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PubMed2026

Integrated metabolomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic analyses reveal changes in the non-volatile metabolite profile of LED light-withered oolong tea.

LED light withering is a crucial method for overcoming weather limitations and enhancing the quality of oolong tea. To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms, this study simulated solar spectra using multiwavelength LED light and compared the resulting metabolic, transcriptomic, and proteomic profiles during the enzymatic-catalysis process (ECP) in oolong tea processing. Results indicated that LED light withering altered gene expression and protein regulation of secondary metabolism, particularly in the flavonoid biosynthesis pathway. These shifts encompassed key quality-related compounds, including flavonoids (quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside, dihydroquercetin), amino acids (L-asparagine, L-histidine), guanosine 5'-monophosphate (GMP), and carbohydrates. Furthermore, LED light withering accelerated tea leaf water loss, influenced gene expression involved in photosynthetic cellular components (chloroplasts, thylakoids), increased ascorbate peroxidase regulation under stress, and subsequently modulated energy metabolism and signal transduction in tea leaves. This study offers molecular theoretical framework for the controlled light-withering of oolong tea under bad weather and the associated improvements in its quality.

Camellia sinensis↗

PubMed2026

A Critical Assessment of Evidence-Based Design's Knowledge Base and Inspiration: A Systematic Review.

PurposeThis study examines Evidence-Based Design (EBD) as an epistemological framework for guiding design research and practice, with a particular focus on its reliance on Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) as a source of methodological inspiration.BackgroundOver the past two decades, EBD has been promoted as a way to strengthen design processes through the systematic use of scientific evidence. Its relationship to EBM, however, remains conceptually ambiguous: EBD draws legitimacy from EBM's hierarchical conception of "best evidence" while at the same time acknowledging the specificities of design practice, which do not easily fit such a model.MethodologyA systematic review was conducted on 31 publications in the design research literature that explicitly address the tension surrounding EBD's conception of "best evidence." The criticisms raised were coded and analyzed by main topics and subtopics.ResultsThe review highlights several reasons why EBM's hierarchical view of "best evidence" is an unsuitable epistemological foundation for EBD. It imposes scientifically inappropriate and practically ineffective methodological standards, devalues important sources of design knowledge, and fails to address central epistemic challenges intrinsic to design processes.ConclusionsBy bringing together critical yet fragmented insights from the literature, this study argues for the development of an updated epistemological framework for EBD. Constructing this framework will require sustained interdisciplinary dialogue between design research and philosophy of science.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Formation of environmental persistent free radicals in soil of ammunition demolition site: Roles of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene and heavy metals.

Environmental Persistent Free Radicals (EPFRs) are a particular type of contaminant present in soil. This study investigated the formation process, environmental behavior, and main influencing variables of EPFRs in soils contaminated with heavy metals and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) from an ammunition demolition site. The results showed that the concentration of total organic carbon (TOC) in the soil was negatively correlated with EPFRs (r = -0.29). In contrast, the content of TNT and copper was significantly positively correlated with EPFRs (r = 0.90 and 0.78, respectively), indicating that TNT acts as a precursor macromolecule in the formation of EPFRs in this type of contaminated soil. Transition metal Cu may be an essential carrier in EPFR production. In order to explore the possible formation mechanism of EPFRs, a simulation experiment was carried out under different temperature and light conditions. The results showed that the photolysis process of TNT was impacted by external energy sources such as heat and light. TNT was firstly adsorbed onto the surface of a transition metal (Cu), and then EPFRs were formed through further electron transfer. This is the first study to detect significant levels of EPFRs in the soil at ammunition demolition sites.

Trinitrotoluene↗

PubMed2026

Impact of PerioperAtive LidocAine Infusions on Enhanced Recovery After Noncardiac Surgery (IMPALA-ERAS) in an inpatient setting: rationale, design and protocol for a sequential, repeated crossover trial.

INTRODUCTION: Multimodal analgesic strategies designed to minimise perioperative opioid exposure are fundamental components of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways. Despite widespread implementation of ERAS protocols, the optimal analgesic regimen remains undefined, as the individual contributions of specific agents to overall analgesic efficacy and opioid-sparing effects are not fully elucidated. Intravenous lidocaine, a widely utilised local anaesthetic, possesses both analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and has been associated with improved gastrointestinal recovery. This study seeks to pragmatically evaluate the impact of incorporating perioperative intravenous lidocaine infusion into established ERAS pathways on postoperative functional recovery. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Impact of PerioperAtive LidocAine Infusions (IMPALA) on ERAS trial is a single-centre, pragmatic, cluster-randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. A total of 2290 patients undergoing elective colorectal surgery, emergency general surgery, urology, ventral hernia repair, surgical oncology or spine surgery will be randomly assigned to receive either intraoperative and postoperative intravenous lidocaine infusions (administered for up to 48 hours) or placebo as part of a standardised multimodal analgesic regimen integrated into established ERAS pathways. The primary outcome is case mix index-adjusted resource length of stay, defined as the time interval from surgical initiation to hospital discharge adjusted for case mix index. The primary outcome is total inpatient opioid consumption within the first 72 hours, reported in oral morphine milligram equivalents. Secondary outcomes include various in-hospital clinical endpoints derived from the electronic health record. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This protocol and accompanying statistical analysis plan outline the study design, primary and secondary endpoints and analytic methodology. The IMPALA-ERAS trial has received ethical approval from the Vanderbilt University Institutional Review Board (IRB: 250617). The findings will be disseminated via peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national conferences. Results from this trial are expected to inform evidence-based practices regarding perioperative lidocaine infusion and its potential contributions to enhanced postoperative recovery in surgical patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT07224711.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Transcriptomic insights into exogenous fatty acid-enhanced halotolerance in Zygosaccharomyces rouxii.

BACKGROUND: High salinity restricts microbial growth during brine-based food fermentation. Although exogenous unsaturated fatty acids improve the salt tolerance of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii, the associated transcriptional mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the transcriptomic response of Z. rouxii CGMCC 3791 to palmitoleic acid (C16:1) under high salt conditions. RESULTS: Cells were cultured in yeast extract peptone dextrose (YPD) containing 120 g L-1 NaCl, with or without 20 μg mL-1 C16:1. They were analyzed by RNA sequencing. Principal component analysis clearly separated the two treatments. Using q < 0.05 and |log2 fold change| > 1, 23 differentially expressed genes were identified - three upregulated and 20 downregulated. INO1, MLS1, POX1, MEP2, and SOD5 were among the major responsive genes. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses indicated that peroxisome-associated functions, lipid metabolism, oxidative stress responses, nitrogen utilization, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling were the principal C16:1-responsive processes. CONCLUSION: Exogenous C16:1 elicited a focused transcriptional adjustment rather than broad transcriptome-wide reprogramming in salt-stressed Z. rouxii. The results indicated that peroxisome-linked lipid processes and redox regulation were candidate mechanisms underlying fatty-acid-associated halotolerance and provided targets for improving the robustness of high-salt food fermentation. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Zygosaccharomyces rouxii↗

PubMed2025

Application of causal discovery of factors driving dissolved oxygen in estuarine environments.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in estuarine bottom waters are a manifestation of multiple, interacting physical and biogeochemical processes, yet identifying their independent contributions remains challenging. Here, we analyze monthly water quality monitoring data from eight stations across Long Island Sound from 1994 to 2022 using a causal discovery framework (PCMCI+) and transformation of forcing variables. Our goal is to identify and isolate variables that causally influence bottom DO and improve predictive models by minimizing overfitting and multicollinearity. PCMCI+ reveals surface-layer temperature as the most important and consistent negative driver of bottom DO, followed by stratification. Wind events exhibit only brief relief by advection and mixing, while river discharge shows no direct causal link to DO, making it less influential than previously thought. Biogeochemical variables, including chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), nitrate and nitrite, and particulate carbon, influence DO through both contemporaneous and time-lagged pathways, often with signs that shift depending on the process. The derived models were evaluated by comparing skill scores, mean squared error, and Akaike Information Criterion. Both model types perform well, with coefficient of determination values exceeding 0.90 at multiple stations using only 3-5 predictors. Our analysis reveals that the best causal predictors are surface-layer temperature, stratification, Chl-a, and particle carbon. This approach provides a scalable framework for improving prediction models and understanding the mechanistic links that control the seasonal variability of DO in estuarine systems.

Estuaries↗

PubMed2026

Integrative analysis of transcriptome and DNA methylome dynamics during caudal fin regeneration in silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus).

Caudal fin regeneration in teleost fish is a complex, multi-stage process involving coordinated molecular and cellular changes. While the role of epigenetic regulation particularly DNA methylation has been studied in model freshwater species such as zebrafish, its contribution to regeneration in marine teleosts remains largely unexplored. In this study, we integrated transcriptomic and DNA methylomic data to characterize the temporal dynamics of gene expression and methylation during caudal fin regeneration in the silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus). Using RNA-sequencing and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) at three biologically critical time points 1, 3, and 7 days post-amputation (dpa), we characterized the spatiotemporal molecular landscape of caudal fin regeneration. These time points capture the key transitional phases of wound healing and inflammation (1 dpa), blastema formation and progenitor proliferation (3 dpa), and regenerative outgrowth with tissue remodeling (7 dpa), enabling robust detection of the major molecular programs underlying epimorphic regeneration. Concurrently, CG-methylome analysis identified thousands of dynamically changing differentially methylated regions (DMRs). A strong global inverse correlation was observed between promoter methylation and gene expression. Integrative analysis pinpointed key regeneration genes (fgf20a, msxb, sox9b) whose expression was associated with dynamic methylation changes in their promoters or gene bodies. We conclude that DNA methylation is a dynamic and key regulatory layer that acts in concert with transcriptional reprogramming to coordinate tissue regeneration, providing new insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying complex regenerative processes in teleosts.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Microbial diversity, functional activities, and safety risks in fermented tea: a comprehensive review.

Microbial fermented teas are gaining global popularity due to their unique sensory profiles and health benefits. The quality and safety of these products are governed by complex microbial ecosystems that orchestrate the biotransformation of tea leaf components. This review addresses a critical paradox in the field: the same microbial activities that generate desirable bioactive metabolites, such as theabrownins and organic acids, also create ecological niches for mycotoxigenic fungi, posing significant health risks from contaminants like ochratoxin A, citrinin, and aflatoxins. While extensive research has cataloged the microbial diversity in these systems, a comprehensive framework linking processing environments to microbial community assembly, functional outcomes, and quantifiable safety risks remains elusive. This review systematically bridges this gap by synthesizing current knowledge on the microbial consortia-dominated by Aspergillus, Penicillium, Bacillus, and Lactiplantibacillus species-that drive tea fermentation. We critically analyze their functional roles in enhancing flavor, bioactivity, and potential probiotic activity while simultaneously evaluating the mechanisms of mycotoxin production and accumulation. By integrating microbial ecology, biochemistry, and food safety, we propose a forward-looking perspective focused on transitioning the industry from traditional, spontaneous fermentation to modern, controlled biotechnological processes. This approach, centered on the use of defined starter cultures, predictive modeling, and active biocontrol strategies, provides a roadmap for ensuring the consistent quality and safety of fermented tea products, ultimately unlocking their full potential as high-quality functional foods.

Tea↗

PubMed2026

An Update on Inborn Errors of V(D)J Recombination.

V(D)J recombination is the fundamental process by which developing T and B lymphocytes generate diverse antigen receptors, enabling adaptive immunity. This tightly regulated program operates exclusively in lymphoid precursors during G1 phase and depends on the lymphocyte-specific RAG1-RAG2 recombinase to introduce programmed DNA double-strand breaks at recombination signal sequences, followed by repair through the classical nonhomologous end joining (c-NHEJ) pathway. Disruption of any step in this molecular choreography compromises antigen receptor diversity and underlies a spectrum of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), ranging from severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) to immune dysregulation with autoimmunity and granulomatous disease. In this review, we place disorders of V(D)J recombination within the broader framework of T-cell development, detailing the temporal waves of recombinase activity, chromatin accessibility, and DNA damage responses that guide thymocyte differentiation. We discuss pathogenic variants affecting the cleavage phase [RAG1, RAG2, and the recently identified RAG cochaperone NudC domain-containing 3 (NUDCD3)], end processing (ARTEMIS), ligation and repair (LIG4, XLF, XRCC4, PRKDC), and genome surveillance pathways (ATM, MRN complex, RNF168), highlighting genotype-phenotype correlations and mechanisms driving immune deficiency and dysregulation. We briefly review recent diagnostic advances, including newborn screening using T-cell receptor excision circles, repertoire sequencing, and functional assays, alongside current therapeutic strategies. Finally, we outline key unanswered questions and argue that continued integration of clinical observation with molecular discovery is essential to improve outcomes and deepen understanding of adaptive immune development.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Plasticity of hepatic metabolism in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) in response to cyclic hypoxia.

The emergence of cyclic hypoxia puts aquatic organisms' homeostasis under significant strain. Energetic metabolism as well as protein synthesis and folding are particularly altered during hypoxia, while reoxygenation imposes an oxidative challenge. Currently, little is known about how hypoxia-sensitive organisms respond to large oxygen fluctuations. Our previous work on Arctic char revealed that this salmonid, despite being strongly affected by acute hypoxia and reoxygenation (H/R), can successfully reestablish homeostasis, notably through adjustments to hepatic mitochondrial metabolism. However, the mechanisms underlying this acclimation remain poorly understood. We hypothesized that Arctic char remodel their hepatic proteome to optimize energy metabolism, reorganize oxygen-demanding pathways, and maintain cellular homeostasis during repeated H/R cycles. By exposing Arctic char to two or fifteen days of diel cyclic hypoxia, we confirmed this species' limited capacity to respond to acute H/R. Nevertheless, after fifteen cycles, fish adjusted their energetic metabolism through coordinated regulation of carbohydrate and lipid pathways and upregulation of amino acid metabolism. Mitochondrial metabolism was strongly reorganized, particularly at the ubiquinone-Complex III interaction level, alongside adjustments in proline utilization and protein processing. Moreover, protein processing and folding pathways were stimulated in both mitochondria and the endoplasmic reticulum. However, chronic cyclic hypoxia may still promote non-mitochondrial ROS production, DNA replication stress, and impaired immune function. This study highlights how a hypoxia-sensitive fish progressively reorganizes its metabolism and oxygen-demanding pathways to establish a phenotype adapted to chronic cyclic hypoxia, while also revealing the physiological costs associated with this acclimation.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Bioactive peptides for meat quality and preservation: Integrating peptidomics and computational screening.

Bioactive peptides generated from meat proteins, fermented meat products, and slaughter by-products have attracted increasing attention as functional molecules for improving meat quality and preservation. In meat systems, peptides can be produced through endogenous postmortem proteolysis, microbial fermentation, gastrointestinal digestion, or controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of underutilized animal by-products. These peptides are closely associated with key meat science endpoints, including postmortem tenderization, oxidative stability, color retention, flavor development, microbial inhibition, and the valorization of processing by-products. However, although high-resolution peptidomics has greatly expanded the identification of meat-derived peptide sequences, their translation into practical meat applications remains limited by matrix interactions, processing stability, sensory constraints, safety concerns, and insufficient validation in real meat systems. This review synthesizes recent advances in meat-related peptidomics and computational screening, including sequence-based prediction, machine learning, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, stability assessment, and safety-oriented filtering. Particular attention is given to how these approaches can prioritize peptides with antioxidant, antimicrobial, flavor-modulating, and preservation-related functions under meat-specific technological constraints. By integrating peptide generation pathways, mass spectrometry-based identification, in silico prioritization, and meat quality endpoints, this review proposes a stage-gated framework for translating meat-derived bioactive peptides from discovery to application. Future research should strengthen matrix-specific validation, standardized peptidomic reporting, and safety assessment to support the use of bioactive peptides in meat quality improvement, clean-label preservation, and circular utilization of meat industry by-products.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Exploratory identification and cellular functional characterization of ppiabl as a candidate gene associated with growth traits in Paralichthys olivaceus.

The Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus) is an important mariculture species. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying its growth traits remain poorly understood. To explore the genetic basis of growth variation, whole-genome resequencing was performed in a cultured cohort of 60 individuals, followed by exploratory genome-wide association analysis and candidate-gene prioritization. The results revealed heritability estimates of 0.40 for body weight and 0.24 for body length, with substantial overlap in associated loci between the two traits. Exploratory association and variant-annotation analyses prioritized ppiabl, which carries a nonconservative missense variant, as a candidate gene for further investigation. Tissue expression analysis showed that ppiabl was highly expressed in muscle tissue. This gene encodes a protein belonging to the conserved peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase family. In Japanese flounder primary muscle cells, ppiabl knockdown was associated with altered expression of growth-related genes and an increased G1-phase fraction, whereas overexpression produced changes in the opposite direction. In line with this, fast-growing individuals were found to have significantly larger muscle fiber areas than slow-growing ones. These findings suggest that ppiabl may be involved in muscle-related cellular processes associated with growth variation in Japanese flounder, although its contribution to whole-animal growth requires further validation. Overall, this exploratory study prioritizes ppiabl as a candidate gene potentially associated with growth-related cellular processes in Japanese flounder, although validation in larger independent populations and in vivo models is required.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Transcriptomic responses of Porphyrophora sophorae larvae during licorice root colonization reveal coordinated remodeling of translation, mitochondrial energy metabolism and defense-related genes.

BACKGROUND: Porphyrophora sophorae is a subterranean piercing-sucking scale insect that damages licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) roots, but the molecular responses associated with larval root colonization remain insufficiently defined. METHODS: We compared non-parasitic larvae (NP) and root-colonizing larvae (RC) using six RNA-seq libraries, de novo transcriptome assembly, DESeq2-based differential expression analysis, GO/KEGG enrichment, annotation-based candidate gene screening, and RT-qPCR validation of selected genes. RESULTS: Sequencing yielded 260.91 million clean reads, and de novo assembly produced 60,794 non-redundant transcripts. DESeq2 identified 703 FDR-significant DEGs, including 49 upregulated and 654 downregulated genes in RC larvae. Upregulated genes were mainly associated with translation- and ribosome-related processes, whereas downregulated genes were enriched in mitochondrial, oxidation-reduction, energy metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation-related functions. Annotation-based screening identified 75 FDR-significant candidate genes associated with chemosensation, defense-related responses, and energy metabolism, with mitochondrial energy metabolism-related genes forming the largest module. RT-qPCR validation based on the raw Ct data showed concordant expression directions for ten selected transcript targets. CONCLUSIONS: Root colonization in P. sophorae larvae was associated with coordinated transcriptional remodeling involving selective activation of translation-related processes, adjustment of mitochondrial energy metabolism, and changes in defense-related gene expression. These results provide candidate molecular targets for future functional studies of host contact, feeding establishment, and physiological adjustment in this subterranean scale insect.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Advances in cereal protein applications for infant and Young child nutrition.

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of plant-derived proteins in infant and young child nutrition necessitates tailored amino acid profiles, high digestibility and strict safety controls. Cereal proteins, such as rice, oat, maize, millet, barley, and wheat, are widely used in complementary foods but face intrinsic limitations, notably lysine and tryptophan deficits, antinutritional factors that reduce bioavailability, gluten immunogenicity in wheat/barley, and inorganic arsenic risks in rice. SCOPE AND APPROACH: This review synthesizes recent advances in processing and formulation strategies, including enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, germination, extrusion, cereal-legume complementation, and micronutrient fortification. Their impacts on digestibility, techno-functionality, iron and zinc bioavailability, and protein quality, including Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) and Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) are critically reviewed using data from in vitro assays, product development, and clinical trials. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Processing and blending approaches can substantially improve protein digestibility, amino acid balance and micronutrient availability, and hydrolyzed rice protein holds clinical promise for cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). However, most evidence is preclinical, reporting of protein quality is inconsistent, and industrial translation is constrained by sensory, shelf-life, contaminant and cost issues. We recommend standardized DIAAS-based reporting, large-scale feeding trials, sensory /stability optimization, and targeted exploration of underutilized grains (e.g., oat, millet) with active allergen monitoring. Prioritizing amino acid-focused formulation coupled with strategies to enhance micronutrient bioavailability will accelerate safe adoption of cereal proteins in early-life nutrition.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Type, severity, frequency and management of adverse reactions associated with ultrasound contrast agents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis are aimed at evaluating the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) following administration of clinically approved ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) in adults and children, to assess risks in patients with cardiovascular disease and in pregnancy, and to evaluate the effectiveness of emergency management of severe ADRs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PRISMA 2020 systematic review was conducted searching PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. Two reviewers independently screened, extracted data, and assessed quality. Incidence estimates were pooled when feasible, stratified by age group, contrast agent, and administration route. RESULTS: Seventy-four studies encompassing > 1 million adults and > 36,000 children were included, contributing multiple analytic cohorts to the quantitative synthesis. Severe acute ADRs were extremely rare (6 and 16 cases per 100,000 in adults and children, respectively) and absent following endocavitary administration in children. Non-severe acute ADRs occurred in 11 and 8 cases per 10,000 adults and children, respectively. Delayed reactions were very rare (< 1 case per million in adults). No significant safety differences emerged between UCA products. The incidence of ADRs in patients with cardiovascular disease was analogous to the general population. No ADRs were reported in pregnant women. Standard emergency management was effective in almost all serious cases, though rare fatalities occurred. CONCLUSION: UCAs show an excellent safety profile in adults and children, with very rare severe ADRs and few non-severe, typically self-limiting reactions. Strict adherence to recommended emergency management protocols mitigates the remaining risks, supporting safe use across a broad range of clinical indications. PROSPERO REGISTRATION: CRD42023432668. KEY POINTS: Question What is the incidence, type, and severity of acute and delayed ADRs associated with clinically approved UCAs across different patient populations? Findings Severe acute adverse reactions are very rare, and non-severe reactions are rare and self-limiting, with no significant safety differences between adults, children, or patients with cardiovascular disease. Clinical relevant UCAs show an excellent safety profile across populations. These findings support their safe clinical use as reliable alternatives to iodine-based and gadolinium-based contrast agents in routine diagnostic imaging.

Contrast Media↗

PubMed2026

Improving insurance deduction identification: a hybrid artificial intelligence model using machine learning and expert systems.

PURPOSE: Financial challenges in healthcare systems worldwide, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Iran, have increased hospitals' reliance on insurance reimbursements. Unrecognized insurance deductions often cause severe financial shortages, making efficient deduction management crucial. This study aimed to design a hybrid intelligent system for identifying and predicting insurance deductions by combining machine learning and expert system frameworks. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A mixed-methods design was applied in four stages. First, a scoping review identified the causes and patterns of insurance deductions. Second, interviews with 15 insurance experts produced a validated checklist and a dataset from inpatient billing records. Third, using the CRISP-DM methodology, machine learning algorithms were developed and tested in SPSS Modeler alongside a fuzzy expert system developed in MATLAB. Finally, the model was validated using the holdout method. FINDINGS: Four categories of deduction drivers were identified: service provision, registration errors, document submission issues, and revenue conversion processes. The CHAID decision tree outperformed other algorithms with a 99% precision rate and the lowest Mean Absolute Error (9.43). A brief assessment of potential overfitting was conducted to ensure that the CHAID model's high accuracy was interpreted cautiously and supported by the validation results. The fuzzy expert system with validated rules was adaptable for deduction classification, especially for cases unsuitable for quantitative modeling. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The hybrid model improves detection and prevention of deductions, offering actionable insights for hospital administrators, insurers, and policymakers. Its implementation can enhance hospital information systems, streamline claims processing, and optimize revenue management amid financial constraints.

Machine Learning↗

PubMed2025

Coupling of spectroscopy and nitrogen-oxygen isotopes unveils the mechanisms of dissolved organic matter and nitrate pollution in lakes within the agro-pastoral transition zone.

Lakes in arid and semi-arid regions are subjected to severe ecological stress, such as organic pollution, eutrophication, and salinization, due to climate change and human activities. This study investigates Chagannur Lake, a typical arid-region lake that is representative and ecologically sensitive in Northern China's agro-pastoral ecotone, to uncover its pollution characteristics and mechanisms. We employed fluorescence spectroscopy and stable isotope analysis to trace dissolved organic matter (DOM) and nitrate sources. The DOM composition was dominated by microbial metabolic byproducts and protein-like substances, suggesting that microbial processes are key to organic matter transformation. Source apportionment revealed that pollutants primarily originated from livestock and poultry manure (37.6 %), agricultural fertilizers (35.6 %), and soil erosion (24.7 %), with agricultural fertilizers contributing most significantly in the Gogstai River (63.3 %). A structural equation model (SEM) coupling spectral and mass spectrometric data revealed that microbial transformation significantly impairs the lake's self-purification capacity, thereby promoting pollutant accumulation (path coefficient = 0.91,*p < 0.05). Moreover, microbial processes link endogenous and exogenous pollution, a mechanism effectively traced by isotopic and fluorescence indices (path coefficient = 0.55, ⁎⁎p < 0.01). These findings enhance the understanding of pollution sources and transformation mechanisms in arid-region lakes and offer foundational theoretical support for policymakers engaged in pollution control strategies.

Lakes↗

PubMed2026

Nimodipine in animal models of demyelination relevant to multiple sclerosis: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common inflammatory neurodegenerative disease in which axonal injury, neuronal death, and demyelination occur. Treatment for MS relapses remains limited, which alleviates acute loss of function but has no impact on long-term disability. This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the effects of nimodipine on experimental demyelination models, including experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and Cuprizone models in rodents. METHODS: This study was conducted following the PRISMA statement. A systematic search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. The primary outcome was EAE clinical disease severity (peak clinical score and/or cumulative disease burden). Secondary outcomes included relapse activity (when reported), histological myelin outcomes, oligodendrocyte lineage markers, neuroaxonal injury markers, and inflammatory readouts. Risk of bias was assessed using the SYRCLE tool. RESULTS: Out of 4660 results, 5 studies were included in the systematic review (four EAE studies and one cuprizone model). Nimodipine was administered using heterogeneous regimens (oral, intravenous, intraperitoneal, subcutaneous, or osmotic pump delivery; 1-30 mg/kg/day). The included studies reported the variable effects of nimodipine on relapse-related outcomes, myelination, inflammatory processes, and neuroprotection in the EAE model of MS. Across EAE studies, nimodipine generally reduced clinical disease severity or cumulative burden, although relapse-related outcomes were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: Preclinical evidence suggests that nimodipine may attenuate disease severity and demyelination and may promote repair-related processes in rodent models relevant to MS. However, to evaluate the clinical applicability of nimodipine in MS patients, well-powered, transparently reported preclinical replication and early-phase clinical studies are required before clinical translation.

Animals↗