公共卫生研究摘要 (2025-12-18)
共收录 59 篇研究文章
1. High- and Low-Fat Dairy Consumption and Long-Term Risk of Dementia: Evidence From a 25-Year Prospective Cohort Study.
期刊: Neurology 发表日期: 2026-Jan-27 链接: PubMed
摘要
The association between dairy intake and dementia risk remains uncertain, especially for dairy products with varying fat contents. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between high-fat and low-fat dairy intake and dementia risk. This study used data from a prospective cohort in Sweden, the Malmö Diet and Cancer cohort, which consisted of community-based participants who underwent dietary assessment at baseline (1991-1996). Dietary intake was evaluated using a comprehensive diet history method that combined a 7-day food diary, a food frequency questionnaire, and a dietary interview. Dementia cases were identified through the Swedish National Patient Register until December 31, 2020, and cases diagnosed until 2014 were further validated. The primary outcome of the study was all-cause dementia, and the secondary outcomes were Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD). Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate hazard ratio (HR) and 95% CI. This study included 27,670 participants (mean baseline age 58.1 years, SD 7.6; 61% female). During a median of 25 years of follow-up, 3,208 incident dementia cases were recorded. Consumption of ≥50 g/d of high-fat cheese (>20% fat) was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause dementia (HR 0.87; 95% CI, 0.78-0.97) and VaD (HR 0.71, 95% CI 0.52-0.96) compared with lower intake (<15 g/d). An inverse association between high-fat cheese and AD was found among APOE ε4 noncarriers (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76-0.99, p-interaction = 0.014). Compared with no consumption, individuals consuming ≥20 g/d of high-fat cream (>30% fat) had a 16% lower risk of all-cause dementia (HR 0.84, 95% CI 0.72-0.98). High-fat cream consumption was inversely associated with the risk of AD and VaD. Consumption of low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, milk (high-fat and low-fat), fermented milk (high-fat and low-fat), and butter showed no association with all-cause dementia. Higher intake of high-fat cheese and high-fat cream was associated with a lower risk of all-cause dementia, whereas low-fat cheese, low-fat cream, and other dairy products showed no significant association. APOE ε4 status modified the association between high-fat cheese and AD. Our study’s observational design limits causal inference.
2. Predicted Cardiovascular Risk by the PREVENT Equations and Prevalence of Masked Hypertension Assessed by Home Blood Pressure Monitoring.
期刊: Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) 发表日期: 2026-Jan 链接: PubMed
摘要
3. A plant NLR receptor activates auxin signaling through Aux/IAAs-ARF19 and YUC8-TIR1/AFBs to promote callose-mediated antiviral defense.
期刊: Science advances 发表日期: 2025-Dec-19 链接: PubMed
摘要
Phytohormone signaling pathways are crucial for defense against pathogens mediated by pattern recognition receptors and nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat (NLR) immune receptors. The induction of auxin signaling by immune receptors for antiviral immunity is poorly understood despite its notable role in plant defense against viral pathogens. Here, we report that plant NLR Sw-5b initiates and amplifies auxin signaling through auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAAs)-ARF19 and YUC8-transport inhibitor response1/auxin-signaling F-box (TIR1/AFB) modules to promote callose-mediated antiviral defense. Upon recognizing viral effector, Sw-5b associates with and relieves repressors Aux/IAAs on transcription factor ARF19. ARF19 then activates callose synthase gene GSL5/8 to deposit callose at plasmodesmata, inhibiting viral cell-to-cell spread. Meanwhile, ARF19 activates auxin biosynthesis gene YUC8 to boost auxin production; this further amplifies callose deposition signaling via TIR1/AFB receptors and Aux/IAAs-ARF19-glucan synthase-like (GSL) module, thereby restricting the virus in localized cell death. Our findings provide valuable insights into the mechanism by which plant immune receptors induce phytohormone signaling pathways to combat pathogens.
4. Trial of High-Dose Oral Rifampin in Adults with Tuberculous Meningitis.
期刊: The New England journal of medicine 发表日期: 2025-Dec-18 链接: PubMed
摘要
Tuberculous meningitis is often lethal, and many survivors have disabilities despite antimicrobial treatment and adjunctive glucocorticoid therapy. Standard-dose rifampin has limited central nervous system penetration. Whether high-dose rifampin could improve survival outcomes is unknown. We performed a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving adults with tuberculous meningitis in Indonesia, South Africa, and Uganda. We assigned persons with and those without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection to receive standard daily isoniazid, rifampin (at a dose of 10 mg per kilogram of body weight), ethambutol, and pyrazinamide plus either additional rifampin (for a cumulative dose of 35 mg per kilogram; high-dose group) or matched placebo (standard-dose group) for 8 weeks; participants in both groups received standard therapy for the remainder of the 9-to-12-month treatment course. The primary outcome was 6-month mortality. A total of 499 participants were included in the intention-to-treat population (249 randomly assigned to the high-dose group and 250 to the standard-dose group), of whom 304 (60.9%) were persons living with HIV and 428 (85.8%) had definite or probable tuberculous meningitis. During 6 months of follow-up, 109 participants (Kaplan-Meier estimate, 44.6%) in the high-dose group and 100 participants (Kaplan-Meier estimate, 40.7%) in the standard-dose group died (hazard ratio, 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.89 to 1.54; P = 0.25). Among the participants who died within 6 months, the median time to death was 13 days (interquartile range, 4 to 39) in the high-dose group and 24 days (interquartile range, 6 to 56) in the standard-dose group. Drug-induced liver injury occurred in 8.0% of the participants in the high-dose group and in 4.4% of those in the standard-dose group, but no deaths from drug-induced liver injury occurred. Among persons with tuberculous meningitis, no evidence of beneficial effect from high-dose rifampin was observed, and the potential for a harmful effect cannot be ruled out. (Funded by the U.K. Medical Research Council and others; ISRCTN Registry number, ISRCTN15668391.).
5. Cardiovascular Outcomes with Tirzepatide versus Dulaglutide in Type 2 Diabetes.
期刊: The New England journal of medicine 发表日期: 2025-Dec-18 链接: PubMed
摘要
Tirzepatide, a dual incretin agonist of the glucagon-like peptide-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptors, has favorable effects on glycemic control and body weight. The effects on cardiovascular outcomes are uncertain. We conducted an active-comparator-controlled, double-blind, noninferiority trial in which patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive a weekly subcutaneous injection of tirzepatide (up to 15 mg) or dulaglutide (1.5 mg), an agent that has been shown to reduce the incidence of cardiovascular events. The primary end point was a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke and was tested for noninferiority of tirzepatide to dulaglutide with a margin of 1.05 for the upper limit of the 95.3% confidence interval for the hazard ratio. An upper limit of less than 1.00 was considered to indicate superiority of tirzepatide to dulaglutide. A total of 13,299 patients underwent randomization; 134 were subsequently excluded because they did not meet inclusion criteria. The modified intention-to-treat population thus included 6586 patients in the tirzepatide group and 6579 in the dulaglutide group. The mean (±SD) age of the patients was 64.1±8.8 years, 29.0% were women, the mean body-mass index (the weight in kilograms divided by the square of the height in meters) was 32.6±5.5, the mean glycated hemoglobin level was 8.4±0.9%, and the mean duration of diabetes was 14.7±8.8 years. A primary end-point event occurred in 801 patients (12.2%) in the tirzepatide group and 862 (13.1%) in the dulaglutide group (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95.3% confidence interval, 0.83 to 1.01; P = 0.003 for noninferiority; P = 0.09 for superiority). The incidence of adverse events appeared to be similar in the two groups, although more gastrointestinal adverse events were observed in the tirzepatide group. Among patients with type 2 diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, tirzepatide was noninferior to dulaglutide with respect to a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, myocardial infarction, or stroke. (Funded by Eli Lilly; SURPASS-CVOT ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT04255433.).
6. Statistics in Medicine - What's in an Estimand?
期刊: The New England journal of medicine 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
7. Community-Based BMI Screening for Overweight and Obesity in Adults Aged 35 Years and Older in Malaysia: Regression Discontinuity Analysis.
期刊: JMIR public health and surveillance 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for numerous chronic diseases, requiring effective prevention and intervention strategies. Community-based BMI screening may enhance awareness of weight status, but its effectiveness remains uncertain. This study aimed to rigorously evaluate the long-term causal effects of community-based BMI screening with a light-touch intervention in Malaysia using a regression discontinuity design (RDD). Using data from 2 waves (2013 and 2018) of a Malaysian population-based cohort study (N=6561), we applied a sharp RDD to estimate the causal effects of community-based BMI screening on health outcomes for individuals near the BMI threshold. Participants were aged 35 years or older and completed both follow-ups. The exposure was BMI screening with a light-touch intervention, including height and weight measurement, feedback on results, and referral card distribution. Main outcomes were BMI, blood pressure, and random blood glucose 5 years post intervention, along with health behaviors, health care use, and mental health status. BMI screening and intervention showed no significant impact on BMI after 5 years (0.4 kg/m², 95% CI -0.2 to 0.9, P=.16). Results remained robust after adjusting for covariates (eg, 0.4 kg/m², 95% CI -0.1 to 0.9 with age and sex; 0.5 kg/m², 95% CI -0.1 to 1.0 with demographic covariates) and modifying functional forms (0.4 kg/m², 95% CI -0.2 to 1.1 with quadratic specification). Robustness was also confirmed across different bandwidths, placebo tests, “donut” RDD, and when treating age as either a continuous or categorical variable. Interaction analysis revealed almost no substantial heterogeneity effects. Mechanism analysis and secondary outcomes indicated no significant effects on health behaviors (including smoking, physical activity, diet, and sedentary behavior), health care use (screening, diagnosis, and medication treatment of hypertension and diabetes), mental health outcomes (anxiety, depression, and stress levels), or cardiovascular risk factors (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, random blood glucose; eg, systolic blood pressure showed a nonsignificant change of 0.2, 95% CI -3.5 to 4.0 mm Hg). These findings should be interpreted cautiously, as this study was sufficiently powered to detect larger, clinically meaningful changes but may have lacked power to identify more modest effects. This study is the first to assess the causal effects of population-based BMI screening on long-term health outcomes in a Southeast Asian population. The findings suggest that merely informing individuals of their overweight or obese status and implementing light-touch interventions are insufficient to significantly reduce BMI or drive sustained behavior change. Nonetheless, the results do not exclude the possibility of short-term effects, and more frequent or sustained light-touch interventions may still be effective. Future studies should design more intensive interventions and include larger sample sizes.
8. Safety, Feasibility, and Patient Experience of Ten-Minute Pembrolizumab Infusions: A Prospective Cohort Study.
期刊: JCO oncology practice 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Rising cancer incidence and staff shortages demand more efficient outpatient oncology workflows. Pembrolizumab is conventionally administered over 30 minutes. This prospective study assessed the safety and patient experience of reducing pembrolizumab infusion duration to 10 minutes to enhance outpatient oncology workflow efficiency. In this prospective single-center study at a large Dutch teaching hospital, adults receiving pembrolizumab for any approved indication were eligible if they had no history of grade ≥2 infusion-related reactions (IRRs). After two standard 30-minute infusions without IRRs, durations were reduced to 15 and subsequently 10 minutes. Vital signs were monitored pre- and post-infusion. Adverse events were graded per Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v5.0. Pembrolizumab trough levels and patient-reported experience measures were collected. The primary end point was the incidence of grade ≥2 IRRs during shortened infusions, with safety predefined as <10%. Of 97 enrolled patients, 78 completed the protocol; discontinuation mainly resulted from disease progression or unrelated adverse events. One patient (1.1% [95% CI, 0.0 to 6.1]) experienced a grade 2 IRR during shortened infusions; no grade ≥3 IRRs occurred. Most patients reported high satisfaction, and over 150 hours of outpatient infusion unit capacity were saved. Ten-minute pembrolizumab infusions are safe and well tolerated and enhance both patient satisfaction and outpatient efficiency.
9. An Exploratory Typology of Tobacco-Related Misleading Content on Social Media: Qualitative Analysis of Instagram and TikTok.
期刊: Journal of medical Internet research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Tobacco-related misinformation on social media platforms presents growing challenges to digital health communication and public health. Although prior studies have focused on platform-specific patterns, a unified framework for categorizing and comparing misinformation across platforms is lacking. Such a framework is essential for improving infodemiological surveillance and designing targeted digital interventions. This study was an exploratory analysis aimed to build a cross-platform typology to categorize tobacco-related misinformation. Data from Instagram and TikTok between January 2020 and August 2023 were collected using a third-party data collection platform (CrowdTangle) and the TikTok Research application programming interface (API). We reviewed a total of 4850 Instagram posts using a combination of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and human validation by two independent reviewers. In addition, 719 TikTok videos were reviewed manually using qualitative analysis. We iteratively developed and refined the exploratory typology informed by the literature integrating our prior analysis of Twitter data and these new datasets. Of the 22 (71%) Instagram posts and 9 (29%) TikTok videos we analyzed closely to classify misinformation, 2 (6.5%) were about cigarettes, 22 (71%) were about electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), 1 (3.2%) was about heated tobacco products (HTPs), 2 (6.5%) were about nicotine (not mentioning specific products), and 3 (9.7%) were about cannabidiol (CBD) products. 1 (3.2%) post did not mention any type of products. These categories could overlap in a single post. The resulting typology consisted of five core narrative archetypes: false or misleading health claims (A1), wellness and lifestyle appeal (A2), conspiracy-driven policy agenda (A3), undermining trust in science and medicine (A4), and recreational nicotine use normalization (A5). Each archetype has attributes of false claim types and sources. Among the posts we analyzed, A1 and A2 were most likely to be found on Instagram. A3 was most frequently found on Twitter. A4 was commonly seen on both Twitter and TikTok, and A5 was most frequently found on TikTok. Two additional dimensions-type of falsehood and source-were also added to characterize a given misinformation post. This exploratory typology paved the way for a structured lens to view how misinformation is tailored to digital environments and target audiences. This cross-platform typology building supports digital health research by integrating AI and qualitative methods to categorize tobacco-related misinformation. It can inform the development of automated misinformation detection models, enhance real-time infodemiological monitoring, and guide digital public health campaigns to build tailored countermessaging.
10. The 25th Anniversary of a Nearly Unknown Health Policy Turning Point.
期刊: The New England journal of medicine 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
11. Pediatric studies and labeling additions required by the U.S. FDA for novel drugs approved from 2011 to 2023: A retrospective cohort study.
期刊: PLoS medicine 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to require that sponsors conduct pediatric studies for certain new drugs under the Pediatric Research Equity Act (PREA). Here, we evaluate the characteristics and completion of these studies and assess the addition of pediatric-specific evidence generated from these studies into drug labeling. We performed a retrospective cohort study of all novel drugs approved by the FDA from 2011 to 2023 with at least one pediatric study requirement issued under PREA. Study status and outcomes were followed through 31 December 2024. We assessed completion of pediatric studies; addition of pediatric prescribing information to drug labels; and deviations from FDA-projected timelines. Of 552 novel drugs approved by the FDA between 2011 and 2023, 179 (32.4%) were subject to pediatric study requirements under PREA. Thirteen were later discontinued, resulting in a final cohort of 166 drugs and 338 pediatric study requirements. About half (51.8%) of the studies assessed efficacy. Among 222 studies with due dates by 31 December 2024, only 24.3% were completed by the original deadline. Over half (56.8%) received extensions of original timelines, by an average of 2.9 years (SD 2.0). At 10 years after drug approval, while 92.0% of studies were expected to have been completed, 59.5% had been completed. Of the 117 drugs with studies due by 31 December 2024, 54.7% (n = 64) had pediatric labeling updated with results from required studies. The mean time to addition of pediatric approval was 5.6 years (SD 2.7), whereas labeling additions reflecting lack of pediatric safety or benefit took an average of 8.3 years (SD 3.3) (p < 0.001). While 90.4% of drugs were expected to have all pediatric studies completed by 10 years, only 52.8% had any labeling changes reflecting data from the PREA-mandated studies. A limitation of this study is that publicly available FDA data provide limited detail on study design, execution, and reasons for delays, preventing assessment of study rigor and the factors contributing to delayed completion. PREA was implemented to advance pediatric drug research and fill a critical gap in pediatric labeling of new drugs. However, our findings reveal frequent delays in study completion and labeling updates, with just over half of labeling additions completed 10 years after drug approval. Strengthening reporting requirements and expanding the FDA’s enforcement authority are essential to ensuring that children receive timely access to safe and effective therapies supported by high-quality evidence.
12. Exercise in Medicine: Challenges and Opportunities Integrating Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEPs) into Canadian Healthcare.
期刊: Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Despite growing evidence on the role of physical activity in preventing and managing chronic disease, integration of Qualified Exercise Professionals (QEPs) into the Canadian healthcare system remains limited and inconsistent. We explore the systemic and professional challenges hindering QEP integration, based on findings from a national initiative led by Exercise is Medicine Canada (EIMC). Consultation occurred with numerous stakeholders across Canada and ten leaders in health and exercise professions were interviewed. Using thematic analysis, four key barriers were identified: (1) overlapping and unclear scopes of practice; (2) insufficient clinical training and experiential education; (3) limited public and provider understanding of QEP roles; and (4) a reactive healthcare system that undervalues prevention. Participants emphasized the need for standardized, competency-based education and credentialling pathways aligned with clinical expectations, as well as improved communication of the distinct value QEPs offer in chronic disease management and health promotion. These findings highlight opportunities for coordinated action among academic institutions, professional bodies, and healthcare policymakers to advance the integration of QEPs and better support physical activity and exercise as a cornerstone of healthcare.
13. Tailored Weight Loss Programs for Adults With Serious Mental Illness: A Randomized Clinical Trial.
期刊: JAMA psychiatry 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) experience a higher prevalence of obesity than the general veteran population; weight loss programs are needed that are tailored to this population. To evaluate a weight loss program, CoachToFit (CTF), which includes weekly calls from a Veteran Health Administration peer specialist, a Bluetooth-enabled scale and fitness tracker, and a smartphone application that provides health education and tracks steps, goals, and weight. This randomized clinical trial was conducted within the Pittsburgh Veteran Affairs health care system and presents pre-post (6 months) analysis comparing CTF and usual care. Veterans with body mass index (BMI, calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) of 30 or higher and diagnosis of major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, or schizophrenia were eligible for inclusion. Exclusion criteria included history of bariatric surgery or recent psychiatric hospitalization. The study was conducted from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2025, and data analysis was conducted from January to October 2025. Random assignment to CTF. The primary outcomes were weight (in kg), BMI, and cardiorespiratory fitness (meters walked in 6 minutes). Among the sample (n = 256), mean (SD) age was 53.5 (13.1) years, 80 participants (31.3%) were female, and 199 (77.7%) were diagnosed with major depressive disorder. Mean (SD) weight loss at 6 months was -3.2 (6.2) kg in the CTF group (n = 128) compared to -1.6 (4.9) kg in the usual care group (P = .05). After adjustment, participants in CTF experienced greater, nonsignificant weight loss compared to usual care, with an adjusted mean difference (AMD) of -1.62 kg (95% CI, -3.38 to 0.14; P = .07). For BMI, the AMD in change between groups at 6 months was -0.56 (95% CI, -1.15 to 0.03; P = .06). Change in meters walked was not statistically significant between groups, with an AMD of 3.53 m (95% CI, -12.87 to 19.92; P = .67). At 6 months, 34 participants (36.6%) from the CTF group lost 5% or more of their body weight compared to 19 (22.4%) in usual care, representing a 1.93-fold greater likelihood in adjusted analyses (95% CI, 0.96-3.91; P = .07). More participants in CTF (n = 21 [22.6%]) lost 7% or more of their body weight compared to usual care (n = 7 [8.2%]), representing a 3.9-fold greater likelihood in adjusted analyses (95% CI, 1.45-10.36; P = .007). In this randomized clinical trial, a weight loss program tailored to veterans with SMI using remote technologies and paraprofessionals demonstrated the potential to help this population lose weight. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04560335.
14. Comment on "Asian-Pacific consensus on small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in gastrointestinal disorders: An initiative of the Indian Neurogastroenterology and Motility Association".
期刊: Indian journal of gastroenterology : official journal of the Indian Society of Gastroenterology 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
15. Overcoming barriers in CAR-NK immunotherapy: CRISPR-Driven advances in checkpoint editing and allogeneic design.
期刊: Functional & integrative genomics 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
16. Insights into dietary supplements as popular product supporting the diet.
期刊: Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s archives of pharmacology 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Changing lifestyles and the rising incidence of lifestyle diseases are causing people to increasingly turn to dietary supplements, often perceived as therapeutic measures aimed at maintaining or improving health. Although supplements cannot be marketed for the treatment or prevention of disease, many people assume they will improve health, alleviate the course of illness, or, for example, delay the aging process. Unfortunately, this is not true. Furthermore, people around the world often choose to treat illnesses with supplements instead of consulting with specialists and undergoing appropriate treatment. Information on supplement safety and some common interactions with drugs and food was gathered based on an analysis of numerous websites, databases, and publications. This analysis presents statistical data, current legal regulations, the advantages and disadvantages of supplementation, and highlights the importance of supplement control. It turns out that manufacturers are generally exempt from conducting costly and lengthy clinical trials by classifying their products as dietary supplements. This misinformation prevents consumers from making informed decisions about their use. Educating the public about the safety, benefits, and risks of dietary supplements is crucial. These topics should serve as a starting point for a broader discussion about the need for quality control and access to safe dietary supplements. Raising public awareness of healthcare in its broadest sense is crucial.
17. AFoCo: Ambiguous Focus and Correction for Semi-Supervised Medical Image Segmentation.
期刊: IEEE transactions on neural networks and learning systems 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Segmenting medical images accurately is crucial for disease prevention and treatment. Despite the significant progress of deep learning techniques in semi-supervised segmentation, they still face the inability to effectively identify and utilize ambiguous regions with high predictive volatility in practical applications. Considering that ambiguous regions in unlabeled data contain more informative complementary cues, this article proposes an innovative ambiguous focusing and correction (AFoCo) framework. AFoCo consists of two parallel and complementary networks: the ambiguous focus and the ambiguous correction network. The ambiguous focus network combines historical change prediction and instantaneous information entropy to compute ambiguity indices and accurately capture ambiguous regions. Meanwhile, the ambiguous correction network utilizes the identified deterministic information to redistribute the pixel labels of the ambiguous region through the weight-weighted similarity strategy, thus effectively alleviating prediction volatility in ambiguous areas. Furthermore, we propose a task-aware asymmetric cross-supervision constraint, which assigns differentiated cross-pseudo supervision signals based on the task-specific characteristics of the two networks. By leveraging a consistency constraint, it enhances global prediction stability, ensuring precise ambiguous region focusing and high-quality feature rectification. The experimental results show that AFoCo performs better than other SOTA techniques on four medical image datasets, significantly improving the segmentation accuracy and effectively reducing the proportion of ambiguous regions.
18. Functional Nucleic Acids for Cell-Cell Interactions.
期刊: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Cell-cell interactions play an important role in maintaining tissue homeostasis and regulating physiological processes, involving direct contact, signal molecule transmission, vesicle-mediated communication, and other modes. A profound understanding and precise regulation of cell-cell interactions can help reveal cellular function mechanisms, guide tissue engineering, and promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies. In recent years, functional nucleic acids (FNAs) have become important tools for analyzing and regulating cell-cell interactions, owing to their excellent biocompatibility, structural programmability, and dynamic responsiveness. This review summarizes the progress of FNAs in cell-cell interactions, systematically sorts regulatory strategies of cell-cell interaction based on DNA hybridization, molecular recognition, scaffold construction, and response to environmental stimuli, and highlights their applications in cellular immunotherapy, cellular force monitoring, reconstruction of 3D tissue models in vitro, and cell-cell communication. Finally, current challenges and future development directions are discussed, aiming to provide new perspectives for advancing the application of FNAs in cell-cell interactions and precision medicine.
19. Highly Selective Photocatalytic Degradation of Organic Pollutants by ZnO@C Core-Shell Nanoparticles Via Superoxide Radical Pathway.
期刊: Small (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany) 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Rapid industrialization and unlimited human activities have led to severe environmental challenges, particularly water contamination by persistent organic pollutants, posing serious risks to ecosystems and human health. Photocatalytic technology offers a sustainable remediation for pollutant degradation using solar energy. In this study, ultrathin carbon-encapsulated ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO@C are employed, as an efficient photocatalyst, using methylene blue and methyl orange as model pollutants. The carbon has a favorable band alignment with ZnO for efficient charge transfer. In fact, the optical absorption studies and finite-difference time-domain simulations establish an enhanced absorption and light-matter interaction upon thin uniform carbon encapsulation. Photoluminescence quenching (≈80%) indicates reduced electron-hole recombination, facilitated by defect-induced charge transfer from ZnO to carbon. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements identify superoxide radicals (O2•-) as the dominant reactive species, driving a selective radical-mediated degradation pathway. Compared to pristine ZnO, the ZnO@C system exhibits over 60% higher degradation efficiency. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses elucidate the sequential degradation pathway driven by O2•-. The ZnO@C demonstrates excellent photostability and reusability across multiple cycles, with a sixfold increase in kinetic rate constants over pristine ZnO. These improvements highlight the potential of ZnO@C core@shell nanostructures for sustainable environmental remediation.
20. Working through cancer: Economic precarity and the social meaning of survival for parent-survivors in the United States.
期刊: Medical anthropology quarterly 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
While US cancer survival rates have improved in recent years, the rising incidence of early-onset cancers means cancer is shifting younger, imposing new generational challenges for survivors and their families. This article explores the experience of a cancer diagnosis during one’s re/productive years by analyzing how parents with dependent children maintain a future amid heightened economic precarity (e.g., loss of stable employment, downward mobility, and a degraded public sphere). By linking physical survival with the social conditions necessary for post-treatment quality of life, we develop a more collectivistic notion of survivorship, where parent-survivors’ efforts to stay employed during treatment serve as an extension of family caregiving in austere times. Reflecting on how the lead authors’ own experience of work and cancer emerged in interviews with 12 parent-survivors, we intervene on traditional team science methods, making space for the autoethnographic voices that underlie interpretations of illness.
21. Hyperbranched vs Linear Poly(β-amino ester)s: Polymer Topology and End-Group Hydrophilicity Govern Degradation Kinetics, Transfection Efficiency, and Biocompatibility.
期刊: Biomacromolecules 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Poly(β-amino ester)s (PBAEs) are widely employed as nonviral vectors due to their facile synthesis, biodegradability, and strong transfection performance. However, their degradation behaviors and delivery efficiencies vary substantially with structural features. This study compared hyperbranched and linear PBAEs with different end-capping groups to investigate how polymer structure influences biodegradation and gene delivery. Experimental results indicated that hyperbranched PBAEs (HPAEs) exhibited slower degradation kinetics than their linear analogues (LPAEs). HPAE/DNA nanoparticles maintained stronger DNA retention and achieved higher initial transfection, whereas the more rapidly degrading LPAEs released DNA earlier, resulting in a sustained yet lower expression profile. All PBAEs underwent complete degradation within 24 h. Both architectures were noncytotoxic in vitro, and HPAEs further exhibited negligible systemic toxicity in vivo, confirming their favorable biocompatibility. Together, these findings delineate a clearer relationship between polymer structure, stability, and delivery efficiency in HPAE/LPAE systems, thereby informing the design of next-generation PBAE vectors.
22. Occupational health interventions' impact on absenteeism and economic returns: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
期刊: Scandinavian journal of work, environment & health 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Health-related productivity losses impose a significant burden on health systems and economies. Occupational health interventions (OHI) are increasingly promoted as preventive strategies to reduce work-related illness and enhance productivity. However, their effectiveness often remains unclear, creating a lack of guidance to those deciding on their implementation. The aim of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of OHI in reducing sickness absenteeism and generating economic returns, focusing on mental health, physical health, and workplace atmosphere interventions (eg, work climate enhancement, leadership training). A systematic literature search following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020 guideline was conducted throughout December 2024. Risk of bias was assessed with Joanna Briggs Institute checklists. A random-effects meta-analysis synthesized OHI effects on sick days and return on investment (ROI). Of 2624 identified studies, 68 across eight industries met eligibility criteria. From these, 23 were included in the meta-analysis: 11 reporting on sick days, and 12 on ROI. OHI were associated with a non-significant reduction in absenteeism [-0.18 days; 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.80-2.43; P=0.890] and a tendency of positive ROI (1.92; 95% CI -0.34-4.17; P=0.096), albeit with statistical uncertainty. We only found effect of OHI on ROI, however, absence effects on sick days do not necessarily imply a lack of effectiveness. We hypothesize that ROI benefits reflect improvements in presenteeism, although not directly measured. Overall, this review guides OHI selection and implementation, urges standardized evaluation, and prioritizes research on presenteeism measurement, non-OECD settings, and qualitative success factors.
23. Staff Perspectives on the Meaning of Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Care and its Implementation in Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) Services in Victoria.
期刊: Community mental health journal 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Recovery orientation is a vital feature of contemporary mental health models of care such as Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) services. Despite the importance of PARC services in providing a recovery-oriented alternative to a stay in hospital for mental health consumers in Victoria, Australia, there are limited studies exploring the views of staff about these services. This study was part of a larger body of work that investigated the appropriateness, effectiveness and efficiency of PARC services across Victoria. As part of the qualitative component of this mixed-methods study, the aim for this project was to explore the perceptions of staff around the meaning of recovery-oriented care and how it is implemented through PARC services. We conducted 20 semi-structured interviews with multidisciplinary staff who worked in 19 PARC services across Victoria. A reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken guided by Braun and Clarke’s approach. Participants’ responses were organised around themes related to staff interpretations of the meaning and implementation of recovery-oriented mental health care within the context of PARC services. Recovery-oriented care was framed by staff as non-clinical, non-linear, subjective, person-centred, about seeking meaning and fulfilment, identity building and being holistic. Staff described the role of PARC services in contributing to recovery through providing structure and routine, offering opportunities to build relationships, develop skills and offer choice and autonomy.
24. Thyroid Function Effects of Mixed Exposure to Urinary Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acids: Based on an Integrated Framework of Exposure Assessment, Qualitative Association, and Quantitative Attribution.
期刊: Environmental science & technology 发表日期: 2025-Dec-17 链接: PubMed
摘要
Toxicological studies have demonstrated that disinfection byproducts (DBPs) can disrupt thyroid function; however, human epidemiological evidence remains limited. The existing studies focus on a limited number of compounds and lack detailed investigation of mixed exposure effects. To address these gaps, we developed a three-tier analytical approach that includes exposure assessment, qualitative association, and quantitative attribution. A total of 435 community-dwelling adults in Shanghai, China, were enrolled, and urinary concentrations of 16 DBPs, including halomethanes (HMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs), and five serum thyroid function indicators were measured. We detected HAAs at higher concentrations than HMs and chlorinated DBPs, generally exceeding brominated and iodinated species. Key DBP exposure risk factors include age, occupation, education, indoor time, occupational water contact, income, body mass index, and sex. Both individual and mixture-based DBP exposures were significantly associated with thyroid hormone indicators (triiodothyronine and free thyroxine) and immune-related markers (thyroglobulin antibody and thyroid peroxidase antibody). HAAs contributed more to thyroid disruption, with trichloroacetic acid identified as a compound of particular concern. This study offers the first systematic assessment of HAA and HM mixture effects on thyroid function indicators and provides an analytical framework for evaluating the health impacts of pollutant mixture exposures.
25. Lost in Transition: Long-term Follow-up in Traumatic Brain Injury Patients.
期刊: The Journal of surgical research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-16 链接: PubMed
摘要
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant public health problem with patients frequently suffering long-term neurologic, psychiatric, and cognitive symptoms. Systematic outpatient follow-up after hospital discharge is critical for identifying residual deficits and improving functional outcomes. We hypothesize that the majority of TBI patients do not engage in routine outpatient follow-up after their index admission and may not receive ancillary services necessary for long-term recovery. We conducted a retrospective, single-center analysis of all admitted TBI patients between January 2022 and January 2024. Patients with radiographically confirmed TBI who were expected to survive to follow-up were included. Chart reviews determined post discharge appointments and referrals to ancillary services, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and neurocognitive testing. Among 1142 TBI patients, 605 (53%) returned for outpatient follow-up. Of those, 543 (89.8%) patients were seen in neurosurgery clinic, primarily for repeat imaging and/or post surgical care. Clinic documentation rarely discussed quality of life, cognitive deficits, or behavioral changes, and ancillary referrals were infrequent (<2%). In multivariate analysis, discharge to a nonrehabilitative facility (odds ratio (OR): 0.541, P < 0.001) and uninsured status (OR 0.591, P = 0.016) were independently associated with decreased likelihood of follow-up. Higher Abbreviated Injury Scale Head scores (OR 1.446, P < 0.001) and decompressive craniectomy (OR 2.867, P = 0.003) were associated with increased likelihood of follow-up. Nearly half of TBI patients did not receive outpatient follow-up after discharge, and utilization of ancillary services was low, revealing significant gaps in post acute care. Targeted strategies to improve post discharge follow-up are essential to support long-term recovery in this vulnerable population.
26. Radiological and non-radiological analysis of marine sediment near a nuclear power plant.
期刊: Marine pollution bulletin 发表日期: 2025-Dec-16 链接: PubMed
摘要
This study examines the interplay between radiological and microbial factors in marine sediment ecosystems near nuclear power plants, using gamma spectrometry to quantify activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in conjunction with ecological microbial assessments. The findings reveal significant radionuclides highlighting the need for regular monitoring to mitigate ecological and public health risks. Bacterial communities, such as Bacillus sphaericus, Pseudomonas and Streptomyces, play a crucial role in radionuclide sequestration and bioremediation; notably, Streptomyces produces extracellular polymeric substances that enhance uranium adsorption. In contrast, radionuclides adversely affect microbial viability and ecological interactions, challenging sustained bioremediation efforts. In addition, these bacterial communities serve as biosensors, reflecting the ecological health of contaminated environments. The study underscores the dual role of radionuclides as both contaminants and modulators of microbial activity, providing valuable information to develop robust monitoring frameworks and sustainable mitigation strategies to preserve biodiversity in radiologically impacted coastal ecosystems.
27. Corrigendum to "Pro-dopaminergic pharmacological interventions for anhedonia in depression: a living systematic review and network meta-analysis of human and animal studies", EBioMedicine. 2025 Nov;121:105967. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105967.
期刊: EBioMedicine 发表日期: 2025-Dec-16 链接: PubMed
摘要
28. Combining cell-free DNA fragmentomes and total tumour volume improves prognostication and tumour response evaluation in patients with colorectal cancer liver metastases.
期刊: EBioMedicine 发表日期: 2025-Dec-16 链接: PubMed
摘要
Treatment decisions in patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLM) are largely guided by radiological response to induction systemic therapy. However, radiological assessment alone provides an imprecise estimate of underlying tumour biology or treatment response. Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) is an emerging biomarker that can support clinical decision-making. This study evaluated the independent prognostic value of radiological tumour burden and DELFI-TF, a tumour tissue- and mutation-independent cell-free DNA (cfDNA) fragmentome-based ctDNA assay. We analysed 202 plasma samples and CT scans collected at baseline and following induction systemic therapy from 101 patients with unresectable, liver-limited CRC enrolled in the phase-III CAIRO5 trial (NCT02162563), treated with FOLFOX/FOLFIRI plus bevacizumab. Total tumour volume (TTV) was centrally quantified via semi-automated segmentation of liver metastases. ctDNA was measured using the DELFI-TF score. Associations with overall survival (OS) and early recurrence were evaluated using multivariable Cox regression models. At baseline, TTV (median = 139 mL, IQR = 23-497 mL) strongly correlated with DELFI-TF (median = 0.29, IQR = 0.13-0.41; Spearman’s ρ = 0.70). DELFI-TF showed a more pronounced reduction than TTV on-treatment (-97.6% vs -49.9%). Baseline levels and on-treatment changes of DELFI-TF (P = 0.001; P = 0.012) and TTV (P = 0.002; P = 0.002) were independently associated with OS in the multivariable model; their combination improved prognostic performance (Uno’s C-statistic 0.78 vs 0.73; P = 0.036). Baseline (P = 0.016) and on-treatment DELFI-TF (P = 0.001) also predicted early recurrence after local therapy. Following further validation, integrating cfDNA fragmentome-based testing with radiological tumour volume may provide complementary and clinically meaningful insights for prognostication and treatment response in patients with unresectable CRLM. This exploratory study supports a multimodal biomarker approach to guide personalised treatment strategies. German Research Foundation (DFG, 513004649), Heidelberg Medical Faculty, Dutch Cancer Society/KWF Kankerbestrijding (10438), PPP Allowance via Health ∼ Holland (LSHM22027), Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation, Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C)in-Time Lung Cancer Interception Dream Team Grant, SU2C-Dutch Cancer Society International Translational Cancer Research Dream Team Grant (SU2C-AACR-DT1415), Gray Foundation, Commonwealth Foundation, Cole Foundation, Delfi Diagnostics (research grant), US National Institutes of Health (CA121113, CA233259, CA271896).
29. Clinical Outcomes of Lobectomy for Papillary Thyroid Cancer Patients With Intermediate-Risk Features.
期刊: The Journal of surgical research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-16 链接: PubMed
摘要
Lobectomy (LT) is not generally recommended for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) patients with intermediate-risk features, although there is no high-level evidence showing that this approach is inferior. This study aimed to examine the association between the extent of thyroidectomy and the outcomes of intermediate-risk PTC patients. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database data (2004-2020), 8543 intermediate-risk PTC patients were stratified into LT and total thyroidectomy (TT) groups. Propensity score matching generated 1557 matched pairs. Cancer-specific survival (CSS) was analyzed via Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression. No significant CSS difference emerged between LT and TT in original (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.82-3.74, P = 0.144) or propensity score matching cohorts. Subgroup analyses confirmed comparable CSS for patients aged ≥55 y (HR = 1.55, 95% CI = 0.64-3.78, P = 0.327), tumors >40 mm (HR = 5.24, 95% CI = 0.69-39.87, P = 0.074), and lymph node metastasis (HR = 1.15, 95% CI = 0.42-3.09, P = 0.788). TT was not associated with a CSS advantage for PTC patients with intermediate-risk features.
30. A genome- and phenome-wide association study of plasma procalcitonin concentrations in individuals of European ancestry.
期刊: EBioMedicine 发表日期: 2025-Dec-16 链接: PubMed
摘要
Procalcitonin (PCT) is a biomarker used to differentiate between viral and bacterial infections, though the underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood. This study aimed to identify genetic variants associated with plasma PCT concentrations and explore the associations of genetically predicted PCT with a wide range of disease related traits in a PheWAS. We conducted GWAS and meta-analysis using data from the MDCS (n = 4007), MPP (n = 5097), and PREVEND (n = 3344) cohorts. We used fine-mapping to prioritise likely causal variants and explored regulatory effects using eQTL data, summary-data-based Mendelian randomisation (SMR) and colocalisation. To validate the PCT findings, we conducted multi-trait analysis of GWAS (MTAG) combining our results with CALCA data from a large pQTL study. The polygenic risk score (PRS) for PCT was calculated in the UK Biobank (n = 457,418) based on the GWAS summary data, and associations between the PRS and 179 traits were assessed in a PheWAS. We identified four independent significant SNPs in three loci associated with plasma PCT: CALCB (rs7119706, rs10832337), PBX4 (rs17217098), and PRDM15 (rs7277773). Fine-mapping prioritised 18 likely causal variants, including rs7119706 (near CALCB) and rs16930609 (mapped to CYP2R1) at the chromosome 11 locus. Our eQTL lookup identified significant results for 13 genes, but SMR and colocalisation analyses did not support their potentially causal effects on plasma PCT. The MTAG identified 28 additional significant SNPs across 14 loci. The PheWAS results revealed that PRS was associated with calcium metabolism-related traits, including calcium concentrations (p = 7.0 × 10-5), vitamin D concentrations (p = 2.0 × 10-219), and bone fractures (p = 6.5 × 10-4); metabolic traits, cardiovascular, renal, and liver function-related traits, and inflammation and immune-related traits. Our findings suggest that genetically predicted PCT is associated with multiple pathways including calcium metabolism and immune function, and has potential clinical implications for bone health, kidney function, and type 2 diabetes. China Scholarship Council (File no. 202006210041 to WZ and 201906010319 to SW, respectively).
31. Contamination of microplastics and heavy metals in the antique ark Anadara antiquata (Linnaeus, 1758) from the East Java coast of Indonesia: bioaccumulation and potential health risk assessment.
期刊: Marine pollution bulletin 发表日期: 2025-Dec-16 链接: PubMed
摘要
In this study, the contamination of microplastics (MP) and heavy metals in the antique ark, Anadara antiquata, residing in the intertidal zones of the East Java coast, was assessed, including potential implications for human health. The findings indicated that the concentration of MP in the tissue of A. antiquata at the Lumajang station was the lowest, while the MP levels in the tissue at the Gresik, Sidoarjo, and Probolinggo stations were comparable. The MP found in the tissues of the antique ark were primarily composed of black fragments <100 μm. In contrast, the black MP fibers found were mainly in 100 - <5000 μm. Six types of polymers were identified in antique ark tissues: polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. All four study locations demonstrated hazard levels categorized as III (high). Heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr, Cu, and Zn) found in antique ark tissues are below the permissible upper limits set by international organizations. Cr levels in antique ark tissues surpassed the provisional tolerable weekly intake, while other heavy metals remain within acceptable limits. The target hazard quotient and hazard index values for Pb, Cd, Hg, Cr, Cu, and Zn in the tissues of the antique arks were < 1. This suggests that neither individual heavy metals nor their combined presence present a significant non-carcinogenic health risk to humans. The target cancer risk value for lead (Pb) is within acceptable limits; however, the TCR for Cr exceeds 0.001, indicating a potentially unacceptable carcinogenic risk.
32. New spectral indices for identifying large plastic accumulations in coastal waters with sentinel-2 imagery.
期刊: Marine pollution bulletin 发表日期: 2025-Dec-16 链接: PubMed
摘要
Plastic pollution in aquatic environments has become a growing global concern, with floating macroplastics posing serious ecological, economic, and health risks from inland water bodies to remote coastal zones. Despite advances in satellite remote sensing, reliable and scalable detection of floating plastics remains limited by spectral confusion and the lack of optimized indices tailored for this purpose. In this study, we address this gap by developing two novel spectral indices, Index-1 and Index-5, specifically designed to enhance the spectral separability of macroplastics from natural floating materials such as driftwood and aquatic vegetation in Sentinel-2 imagery. These indices were derived from hyperspectral reflectance measurements of water, wood, and plastic samples and selected from six candidate band combinations with the strongest spectral contrast. Integrated into Random Forest classifiers and evaluated using the Sentinel-2-based Marine Debris Archive (MARIDA) dataset, the inclusion of Index-1 improved the F1 score for plastic detection from 0.7952 ± 0.0119 to 0.7987 ± 0.0170, Index-5 to 0.8166 ± 0.0063, and the combined indices to 0.8211 ± 0.0047. Independent validation using the Plastic Litter Projects (PLP) 2021 testing dataset confirmed these improvements, with higher F1 means for models including Index-5 compared to that of RF1. These results underscore the effectiveness and generalizability of the proposed indices across diverse coastal environments. By enabling more accurate and timely identification of plastic accumulation zones, this work supports targeted cleanup efforts and ecological risk assessment, providing a scalable tool that contributes directly to global environmental monitoring and mitigation of plastic pollution.
33. Potential Effect of Trigonella Microgreens on Functional Parameters of HUVEC Cells in vitro.
期刊: Physiological research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
The growing popularity of microgreens is due to several health-promoting effects. Current evidence suggests a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, or anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. However, in vitro studies investigating cellular changes and molecular mechanisms are limited. Therefore, the use of various cell lines is required for a better understanding of microgreens’ effects. In this study, the effect of Trigonella-foenum graecum L. microgreens (10 300 µg/mL) extract on morphological and functional changes in HUVEC cells were investigated. Basic cellular parameters such as mitochondrial activity (MTT assay), cell membrane integrity (CFDA-AM assay), and lysosomal activity (NR uptake) were evaluated after 24 h exposure to experimental ethanolic extract. In addition, the release of cytokine IL-6 was measured. Results revealed significant changes (p<0.05; p<0.01) in mitochondrial activity, followed by no defect in cell membrane integrity and non-significant changes in lysosomal activity of HUVEC cells. At the same time, some experimental doses of Trigonella slightly modulate IL-6 release, but showed no significant changes after 24 h exposure. Overall, our pilot study suggests the potential of Trigonella microgreens to modulate mitochondrial activity of HUVEC cells, without significant changes in cell membrane integrity, lysosomal activity, or IL-6 release. Key words Trigonella-foenum graecum L. “ Microgreens “ Cytokines “ HUVEC cells.
34. Phase Angle in Bioelectrical Impedance: New Perspectives in Health and Body Composition Assessment.
期刊: Physiological research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
The aim of this observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study was to analyze the relationship between phase angle (PhA), determined by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and body composition parameters in healthy adult individuals. The study included 265 participants (122 women and 143 men) aged 18-77 years, examined at a nutritional outpatient clinic in Prague between April 2022 and December 2023. Segmental multi-frequency BIA was performed using the Tanita MC-780 MA analyzer with eight electrodes and frequencies of 5 kHz, 50 kHz, and 250 kHz. The mean PhA values were significantly higher in men than in women (6.29° vs. 5.57°; p < 0.001). A strong negative correlation between the extracellular water-to-total body water ratio (ECW/TBW) and PhA was observed in men (r = 0.78; p < 0.001), whereas in women, the correlation was moderate (r = -0.33; p < 0.001). Conversely, a strong positive correlation was observed between PhA and intracellular water (ICW) volume in women (r = 0.71; p < 0.001), while in men this association was weaker (r = 0.17; p < 0.05). The data indicate that PhA is significantly correlated with body fluid distribution and body composition. The key determinants differ by sex-fat mass, particularly visceral fat, plays a predominant role in men, while in women, muscle mass appears to be the dominant factor. PhA thus emerges as a valid, non-invasive marker of body composition, sensitive to changes in internal milieu, with potential clinical applications for assessing nutritional status and the patient’s physiological condition. Keywords Bioelectrical impedance analysis “ Phase angle “ Body composition “ Sex characteristics “ Body water distribution.
35. Relationship Between Breakfast Skipping and Body Composition, Nutritional Status or Chronotype in Female University Students With Normal Body Weight.
期刊: Physiological research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
Breakfast, the first meal of the day, plays a critical role in energy balance and dietary regulation. Although normal weight-obesity (NW-O) is considered a body composition problem among female university students, whether breakfast skipping is associated with NW-O remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between breakfast skipping and body composition, nutritional status, and chronotype in female university students with normal body mass index (BMI). Two hundred Japanese university students were divided into two groups: those who rarely ate breakfast (SKIP) and those who ate breakfast almost daily (TAKE). Body composition such as percentage of body fat (%BF), fat-free mass (FFM) and appendicular muscle mass (AMM), chronotype (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire; MEQ), dietary intake, and physical activity level (PAL) were compared between the two groups. Our results showed that PAL was not significantly different between the two groups. Although body weight and BMI were not significantly different between the two groups, %BF was significantly higher and FFM was significantly lower in the SKIP group than in the TAKE group. The SKIP group had a significantly higher proportion of body fat of >30 % (55.8 %) than the TAKE group (34.1 %). Although the total energy intake was not significantly different between the two groups, the percentage of fat intake was significantly higher in the SKIP group. The multiple regression analyses of all participants showed that %BF and AMM were negatively and positively associated with PAL and breakfast consumption frequency, respectively. The SKIP group had a significantly lower MEQ score and a significantly higher number of evening types (41.9 %) than the TAKE group (23.5 %). These results suggest that the habit of breakfast consumption and chronotype-specific lifestyle interventions are necessary to prevent NW-O. Keywords Breakfast “ Normal weight obesity “ Body fat “ Muscle mass “ Energy intake “ Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire.
36. Predictive Value of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels in the Onset and Glycemic Control of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus.
期刊: Physiological research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
This study aimed to evaluate the predictive value of serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) levels in relation to the onset and glycemic control of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This retrospective study analyzed clinical data of pregnant women who received routine prenatal care and were hospitalized at the Second People’s Hospital of Hefei between January 2023 and January 2025. The study included 200 pregnant women diagnosed with GDM (study group) and 200 gestational age-matched pregnant women with normoglycemia (control group), selected through random sampling. Within the study group, 146 participants exhibited standard glycemic control (Y1 group), while 54 participants exhibited non-standard glycemic control (Y2 group) during hospitalization in the third trimester. Significant differences in serum 25(OH)D levels were observed between the control and study groups across all trimesters (53.82 ± 9.43), (56.73 ± 11.28), (49.65 ± 10.65) nmol/L, and (45.87 ± 8.45), (44.42 ± 10.04), (46.63 ± 9.87) nmol/L (p < 0.05). In the second trimester, serum 25(OH)D levels were negatively correlated with the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) values in the study group (p < 0.05). Comparison of the 25(OH)D levels in the third trimester between the Y1 group (48.95 ± 9.46) and the Y2 group (42.75 ± 10.23) nmol/L indicated that there was no significant statistical difference between the study group and the control group (49.65 ± 10.65 nmol/L) (p > 0.05). A receiver operating characteristic curve for first trimester 25(OH)D levels of pregnant women in the study group yielded an area under the curve of 0.84. Lower serum 25(OH)D levels were associated with an elevated risk of developing GDM and with poorer glycemic control in affected women. These findings indicate that first trimester serum 25(OH)D levels may serve as a valuable biomarker for the early prediction and management of GDM. Keywords Blood glucose “ Correlation “ Gestational diabetes mellitus “ Pregnant women “ 25-hydroxyvitamin D.
37. Development of a reoperative risk prediction model of muscle-invasive upper tract urothelial carcinoma using clinical and radiomic computed tomography features: Initial results from a multi-institutional Canadian study.
期刊: Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l’Association des urologues du Canada 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
Accurate pre-intervention staging of upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) remains a significant clinical challenge, particularly in identifying muscle-invasive disease (≥pT2), where kidney-sparing surgery may not be appropriate. Current imaging and biopsy approaches are often inadequate. Radiomics, which extracts high-dimensional features from medical imaging, may improve non-invasive staging. This study assessed whether computed tomography (CT)-based radiomic features, alone or combined with clinical data, could predict ≥pT2 UTUC in a multicenter Canadian cohort. We retrospectively analyzed clinical, pathologic, and radiographic features of patients with UTUC who underwent extirpative surgery at five academic centers from January 2, 2001, to May 1, 2023. Radiomic features were extracted from machine-learning segmentations of the affected kidney using the excretory phase of CT. Predictive models were developed using clinical only, radiomic only, and combined data to predict stage ≥pT2. Feature selection included univariable logistic regression, correlation filtering, and LASSO. Model performance was assessed via five-fold cross-validation repeated 10 times, with area under the curve (AUC) as the primary metric. Of 441 patients, 208 (47.2%) were included. Of the 208 patients, 97 (46.6%) had ≥pT2 disease. The clinical model (AUC 0.602) included age, hydronephrosis, and high-grade cytology. The radiomics model, based on two texture features, achieved an AUC of 0.653. The combined model achieved an AUC of 0.647. Radiomics and combined models significantly outperformed the clinical model (p<0.01), but did not differ from each other. For 117 patients with renal pelvis cancers, the combined model’s discrimination performance was statistically better than the clinical model (AUC 0.708 vs. AUC 0.607, p<0.001). Likewise, the radiomics’ AUC discrimination performance was statistically better than the clinical model (AUC 0.694 vs. AUC 0.607, p=0.004). In contrast, we found no significant difference in model performance in the non-renal pelvis subgroup (n=91). Conventional radiomics improved the prediction of muscle-invasive UTUC compared to clinical models alone, but overall accuracy remained suboptimal for clinical use. Heterogeneity in CT protocols and challenges with tumor segmentation were the main limitations. Future work should develop more adaptable AI models trained on larger, more diverse datasets to better reflect real-world imaging conditions.
38. Effect of Muscle Contraction Under Caloric Restriction on Irisin and FGF21 Secretion in Mice.
期刊: Physiological research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
Combining diet and physical activity is known to be more effective for health than either intervention alone. Recent research has shown that skeletal muscle secretes myokines in response to exercise, which contribute to the adaptation of other organs to exercise. Therefore, we hypothesized that muscle adaptation by calorie restriction (CR) might enhance myokine responses to exercise. It is known that the myokine fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) secreted by skeletal muscle during exercise activates adipose tissue browning. We have already reported that irisin, a myokine that contributes to the metabolic activation of adipose tissue and weight loss, is secreted in response to muscle contraction by electrical stimulation (ES). Thus, we investigated the secretion of FGF21 and irisin upon the combination of ES with CR in this study. Mice were divided into four groups: control mice (Con), calorie restriction mice (CR), acute muscle contraction mice (ES), and acute muscle contraction after calorie restriction mice (CRES). After 1 week of acclimation, we subjected the mice to 60 % calorie restriction. After 2 weeks of CR, we performed ES. The results showed that the irisin expression level in serum was significantly increased by the combination of ES and CR, and an interaction between CR and ES was confirmed. FGF21 expression in serum was significantly decreased by CR. In conclusion, we confirm that irisin is a myokine whose secretion is increased synergistically by CR and muscle contraction. Keywords Muscle “ Calorie restriction “ Myokine “ Irisin “ FGF21.
39. Endurance Exercise Attenuates Plasma Level of Neurofilament Light Chain and Prevents Body Weight Loss in a Rat Model of Tauopathy.
期刊: Physiological research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
Although its effectiveness and underlying mechanisms are not fully understood, regular physical exercise (PE) is a potential low-cost strategy to prevent or delay neurodegeneration. Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL), an established biomarker of axonal damage, helps monitor the progression of neurodegenerative disease. Here, we tested whether moderate-intensity endurance exercise modulates body weight trajectories in a rat model of tauopathy expressing human truncated tau protein (WKY72) and how it is associated with plasma NfL. Three months old Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and tauopathic WKY72 rats underwent 10 weeks long treadmill training regimen (30 min/day, 5 days/week). NfL was quantified in plasma of experimental animals collected before the experiment, then after 4 and 8 weeks long training. Sedentary controls were tested in parallel. Body weights were recorded at the same intervals and additionally two weeks later. We found that sedentary WKY72 rats displayed a significant 8.9-fold increase in NfL, while trained WKY72 animals showed only a 3.8-fold increase (both p < 0.0001). In WKY rats, exercise paradoxically led to a modest yet significant increase in NfL (2.9-fold, p < 0.001). Moreover, PE prevented the late-stage weight loss observed in sedentary tauopathic rats. In conclusion, moderate-intensity endurance exercise attenuates plasma level of NfL in tauopathic rats, indicating the potential of exercise as a disease-modifying intervention. Our findings establish a framework for further mechanistic exploration of links between PE and neuroprotective processes. Key words Physical activity “ Weight loss “ Tauopathy “ Neurofilament light chain.
40. Ginkgolide C Improves Cardiac Function and Ameliorates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Regulating PI3K/Akt Pathway.
期刊: Physiological research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury causes myocardial damage, and Ginkgolide C (GC), a component of Ginkgo biloba, shows potential for cardioprotection. However, its effects on I/R-induced cardiac dysfunction and mechanisms are unclear. This study evaluates GC preconditioning in rats, focusing on its impact on cardiac function, myocardial injury, and the PI3K/Akt pathway. GC preconditioning was assessed using an isolated rat heart model of I/R injury. Cardiac function (LVDP, LVEDP, +dp/dtmax, -dp/dtmax), infarct size, histopathological changes, injury, and oxidative stress markers were measured. Rat cardiomyocytes were treated with GC to assess viability, contraction, and apoptosis. Molecular docking and protein analysis explored GC’s interaction with the Akt pathway. GC preconditioning significantly improved cardiac function, with a marked enhancement in LVDP, +dp/dtmax, and -dp/dtmax in the GC50 group compared to the I/R group (P<0.01). GC treatment also reduced myocardial infarct size (14.8 %±2.4 % vs. 25.5 %±1.9 %, P<0.01), decreased LDH release, and alleviated histopathological damage, including myocyte necrosis and inflammatory infiltration. Furthermore, GC significantly improved cardiomyocyte viability and contraction amplitude, particularly at 50 ?M. At the molecular level, GC activated the Akt pathway, as evidenced by increased p-Akt expression. Co-treatment with the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 reversed the protective effects of GC, confirming the involvement of the Akt pathway. Additionally, GC preconditioning reduced oxidative stress, as indicated by enhanced SOD activity and decreased levels of myocardial injury markers (LDH, CK-MB), and decreased apoptosis, reflected by a lower Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. GC preconditioning reduces I/R-induced myocardial injury in rats by activating the PI3K/Akt pathway, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting apoptosis, and improving cell viability. These results support GC’s potential for treating ischemic heart disease and suggest Akt-targeted interventions for myocardial protection. Keywords Ginkgolide C “ Ischemia/reperfusion injury “ Cardioprotection “ PI3K/Akt pathway.
41. Connexin 43 in Pathophysiology of Cardiac Diseases: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Strategies.
期刊: Physiological research 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
Connexin 43 (Cx43) plays a vital role in maintaining myocardial function through gap junctions (GJs) and hemichannels (HCs), facilitating crucial intercellular communication and ion exchange. Its regulation is precisely controlled by various signaling pathways that influence its phosphorylation status, trafficking, and degradation, thereby modulating myocardial function under physiological and pathological conditions. Under pathological conditions such as ischemic injury, cardiomyopathies, or heart failure, Cx43 undergoes dephosphorylation and is mislocalized from GJs at intercalated discs to the lateral membrane. This disruption in intercellular connectivity impairs electrical conduction and increases susceptibility to arrhythmias, with the loss of functional Cx43-mediated GJs further exacerbating myocardial dysfunction and contributing to disease progression. Given the critical role of Cx43 in cardiac pathology, therapeutic strategies targeting Cx43, particularly peptidomimetics, have emerged as promising cardioprotective approaches. These small synthetic peptides selectively modulate Cx43 HC activity, preventing excessive cellular stress and preserving intercellular communication. Recent advancements, including TAT-conjugated peptides and Hdc-modified analogues, have enhanced the efficacy of peptidomimetics by improving cellular uptake and therapeutic effectiveness. This review highlights the role of Cx43 and Cx43-derived peptidomimetics in cardiovascular diseases, noting their promising potential for broader clinical applications due to Cx43 dysregulation being implicated in various pathologies. Keywords Connexin 43 “ Gap Junctions “ Myocardial dysfunction “ Peptidomimetics.
42. Association between kidney stones and future risk of kidney cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
期刊: Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l’Association des urologues du Canada 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
Despite increasing interest in the potential associations between kidney stones and kidney cancer, their relationship remains incompletely characterized. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the association between a history of kidney stones and the future risk of kidney cancer. We systematically searched Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for observational studies of renal cell carcinoma risk in adults with kidney stones. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to calculate the pooled risk ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were conducted to assess the associations with study design, data sources, risk of bias, control group type, and sex. Thirteen studies (five cohort, eight case-control) were included in the meta-analysis. A history of kidney stones was associated with a significantly higher risk of developing kidney cancer (risk ratio 2.36; 95% CI 1.74, 2.98, p<0.001, I2=94%). Subgroup analysis showed a consistently elevated risk of kidney cancer in stone formers across all subgroups. No significant differences were observed between subgroups, except that more recent studies demonstrated significantly stronger associations between stone disease and risk of kidney cancer (p<0.001). This meta-analysis demonstrates a significant association between kidney stones and increased risk of kidney cancer, with affected individuals having approximately twice the risk of developing kidney cancer. These findings highlight the importance of enhanced cancer surveillance in patients with a history of kidney stones and suggest the need for further research into shared pathophysiologic mechanisms and potential preventative strategies.
43. Unveiling the simultaneous organophosphate esters degradation mechanisms in biological wastewater nitrogen removal systems under varying phosphorus source conditions: Microbial insights and ecological interactions.
期刊: Journal of hazardous materials 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
The discharge of organophosphate esters (OPEs) in wastewater increasingly threatens aquatic ecosystems. Although biological nitrogen removal (BNR) system shows potential OPEs removal and the performance might be influenced by phosphorus sources, the underlying mechanisms remained poorly understood. This study investigated the synchronous OPEs and nitrogen removal under varying phosphorus source conditions, revealing the microbial insights and ecological collaboration that facilitated OPEs degradation in BNR systems. Results demonstrated that the acclimated BNR systems achieved almost complete degradation of 10 mg/L tri-n-butyl phosphate (TnBP) and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). OPEs degradation pathways mainly involved hydrolysis, hydroxylation, and dehydrogenation, while phosphorus limitation could enhance the enzymatic activities of phosphotriesterase (PTE) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). 16S rRNA sequencing and metagenomic analysis revealed that Rhodococcus, Nitrospira, and Phaeodactylibacter were the enriched OPEs degraders, which harbored pivotal functional genes including php, phoD, glpQ, and cpdA. Moreover, molecular ecological networks analysis highlighted synergistic interactions among nitrifying bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, and OPEs degrader, suggesting the collaboration among consortia facilitated complete OPEs degradation. The microbial OPEs degrading functions and ecological interactions in BNR systems were further stimulated by phosphorus-limited condition. This study provides novel insights into the microbial mechanisms of OPEs degradation and offers a promising strategy for upgrading wastewater treatment plants to cope with emerging contaminants.
44. Efficient blood testing in endourology: A Transfusion Dashboard initiative to minimize unnecessary type and screen tests.
期刊: Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l’Association des urologues du Canada 发表日期: 2025-Dec-15 链接: PubMed
摘要
Type and screen testing (T&S) is routinely performed preoperatively for many endoscopic procedures, despite low transfusion rates. While important, T&S can be costly, unnecessary, and burdensome for patients to obtain in a short timeframe due to expiry. We aimed to assess and reduce unnecessary T&S in a safe and collaborative manner through a Transfusion Dashboard. We assessed the effect of reduced testing on patient safety, cost, and the environment. This quality improvement study used the Transfusion Dashboard, a web-based, institutional platform tracking blood transfusion trends. During the observation phase (2016-2019), procedure-specific preoperative T&S recommendations were developed. Following implementation of these recommendations in 2020, the incidence of T&S, perioperative transfusion rates, and rescue transfusion rates were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Chi-squared test. Cost and environmental savings were also evaluated. From 2016-2023, outcomes were tracked for 4375 pre-initiative and 2488 post-initiative patients who underwent endoscopic procedures. We found a statistically significant decrease in T&S following initiative implementation for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), holmium e-nucleation of the prostate (HoLEP), and transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) by as much as 51.2%. There was no change in uncrossed or overall blood transfusions. Since the implementation of the initiative, $45 362.81 in testing materials were saved and an associated reduction of 697 kg CO2 was observed. Institutional- and procedure-specific testing guidelines decreased unnecessary tests, leading to improved resource stewardship, reduced cost, improved patient experience, and environmental savings. Initial modest cost savings and care improvements may be amplified safely in larger organizations and across more procedures.
45. Omaciclovir suppresses influenza A virus replication via interaction with viral PA protein.
期刊: Veterinary microbiology 发表日期: 2025-Dec-14 链接: PubMed
摘要
Influenza A virus (IAV) is a segmented negative-strand RNA virus that causes seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics, posing a great threat to the public health. Current vaccines and antiviral drugs can not completely protect human and animals from IAV infection due to high frequency mutations in the viral genome and the emergence of drug-resistant strains, presenting an urgent need to explore new drugs against IAV infection. Here, we identified that omaciclovir significantly suppressed the replication of IAV. In vitro studies showed that omaciclovir inhibited replication of different IAV subtypes, including H1N1, H3N2 and H9N2. Furthermore, we demonstrated that omaciclovir strikingly attenuated replication of IAV in mice, as evidenced by a lower degree of tissue injury, slower body weight loss, and better survival, than the untreated animals following IAV infection. Mechanistically, omaciclovir interacted with viral PA protein, and interfered with the activity of IAV polymerase complexes, thereby limiting the synthesis of viral RNA (vRNA), complementary RNA (cRNA), and messenger RNA (mRNA). Together, these findings characterize the antiviral property of omaciclovir against IAV in vitro and in vivo, and provide insights into the development of potential antivirals against IAV infection.
46. Environmental hazard and human health risk attributed to surface water pollution in China: City-level assessment and socioeconomic driver identification.
期刊: Journal of hazardous materials 发表日期: 2025-Dec-13 链接: PubMed
摘要
Surface water pollution could threaten water security and public health, hindering progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. Using China-a country facing challenges in surface water quality-as a case study, this work integrates the most recent monitoring data (2021-2024) with localized exposure parameters to assess city-level environmental hazards and health risks associated with surface water pollution, and further identifies their potential socioeconomic drivers. The assessment of composite environmental hazards, covering 21 key pollutants, shows that cities in eastern and northern China-particularly those in the North China Plain and the northern Yangtze River Delta-experienced more severe environmental hazards, with nutrient pollutants (conventional indicators) emerging as the dominant contributors. The health risk assessment, which includes 11 potentially toxic elements and other hazardous substances, indicates that arsenic contamination in surface waters may pose widespread and substantial health risks. Environmental hazards and health risks exhibit marked spatial heterogeneity across cities. Driver identification using machine learning and Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) reveals that overall socioeconomic development has exerted a significant influence on these composite hazards and risks. On the contrary, most indicators representing water-related resources and ecological conditions generally act as constraining factors. Regional divisions function as a significant confounding factor for the machine learning-based driver identification results.
47. Interactions between polystyrene nanoplastics and bovine lactoferrin in simulated gastric fluids: Aggregation kinetics and impact on protein digestion.
期刊: Journal of hazardous materials 发表日期: 2025-Dec-13 链接: PubMed
摘要
Nanoplastics (NPs) pose emerging risks to gastrointestinal health by interfering with protein digestion. This study investigated the interactions of bovine lactoferrin (BLf) with negatively charged bare (BPS) and positively charged amino-modified (APS) polystyrene NPs (PSNPs) in simulated gastric fluids (SGF). In the absence of BLf, PSNPs exhibited pH-dependent aggregation governed by surface charge: BPS aggregated most rapidly at pH 2 (fasted state), while APS reached peak aggregation at pH 3.5 (late-fed state). BLf markedly altered aggregation kinetics, with rates following the order of pH 3.5 > 2 > 5, primarily through the formation of protein coronas with BLf and pepsin that stabilized PSNPs via electrostatic and steric interactions. Increasing PSNP concentrations generally promoted aggregation, except at pH 2 where inhibition occurred. Both PSNPs suppressed BLf digestion, with digestion degree ranking pH 3.5 > 5 > 2, and BPS exerting a stronger inhibitory effect than APS. PSNPs disrupted the secondary structures of pepsin and BLf through hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions, impairing enzymatic activity. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) revealed distinct thermodynamic driving forces: BPS bound BLf via an enthalpy-driven mechanism, whereas APS promoted co-assembly through hydrophobic effects. These findings provide mechanistic insights into NP-protein interactions in gastric environments and highlight their potential to disrupt digestive processes, informing health risk assessments of ingested NPs.
48. Mitigating cadmium toxicity in rice through tandem application of zinc oxide nanoparticles and Serendipita indica as revealed by multi-omics and NMT-based ion flux analysis.
期刊: Journal of hazardous materials 发表日期: 2025-Dec-13 链接: PubMed
摘要
Cadmium (Cd) contamination in agricultural soils poses a significant risk to crop growth and food safety. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) and the endophytic fungus Serendipita indica (S. indica) both have demonstrated their potential in ameliorating Cd stress in plants, but their combined effects and underlying mechanisms are still underexplored. This study investigates how the combined use of S. indica and ZnO-NPs can counteract Cd toxicity in two rice genotypes with different Cd accumulation tendencies. Two genotypes, Heizhan-43 (Hz43) and Yinni-801 (Yi801), were treated with Cd, ZnO-NPs, and S. indica, both individually and in combination. Non-invasive Micro-test technology (NMT) was employed to measure real-time ion fluxes in rice roots. Integrated analyses using MetaboAnalyst’s Joint-Pathway Analysis module were conducted to assess metabolic and transcriptomic responses. The combined treatments significantly reduced Cd accumulation in both shoots and roots, with Hz43 showing a greater reduction in root Cd content. Nutrients like zinc and phosphorus were increased in Yi801 shoots, and the stress-responsive metabolites, such as proline and glycine betaine, were induced more in shoots than roots, particularly in Hz43. As revealed by NMT, Yi801 showed higher Cd2 + and Ca2+ influxes under stress conditions, indicating that it is more responsive to the S. indica and ZnO-NPs treatments compared to Hz43, which exhibits a more moderate influx response. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed enhanced peroxidase-related gene expression, reduced oxidative burst, and modulation of key metabolic pathways, including carbon metabolism in Hz43 and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis in Yi801. Additionally, the phenylpropanoid pathway was significantly upregulated, contributing to increased flavonoid and lignin production, hence enhancing plant defense mechanisms. The combined application of S. indica and ZnO-NPs effectively mitigates Cd toxicity, enhances nutrient uptake and promotes plant growth, offering a sustainable strategy for Cd-contaminated fields to ensure food safety and environmental health in the long run.
49. Unraveling the antibacterial mechanism of eucalyptol against Escherichia coli O157:H7 through transcriptomics and its application in beef broth.
期刊: International journal of food microbiology 发表日期: 2025-Dec-12 链接: PubMed
摘要
Escherichia coli O157:H7 poses a significant threat to human health and food safety. Traditional agents used for antibacterial control can be hazardous to health and cause environmental pollution, consequently, plant-derived antimicrobials have attracted considerable interest as promising alternatives. In the study, the antimicrobial activity and mechanisms of the terpenoid eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) against E. coli O157:H7 were investigated for the first time, based on transcriptomics and molecular docking analyses. Eucalyptol was demonstrated to inhibit the growth of E. coli O157:H7 with minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 1.8 and 3.0 μL/mL, respectively. In addition, results indicated that eucalyptol altered E. coli O157:H7 cell morphology, disrupted cell membrane integrity, and contributed to the leakage of nucleic acids and proteins. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that exposure to eucalyptol interfered with the bacterial quorum sensing system, inhibited flagellar motility and adhesion, and resulted in the differential expression of 38 genes closely associated with bacterial biofilm formation, virulence, and survival. Furthermore, molecular docking results indicated that gadA-encoded glutamate decarboxylase B (GadB) and autoinducer-2 degrading protein (LsrG) in E. coli O157:H7 could represent potential targets for eucalyptol. Hemolysis assays showed that the hemolysis rate below 5 %, demonstrating acceptable in vitro safety. Moreover, the E. coli O157:H7 in beef broth was completely eradicated by 2 × MIC of eucalyptol during storage. These findings revealed the potential of eucalayptol as a new natural food antibacterial agent and preliminarily elucidated the antibacterial mechanism, providing a new strategy for controlling E. coli O157:H7 in the food industry.
50. Patients' Awareness, Trust, and Acceptance of Robot-Assisted Dental Implant Surgery: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
期刊: Clinical implant dentistry and related research 发表日期: 2025-Dec 链接: PubMed
摘要
To investigate patients’ awareness, trust, and acceptance of robot-assisted dental implant surgery in South China, identify the influencing factors, and evaluate the opportunities and challenges to clinical use. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 2024 to August 2025 in three public hospitals in South China. Electronic questionnaires were distributed to patients who had or were scheduled to undergo implant surgery or were considering dental implant treatment. Participants were assigned to Questionnaire A (patients who underwent robot-assisted implantation) or Questionnaire B (patients without such experience). The questionnaire covered the demographic characteristics, awareness level, trust, acceptance, and experience of those treated with robot assistance. Three hundred and ninety six valid questionnaires were administered. Among these, 26.51% accepted robot-assisted implants, 27.78% rejected, and 45.70% were uncertain. In the inexperienced group (n = 382), 61.00% expressed distrust, which was associated with the age, humanistic care, safety, and emergency capabilities of the new technique. In the experienced group (n = 14), 78.60% of patients expressed their willingness to undergo robotic surgery again. The regression analysis revealed that preoperative information negatively affected satisfaction (β = -0.239, p = 0.019), whereas intraoperative experience exhibited a positive effect (β = 0.268, p = 0.014). Patients in South China demonstrated limited awareness of robot-assisted dental implant surgery. Trust was mainly influenced by demographics and safety perceptions, whereas satisfaction relied on intraoperative experiences and recovery. The promotion of robot-assisted implant technology should emphasize technical reliability, doctor-patient communication, improved patient experience, and tailored management for different groups.
51. Understanding the mechanisms of infodemics: Equation-based vs. agent-based models.
期刊: PloS one 发表日期: 2025 链接: PubMed
摘要
In an era where digital communication accelerates the global spread of false narratives, understanding how misinformation and disinformation propagate, especially during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, is vital to public health and policy. To delve into the diffusion mechanisms of misinformation (unintentionally false information) and disinformation (intentionally false information), we introduce a novel enhanced agent-based model (ABM) that integrates psycho-social factors and communication networks, which are elements often overlooked in traditional equation-based models (EBMs). We assess the two distinct techniques (ABMs and EBMs) through the lens of six classical SEIRS-class models (S susceptible, E exposed, I infected, R recovered). Beside the enhanced ABM, we also develop a simple ABM to emulate the EBM structure. We compare the ABMs with the EBMs over their entire parameter ranges in a total of 11110 experiments. Results show an overall weak equivalence between the two types of models, even if, under certain conditions, the outcomes of the EBMs and ABMs are similar. Furthermore, we evaluate the two model types by fitting them to real-world infodemic data on vaccine acceptance over 36 weeks using a multi-objective optimization procedure. The enhanced ABM shows an exceptionally better fit to real-world data (Pearson’s correlation coefficient [Formula: see text] and normalized root mean of square error NRMSE = 0.055) than the EBM ([Formula: see text], NRMSE = 0.418) and the simple ABM ([Formula: see text], NRMSE = 0.103). These findings underscore the critical role of model structure in capturing infodemic dynamics, and advocate for the use of ABMs when psycho-social influences and network interactions are central to the phenomenon.
52. Patterns of adherence to home blood pressure monitoring among men and women in the Electronic Framingham Heart Study.
期刊: PloS one 发表日期: 2025 链接: PubMed
摘要
Worldwide, there are differences in hypertension control by sex. The use of home blood pressure monitoring (HBPM) is associated with lower average blood pressures and higher medication adherence. However, little is known about adherence trajectories and sex differences in HBPM. This study characterizes adherence to HBPM among those with and without hypertension. Electronic Framingham Heart Study participants were instructed to perform HBPM weekly for 1 year. Adherence was defined as having ≥1 measurement per week averaged over 4-week segments. Primary exposures of hypertension status and sex were self-reported. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to identify adherence trajectories. Logistic regression was applied to investigate factors associated with membership in each trajectory group in the sex-stratified and whole cohorts. Among 990 participants (58% women, age 53 ± 9 years, 26% hypertension), three groups with distinct HBPM adherence patterns were identified: “early discontinuation”, “gradual decrease”, and “high adherence”. Participants with hypertension were more likely to maintain “high adherence” compared to those without (OR 1.55; 95% CI 1.08-2.23), with similar findings seen among women with hypertension (OR 2.24; 95% CI 1.35-3.72) but not men. In women, these findings remained significant when adjusting for anxiety, depression, and blood pressure, but were attenuated by adjusting for age and income. This study highlights HBPM adherence trajectories and shows that women with hypertension were more likely to be in the high adherence group, though these associations were attenuated after adjusting for demographic factors and co-morbidities. Future studies should explore strategies to enhance adherence in populations at risk of early discontinuation.
53. How do mass shootings shape the social media discourse on guns in the US Congress? Causal discovery and topic modeling.
期刊: PLOS global public health 发表日期: 2025 链接: PubMed
摘要
Social media platforms have become a key tool for politicians to signal their policy positions and communicate about issues that are salient to them and their constituency. One such issue is gun violence. Grounded in framing and issue-attention cycle theories, this paper analyzes the response of members of the United States (US) Congress to mass shootings on social media. We analyzed 785,881 gun-related tweets from members of the 117th US Congress on X (formerly Twitter) between January 2021 and January 2023. We used logistic regression to model the main effects, implemented the PCMCI+ algorithm for causal discovery, and applied latent Dirichlet allocation topic modeling to evaluate the substantive differences between gun-related tweets from the two parties. Higher fatality counts were positively correlated with the probability of gun-related tweets by Congress members (OR=1.13, 95% CI=[1.12, 1.15], p < 0.001). A causal link was detected between mass shootings and subsequent legislators’ activity on X (ρ=0.122, p=0.001). Democrats were more likely to tweet about guns following mass shootings than Republicans (OR=3.60, 95% CI=[3.03, 4.28], p < 0.001), with qualitative differences in tweet substance between parties (community, families, victims, and mass shootings themselves are recurrent topics for Democrats, while Second Amendment rights and crime are frequent for Republicans). The paper suggests that while mass shootings elevate the level of discussion on guns in Congress, they trigger different reactions depending on party affiliation. Congress members tend to focus on topics aligned with party issues, likely reducing the opportunity for policy-making alignment.
54. Efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of Lassa fever vaccines: A living systematic review and landscape analysis of vaccine candidates.
期刊: PloS one 发表日期: 2025 链接: PubMed
摘要
Lassa fever (LF) is an acute viral hemorrhagic illness endemic in West Africa, representing significant public health challenges, particularly for pregnant persons and children who experience higher morbidity and mortality. Although several vaccine candidates are being developed, no LF vaccine has been licensed yet. We conducted a living systematic review (LSR) of the literature to evaluate the safety, efficacy, effectiveness, and immunogenicity of LF vaccines. We performed biweekly searches in major biomedical databases, trial registries, preprint servers, and other sources. Eligible studies included preclinical studies, clinical trials, and observational studies published from January 2014 to April 2025. Reviewer pairs screened studies extracted data (REDCap), and assessed risk of bias independently. Data synthesis involved random-effects pairwise and proportion meta-analyses (R software), with GRADE assessment of evidence certainty. PROSPERO registries: (CRD42024514513; CRD42024516754). Searches retrieved 1423 records, including 51 studies, 2 clinical trials in adults involving 88 vaccinated persons, and 49 preclinical studies of 30 vaccine candidates. Trials evaluated Recombinant Measles-Vectored (MV-LASV) and Recombinant Vesicular Stomatitis Virus-based (rVSVΔG-LASV-GPC) LF vaccine candidates. No published clinical trials were found to evaluate LF vaccines in special populations such as pregnant persons, infants, children, or adolescents. Although injection site reactogenicity was reported, no vaccine-related serious adverse events (SAEs) were reported in study participants. Immunogenicity was robust in adults, with vaccines achieving around 95% seroconversion at 30 days. Preclinical data evaluated nine different platforms. Findings are disseminated via an interactive online dashboard (https://safeinpregnancy.org/living-systematic-review-lassa/). Currently, two LF vaccine candidates that have advanced to clinical trials exhibit high immunogenicity, but the safety profile in healthy adults is still limited. Clinical evidence in pregnant persons, infants, children, and adolescents is absent. Vaccine platforms of interest have been identified in preclinical studies, providing information on those that could advance to clinical studies.
55. Comparing the physiques of elite Polish female and male swimmers training for short and long distances with their non-training peers - Is swimming a health-promoting sport?
期刊: PloS one 发表日期: 2025 链接: PubMed
摘要
In athletes, anthropometric measures are widely used to prescribe desirable body weight, to optimize competitive performance, and to evaluate the effectiveness of various training regimens. However, it also seems interesting to find out which values of anthropometric indices showing a significant relationship with health risk characterise the top athletes, especially in popular sports. The aim of the study was to characterise the physique of female and male swimmers compared to their non-training peers and to determine to what extent it is influenced by training distance. Somatic measurements were taken in 30 female and 30 male top Polish swimmers. The subjects were divided into four groups, i.e., SDF (n = 24) and SDM (n = 24) groups comprising females and males training for short-distance, and LDF (n = 6) and LDM (n = 6) groups comprising those training for long-distance. The swimmers were compared with their non-training peers, 373 females and 155 males aged 20-30 years. BMI, WHR, BF, BAI and Slenderness index were calculated to describe the athletes’ physiques. Swimmers had significantly lower BMI (19.3 ± 1.4 in SDF and 22.1 ± 0.6 in LDF compared to 23.1 ± 3.7 in non-swimmers, p < 0.001) and WHR (0.7 ± 0.0 in SDF and 0.8 ± 0.0 in LDF, compared to 0.9 ± 0.1 in non-training peers, p < 0.001) and BF, but only in SDF group (22.7 ± 1.6, compared to 24.2 ± 5.9 in non-swimmers, p < 0.01). In contrast, athletes had significantly higher Slenderness index values (44.8 ± 1.1 in SDF, and 42.9 ± 0.5 in LDF, vs. 41.9 ± 3.6 in non-training peers, p < 0.001). It was also found that the distance trained differentiates especially the physique of female swimmers, and that physique has a greater impact on athletic performance in short-distance swimmers. Monitoring the physique of top swimmers provides an insight into the type of adaptation to the training process, which in turn enables the identification of factors that determine sports success. Such observations also document the health benefits of swimming, allowing this form of physical activity to be promoted to the public.
56. Effect of Advanced Pneumatic Compression Devices in the Treatment of Lymphedema: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses.
期刊: Lymphology 发表日期: 2025 链接: PubMed
摘要
Lymphedema is a chronic, progressive impairment of the lymphatic system that can impact activities and quality of life. Research regarding conservative management of lymphedema primarily consists of complete decongestive therapy (CDT) and compression devices intended to promote lymphatic and venous return. Advanced pneumatic compression devices (APCDs) contain multiple programmable sleeves designed to mimic manual lymph drainage at home. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of APCDs in the treatment of lymphedema through the completion of a systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic search of five databases was conducted, spanning the years 2010-2021. Only experimental designs of moderate or strong quality were chosen and final review set consists of twelve articles. APCDs are found to be effective for lymphedema treatment based on differences in pre- and post-intervention limb volumes and patient-reported outcomes. Two meta-analyses evaluated the impact of APCDs on both rates of cellulitis and manual therapy. Both analyses demonstrated significant decreases in rates after the APCD interventions. The data showed consistent reduction of limb volume and improved patient-reported outcomes, indicating that APCDs are generally effective as a complementary intervention to CDT in the maintenance phase of lymphedema treatment.
57. 'Wish you were here': Managers' experiences of hybrid work in higher education.
期刊: PloS one 发表日期: 2025 链接: PubMed
摘要
The prevalence of telework increased dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic, and today it is not uncommon to refer to hybrid work as “the new normal” in work life. Leadership plays a pivotal role in hybrid work transitions, underscoring the need for research on post-pandemic managerial practices. This qualitative interview study with 15 professional service managers at a Swedish medical university, working in either central administration or a research department, provides a nuanced understanding of the experiences of implementing hybrid work in a higher education setting. The qualitative content analysis resulted in three main themes and six sub-themes: New ways of organising work (sub-themes: Hybrid work brings new opportunities and needs, and Hybrid work as an ongoing process of change); Changes for employees (sub-themes: Social interaction and sense of community, and Increased work-life balance); and Changes in leadership (sub-themes: Communication with employees and New expectations on managers). The findings of this study provide a more fine-grained understanding of how managers experienced both challenges and opportunities in implementing and managing hybrid working arrangements. Challenges included managing employee expectations and relations, while opportunities included potential improvements in work-life balance. A key conclusion of this study is that managers in hybrid work environments adjust their leadership, especially when communicating and managing relationships within teams and across the organization. Despite the identified challenges and despite managers’ wish to see their employees in person and on site, the interviewed managers are generally optimistic about hybrid work and see it as the future. To address the identified challenges, managers may benefit from networking and exchanging information with other managers in similar situations, as well as support from their organisation.
58. The prevalence, spatial distribution and geographic weighted regression of open defecation practice in sub-Saharan Africa using demographic and health survey (DHS) data.
期刊: PloS one 发表日期: 2025 链接: PubMed
摘要
Open defecation is a harmful and unsafe practice that contributes to environmental pollution and disproportionately affects developing nations, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP), Sub-Saharan Africa is home to 46% of the global population still practising open defecation. Socio-economic factors, cultural norms, and individual attitudes play crucial roles in shaping sanitation behaviours and influencing open defecation practices. Therefore, this study aims to determine the prevalence, spatial distribution, and geographic inequalities of open defecation in Sub-Saharan Africa. A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted, including 20,130 clusters and 496,957 households from 34 Sub-Saharan African countries. The Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data were weighted, cleaned, and analyzed using Microsoft Excel, Stata version 17, ArcGIS version 10.7, and SaTScan™ version 10.1. Spatial analyses were performed using ArcGIS version 10.7 and Kulldorff’s SaTScan™ version 10.1, while Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) analyses were conducted using ArcGIS version 10.7. The prevalence of open defecation among households in Sub-Saharan Africa was 23.24% (95% CI: 23.12-23.35). The practice was clustered across enumeration areas (Global Moran’s I = 0.25, Z-score = 366.12, P-value ≤ 0.001). The Getis-Ord Gi* statistic identified hotspots of open defecation primarily in East Africa, Central Africa, and West Africa. Anselin Local Moran’s I detected both high and low clusters of open defecation, while SaTScan cluster analysis identified 146 windows containing significant clusters of households practising open defecation across Sub-Saharan Africa. Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) analysis revealed that several factors were positively associated with open defecation, including lack of educational attainment, unimproved drinking water sources, lack of basic access to water, younger household heads, and extreme poverty. Additionally, household size greater than four, the richest households and urban and rural residency were negatively associated with open defecation practices. This study reveals a high prevalence of open defecation (23.24%) in Sub-Saharan Africa with significant geographic clustering, particularly in East, Central, and West Africa. This estimate is higher than the 18% reported by the 2021 WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP). Novel spatial and GWR analyses uncovered associations with poverty, lack of education, water access, age of household heads, and wealth status. These findings underscore the need for geographically targeted, multi-sectoral sanitation interventions that address underlying socio-demographic disparities. Future research should explore the effectiveness of spatially tailored programs and integrate behavioral insights to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6.
59. A century of weekly notifiable disease incidence data by province in Canada.
期刊: PLOS global public health 发表日期: 2025 链接: PubMed
摘要
Canadian notifiable disease surveillance programmes have recorded communicable disease incidence data, dating back to the late 19th century. A Public Health Agency of Canada web-portal provides summaries of these data from 1924-2023, but lacks details on how incidence varies seasonally and geographically among provinces. The sub-annual (weekly, monthly, quarterly) and sub-national (provincial, territorial) data required to study such patterns appear in government documents, but are available only in typewritten or handwritten hard copies. We digitized and collated these sources to make sub-annual and sub-national Canadian disease incidence data conveniently available for researchers. We manually transcribed hard copies into digital spreadsheets resembling the originals, enabling accurate transcription through easier cross-checking. We supplemented these historical data sources with more recent digital spreadsheets obtained directly from two provincial agencies. We standardized and combined these spreadsheets into consistent, machine-readable CSV files containing 1,631,380 incidence values from 1903-2021. Because multiple publications and agencies reproduced case counts from the same surveillance system, and many publications reported the same cases at multiple levels of aggregation, many cases were counted more than once among these 1,631,380 incidence values. We reconciled overlapping counts to produce a dataset containing 934,010 unique incidence values at sub-national and sub-annual scales (829,689 weekly; 567 2-weekly; 82,267 monthly; 20,967 quarterly; 520 3-quarterly) covering 139 diseases stratified by province or territory. We illustrate the value of these sub-annual and sub-national data using two examples: synchronized annual cycles of poliomyelitis across provinces and spatially heterogeneous resurgence of whooping cough in the 1990s. Canada’s infectious disease surveillance has produced a detailed record of sub-annual and sub-national disease incidence data that remains largely unexplored. This record is now available as the Canadian Notifiable Disease Incidence Dataset (CANDID), hosted on a publicly accessible website along with code to reproduce it, and scans of the original sources.