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PubMed2026

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

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

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Cost-Effectiveness and the Economics of Genomic Testing and Molecularly Matched Therapies.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of precision oncology can help guide value-driven care. Next-generation sequencing is increasingly cost-efficient over single gene testing because diagnostic algorithms require multiple individual gene tests to determine biomarker status. Matched targeted therapy is often not cost-effective due to the high cost associated with drug treatment. However, genomic profiling can promote cost-effective care by identifying patients who are unlikely to benefit from therapy. Additional applications of genomic profiling such as universal testing for hereditary cancer syndromes and germline testing in patients with cancer may represent cost-effective approaches compared with traditional history-based diagnostic methods.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the global prevalence of leptospirosis in sheep.

Leptospirosis in sheep is a zoonotic concern considering sheep may act as potential reservoirs for Leptospira spp. infection to humans. This study aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of leptospirosis in sheep worldwide. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across databases following PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analyses were performed using a random effect model in R software (version 4.3.1) to calculate pooled prevalence with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Subgroup analyses were performed based on prevalence types, diagnostic methods and continental regions to explore sources of heterogeneity. A total of 138 studies comprising 54,174 samples and 10,299 positive detections were included in this study. The global pooled prevalence of leptospirosis in sheep was 15.69% (95% CI: 12.69-19.25) with overall heterogeneity (I2) 98%. The prediction interval ranged from 1.09% to 75.91%, indicating wide inter-study variability. The seroprevalence was 16.16% (95% CI: 12.91-20.04) and infection prevalence was 12.98% (95% CI: 8.07-20.22), showing no significant difference (P = 0.40). In addition, the prevalence of leptospirosis in sheep differed significantly across diagnostic methods and continents (P < 0.01), indicating substantial variation influenced by both methodological and geographical factors. The funnel plot revealed marked asymmetry, suggesting potential publication bias which was confirmed by Egger's regression test (P < 0.01). In conclusion, leptospirosis is widely prevalent in sheep globally, with marked geographical and methodological heterogeneity. These findings highlight the epidemiological importance of sheep in leptospirosis transmission and underscore the need for improved surveillance, standardized diagnostic approaches, and targeted control strategies within a One Health framework.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Target Capture of Ancient Shell DNA Enables Phylogenetic Reconstruction of Deep-Sea Molluscs.

Target capture is widely used to enrich endogenous DNA from calcium phosphate skeletal material in vertebrates, but its performance on calcium carbonate hard parts widely produced by invertebrates remains poorly understood. Here, we compared DNA recovery from four fresh and 12 ancient (eight radiocarbon-dated to 1671-1135 years old before present) deep-sea vesicomyid clam shells, including species Archivesica marissinica, A. nanshaensis and A. okutanii, using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) or target capture of ultraconserved elements (UCEs). WGS achieved 16.65% on-target read recovery of UCEs from fresh soft tissue, but < 1% from shell specimens. By contrast, UCE capture in the same specimen increased on-target reads by up to 155-fold, reaching 29.84% in fresh shells and up to 72-fold, reaching 19.89% in ancient shells. Target capture of UCEs recovered 142-1001 loci per sample compared to 0-230 with WGS alone. Ancient shells of A. marissinica and A. okutanii, based on reads mapped with bwa-mem2 and bbmap, exhibited characteristic post-mortem DNA damage signals, with average 5'-end C-to-T misincorporation rates of 3.46% and 15.97%, respectively, exceeding the levels observed in fresh A. marissinica shells (maximum 1.24%). UCE-based phylogenetic reconstructions incorporating shell ancient DNA recovered two major clades within Pliocardiinae, consistent with published phylogenomic trees. Together, these findings demonstrate that target-capture enrichment enables effective recovery of highly degraded DNA from ancient mollusc shells and supports robust phylogenetic inference at the intrageneric scale, expanding the utility of shells-one of the most abundant invertebrate remains-for evolutionary, biogeographic and conservation studies.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Design, rationale, and baseline patient characteristics for the Sickle Cell Disease and CardiovAscular Risk-Red cell Exchange (SCD-CARRE) trial.

BACKGROUND: Despite wide utilization of automated red blood cell exchange (RBCX) transfusion in adult patients with sickle cell disease (SCD), no consensus or quality efficacy data exist on its use. The Sickle Cell Disease and CardiovAscular Risk- Red cell Exchange (SCD-CARRE) trial tests the hypothesis that an automated chronic RBCX transfusion strategy reduces acute health care encounters and death while improving quality of life and end-organ function (cardiac, pulmonary and renal) in participants with SCD that are at high risk of death. METHODS: Adult patients with SCD with elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV) and/or chronic kidney disease were considered to be at high risk of death and were randomly assigned to RBCX plus standard of care vs standard of care alone. Participants assigned to RBCX received 12 months of exchange transfusions to maintain target pretransfusion hemoglobin S% < 30%, post-transfusion hemoglobin S% < 20%, and post-transfusion hemoglobin concentration ≥10 g/dL. All study participants were managed according to NHLBI/ASH/ATS Expert Panel guidelines. The primary endpoint was the number of SCD acute health care encounters or death over 13 months. Secondary endpoints included measures of cardiovascular and renal function, exercise capacity, patient reported outcomes (all collected at baseline, and months 4, 8, and 12), and transfusion-related adverse events (collected monthly). RESULTS: Between 2020 and 2025, the SCD-CARRE trial randomized 173 participants at 23 sites across 3 countries. Enrolled participants had mean (SD) age of 45.8 (11.8) years and 54% were female. At baseline, participants had average TRV of 2.8 (0.5) m/s such that 45.9% had a TRV between 2.5 to 2.9 m/sec and 28.1% had a TRV ≥ 3.0 m/sec. The median (Q1, Q3) eGFR in this cohort was 60 (36, 110) mL/min/1.73 m2. The median (Q1, Q3) 6-minute walk test distance was 375 meters (309, 439), the median daily steps were 3,728 (2,187, 5,821), and participants experienced a median (Q1, Q3) of 2 (1, 5) pain episodes in the year prior to randomization. The trial results are pending. CONCLUSIONS: The SCD-CARRE trial successfully enrolled a cohort of n = 173 adults with SCD. This study highlights a rationale to evaluate the effect of automated chronic RBCX transfusion strategy plus standard of care as compared to standard of care alone in SCD patients at high risk of death with a focus on patient centered outcomes, preservation of cardiovascular function, end-organ complications and death. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, Identifier: NCT04084080, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04084080.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Improved comprehensive profiling of fecal bile acids through chemical derivatization combined with HPLC-MS/MS analysis.

Bile acids (BAs) facilitate the digestion and absorption of fats and influence lipid and glucose homeostasis, making them potential therapeutic targets for obesity and related metabolic disorders. The liver and intestinal microbiota modify BAs structurally, generating diverse chemical forms and isomers. Comprehensive profiling of the BA pool is critical for understanding their key biological functions and as a therapeutic approach for related diseases. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) is usually chosen as the preferred method for BA detection due to the complex chemical structures, the wide range of actual concentrations and the complexity of fecal sample matrices. However, free BAs are difficult to ionize, resulting in low detection signals and a lack of characteristic structural fragments to assist in structural identification. In this method, the labeling reagent (2-aminoethyl) trimethylammonium (AETMA) is employed to label the carboxyl group of BAs. Compared with underivatized BAs, the detection sensitivity of unconjugated BAs was enhanced by 25-180 fold, while that of conjugated BAs increased by 6-160 fold. It also generates unique fragment ions and enhances MS response, facilitating the discovery of potential BAs. Methodological parameters were validated using 38 BAs as representatives. Through methodological validation, it was verified that the precision, recovery, matrix effect and stability parameters of the method met acceptable criteria. We also identified 61 confirmed BAs and 55 additional candidate BAs in human pooled fecal samples. It has been successfully applied to fecal BA analysis in obese populations, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies for obesity.

Tandem Mass Spectrometry↗

PubMed2026

Genetic overlap between estimated glomerular filtration rate and cardiovascular disease identifies potential targets for cardiorenal syndrome.

Heart and kidney diseases frequently coexist, but the genetic basis of this relationship remains unclear. We analyzed genetic data from large-scale studies to investigate how kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR) and six common cardiovascular diseases share genetic risk factors. Using MiXeR method, and conjunctional false discovery rate (conjFDR) to identify overlapping genetic regions, we found 478 shared genomic loci between eGFR and cardiovascular diseases. These shared genes are involved in tissue development and structure. We also identified 29 genes that could be targeted by existing medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, such as PRKAG2, PDE1A, and IGF1R. Among these, genetically predicted higher level of IGF1R expression is associated with a higher eGFR, which reflects good kidney function and is protective against cardiorenal diseases, such as atrial fibrillation, and myocardial infarction. These findings reveal genetic overlap between kidney function and cardiovascular diseases, highlighting potential targets for understanding and treating cardiorenal syndrome.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Incidence of retropharyngeal lymph node involvement in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Retropharyngeal lymph node (RPN) involvement in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) may influence prognosis, staging, radiotherapy target volumes, and treatment strategy. However, its true prevalence and association with clinicopathological factors remain incompletely defined. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. MEDLINE, EMBASE, EMCARE, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library were searched from database inception to 15 June 2026. Studies reporting radiological or pathological assessment of retropharyngeal lymph node (RPN) involvement in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) were included. Pooled prevalence estimates were calculated using a random-effects model, with subgroup analyses according to tumour stage, nodal status, HPV status, and primary tumour subsite. RESULTS: Fourteen studies comprising 8,887 patients were included. The pooled prevalence of RPN involvement was (95% CI 11-16%; 95% PI 6-24%), with substantial heterogeneity. HPV-negative tumours demonstrated higher prevalence than HPV-positive tumours (21% vs 11%). Prevalence increased with advancing T stage, from 2% in T1 to 18% in T4 disease, and was higher in node-positive than node-negative disease (16% vs 1%). Tonsillar primaries showed higher prevalence than base of tongue tumours (14% vs 8%). Among patients with RPN involvement, the pooled distant metastasis rate was 16%. CONCLUSION: RPN metastases were identified in approximately one in eight patients with OPSCC and were more frequent in HPV-negative disease, advanced stage, and tonsillar primaries. These findings support careful evaluation of the retropharyngeal space during staging and may assist risk stratification in selected higher-risk patients.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Microplastic contamination in South Asian commercially important seafood: A comprehensive assessment of occurrence, source, and human health risk.

Seafood is a cornerstone of global food security and human nutrition, serving as the primary source of animal protein for more than one-fourth of the global population, with South Asia representing one of the world's fastest-growing seafood-consuming regions. However, escalating microplastic (MP) pollution in marine ecosystems poses an emerging threat to seafood safety and human health, yet a comprehensive regional assessment of MP contamination in South Asian seafood remains lacking. This study presents the first region-wide systematic synthesis of the literature on MP contamination in commercially important seafood across South Asia, integrating occurrence patterns, human exposure assessment, polymer-specific hazard evaluation, and bibliometric analysis to address this critical knowledge gap. The meta-analysis estimated an average microplastic exposure of 145 particles/person/day through seafood consumption in South Asia, with fish contributing the highest intake (121 particles/person/day). The detected polymers were classified into PHI hazard levels I-IV, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), and polyacrylamide (PAM) representing the highest hazard categories. The mean pollution load index (PLI) was 7.71 (Category I), with crustaceans exhibiting the highest contamination (PLI = 10.07). Polypropylene was the predominant polymer, whereas fragments and blue particles were the most frequently reported microplastic characteristics. These findings provide the first regional baseline for assessing microplastic contamination, polymer-associated hazards, and human exposure through seafood consumption in South Asia, underscoring the need for standardized monitoring and targeted mitigation strategies to safeguard seafood safety and public health.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Liquid biopsy-based detection of circulating and exfoliated cholangiocarcinoma tumor cells from blood and bile using heparan sulfate octasaccharides on integrated microfluidic systems.

Early diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) remains challenging because existing diagnostic approaches often lack sufficient sensitivity for reliable detection of early-stage disease. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) in blood and exfoliated tumor cells (ETCs) in bile represent valuable targets for liquid biopsy-based detection; however, their low abundance and the complexity of clinical sample analysis pose substantial technical challenges for reliable enrichment and identification. Herein, we present a reproducible workflow for isolating and identifying CCA tumor cells from blood for CTCs and bile for ETCs using synthetic cell-surface heparan sulfate (HS) octasaccharide-functionalized magnetic beads (MBs) on integrated microfluidic systems. The method combined sample pre-processing, magnetic bead-based enrichment, controlled low-shear mixing and immunofluorescence-based identification into a unified workflow compatible with distinct clinical sample types. Key operational parameters, including MB concentration, mixing frequency, and pressure settings, were detailed to facilitate consistent performance. Using this workflow, tumor cell capture rates of approximately 70% in bile (for ETCs) and blood (for CTCs) were achieved, with a total processing time of 60-90 min per sample under clinically relevant low-abundance conditions. The platform enables reliable detection of as few as 1 tumor cell per mL of blood or bile. This method provides a practical and adaptable strategy for glycosaminoglycan-mediated liquid biopsy applications and may be extended to other tumor-cell enrichment workflows involving heterogeneous cell-surface interactions.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Measuring Coping Strategies in Daily Life: A Systematic Review of Experience Sampling Methodology and Daily Diary Studies.

Advances in daily diary methods and experience sampling method (ESM) have improved the study of coping strategies in daily life and their role in shaping health and well-being. In this review, we examine study designs, measurement approaches, and analytical practices used to investigate coping in natural contexts. We performed a systematic review of studies published before 5 December 2025 that used daily diary or ESM to measure coping strategies over multiple days or moments. Studies were examined with regard to sampling schemes, assessment frequency and duration, measurement of coping strategies, incorporation of stressor appraisals, and analytic techniques used to model coping processes. Fifty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Results indicated that 80% employed end-of-day diary designs, generally lasting 1-3 weeks, whereas higher-frequency ESM protocols were less common and ranged 2-14 days. Coping strategies were often assessed using abbreviated or single-item measures, frequently adapted from established questionnaires. Many studies incorporated appraisals such as perceived stressor intensity or controllability, enabling tests of coping flexibility. Multilevel modelling was the dominant analytic approach, allowing researchers to distinguish within-person dynamics from between-person differences. However, analyses were predominantly concurrent, and temporally ordered models remained comparatively rare. Overall, the literature demonstrates substantial progress in capturing coping in everyday contexts, yet heterogeneity in measurement and limited use of temporal modelling constrain cumulative knowledge about the temporal links between coping and psychological and physiological health outcomes. Future research would benefit from greater alignment between theoretical assumptions, assessment strategies, and analytic methods.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Higher versus Routine Intraoperative Blood Pressure Targets in Noncardiac Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis with Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Trials.

BACKGROUND: Observational studies consistently link intraoperative hypotension to adverse postoperative outcomes, leading guidelines to recommend maintaining mean arterial pressure 60 to 65 mmHg or greater during noncardiac surgery. Whether targeting higher intraoperative blood pressure values improves clinical outcomes remains uncertain. METHODS: The authors conducted a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses-guided search on PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Embase from inception to April 2026. Randomized trials comparing higher intraoperative blood pressure targets, either as fixed absolute thresholds or personalized to preoperative baseline, versus routine blood pressure management in adults undergoing elective noncardiac surgery with general anesthesia were included. Outcomes included in-hospital or 30-day mortality, postoperative delirium, acute kidney injury (AKI), 30-day major cardiovascular events, acute myocardial injury, stroke, length of stay, and intraoperative hypotension. RESULTS: Fifteen trials (15,603 patients) were included. Higher targets did not reduce AKI (risk ratio [RR], 0.95; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.06; P = 0.36; I 2 = 16%) or acute myocardial injury (RR, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.94 to 1.12; P = 0.59; I 2 = 0%) compared with routine targets, with firm evidence from trial sequential analysis. Higher targets were associated with a significant reduction in postoperative delirium (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.54 to 0.98; P = 0.04; I 2 = 26%), although trial sequential analysis indicated the cumulative evidence remained insufficient to draw firm conclusions. No significant effect was observed on in-hospital or 30-day mortality (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.75 to 1.34; P = 1.00; I 2 = 0%); evidence on 30-day major cardiovascular events, stroke, and length of stay was similarly insufficient to draw firm conclusions. CONCLUSION: In adults undergoing elective noncardiac surgery, targeting higher intraoperative blood pressure values does not improve major postoperative outcomes compared with routine management. A potential reduction in postoperative delirium warrants confirmation in adequately powered trials.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Lifestyle interventions to prevent gestational and type 2 diabetes among migrant women from low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

Migrant women from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) living in high-income settings experience disproportionately high risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This review aimed to identify and synthesise culturally adapted lifestyle interventions for preventing or managing GDM and T2DM among migrant women from LMICs, focusing on intervention components, cultural adaptation strategies, and behavioural and metabolic outcomes. Five databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Central) were searched using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020 guidelines. Eligible studies included experimental designs involving lifestyle interventions delivered to migrant women from LMICs in high-income countries, reporting outcomes related to GDM or T2DM targeting behaviour change. Data were synthesised narratively; study quality was appraised using RoB2 for RCTs and a structured narrative approach for non-randomised designs. Certainty of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Sample sizes ranged from 28 to 641 participants. Intervention duration varied from 6 weeks to 12 months. Most interventions incorporated atleast one culturally tailored component, such as bilingual delivery, culturally adapted dietary education, or community-based engagement. Improvements were reported across dietary behaviours, physical activity, glycaemic measures, or diabetes-related knowledge; however, effect sizes were modest and inconsistent. Interventions combining dietary modification, physical activity, and culturally adapted delivery demonstrated greater improvements than exercise-only or digital-only programmes. Overall certainty of evidence ranged from low to moderate. Culturally adapted, multi-component lifestyle interventions show promise for improving behavioural and metabolic outcomes among migrant women from LMICs; however, the evidence base remains limited.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Resistance versus concurrent training with three assigned protein targets in middle-aged and older women: a randomized 2 × 3 factorial trial.

BACKGROUND: Evidence is limited regarding whether assigned protein targets modify responses to resistance training (RT) alone or to the same RT program plus cycling (concurrent training [CT]) in middle-aged and older women. This randomized 2 × 3 factorial trial examined bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)-derived skeletal muscle mass (SMM; primary outcome), other body composition outcomes, muscular and functional performance, and cycle-derived estimated VO₂max. METHODS: In this randomized 2 × 3 factorial trial, 108 women aged 40-77 years were assigned to 12 weeks of supervised RT or CT (identical RT followed by cycling) and protein targets of 0.8, 1.6, or 2.2 g·kg-1·d-1. Baseline-adjusted ANCOVA tested training × protein interactions and marginal training and protein effects. Complete-case analyses included 83 participants. RESULTS: For SMM, no training-condition × protein-target interaction (p = 0.856), marginal protein-target effect (p = 0.726), or marginal training-condition effect (p = 0.273) was detected. CT had a lower baseline-adjusted week-12 BFP than RT (adjusted difference, -2.04 percentage points; 95% CI, -2.94 to -1.14; p < 0.001). RT had a higher baseline-adjusted week-12 leg-press estimated 1-RM than CT (CT - RT: -6.68 kg; 95% CI, -8.32 to -5.04; p < 0.001), whereas CT had a higher baseline-adjusted week-12 cycle-derived estimated VO₂max (adjusted difference, 4.53 mL·kg-1·min-1; 95% CI, 3.80 to 5.25; p < 0.001). No detectable marginal protein-target effects or training-condition × protein-target interactions were observed for the key secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: No detectable differences in SMM or key secondary outcomes were attributable to assigned protein target. Compared with RT, CT favored estimated aerobic fitness and BFP, whereas RT favored leg-press strength. Because CT included additional cycling and greater exercise exposure, these differences cannot be attributed solely to training modality. Null protein findings do not establish equivalence among doses.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Comparison of paralog identification methods and their impact on species tree topologies in target capture phylogenomics within the Sindora clade (Detarioideae: Leguminosae).

Target capture is a common method of generating high throughput DNA sequencing data for phylogenetic reconstruction of species relationships, for which single copy genes are usually most informative. However, a pervasive problem with target capture is that putatively single copy genes may in fact be paralogs resulting from gene duplication, which are problematic for phylogenetic inference because their evolutionary history may differ from the divergence history of species. Here, we use as a case study a target enrichment dataset of 88 species of Detarioideae (Leguminosae) with a focus on the Sindora clade to examine approaches for handling paralogs, including the built-in paralog handling functions in HybPiper and CAPTUS, plus subsequent steps using Putative Paralog Detection and the tree-based Yang & Smith orthology inference approach. We compare the paralogs flagged using these methods and verify their performance with BLAST mapping against a reference genome sequence of Sindora glabra, and then subsequently compare the species tree topologies produced across these methods. Our comparisons of paralogs flagged across the Sindora clade show that the Putative Paralog Detection pipeline was the most accurate in identifying paralogs in terms of its similarity to the BLAST mapping, followed by the built-in paralog identification function of CAPTUS. However, the results we recovered for the Detarioideae subfamily suggest that the largest differences in species tree topology resulted from the use of paralog-filtered alignments (such as with the Putative Paralog Detection pipeline and the Yang & Smith orthology inference approaches) rather than just by removing the sequences of identified paralogous genes. This was the true for HybPiper-assembled datasets but was not seen in CAPTUS-assembled datasets. In all comparisons, the topological differences caused by different paralog handling methods tended to be confined to clades where processes such as hybridisation and introgression are prevalent. Our study provides a roadmap to establish the best approach to identify, eliminate or separate paralogs in the absence of a chromosomally contiguous reference genome for a study group, and highlights the importance of careful data inspection and processing in addition to understanding the extent of paralogy and paralog characteristics (e.g. sequence divergence between copies) for their study group.

Phylogeny↗

PubMed2026

Advanced mitigation strategies for acrylamide formation in foods: Mechanistic insights, emerging innovations, and future perspectives.

Acrylamide is a heat-induced contaminant formed predominantly in carbohydrate-rich foods during high-temperature processing, posing significant concerns due to its potential carcinogenic, neurotoxic, and genotoxic effects. This review critically examines the mechanisms of acrylamide formation, emphasizing the role of the Maillard reaction and key precursors such as asparagine and reducing sugars, along with the influence of processing conditions including temperature, time, pH, and moisture. Various mitigation strategies are comprehensively discussed, ranging from raw material selection and genetic approaches to enzymatic treatments such as asparaginase and the application of natural and chemical inhibitors. Advances in processing technologies, including optimization of conventional thermal methods and emerging non-thermal techniques such as cold plasma and ultrasound, are evaluated for their effectiveness. The review also highlights the role of food additives, functional ingredients, and fermentation in reducing acrylamide formation. Furthermore, recent developments in analytical techniques, including chromatographic methods, biosensors, and artificial intelligence-based predictive models, are explored for improved detection and control. Risk assessment, toxicological implications, and global regulatory frameworks are also examined. Finally, future perspectives focusing on genetic engineering, personalized nutrition, and digital technologies such as AI and blockchain are discussed to support sustainable and industry-applicable mitigation strategies.

Acrylamide↗

PubMed2026

Effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on periodontal ligament stem cells: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) at two osteogenic induction stages (undifferentiated and late-stage) differentially affect periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), and to explore the potential molecular basis. DESIGN: UCMSCs and PDLSCs were isolated and cultured. Exosomes were harvested from undifferentiated UCMSCs (Exo-D0) and UCMSCs after 14 days of osteogenic induction (Exo-D14). PDLSCs were treated with both exosome types. Proliferation and migration were analyzed using EdU and scratch assays, the latter under serum-free conditions. Early osteogenic differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase staining and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified by high-throughput sequencing and further analyzed through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. RESULTS: Both exosome types promoted PDLSC migration. Exo-D0 enhanced early osteogenic differentiation, whereas Exo-D14 enhanced proliferation but reduced early osteogenic marker expression. Sequencing identified 21 differentially expressed miRNAs (13 upregulated, 8 downregulated). Bioinformatic prediction suggested that the putative target genes were enriched in Ras signal transduction, regulation of kinase activity, and focal adhesion, and further predicted significant enrichment in the MAPK, Ras, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, which are central to cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomes from undifferentiated and osteogenically induced UCMSCs exerted distinct effects on PDLSCs, potentially associated with differentially packaged miRNAs. These findings offer a basis for hypotheses about exosome-mediated mechanisms and support matching exosome sources to the intended therapeutic outcome as potential cell-free strategies for periodontal tissue regeneration and alveolar bone repair.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Rational design of high-productivity perfusion processes for CHO Cells: From growth inhibitory strategies to model-driven optimization.

While perfusion culture for Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells offers advantages such as continuous operation and flexibility, it suffers from product loss through cell bleeding and difficulties in reaching high productivity due to sustained rapid cell growth. Growth inhibitory strategies are widely used to enhance productivity in fed‑batch processes; however, their practical implementation and comparative effectiveness in perfusion processes remain insufficiently explored. Meanwhile, process development often relies on costly trial‑and‑error approaches. Here, we systematically compared three growth inhibitory strategies in perfusion culture-low cell‑specific perfusion rate (CSPR), sodium butyrate, and mild hypothermia-with respect to cell growth, metabolism, productivity, and product quality. Genome‑scale metabolic flux sampling analysis revealed that low‑CSPR and sodium butyrate induce a convergent up‑regulation of energy metabolism, correlating with greater gains in specific productivity (qp). Building on this insight, we developed a growth‑kinetic model for the combined low‑CSPR + butyrate strategy, incorporating parameter uncertainty. This model‑guided framework enabled the rational design of two distinct high‑productivity perfusion processes: a sustained mode that achieved robust long‑term stability alongside substantial productivity gains, and a high‑intensity mode that pushed qp and daily volumetric titer to their maxima, with increases of up to 108.94% and 190.36%, respectively, in a model CHO cell line with a moderate baseline productivity. Our study provides a proof‑of‑concept framework for perfusion intensification, from strategy selection to rational process design.

Animals↗