SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Feeding and Eating Disorders”

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.

2,201 records · Page 9Linked to original sources

PubMed2026

Psychotherapy vs antidepressants in heart failure: Impact of adherence.

BACKGROUND: Depression affects nearly half of patients with heart failure (HF), which is associated with increased morbidity and reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). This secondary per-protocol analysis of a previously published randomized trial evaluated the behavioral activation (BA) versus antidepressant medication (MEDS) among patients with depression and HF who adhered to study interventions. METHODS: This analysis is based on a pragmatic randomized comparative-effectiveness trial conducted from 2018 to 2022, with a 1-year follow-up. 416 participants diagnosed with HF and a DSM-5 depressive disorder were randomized to BA or MEDS, and the current analysis examined outcomes according to treatment adherence. OUTCOMES: The primary outcome was depressive symptom severity (PHQ-9) at 6 months, and the secondary outcomes were physical and mental HRQoL (SF-12v2-PC and SF-12v2-MC, respectively) and HF-specific HRQoL (Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire; KCCQ) overall and clinical scores (KCCQ-OS and KCCQ-CS), at 3, 6, and 12 months. High adherence was defined as completion of >75-100% of intervention components. Overall adherence rates were similar between BA and MEDS. At 6 months, among patients with >75-100% adherence who followed treatment as directed in both arms, BA was associated with higher Mental HRQoL (SF-12v2-MC: 5.22; 95% CI: 0.72 to 9.72; p = 0.023) and higher HF-specific HRQoL (KCCQ-OS: 16.08; 95% CI: 7.20 to 24.97; p < 0.001); (KCCQ-CS: 16.04; 95%CI: 7.05 to 25.02; p < 0.001) compared to MEDS. There were no significant differences in depressive symptoms or physical HRQoL at 6 months. INTERPRETATION: Both BA and MEDS were equally effective treatments for depression in HF. However, among highly adherent patients, BA was associated with greater improvements in mental and HF-specific HRQoL than MEDS. FUNDING/SUPPORT: The study was funded by PCORI Award Number: 2017C2-7716.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The effect of tDCS on emotion-related risk-taking behavior and delay discounting in adults with ADHD.

INTRODUCTION: Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often engage in risky behaviors due to impaired decision-making processes. This study aims to investigate the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC) and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) on emotion-related risk-taking behavior and delay discounting in adults with ADHD. METHODS: Thirty adults with ADHD underwent three tDCS conditions, administered in a randomized order with at least one week between sessions: (1) left dlPFC anode/right vmPFC cathode, (2) left dlPFC cathode/right vmPFC anode, and (3) sham stimulation. In each session, participants completed the Delay Discounting Task (DDT) and the Modified Balloon Analogue Risk Task (mBART) under three emotional conditions (neutral, positive, and negative) which were induced using emotionally congruent photographs and sounds. Galvanic skin responses (GSR) were also recorded. In the DDT, both area under the curve (AUC) values and log-transformed discounting rates (log k) were calculated for small, medium, and large reward magnitudes (RM). Exploratory electric field modeling was also performed to characterize current distribution. RESULTS: The findings demonstrated task-specific effects of tDCS on decision-making. Although no overall tDCS effect was observed on DDT performance, significant tDCS × RM interactions emerged, particularly for smaller rewards. In contrast, exploratory analyses suggested that tDCS affected all mBART scores. Emotional condition did not influence consistently behavioral performance in either task, whereas both emotional stimulation and tDCS significantly affected GSR responses. However, exploratory electric field modeling indicated a broad prefrontal current distribution extending beyond the intended cortical targets. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest preliminary evidence that prefrontal tDCS can influence risk-related decision-making and autonomic responses in adults with ADHD. However, its effects on delay discounting appear to be context-dependent and limited to specific RMs. Future studies combining neuroimaging with individualized electric field modeling are needed to clarify the neural mechanisms underlying the observed effects of tDCS and to optimize stimulation protocols in adults with ADHD.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Atypical cytokine profiles in people on the autism spectrum: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis including 54 cytokines.

Atypical peripheral blood cytokine concentrations have been shown in autism, but no clear pattern has been observed. This systematic review and meta-analysis summarised current state of findings, expanded the range of cytokines, accounted for study risk of bias, and examined relations between cytokines and autism traits. Literature comparing peripheral blood cytokine in autistic and non-autistic people was systematically searched in Ovid® Embase, MEDLINE and APA PsycINFO, Web of Science™ and Scopus, resulting in 98 studies and 54 cytokines (4236 autistic, 3333 non-autistic controls; age 2 to 65 years) in the meta-analysis. Study risk of bias was assessed using adapted Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Compared to controls, autistic people had elevated levels of IL1-beta (Hedges' g = 0.620, 95%CI[0.32, 0.92]), IL4 (g = 0.245, 95%CI [0.07, 0.42]), IL6 (g = 0.365, 95%CI [0.011, 0.62]), IL8 (g = 0.384, 95%CI [0.15, 0.62]), IFN-gamma (g = 0.404, 95%CI [0.09, 0.72]), TNF-alpha (g = 0.31, 95%CI [0.11, 0.51]), CXCL1/GRO-α (g = 0.364, 95%CI [0.058, 0.670]) and MIF (g = 0.560, 95%CI [0.14, 0.98]). Over a third of studies were classified as having a high risk of bias; their removal revealed higher IL7 and IL1RA in autism relative to controls. Narrative synthesis produced no strong evidence for an association between cytokine and autism traits among autistic individuals. Altogether, our findings support a predominance of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while also indicating potential modulatory contributions from inhibitory cytokines, which reflect group-level differences between autistic and non-autistic individuals, but not variations of autism traits within the autistic population. However, higher-quality studies with low risk of bias are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

ScRNA-seq analysis reveals the effects of nitrite stress on the endocrine system of the eyestalk in Litopenaeus vannamei.

Nitrite is a harmful substance generated in Litopenaeus vannamei farming systems, largely originating from the inadequate breakdown of surplus feed and shrimp feces. Its accumulation in the water can affect the growth and physiological functions of shrimp, damage the immune system, and even cause mass mortality, thus becoming a key environmental factor restricting the green development of the industry. Under nitrite stress, the eyestalk, as an important neuroendocrine regulatory center in crustaceans, participates in the stress adaptation of the organism and exerts a protective effect by regulating energy metabolism and immune function. However, the molecular regulatory mechanism of the eyestalk in response to nitrite stress remains unclear. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology was used to analyze the heterogeneity of eyestalk cells in L. vannamei under nitrite stress. A total of 18, 394 high-quality cells were obtained, and six major cell subpopulations, including Neurosecretory cell, Motor neuron, Sensory neuron, Interneuron, Neurogliocyte, and Support cell, were identified. Differential expression analysis identified 839 differentially expressed genes, and different cell types showed distinct specific responses to nitrite stress. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that pathways such as glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, ribosome function, and endoplasmic reticulum protein processing were significantly activated, while signal transduction and DNA repair-related pathways were inhibited. Further analysis revealed that nitrite stress could induce mitochondrial function changes and trigger oxidative stress, thereby affecting the neuroendocrine system function of the eyestalk. This study provided insights into transcriptomic responses of the eyestalk to nitrite stress at the single-cell level, laying a theoretical foundation for the management of aquaculture environments.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of self-directed online writing interventions for posttraumatic stress symptoms in a real-world digital setting.

Background: Public health and other large-scale crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, have intensified the global mental health burden, creating unprecedented demand for accessible interventions for posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS).Objective: We evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of two self-directed online writing interventions embedded within China's WeChat ecosystem during the COVID-19 pandemic through a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.Methods: Between December 2021 and August 2022, 1,526 adults were screened for PTSS via a Tencent Medinfo Mini-Program. Eligible participants (n = 211) were randomised to Guided Narrative Technique-Writing (GNT-W, n = 100) or Expressive Writing (EW, n = 111). Both interventions comprised three self-directed daily writing sessions delivered entirely online without human support. Primary outcome was PTSD symptom severity (PTSD Checklist-Short), assessed at baseline, post-intervention, 2-week, and 1-month follow-ups.Results: While initial engagement followed typical digital health patterns (64.5% overall attrition), participants who initiated treatment showed strong adherence (77% completion). Both interventions were associated with significant within-group reductions in PTSS severity (GNT-W: b = -0.43, p = .023, d = -0.43; EW: b = -0.60, p = .001, d = -0.58), with no significant between-group difference (group × time: b = 0.18, p = .48). GNT-W did not confer additional benefit over EW protocol on PTSS severity.Conclusions: Both self-directed writing interventions were associated with within-group reductions in PTSS; without an inactive control condition, however, these changes cannot be firmly attributed to the interventions. GNT-W showed no advantage over the simpler EW protocol. These findings offer preliminary support for embedding scalable, low-barrier writing interventions in widely used digital platforms.Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR2000034836.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Impact of early nurse-led implementation of an intensive care unit diary following major trauma on quality of life: The QUALITRAU randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Survivors of major trauma often experience long-term impairments in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Intensive care unit (ICU) diaries have been proposed to reduce psychological sequelae, but evidence remains conflicting and not specific to trauma patients. OBJECTIVE: To assess whether, in patients with major trauma, a nurse-led ICU diary implemented within the first 48 h after trauma improves HRQoL at 1 year vs. usual care. METHODS: The QUALITRAU randomized controlled trial was conducted in three ICUs of a French tertiary hospital. Adult patients with major trauma (Injury Severity Score > 15) were randomized within 48 h of admission to receive either an ICU diary combined with usual care or usual care alone. The primary outcome was HRQoL at 12 months, assessed with the 4 domains of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included PTSD severity measured with the Impact of Event Scale (IES). Analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Between November 2014 and November 2016, 208 patients were randomized (101 intervention, 107 control), with primary outcome available for 121 (53 intervention, 68 control). Median age was 35 years [IQR 25-51], 81% were men, and 63% had severe traumatic brain injury. At 12 months, there were no differences between intervention and control groups in the WHOQOL-BREF domains (physical: 5.7 [IQR 4.6-11.4] vs 9.1 [IQR 4.6-13.1],P = 0.16; psychological: 8.0 [IQR 6.7-13.3] vs 11.3 [IQR 6.7-13.3],P = 0.08; social: 5.3 [IQR 4.0-14.7] vs 12.0 [IQR 4.0-14.7],P = 0.10; environment: 8.0 [IQR 5.5-14.5] vs 12.0 [IQR 5.5-15.5], P = 0.05). IES scores were also not different. CONCLUSIONS: Early implementation of nurse-led ICU diaries was not associated with improved long-term HRQoL or reduced PTSD symptoms in patients with major trauma. IMPLICATION FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: These findings suggest that ICU diaries may need to be integrated into broader, multimodal rehabilitation strategies and may depend on factors such as timing, content, or patient characteristics.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy, acceptability, and related outcomes of pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar mania: a systematic review and dose-related network meta-analysis across different age groups.

BACKGROUND: Acute bipolar mania carries negative social and economic consequences. We investigated the comparative efficacy/response/acceptability of pharmacological interventions for acute bipolar mania, considering dose effects across different age groups. METHODS: We conducted a network meta-analysis (NMA) to search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing pharmacological interventions with one another or placebo in acute bipolar mania patients, indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus (from inception through 2025.12.24). Co-primary outcomes were change in manic symptoms/response/and acceptability. Tolerability/remission and rate of adverse events were secondary outcomes. Confidence-In-Network-Meta-Analysis was likewise appraised. RESULTS: 113 RCTs, encompassing 49 distinct treatment combinations, included 20,666 participants. Sensitivity analysis retaining only low-risk-of-bias studies and excluding outliers for possible effect modifiers indicated that risperidone 3 mg/day(SMD = -7.57;95%C.I. = -8.25;-5.85); tamoxifen 160 mg/day(SMD = -1.73;95%C.I. = -2.32;-1.13); rivastigmine 3 mg/day(SMD = -1.13;95%C.I. = -1.06;-0.58); haloperidol 30 mg/day(SMD = -0.96;95%C.I. = -1.25;-0.75); valproate 750 mg/day(SMD = -0.76;95%C.I. = -1.48;-0.58); tamoxifen 40 mg/day(SMD = -0.75;95%C.I. = -1.41;-0.59); celecoxib 400 mg/day(SMD = -0.74;95%C.I. = -1.20;-0.38); paliperidone extended-release 12 mg/day(SMD = -0.62; 95%C.I. = -0.91;-0.32); olanzapine 15 mg/day(SMD = -0.59;95%C.I. = -0.60;-0.38); olanzapine 20 mg/day(SMD = -0.52;95%C.I. = -0.66;-0.38); risperidone 4 mg/day(SMD = -0.53;95%C.I. = -0.76;-0.29); allopurinol 600 mg/day(SMD = -0.54;95%C.I. = -0.67;-0.22); cariprazine 12 mg/day(SMD = -0.49;95%C.I. = -0.66;-0.33); risperidone 4.2 mg/day(SMD = -0.46;95%C.I. = -0.75;-0.17); lithium 1500 mg/day(SMD = -0.42;95%C.I. = -0.57;-0.28); ziprasidone 160 mg/day(SMD = -0.49;95%C.I. = -0.68;-0.31); asenapine 20 mg/day(SMD = -0.38;95%C.I. = -0.53;-0.22); haloperidol 8 mg/day(SMD = -0.34;95%C.I. = -0.63;-0.05); aripiprazole 15 mg/day(SMD = -0.33;95%C.I. = -0.61;-0.06) outperformed placebo. Ziprasidone 160 mg/day, celecoxib 200 mg/day, asenapine 20 mg/day, and asenapine 10 mg/day proved more efficacious than placebo in children. No statistically significant differences were reported between treatments and placebo for response/remission/acceptability/tolerability, and manic/hypomanic switch. A meta-regression of efficacy effect sizes against the adapted AMSTAR-Plus content scores showed that larger SMDs were associated with lower AMSTAR scores, indicating lower study quality, warranting further caution for such large efficacy estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are consistent with previous NMAs and current guidelines, expanding the current knowledge base while concurrently appraising different drugs, doses, and age groups.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Feasibility and acceptability of skills training in affective recovery (STAR) video and TextSTAR text message program for recent sexual assault survivors.

Background: Sexual assault (SA) affects more than 50% of women in the United States and is associated with elevated risk for impairing posttraumatic stress symptoms and substance, particularly opioid, misuse. Intervening following SA exposure could attenuate these risks.Objective: This study examined the acceptability and feasibility of a 17-minute video, Skills Training in Affective Recovery (STAR) and a 21-day text message program (TextSTAR), that were delivered in the acute post-SA period to prevent the onset or escalation of posttraumatic stress symptoms and substance misuse. The interventions provide psychoeducation about trauma, strategies to reduce fear and avoidance, suggestions to increase social support, and coping strategies for substance use.Method: Participants were 50 women age 18 or older who presented for a Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Exam (SAMFE) within seven days of a SA. Using a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Controlled Trial (SMART) design, participants were randomized to receive the STAR video (n = 25) or no video (n = 25) at the SAMFE. Those who received the video answered questions about video acceptability immediately after viewing the video. At 1-week post-SAMFE, participants completed online questionnaires about substance use and posttraumatic stress; those above threshold on acute stress or opioid use (n = 36) were randomized to TextSTAR (n = 18) or no-text program (n = 18). Participants completed weekly online surveys 2-4 weeks post-SAMFE about symptoms and text program acceptability.Results: Participants found STAR and TextSTAR at least moderately acceptable; 80% who received STAR found it extremely acceptable while 60-90% (depending on timepoint) who received TextSTAR found it at least moderately acceptable. Our ability to enroll 50 participants and retain 94% at 1 week and 90% at 4 weeks suggests the intervention trial is feasible.Conclusions: STAR and TextSTAR are acceptable and feasible brief interventions for recent sexual assault survivors.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06456190.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Biliary Cirrhosis in Myhre Syndrome: The First Case Report of Liver Transplantation and a Review of Reported Hepatic Findings.

Myhre syndrome is a rare autosomal-dominant disorder caused by gain-of-function pathogenic variants in SMAD4 and is now recognized as a progressive multisystem fibrotic disease. Although transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling plays a central role in hepatic fibrogenesis, hepatobiliary involvement in Myhre syndrome has not been systematically evaluated. We report the first case of Myhre syndrome complicated by rapidly progressive biliary cirrhosis requiring liver transplantation in a 15-year-old male with a confirmed SMAD4 p.Ile500Val variant. Following an infectious episode, the patient developed severe cholestasis with imaging and histopathologic findings consistent with fibro-obliterative cholangiopathy, ultimately necessitating living donor liver transplantation. A systematic review of 55 published reports comprising 217 patients with Myhre syndrome revealed that hepatic evaluation was rarely performed and that previously reported liver abnormalities were mild and secondary, most commonly related to right heart dysfunction or metabolic disease, with no prior cases of progressive biliary fibrosis. This case suggests that dysregulated SMAD4-TGF-β signaling may predispose selected organs to fibro-obliterative injury and that infection-driven inflammation may act as a critical trigger for hepatic fibrosis in Myhre syndrome, expanding the recognized spectrum of organ involvement in this disorder.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Complexity in disguise: a systematic review of fractal analysis in psychiatric neuroimaging.

OBJECTIVES: Psychiatric diagnosis and fractal studies are complex processes that extend beyond clinical evaluation and require careful methodological considerations in neuroimaging. Over the years, fractals have helped reduce these complexities in research, but they still cannot grant clinical diagnoses. Thus, the main objective was a systematic review exploring the potential applications of fractal analysis in characterizing psychiatric conditions through neuroimaging techniques-including both functional and structural MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature review was conducted on PubMed, identifying thirty-nine original studies that met the inclusion criteria. Areas showing statistical significance (p < 0.05) were reported. These studies were categorized according to DSM-V classification and examined for the description of psychiatric conditions through the fractal analysis. RESULTS: The review primarily focuses on young adults with psychiatric conditions compared to control groups. Schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorder are major areas of investigation, and fractal dimension (FD) is the primary analysis method used to reflect brain patterns. Studies that calculated whole-brain FD may have underestimated local abnormalities due to the inclusion of a high percentage of tissue, potentially resulting in overlooked findings. Notably, abnormalities in the frontal cortex represent a common neurobiological feature across several psychiatric conditions. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this systematic review shed light on the use of fractal analysis to quantify complex brain patterns in both psychiatric patients and healthy individuals. However, it is essential to recognize the need for further research to elucidate a fractal analysis protocol that allows for optimal extraction of psychiatric insights. KEY POINTS: Question Fractal analysis applied to structural and functional MRI help characterize brain alterations across psychiatric conditions. Findings This review shows consistent fractal patterns across multiple psychiatric disorders, especially in frontal regions. Despite heterogeneous methodologies, results highlight shared structural and functional abnormalities. Clinical relevance Fractal analysis may offer complementary characterization of subtle brain organization across psychiatric disorders. Its potential clinical utility-such as improving diagnostic characterization, earlier detection, among others-remains limited by the current absence of a standardized protocol.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Complement component C4 and neuroimaging in psychiatry: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies suggest that the complement system contributes to the pathophysiology of various psychiatric disorders partly through neurodevelopmental effects linked to C4A protein levels variations. We conducted a systematic review to characterize how brain micro- and macrostructure and connectivity vary with proxies of in vivo brain C4A protein levels in both psychiatric and general-population cohorts. METHODS: We used Medline, Web of Science, and Embase, and included all studies published before April 14, 2025. Inclusion criteria were: (1) inclusion of healthy controls and/or individuals with psychiatric disorders assessed according to recognized diagnostic manuals (DSM or ICD); (2) use of MRI-based neuroimaging; and (3) use of genomic, transcriptomic and/or proteomic approaches as proxies of in vivo brain C4A proteins levels. RESULTS: From 317 identified articles, 11 were included. Associations between C4A levels and brain structure were heterogeneous across regions. Only the mOFC, dlPFC, and entorhinal cortex were implicated in more than one study. Findings for the mOFC and dlPFC varied by the type of metrics and clinical status, whereas higher C4A levels were more consistently associated with smaller entorhinal cortex surface area and cortical thickness in pediatric, middle-aged, and older general-population cohorts. In addition, one study found higher genetically predicted C4A expression to be associated with higher TSPO levels. CONCLUSION: The limited number of available studies and their methodological heterogeneity make synthesis challenging. However, biological hypotheses such as excessive synaptic pruning or broader inflammatory effects on the brain may provide plausible explanatory frameworks for the reported associations.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The feasibility and efficacy of weighted blankets as a sleep intervention for people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a pilot randomised crossover trial.

Sleep disturbances contribute to disease progression in dementia and result in reduced quality of life. Non-pharmacological interventions are recommended for the management of sleep and other behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), although these interventions can be challenging to implement. This pilot study assessed the feasibility and efficacy of weighted blankets as a sleep intervention for people with BPSD in a neurobehavioural unit. Fourteen residents, serving as their own control, slept two weeks with a weighted blanket and two weeks with usual bedding in a crossover trial. The primary outcomes were sleep duration and efficiency, measured via a Withing's sleep analyser and sleep disordered behaviours, measured by the sleep disorder inventory (SDI). Secondary outcomes included responsive behaviours, measured by the Neuropsychiatric index (NPI), falls incidents, restrictive practice incidents and use of pro re nata psychotropic medications. Generalised Estimation Equation (GEE) method was used for analysis. There was no statistical evidence that weighted blankets improved sleep or behavioural outcomes for people with BPSD, however fewer fall incidents, wakings and restrictive practices were reported during weighted blanket use. Weighted blankets were considered feasible and acceptable with high recruitment rates, nil participant withdrawals and no adverse outcomes, however there was variable compliance to the intervention protocol and the Withings did not adequately measure sleep. Whilst there is insufficient effectiveness evidence for further trials, weighted blankets can be offered to people living with dementia as a low risk sleep intervention option, with the caveat that there is currently no effectiveness evidence.

Behavioural Symptoms↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness of Auricular Acupressure in Improving Sleep Quality and Reducing Insomnia Severity in Middle-Aged and Older Women in Taiwan.

Poor sleep quality impacts cognition, emotions, and immunity. This study evaluated the efficacy of auricular acupressure in improving sleep conditions. Eighty-eight women aged ≥40 years with insomnia were randomly assigned to acupoint, sham, or comparison groups. Magnetic pellets were applied to heart, liver, and shenmen acupoints for the acupoint group and were offset by 1 to 2 cm for the sham group. Participants pressed pellets thrice daily for 1 month. In the acupoint and sham groups, insomnia was reduced and sleep quality improved dramatically in the acupoint group at 4 weeks. Auricular acupressure may improve sleep and support equitable, cultural patient-centered care.

Adult↗

PubMed2026

Understanding specificity in immune-brain pathways: A systematic review of differential associations between individual cytokines and brain structure and function measured through magnetic resonance imaging in humans.

Research shows that cytokines are associated with psychiatric disorders, including major depression, and multiple aspects of brain structure and function. Accumulating data suggest that different cytokines may have unique profiles of biological activity, particularly in their neuromodulatory roles, but it is currently unclear whether they have unique associations with specific neural circuits in humans. In this paper, we systematically review magnetic resonance imaging studies conducted with depressed or healthy control human participants under age 65 that examine associations between peripheral cytokines and brain structure and function, with the goal of evaluating evidence for the specificity of these cytokine-brain associations. We find that across multiple measures of brain structure and function, the majority of studies reviewed reported unique associations between individual cytokines and brain outcomes. A synthesis of findings across studies also suggests a preliminary hypothesis of specific associations of interleukin-6 levels in circulation with the default mode network and tumor necrosis factor-alpha with the salience network, which could be tested in future research. We conclude the review with future directions for research that can strengthen understanding of these associations.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Assessment of the Potential of Different Anthropometric Indices in Predicting the Risk of Diabetes and Associated Co-morbidities.

Diabetes, a chronic disorder, is showing a rapidly increasing trend globally. India holds the second position in the global diabetes epidemic. The present investigation is an assessment of different anthropometric measurements and their association with type 2 diabetes to determine their diagnostic potential for diabetes as well as its co-morbidities. In this cross-sectional study, we have measured anthropometric parameters and blood biomarkers in subjects with diabetes. We have presented the comparisons of cost- and time-effective anthropometric variable with costly and time-dependent biochemical variables in control and diabetic groups (n = 233/group). Correlations between anthropometric variables and biochemical measurements, as well as the diagnostic utility of anthropometric variables for diabetes, were evaluated. The diagnostic utility of anthropometric variables for diabetes was assessed through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Neck circumference, sagittal abdominal diameter (SAD), skinfold thickness, and body roundness index (BRI) displayed high specificity and diagnostic utility for diabetes, emphasizing their potential in predicting diabetes and the further development of metabolic syndrome. The study highlights the importance of cost- and time-effective anthropometric assessments in diabetes risk evaluation and calls for further research to elucidate this intricate relationship and develop personalized management strategies.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Angiotensin II regulates anxiety and social-affective top-down and bottom-up attention control in a sex-dependent manner.

BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been increasingly recognized as potent modulator of cognitive and affective functions, with angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) antagonists emerging as repurposing candidate for anxiety and stress-related disorders. However, it remains unclear whether transient AT1R blockade modulates emotional attentional control and whether these effects are sex-dependent. METHODS: We conducted a preregistered, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pharmacological eye-tracking study in 79 healthy adults (males and females) and determined effects of transient AT1R blockade via losartan (50 mg) on emotional attention control using a validated anti-saccade paradigm with social (emotional faces) and non-social stimuli. Treatment effects on state anxiety and oculomotor responses were characterized using traditional metrics and a novel trial-history informed dynamic control framework. RESULTS: Losartan reduced state anxiety irrespective of sex but induced sexually dimorphic effects on attentional control. In females, losartan enhanced performance by reducing endpoint error without altering latency. Conversely, in males, losartan increased endpoint error and prolonged latency of the first correct saccade. Trial-history analyses revealed losartan reduced error probabilities following errors and repeat trials in both sexes. Yet, following correct trials, females receiving losartan maintained lower error probabilities, while males exhibited higher errors, potentially reflecting failure to disengage from effortful control. CONCLUSIONS: The RAS modulates anxiety and attentional control, the latter sex-dependently. AT1R blockade reconfigures attentional processing and adaptive control, suggesting sex-specific therapeutic potential in disorders characterized by excessive anxiety and attentional dysregulation. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov; https://clinicaltrials.gov/;NCT06329050.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Chronic postsurgical pain: risk assessment and mitigation.

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW: Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) and persistent postoperative opioid use (PPOU) are two of the most common complications of a number of surgical interventions, which can cause significant personal and economic negative consequences. This review outlines known and potential risk factors for CPSP and PPOU and approaches to reduce these risk factors. RECENT FINDINGS: Modifiable risk factors for developing CPSP include psychological distress, preoperative pain intensity, and perioperative opioid exposure. Although less studied, psychological comorbidities are also risk factors for PPOU. Evidence-based mitigation strategies include psychological interventions and perioperative opioid sparing. SUMMARY: A number of perioperative risk factors for developing CPSP and PPOU have been identified, and anesthesiologists should be cognizant of these risk factors and potential risk mitigation strategies. Additional prospective studies are needed to further develop easily adoptable, evidence-based interventions to reduce the incidence of CPSP and PPOU.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Integrated miRNA-mRNA profiling reveals candidate regulatory relationships associated with high-fat diet-induced muscle lipid deposition in black seabream (Acanthopagrus schlegelii).

High-fat diets are increasingly used in aquaculture due to their protein-sparing effects; however, the post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms of fish muscle in response to high-fat diets (HFD) remain unclear. In this study, juvenile black seabream were fed either a normal-fat diet (NFD) or a HFD to investigate the miRNA-mRNA regulatory network associated with diet-induced muscle lipid deposition. Oil Red O staining and biochemical analysis showed that high-fat diet feeding markedly increased lipid droplet accumulation and crude lipid content in muscle, indicating significant induction of muscle lipid deposition. Integrated mRNA and miRNA expression profiling revealed substantial transcriptomic and post-transcriptional responses to high-fat diet challenge. A total of 271 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 120 upregulated and 151 downregulated genes. Through combined target prediction and expression correlation analysis, thirteen candidate inverse miRNA-mRNA relationships were subsequently identified, and RT-qPCR supported the expression patterns of selected miRNAs and mRNAs. These pairs included miR-499-x-dmgdh, miR-499-y-gatm, miR-727-y-ass1, miR-4649-x-foxo4, miR-9129-z-myl7, and several novel miRNA-mediated interactions involving adk, chst11, lypla2, frem2, kcnc4, wars1, bag2, and capn2. Functional analysis suggested that these regulatory pairs were mainly associated with metabolic adaptation, structural remodeling, and cellular stress responses. In particular, gatm, dmgdh, ass1, and adk were associated with energy metabolism-related processes, including pathways previously linked to Ampk regulation, whereas myl7, frem2, and kcnc4 may contribute to muscle structural maintenance and excitability regulation. Overall, this study provides candidate miRNA-mRNA regulatory relationships potentially involved in high-fat diet-induced muscle lipid deposition and adaptive remodeling in black seabream, offering a basis for future functional studies on muscle metabolism and quality regulation in marine fish.

Animals↗