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PubMed2026

Identification of the BrSK gene family in flowering Chinese cabbage and functional characterization of BrSK2 subfamily involvement in heat stress.

Glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3) kinases are evolutionarily conserved regulators of plant development and stress signaling, yet their contributions to thermotolerance in cool-adapted Brassica crops remain poorly understood. Here, we identified 16 BrSK genes in the Caixin (Brassica rapa ssp. chinensis var. parachinensis) genome, all harboring intact catalytic motifs indicative of functional kinase activity. Spatiotemporal expression profiling revealed preferential accumulation of BrSK transcripts in stem apices and floral organs during reproductive transition, while promoter analysis identified abundant heat- and abiotic stress-responsive cis-elements. Under heat stress, BrSK21, BrSK22, and BrSK23 displayed striking genotype-specific expression dynamics. BrSK21/22/23 transcripts were stably suppressed in the heat-tolerant cultivar '49-19' but transiently declined before rapidly rebounding in the heat-sensitive 'Liuye 50', mirroring RNA-seq profiles. Protein-protein interaction assays (Y2H, BiFC, and LCI) demonstrated specific associations between BrSK kinases and BrHSFA1. Functional validation via VIGS revealed that silencing of BrSK21 significantly enhanced thermotolerance, with triple silencing of BrSK21/22/23 conferring additive protection, indicating functional redundancy within the BrSK2 subfamily. Collectively, these findings establish the BrSK2 subfamily as negative regulators of heat tolerance in Caixin, likely via modulation of BrHSFA1 expression. This work identifies high-priority targets for molecular breeding of climate-resilient Brassica vegetables.

Plant Proteins↗

PubMed2026

Genome-wide characterization of the TGF-β superfamily identifies bmp15, gdf9, and gsdf as sex-biased candidate regulators of gonadal differentiation in the synchronous hermaphrodite Plectropomus leopardus.

The transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily plays conserved roles in vertebrate reproduction and gonadal sex differentiation. However, its genomic repertoire and sex-biased expression patterns remain unclear in the leopard coral grouper (Plectropomus leopardus), a species with synchronous hermaphroditism. Here, we performed a genome-wide identification of the TGF-β superfamily, identifying 42 genes from the chromosome-level genome. Phylogenetic and synteny analyses indicated that segmental duplication under purifying selection contributed to family expansion. Expression profiling across multiple tissues and four gonadal developmental stages (undifferentiated, 120 dph; early differentiated, 15 months; mature testis, 3 years; mature ovary, 3 years) identified eight gonad-enriched genes, among which bmp15 and gdf9 exhibited pronounced female-biased expression, with transcripts localized exclusively to the oocyte cytoplasm, particularly in stage II-III oocytes. In contrast, gsdf showed male-biased expression and was localized in spermatogenic cells of the testis. These reciprocal expression patterns indicate that bmp15/gdf9 and gsdf are candidate factors associated with gonadal sex differentiation. Our study provides the first comprehensive characterization of the TGF-β superfamily in P. leopardus and highlights bmp15, gdf9, and gsdf as candidate sex-differentiation factors in this hermaphroditic species.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Genome-guided stage- and tissue-resolved transcriptome analysis of Serrodes campana identifies sex-biased antennal expression and candidate chemosensory-related genes.

Serrodes campana is an erebid moth of ecological and forestry relevance; its larvae are mainly associated with the soapberry tree, Sapindus mukorossi, whereas adults exhibit fruit-piercing behavior. However, stage- and tissue-resolved transcriptomic resources for this species remain limited. Here, using a chromosome-level reference genome, we performed a genome-guided transcriptome analysis of S. campana based on 12 RNA-seq libraries representing major developmental stages and key adult tissues. Global transcriptomic analyses revealed pronounced transcriptional differentiation across developmental stages and tissue types. Tissue-enriched gene sets and functional enrichment analyses identified distinct molecular signatures associated with developmental, sensory, and pheromone-associated tissues. Comparative analysis of female and male antennae further revealed sex-biased expression of several candidate chemosensory-related genes. Among 153 curated chemosensory-related candidate genes, most odorant receptor genes showed strong antennal enrichment, whereas other major chemosensory gene families displayed broader but still tissue-preferential expression patterns. In addition, an exploratory comparison of female terminal abdominal gland tissue and male terminal abdominal coremata revealed divergent expression profiles and highlighted candidate genes potentially associated with pheromone-related physiology, reproduction, and tissue-specific signaling. Together, this study provides the first genome-guided stage- and tissue-resolved transcriptomic resource for S. campana and offers a useful foundation for future studies of chemosensory detection, sex-biased gene expression, and pheromone-associated biology in this species.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Sex- and development-specific transcriptomic profiling of venom and silk genes in the wolf spider Pardosa astrigera provides insights into ecological adaptation and predatory strategies.

Spider venom and silk glands are two major secretory systems that contribute to prey capture, defense, and reproduction, but their sex- and development-specific molecular regulation in wandering wolf spiders remains poorly understood. Here, the transcriptome of Pardosa astrigera, an important agricultural natural enemy in China, revealed significant sex- and development-associated molecular differentiation among adult females, adult males, and spiderlings. A total of 100,025 unigenes were obtained, of which 23,852 were functionally annotated, providing a comprehensive transcriptomic resource for this species. Differential expression patterns showed marked variation among groups, with 531, 1792, and 832 DEGs detected in PAF vs PAS, PAM vs PAS, and PAF vs PAM, respectively. These genes were mainly associated with metabolic, oxidation-reduction, cuticle development, MAPK signaling, and lysosome pathways. Fifteen co-expression modules revealed distinct expression patterns. The turquoise, pink, yellow, and red modules were development-related, whereas the blue module was male-biased. Venom- and spidroin-related genes were distributed across multiple modules, suggesting coordinated regulation. Overall, 42 venom peptides, 21 venom proteins, and 11 spidroins were identified. Representative genes showed strongly biased expression, including spiderling-biased U3_Pp1a and U5_Pp1e, female-biased U4_Pp1a, and male-biased SMase D_108750 and PaTuSp_108466. These findings reveal sex- and development-biased expression patterns of venom- and silk-related candidate genes in P. astrigera and may provide molecular insights into ecological adaptation and predatory strategies in wandering wolf spiders.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

A point-of-use SERS assay for rapid detecting difenoconazole and flusilazole residues in fruit juices using Au/COF substrate.

We developed a ready-to-use surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor for rapid, pretreatment-free detection of difenoconazole (DIF) and flusilazole (FLU) in peach and lychee juices. The substrate combines Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) with covalent organic frameworks (COF) and is implemented on a portable 25-well plate, enabling in situ testing. Juices can be directly applied to the SERS-active Au/COF composite, allowing simultaneous adsorption and signal generation. The correlation between SERS intensity and logarithmic concentration yielded R-values between 0.925 and 0.986, meeting the monitoring needs of non-laboratory scenarios. The entire workflow completes within 12 min, offering a faster alternative to conventional methods while maintaining high sensitivity and reproducibility. Detection limits reach 0.96-1.22 ppb for DIF and FLU, both of which are below the regulatory maximum residue limits. Distinct SERS fingerprints enable reliable discrimination of mixed residues across juice matrices, supporting rapid on-site monitoring and cost-effective pesticide surveillance.

Triazoles↗

PubMed2026

An allograft inflammatory factor enhances sperm viability by modulating intracellular calcium in oyster Crassostrea gigas.

As an important aquaculture bivalve, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas faces severe constraints in artificial reproduction, where low sperm motility often leads to fertilization failure and limits the sustainable development of the oyster aquaculture industry. In the present study, the variation of sperm from different oyster individuals was observed, and high-quality sperm possessed intact, elongated flagella with no structural abnormalities, while low-quality sperm showed shortened flagella with frequent tangling or coiling defects. Transcriptomic analysis comparing high- and low-quality sperm revealed significantly reduced expression of genes associated with sperm motility and release (CgAIF1, CgAchR, CgSEX), sperm quality and development (CgEP4, CgIFi2b), and cryoprotection (CgISPs) in low-quality sperm. Notably, an allograft inflammatory factor (designed as CgAIF1) encoding EF-hand domain, known as Ca2+ binding activity, was among the most significantly downregulated in low-motility sperm. CgAIF1 is highly expressed in haemocytes, ganglia, and gonads of oysters. Incubation with the recombinant AIF1 protein (rCgAIF1) significantly improved sperm curvilinear velocity, thereby enhancing the overall motility of C. gigas sperm. Furthermore, rCgAIF1 incubation increased intracellular Ca2+ levels (2.13-fold at 30 min, 2.71-fold at 60 min) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (1.44-fold at 30 min, 1.24-fold at 60 min) in sperm, suggesting potential roles in calcium homeostasis regulation and antioxidant defense. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that CgAIF1 significantly enhances motility of oyster sperm, providing a scientific basis for artificial breeding and seed production in oyster aquaculture.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Unveiling the molecular basis of gonadal development: Multi-omics uncovers sex-related genes and steroid pathways in Sinonovacula constricta.

The razor clam Sinonovacula constricta is an economically important cultured mollusk in China, but the molecular mechanism of its gonadal development and sexual differentiation remains unclear. This study integrated gonadal transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analysis to identify key sex-related molecules. Transcriptome analysis identified 2795 DELs and 6497 DEGs between sexes, including the sex-related genes Fem-1b, Fem-1c, GUCY1B2 and FAT4, as well as a regulatory network of 39 lncRNA-mRNA pairs involving Tektin-4, Ropporin-1, Histone H1, and FoxN4. Proteomic analysis revealed 3217 DEPs: Tektin family members, Ropporin-1 and Tssk proteins were upregulated in the testis, while histone H1 and FAT4 were upregulated in the ovary. Metabolomic analysis detected 409 DEMs, with uridine identified as a potential sex differential marker (upregulated in the ovary), and 23 gonadal development-related DEMs showed sex-specific upregulation. Integrative transcriptome-proteome analysis identified 1543 co-expressed DEGs/DEPs enriched in nucleosome assembly, oxidative phosphorylation, and carbon metabolism, including key sex-related genes AKAP14, Tektin/Tssk families, Histone H1, and FAT4. Transcriptome-metabolome integration identified 32 shared KEGG pathways (e.g., biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, pyrimidine metabolism), while proteome-metabolome integration revealed 5 (positive ion) and 6 (negative ion) co-enriched pathways, with alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism and oxidative phosphorylation being functionally relevant to gonadal development. Collectively, these results reveal the molecular basis of gonadal development, highlight critical sex-related genes and steroid metabolic pathways, and provide valuable resources for future reproduction and breeding in S. constricta.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Ultrasound-Guided Microwave Ablation Versus Open Surgery for Benign Breast Disease: Impact on Postoperative Lactation.

BACKGROUND: Benign breast disease (BBD) is common in adult women. While ultrasound-guided microwave ablation (MWA) is an established minimally invasive treatment, its comparative impact on postoperative lactation, particularly mastitis, remains understudied. This study aimed to evaluate mastitis outcomes following MWA versus open surgery for BBD. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 79 patients (105 nodules) treated between January 2018 and August 2023 were included 41 patients (62 nodules) underwent MWA and 38 patients (43 nodules) underwent open surgery. All patients lactated within 5 years post-procedure. The primary outcome was the incidence of lactational mastitis without systemic symptoms (MWoSS) and mastitis with systemic symptoms (MSS). Patient satisfaction was also assessed. RESULTS: The incidence of MWoSS was significantly lower in the MWA group (19.5%) than in the open surgery group (50.0%). Similarly, MSS occurred in 4.9% of the MWA group versus 34.2% of the open surgery group. Multivariate analysis identified open surgery as an independent risk factor, associated with a 4.13-fold increased risk of MWoSS (OR = 4.125, 95% CI: 1.517-11.218) and a 10.14-fold increased risk of MSS (OR = 10.140, 95% CI: 2.107-48.793). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the MWA group (9.29 ± 0.72 vs. 8.15 ± 1.13, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to open surgery, ultrasound-guided MWA for BBD is associated with a significantly lower risk of postoperative mastitis and higher patient satisfaction, supporting its use for women of reproductive age, particularly when future breastfeeding is planned.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Access to maternity services for women asylum seekers and refugees: A transnational document analysis of international, European regional, and United Kingdom governance.

Women asylum seekers and refugees face persistent barriers to maternity care (antenatal, intrapartum and postnatal care) across high-income countries, yet the upstream governance shaping access remains under-examined. Although legally distinct, both groups share protection-seeking experiences and are addressed jointly in governance documents. This study examined and synthesised how international (macro), European regional (meso), and United Kingdom (UK, micro) governance documents frame and operationalise maternity service access. Sixty-four documents were analysed using the READ framework. Inductive analysis of macro and meso documents identified six access dimensions: universal coverage; cultural and linguistic adaptation; rights-based approaches; multi-agency collaboration; data, monitoring and accountability; and quality of care. These dimensions structured assessment of UK governance, with jurisdictions rated strong, moderate or weak. Alignment was fragmented: Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland exempted asylum seekers from charging, whereas England retained charging provisions. Multi-agency collaboration was consistently articulated, yet none of the 35 UK government documents focused on maternity access for this population, and none required outcome monitoring disaggregated by asylum or refugee status. UK governance appears coordinated in form but fragmented in substance. UK-wide minimum standards and routine recording of these data, with safeguards against immigration-related use, could strengthen coherence and accountability and improve visibility of inequities.

Refugees↗

PubMed2026

Craniotomy versus Endoscopic Membranectomy in the Treatment of Non-Homogeneous Chronic Subdural Hematoma: A Pilot Randomized Parallel-Group Active-Controlled Trial (EMiT CSDH 2).

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a prevalent neurosurgical condition with persistent challenges related to recurrence. Endoscopic membranectomy (EM) has shown promising results in managing symptomatic non-homogenous (SNH)-CSDH, but comparative evidence against craniotomy with membranectomy (CM) is lacking. OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and efficacy of EM versus CM in managing SNH-CSDH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A pilot randomized parallel-group active-controlled open- labeled superiority trial from September 2023 to November 2024 at Government Kilpauk Medical College, Chennai, India. Sixty patients with SNH-CSDH were randomized into EM and CM groups. Recurrence was the primary outcome. Secondary outcomes included operative time, complications, radiological indices, pain, hospital stay, and functional recovery. All patients were followed for six months. RESULTS: No recurrence was observed in either group at six months. Two CM patients required reoperation on postoperative day one ( P = 0.15). EM was associated with shorter operative time ( P = 0.02), lower incidence of post-operative subdural residual fluid ( P = 0.015), better early hematoma reduction/subdural space reduction index ( P = 0.008), midline shift/symmetry improvement index ( P = 0.001), and lesser surgical site swelling ( P < 0.001). All patients were ambulant and had a Glasgow coma scale (GCS) 15 at discharge and at six months (including reoperated patients). Pain scores and functional recovery were comparable. EM patients had shorter hospital stays ( P = 0.004) and no significant complications. CONCLUSION: EM demonstrated favorable early radiological outcomes, fewer complications, and comparable functional recovery and recurrence versus CM in SNH-CSDH. Independent reproduction and larger multicentric trials are needed for validity and generalizability.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Genome-wide insights into the evolutionary and demographic history of the red alga Mazzaella laminarioides: Evidence for speciation with ancient migration along the southeast Pacific coast.

The mechanisms driving lineage divergence in red algae remain unexplored, despite the group's remarkable diversity and ancient evolutionary history. The red alga Mazzaella laminarioides, a Chilean intertidal species complex composed of three parapatric cryptic lineages (North, Center, South), offers a valuable system to evaluate these processes, as its life history combines severe dispersal limitation with a haploid-diploid cycle that may influence the emergence of reproductive barriers. We reconstructed its evolutionary history using whole-genome sequencing and nuclear genome assembly of representative individuals from each lineage. Phylogenomic analyses based on 1,507 single-copy orthologs recovered three deeply divergent lineages with limited nuclear discordance consistent with incomplete lineage sorting. For both splits, demographic modelling was most consistent with an Ancient Migration scenario, although support over strict isolation was moderate, suggesting that divergence may have begun with low asymmetric ancestral gene flow followed by subsequent loss of connectivity, demographic bottlenecks, and later population expansion. Coding sequence analyses revealed lineage-specific dN/dS heterogeneity; only one South-lineage locus passed FDR correction (metaxin-1, mitochondrial protein import), with two further South-lineage candidates in chlorophyll and heme biosynthesis falling below the FDR threshold. Together, these signals suggest that divergent selective pressures on energy acquisition may have contributed to divergence at the southern end of the distribution. These results add to the small but growing body of whole-genome data for red algae and, alongside recent macroalgal studies, suggest that ancestral connectivity could be a recurrent feature of lineage divergence even in marine organisms with extremely restricted dispersal.

Rhodophyta↗

PubMed2026

XsiAMT1.1a was identified as a novel ammonium uptake functional gene and its overexpression combined with GA4 application significantly increased yield in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Nitrogen (N) is a key limiting factor for plant yield. Ammonium is one of the main N forms absorbed by plants. Overexpression of ammonium uptake functional genes, such as ammonium transporter (AMT), can increase yield. However, the AMTs reported to enhance yield significantly is still limited. No researches have focused on the effect of overexpressing AMT combined with hormone application on yield improvement. In this study, we first investigated the role of XsiAMT1.1a, a potential ammonium uptake functional gene in an ammonium preference plant Xanthium sibiricum, in ammonium uptake by the analysis of bioinformatics, gene expression and subcellular localization, and the determination of ammonium uptake rate in endogenous silencing and heterologous overexpression plants. Subsequently, the effect of XsiAMT1.1a overexpression combined with hormone application on yield increase was further investigated in model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. Our results showed that XsiAMT1.1a shared the same conserved domains with AtAMT1 subfamily members and localized on the plasma membrane. XsiAMT1.1a was induced by N deficiency and highly expressed during the reproductive period. XsiAMT1.1a endogenous silencing and heterologous overexpression significantly decreased and increased ammonium uptake rates in X. sibiricum and A. thaliana, respectively. Overexpression of XsiAMT1.1a significantly improved total N accumulation, biomass and yield in A. thaliana, while XsiAMT1.1a overexpression combined with GA4 application had a stronger promoting effect on the above indicators. Our research identified a novel ammonium uptake functional gene, XsiAMT1.1a, and provided a new yield-increasing strategy which was verified in A. thaliana.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2026

Exploring hormonal influences on nicotine craving and use across the perinatal period: A prospective longitudinal study.

INTRODUCTION: Perinatal nicotine use is common despite well-documented adverse consequences. We examined associations between reproductive-related hormones with nicotine craving and use during the perinatal period to identify potential novel intervention points. METHODS: All participants reported use of nicotine during the perinatal period. Participants were enrolled at gestational week ≥ 36 and followed to postpartum week 12 via daily surveys (i.e., nicotine craving via 100-point scale, dichotomous use) and weekly hormone measurement in saliva (cortisol, oxytocin) or dried blood spots (progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). Bayesian mixed-effects models accounted for within-person correlation while estimating hormone effects. RESULTS: Participants (n = 46) were 28.9 ± 4.9 years old. During follow-up, exclusive combustible cigarettes (n = 20), electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS; n = 13), or dual (n = 2) use was observed, with variability in use and craving across participants and over time. During pregnancy, higher oxytocin was linked to greater craving (β=16.31, 95% CI: 3.71, 28.83). Greater peripartum declines in oxytocin were associated with more craving (β=8.71, 95% CI: 0.75, 16.93) and use (β=1.13, 95% CI: 0.05, 2.43). During postpartum, lower estradiol was linked to more craving (β=-1.17, 95% CI: -2.15, -0.18) and use (β=-0.40, 95% CI: -0.76, -0.03). In models simultaneously evaluating all postpartum hormones, the lone meaningful association was between estradiol and craving (β=-1.66, 95% CI: -2.84, -0.48). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that oxytocin and estradiol may contribute to the risk of perinatal nicotine use. Additional research is needed to replicate our observations in more diverse study samples and explore implications for clinical intervention.

Bayesian↗

PubMed2026

Antennal transcriptome analysis of chemosensory proteins in the raspberry weevil, Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Aegorhinus superciliosus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a polyphagous pest of economic importance in southern Chile, the chemical ecology of which remains poorly characterized. Across insect species, chemosensory proteins, including odorant receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), and sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs), mediate the detection of chemical cues involved in host selection, reproduction, and other ecologically relevant behaviors. In this study, the antennal transcriptome of adult A. superciliosus was sequenced and analyzed using a de novo RNA-seq approach. Three independent biological replicates per sex were used for RNA-seq, and the same number of independent biological replicates was used for RT-qPCR validation; sequencing yielded 147,409,936 high-quality reads after quality filtering. A total of 112 candidate chemosensory genes were identified, comprising 43 ORs, 34 OBPs, 10 CSPs, 18 IRs, 5 GRs, and 2 SNMPs. Phylogenetic analyses assigned these candidate proteins to established clades, providing a comparative framework for functional inference for ORs and OBPs. Sex- and tissue-biased expression analyses revealed that several ORs, including AsupOR4, AsupOR19, and AsupOBP13, exhibit antennal enrichment and sex-specific expression patterns. Notably, AsupOR19 and AsupOBP13 displayed strong female-biased expression. In addition, transcripts of selected ORs and OBPs were detected in non-antennal tissues, such as the rostrum and legs, suggesting potential functional versatility beyond canonical olfaction. Together, these findings represent the first molecular identification of the chemosensory repertoire of A. superciliosus. This study establishes a foundation for reverse chemical ecology approaches aimed at identifying behaviorally active volatile organic compounds (VOCs) toward environmentally sustainable strategies for integrated pest management.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Tracking GAD-specific T-cell expansions in Type 1 diabetes by intradermal GAD-Alum challenge.

Identifying and monitoring autoreactive T cells that drive beta cell destruction remains a major obstacle to developing effective immunotherapies for type 1 diabetes (T1D). These cells are extremely rare in peripheral blood and cannot be accessed directly from the pancreas. We used intradermal injection of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD)-Alum to recruit GAD-specific T cells to accessible sites in the skin and skin-draining lymph nodes (LNs), sampled by skin suction blisters and ultrasound-guided LN aspiration. Peripheral blood samples obtained before GAD injection were restimulated with GAD in vitro to detect reactive CD4+ T cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) followed by re-expression of selected T cell receptors (TCRs) confirmed antigen specificity. Up to 70% of T cells at the skin injection site were clonally-expanded and 4 of 14 (28%) re-expressed TCRs were GAD-reactive. In LNs 1 of 14 (4%) clonally-expanded TCRs was GAD-reactive, representing ~0.08% of all T-cells. GAD-reactive cells across compartments displayed Th1 and Th17-associated transcription signatures. These results demonstrate the intradermal autoantigen challenge and scRNAseq, enable direct identification and molecular profiling of autoreactive T cells in vivo. This minimally invasive approach provides a powerful platform for tracking antigen-specific T cells to monitor disease activity and evaluate immune interventions in T1D.

Autoimmunity↗

PubMed2026

Role of omentin-1 in the global proteome of porcine pituitary cells: insights into proliferation- and apoptosis-related processes.

The anterior pituitary integrates endocrine regulation, cellular growth, and adaptive responses. Adipokines, secreted mainly by adipose tissue, act as hormonal signals linking metabolism, inflammation, appetite, and reproduction. They regulate hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis by modulating hormone secretion and intracellular signaling. The presence of adipokine receptors in anterior pituitary suggests local metabolic-endocrine interactions. Omentin-1, predominantly expressed in visceral adipose tissue, participates in glucose metabolism and ovarian steroid regulation. Recent findings indicate that omentin-1 modulates tropic hormones, their receptors, and adipokine balance in anterior pituitary cells. We hypothesized that omentin-1 affects protein expression and signaling pathways involved in pituitary cell proliferation and apoptosis. This study examined its effects in anterior pituitary cells from Large White and Meishan pigs. Proteomic analysis identified 230 candidate differentially abundant proteins after omentin-1 treatment: 30 downregulated and 3 upregulated in Large White pigs, and 107 downregulated and 90 upregulated in Meishan pigs, associated with enriched 116 Gene Ontology terms. Key proteins were associated with cell cycle, DNA replication, gene expression, and posttranscriptional/posttranslational regulation. Responses differed between breeds. CDK5RAP2 and SIX1 were linked to proliferative control in Large White pigs, whereas AKT1S1 and RHOA were among the proteins associated with the broader proteomic response observed in Meishan pigs. Meishan pigs showed dynamic apoptotic protein regulation, including HTRA2, PARP2, and DFFA. Complementary in vitro experiments demonstrated that omentin-1 downregulated cyclins and caspase-3, upregulated BCL2, increased BCL2/BAX ratio, and modulated ERK1/2, AKT, AMPKα, and STAT3 phosphorylation. Together, these findings suggest that omentin-1 modulates proteomic networks and intracellular signaling associated with anterior pituitary cell function during the mid-luteal phase of the estrous cycle.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Changes in sexual behavior among women in studies evaluating the dapivirine vaginal ring for HIV prevention.

BACKGROUND: Access to novel HIV prevention technologies often raise concerns of risk compensation. This analysis examined changes in the sexual behaviors of MTN 020/ASPIRE participants, a placebo controlled randomized control trial, who subsequently enrolled in MTN-025/HOPE, an open-label extension using the dapivirine vaginal ring. METHODS: Both studies enrolled healthy, sexually active, HIV-negative women from Malawi, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Longitudinal data on participants' sexual behaviors, specifically sex with a nonprimary partner (past 3 months), and use of male or female condoms at the last vaginal sex act were compared between ASPIRE and HOPE. Conditional and mixed ordinal logistic regression models evaluated associations between study and sexual behaviors at enrollment, and quarterly over the first 12 months. RESULTS: Of the 2629 individuals enrolled in ASPIRE, 1456 (55%) participated in HOPE. At enrollment, the proportion of participants who reported sex with a nonprimary partner and condom use at last vaginal sex act did not differ by study. Across all quarterly follow-up visits, sex with a nonprimary partner was more common in HOPE (13.9-18.7%) than ASPIRE (10.7-12.6%); adjusted OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.24-1.75, P < 0.001. There was no difference in condom use at the last vaginal act across all quarterly follow-up visits between ASPIRE (36.5-42.7%) and HOPE (43.6-46.7%); adjusted OR 1.05, 95% CI 0.94-1.18. CONCLUSION: More women reported sex with nonprimary partners in HOPE, with little change in condom use over time between the two studies. Understanding behavior changes during PrEP use allows for tailored, holistic reproductive health programming.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A 4-year longitudinal wastewater surveillance of five gastroenteritis viruses and the correlation with clinical cases in Alberta, Canada.

Viruses are common causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. They are detected in large quantities in raw sewage making them amenable to wastewater-based surveillance (WBS). To monitor the prevalence of gastroenteritis viruses in wastewater and assess their correlation with clinical cases, wastewater samples collected between July 2020 and June 2024 from 12 wastewater treatment plants across Alberta, Canada were analyzed for norovirus (NoV) GI & GII, rotavirus (RoV), adenovirus (AdV), sapovirus (SaV) and astrovirus (AsV). Among the 5726 wastewater samples tested, AdV (80.5%) had the highest detection rate followed by NoV GII (75.6%), SaV (63.2%), NoV GI (59.4%), RoV (42.2%) and AsV (20.2%). Winter and spring seasonality was found for NoV and RoV in both wastewater and clinical disease. Public health interventions especially in the 1st year of the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on their burden with marked reduction in wastewater detected viruses and clinical cases. NoV showed a strong correlation between its level in wastewater and the number of clinical cases, while moderate correlation was observed for the other four viruses. Cross-correlation analysis showed that changes of viral RNA concentration in wastewater lagged behind reported gastroenteritis cases by approximately 6 days to 3 weeks. To our knowledge, this is the longest multi-region WBS study monitoring multiple gastroenteritis viruses spanning both COVID-19 pandemic and post-pandemic periods. The data obtained from this study supported WBS as a complementary tool to track population-based circulation of gastroenteritis viruses, providing actionable public health data.

Clinical cases↗