SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Data privacy”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

SourceResearch connectionFrom yearThrough year

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

922 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed2026

Improved quality of life and prolonged survival with add-on homeopathic treatment in patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-arm, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: Alongside conventional anticancer treatment, add-on homeopathy might help to alleviate adverse effects of conventional therapy. AIM: The aim of this study was to replicate previous studies on the effect of adjunctive homeopathy on quality of life (QoL) and survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. METHOD: In this prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-arm multicenter phase III study with quadruple-checked data analysis, we investigated the potential effects of an add-on homeopathic treatment compared to placebo in patients with stage IV NSCLC in terms of QoL. Ninety-eight received either individualized homeopathic medicinal products (HMPs; n = 51) or placebo (n = 47) in a double-blinded fashion. Fifty-two control patients without homeopathic treatment were only observed in terms of their survival rate. The ingredients of the various HMPs were mainly prepared of plant, mineral, or animal origin. The data entry and statistical analysis were subject to an exceptional quadruple-checked data analysis process. The analysis presented in this article was inspired by our earlier report of this trial published in The Oncologist in 2020, which was retracted by that journal in November 2025 after two corrections; a majority of the co-authors disagreed with this decision. The present article is based on the same trial dataset but was deliberately designed to highlight the unique research methodology: design and preparation by a lead statistician, data entry, data clearing and independent statistical evaluation were performed in four mutually independent steps, reporting follows the CONSORT statement, and the interpretation of the findings has been reframed conservatively. RESULTS: Global health status (QoL) was higher in the homeopathy group than in the placebo group after 9 weeks and after 18 weeks (p < 0.001). With the exception of cognitive functioning at 9 weeks and of pain, diarrhea and financial difficulties at 9 weeks, all functional and symptom scales of the EORTC QLQ-C30 favored the homeopathy group (p < 0.001 for the multivariate comparisons), with between-group differences exceeding the threshold of 10 points that is generally regarded as clinically meaningful. Median survival time over the 730-day observation period was 435 days in the homeopathy group, 257 days in the placebo group (p = 0.010), and 228 days in the non-randomized control group (p < 0.001); the corresponding 2-year survival rates were 45.1%, 23.4%, and 13.5% (homeopathy vs. placebo p = 0.020; homeopathy vs. control p < 0.001). The difference between the placebo group and the non-randomized control group was not statistically significant (p = 0.154). CONCLUSION: In this trial, add-on homeopathy was associated with better quality of life across most functional and symptom domains, with clinically meaningful effect sizes congruently to a previous open study. Survival time was significantly longer in the homeopathy group compared to both the placebo and control groups. Independent replication, ideally within contemporary immuno-oncological treatment regimens is required. TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT01509612; January 7, 2012.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Acceptability of capillary point-of-care testing: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and synthesise evidence on the acceptability and perceived experience of finger-prick point-of-care testing (POCT) among patients and clinicians across healthcare settings. DESIGN: Systematic review conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. DATA SOURCES: Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Cochrane and Web of Science were searched from inception to January 2024 and re-run in July 2025, supplemented by citation tracking of relevant studies. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies reporting patient and clinicians' experiences, perceptions, satisfaction or acceptability relating to finger-prick POCT for any health condition or blood parameter were eligible. Quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods designs were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Data were extracted independently by two reviewers and synthesised using thematic analysis and narrative synthesis. Methodological quality was appraised using the Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool. RESULTS: 21 studies met the inclusion criteria, encompassing 9128 participants (17 quantitative, 3 qualitative, 1 mixed methods). Across diverse clinical contexts, finger-prick POCT was reported as generally acceptable, less distressing and perceived as a convenient alternative to venous sampling in comparative studies. Thematic synthesis identified two major themes: (1) enhancing the patient-clinician relationship through improved engagement, communication and understanding of care and (2) clinical implications of finger-prick POCT on clinicians' workflow, confidence and skill acquisition. Finger-prick POCT was perceived to promote personalised consultations, enable immediate discussion of results and streamline decision-making. Clinicians highlighted its potential to expand task sharing, improve efficiency and strengthen continuity of care, although concerns regarding training, reliability and quality assurance were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Finger-prick POCT is generally acceptable to patients and clinicians, improving comfort, convenience, engagement and perceived efficiency. Implementation should prioritise training, infrastructure and quality assurance frameworks to maximise clinical and experiential benefits. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42024512130.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A systematic literature review on low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma of the trunk.

BACKGROUND: Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is a rare malignant mesenchymal tumor, with primary trunk involvement being particularly uncommon. Due to its rarity, associated diagnostic challenges, and variability in management, a comprehensive evaluation of the available evidence is required. This study aims to systematically review the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcomes of truncal LGMS. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase for articles published from January 1998 to January 2026. The review included full-text articles involving patients with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of truncal LGMS. The collected data included patient demographics, tumor features, treatment modalities, recurrence, and follow-up status. RESULTS: Of the 404 studies initially identified, 30 studies involving 59 patients with pathologically confirmed truncal LGMS met the inclusion criteria. Outcome analyses of therapeutic management and clinical course included 45 patients with complete follow-up data, including 42 surgically treated patients and 3 non-surgically managed patients. The final evidence base consisted solely of retrospective studies and case reports. No prospective studies or randomized controlled trials were identified. Consequently, a descriptive statistical analysis was conducted instead of a meta-analysis. CONCLUSION: Current evidence indicates that wide excision with negative margins may be a reasonable primary treatment option for truncal LGMS, with case-based reports showing numerically lower recurrence after wide excision, although the evidence is limited and potentially confounded by multiple factors. Radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be considered only on a highly individualized basis for selected unresectable, recurrent, metastatic, anatomically constrained, or margin-positive cases. Given the very limited sample size and heterogeneous treatment indications across published cases, treatment efficacy cannot be reliably estimated from the available data. Prolonged long-term regular follow-up is recommended for all patients, considering the risk of late recurrence.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Perspectives of participating neurologists and study nurses - Mixed-methods process evaluation of a web-based program for relapse management in multiple sclerosis (POWER@M2).

BACKGROUND: Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system and the leading cause of disability in young adults. In Germany, 90% of relapses are treated with high-dose intravenous glucocorticoids, despite limited evidence for long-term benefit and international preference for oral administration. Time constraints often hinder informed decision-making. The multicentre Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) POWER@MS2 (N = 160, 2020-2023), conducted at 18 German MS-centres, aimed to promote self-determined relapse management through a complex intervention (dialogue-based decision aid, nurse-led webinar, online-chat). OBJECTIVE: While RCTs demonstrate effectiveness, process evaluations are essential to understand implementation, mechanisms of impact and contextual factors. This study explored healthcare professionals' experiences and attitudes toward implementing relapse self-management and self-medication in clinical practice. METHODS: A mixed-methods process evaluation followed the UK Medical Research Council- framework. Quantitative data were collected via validated questionnaires at up to three time points and analysed descriptively. Interview guides were developed based on these results. Qualitative data from neurologist and study nurse interviews were thematically analysed. Results were triangulated using a joint display. RESULTS: Data were collected from 55 neurologists and 17 study nurses (quantitative) and from 7 neurologists and 4 nurses (qualitative) (2020-2024). Most neurologists opposed routine steroid use, reserving it for severe relapses. Some voiced concerns about self-management, but informed patients were generally viewed as capable of safe self-medication. Study nurses gave mixed feedback on the intervention, citing overload and improved guidance. CONCLUSION: Clinicians showed openness toward implementing the intervention. Enhancing accessibility and addressing specific concerns may support broader adoption.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy and Safety of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists for the Management of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for the management of antipsychotic-induced weight gain. DATA SOURCES: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA methodology through July 2025 that evaluated the efficacy and safety of GLP-1 agonists for the management of antipsychotic-induced weight gain. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Efficacy endpoints were change in body weight (kg), change in body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2), and change in HbA1c (%). The safety endpoint was gastrointestinal (GI) adverse effects. A P-value of 0.05 was considered statistically significant, and heterogeneity was reported as I2. DATA SYNTHESIS: Six studies were included in this systematic review, of which 4 trials were included in the meta-analysis. The difference found between GLP-1 agonists and placebo was a change in weight of -5.85 kg (P = 0.0622, 95% CI = -9.72 to -1.97), a change in BMI of -2.11 kg/m2 (P = 0.7692, 95% CI = -5.51 to 1.29), and a change in HbA1c of -1.58 (P = 0.6659, 95% CI = -4.75 to 1.58). The overall risk ratio for a patient to experience a GI-related adverse effect when taking a GLP-1 agonist compared to placebo was 1.83 (95% CI = 1.42 to 2.37). RELEVANCE TO PATIENT CARE AND CLINICAL PRACTICE: While the efficacy endpoints did not reach significance, this meta-analysis shows that select GLP-1 receptor agonists may be used to promote weight loss in patients taking antipsychotics. Controlling antipsychotic-induced weight gain helps patients remain adherent to therapeutic doses of their antipsychotic medications. CONCLUSION: The use of certain GLP-1 agonists may be considered to help promote weight loss in patients experiencing antipsychotic-induced weight gain.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Compliance With Ecological Momentary Assessment Among Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cancer often experience substantial fluctuations in psychological states during disease management. Traditional research tools are limited in capturing these dynamic changes in real time, constraining clinicians' understanding of patients' true conditions. Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) enables high-frequency, real-time data collection, providing patient-reported data with greater ecological validity. However, the effectiveness of EMA studies critically depends on patient compliance, and reported compliance rates vary widely, with a lack of systematic quantitative synthesis. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to systematically review and quantitatively analyze compliance with EMA among patients with cancer, and to examine whether EMA design characteristics were associated with compliance. METHODS: Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched for literature published up to April 30, 2026. Compliance was defined as completed prompts divided by delivered prompts. Single-group proportions were pooled using logit transformation and random-effects models with the Hartung-Knapp-Sidik-Jonkman adjustment. Prediction intervals were calculated to describe the expected distribution of compliance in future comparable settings. Subgroup analyses, univariable meta-regressions, leave-one-out sensitivity analyses, and tests for small-study effects were performed. Risk of bias was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Studies Reporting Prevalence Data, methodological reporting quality was assessed using a modified Checklist for Reporting EMA Studies, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies involving 13,565 participants were included. The pooled compliance rate was 78.55% (95% CI 73.48%-82.87%), with a prediction interval of 48.59%-93.41%. Subgroup analyses identified no robust differences across study characteristics. Although study length showed a statistically significant subgroup test, the result was not stable after excluding singleton categories. Meta-regression analyses similarly found no significant linear associations for study length, prompts per day, items per prompt, or assessment window. Leave-one-out analyses showed that no single study drove the pooled estimate. Regarding the risk of bias, 2 studies were judged as low, while 21 were judged as moderate risk. Quality scores ranged from 6.5 to 9.0, and the certainty of evidence for the pooled compliance rate was rated as very low according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach. CONCLUSIONS: Overall compliance with EMA among patients with cancer was moderate to high, suggesting that repeated real-world assessment may be feasible in oncology research settings. Nevertheless, the very high heterogeneity, wide prediction interval, and very low certainty of evidence indicate that compliance is context-dependent. The pooled estimate should therefore be interpreted as an approximate benchmark rather than a universal expected rate. Future oncology EMA studies should use standardized compliance denominators, report missing prompts transparently, and prospectively evaluate patient-centered design strategies that reduce burden while preserving data quality.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Multimodal alignment improves generalizability of genomic biomarker prediction in computational pathology.

Computational pathology models that use digitized histopathology whole-slide images have the potential to become a cost-effective and scalable alternative to molecular assays for the prediction of genomic biomarkers, a key task in precision oncology. However, as new genomic biomarkers are discovered or quantified, large, labeled datasets must be prospectively collected to train new models. To address this challenge, we developed multimodal alignment for biomarker learning and generalization (MARBLE), a multimodal contrastive pretraining strategy that integrates structured biomarker knowledge into representation learning of histopathology images. MARBLE aligns histopathology-derived representations with representations of genomic biomarkers generated by a large language model (LLM) and a protein language model (PLM). This biologically informed alignment enables data-efficient generalization to novel, out-of-distribution biomarkers. Using the MSK-IMPACT cohort of over 40,000 patients across multiple biomarker panel versions, we design experiments grounded in real-world data to demonstrate the value of our proposed approach.

CP: computational biology↗

PubMed2026

Opposing kinase signaling may underlie the inverse relationship between cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

Cancer and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are leading causes of mortality and exhibit an inverse relationship, where AD patients have reduced cancer risk and vice versa. However, the molecular basis of this relationship remains poorly understood. We reanalyzed published proteomic and phosphoproteomic datasets to investigate this relationship. Differentially abundant proteins were identified in lung adenocarcinoma and glioblastoma samples relative to controls and compared with proteins altered in AD brains, revealing 37 proteins with opposing abundance patterns. Protein-protein interaction and pathway analyses revealed enrichment in kinase signaling and phosphorylation pathways. Phosphoproteomic analysis identified 52 differentially phosphorylated sites with opposing patterns, while kinase-substrate enrichment analysis identified 44 kinases with opposing inferred activity profiles. Integration of kinase activity and phosphosite data identified 29 kinase-phosphosite pairs, including 4 prioritized pairs with opposing patterns relevant to both diseases. Across seven independent cancer cohorts, 17 of 20 statistically significant phosphosite-cohort comparisons (85%) were concordant with the discovery findings, supporting reproducibility of the prioritized phosphosites. Together, these findings highlight opposing kinase signaling as a prominent feature of the inverse relationship and suggest potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This study provides a novel systems-level framework for investigating inverse relationships, supported by an R Shiny application for data exploration (https://advscancer.shinyapps.io/advscancer/). SIGNIFICANCE: This study presents an integrated proteomic and phosphoproteomic framework for investigating the inverse relationship between cancer and Alzheimer's disease (AD). By integrating differential protein abundance, phosphosite phosphorylation, inferred kinase activity, and curated kinase-substrate relationships, we identified opposing signaling patterns and prioritized four kinase-phosphosite pairs. Independent evaluation across seven CPTAC cancer cohorts supported the reproducibility of the prioritized phosphosite patterns. These findings provide insight into molecular processes potentially associated with the inverse relationship between cancer and AD, identify candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets, and demonstrate the value of systems-level, data-driven approaches for investigating shared and opposing disease processes.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

BRAIN-Diabetes: Acceptability of an adapted FINGER multidomain intervention among adults living with type 2 diabetes in rural border regions across the island of Ireland.

BackgroundIndividuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) face increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Multidomain lifestyle interventions offer a non-pharmacological strategy to support brain health in this high-risk group.ObjectiveThis study examined the acceptability of a culturally adapted FINGER-based intervention among adults living with T2DM in rural border regions of Ireland (BRAIN-Diabetes Trial).MethodsA 6-month pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted. The intervention group received a multidomain program targeting diet, physical activity, and computerized cognitive training (CCT). The control group received standard care. Acceptability was assessed using questionnaires (all participants) and semi-structured interviews (intervention participants). Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively and qualitative data using template analysis, guided by four a-priori themes: trial participation and engagement, dietary behavior change, exercise behavior change, and CCT behavior change.ResultsQuestionnaire data (intervention: n = 28; control: n = 36) indicated high overall acceptability. Dietary and exercise components were rated most positively, while CCT component was less well received. Interviews (n = 25) highlighted facilitators to trial engagement, including perceived health improvements, and social connection, with time constraints and limited personalization as barriers. Dietary change was supported by tailored guidance but hindered by cost and availability. Facilitators for exercise included accessible resources and perceived benefits, with barriers including competing priorities. CCT engagement was mixed, with challenges including digital access and repetitiveness.ConclusionsThe Brain-Diabetes intervention was acceptable and feasible among adults with T2DM. Personalized support and accessible resources were key to engagement. Future work should refine delivery to enhance scalability and long-term adherence among high-risk groups.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Incidence of Cirrhosis in Fibrotic Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatohepatitis: A Meta-Analysis of Placebo Arms from Randomized Clinical Trials.

BACKGROUNDS AND AIMS: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with stage F2-F3 fibrosis represents the main target population for emerging pharmacotherapies. However, data on short-term progression to cirrhosis (F4) in this group remain limited. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of cirrhosis in placebo-treated patients with fibrotic MASH in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). METHODS: In this single-arm meta-analysis, we systematically searched PubMed and Cochrane Library from inception to December 13, 2024, for pharmacological Phase ≥ 2 RCTs reporting cirrhosis events (detected in liver biopsy or clinical signs) among patients with fibrotic MASH receiving placebo. Incidence rates were pooled using generalized linear mixed models with Clopper-Pearson confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We identified a total of 11 RCTs, including 586 patients with fibrotic MASH. Total follow-up was 657.23 person-years (PYs), with 83 cirrhosis events reported. The pooled incidence rate was 13.09 per 100 PYs (95% CI 7.81 to 21.12, I2 = 75.6%, τ2 = 0.682). In subgroup analysis, the incidence of cirrhosis was 3.40 per 100 PYs in MASH F2 (95% CI 1.10 to 10.02, I2 = 0%, τ2 = 0) and 17.90 per 100 PYs (95% CI 10.63 to 28.55, I2 = 70.2%, τ2 = 0.561) in MASH F3, with significant differences between stages (p = 0.006). Sensitivity analyses showed consistent estimates. Most RCTs were judged to have a low risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides stage-specific data on cirrhosis incidence in fibrotic MASH, highlighting the high short-term risk associated with MASH F3 in trial settings. These data may inform benchmarks to guide event expectations, enrichment strategies, sample size assumptions, and the interpretation of future MASH clinical trials.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Endocrine Phenotypes and Hormonal Treatment in Meier-Gorlin Syndrome: Report of Two Cases and a Systematic Review of Literature.

BACKGROUND: Meier-Gorlin-syndrome (MGORS) is a rare cause of primordial dwarfism stemming from pathogenic variants in genes involved in DNA replication. The classic clinical triad is microtia, absent patella and short stature. MGORS can mimic endocrine causes of short stature or delayed/atypical pubertal development. METHODS: We report two new cases of MGORS. A systematic literature search of all cases published up to 31 March 2026 was done to identify the cases reporting any endocrinopathy or hormonal therapy, focussing on growth-hormone-deficiency (GHD) and response to growth hormone (GH). RESULTS: We describe a 14 year-old girl, the first MGORS case with CDC6 variant and mammary hypoplasia. Another 11-year old boy with GMNN variant had severe short-stature with GHD and had significant height improvement with GH. Among 29 cases (out of ~150 published), the classic triad was absent in 18.5%. Short stature was almost universal (median height-Z-score -4.4), with 70% exhibiting delayed bone age, 42.9% low IGF-1 and 35.3% GHD. Among 10 GH-treated cases with response data, 6 had reported improvement in height-SDS/growth-velocity. Those with GHD and delayed bone age were more likely to benefit from GH. Among females, all post-pubertal cases had mammary hypoplasia, while 23.5% had clitoromegaly with hypoplastic labia. Among males, cryptorchidism, hypoplastic scrotum and micropenis were common. However, gonadal hormones and gonadotrophins were normal. Data on the effect of estrogen on hypoplastic mammary glands or labia was variable. CONCLUSION: MGORS should be kept in mind as a differential of multiple endocrinopathies. Cases of MGORS should undergo screening for GHD. Available data, mostly from case-reports or small series, suggest that response to GH has been reported in some individuals, particularly where GHD or delayed bone age was present, but evidence remains very limited.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Vertical distribution of accessory canals in different tooth types: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically analyze the vertical distribution of accessory canals and propose potential root-end resection levels in different tooth types. DATA: Proportional distribution of accessory canals (PD-AC) in 1 mm intervals, cumulative proportions within 2 mm and 3 mm (CP-AC0-2 and CP-AC0-3), mean distance from accessory foramen to root apex or main foramen (MD-AF), and prevalence of accessory canals in 2D cross-sections (PR-AC-2D). SOURCES: A systematic search of electronic databases was conducted through December 25, 2025. The review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251107855). STUDY SELECTION: Two reviewers independently performed study selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using the AQUA tool. Nineteen studies were included for qualitative synthesis, of which eleven provided sufficient data for meta-analysis. A random-effects model was used, and subgroup analyses were stratified by tooth type, accessory canal type, and country. Within 0-1 mm, 1-2 mm, 2-3 mm, and 3-4 mm from the apex, 41.5%, 34.3%, 9.9%, and 4.4% of accessory canals were located, respectively. Molars had significantly higher proportions than anterior teeth both within 2 mm (90.0% vs. 72.4%) and 3 mm (96.9% vs. 87.5%). Of apical ramifications, 86.4% were within 2 mm. The pooled MD-AF was 1.472 mm. PR-AC-2D decreased from 29.3% at 1 mm to 1.3% at 5 mm. All studies presented moderate to high risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: A 2 mm root-end resection level may be sufficient for molars, whereas anterior teeth may require a higher level. Further randomized controlled trials are needed. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: A 2 mm resection may adequately expose or remove most accessory canals in molars, potentially preserving more root length while maintaining treatment efficacy. In anterior teeth, a traditional 3 mm resection remains advisable until further evidence becomes available.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Modelling the effects of biological intervention in a dynamical gene network.

Cellular response to environmental and internal signals can be modeled by dynamical gene regulatory networks (GRN). In the literature, three main classes of gene network models can be distinguished: (1) non-quantitative (or data-based) models which do not describe the probability distribution of gene expressions; (2) quantitative models which fully describe the probability distribution of all genes co-expression; and (3) mechanistic models which allow for a causal interpretation of gene interactions. We propose two rigorous frameworks to model gene alteration in a dynamical GRN, depending on whether the network model is quantitative or mechanistic. We explain how these models can be used for design of experiment, or, if additional alteration data are available, for validation purposes or to improve the parameter estimation of the original model. We apply these methods to the Gaussian graphical model, which is quantitative but non-mechanistic, and to mechanistic models of Bayesian networks and penalized linear regression.

Gene Regulatory Networks↗

PubMed2026

Co-location of services: an umbrella review to consider how primary care estates could be better used to support disadvantaged groups.

AIM: To examine how co-located community and health services in primary care could support disadvantaged groups. BACKGROUND: Co-locating services is thought to improve access, collaboration, and patient outcomes. There are thousands of primary care premises across the UK. At a time of stagnating or widening health inequalities, they present an ideal opportunity to support communities, especially in disadvantaged areas. METHOD: We conducted a systematic umbrella review. Articles were retrieved from Ovid MEDLINE and Ovid Embase with supplementary snowball and grey literature searches. Reviews of co-located services supporting disadvantaged groups in primary care between 2010 and February 2024 were included. Quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist. Two reviewers assessed eligibility, extracted data and assessed quality. Outcomes relating to health, welfare, healthcare utilization, and activity and processes were assessed. Data were narratively synthesized using a convergent integrated approach. FINDINGS: 2626 studies were screened, supplemented by snowball and grey literatures searches. Thirteen reviews were included for synthesis. One review included meta-analysis. Three models of care were identified; legal advice, welfare advice, and complementary health care. Data were synthesized according to themes: access and engagement, quality of care, efficiency, improved health, and improved social factors. We found co-located services can improve access to care, engagement in treatment, and quality of care for disadvantaged groups. Improvements to social determinants of health and mental health and well-being outcomes were reported. Findings were inconsistent when considering the impact of co-location on efficiency. We conclude that co-located services in primary care have the potential to improve identification of people most in need and improve their access to high quality health care and social support. Policy makers and practitioners should maximize the use of primary care estates to support disadvantaged groups and communities.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Integrated bioinformatics analysis reveals cross-talking hub genes and therapeutic agents between sepsis and acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are two significant diseases that may share overlapping etiological mechanisms. This study aims to systematically identify core genes common to both conditions and to explore their potential as therapeutic targets and drug candidates through an integrative analysis of clinical data and bioinformatics. METHODS: The AMI dataset was obtained from the GEO database, and RNA sequencing data were collected from blood samples of patients with sepsis at our hospital. Common genes were identified using differential expression gene analysis (DEG) and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Functional enrichment analyses, including Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, were performed. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed, and hub genes were identified using the MCC/Degree algorithm. Diagnostic value was assessed via receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Immune infiltration patterns, single-cell sequencing data, and molecular docking simulations were employed to evaluate immune relevance and identify potential therapeutic compounds. RESULTS: A total of 417 genes were identified between sepsis and AMI, with enrichment analysis revealing significant involvement in inflammatory responses. Three hub genes-JAK2, MYD88, and TIMP1-were selected for further investigation. ROC curves confirmed their strong diagnostic performance for both diseases. Immune infiltration analysis showed that these core genes were significantly correlated with the infiltration levels of various immune cell types. Molecular docking indicated that quercetin exhibited stable binding affinity with the proteins encoded by these genes. qPCR validation further confirmed the upregulation of these three genes, supporting the anti-inflammatory effects of quercetin as a potential targeted therapy. CONCLUSION: JAK2, MYD88, and TIMP1 were identified as shared core genes in sepsis and AMI. These genes not only serve as potential diagnostic biomarkers but also offer novel targets for developing common therapeutic strategies for both conditions. Furthermore, quercetin emerges as a promising candidate for targeted treatment.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Non-destructive prediction of lead content in oilseed rape leaves by fluorescence hyperspectral technology based on neural network.

Based on fluorescence hyperspectral imaging (FHSI), this study targeted rapid, non-destructive quantification of lead (Pb) content in oilseed rape leaves treated with varying silicon (Si) concentrations, acquiring fluorescence spectra over the 484.43-1001.61 nm wavelength range. To optimize spectral data quality, preprocessing methods (Savitzky-Golay smoothing, first derivative, detrending) were comprehensively compared. Characteristic wavelengths were then selected via interval variable iterative shrinkage, which effectively compressed data dimensionality and reduced computational load. A hybrid SE-CL1DA model, fusing a 1D convolutional neural network, a long short-term memory network and SE attention mechanism was constructed, with Bayesian optimization tuning hyperparameters to boost stability. The BO-SE-CL1DA outperformed both traditional machine learning and insufficiently optimized deep learning model (Rp2=0.9609, RMSE = 0.0377 mg/kg, RPD = 5.1736), thus enabling accurate Pb estimation, supporting Si-regulated heavy metal stress management and facilitating agricultural contamination monitoring.

Plant Leaves↗

PubMed2026

Low-carbohydrate diet score subtypes and all-cause mortality in general and chronic disease populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies.

OBJECTIVES: To examine associations of overall, healthy and unhealthy low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) scores with all-cause mortality in general and chronic disease populations. Healthy and unhealthy subtypes were compared with assess whether the observed associations depend on macronutrient quality rather than carbohydrate restriction alone. DESIGN: Systematic review and pairwise category meta-analysis. DATA SOURCES: PubMed, MEDLINE, ProQuest Medical Database and Web of Science Core Collection were searched from inception to 12 May 2026. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Prospective cohort studies of adults assessing LCD adherence using a validated three-macronutrient composite score and reporting HRs for all-cause mortality were eligible. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed study quality using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Random-effects meta-analyses compared each higher reported LCD category with the lowest category, stratified by LCD score subtype and population type. Certainty of evidence was assessed using NutriGrade. RESULTS: 18 prospective cohort studies included 779 158 participants and 219 457 deaths; all scored 7-9/9 on the NOS. In chronic disease populations, the highest healthy LCD category was associated with lower mortality than the lowest category (HR 0.72, 95% CI 0.69 to 0.76; I²=0%; high certainty), as was the highest overall LCD category (HR 0.85, 95% CI 0.75 to 0.96; I²=68%; high certainty). In the general population, the highest healthy LCD category was not associated with lower mortality than the lowest category (HR 0.93, 95% CI 0.85 to 1.01; I²=69%; moderate certainty), and neither was the highest overall LCD category (HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.03; I²=87%; low certainty). Unhealthy LCD scores were not associated with mortality in either population. CONCLUSIONS: Healthy LCD adherence was associated with lower all-cause mortality, particularly among individuals with chronic diseases. Unhealthy LCD scores were not associated with mortality in either population, suggesting that macronutrient quality and source may matter more than carbohydrate reduction alone.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Omics in hereditary optic neuropathies: A systematic review of clinical studies with an integrated point of view.

Hereditary optic neuropathies are characterized by bilateral visual loss due to the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, resulting in optic nerve degeneration and atrophy. Although the genetic origin of the main isolated and syndromic hereditary optic neuropathies has been characterized, the clinical phenotypes exhibit significant and poorly understood variability in both penetrance and expressivity. Additionally, the genetic and environmental factors that influence the onset of these optic neuropathies remain poorly understood, with limited biomarkers to predict disease progression or as readouts for therapeutic trials. Data-driven omics strategies allow deep phenotyping to improve our understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms and to search for new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We explore whether the omics strategies applied to patients with hereditary optic neuropathies have provided such new insights. MEDLINE, Web of Science and EMBASE databases were screened for studies with terms relating to hereditary optic neuropathies, transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics and lipidomics in clinical studies exploring patients' samples. Out of 1244 references identified, 22 articles were included after double-masked data curation. These articles focused only on the 3 main forms of hereditary optic neuropathies, namely, OPA1-related dominant optic atrophy (n = 4), Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (n = 13), and Wolfram syndrome (n = 5). While the methodological designs and results of these studies were highly heterogeneous, they revealed molecular alterations that we have attempted to discuss at the integrated multi-omics level. This data integration highlighted several common pathophysiological mechanisms such as energetic impairment, endoplasmic reticulum stress, proteotoxic and oxidative stresses, lipid remodeling and altered amino acid and purine metabolisms, while suggesting potential new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. These findings underscore the potential of integrated multi-omics approaches to deepen our understanding of the phenotypic complexity of hereditary optic neuropathies and to support the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Humans↗