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PubMed2026

Intraskeletal Variation in Cortical Bone Quantity in a Medieval Italian Sample: A Multivariate Exploratory Approach.

Bioarcheologists interpret skeletal health by examining variability within and between individuals. Studies of bone loss have generated contradictory and conflicting results regarding the onset and severity of age-related bone loss on a global and temporal scale, perhaps due to mismatched methodologies. Intraskeletal comparisons of bone tissue prove challenging precisely because of heterogeneous baselines in quantity and remodeling of cortical bone throughout the skeleton, as well as evolutionary histories and environmental impacts on growth and development. Here we analyze cortical bone indicators from the rib, metacarpal, and femoral cortical bone in a subset of individuals (n = 72) regions from the medieval Italian archaeological site of Pieve di Pava. To facilitate intraskeletal comparisons across elements with different biological baselines, we standardize cortical bone parameters using z-scores. Variation in relative intraskeletal cortical bone was assessed using accessible multivariate methods (principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis). Results suggest an association between femoral and metacarpal cortical bone values, with stochastic trends in metacarpal and femoral relative bone quantity in relation to the rib bone quantity at the sample level. Our study demonstrates that while intraskeletal analyses are challenging, they are made more robust by synthesizing multivariate methods alongside exploratory data analysis (EDA) methods to tack between sample-level and individual-level scales and variability. Ultimately, we advocate for leveraging multivariate techniques not as a final step, but rather as a means of generating new hypotheses and challenging tendencies to a priori establish typological groups in the research process.

Skeleton↗

PubMed2026

Assembly and Characterization of the First Complete Mitochondrial Genome of Tussilago farfara L.: Insights into Biological Functions and Phylogenetic Relationships within the Asteraceae Family.

Tussilago farfara L., a member of the Asteraceae family, is an economically valuable species due to its edible and medicinal properties. To elucidate the structural characteristics, genetic mechanisms, and evolutionary pathways of the organelle genomes of T. farfara, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated its mitochondrial genome for the first time. The complete mitochondrial genome of T. farfara spans 306,024 bp and contains 33 mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs), 3 rRNAs, and 22 tRNAs. Analysis of the nucleotide substitution rate and genetic diversity revealed that most mitochondrial genome genes may have undergone purifying selection, indicating a slow evolutionary rate and a relatively conserved genomic structure. We further identified 13 fragments of chloroplast-derived DNA integrated into the mitochondrial genome, evidencing intracellular gene transfer. Collinearity analysis showed that Arctium lappa shares the most extensive mitochondrial homologous sequences and the highest sequence similarity with T. farfara. Phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial genome helped to clarify the evolutionary and taxonomic position of T. farfara within the Asteraceae family. The mitochondrial genome sequence of T. farfara provides a valuable genomic resource for species identification and for evolutionary studies within the Asteraceae family.

Genome, Mitochondrial↗

PubMed2026

Frequent mutations in the BIRC3 gene promote metastatic potential of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through the TRAF2-NF-κB pathway.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head and neck cancer characterized by highly locoregionally invasive behavior attributable to the latent infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and genomic instability. It is well established that EBV-encoded oncogenic molecules actively contribute to the malignant behavior of NPC cells. However, the mechanism by which aberrant genomic alterations enable NPC cells to become aggressive remains largely unknown. In the present study, whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed that the gene encoding the baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 3 (BIRC3) protein was frequently mutated in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) but not in paired primary tumor cells from patients with metastatic NPC. A minigene assay indicated that the c.637 A > G mutation disrupted normal mRNA splicing, resulting in the partial deletion of Exons 2 and 3 and altered stability of BIRC3 mRNA. In vitro experiments demonstrated that ectopic expression of the BIRC3c.637A>G mutant enhanced NPC cell invasive properties, including proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, overexpression of wild-type BIRC3 promoted invasive characteristics in NPC cells through the TRAF2-NF-κB signaling axis. In summary, BIRC3 acts as a regulator of the malignant features of NPC cells. Frequent BIRC3 mutations in CTCs, such as the c.637 A > G mutation, further enhance the metastatic potential of disseminated NPC cells by inducing aberrant alternative splicing. These findings suggest the therapeutic feasibility of targeting the BIRC3/TRAF2/NF-κB axis in the treatment of NPC.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

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

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

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Red Fox Populations (Vulpes vulpes L., 1758) in Natural and Anthropogenic Isolation.

This study presents a comparative analysis of the genetic structure and diversity of three red fox (Vulpes vulpes L.) populations representing different microevolutionary scenarios: panmixia (free-ranging Belarusian foxes), geographic isolation (free-ranging Scottish foxes), and anthropogenic selection (farm-bred foxes). Using a validated set of STR markers, multivariate statistical analysis was conducted to assess the genetic structure and the degree of genetic erosion across the studied groups. The wild red fox population in Belarus has been shown to maintain a state close to panmixia (PHWE = 0.090), characterized by a high effective population size (Ne = 694) and high allelic diversity. The island population from Scotland exhibits moderate gene pool depletion (Ne = 75.9) and a pronounced heterozygote deficiency (FIS = 0.18). Critical genetic erosion, which was characterized by a minimal effective population size (Ne = 60.2) and allelic fixation, was detected in the farm-bred group. The genetic distance between farm-bred and wild foxes (FST = 0.279; p = 0.001) reflects both the phylogeographic divergence between the Nearctic ancestors of farmed lineages and Palearctic wild populations, and the consequences of prolonged anthropogenic isolation, genetic drift, and selective breeding. These data indicate that artificial isolation and the impacts of genetic drift and targeted selection lead to a substantial depletion of the species' adaptive potential.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Providing Feedback on Previous Pain Scores Did Not Affect Weekly Pain Variability: A Cohort-Nested Randomised Study.

BACKGROUND: Spinal pain is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide and repeated symptom monitoring is increasingly used to capture its fluctuating nature. However, repeated pain assessments may be influenced by prior responses, potentially affecting longitudinal patterns of pain reporting. This study examined whether providing feedback on prior pain scores influenced within-person variability in weekly pain intensity ratings and retention over 60 weeks. METHODS: This randomised study evaluating a methodological feature of repeated pain assessment was embedded within a cohort of adults with spinal pain referred to an outpatient hospital clinic. Participants (n = 2448) were randomised 1:1 to weekly pain intensity ratings (0-10 numerical rating scale) either with feedback ('You answered [X] last week') or without feedback. Analyses included participants with ≥ 40% valid responses (n = 1883), of whom 948 received feedback and 935 did not. The primary outcome was within-person variability in pain intensity, quantified using the root mean square of successive differences. Secondary outcomes included additional fluctuation metrics and the number of weeks with missing responses. RESULTS: No meaningful between-group differences were observed for the primary outcome (mean difference -0.04 points [95% confidence interval -0.08 to 0.01]) or secondary outcomes, including retention rates. Sensitivity analyses yielded consistent findings. CONCLUSIONS: Providing participants with feedback on their previous pain score did not meaningfully influence within-person pain variability or retention during 60 weeks of weekly monitoring. These findings aid the interpretation of repeated longitudinal pain assessments by showing that the observed variability was robust to this specific study design. SIGNIFICANCE: This randomised study showed that providing participants with feedback on prior pain scores did not meaningfully alter weekly pain variability or retention during 60 weeks of longitudinal monitoring. These findings contribute to the interpretation of repeated longitudinal pain assessments in spinal pain research and suggest that weekly pain reporting patterns are robust to prior-pain feedback during long-term symptom monitoring.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Investigating telomere length and hTERT-MNS16A VNTR polymorphism in Bipolar disorder: Insights into clinical features.

OBJECTIVE: To compare leukocyte telomere length (LTL; T/S ratio) and hTERT-MNS16A VNTR polymorphism between patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and healthy controls, and to examine their associations with clinical features in BD. METHODS: A total of 179 participants (100 BD patients, 79 healthy controls) were enrolled. Relative LTL was assessed by qPCR-based T/S ratio; hTERT-MNS16A VNTR genotyping by PCR and gel electrophoresis. Clinical variables including episode frequency, illness duration, age at onset, symptom severity scales, first episode polarity, and family history of mood disorder were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between BD patients and healthy controls in T/S ratio or hTERT-MNS16A VNTR genotype distributions (all p > 0.05). Within the BD group, S allele carriers (L/S or S/S) had significantly more depressive episodes than L/L homozygotes (1.45 ± 2.58 vs. 0.61 ± 1.52; p = .040). Significant inverse correlations were identified between T/S ratio and depressive episode count (ρ = -0.220, p = .028) and total mood episodes (ρ = -0.207, p = .039). Multivariable negative binomial regression revealed four independent predictors of depressive episode frequency: lower T/S ratio (p = 0.005), S allele carriage (L/S or S/S genotypes) (p = 0.001), first depressive episode polarity (p < 0.001), and family history of mood disorder (p = 0.035). CONCLUSION: Although LTL and hTERT-MNS16A VNTR genotype did not differ between BD patients and healthy controls, shorter telomere length and S allele carriage were independently associated with higher depressive episode frequency within the BD group, implicating telomere biology and hTERT genetic variation in the biological substrate of depressive illness burden.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Wildlife forensic DNA evidence links a suspected vehicle to a fatal lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) collision in Misiones, Argentina.

Vehicle collisions are recognized as a major driver of biodiversity loss, particularly in road-dense landscapes, exceeding the impact of invasive species and wildlife trafficking. For large-bodied, slow-reproducing, and low-abundance species, such as the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), this threat can have major impacts. Here, we present a wildlife forensic investigation in Misiones, Argentina, involving a tapir, a species afforded the highest level of legal protection as a Provincial Natural Monument. The fatal hit-by-vehicle (HBV) incident occurred in northern Misiones on 31 March 2019 along Provincial Route 19, in a portion that bisects Parque Provincial Urugua-í, with the driver involved in the collision leaving the scene. The suspect was later located and claimed that the damage to the vehicle resulted from a collision with a horse (Equus caballus) rather than a tapir. To legally resolve the incident, DNA (hair and blood) recovered from the suspected vehicle's bumper (evidence) was compared with tissue samples from the tapir carcass (reference). Genetic confirmation of species identity used a 110-bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, and individual identity was assessed using 12 species-specific microsatellite loci. These analyses confirmed that all evidence matched the tapir carcass at both species and individual levels, strongly supporting the association between the suspected vehicle and the HBV tapir, and refuting the alternative explanation proposed by the driver. This case demonstrates the value of using wildlife forensic genetics to reconstruct wildlife-vehicle collisions, supporting environmental law enforcement, and strengthening conservation efforts in the Atlantic Forest of Misiones, Argentina.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Test-retest reliability of spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic measures in marker-based 3D gait analysis: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Marker-based 3D gait analysis (3DGA) is widely used to quantify impairments and evaluate treatment effects. For longitudinal clinical interpretation, clinicians and researchers need reference values for inter-session measurement error. For this purpose, this systematic review synthesized Standard Error of Measurement (SEM) values for spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic (moments) outcomes obtained from marker-based 3DGA studies. METHODS: PubMed and Scopus were searched (final search: 11 December 2025). Studies reporting inter-session test-retest SEM and/or MDC for steady-state overground or treadmill walking using marker-based motion capture were included. Two authors screened records and appraised methodological/reporting quality using a custom tool informed by COSMIN, GRRAS, and biomechanics-specific items. Due to heterogeneity, results were synthesized descriptively using study-level median SEM values, stratified by joint, plane, population (healthy, pathological, single subgroups), and walking condition. Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) values were computed for all available data. RESULTS: Thirty-four studies (762 participants, 44.2% females) were included, with substantially more evidence for overground than treadmill walking. Overground spatiotemporal outcomes showed low errors (walking speed SEM of 0.06 m/s; timing typically ≤0.03 s; spatial parameters generally ≤0.03 m). For joint kinematics during overground walking, median SEMs were 2.4° (sagittal), 1.9° (frontal), and 3.3° (transverse). The corresponding joint-kinetic SEMs were approximately 0.06, 0.04, and 0.03 Nm/kg, respectively. Treadmill data followed similar patterns. SIGNIFICANCE: Marker-based 3DGA allows for accurate assessment of spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic gait features. We provided detailed SEM/MDC lookup tables to support clinical decision-making. Results further offer a benchmark for validating emerging gait assessment technologies (e.g., markerless systems) against realistic limits of marker-based 3DGA.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A review on the environmental distribution, toxic effects, bioaccumulation characteristics and risk assessment of short-chain chlorinated paraffins.

Chlorinated paraffins (CPs) are synthetic chemicals, widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers. As emerging contaminants, short chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) have attracted tremendous attention due to their persistence, chronic toxicity, long-range transport potential and bioaccumulation potential. This review synthesizes global data on SCCPs' environmental occurrence, toxicological impacts, and bioaccumulation characteristics. SCCPs are ubiquitously detected in various environmental media, including water, sediment, air, soil, and biota. Ecotoxicological studies reveal that SCCPs have lethality, carcinogenicity, growth and developmental toxicities, organs toxicities and endocrine-disrupting effects across species, which pose risks to ecological systems and human health. In addition, the bioaccumulation effects of SCCPs in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems were analyzed, and proposed the key factors affecting the bioaccumulation of SCCPs. Finally, the risk assessment of SCCPs contamination in the surface water and the soil was carried out, and all soil and most water bodies were found to be low risk. The present study could provide scientific basis and reference for environmental management of CPs products.

Paraffin↗

PubMed2026

Hysteroscopic platelet-rich plasma and medically assisted reproduction outcomes: a systematic review and SWOT analysis.

BACKGROUND: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been proposed as an adjuvant treatment in reproductive medicine. While most evidence refers to blind intrauterine instillation, subendometrial administration under hysteroscopic guidance allows targeted delivery under direct visualisation. This systematic review aimed to synthesise the available evidence on hysteroscopic PRP administration and its impact on clinical medically assisted reproduction (MAR) outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted from inception to December 2025 across major databases. Studies were included if they evaluated hysteroscopic PRP administration in women undergoing MAR, comparing reproductive outcomes between treated and control groups. RESULTS: Out of 142 records, 3 studies met the inclusion criteria. Study populations were heterogeneous and included women with refractory thin endometrium and/or a history of implantation failure. Hysteroscopic PRP administration protocols varied in timing, technique, and dosage. In a prospective case-control study, hysteroscopic intraendometrial PRP injection at a depth of 2-3 mm in the four uterine walls, using an ovum aspiration needle, on days 11-13 of the cycle prior to euploid frozen embryo transfer (ET), was associated with higher implantation (IR), clinical pregnancy (CPR), and live birth rates (LBR) compared with standard therapy. Conversely, no significant differences in CPR, miscarriage rate, or LBR were observed in an observational study evaluating a single intraendometrial PRP injection (35-40 mL, 2-3 mm depth), administered via endoscopic needle on days 6-8 of the menstrual cycle preceding frozen ET, alone or after electrical impulse therapy. A randomised controlled trial in women undergoing intrauterine insemination reported a significant improvement in CPR following hysteroscopic subendometrial PRP instillation in the four uterine walls (1.0 mL each). CONCLUSIONS: Current literature on hysteroscopic PRP administration in reproductive medicine is limited, and robust conclusions cannot yet be drawn. Well-designed randomised controlled trials with standardised protocols are needed to clarify its clinical role.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Associations Between Short Video Exposure, Empathy and Attitudes Toward End-Of-Life Care Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: This cross-sectional study examined the associations between short video exposure, nursing students' empathy, and attitudes toward end-of-life (EOL) care, and tested whether perceived impact is statistically consistent with an indirect pathway in these relationships. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study. METHODS: In total, 534 undergraduate nursing students were included. Data were collected using a self-designed questionnaire, including the Attitudes Toward Care of the Dying Scale and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professions Student version for empathy assessment. Statistical analysis for correlation and mediation analysis (PROCESS macro) was performed. RESULTS: 85.96% of students watch short videos for more than 30 min daily, with more than 60% of them viewing EOL-related content. Students with prior caregiving experience or formal palliative care education showed significantly higher empathy and more positive attitudes (p < 0.05). Exposure to medical and EOL-related short videos was positively correlated with perceived impact, empathy, and positive EOL attitudes, with effect sizes ranging from very weak to modest (r = 0.10 to 0.27). The data were consistent with an indirect pathway between short video exposure and empathy via perceived impact (indirect effect = 0.04; 95% bootstrap CI [0.01, 0.08]). However, for EOL attitudes, short video exposure showed a direct association rather than an indirect pathway via perceived impact (direct effect = 0.09, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In this cross-sectional study, short video exposure was modestly associated with nursing students' empathy, with data consistent with an indirect pathway via perceived impact; the observed associations explained only approximately 1% to 7% of the variance in the outcome variables. However, reshaping EOL attitudes may require more systematic education beyond brief video exposure. These findings are hypothesis-generating and await validation through longitudinal and experimental research using standardized video content. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nursing educators should consider integrating curated short video content into palliative care curricula to enhance students' empathy and perceived impact of end-of-life education. However, brief video exposure alone may be insufficient to reshape deeper end-of-life attitudes, suggesting the need for comprehensive, multi-modal educational strategies.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of short-bout accumulated exercise on postprandial metabolism in adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the acute effects of short-bout accumulated exercise (SBAE) interrupting prolonged sedentary behaviour on postprandial glucose, insulin, and triglycerides in adults. METHODS: Systematic searches in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and CNKI (inception to 10 December 2025) identified randomised crossover trials comparing SBAE (≤10 min/bout, inter-bout interval ≥30 min or adequate recovery) with continuous sedentary behaviour. Outcomes included postprandial glucose, insulin, and triglyceride AUCs. Standardised mean differences (SMD) were pooled using random-effects models. RESULTS: Thirty-one publications reporting data from 29 independent cohorts involving 573 unique participants (mean age 47.8 ± 20.3 years; 47.5% female; mean BMI 29.0 ± 5.1 kg/m²) were included. Compared with continuous sedentary behaviour, SBAE significantly reduced glucose AUC (SMD = -0.53, 95% CI: -0.71 to -0.34, P < 0.001) and insulin AUC (SMD = -0.58, 95% CI: -0.85 to -0.31, P < 0.001), but not triglyceride AUC (SMD = -0.17, 95% CI: -0.48 to 0.15, P = 0.306).Exploratory subgroup analyses showed statistically significant reductions in glucose and insulin for walking and for inter-bout intervals < 60 min, but not for standing alone or intervals ≥ 60 min. A statistically significant insulin-lowering effect was observed in obese individuals. CONCLUSION: SBAE acutely improves postprandial glucose and insulin control. Exploratory subgroup analyses showed statistically significant effects for walking and for inter-bout intervals < 60 min, but these comparisons are observational and no formal interaction test was conducted. These findings provide preliminary evidence for acute SBAE in sedentary populations, though long-term health effects and real-world generalisability require further investigation.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Single-cell transcriptomics reveals heterogeneous stress responses and Mg2+-mediated survival mechanisms in Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus during freeze-drying and storage.

Maintaining the viability of lactic acid bacteria during dehydration and subsequent storage remains a significant challenge. Here, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to reveal the heterogeneous stress responses of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, identifying seven distinct transcriptional clusters across the liquid culture, freeze-drying, and storage phases. The dominant clusters in the freeze-drying and storage were not completely consistent, showing significant functional differentiation. Genomic stability may be important for survival during freeze-drying and storage, while intracellular energy homeostasis appears important for viability during storage. The magnesium transporter mgtB was highly expressed in clusters tolerant to freeze-drying and storage, suggesting a critical role for Mg2+ homeostasis. Further experimental validation confirmed that Mg2+ treatment significantly bolstered stress resistance, increasing immediate post-freeze-drying survival by over 2-fold (up to 92.90%) and post-storage survival by over 5-fold (up to 5.98%). Proteomic data indicated that Mg2+ supplementation correlated with the maintenance of several biological functions potentially relevant to bacterial survival during freeze-drying and storage, including DNA repair, translation, and central carbon metabolism. These findings provide a map of microbial stress resistance through population heterogeneity and offer a potential strategy that may be adapted for enhancing the stability of other industrial lactic acid bacteria products.

Freeze Drying↗

PubMed2026

Short-term psychodynamic psychotherapy for functional neurological disorder: A pilot randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence-based psychotherapeutic treatments for Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) remain limited. This pilot trial evaluated the preliminary efficacy of Short-term Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (STPP) plus Standard Medical Care (SMC) compared with SMC alone in reducing FND symptom frequency. METHODS: Adults with FND were randomized (1:1) to receive either SMC alone or 12 weekly sessions of STPP plus SMC. The primary outcome was symptom frequency (days with symptoms in the last 4 weeks) assessed at the end of treatment (3 months) and at 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included treatment response (≥50% reduction in symptom frequency) and scores on the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0). RESULTS: Of 91 randomized patients (mean age 38.2 years, 75.8% female), 81.3% completed follow-up. Intention-to-treat analysis using Linear Mixed Models showed that STPP plus SMC significantly reduced symptom frequency compared with SMC alone (estimated mean difference -5.72 [95% CI -8.68 to -2.77]; Cohen's d = 0.77; p < 0.001).Treatment response was achieved by 65.8% in the intervention group versus 16.7% in controls (OR 8.21 [95% CI 2.79-24.19]; p < 0.001; NNT 2.0).Significant improvements were also observed for depression (HAM-D: estimated mean difference -10.80; d = 1.45), anxiety (HAM-A: -7.94; d = 1.06), and disability (WHODAS 2.0: -5.77; d = 0.74), all p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: STPP was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in FND symptom frequency and all secondary outcomes, with large effect sizes and high treatment response rates. These findings support the preliminary efficacy of STPP for FND and justify larger, multicenter confirmatory trials.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Comparative analyses of olfactory receptor repertoires in Schizothorax fish based on the chromosome-level genomes: Implications for regulatory roles of dietary differentiation and ploidy variation.

The olfactory receptor (OR) genes constitute the molecular basis of fish olfaction, mediating survival behaviors and environmental adaptation while coevolving with habitat-driven evolution. Schizothorax, a cyprinid genus endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, exhibits remarkable dietary divergence and ploidy variation in response to plateau environmental changes, which presumably facilitates the adaptive evolution of OR genes. However, the evolutionary patterns of OR genes associated with trophic divergence and ploidy variation in this genus remain unclear. In this study, three species were selected: the herbivorous diploid S. macropogon, the carnivorous diploid S. lantsangensis, and the herbivorous tetraploid S. curvilabiatus. S. macropogon possessed 142 OR genes (92.25% functional), primarily located on chromosomes 14 and 24, with the fewest sequence clusters. Such compact gene repertoire and highly overlapping chromosomal clusters indicated specialization for a herbivorous olfactory niche. S. lantsangensis contained 127 OR genes (93.70% functional), concentrated on chromosomes 4 and 5, with fewer sequence clusters and a scattered distribution, reflecting evolution of OR genes under carnivorous feeding habits. The herbivorous tetraploid S. curvilabiatus exhibited striking features: 316 OR genes (94.30% functional), the most subfamilies, unique ε and κ OR subfamilies, and species-specific motifs. These characteristics revealed that ploidy, rather than herbivory, dominated OR gene evolution. In conclusion, dietary differentiation and ploidy variation together drove olfactory adaptive evolution in Schizothorax, providing new insights into vertebrate OR gene ecological adaptation.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Short-term effects of foot reflexology on pain, anxiety, and physiological responses in women with shoulder and neck pain: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: Shoulder and neck pain (SNP) is a common musculoskeletal complaint among women and is often accompanied by heightened anxiety. Foot reflexology (FR) is a complementary therapy proposed to promote relaxation and short-term psychophysiological regulation. This study examined the short-term effects of a single session of FR on pain, anxiety, and physiological responses in women with SNP. METHODS: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted with 80 women aged 20-64 years in southern Taiwan. Participants were randomly allocated to one of three groups: FR, exercise, or passive rest control. Each group received a single 50-min session. Pain intensity and anxiety were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), respectively. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded as physiological indicators. Outcomes were measured at baseline, immediately post-intervention, and at 24-h follow-up. RESULTS: Baseline pain, anxiety, and physiological measures did not significantly differ among groups. Immediately after the intervention, both the FR and exercise groups demonstrated greater reductions in pain intensity compared with the passive rest control (P < 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively). The FR group additionally showed greater reductions in anxiety and heart rate compared with the passive rest group (P = 0.005 and P = 0.001, respectively). Pain reduction in the FR group remained significant at the 24-h follow-up (P = 0.013), whereas anxiety reductions were not sustained. No significant between-group differences were observed for systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: A single session of FR was associated with immediate and short-term reductions in pain, anxiety, and heart rate among women with SNP. Foot reflexology may serve as a supportive, non-pharmacological approach for short-term modulation, although sustained effects require further investigation.

Humans↗

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↗