated wheat remains limited. In this study, wheat samples were collected from mycotoxin-prone monitoring sites under unusually rainy conditions in 2022 to explore early-warning indicators and post-harvest mitigation strategies. According to the National Food Safety Standard of China GB 2761-2017, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) exceeded the maximum limits in 52.24, 47.76, and 23.88% of samples, respectively; 38.81% exceeded the reference EU threshold for T-2 toxin, and 46.27% showed co-contamination with at least two mycotoxins above their respective thresholds. Although Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Epicoccum dominated the fungal community, Fusarium abundance was significantly associated with DON contamination and Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDKs). Mediation analysis identified DON as a significant mediator linking Fusarium abundance to FDKs, accounting for 68.41% of the total effect. In addition, Fusarium abundance above 3.70% showed strong predictive performance for DON exceedance, with an area under the curve of 0.906, indicating its potential as an early-warning indicator. Culture-based assays confirmed the toxigenic potential of Aspergillus and Fusarium isolates under simulated temperature and moisture conditions. After optimization using a toxin-spiked wheat flour model, dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma degraded AFB1, DON, and ZEN by 29.30-35.68%, disrupted the morphology of toxigenic fungi, and did not significantly affect wheat quality. This study provides practical insights into mycotoxin risk warning and post-harvest mitigation in wheat.

Triticum↗

PubMed2026

The gut microbiota-obesity axis in the pathogenesis and prognosis of breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) remains a major global health concern, accounting for 11.7% of all cancer cases and ranking as the second leading cause of female cancer-related deaths worldwide. Increasing evidence highlights the interplay between gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis and obesity-associated metabolic dysfunction in BC progression. This review aims to elucidate the role of GM in obese patients with BC. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases for publications from July 2015 to January 2025. Search terms combined BC, GM, obesity, dysbiosis, immunity, and microbiome. Article selection prioritized studies investigating microbial alterations in BC patients, mechanistic links between obesity and cancer progression, and GM-targeted interventions. Both original studies and authoritative reviews were included, supplemented by manual reference screening. DISCUSSION: Obesity may trigger systemic inflammation, altered adipokine secretion, and disrupted steroid hormone metabolism via gut-derived β-glucuronidase activity, thereby exacerbating BC occurrence and recurrence. GM dysbiosis-driven metabolites such as branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) can activate oncogenic signaling pathways and immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), fostering tumor immune evasion. Conversely, dietary interventions, probiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) can alleviate dysbiosis, strengthen gut barriers, and restore anti-tumor immunity, improving chemotherapy response and reducing recurrence. However, challenges persist in deciphering BC subtype-related microbial signatures and optimizing microbiota-targeted therapies. CONCLUSION: Future longitudinal studies are needed to clarify causal relationships, validate microbial biomarkers, and translate preclinical findings into clinical applications. Addressing the gut-breast axis may offer transformative potential for precision oncology in obesity-driven BC.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Molecular adaptation of caspase genes to salinity stress in the tropical sea cucumber Stichopus monotuberculatus: A comparative analysis across echinoderms.

Apoptosis is an essential physiological process that plays a critical role in development and tissue homeostasis. Caspases, as central regulators of apoptosis, are crucial in controlling inflammation and cell death. In this study, we investigated the caspase gene family in Stichopus monotuberculatus to explore their potential roles in salinity stress adaptation. Five caspase genes were identified from the genome of S. monotuberculatus, including Smcaspase3, Smcaspase6, Smcaspase8a, Smcaspase8b, and Smcaspase8c. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these Smcaspase genes clustered into distinct caspase subfamilies and showed high conservation with homologs from other echinoderms and representative vertebrates. Conserved motif and gene structure analyses showed relatively similar structural patterns within each clade, whereas divergence was observed among different subfamilies. Promoter analysis identified numerous cis-acting elements related to gene regulation, immune response, and growth and development. Expression profiling under salinity stress showed that Smcaspase8a was significantly upregulated, particularly under prolonged stress, whereas the other genes exhibited limited transcriptional responses. Our findings highlight caspase function in salinity stress and provide the foundation of molecular salinity adaptation mechanisms in S. monotuberculatus.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Effects of rumen fluid transplantation on longissimus dorsi muscle development in Xizang sheep: An association analysis based on transcriptomic and serum metabolomic profiles.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of rumen fluid transplantation (RFT) on the growth and development of the longissimus dorsi muscle in female Xizang sheep. After RFT, muscle lightness differed significantly between the two groups, with the LDC group showing significantly higher lightness than the LDT group. In contrast, no significant differences were observed between groups in other muscle phenotypic traits, including drip loss, pH, cooking loss, shear force, redness, and yellowness. Antioxidant-related indices (SOD, GSH-PX, MDA, CAT, and T-AOC) also showed no significant differences between groups. Histological analysis revealed that muscle fiber length, width, and density were significantly greater in the experimental group than in the control group. Transcriptomic analysis identified 515 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 419 were downregulated. KEGG analysis indicated that genes involved in muscle development-related pathways, such as cell adhesion and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, were predominantly downregulated. Key serum metabolites (L-kynurenine, IPA, allantoin, and propionylcarnitine) showed highly significant positive correlations with muscle fiber growth indices. In contrast, metabolites such as l-carnitine, acetylcarnitine, and citrulline were negatively correlated with muscle fiber growth, but positively correlated with the expression of muscle structure-related genes (COL11A1 and EFNA5) and with meat lightness. Overall, this study provides new insights into the potential molecular basis by which RFT influences muscle growth and development. However, the mechanisms by which RFT affects muscle development and meat quality-related traits remain unclear and warrant further investigation.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Integrin-Linked Kinases 1, 4, and 5 participate in cell wall-mediated innate immunity to leaf and root pathogens.

The cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway is triggered by plasma membrane-localized receptors in plant cells and serves to orchestrate responses to cell wall damage by initiating compensatory changes under stressful environments. The essential role of CWI maintenance as part of plants' interactions with pests or pathogens and during growth is well known. Nevertheless, CWI pathways remain to be fully characterized. Here, we show that altered Integrin-Linked Kinase 1 (ILK1) expression causes widespread defects in the transcriptional program activated by the bacterial elicitor flg22, primarily in genes associated with cell wall integrity and immunity. These transcriptional deficiencies are recapitulated in mutant lines with altered ILK4 or ILK5 expression. Analysis of molecular and cellular defenses in ilk mutants revealed reduced callose accumulation in leaves treated with bacterial (elf18) and plant (pep1) elicitors and increased pathogen susceptibility. Histochemical analysis of cell-wall-associated staining across diverse cells and organs of ilk mutants revealed modified lignin-associated patterns in the root xylem and altered calcofluor staining patterns in the seed coat. All ilk mutants exhibited altered root morphology due to mechano-touch and high-NaCl stress. Based on these results, we propose that ILKs contribute to pathways connecting elicitor-triggered immune signaling with cell-wall-associated stress responses and that ILK-related defense functions may extend to the cotton root-nematode interaction, while the mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Cell Wall↗

PubMed2026

Genomic and Molecular Interaction Analysis of NodD1 in a Novel Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense sp. B64 Isolate for Nodulation and Symbiosis of Legume Plants.

Rhizobial bacteria are known for their ability to fix nitrogen for leguminous plants and their essential function for sustainable agriculture. This study characterizes the taxonomic status and functional potential of the Bradyrhizobium B64 isolate using integrated genomic and molecular approaches. The whole genome of the B64 isolate was sequenced via Illumina paired-end technology. Species delimitation was performed using average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA Hybridization (dDDH). The NodD1 protein structure was modeled using AlphaFold3 and validated by Ramachandran plot analysis. Molecular docking was then conducted to evaluate interactions between NodD1 and four signaling flavonoids: Apigenin, Daidzein, Genistein, and Naringenin. Genomic analysis revealed a maximum ANI of 94.4% and dDDH values between 51.4 and 62.4%. Since these values fall below the standard prokaryotic thresholds (ANI < 95%; dDDH < 70%), the B64 isolate is identified as a novel species. Physiological assays confirmed nitrogen fixation (1.97 ppm), IAA production (3.67 ppm), and phosphate solubilization (26.10 ppm). Structural validation showed 100% of NodD1 residues in allowed regions, ensuring high model reliability. Docking simulations demonstrated strong binding affinities across all flavonoids, with binding free energies ranging from - 8.8 to - 9.0 kcal/mol. Daidzein exhibited the highest thermodynamic stability (- 9.0 kcal/mol), whereas apigenin showed the most extensive residue interaction network. The B64 isolate is a novel Bradyrhizobium species with a high symbiotic capacity. The stable NodD1-flavonoid interactions provide a molecular basis for efficient nodulation, positioning B64 as a promising candidate for developing lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO)-based biofertilizers.

Bradyrhizobium↗

PubMed2026

Distinct molecular responses to acute cold exposure revealed by comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic profiling in the bay scallop Argopecten irradians.

Acute cold stress can elicit distinct molecular responses even when bay scallop populations show similar phenotypic outcomes. We compared a seventh-generation fast-growing bay scallop line (BS) with a commercial control population (CC) during a 72-h acute cold exposure at -1 ± 0.3 °C. RNA-seq was used as the discovery layer, representative BS cold-responsive genes were evaluated by qRT-PCR, and paired LC-MS profiles provided a comparative metabolic layer. At baseline, 138 genes differed between BS and CC; after cold exposure, 134 of these baseline differences disappeared and 61 of 65 cold-state differences newly emerged. BS showed a larger transcriptomic response magnitude than CC, with 1129 cold-responsive genes compared with 28 genes in CC, and this ordering remained robust across multiple sensitivity analyses. Survival after 72 h was identical in BS and CC (83/90, 92.2% in each population). Biochemical responses were time-dependent and marker-specific: CAT, LZM, T-SOD and T-AOC showed population-by-time interactions, whereas GSH-Px and MDA did not, and the 72-h differences were not consistently favourable to BS. Metabolomic cold effects were strongly concordant between populations, and no feature showed a significant population-by-cold interaction. Features putatively assigned to arachidonic acid metabolism were enriched, but this provider-annotated pathway signal remains exploratory because authentic-standard confirmation was not performed. These findings indicate population-specific differences in molecular responsiveness but do not establish superior cold tolerance in BS.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

The hidden threat from food-derived carbon dots: Formation, biodistribution, and potential health risks.

Food-derived carbon dots (CDs) are a new class of carbon-based nanoparticles generated during the thermal processing of food matrices. These nanomaterials have been extensively studied for their unique fluorescence, good biocompatibility, and tunable surface chemistry in food detection, intelligent packaging, and biomedical applications. However, their nanoscale size and high surface activity have raised safety concerns regarding biological interactions, in vivo biodistribution, and potential long-term health hazards. Although CDs have traditionally been regarded as low-toxicity materials due to their favorable biocompatibility, the potential hidden risks of CDs have not received sufficient attention. CDs exhibit dose-dependent toxicity, not only accumulating in various tissues and organs but also potentially inducing oxidative stress and interfering with cellular metabolic functions. Therefore, this review summarizes the advances in sources, synthetic strategies, and core properties of CDs, with a special focus on in vivo biological interactions, fates, and potential safety challenges. In addition, it is proposed that the standardized detection and risk assessment system should be established to further explore the long-term health effects of CDs under real dietary exposure, thereby ensuring their safety and sustainable application.

Carbon Quantum Dots↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy and safety of JAK inhibitors in Behçet syndrome: systematic literature review.

OBJECTIVES: Given the active role of the JAK signaling pathway and the multifactorial immune mediators observed in Behçet syndrome (BS), JAK inhibitors (JAKi) may be promising agents. In this systematic literature review (SLR), we aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of JAKi in BS. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in Embase, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library to identify all reports on the efficacy and safety of JAKi in patients with BS. The SLR protocol was registered with the International Prospective Registry of Systematic Reviews (CRD420251000172). We additionally presented our patient with gastrointestinal involvement treated with upadacitinib. RESULTS: Among the 92 patients (48 men, mean (SD) age 38.5 (13.5) years), 46 used tofacitinib, 31 used baricitinib, and 15 used upadacitinib. All but 1 patient had used at least one previous conventional immunosuppressive, and 57.6% were refractory to at least one prior tumor necrosis factor inhibitor. JAKi were used in combination with conventional immunosuppressive and/or glucocorticoids in 90.6% of the patients. The primary indication for JAKi initiation was gastrointestinal involvement in 46 (50%) patients including our patient, vascular involvement in 22 (23.9%), uveitis in 19 (20.6%), and mucocutaneous and/or articular involvement in 5 (5.6%) patients. The remission rates for overall, gastrointestinal, vascular, and eye involvement were 85.9%, 82.6%, 90.9%, and 84.2%. Serious adverse events were observed in 5.4% of the patients. No thrombotic events were reported. CONCLUSION: This SLR showed that JAKi may be effective in refractory BS patients with a favorable safety profile.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Can host genetics transform the sustainable control of tropical theileriosis? Insights from the Tick-Theileria interface.

Tropical theileriosis, caused by the tick-transmitted apicomplexan parasite Theileria annulata, remains a major constraint on cattle production across North Africa, the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East and South Asia. Current control depends on acaricides, the theilericidal drug buparvaquone and live attenuated schizont vaccines, but acaricide resistance, buparvaquone-resistance mutations and the logistical demands of vaccination are eroding the sustainability of these tools. Host genetics offers a complementary and durable alternative. Indigenous Bos indicus breeds are consistently more resistant to ticks and tolerate T. annulata infection better than exotic Bos taurus cattle, and this advantage has a measurable heritable component. Unlike previous reviews, which treat tick resistance, T. annulata immunobiology and livestock genomic selection as separate subjects, we integrate all three and assess host genetics specifically against the failure modes of current control. We review the tick, parasite and host interface, the evidence for natural resistance, and the genetic and immunological mechanisms involved, including signal-regulatory protein, bovine major histocompatibility complex class II and inflammatory pathway genes. We then assess whether genomic selection, multi-omics, machine learning and gene editing can translate these mechanisms into resistant cattle, and we weigh the biological, economic and infrastructural barriers to implementation. The evidence indicates that host genetics will not replace existing control but could reduce reliance on acaricides and chemotherapy. That contribution remains prospective rather than demonstrated: no resistance marker for T. annulata has yet been validated, prediction accuracies are moderate and transfer poorly between breeds, and no endemic production system has implemented selection for resistance.

Animals↗

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

Ceftriaxone for methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections is associated with increased short-term mortality: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, traditionally treated with antistaphylococcal penicillins (ASPs) or cefazolin. Ceftriaxone has emerged as an alternative due to its once-daily dosing regimen and favourable safety profile; however, its efficacy compared to the standard of care (SoC) remains controversial. This evidence synthesis aimed to assess the role of ceftriaxone in treating MSSA-BSIs. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus up to December 31, 2025 (PROSPERO protocol CRD42024595748). Studies comparing ceftriaxone to ASPs or cefazolin for MSSA-BSIs were included. Primary outcomes were 30-day and 90-day all-cause mortality . Pooled effect sizes with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated using random-effects models, odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs) according to the type of outcome. RESULTS: Eleven studies totalling 2,568 patients were included. Ceftriaxone was associated with significantly increased 30-day mortality (OR 3.33; 95% CI: 2.17-5.10), although differences at 90 days were not significant (OR 1.71; 95% CI: 0.75-3.90). No significant differences were noted for clinical success (OR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.19-1.26), microbiological clearance (OR 1.66; 95% CI: 0.73-3.82). Adverse event rates were similar between groups. CONCLUSION: Given the availability of various alternatives and the consistent short-term mortality signal observed, routine use of ceftriaxone for MSSA-BSIs, especially as initial therapy, is not supported by current evidence. Only novel findings from randomized studies may change the place in therapy of the drug in this context.

Humans↗