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PubMed2026

Insights from changes in NDEV biomarkers of metabolism: effects of PPARγ and GLP1 receptor agonists on brain metabolism.

BACKGROUND: Insulin resistance (IR) is implicated in central nervous system disorders, including depression and Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: We analyzed biological samples from two cohorts of clinical trial participants: (1) participants with unremitted depression after six months of treatment as usual who received pioglitazone (PPARγ agonist, N = 12) or placebo and (2) middle-aged participants at genetic risk for AD who received liraglutide (glucagon-like peptide 1 [GLP1] receptor agonist, N = 15) or placebo. These cohorts, which previously showed treatment-related improvements in peripheral IR, were used to assess the effects of pioglitazone and liraglutide on CNS insulin signaling using neuron-derived extracellular vesicles (NDEVs) as biomarkers. We utilized biological samples to measure biomarkers of IR in NDEVs. Eleven Akt-mTOR pathway proteins were measured before and after 12 weeks of treatment in both groups. RESULTS: Participants who received pioglitazone experienced broader changes, with significant increases in GSK3β (Ser9), mTOR (Ser2448), and RPS6 (Ser235/Ser236; all P ≤ .02) compared with placebo, and 77% of participants showed mTOR (Ser2448) response. Participants who received liraglutide demonstrated significantly increased NDEV-associated phosphorylated Akt (Ser473) and mTOR (Ser2448; P = .04 and P = .025, respectively) compared with placebo, with 40% and 30% of participants in the liraglutide group showing biomarker response in both Akt (Ser473) and mTOR (Ser2448), respectively. These effects appeared relatively independent from changes in fasting plasma insulin and glucose concentration at 120-minutes during the oral glucose tolerance test. DISCUSSION: Our findings demonstrate CNS-specific biomarker responses to both PPARγ agonists and GLP1 receptor agonists.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Uce-based phylogeny and classification of Megachilini.

The generic-level classification of the bee tribe Megachilini (Megachilidae) has remained controversial due to poor phylogenetic resolution at the base of the group, particularly among the brood parasitic genera and the numerous dauber ("Chalicodoma s. l.") lineages. We present a phylogenomic analysis of Megachilini based on ultraconserved elements (UCEs), sampling 52 ingroup taxa with emphasis on the dauber lineages. We also present a combined UCE + six-gene analysis to improve taxon coverage, resulting in a dataset with 127 ingroup taxa. Maximum likelihood, coalescent, and Bayesian analyses of multiple UCE matrices recover largely congruent topologies with substantially improved support relative to previous studies. Our results strongly support the monophyly of Megachilini, the early divergence of Noteriades and Gronoceras, and a single origin of brood parasitism. All remaining non-parasitic Megachilini form a moderately supported clade sister to the brood parasitic lineage. The leafcutter bees are monophyletic and nested within dauber lineages. Several major dauber clades are consistently recovered, including an exclusively Australian clade corresponding to the Hackeriapis group of subgenera, while several recognized subgenera are paraphyletic. The lineage known as Morphella, previously placed in synonymy with the subgenus Callomegachile, was not closely related to that subgenus and is here treated as a valid subgenus. Divergence-time analyses place the crown age of Megachilini in the late Eocene to early Oligocene, with major extant lineages diversifying during the Miocene. Limited morphological diagnosability of several clades indicates that splitting non-parasitic lineages into numerous genera would result in an impractical classification that would widen the gap between taxonomists and non-specialists and exacerbate the taxonomic impediment in bees. We therefore advocate retaining a single genus Megachile for non-parasitic Megachilini (excluding Noteriades and Gronoceras), as the classification best supported by phylogenomic evidence and most robust to future taxon sampling.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Trends in the Prevalence of Foods High in Saturated Fats, Sodium, and Added Sugars among U.S. adults, NHANES 2007-2018.

BACKGROUND: Foods and beverages high in saturated fats, sodium, and added sugars (HFSS) are often ultra-processed and linked to poor health outcomes, but few studies have investigated their intake. OBJECTIVE: To describe the trends in the intake of HFSS foods and beverages between 2007 and 2018 in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults, by sociodemographic characteristics and What We Eat in America food groups. DESIGN: This is a secondary, cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2007 and 2018. PARTICIPANTS/SETTING: The final sample included 27,984 adults 19 years of age or older from NHANES with at least one complete dietary recall. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcomes are the percentage of total energy intake from foods classified as HFSS according to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Nutrient Profile Model. STATISTICAL ANALYSES PERFORMED: To estimate the percentage of energy intake from foods and beverages HFSS, linear regression models with interaction terms between cycles and covariates were used. RESULTS: The overall intake of foods and beverages HFSS did not change, representing over 60% of the total energy intake between 2007-2010 and 2015-2018. The intake of foods and beverages high in sodium increased by 2.0 percentage points (95% CI: 0.5, 3.5) and 3.5 percentage points (95% CI: 1.1, 5.8), respectively. The intake of foods and beverages high in saturated fats increased by 6.1 percentage points (95% CI: 4.5, 7.6) and 6.1 percentage points (95% CI: 3.9, 8.2), respectively. The intake of foods and beverages high in added sugars did not change. CONCLUSION: In the U.S., intake of HFSS foods and beverages is high. Future research should focus on whether public health interventions and policies might reduce the intake of foods high in nutrients of concern.

Added sugars↗

PubMed2026

Genomic epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli across humans, poultry and wastewater sectors in Douala, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: The global health threat of antimicrobial resistance involves the human, animal and environmental sectors. Data from Cameroon are scarce. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to define extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) rates and associated risk factors across the three sectors in Douala, Cameroon, and to define molecular characteristics of isolates. METHODS: From June 2022 to May 2023, we collected blood cultures from hospitalized patients, rectal swabs from healthy pregnant women, caeca from broiler chickens and environmental wastewater. Samples were screened for ESBL-Ec using CHROMAgar™ ESBL and cefotaxime-supplemented Tryptone Bile X-glucuronide agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion following EUCAST guidelines. Whole-genome sequencing was carried out using Illumina technology. RESULTS: Of 628 samples, 374 yielded ESBL-Ec. Prevalence was 54.6% (131/240) in pregnant women, 70.4% (169/240) in chickens and 93.1% (67/72) in wastewater. The proportion of ESBL-Ec among E. coli-positive-blood cultures was 9.2% (7/76). Multi-family household living was independently associated with ESBL-Ec carriage among pregnant women (adjusted odds ratio = 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-3.1, P = 0.03). High co-resistance (>70%) was observed for tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Sequencing of 32 isolates revealed 45 distinct resistance genes, including blaCTX-M-15 (n = 13, 40.6%), blaCTX-M-55 (n = 11, 34.4%) and last-resort antibiotic resistance genes mcr-1 and bla OXA-181. High-risk sequence types included ST131 (pregnant women) and ST10 (chickens). Notably, ST48 was shared between pregnant women and chickens, and ST155 between pregnant women and wastewater. CONCLUSION: Cross-sectoral ESBL-Ec in Douala exhibits high genomic diversity and alarming resistance. The occurrence of last-resort genes requires immediate One Health surveillance and coordinated interventions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in substance use disorders is safe and tolerable: A Systematic review of 141 clinical trials including 4299 participants.

BACKGROUND: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive neuromodulation intervention investigated as a treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) and its co-occurring disorders. As the number of rTMS SUD clinical trials increase, the safety and tolerability profile should be assessed. In this systematic review, we investigate adverse events (AEs) of rTMS in individuals with SUD and factors that may influence their occurrence. METHODS: We performed a systematic PubMed search to identify all controlled trials of rTMS in SUD published up to January 2025. Eligible studies were assessed, and safety information was extracted for analysis. RESULTS: A total of 141 clinical trials with 4299 participants were included in their active arms. rTMS trials recruited participants who were engaged in active substance use, were in the pre-treatment phase, in early recovery, or in sustained recovery. Twenty-two studies explicitly reported no AEs. Sixty-nine studies reported only mild AEs, while only six studies reported moderate AEs. Thirty-five studies did not report safety-outcomes/AEs. As expected, participants reported mild and temporary AEs such as headaches, pain or discomfort under the coil, or dizziness. Only nine studies reported serious AEs (7 studies in active TMS and 2 in sham TMS). Importantly, no seizures attributable to active rTMS were reported in these SUD samples. CONCLUSION: Overall, rTMS in SUD samples is safe and well-tolerated regardless of recovery stage and substance. Most reported side effects were mild, self-limiting, and tolerable. However, AE reporting was incomplete, as 35 of 141 trials reported no safety data, limiting conclusions to reported outcomes. This evidence supports the safety of rTMS as a potential stand-alone or adjunctive treatment for SUD.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Can't see the forest for the trees: The influence of marker type on inferred phylogenetic relationships in a cosmopolitan bat genus.

Fine-resolution information on species relationships and biological diversity is critically needed to guide conservation efforts amidst rapid environmental changes. Systematics, which forms the foundation of this knowledge, has been revolutionized by phylogenomics, utilizing genome-scale datasets. However, the use of diverse marker types, non-comparable taxon sampling, and outgroup selection can lead to conflicting phylogenetic hypotheses. These inconsistencies complicate study comparisons and hinder our ability to assess marker-specific impacts on phylogenetic resolution. The phylogenetic reconstruction of the bat genus Myotis, encompassing over 140 species and characterized by a rapid radiation in the last 20 million years, has been particularly influenced by these challenges. Achieving phylogenetic resolution in Myotis is particularly complex due to subtle interspecific differences in both morphological and molecular traits. Mitochondrial and nuclear markers often produce discordant trees, influenced by hybridization, introgression, and methodological variations. In this study, we employed a consistent taxonomic sample set of 44 Myotis taxa to evaluate the impact of five different genetic marker types on phylogenetic reconstruction. We observed significant discordance between topologies derived from conserved nuclear and mitochondrial markers and found that transposable elements were inadequate for resolving relationships across the entire genus. Our results also clarify the placement of previously problematic taxa within the genus. These findings emphasize the importance of aligning genetic marker choice with specific phylogenetic questions and highlight the influence of taxonomic and methodological variation on phylogenomic outcomes. This work provides a framework for improving phylogenetic inference in rapidly radiating groups and enhances our understanding of evolutionary history in Myotis.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Evaluation of pilocarpine effects on sweat proteome.

BACKGROUND: Sweat is increasingly recognized as a valuable, non-invasive biofluid for biomarker discovery, yet its composition depends on the stimulation method. This study aimed to determine how pharmacological induction with pilocarpine compares to physiologically induced sweat through exercise in shaping the sweat proteome. RESULTS: We analyzed thermoregulatory sweat from exercise, pilocarpine-induced sweat, and combined pilocarpine plus exercise sweat. Total protein concentrations were similar across conditions, but pilocarpine markedly increased proteomic diversity, with combined pilocarpine plus exercise sweat showing the highest number of identifications. The core sweat proteome remained stable, while pilocarpine selectively enriched low-abundance proteins involved in vesicular trafficking, cytoskeletal remodelling, and metabolism. Proteins linked to the canonical M3-Gq-PLC-Ca2+ pathway, including AQP5, CALML5, and CLIC1, were consistently enriched, confirming cholinergic activation. Pilocarpine-induced sweat also contained plasma-derived and immune-related proteins, reflecting enhanced secretion and reduced ductal reabsorption. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise yields a physiologically relevant but less complex proteome, pilocarpine-induced sweat produces a pharmacologically enriched yet biased profile, and combined pilocarpine plus exercise sweat maximizes protein detection at the expense of interpretability. These findings highlight the critical impact of stimulation paradigm on sweat proteomics and provide a reference framework for biomarker research. SIGNIFICANCE: This study employed LC-MS/MS to systematically characterize eccrine sweat and delineate how stimulation paradigms-exercise, pilocarpine, and their combination-shape its proteomic landscape. By demonstrating that pharmacological induction profoundly alters protein diversity and composition compared to physiologically induced sweat, these findings establish a critical benchmark for sweat-based biomarker research and highlight the need for paradigm-aware sampling strategies in clinical and translational contexts. Nonetheless, several methodological constraints warrant consideration: the limited sample size (five individuals per group), the exclusive inclusion of women under combined oral contraceptive treatment (21 active pills followed by 7 pill-free days), which restricts extrapolation to naturally cycling women, and the focus on healthy young adults (18-25 years), limiting generalizability to older or clinically heterogeneous populations. Despite these limitations, this work provides a foundational framework for optimizing sweat collection protocols and advancing precision approaches in non-invasive diagnostics.

Pilocarpine↗

PubMed2026

Cochlear Implantation in Sickle Cell Disease: A Systematic Review of Feasibility and Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is associated with systemic complications, including sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) from microvascular occlusion and chronic inflammation. Although reports link SCD to higher rates of SNHL, current evidence is limited by small sample size, varied audiologic methods, and lack of standardized screening. This systematic review summarizes available literature on SNHL and cochlear implantation (CI) in SCD. METHODS: A literature search of PubMed MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL identified 79 citations. After removal of duplicates, 35 records were screened in Rayyan. Studies published between January 1, 2000, and June 30, 2025, were eligible if they reported patients with SCD who developed hearing loss and underwent CI. Nine full texts were reviewed, and 4 met the inclusion criteria. Screening and review were performed independently by 2 authors per PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: Across 4 case reports, a total of 5 patients with SCD underwent CI, ranging in age from 2 to 42 years. Four presented with bilateral severe-to-profound SNHL and one with unilateral loss. Implantation was technically feasible in all cases, including patients with cochlear fibrosis or ossification requiring modified insertion techniques. Postoperative outcomes were favorable: all patients demonstrated reliable device function and low impedances. Only 60% showed meaningful auditory benefit, characterized by improved functional speech perception in 2 patients (40%) and access to the speech frequency range with hearing testing going from moderate/profound hearing loss to mild hearing loss in 3 patients (60%). Complications occurred in 2 patients (40%): one developed unilateral middle ear infection leading to meningitis, and another experienced a postoperative pulmonary embolism requiring anticoagulation. The remaining 3 patients (60%) had uncomplicated recoveries with reported improved hearing from moderate/profound hearing loss to mild hearing loss post implantation. CONCLUSION: While CI appears feasible in SCD, our findings suggest that additional data are needed to assess its effectiveness in this patient population. However, evidence is limited to case reports, and complications such as thromboembolism and rapid cochlear fibrosis highlight the need for close perioperative management. More comprehensive studies with larger sample size are required to define surgical risk, optimize management, and establish best practices for timely implantation in this population.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Antimicrobial resistance in Staphylococcus spp. isolated from sporotrichosis-affected cats in Brazil: Detection of MRSP and MRSA.

Recently, Brazil has experienced a zoonotic emergence of sporotrichosis. The associated cutaneous lesions are often extensive and slow to heal, thereby providing a gateway for opportunistic bacteria belonging to the normal skin microbiota. Among these, Staphylococcus spp. are of particular concern due to their high prevalence and notable levels of antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize Staphylococcus spp. isolated from the cutaneous wounds of domestic cats undergoing treatment for sporotrichosis and exhibiting clinical signs of secondary bacterial infection. A total of 233 samples from 203 cats were analyzed. Staphylococcus spp. was isolated from 156 samples (67%), with S. aureus (42.3%) and S. felis (25.6%) being the most prevalent. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high levels of resistance to penicillin (51.9%), erythromycin (28.8%), and clindamycin (19.2%). In contrast, most isolates were susceptible to chloramphenicol (98%), ciprofloxacin (96.7%), and nitrofurantoin (93%). Multidrug-resistant strains were identified in 24% (38/156) of the isolates. Overall, 12 isolates (7.7%) were classified as methicillin-resistant staphylococci, including four methicillin-resistant S. pseudintermedius (MRSP) and one methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). To investigate the genetic profiles and epidemiological relationships of these isolates, all the MRSP and MRSA strains were subjected to whole-genome sequencing. Among the MRSP isolates, four sequence types (STs) were identified, including ST551, the founder of clonal complex (CC)551, which is commonly associated with infection in dogs. The MRSA isolate belonged to ST1176, a member of CC5, which is a globally prevalent lineage and is frequently associated with nosocomial infections in humans. This study demonstrates that Staphylococcus species, including methicillin-resistant isolates, are frequently present in the wounds of sporotrichosis-infected cats exhibiting clinical signs of secondary bacterial infection. The detection of MRSA and MRSP in a cat highlights an additional public health concern associated with feline sporotrichosis and further reinforces the growing concern regarding antimicrobial resistance in companion animals.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Clinical outcomes of Epstein-Barr virus infection/reactivation following CAR-T cell therapy: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection or reactivation is an emerging but underrecognized complication following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy and is likely associated with treatment-induced immune dysregulation. Data regarding its clinical impact remain limited. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reported occurrence, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of EBV infection or reactivation in adults undergoing CAR-T therapy. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from inception to March 2025 for studies reporting EBV infection or reactivation after CAR-T therapy in adults. Due to limited and heterogeneous data, results were synthesized descriptively. RESULTS: Five studies comprising 80 patients were included (median age, 55 years; 52.6% male among patients with reported sex data [10/19]). Across the included studies, 11 EBV infection/reactivation events were identified among 80 described CAR-T recipients, representing 13.8% of the reported sample rather than a true incidence estimate. Among events with usable individualized timing data, the median interval from CAR-T infusion to EBV detection/reactivation was 9.8 months (approximate range, 1-44 months). Because EBV surveillance strategies and definitions were inconsistently reported across studies, this proportion should not be interpreted as a true incidence estimate. Four patients (36.4%) developed EBV-associated disease, including three cases of EBV-related lymphoproliferative disorder and one case of EBV-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Among seven patients with reported post-CAR-T treatment response, four achieved Complete Remission/ Continuous Complete Remission; treatment response should be interpreted separately from final survival status. Confirmed EBV-related mortality occurred in 2/11 patients with reported EBV infection/reactivation and in 2/4 patients with EBV-associated disease; all-cause mortality could not be reliably estimated because patient-level vital status could not be fully attributed to the EBV-reactivated subgroup. Reported toxicities predominantly consisted of low-grade cytokine-release syndrome; however, toxicity data were limited. CONCLUSION: Although infrequently reported, EBV infection or reactivation after CAR-T therapy may be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality among affected patients. However, the available evidence is limited by the small sample size, heterogeneous study designs, and inconsistent EBV surveillance practices.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Adverse Experiences in Brief Meditation Practices: Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Meditation has become increasingly popular in recent decades. However, relatively little remains known about the prevalence of and risk factors for adverse experiences related to a single meditation practice. OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to examine adverse experiences associated with 3 brief, digitally delivered meditation practices (mindfulness, self-compassion, and gratitude) relative to using the internet as usual, as well as to investigate whether preintervention characteristics could predict such outcomes. METHODS: In a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial using samples that were representative of the US and UK adult populations with regard to ethnicity, sex, and age, we examined adverse experiences associated with 3 brief (ie, 5 or 10 minutes) meditation practices (ie, mindfulness, self-compassion, and gratitude) relative to using the internet as usual. We also investigated the potential of using preintervention characteristics to predict such outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 5049 participants completed all preintervention measures and were randomly assigned to meditation or control conditions. Across the sample, 4.1% (204/4925) of participants reported having a distressing experience during the intervention, and 7.1% (348/4908) of participants experienced an increase in negative affect from before to after the intervention. The results showed that participants who were randomized to a brief meditation intervention were no more likely to report a distressing experience than those who were randomized to use the internet as usual (odds ratio [OR] 1.05, 95% CI 0.76-1.47; P=.76). The results also showed that participants who were randomized to a brief meditation intervention were less likely to report clinically relevant increases in negative affect relative to using the internet as usual (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.50-0.80; P<.001). Notably, participants in the 10-minute condition had a significantly higher likelihood of reporting a distressing experience than those in the 5-minute condition (OR 1.42, 95% CI 1.07-1.89; P=.02). Preintervention characteristics showed acceptable discrimination ability to predict a distressing experience (area under the curve=0.73) and slightly lower ability to predict increased negative affect (area under the curve=0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, we found that the brief, digitally delivered meditation practices tested in this study carry risks of adverse experiences that are comparable to or lower than those of typical activities on the internet; 10-minute condition was more likely to result in distressing experiences than 5-minute condition; and adverse responses to a brief meditation practice can, at least to a certain degree, be predicted using preintervention characteristics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework 94HKS; https://osf.io/94hks/overview.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Selective monitoring of trace-level catechin and myricetin in herbal and aqueous matrices using magnetic MIP-DSPME: Optimization via design of experiments.

A novel dispersive solid-phase microextraction approach utilizing a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (MMIP) integrated with HPLC-UV detection was developed for the concurrent quantification of catechin and myricetin in herbal extracts and aqueous samples. The sorbent was engineered as a core-shell nanocomposite, consisting of a selective polymer layer deposited onto Fe3O4@SiO2-APTMS magnetic nanoparticles. Dual-template imprinting using catechin and myricetin generated complementary binding cavities within the polymer framework. Experimental variables influencing extraction were systematically screened and subsequently optimized. A Plackett-Burman design was first applied to identify the most influential factors, with pH and sorption time identified as the dominant variables. These parameters were subsequently fine-tuned using a central composite design, and the optimization process was completed in only 30 experimental runs. The sorption characteristics of the imprinted sorbent (MMIP) were compared with those of its non-imprinted counterpart (MNIP). The MMIP demonstrated markedly higher maximum binding capacities (Qmax), reaching 119.3 mg g-1 for myricetin and 112.1 mg g-1 for catechin, whereas the corresponding values for the MNIP were 32.55 and 32.08 mg g-1, respectively. Moreover, the affinity constants (KL = 0.760-0.950 L mg-1) were approximately 2.3-fold higher for the MMIP, confirming its stronger and more selective interactions with the target analytes. The selectivity coefficients for the targeted flavonoids relative to structurally related compounds, including ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, melatonin, and curcumin, exceeded 3.5 for the MMIP, whereas the corresponding values for the MNIP were close to 1.1, demonstrating the high molecular recognition capability of the imprinted sorbent. Method validation demonstrated limits of detection (LODs) of 0.33-0.59 ng mL-1 and limits of quantification (LOQs) of 1.10-1.96 ng mL-1, and excellent linearity over the concentration range of 5.0-5500 ng mL-1 (R2 > 0.998). The method achieved recoveries of 93.96% to 105.69% with RSDs below 5.5%, while the preconcentration factors ranged from 209 to 229. Furthermore, the sorbent retained more than 95% of its extraction efficiency after four consecutive reuse cycles and more than 80% after six cycles, demonstrating excellent stability and reusability. The proposed method was successfully applied to the analysis of six medicinal plant extracts and water samples, showing negligible matrix interference and superior sensitivity, selectivity, and operational simplicity compared with conventional solid-phase extraction methods.

Flavonoids↗

PubMed2026

First Report of Fibromyxoma in a Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili) From Aquarium of Genoa.

In teleosts, mesenchymal tumours like fibromas are frequently observed, whereas their malignant counterparts, fibrosarcomas, occur only sporadically. In our study, an adult female greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) reared at the Aquarium of Genoa developed a slow-growing mass protruding from the ventral right side of the head. The tissue was firm and white greyish with localized cranial haemorrhaging on the external surface. Cut-section examination showed a homogeneous, dry, whitish and richly vascularized tissue layout. Tissue samples from the mass were stained with Masson's Trichrome, Alcian Blue-PAS (pH 2.5), and Toluidine blue for differential diagnosis. Microscopically, it was characterized by alternating collagenous spindle-cell septa and hypocellular metachromatic myxoid areas positive for acidic mucopolysaccharides and glycosaminoglycans. The absence of cellular atypia, mitotic activity and necrosis confirms the diagnosis of fibromyxoma. Documenting rare tumours in aquarium fish expands comparative pathology literature and highlights public aquaria as valuable research platforms for long-term health monitoring under controlled husbandry conditions.

fibromyxoma↗

PubMed2026

Community-tailored One Health educational intervention to enhance knowledge and practices for zoonotic disease prevention in rural Thailand: A protocol for a prospective cluster randomised controlled Trial in Chanthaburi, Thailand (Saan Suk trial).

BACKGROUND: Zoonotic infectious disease risk arises at human-animal-environment interfaces where pathogen spillover can occur. Rural communities living in biodiverse settings may experience frequent contact with wildlife and shared environments through livelihoods, food practices, and economic activities. Reducing spillover risk and strengthening pandemic prevention requires both structural and individual-level change. Community-based interventions that promote awareness, risk perception, self-efficacy, pro-environmental behaviour, and safe coexistence with wildlife may support prevention by shifting behavioural determinants of zoonotic disease risk. The Saan Suk intervention was co-developed with rural communities in Thailand using a Human-Centred Design approach and is grounded in the Health Belief Model and One Health principles. The intervention is intended to be feasible, acceptable, and deliverable through Thailand's established Village Health Volunteer (VHV) system. METHODS: This protocol describes a parallel-arm, cluster-randomised controlled superiority trial that will be conducted during July - October 2026, in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. 24 villages will be equally randomised to the Saan Suk intervention or the current practice (control). In intervention villages, trained VHVs will deliver, once a week over four weeks, a multimodal One Health educational intervention designed to improve knowledge of zoonotic spillover, promote protective behaviours, reduce risky wildlife-related contacts, and support respectful coexistence with wildlife. Trained outcome assessment teams will conduct structured interviews with 42 adult participants per village, yielding a total sample size of 1,008 participants. The sample size was calculated for the primary outcome, accounting for clustering, with 90% power to detect a medium effect size (6 points on the 0-100 knowledge scale) at a significance level of 0.05, accounting for a design effect with an ICC of 0.028. The primary outcome is knowledge of zoonotic spillover, transmission pathways, risk factors, protective and risky behaviours, and safe coexistence with wildlife. Secondary outcomes include attitudes, self-efficacy, preventive and risky behaviours, and reported contacts with major local reservoir hosts. A structured questionnaire was developed, expert-reviewed, and piloted for the outcome assessment. Outcomes will be analysed using mixed-effects regression models with random effects for village and adjustment for relevant pre-specified confounders. Primary analyses will follow the intention-to-treat principle. DISCUSSION: This trial will evaluate whether a co-designed, VHV-delivered One Health educational programme can improve knowledge of zoonotic disease prevention and behavioural determinants in rural communities living in close contact with wildlife and shared ecosystems. If effective and feasible, Saan Suk could inform integration into routine VHV training and community-based zoonotic disease and pandemic prevention strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The Saan Suk trial is registered with the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS). Registration ID: DRKS00038582; date of registration: 11 May 2026.

Zoonoses↗

PubMed2026

A narrative systematic review of definitions and diagnostic criteria for disordered eating and eating disorders in type 1 diabetes.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Type 1 diabetes and disordered eating (T1DE) affects 8-37.1% of adults and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. The absence of a standardised case definition of T1DE and its severity hinders effective screening, diagnosis and treatment. This systematic review aimed to (1) synthesise existing case definitions and diagnostic criteria for T1DE in adults and (2) identify key characteristics to inform consensus for future diagnostic criteria. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Eligible studies involved adults (≥18 years) with type 1 diabetes assessing disordered eating; paediatric studies, mixed samples without disaggregated data, non-empirical designs and non-English publications were excluded. PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL and PsycINFO were searched up to November 2025 for peer-reviewed studies involving adults with T1DE. Qualitative and quantitative data on definitions, diagnostic criteria and assessment tools were extracted. Study quality was appraised using a modified Graphical Appraisal Tool for Epidemiological studies (GATE) checklist. Due to heterogeneity of data, a narrative synthesis of findings was performed to describe current definitions of T1DE. RESULTS: Sixty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, with a pooled sample of 111,208 participants (76% women) from over 22 countries. T1DE was defined using a heterogeneous array of terms, diagnostic frameworks and assessment tools (29 distinct methods). The Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) was the most used questionnaire, but many studies relied on criteria adapted from general eating disorder classifications or generic questionnaires. Approximately three-quarters of the studies assessed insulin omission behaviours, but the operationalisation of the cognitions for insulin omission varied widely. Beyond physiological markers such as HbA1c and BMI, studies explored various diabetes-related and psychological constructs, although often considering diabetes and disordered eating separately rather than as an integrated condition. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: This systematic review highlights the lack of a unified, evidence-based definition of T1DE, resulting in inconsistent screening, diagnostic and reporting practices. Establishing clear, consistent, evidence-based diagnostic criteria and screening questionnaires for T1DE is critical to improving early detection and developing targeted interventions. These findings provide a foundation for refining T1DE definitions as a stepping stone to an international consensus definition. STUDY REGISTRATION: PROSPERO registration no. CRD420250223622 FUNDING: King's College London and King's College Hospital through the KMRT KCH Joint Research Committee studentship. This work was also conducted as part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR; CS-2017-17-023)-funded STEADY project (Safe management of people with Type 1 diabetes and EAting Disorders studY). NZ's salary was part-funded by the NIHR via the NIHR Clinician Scientist award to MS; JT and KI are part-funded by the NIHR Mental Health Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust and King's College London. MS was funded through her NIHR Clinician Scientist Fellowship (CS-2017-17-023).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Single-nucleus transcriptomics reveals cell type-specific remodeling and epilepsy-associated microglia.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is the most common acquired epilepsy, causing refractory seizures and cognitive deficits. We performed single-nucleus RNA sequencing on hippocampal tissue from mice 3 and 6 weeks following pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus, a robust model of TLE. Epilepsy samples showed reductions in Cck and Lamp5-Lhx6 interneuron subclusters, alongside increases in Cajal-Retzius cells, dentate granule (DG) cell precursors, and a mature DG cell subcluster. Among glia, an astrocyte subcluster and a markedly expanded microglia sublcuster were increased. We term this microglia population epilepsy-associated microglia (EAM). The transcriptomic profile of EAM overlaps with microglia described in models of Alzheimer's disease and traumatic brain injury, including enrichment of Myo1e and Igf1. EAM display amoeboid morphology, can be found in clumps around pyramidal and granule cell body layers, and exhibit enlarged vesicles and mitochondria. Cell-cell interaction analysis predicts DG cells as their primary interaction partners. This dataset defines transcriptomic programs underlying key cellular alterations in TLE, enabling mechanistic dissection of epileptogenesis.

TLE↗

PubMed2026

Metal-organic frameworks nanozyme-integrated portable microneedle patch for visual bacterial monitoring in meat.

Foodborne microbial contamination is a major global health concern, with conventional methods often being time-consuming and complex. Herein, we developed a novel portable biosensor by integrating microneedle patch technology and a metal-organic framework (Fe/Cu-NBDC MOF) nanozyme, enabling rapid, on-site, visual detection of bacteria in meat. The sensing system works by encapsulating aptamer-functionalized MOF nanozymes within a hydrogel patch, where their catalytic sites are initially blocked by the aptamer. In the presence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as the target, the specific aptamer's binding to bacteria exposes numerous catalytic sites, further activating the chromogenic reaction of the tetramethylbenzidine‑hydrogen peroxide (TMB-H₂O₂) system, enabling visual detection of S. aureus. The biosensor demonstrates a detection limit of 82 CFU/mL with excellent specificity to successfully apply to commercial mutton. By integrating sampling, enrichment, and visual detection into a single compact device, this platform offers a practical, efficient solution for rapid on-site screening of foodborne pathogens.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2026

AI-enabled viral genomics: from virus discovery to host prediction and emerging variant forecasting.

The rapid expansion of metagenomic sequencing has generated vast repositories of viral sequence data that far outpace our capacity to interpret them using conventional approaches. Highly divergent sequences, sparse functional annotation, and taxonomically uneven sampling present fundamental challenges for reference-dependent methods, which lose sensitivity precisely for novel and understudied viruses with high public health relevance. Artificial intelligence (AI) provides a new avenue to address these challenges by enabling predictive inference from viral genomes and proteins while reducing dependence on sequence similarity. In this Review, we discuss representative advances in AI for virus discovery, taxonomic classification and functional annotation, prediction of host range and zoonotic potential, and efforts toward forecasting emerging variants. These advances are transforming viral genomics from a largely descriptive discipline into one with increasing predictive capability. We also critically assess the major challenges that constrain current approaches, including the availability of high-quality and representative datasets, rigorous model evaluation, biological interpretability and responsible governance for increasingly capable AI models.

Artificial Intelligence↗