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PubMed2025

Evaluation of Prevalence of Obstetric Violence and its Associated Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Obstetric violence (OV) begins with a woman's initial contact with a health institution and can persist throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. Despite this, previous research has largely focused on the labor process. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of OV experienced by women during pregnancy, labor, or the postpartum period. We conducted systematic searches in five electronic databases (Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL Ultimate, MEDLINE Ultimate, and OVID) between April 27 and August 7, 2024. Studies were included if they involved women aged 18 and above who experienced mistreatment, abuse, disrespect, or OV during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period; employed quantitative cohort, descriptive, or cross-sectional designs; were written in English; reported the prevalence of OV and/or associated factors; and were published between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2023. Data synthesis involved meta-analysis, meta-regression, and narrative synthesis methods. A total of 41 studies, including 43,977 participants from 17 countries, were included. The meta-analysis revealed that the pooled prevalence of OV was 61.7% (95% CI [0.549, 0.680]; I²: 99.258%). The meta-regression analysis showed that variables such as the country of study, income level of countries, study setting, study design, and risk of bias had statistically significant effects on OV. In addition, 40 risk factors and 14 protective factors were identified through narrative synthesis. This highlights the high prevalence of OV and the need to address the associated factors.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Prevalence and cardiometabolic impact of mild autonomous cortisol secretion in primary aldosteronism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Many primary aldosteronism (PA) patients harbor concomitant mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS), termed "Connshing syndrome." The prevalence and cardiometabolic impact of this co-secretion have not been quantitatively synthesized. To determine the pooled prevalence of MACS in PA and evaluate its association with cardiovascular (CV) events, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and obesity. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, Web of Science, and Scopus through January 2026. Following PRISMA 2020 and MOOSE guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD420261334965), studies reporting MACS prevalence [post-1 mg dexamethasone suppression test (DST) cortisol ≥1.8 μg/dl] in PA were included. Prevalence was pooled using random-effects models. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for cardiometabolic outcomes. Certainty was evaluated using GRADE. Fourteen studies (2356 patients) were included. Pooled MACS prevalence was 26.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 24.1-28.4; I2 = 24.2%; prediction interval: 21.6-31.4%], consistent across European (27.0%) and East Asian (25.2%) cohorts ( P = 0.62). MACS + PA patients had higher odds of CV events (OR 1.60; 95% CI: 1.07-2.38; P = 0.021) and T2DM (OR 1.37; 95% CI: 1.00-1.86; P = 0.048), but not obesity (OR 1.10; P = 0.411). Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness. GRADE certainty was moderate for prevalence and low for CV events. Approximately one in four PA patients has MACS, associated with a 60% higher CV event risk. These findings support routine DST screening in PA and have implications for perioperative management and cardiometabolic risk stratification.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Effectiveness of the DASH diet versus alternative dietary interventions for hypertension management: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is widely recommended for blood pressure control; however, its comparative effectiveness relative to other structured dietary interventions remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of the DASH diet versus alternative dietary interventions on blood pressure and cardiometabolic outcomes in adults. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Multiple databases were searched from inception to February 2026. Eligible studies included adults with elevated blood pressure or hypertension comparing the DASH diet with other dietary interventions or usual care. Continuous outcomes were pooled using random-effects models and expressed as mean differences (MD) or standardized mean differences (SMD). Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. RESULTS: A total of 22 randomized controlled trials were included in the qualitative synthesis, of which 10 were included in the meta-analysis. The DASH diet did not demonstrate a statistically significant advantage over comparator diets in reducing systolic blood pressure (MD = 1.30; 95% CI: -1.54 to 4.14) or diastolic blood pressure (MD = 0.21; 95% CI: -3.72 to 4.14), with substantial heterogeneity observed across studies. Significant effects were identified for selected cardiometabolic outcomes, including reductions in urinary sodium excretion (MD = -32.89; 95% CI: -62.76 to -3.01), LDL cholesterol (MD = -8.59; 95% CI: -14.64 to -2.54), and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) (MD = -0.49; 95% CI: -0.52 to -0.46), as well as an increase in urinary potassium excretion (MD = 11.76; 95% CI: 4.08 to 19.44). The certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to very low across outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: The DASH diet was not superior to other dietary interventions in reducing blood pressure; however, it demonstrated consistent benefits in selected cardiometabolic parameters. Given the overall low certainty of evidence and substantial heterogeneity, these findings should be interpreted cautiously. Future research should focus on well-designed trials with standardized outcomes and longer follow-up to clarify comparative effectiveness.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Genetic regulation of CPEB3-mediated alternative polyadenylation associated with survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Alternative polyadenylation (APA) is a key post-transcriptional mechanism that regulates gene expression by modulating 3'UTR length, its dysregulation has been implicated in carcinogenesis. How genetic variants influence APA to affect hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis remains unclear. METHODS: Prognosis-APA quantitative trait loci (apaQTL) were performed using genotype and APA profiling from TCGA data. A two-stage survival analysis in 848 Chinese and 369 TCGA LIHC patients and functional validation were used to identify prognostic apaQTL in HCC progression. RESULTS: A total of 2,025 and 817 significant APA events were identified in Chinese and TCGA cohort, respectively. Besides, 859 events were associated with poor prognosis in HCC and enriched in RNA splicing / metabolism pathways. We detected 32,034 significant apaQTLs, predominantly enriched in 3'UTRs and RBP-binding regions. CPEB3 was prioritized as a key APA regulator RBP; its low expression correlated with poor patient survival and promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion in HCC cells. Notably, a functional apaQTL variant rs2037547, located in GSK3B and mediated by CPEB3, demonstrated a poor survival of HCC patients in both cohort (pooled HR=1.29, p=0.016). Mechanistically, rs2037547 promoted aberrant APA at proximal poly(A) sites of GSK3B through CPEB3, leading to increased expression of short 3'UTR isoform. This regulatory alteration enhanced HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, and contributed to HCC progression. CONCLUSION: These findings elucidated the distinct role of apaQTL-mediated APA dysregulation in HCC prognosis, providing insights for prognostic stratification and potential targets for personalized therapy in HCC.

RNA-binding proteins↗
PubMed2026

A systematic review and meta-analysis of visuospatial attentional deficits in Parkinson's patients.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative condition primarily characterized by motor deficits, yet cognitive impairments are increasingly recognized. While deficits in executive functioning are well documented even in the absence of cognitive decline, evidence of attentional deficits in PD remains inconsistent, and the role of motor symptom lateralization is unclear. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined visual attention in right-handed, cognitively unimpaired idiopathic PD patients, focusing on the canonical attentional domains (sustained, selective, divided) and processes (alerting, endogenous and exogenous orienting, reorienting), as well as visuospatial bias. Four databases were searched for studies comparing PD patients with healthy controls. Meta-analytic estimates were derived using Hedges' g within random-effects models, and studies that could not be quantitatively integrated were summarized narratively. In addition, studies directly comparing patients with left- and right-predominant motor symptoms (LPD vs. RPD) were reviewed qualitatively. Across 51 studies, PD patients exhibited deficits in sustained, selective, and divided attention. Among attentional processes, only exogenous orienting was impaired, whereas alerting, endogenous orienting, and reorienting were preserved. Findings from the few studies examining visuospatial bias indicated small, context-dependent shifts in spatial attention rather than a consistent directional bias. These findings indicate that PD patients show visual-attentional impairments, particularly under high-demand conditions, while basic alertness and voluntary orienting appear preserved. Exogenous orienting deficits and subtle rightward spatial tendencies in LPD suggest disruption of right-hemisphere attentional networks. These results have implications for early cognitive assessment, rehabilitation strategies, and understanding the neural bases of attentional dysfunction in PD.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Retrosigmoid craniotomy surgical guide: The way forward for precise exposure of the transverse-sigmoid sinuses.

INTRODUCTION: The retrosigmoid craniotomy is the workhorse approach to the cerebellopontine angle. Accurate localisation of the transverse-sigmoid junction (TSJ) is key for optimised exposure and cerebellar retraction. Various methods, both anatomical and navigational, have been used but with suboptimal results. We utilised a 3D-printed retrosigmoid surgical guide in an attempt to overcome this and report our early outcomes and experiences in the design, production and utilisation of the guide. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of the patients with retrosigmoid craniotomies performed using the surgical guides. Patient demographics and diagnoses, along with the accuracy of the planned burrhole and craniotomy, need for craniotomy extension, presence of venous sinus injury, set-up time, and cost were reported. RESULTS: There were ten cerebellopontine angle cases in which the surgical guides were utilised, three petrous meningiomas, two trigeminal neuralgias, two metastasis, and three other tumours. The planned burrhole and craniotomy were precise in all cases with accurate exposure of the TSJ and no requirement for craniotomy extension. The mean set up time was 3.9 min, and the mean cost of the surgical guides was USD 470.90. One elderly patient had an intraoperative transverse sinus injury related to adherent dura that was planned for exposure. CONCLUSION: The 3D-printed surgical guide is a potential solution to the rapid, precise and consistent identification of the TSJ when performing a retrosigmoid craniotomy. We present our early experience and discuss nuances in the designing, production, and intraoperative phases to optimise the precision of this guide. We suggest two methods to avoid sinus injury in elderly patients: either to plan the craniotomy to the edge of the sinus, or to plan sinus exposure but to use burr drills rather than the osteotome, as in our case, to expose the sinus.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Space to grieve and grow: A systematic review of psychosocial interventions for people newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review synthesized evidence from intervention studies published over the past 25 years that aimed to improve coping and psychosocial well-being among individuals early in the multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course. The goal was to evaluate intervention characteristics, theoretical foundations, and psychosocial outcomes, and to identify gaps for future research. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science (2000-2025). Eligible studies included quantitative or mixed-methods interventions that addressed coping or psychosocial well-being among adults newly diagnosed with MS. Data extraction and quality assessment were completed independently by multiple reviewers using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. RESULTS: Seven studies (n = 345) met inclusion criteria, representing cognitive-behavioral therapy, mindfulness, acceptance-based, and nurse- or peer-delivered interventions. The interval between diagnosis and intervention enrollment ranged from 14 days to >4 years, suggesting different phases of adjustment. All interventions produced significant short-term improvements in at least one psychosocial domain (e.g., anxiety, depression, stress, coping, or illness acceptance). However, sustained effects beyond 6-12 months were inconsistent. Common mechanisms across interventions included enhancing self-efficacy, stress management, and adaptive coping. CONCLUSIONS: The available evidence suggests that brief psychosocial interventions for adults in the early years after MS diagnosis are feasible and may provide short-term benefits for selected psychosocial outcomes. However, the evidence base remains limited, heterogeneous, and preliminary. Future studies should more clearly define diagnosis timing, use adequately powered designs and longer follow-up, and examine mechanisms of change.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

New insights into soil amendment: Impact of humic acid on typical antibiotic resistance in agricultural soil.

Humic acid (HA) addition can improve agricultural soil, but little is known about how it affects the soil resistome. In this study, we used selective agar plate combined with quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate how HA influences antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in soil contaminated with erythromycin and kanamycin. 0.1 % HA reduced the abundance of culturable erythromycin-resistant bacteria (ERB), while promoting the growth of kanamycin-resistant bacteria (KRB). Lysinibacillus and Paenibacillus were the dominant genera in ERB and KRB, respectively, governing the changes in their abundances. At this concentration, the Lysinibacillus abundance in ERB decreased from 96.74 % to 70.57 %. Meanwhile, that of Paenibacillus in KRB increased from 33.40 % to 77.44 %. The copy number of ermF decreased after HA addition, while that of ermB increased. Furthermore, 0.1 % HA significantly reduced the copy number and relative abundance of aadA1 and aac(6')-Ib (aka aacA4)-03 in the soil. Changes in these two types of ARB and ARGs were primarily driven by shifts in the microbial community structure. Soil physicochemical properties, particularly increased organic matter (OM), altered the absolute abundance of ermB. Meanwhile, changes in intI1 abundance determined the risk associated with aadA1 and aac(6')-Ib (aka aacA4)-03. These findings emphasize the dual role of HA in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in agricultural soils and highlight the necessity of considering dose-dependent effects when applying HA as a soil amendment.

Soil Microbiology↗
PubMed2025

Barriers and Facilitators of Help-Seeking for LGBTQ+ Survivors of Sexual Violence: A Systematic Review.

People who identify as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, plus) are known to experience similar or higher levels of sexual violence compared to their heterosexual cisgender counterparts. However, sexual violence research has largely focused on heterosexual female survivors of male perpetrated crime. Thus, the unique support needs and help-seeking patterns of LGBTQ+ survivors are poorly understood. This review addresses this gap by systematically exploring literature on barriers and facilitators to help-seeking for LGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence. Four databases (PsycINFO, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Web of Science) were searched to identify relevant material, with 35 articles (30 qualitative, 1 quantitative, and 4 mixed-methods) meeting the inclusion criteria. Data were extracted and analyzed using a narrative synthesis. The topic was investigated almost exclusively cross-sectionally. Barriers included discrimination experiences, myths and stereotypes, feelings of shame and self-blame, and rejection of victim status. Additional barriers were reported by survivors who hold multiple minority identities, in particular LGBTQ+ people of color and sex workers. Facilitators to help-seeking included the intrinsic need to connect with others, social encouragement and empowerment, and positive disclosure experiences. The Power Threat Meaning framework provides insight into these findings by presenting help-seeking behaviors as adaptive responses to increase a sense of safety following a traumatic experience. The analyzed data indicate several implications for the development and improvement services to support LGBTQ+ survivors. They further serve to highlight the need for additional robust research, conducted with an intersectional lens, to explore the needs of sexual and gender minority survivors of sexual violence.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Fungal drivers of mycotoxin contamination in wheat: Early warning and plasma-based control.

Mycotoxin contamination in wheat is a major food safety concern; however, quantitative evidence linking fungal community signals, mycotoxin exceedance risk, and wheat quality traits in naturally contaminated wheat remains limited. In this study, wheat samples were collected from mycotoxin-prone monitoring sites under unusually rainy conditions in 2022 to explore early-warning indicators and post-harvest mitigation strategies. According to the National Food Safety Standard of China GB 2761-2017, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), deoxynivalenol (DON), and zearalenone (ZEN) exceeded the maximum limits in 52.24, 47.76, and 23.88% of samples, respectively; 38.81% exceeded the reference EU threshold for T-2 toxin, and 46.27% showed co-contamination with at least two mycotoxins above their respective thresholds. Although Alternaria, Cladosporium, and Epicoccum dominated the fungal community, Fusarium abundance was significantly associated with DON contamination and Fusarium-damaged kernels (FDKs). Mediation analysis identified DON as a significant mediator linking Fusarium abundance to FDKs, accounting for 68.41% of the total effect. In addition, Fusarium abundance above 3.70% showed strong predictive performance for DON exceedance, with an area under the curve of 0.906, indicating its potential as an early-warning indicator. Culture-based assays confirmed the toxigenic potential of Aspergillus and Fusarium isolates under simulated temperature and moisture conditions. After optimization using a toxin-spiked wheat flour model, dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma degraded AFB1, DON, and ZEN by 29.30-35.68%, disrupted the morphology of toxigenic fungi, and did not significantly affect wheat quality. This study provides practical insights into mycotoxin risk warning and post-harvest mitigation in wheat.

Triticum↗
PubMed2026

Care navigation for older adults after stroke - A systematic review and meta-analyses to guide social prescribing.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke affects many older people worldwide, and patient navigation and social prescribing (e.g., care navigation) may help recovery. We aimed to synthesize evidence on the effect of care navigation for people living with the effects of a stroke (PLWS) on anxiety, depression, quality of life, and well-being. Our secondary focus was to explore these models in rural settings. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review following guidelines, and searched for peer-reviewed randomized controlled trials for older adults (60 years+ or group mean age in this range) who had a stroke and received patient navigation or social prescribing. Two authors independently screened citations at Level 1 (title and abstract) and Level 2 (full text). The date of the last updated search was December 5, 2025. We synthesized data quantitatively using meta-analyses (random effects model and standard mean difference). RESULTS: We identified 11 studies using patient navigation, but no social prescribing interventions. The total number of PLWS participants at baseline was 7829 with an average mean age of 68 years (43% women). There were no differences between groups for anxiety or quality of life for PLWS, but there was a difference favouring the intervention for depression, although the findings were no longer significant with sensitivity analyses. Thus, results should be interpreted with caution. Only two studies provided data for caregivers, with mixed findings. No studies focused on well-being or rural settings. CONCLUSIONS: Care navigation for PLWS needs more research, including testing social prescribing within stroke rehabilitation in rural and urban locations. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO 2025 CRD420251077958.

Aged↗
PubMed2026

Accurate quantification of canine mitochondrial DNA copy number from canine blood and brain samples.

Acute brain injury is difficult to evaluate in veterinary medicine and tools to investigate the potential involvement of mitochondrial involvement are limited. The brain is highly enriched in mitochondria and contains thousands of copies of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) per cell, but robust methods for quantifying mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) in canine tissues are lacking. We describe the development of a quantitative real-time PCR assay for absolute measurement of mtDNA-CN which was validated in canine blood and brain tissue. To minimize amplification of nuclear mitochondrial insertion sequences (NumtS) and repetitive regions, species-specific oligonucleotide primers were designed following in silico genomic filtering. The assay was applied to a small pilot cohort comprising blood samples from dogs with and without acute brain injury (n = 4-6 per group) and cerebral cortex samples (n = 1 per group) to assess feasibility and biological plausibility. In non-brain injury dogs, blood mtDNA-CN ranged from 98 to 288 copies per nuclear genome (mean 193 ± 72), while values in brain-injured cases ranged from 163 to 228 copies per genome (mean 200 ± 33). Cerebral cortex samples exhibited higher mtDNA-CN than blood, consistent with known tissue-specific mitochondrial enrichment. In a single brain-injured case with serial sampling, mtDNA-CN increased over five days. This study presents a validated assay and pilot data for mtDNA-CN quantification in canine samples. While not powered for biomarker evaluation, this method may enable future studies of mitochondrial dynamics in canine brain injury and metabolic disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2025

Systems Factors Contributing to Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Maternal Health: A Systematic Review.

INTRODUCTION: Despite ongoing efforts to reduce adverse maternal outcomes, including maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity, racial/ethnic disparities in outcomes persist in high-income countries, including the United States (US) and Canada. Limited research has examined hospital-level factors that may drive disparities and contribute to adverse outcomes. This systematic review summarizes factors within the health system contributing to adverse outcomes and racial/ethnic disparities in the US and Canada to inform future policies and practices. METHOD: We searched SCOPUS, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and ProQuest Healthcare Administration for studies that reported hospital-level factors contributing to adverse maternal outcomes and racial/ethnic disparities. The review followed a two-stage screening process. The risk of bias of the included studies was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. The System Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) 2.0 framework guided the identification and categorization of factors. RESULTS: Of 2441 studies retrieved, 30 met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-eight studies were conducted in the US, and 2 were conducted in Canada. The review included 16 qualitative, 11 quantitative, and 3 mixed-methods studies. We identified 60 factors associated with different system components, including person(s) (12%), tasks (28%), tools and technology (7%), internal environment (10%), organization (28%), and external environment (15%). Shortage of resources, including staffing, poor care coordination, and discriminatory organizational practices, were key factors described in the studies. CONCLUSION: Addressing health system factors in addition to broader societal factors is important to reduce adverse outcomes and promote equity for all women and birthing persons.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Determinants of private health insurance uptake and its association with healthcare utilization in Gulf Cooperation Council countries: a systematic review.

All Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have a multi-payer healthcare system that comprises governmental health coverage (GHC), funded by the government, and private health insurance (PHI), mainly sponsored by employers and purchased by individuals. Both are expected to influence healthcare utilization and contribute to system efficiency and patient well-being. This systematic review explored the determinants of PHI uptake and its association with healthcare service utilization in the presence of GHC in GCC countries. We systematically searched CINAHL, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library for peer-reviewed studies published between January 2012 and October 2022. Study quality was assessed using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklists for both quantitative and qualitative studies, following PRISMA guidelines. Twenty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Determinants of PHI uptake were mapped to Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Services Use (BMHSU) and categorized into (1) predisposing factors (sex, age, marital status, and education), (2) enabling factors (employment/income and health system-related factors such as access and perceived service quality), and (3) need factors (health status, including chronic noncommunicable diseases). PHI uptake was positively associated with being male, married, highly educated, employed with a high income, and having chronic diseases. PHI was positively associated with healthcare utilization, particularly routine check-ups, preventive services, and the use of prescribed medicines. In GCC countries, PHI uptake is influenced by sociodemographic and socioeconomic characteristics, health status, and perceived service quality. PHI is also associated with higher healthcare utilization, underlining the need for evidence-informed policies that enhance equity and expand coverage.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Global Patterns of Net Ecosystem Exchange in peatlands: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Drivers Across Land Use and Environmental Gradients.

Peatlands play an essential role in the global carbon cycle, storing approximately one-third of the world's soil carbon despite covering less than 3% of the land surface. Peatland degradation from anthropogenic activities and climate change can convert peatlands from net carbon sinks to sources by altering carbon cycling. Net Ecosystem Exchange (NEE), the balance between CO2 uptake and emission, is a critical indicator for assessing peatland condition and restoration efforts. We conducted a systematic quantitative literature review to investigate global patterns of NEE in peatlands and identify key environmental and anthropogenic drivers of CO2 flux variability. Annual NEE values from 120 globally distributed sites reported in peer-reviewed literature were analyzed in relation to climatic zone, land use, vegetation type, peatland condition, and water table depth. Our synthesis revealed significant geographic gaps, with peatland NEE studies substantially underrepresented in the Tropics, Africa, and Oceania. Agricultural peatlands emitted significantly more CO2 than sites under natural land uses or peat extraction, while degraded peatlands were significantly greater net CO2 sources than intact and restored systems. Restored peatlands remained net CO2 sources on average, emphasizing the importance of long-term monitoring and adaptive management following restoration interventions. Water table depth significantly affected NEE variability, with CO2 emissions increasing approximately 7.2 gCO2-C m-2yr-1 for every centimeter of water table drawdown. A substantial variability in measurement methods, data processing software, and protocols highlighted the critical need for methodological standardization. Our findings provide evidence-based targets for peatland conservation and restoration monitoring as nature-based climate solutions.

Ecosystem↗
PubMed2026

Reproductive Intentions and Fertility Preservation Among Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals: A Cross-Sectional Study in Brazil.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated reproductive intentions, fertility-related knowledge, prior fertility counseling, and factors associated with reproductive intentions among transgender and nonbinary individuals receiving care at a Brazilian public reference center. METHODS: This cross-sectional study with a qualitative component was conducted between July and November 2025 in a specialized gender-affirming care clinic in Brazil. Quantitative data included sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive history, gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT), and fertility-related variables. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with desire for future parenthood. Responses to a single open-ended question regarding perceived effects of GAHT on fertility were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-two participants were included (mean age 27.5 ± 7.4 years). Most identified as transgender men (65.9%), followed by transgender women (26.8%) and nonbinary individuals (7.3%); 79.3% were receiving GAHT. Although 63.4% expressed a desire for future parenthood, only 7.3% had children. Current interest in fertility preservation was reported by 20.8% (15/72). Having children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.03; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.001-0.62; p = 0.023) and each additional year of GAHT duration (aOR = 0.83; 95% CI: 0.70-0.99; p = 0.038) were associated with lower odds of desiring future parenthood. Sex assigned at birth was not independently associated with reproductive intentions. Qualitative analysis revealed misconceptions, uncertainty, and conditional beliefs regarding fertility. CONCLUSIONS: Desire for future parenthood was common among transgender and nonbinary individuals, whereas engagement with fertility preservation remained limited. These findings highlight the need for longitudinal, patient-centered reproductive counseling integrated into gender-affirming care.

fertility preservation↗
PubMed2026

RPLP0 drives diffuse large B-cell lymphoma cell proliferation through reactive oxygen species-dependent AKT/mTOR activation and inhibition of stress-induced autophagy.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a common, aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma with poor outcomes. Identifying the primary molecular causes of DLBCL remains key. The present study examined the function of ribosomal protein lateral stalk subunit P0 (RPLP0) in DLBCL pathogenesis. The Cancer Genome Atlas-DLBCL and GSE12453 datasets overlapping differentially expressed genes were identified. Hub genes were identified via protein-protein interaction network analysis. DLBCL cells were subjected to functional tests following RPLP0 overexpression or knockdown. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, transmission electron microscopy, colony formation assay and biochemical analysis were among the tests performed. N-acetylcysteine (NAC), rapamycin (RAPA) and 3-MA were among the medication therapies. In the DLBCL datasets, six ribosome-associated genes were differentially expressed. RPLP0 knockdown inhibited the proliferation of DLBCL cells and caused G2-phase arrest, without impacting apoptosis. Thioredoxin, heat shock protein family A member 1A and heat shock protein family B member 1 expression was downregulated by RPLP0 knockdown, which also increased the NAD+/NADH ratio, promoted reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and caused mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization. Meanwhile, 3-MA reversed the effects of RPLP0 knockdown, which encouraged LC3-II accumulation, autophagy-related gene 5 (ATG5) overexpression and an increase in autophagic vesicles. Autophagy-related indicators were decreased, and AKT/mTOR phosphorylation was increased by RPLP0 overexpression, which RAPA inhibited. NAC therapy preserved the viability of RPLP0-silenced cells, restored p-AKT/p-mTOR levels and restored normal LC3 and ATG5 expression. These findings suggest that RPLP0 regulates stress-induced autophagy through ROS-dependent AKT/mTOR signaling and may represent a potential therapeutic target for DLBCL.

AKT/mTOR signaling pathway↗
PubMed2026

Effectiveness of peer recovery support services for substance use disorders: A systematic review of healthcare utilization, behavioral health, and engagement outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Peer recovery support services (PRS) delivered by individuals with lived experience of substance use, are increasingly incorporated into substance use disorder (SUD) care systems to improve care engagement, reduce acute care use, and support recovery. However, existing systematic reviews have focused on substance use outcomes, with limited attention to healthcare utilization, psychosocial functioning, and outcomes across settings, and populations. METHODS: This systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023469279), synthesized peer-reviewed studies from 2003 to 2026 evaluating PRS for individuals with alcohol or drug-related SUD. Using MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL, the review included 53 studies primarily conducted in high-income countries that reported quantitative outcomes across substance use, healthcare utilization, behavioral health, and treatment engagement. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane RoB 2, ROBINS-I, and ROBINS-E tools. RESULTS: Overall, evidence was most favorable for selected treatment-linkage and engagement outcomes, whereas findings for substance use, emergency department use, hospitalization, overdose, and mortality were inconsistent. Uncontrolled longitudinal studies frequently reported improvements in depression and anxiety, but no randomized trials evaluated these outcomes, limiting causal inference. Exploratory cross-study patterns suggested that sustained navigation, practical assistance, and repeated peer contact were more often present in programs reporting favorable outcomes; however, these components were not independently evaluated. Substantial heterogeneity, frequent multicomponent interventions, high risk of bias in many nonrandomized studies, and limited long-term and economic data constrain conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Findings support the promise of PRS while underscoring the need for more rigorous comparative studies, cost-effectiveness data, and further research in low- and middle-income countries.

Humans↗