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PubMed2026

A systematic literature review of cultural concepts taught by pharmacist preceptors during pharmacy student experiential placements.

BACKGROUND: Cultural concepts such as cultural intelligence, awareness, competency and safety are essential in guiding culturally responsive care in health professional practice. Pharmacist preceptors play a pivotal role in sharing both clinical and cultural safe practice with pharmacy students. Culturally responsive care can contribute to achieving health equity, which is especially important for Indigenous communities. AIM: To review literature on cultural concepts in pharmacist preceptorship practices, and how these concepts are taught and communicated to pharmacy students during experiential learning. METHOD: The systematic review followed the PRISMA 2020 guideline. Scopus, PubMed, and Google Scholar were used to identify articles specific to pharmacist preceptors and pharmacy students published between 2015 and 2025, and available in English. RESULTS: Three full-text articles met the inclusion criteria. Major themes and subthemes were identified; pharmacist preceptors lacked preparedness to teach cultural concepts, resulting in variability in preceptors' understanding of cultural concepts and confidence in fulfilling preceptor responsibilities, underutilised structured frameworks to guide students' learning, challenges with preceptorship due to limited resources and support, and the influence of preceptorship on student learning, which impacted students' learning and competency. CONCLUSION: Pharmacy students had minimal exposure to culturally informed pharmacist preceptorship. It is likely that pharmacist preceptors require country-specific educational resources to support culturally safe preceptorship. Future research is required to substantiate these findings, and to guide culturally responsive practice and promote equitable health outcomes in diverse populations.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

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

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

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Experiences of stigma, bias, and communication challenges among pregnant healthcare workers: A systematic review of qualitative evidence.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare work environments are fraught with occupational hazards that can impact pregnant healthcare workers' health as well as patient care. Despite the feminization of healthcare globally, systematic discrimination against pregnant workers persists across diverse healthcare settings and cultural contexts. The intersection of stigma, bias, and communication challenges creates substantial barriers to career advancement and wellbeing. However, no systematic review has synthesized qualitative evidence on how these three constructs interact across healthcare professions and cultural contexts using an integrated theoretical framework. OBJECTIVE: To systematically review and synthesize qualitative evidence on experiences of stigma, bias, and communication challenges among pregnant healthcare workers across different healthcare settings and cultural contexts using an integrated theoretical framework. DESIGN: Systematic review of qualitative studies following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines with thematic synthesis. DATA SOURCES: Seven databases were searched from inception to January 2026. REVIEW METHODS: Included qualitative studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist and synthesized through theory-guided thematic synthesis. Confidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative research (GRADE-CERQual) approach. RESULTS: Fourteen studies encompassing 1223 participants across 17 countries revealed four major themes: (1) professional identity stigma and workplace discrimination through systematic labeling and stereotyping; (2) gender-based institutional bias rooted in masculine organizational logic; (3) multilevel communication failures creating fear-based climates; and (4) individual and collective resistance strategies developed despite constraints. Occupational hazards specific to pregnancy included exposure to infectious diseases, imaging, physical tasks, cleaning products, patient violence, and medication administration. Support from coworkers and supervisors was identified as the most critical facilitator for avoiding hazards and making necessary modifications, while the desire to be 'supernurses' and fear of consequences emerged as significant barriers. These patterns were consistent across healthcare professions, settings, and cultural contexts, with specialty culture and healthcare system type moderating discrimination intensity. Confidence in core findings was rated high using GRADE-CERQual. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant healthcare workers globally experience interconnected stigma, bias, and communication challenges that are systematically embedded within healthcare organizational structures. These challenges operate synergistically, requiring comprehensive multilevel interventions beyond policy compliance. Healthcare organizations must implement evidence-based strategies addressing stigma reduction, bias interruption, and communication transformation simultaneously to retain skilled workers and ensure quality patient care.

Female↗
PubMed2026

Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Older Asian Immigrants Through the Lens of Sense of Coherence: Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies.

AIM: To explore the meaning older Asian immigrants attribute to social isolation and loneliness, their management strategies, utilisation of resources and impact on health. DESIGN: Systematic review of qualitative studies. DATA SOURCES: AgeLine, CINAHL, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched in September 2024. METHODS: Inclusion criteria: participants were Asian immigrants to Western countries aged 65 and over, community-living and experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence was used to frame the thematic analysis. RESULTS: Ten papers were included and analysed deductively using elements of the sense of coherence framework: • Comprehensibility: Social isolation and loneliness are viewed as multifaceted, influenced by cultural and environmental dislocation, language barriers, intergenerational conflicts, deteriorating health and mobility, and socioeconomic challenges. • Manageability: included engaging in culture-specific community programs, family and ethnic community support and living within ethnic enclaves mitigated isolation and loneliness. • Meaningfulness: Strong family ties, active community involvement, spirituality, volunteerism, and cultural practices fostered resilience. However, accepting the changing values of their new world, living independently, and carving their own niche provided meaning to their transformed reality. CONCLUSION: Older Asian immigrants experience social isolation and loneliness through a cultural lens, shaped by migration experiences, language barriers, and shifting family dynamics. Cultural roots, family ties, spirituality, community, acceptance, and independence enhance sense of coherence. Recognising the dynamic interplay between cultural identity, resilience, and adaptation is key to understanding their lived experience. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND PATIENT CARE: This review informs culturally sensitive interventions, guiding healthcare, community services, and policy to support social participation, mitigate loneliness through ethno-specific activities, and improve the quality of life for aging immigrant populations in Western countries. REPORTING METHOD: The review was undertaken and reported using the PRISMA guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT: None. PROTOCOL REGISTRATION: PROSPERO (CRD42023425752).

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Haemodialysis Nurses' Self-Reported Cultural Competence and Responsiveness: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

BACKGROUND: People receiving in-centre haemodialysis have distinct cultural care needs and preferences, and nurses are expected to respond to these. However, haemodialysis nurses' cultural competence and responsiveness are unknown. OBJECTIVES: To examine nurses' cultural competence and responsiveness when caring for people with diverse cultural characteristics. DESIGN: An online cross-sectional survey. PARTICIPANTS: Haemodialysis nurses from Australia and New Zealand (n = 123), recruited through the Renal Society of Australasia and professional networks. MEASUREMENTS: The 25-item Cultural Competence Assessment instrument measured cultural awareness and sensitivity, and culturally responsive behaviours. Demographic characteristics were also collected. RESULTS: Of 123 complete responses, overall cultural competence was high (M = 5.09, SD = 0.76), particularly awareness and sensitivity (M = 5.76, SD = 0.53), with significantly higher scores among those who had completed cultural awareness training (p = 0.009). In contrast, culturally responsive behaviours were moderate (M = 4.53, SD = 1.23), highlighting the gap between cultural competence and responsiveness. The lowest scoring areas were documentation of patients' cultural needs (M = 3.88, SD = 2.02) and access to cultural learning resources (M = 3.02, SD = 1.75), indicating limited supports. Qualitative findings reflected practices of culture care preservation and accommodation, with themes of cultural awareness and language differences highlighting barriers related to language and resources. CONCLUSIONS: High cultural competence does not necessarily translate into culturally responsive behaviour. Organisational supports, including guidance for documenting cultural needs, cultural assessment tools and accessible learning resources, may help strengthen culturally responsive haemodialysis care.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

The influence of organizational culture on medication safety practices and associated risk factors in the community setting: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Increasing attention has been given to the role of organizational culture in influencing medication safety practices across healthcare settings. The lack of widely accepted standardized instrumentation makes operational measurement of organizational culture and medication safety challenging. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the impact of organizational culture on medication safety within community healthcare settings. METHODS: MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Nursing & Allied Health were searched in August 2025 using keywords, subject terms, field codes, and Boolean operators to identify papers relevant to the review question; bibliographies of included studies were also reviewed. Screening and full-text review were completed independently by two reviewers with a third to adjudicate conflicts. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme was used for quality assessment. The PRISMA statement guided the development and implementation of the review. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were included representing various community settings. Most studies reported on untoward medication events, but few measured systematically collected safety data before and after an intervention. Organizational culture was seldom defined or operationalized. Most studies were methodologically sound, but the overall level of evidence was weak to moderate. CONCLUSION: Organizational culture influences medication safety through aspects such as communication channels, teamwork, training, and an environment that allows error and near-miss reporting. Few studies explicitly evaluate the causal impact of culture interventions on measurable medication safety outcomes in community healthcare settings. Further research should incorporate standardized measurement tools and intervention-based, pre-post designs to better understand how organizational culture influences medication safety in community healthcare settings.

Organizational Culture↗
PubMed2026

Workplace Safety Champions: Strengthening safety culture through nurse engagement.

Workplace violence is a growing concern in health care, disproportionately affecting frontline nurses and nursing assistants. Despite high prevalence, underreporting remains a barrier to effective prevention and response. This article describes the development, implementation, and outcomes of a Workplace Safety Champion program designed to increase reporting of violent incidents and strengthen a culture of safety. A multidisciplinary task force developed an evidence-based Workplace Safety Champion course that emphasizes de-escalation strategies, reporting processes, and staff support. Champions were appointed across inpatient and emergency units and integrated into a hospital-wide Workplace Safety Champion Council. Program evaluation used course completion data and posttraining surveys. The organizational goal of having at least one trained champion in 90% of inpatient and emergency units was exceeded, with 98% of units represented (N = 93 champions). More than 85% of learners reported intent to change their response to workplace violence, and 90% endorsed improved knowledge of resources and de-escalation strategies. The Workplace Safety Champion program successfully improved staff awareness, reporting, and engagement in workplace violence prevention. Embedding champions across units can serve as a sustainable strategy to strengthen safety culture and support frontline health care workers.

Humans↗
PubMed2025

Impacts of Climate Change and Related Weather Events on the Health and Wellbeing of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Vulnerable populations such as culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD), ethnic minorities and racial groups face a disproportionate burden of climate change-related health impacts due to a combination of socio-cultural and economic factors, geographic vulnerabilities and health disparities. This review synthesised the existing evidence on the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change and related weather events among CALD communities. METHODS: A narrative synthesis approach was utilised to conduct a systematic review. Three electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science) were searched, identifying 25 studies for appraisal and synthesis. Studies published in the English language from January 2010 to March 2024 were included in the review. RESULTS: The reviewed studies, mostly carried out in the USA, employed varied study designs, and focused on diverse CALD groups such as migrants, farmworkers and racial and ethnic minorities. The included studies addressed broader and specific climate change-related events, ranging from heat-related impacts and hurricanes to occupational heat exposure. CALD communities were found to be more vulnerable to climate change-related negative physical and mental health issues, further exacerbated by poor living conditions, limited access to healthcare, and cultural and language barriers. CONCLUSION: Future efforts by governments, healthcare agencies, employers and research institutions should prioritise multilingual risk communication strategies, providing culturally appropriate health education and healthcare access, housing improvements and the investigation of long-term health impacts of climate change and coping mechanisms adopted among CALD populations.

Climate Change↗
PubMed2026

Microbial signal profiles and organism-level concordance between plasma metagenomic sequencing and blood culture in suspected bloodstream infection.

Plasma metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and blood culture detect different components of the microbial signal and frequently produce discordant organism reports. We characterized microbial signal class, report-derived burden, organism-level concordance, and independent clinical attribution in a retrospective, single-center, episode-level cohort. Among 329 episodes with evaluable plasma mNGS reports, 315 had blood culture performed; 232 were mNGS positive/culture negative and 53 were positive by both methods. In the 232 discordant episodes, the recorded routine-care diagnosis classified 124 as bloodstream infection (BSI) and 108 as non-BSI. Nonviral signals were present in 78.2% and 42.6%, respectively (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001), and median maximum report-derived sequence counts were 98.5 and 11.5 (P&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Two laboratory physicians then independently reviewed source records using structured criteria while masked to the recorded BSI label and mNGS organism and sequence-count information. Initial agreement for the five-category BSI assessment was 97.6% (Cohen's kappa, 0.960). Within the mNGS-positive/culture-negative subgroup, adjudicated BSI likelihood showed a modest ordinal association with report burden (Spearman rho&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.190; P&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.004), while mNGS organisms were considered supported in 1 episode, plausible in 158, unlikely or contaminant in 72, and unresolved in 1. Among 53 dual-positive episodes, 33 (62.3%) shared at least one species, but only 5 (9.4%) had complete species-set concordance. Plasma mNGS and blood culture therefore frequently generated non-equivalent organism sets. Signal class and report burden contributed graded contextual evidence, but organism-level attribution required clinical review and orthogonal microbiology rather than binary positivity alone.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Culturally adapted post-diagnostic dementia support for South Asian people living with dementia and caregivers: a rapid review.

BACKGROUND: The number of minority ethnic people living with dementia (PLWD) in the UK is predicted to rise to 50 000 by 2026 and 172 000 by 2051. As the global population ages, there is a greater need to develop culturally appropriate post-diagnostic support for PLWD from minority ethnic backgrounds. METHODS: A rapid review was conducted of culturally adapted post-diagnostic dementia support for South Asian people with dementia and carers. Eight electronic databases were searched from inception until 16 September 2025. Databases included Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Excerpta Medica Database, MEDical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online, Psychological Information, Turning Research Into Practice, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Social Policy and Practice and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Two reviewers independently screened the studies. Consistent with rapid review methods, no formal quality assessment of included studies was undertaken. The rapid review adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines. RESULTS: Twelve studies were included. These included seven carer support programmes focusing on raising awareness and education on dementia and care. These interventions increased carers' knowledge of dementia and confidence in caregiving. Four studies reported on psychosocial interventions: Cognitive Stimulation Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Meditation Therapy, demonstrating benefits for caregiver burden and mental health. One study reported on service-level innovations through a South Asian link nurse, which improved access to services and facilitated the development of culturally appropriate information materials. CONCLUSION: The findings of this rapid review demonstrate the feasibility and perceived value of culturally sensitive psychoeducation, carer training and psychosocial interventions. However, research remains small-scale, methodologically limited, with little focus given to interventions directly supporting PLWD.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Evaluating a culturally adapted question prompt list to improve end-of-life communication among indonesian migrant caregivers: A randomized controlled trial with qualitative insights.

OBJECTIVE: Indonesian caregivers serve as essential providers of end-of-life (EOL) care in Taiwan. But often face communication challenges due to language, cultural, and hierarchical barriers. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a culturally adapted Question Prompt List (QPL). METHODS: This study employed a two-arm randomized controlled trial design supplemented with qualitative interviews. The study was conducted in a hospice ward and home care setting within a medical center in Taiwan. A total of sixty Indonesian caregivers were recruited and randomly assigned to either the intervention group (n&#x202f;=&#x202f;30) or the control group (n&#x202f;=&#x202f;30). The intervention group received routine end-of-life (EOL) education along with a culturally adapted Question Prompt List (QPL), which consisted of 37 items covering domains including the dying process, emotional support, communication, symptom management, and care decision-making. The control group received routine EOL education. Outcome measures included caregiving preparedness, communication self-efficacy, satisfaction, and question-asking behavior. In addition, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight participants, and the data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance revealed no statistically significant between-group differences in caregiving preparedness (F = 1.58, p&#x202f;=&#x202f;.215 [-0.41, 0.44]) or communication selfefficacy (F = 0.83, p&#x202f;=&#x202f;.366 [-0.44, 0.79]). However, communication satisfaction was significantly higher in the intervention group (F = 4.19, p&#x202f;<&#x202f;.05 [0.04, 0.44]). The number of questions asked was also significantly higher in the intervention group (t&#x202f;=&#x202f;-4.35, p&#x202f;<&#x202f;.001 [-5.41, -1.98]). Thematic analysis of qualitative data identified 4 themes and 14 subthemes, illustrating how the QPL reduced anxiety, clarified care needs, and improved confidence. CONCLUSIONS: A culturally adapted QPL can enhance communication engagement and satisfaction among migrant caregivers. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Integrating culturally tailored QPLs into caregiver education and palliative care practice may promote more inclusive and effective communication.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Degradation of a graphene-reinforced polyamide by fungi: When culture conditions matter.

The large-scale production, marketing and disposal of polymer-based graphene products can lead to the dispersal of graphene-enriched plastic particles into terrestrial ecosystems, where they might accumulate if not degraded by organisms. The objective of this work is to test the degradability and compatibility of one polyamide-6 polymer reinforced with reduced graphene-oxide (PA6-rGO) and its base constituents (polyamide-6, PA6; reduced graphene oxide, rGO) using mono- and co-cultures of two lignin-degrading fungi (Bjerkandera adusta and Morchella esculenta) grown under different nutrient conditions. Fungal (co-)cultures were exposed to pure rGO or abraded powders of PA6 and PA6-rGO in two different liquid media, and monitored over time for biomass growth, H2O2 production, and activity of two lignolytic enzymes (i.e., Laccase, Lac, and Lignin peroxidase, LiP). The changes in polyamide structure were evaluated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry, and changes in rGO were evaluated by Raman spectroscopy. The materials had no effect on fungal growth. PA6 increased Lac secretion only in low nutrient medium, while PA6-rGO slightly suppressed LiP activity. Only M. esculenta promoted polyamides oxidation when cultured in a low nutrient medium, as evidenced by a change in mass distribution values (m/z: 400-420) and the appearance of a new resonance peak (at 5.37 ppm). Lignolytic exudates in co-cultures low in nutrients caused a greater change in rGO, as shown by the increase in the ID/IG ratio. The degradation of rGO, PA6 and PA6-rGO depended on culture conditions.

Graphite↗
PubMed2026

Walking Together: A Cross-Cultural Study of the Relationship Between Religiosity and Substance Use Disorder.

The literature suggests that religiosity is a protective factor for substance use. However, individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) may actively cultivate their religiosity during substance use. This qualitative study analyzed the perceptions and meanings homeless people attribute to their substance use trajectories and religiosity, as well as the potential connections between these two themes. The analysis was conducted based on the content analysis technique proposed by Bardin. A total of 40 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 Brazilian and 20 Portuguese participants. The present study found that religiosity can play a role in the substance use trajectory and the development of SUD by offering a subjective sense of protection, serving as a marker for the need for change, or providing relief from the suffering associated with SUD. We discuss how homeless people with SUD experience religiosity and how religious aspects traditionally seen as protective in the literature, such as church attendance, may paradoxically become risk factors for these socially vulnerable populations.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Sea urchin co-culture boosts abalone growth by reducing environmental stress and remodeling gut microbiota.

Biofouling and microenvironmental deterioration are major bottlenecks restricting the intensive aquaculture of Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai). While co-culturing offers an eco-friendly mitigation strategy, the underlying mechanisms promoting abalone growth remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the growth performance of H. d. hannai co-cultured with varying densities of the sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus intermedius). By employing transcriptome and 16S rRNA sequencing of the abalone gut, we investigated the synergistic responses of host gene expression and gut microbiota. Compared with the monoculture group, the co-culture groups showed significantly less biofouling and greater growth of abalone, with the co-culture (n&#xa0;=&#xa0;15) exhibiting the best outcomes. Transcriptomic analysis revealed 1444, 760, and 508 DEGs in G5, G10, and G15, respectively, compared with G0. These DEGs were significantly enriched in metabolic pathways, including glycolysis and sterol metabolism, indicating a shift in intestinal energy metabolism from stress defense toward growth under co-culture conditions. Gut microbiota profiling identified Proteobacteria and Firmicutes as the dominant phyla, with specific functional taxa (e.g., Psychrilyobacter and Akkermansia) enriched in a density-dependent manner. Furthermore, correlation analysis demonstrated that growth traits positively correlated with growth-promoting taxa (e.g., the unclassified AB1 lineage), but negatively correlated with potentially opportunistic taxa (e.g., Tabrizicola). These findings provide insights into a potential synergistic mechanism of "environmental stress alleviation-metabolic reprogramming-microecological remodeling" driving abalone growth, providing a theoretical foundation for optimizing co-culture systems and developing growth-associated biomarkers.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Diagnostic value of plasma cell-free DNA metagenomic next-generation sequencing in patients with suspected infections and exploration of clinical scenarios-a retrospective study from a single center.

BACKGROUND: Plasma cell-free DNA metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a non-invasive comprehensive method for the etiological diagnosis of various infectious diseases. However, research on the early diagnosis and real-world clinical impact of plasma mNGS in patients with suspected infection are still limited. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study retrospectively included 140 patients with suspected infections who underwent early plasma mNGS and conventional culture testing. Referring to the clinical diagnosis of infectious diseases, the diagnostic performance of plasma mNGS and culture tests was compared, and the application scenarios and clinical effects of plasma mNGS were evaluated. RESULTS: The positive rate of plasma mNGS was significantly higher than that of culture methods (55.71% vs 25.10%, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001) and blood cultures (55.71% vs 12.86%, p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.001). Regarding clinical diagnosis, the sensitivity of plasma mNGS was significantly higher than that of culture (58.27% vs 37.80%, p&#x2009;=&#x2009;0.002). The combination of mNGS and culture achieved a higher detection sensitivity (69.29%), especially in patients with multi-site co-infections (73.68%) and blood infections (73.17%). Plasma mNGS demonstrated higher sensitivity in patients with procalcitonin (PCT) index > 5&#x2009;ng/ml or human neutrophil lipocalin (HNL) index > 200&#x2009;ng/ml. In terms of treatment, a total of 69 patients (54.33%) benefited from plasma mNGS. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the significant improvement in pathogen detection performance by combining conventional culture with plasma mNGS detection, especially in patients with multi-site co-infections and blood infections. Early use of plasma mNGS as an adjunct to culture can better guide clinicians to initiate appropriate anti-infective therapy.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Effects of faba bean-based crisping culture on phenotypic characteristics, muscle quality, and serum metabolome in Nile tilapia: Screening biomarkers to assess the degree of crisping.

Feeding Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) a faba bean-based crisping diet enhances muscle hardness (crispness) and overall flesh quality. However, the underlying mechanisms and reliable biomarkers remain insufficiently defined. This study integrated phenotypic traits, muscle texture, collagen content, serum antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px), MDA levels, and serum metabolomics to understand the determinants of muscle crisping. Fish were assigned to a crisping diet or a control group for 90&#xa0;days. Individuals in the crisping group were implanted with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags to enable correlation analyses among phenotypic traits (body weight/length/frame changes), serum indicators (NAM, FAD, and GSH-Px) and muscle hardness. Compared with controls, the crisping diet significantly increased muscle hardness, gumminess, and chewiness, accompanied by elevated collagen content. Antioxidant profiles were altered, with higher activities of serum SOD and CAT, together with elevated MDA levels and reduced GSH-Px activity (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). Metabolomic analysis identified 830 differential metabolites (682 upregulated and 148 downregulated), predominantly comprising carboxylic acids and derivatives, glycerophospholipids, and benzene derivatives. Enrichment analysis indicated significant involvement in general metabolic pathways, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, amino acid biosynthesis, and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). Notably, acetylpyruvate was upregulated in glutathione metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and galactose metabolism; pantothenic acid was upregulated in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; whereas &#x3b4;-tocotrienol was downregulated. Correlation analysis revealed weak negative associations between muscle hardness and phenotypic traits (body weight/length/frame changes D5-7, D5-10, D7-8) (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). In contrast, serum NAM and FAD were weakly positively correlated with muscle hardness, whereas GSH-Px showed a weak negative correlation (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that body weight, body length, frame measurements (D5-7, D5-10, and D7-8), and serum NAM, FAD, and GSH-Px are associated with the degree of muscle crispness in Nile tilapia fed a faba bean-based crisping diet and may serve as candidate biomarkers under these culture conditions.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the gills and hepatopancreas of freshwater-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic nitrite stress.

To investigate the differences in molecular responses between the gills and hepatopancreas of freshwater-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic nitrite stress, a 30-day chronic stress experiment was conducted with a control group and a stress group. Transcriptomic analysis of the gills and hepatopancreas was performed using Illumina sequencing; differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and GO, KEGG, GSEA, PPI, and RT-qPCR validation were carried out. The results showed that 196 DEGs (161 up-regulated and 35 down-regulated) were identified in the gills, and 287 DEGs (199 up-regulated and 88 down-regulated) in the hepatopancreas, with only 18 DEGs shared between the two tissues. DEGs in the gills were enriched in oxidoreductase activity, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism; DEGs in the hepatopancreas were enriched in lipid transporter activity, phagosome, ECM-receptor interaction, and riboflavin metabolism. GSEA revealed significant suppression of the mTOR pathway in the gills and the Polycomb complex pathway in the hepatopancreas. PPI network analysis identified hub genes P5CS and eEF2 in the gills, and PER, TUBB1, SHMT, and TUBB4B in the hepatopancreas. RT-qPCR validation was consistent with the RNA-seq results (R2&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.764). This study indicates that, under chronic nitrite stress, the gill response is centered on redox regulation and inhibition of growth metabolism, whereas the hepatopancreas response primarily involves lipid transport, cytoskeletal remodeling, and phagosome activation. The two tissues synergistically adapt through fundamental biosynthetic and motor protein pathways. This research provides molecular evidence for deciphering the nitrite tolerance mechanisms in freshwater-cultured shrimp.

Animals↗