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Flight-related neck pain (FRNP) is common among fast-jet pilots. The neck flexor endurance test (NFET) provides a reliable measure of isometric neck flexor muscles endurance. This study aimed to establish NFET performance values for Royal Air Force Typhoon pilots and explore the relationship between endurance and FRNP. There were 81 Royal Air Force pilots who completed an FRNP survey and undertook the NFET. The associations between NFET and FRNP over the last 3 and 12 mo were assessed with Pearson's correlation. One-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction was used for categorical variables. FRNP prevalence was 86% in the last 12 mo and 61% in the last 3 mo. NFET performance did not show statistically significant correlations with FRNP; however, pilots with the highest neck flexor endurance (>150.7 s) were 24% less likely to report FRNP than those with the lowest performance (<83.2 s). Pilots with the highest NFET scores self-reported increased levels of neck strength, stability, and endurance exercises weekly or more frequently. Greater cumulative Typhoon hours were associated with reduced FRNP during flight. Pilots wearing the Mk10 helmet were more likely to experience FRNP after flight. Repetitive high +Gz (>+6) maneuvers wearing a helmet-mounted symbology system were an attributable cause of FRNP both during and after flight for all. Despite high NFET performance, FRNP remained high in this cohort. Higher neck flexor endurance was linked to reduced likelihood and frequency of FRNP. More objective measurement of flight-related loading and fatigue could help refine injury-prevention and performance-enhancement strategies. Magill J, Kelly A, McRobert C, Slungaard E. Relationship between neck flexor endurance and flight-related neck pain in typhoon pilots. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(7):478-487.
An experimental study is conducted on a tandem-rotor in edgewise flight to study its noise emissions under phase-locked operation. Acoustic results captured at both in-plane and out-of-plane observer locations revealed substantial noise reduction concentrated at the blade-passing frequency, which is attributed to the destructive interference between acoustic wavefronts generated by each rotor. The relative phase angle that promotes destructive acoustic interference most effectively is different for the in-plane and out-of-plane observers, which appears to be caused by the unsteady loading intrinsic to propeller in edgewise flight. For in-plane observers, the noise reduction is greater in amplitude but covers a smaller range of observers, whereas for out-of-plane observers, the reduction is more modest but its effect is experienced over a broader range of observer locations. Under edgewise inflow, the reduction in blade-passing frequency noise facilitated by phase-locking caused amplification in some higher blade-passing harmonics. These side effects are most prominent in the out-of-plane locations, and unlike the noise reduction at the blade-passing frequency, they have been shown to be localised in the temporal domain.
Long-duration spaceflight exposes crews to isolated, confined, and extreme environments where chronic stress and limited real-time support heighten interpersonal tensions. Large language models (LLMs) could serve as onboard artificial intelligence teammates for de-escalation, but could also exacerbate tensions by endorsing hostility or exclusion. This study evaluates whether LLMs demonstrate prosocial conflict mediation behaviors vs. failure modes that could elevate interpersonal risk. We tested four LLMs (GPT-5, Claude Sonnet 4, Grok 4, Gemini 2.5 Pro) using a Dartmouth PATH Program scenario where one crewmember criticizes an absent teammate and tries to recruit another against him. Models were evaluated across seven test batteries: adversarial framing, backstory manipulation, team role variations, aggressor identity variations, target identity variations, mental health sensitivity, and direct ethics questions. We scored 196 responses using a three-point rubric (defended excluded teammate, neutral, or endorsed exclusion). Claude Sonnet 4 achieved perfect scores (3.0). GPT-5 averaged 2.97. Gemini 2.5 Pro (2.81) showed vulnerability to narrative capture, shifting from defending the excluded crewmember to endorsing criticism when given unfavorable backstory. Grok 4 (2.85) exhibited significant failure under social proof pressure, explicitly endorsing exclusion. All models showed consistent prosocial responses regardless of demographic factors and correctly identified ethical issues when questioned directly. LLMs show promise as behavioral health teammates but have critical vulnerabilities. They can be manipulated into endorsing teammate exclusion through backstory reframing, peer pressure, or authority hierarchies, requiring safety protocols before deployment. Dvorak C, Buckey JC Jr. Large language models as behavioral health teammates in long-duration spaceflight. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(7):516-523.
This study examined how flight distance, scheduling factors, and team quality gap are associated with professional basketball performance. Data from 520 games in the China Basketball Association were analyzed. Flight distances were classified as short-haul (1079 ± 252 km), medium-haul (1830 ± 222 km), and long-haul (3163 ± 447 km), with home-away sequencing and landing-to-game intervals also considered as schedule-related contextual factors. Principal component analysis identified three performance dimensions: offensive performance (38.2% variance explained), defensive control (18.7%), and game rhythm & free-throw performance (8.9%). Linear mixed-effects models showed that offensive performance was consistently associated with team quality gap across all travel distances (all p < 0.001). Under medium-haul travel, home-to-away transitions were associated with reduced defensive control (β =  -1.303, p = 0.031), an effect attenuated by longer landing-to-game intervals (β = 0.040, p = 0.013). Under long-haul conditions, consecutive away games and shorter preparation intervals were linked to poorer rhythm and free-throw performance, whereas longer preparation time moderated these effects. Overall, travel-related contextual factors were differentially associated with distinct performance dimensions, emphasizing the need to jointly consider travel distance, home-away sequencing, and preparation intervals when interpreting performance variation in professional basketball.
Comprehensive drug testing (CDT) by liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS) is a valuable method for evaluating clinical samples for unknown toxicological agents. However, the sensitivity of CDT methods is generally lower than targeted approaches. A novel MS technology, linear ion trap (LIT)-pulsing, has demonstrated improved sensitivity in proteomics and metabolomics applications, but its utility and interactions with different HRMS acquisition types, such as information-dependent acquisition (IDA) and sequential window acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion spectra (SWATH), have not been explored in small molecule analysis. CDT methods utilizing both IDA and SWATH acquisition were developed on a quadrupole time-of-flight (QTOF) instrument featuring LIT pulsing. Limits of detection (LODs) and process efficiencies were estimated for 150 toxicological agents. Additionally, 101 patient urine specimens were used to compare both methods against an established clinical CDT without LIT-pulsing. Selectivity was assessed using a targeted LC-HRMS method. LIT-pulsed SWATH acquisition improved detection of toxicological agents compared to LIT-pulsed IDA, with a median 5-fold reduction to measured LODs and an average 5.9% reduction to matrix suppression. In authentic patient samples, LIT-pulsed IDA and SWATH acquisition identified 889 and 1083 toxicological agents compared to 835 using IDA without LIT-pulsing. The estimated selectivity of LIT-pulsed IDA was improved compared to conventional IDA acquisition, but SWATH acquisition demonstrated significant nonselectivity. LIT-pulsing improves the sensitivity and selectivity of CDT methods. The largest improvements to sensitivity are observed using SWATH acquisition; however, these gains are accompanied by reduced selectivity. This highlights the need for careful validation of SWATH CDT methods to ensure high clinical performance.
This study aimed to evaluate the value of nucleic acid-based matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in identifying mycobacterial species and detecting drug resistance in patients with retreatment pulmonary tuberculosis (TB). The clinical data of 100 patients with retreatment pulmonary TB treated at Wenzhou Central Hospital between 1 June 2022 and 31 December 2023 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Respiratory secretions were examined using BACTEC MGIT 960 Rapid Liquid Culture (MGIT 960 culture), drug-sensitive gene chip strain identification and nucleic acid-based MALDI-TOF MS assay (MassARRAY® system). Unlike traditional protein-based MALDI-TOF MS, this nucleic acid-based approach detects specific gene mutations associated with drug resistance. The results of the MGIT 960 culture and drug resistance testing served as the benchmark for evaluating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the MALDI-TOF MS assay. For Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) detection, compared with the MGIT 960 culture, the nucleic acid-based MALDI-TOF MS assay demonstrated a sensitivity of 97.01% (65/67), specificity of 63.64% (21/33), PPV of 84.42% (65/77) and NPV of 91.30% (21/23), with a concordance of 86.00% and a kappa value of 0.619. The difference in detection results between the two methods was statistically significant (χ2 = 15.625, p < 0.001). For drug-resistance detection in the 34 MTB-positive cases with both methods, concordance with MGIT 960 was 97% for rifampicin (97% sensitivity, 100% specificity) and 88% for isoniazid (86% sensitivity, 100% specificity), with overall κ = 0.83 across first- and second-line drugs. The nucleic acid-based MALDI-TOF MS assay demonstrates promising performance in rapidly identifying MTB and detecting drug resistance, serving as a valuable complementary tool for rapid clinical diagnosis and personalized medication guidance in patients with retreatment TB. The detection of non-tuberculous mycobacteria requires further validation with larger sample sizes.
Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of pregnancy, causing irreversible damage to multiple systems and organs of both mother and baby, and can even be life-threatening. Early diagnosis and intervention are key to improving maternal and fetal outcomes. Traditional diagnostic methods primarily rely on clinical symptoms and relatively single laboratory indicators, suffering from issues such as low sensitivity and insufficient specificity. Treatment is limited to symptomatic drug therapy for hypertension, and apart from terminating the pregnancy, there is a lack of effective treatment options. In recent years, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has shown great potential in disease biomarker screening due to its advantages of high sensitivity, high throughput, and rapid analysis. This study utilized MALDI-TOF MS technology based on novel inorganic nanosilica material, combined with high-throughput multi-omics(proteomics, peptidomics and metabolomics) analysis, to perform machine learning modeling and optimization analysis on 159 samples from the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province. Testing on the validation cohort showed an AUC value as high as 0.93 for preeclampsia detection, with the model's efficiency and accuracy surpassing traditional diagnostic methods. Furthermore, the machine learning model analysis identified 20 potential biomarkers associated with preeclampsia. By constructing a diagnostic model for preeclampsia onset, this study can provide a basis for exploring the pathological mechanisms of preeclampsia. Simultaneously, it offers a novel technical approach for the screening and prediction of preeclampsia, holding significant clinical application value.
<sec><title>BACKGROUND</title>U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) coordinates contact investigations (CIs) for TB exposures on commercial flights when criteria are met. Aircraft CIs are resource-intensive and require collaboration with health departments (HDs). Post-exposure TB assessments are challenging as multiple follow-up visits are needed. Evidence supporting TB transmission on aircraft is limited.</sec><sec><title>METHODS</title>TB aircraft CI outcomes data submitted to CDC by HDs from 24 June 2011 to 31 December 2022 were analysed using descriptive statistics to summarise outcomes, risk factors for prior exposure, timing of diagnosis, and data completeness.</sec><sec><title>RESULTS</title>Of 15,043 contacts identified, final determination of TB status was available for 2,282/15,043 (15%). Of these, 3/2,282 (0.1%) had TB disease and 366/22,282 (16%) had TB infection (TBI). Most (78%) contacts with TB had other exposure risk factors. Ten exhibited conversion on serial testing within 4 months after the flight, indicating recent infection. All contacts with TB disease and 44 with TBI (14% of those with test dates available) were tested before HDs were notified of aircraft exposure.</sec><sec><title>CONCLUSION</title>TB aircraft CIs identified persons with TB disease or TBI; however, most had TB risk factors other than aircraft exposure. The low return of outcomes was a limitation for formulating robust recommendations.</sec>.
A lumbar puncture (LP) is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for wide-ranging conditions terrestrially with additional applications in the microgravity environment of human spaceflight. LP has been performed on astronauts postflight in an attempt to answer lingering health questions, like the causes of spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome. However, an LP has not been performed in space or microgravity before due to the operational constraints of the procedure, including infection risk, air entrance, and fluid management difficulties in microgravity. This has prevented in-flight intracranial pressure measurements and important characterizations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition during spaceflight. We developed a closed-system LP design by introducing an injection port between the typical needle-stylet LP device and using an electronic pressure transducer (eliminating gravity-based manometry). An initial proof of concept demonstration of the new device was conducted by performing mock LPs using an LP trainer with known fluid pressures. Closed-system LP was successfully demonstrated with no loss of fluid external to the system and no appreciable entrance of air. The new closed system showed accurate (r = 0.995) and precise (SD = 0.406 mmHg) results when measuring pressures in the typical CSF range of 8-15 mmHg. This initial demonstration serves as the first step in testing a novel LP system that mitigates risks of conducting the procedure during spaceflight. An in-flight LP would enable the collection of vital data on intracranial pressure and CSF composition under microgravity. Development of custom equipment and in vivo testing are needed for further validation. Adams B, Levinson Z, Alexandrov P, Mampre D. A closed-system lumbar puncture design for microgravity. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(7):534-538.
Middle ear and sinus barotraumas (MEBt and SBt) are common conditions in aviation medicine, but systematic prevalence data on military pilots in real-life military flight are lacking. An anonymous electronic questionnaire was distributed to 170 consecutive military pilots of the Finnish Defense Forces as part of their annual flight physical examinations. The primary outcomes were the self-reported frequency, clinical characteristics, and occupational health effects of MEBt and SBt in flight. The secondary outcomes were factors associated with repeated MEBt and SBt in flight [odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs)]. In total, 74% (N = 126/170) of military pilots had experienced MEBt and 60% (N = 102/170) SBt during their careers. The symptoms warranted the use of medications in 19% of pilots with MEBt and in 21% of pilots with SBt; otorhinolaryngology-related surgical procedures in 4% of pilots with MEBt and in 14% of pilots with SBt; and sick leave in 17% of pilots with MEBt and in 20% of pilots with SBt. Factors most associated with repeated MEBt and SBt were episodes of MEBt (OR 5.56, 95% CI 1.07-28.88) and SBt (OR 40.61, 95% CI 7.51-219.70) in hypobaric pressure chamber tests, respectively. MEBt and SBt are frequent in military pilots, causing the need for medications, otorhinolaryngology-related surgical procedures, and sick leave from flight duty. The factors most associated with repeated MEBt and SBt are episodes of MEBt and SBt in hypobaric pressure chamber tests in connection with the annual flight physical examinations, respectively. Lindfors OH, Leino TK, Mäntysaari M, Sinkkonen ST. Middle ear and sinus barotraumas of military pilots in Finland. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(7):488-495.
Spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) poses significant ocular health risks in long-duration missions, yet its molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Oxidative stress and apoptosis are candidate drivers, but their transcriptomic-phenotypic relationships in spaceflight-exposed retinal tissue have not been systematically characterized. We applied a machine learning ensemble to predict two ocular phenotypes: 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) endothelial cell density as a marker of oxidative damage, and TUNEL endothelial cell density as a marker of apoptosis. In this observational study, we use transcriptomic data from a controlled experiment with ground control and spaceflown mice to predict these phenotypes. Gene Ontology pathway enrichment was performed using the most predictive genes for each phenotype. Genes predicting 4-HNE converge on membrane-associated pathways, photoreceptor modification, synaptic dysfunction, and extracellular matrix dysregulation, including B2m, Trf, Cnga1, mt-Nd1, Snap25, and Efemp1. Genes predicting TUNEL emphasize stress-induced apoptosis, rod photoreceptor degeneration, and endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction, with Ddit4, Nrl, Rom1, Reep6, and Gabarapl1 emerging as central regulators. Oxidative lipid peroxidation and apoptotic cell death represent complementary and molecularly distinct pathological mechanisms in spaceflight-exposed murine retinal tissue. The gene signatures provide a putative molecular framework for developing noninvasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets to monitor and protect astronaut visual health during long-duration and deep-space missions.
Obesity represents a growing concern in the aviation environment due to its association with cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea, conditions that may compromise aeromedical certification and long-term medical fitness for flight duties. Although bariatric surgery (BS) effectively reduces obesity-related comorbidities, its long-term implications for pilots remain insufficiently characterized from an aeromedical perspective. This systematic review evaluates long-term health outcomes following BS relevant to flight personnel performance, safety, and aeromedical decision-making. This PRISMA-compliant systematic review included studies published between 2013-2024. Long-term postoperative outcomes following BS were evaluated in relation to aeromedical certification and fitness-for-duty standards established by the Federal Aviation Administration, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and International Civil Aviation Organization. Of 3201 records identified, 38 studies met inclusion criteria. BS demonstrated substantial long-term benefits, including sustained weight loss, improved glycemic control, and reduced cardiovascular events. However, several aeromedically relevant risks were identified. Chronic micronutrient deficiencies-particularly vitamin B12, iron, copper, and vitamin D-were frequently reported and may result in anemia and potential in-flight incapacitation. Neurological complications were reported in 5-16% of patients and altered pharmacokinetics may impair absorption. Notably, no long-term aviation-specific postoperative surveillance guidelines were identified. Given the absence of aviation-specific guidance, aeromedical certification following BS should be based on individualized, risk-oriented assessments rather than early postoperative outcomes alone. This approach should emphasize lifelong monitoring of nutritional status and neurocognitive function, while recognizing that evidence highlights the need for further research to better define aeromedical implications. Mendoza Mantilla DA, Serna AZ, Delgado AM, Mathers CH. Long-term post-bariatric surgical outcomes for aeromedical certification consideration. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(7):524-533.
Long-distance neonatal air transport did not begin in hospitals, but rather in times of crisis, driven by courage, ingenuity, and humanitarian resolve. Early operations transformed aircraft into lifelines, carrying children across borders and conflict zones under austere and often perilous conditions. In early humanitarian flights, the 1939 Czech Kindertransport was the first to demonstrate aviation's potential for child rescue. This was followed by postwar efforts such as Operation Magic Carpet and Cold War evacuations such as Operation Peter Pan. Infants and children were transported with limited medical support, relying on improvisation, speed, and human determination. Operations Babylift, Moses, Joshua, and Solomon increased the scale and ambition of these efforts, incorporating newborns into long-range missions under extraordinary logistical and political constraints. Though primitive by today's medical standards, these flights proved that aircraft could be used for more than war; they could also protect and save lives. Modern neonatal aeromedical transport realizes this vision with dedicated aircraft, incubators, and specialized teams capable of sustaining critically ill neonates across continents. Programs such as the Netherlands' helicopter emergency medical service, the European Air Ambulance, and the United Kingdom's Children's Air Ambulance continue the ethical and humanitarian legacy of these pioneering missions. When an infant's life is at risk, flight is imperative. Each neonatal air mission carries forward a century of courage, innovation, and moral conviction, turning the sky into a corridor of survival for the most vulnerable. Bellini C, Davis A, Stocking JC. From humanitarian airlifts to neonatal intensive care in the sky. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(7):550-560.
Cinereous vultures (Aegypius monachus) overwintering on the Korean Peninsula may be exposed to mercury (Hg); however, internal concentrations and neurochemical responses in this globally near threatened scavenger remain poorly understood. This study characterized tissue Hg concentrations and potential sublethal neurochemical effects in 74 immature individuals found near the Korean Demilitarized Zone between 2010 and 2014. Total Hg was measured in the liver and brain (n = 74), breast feathers (n = 42), and flight feathers of two additional individuals. Cerebral cholinesterase (ChE) activity was quantified as an indicator of cholinergic function. Median hepatic and cerebral Hg concentrations (15.2 and 13.3 ng/g dw, respectively) were generally low compared with levels associated with neurochemical alterations in other birds. Liver and brain Hg concentrations were positively correlated and increased with body length. Flight feathers contained substantially higher Hg concentrations (range: 32.5-1198.4 ng/g) than breast feathers (median: 47.1 ng/g) and internal tissues, underscoring the major role of flight feathers in Hg elimination. Hepatic Hg concentrations showed no relationship with selenium (Se), consistent with Hg concentrations below levels that typically elicit Se-mediated detoxification. Notably, brain Hg concentrations were positively associated with ChE activity after accounting for body size, a pattern consistent with compensatory regulation of cholinergic components at low exposure levels. This highlights the need for continued monitoring of Hg and co-contaminants along the Mongolia-China-Korea migration corridor.
The clinical diagnosis of schizophrenia (SCZ) primarily relies on psychiatrists' comprehensive judgment based on symptom assessment, medical history collection, and mental status examination. However, in the early stages of the disease, in cases with atypical symptom presentations, or when differentiation from other psychiatric disorders is required, diagnosis may be influenced by patients' subjective reporting, symptom fluctuations, and differences in evaluators' clinical experience. Detection of exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a noninvasive, rapid, and repeatable approach that can provide metabolic information related to physiological and pathological states. This study aims to compare the characteristics of exhaled VOCs between patients with SCZ and healthy controls (HCs) using a high-pressure photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPPI-TOFMS) platform combined with machine learning methods, and to evaluate their discriminative performance for the auxiliary diagnosis of SCZ. An exploratory case-control study was conducted, including 34 patients with SCZ and 34 HCs. All patients with SCZ were diagnosed independently by 2 licensed psychiatrists according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5). During study design, participants in the 2 groups were matched by sex, age, and body mass index (BMI). Exhaled breath samples were collected from all participants within 30 minutes after waking in the morning. Participants consumed a light diet on the evening before sampling and avoided foods with strong odors or irritant properties. Fasting for at least 8 hours before sampling was required, and participants were instructed not to brush their teeth on the sampling day but only to rinse their mouths with purified water. Healthy controls stayed for at least 8 hours in the same ward environment as patients with SCZ on the night before sampling to minimize the impact of short-term environmental exposure differences. End-tidal breath was collected as the primary analytical sample using disposable polyether ether ketone (PEEK) sampling bags, and HPPI-TOFMS analysis was completed within 1-3 hours after collection. Raw mass spectrometry data were processed by denoising, baseline correction, peak position calibration, peak detection, peak alignment, background subtraction, and interval normalization. A VOC feature matrix with mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) ranging from 20 to 200 was subsequently constructed. Random forest (RF) and partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were used to build binary classification models. Model performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. Internal validation was performed using Monte Carlo cross-validation (MCCV), and model stability and non-randomness were further assessed through repeated training, prediction probability distributions, and permutation testing. Candidate VOC features associated with SCZ were identified through between-group differential analysis, volcano plots, hierarchical clustering heatmaps, and RF feature selection. Selected significant peaks were subjected to preliminary compound annotation. The SCZ and HC groups had identical sex distributions (21 males and 13 females in each group). No significant differences were observed between the groups in age, BMI, or smoking status (all P>0.05). The RF model constructed from exhaled VOC features demonstrated discriminative ability between patients with SCZ and HCs, with an AUC of 0.900 (95% CI 0.812 to 0.973), a sensitivity of 82.4% (28/34), and a specificity of 82.4% (28/34) at the corresponding classification threshold. After repeated model construction using different numbers of features, the AUC remained stable between 0.857 and 0.900, and the ROC curves showed similar shapes across feature sets, suggesting relatively stable discriminative performance within the current internal validation framework. Based on 100 repeated cross-validation runs, the RF model achieved a mean accuracy of 0.816 with a concentrated accuracy distribution. In permutation testing, classification performance of the randomly labeled models was significantly inferior to that of the original model (empirical P<0.001). PLS-DA model yielded an AUC of 0.816 (95% CI 0.696 to 0.953), with a sensitivity of 82.4% and a specificity of 58.8%, indicating inferior overall performance compared with the RF model. Through differential analysis, volcano plots, hierarchical clustering heatmaps, and RF feature selection, 10 candidate VOC features associated with SCZ were identified, corresponding to m/z values of 97.1, 119.1, 78.1, 115.1, 108.1, 73.1, 55.1, 56.1, 75, and 123.1. Among these, m/z 78.1, 115.1, and 108.1 were preliminarily annotated as benzene, 2-heptanone, and p-cresol, respectively. Reliable preliminary annotations for m/z 97.1 and 119.1 could not be established based on the available analytical information. Exhaled VOC analysis combined with machine learning can identify discriminative breath metabolomic features between patients with SCZ and HCs. Under the current sample size and internal validation framework, the RF model demonstrated promising discriminative performance and outperformed the linear PLS-DA model. These findings suggest that SCZ-related breath metabolomic information may be characterized more by multi-feature patterns than by isolated alterations in individual VOCs. The candidate VOC features and qualitative results in this study may provide valuable clues for future breath metabolomics research in schizophrenia. 目的: 精神分裂症(schizophrenia，SCZ)的临床诊断主要依赖精神科医师基于症状学评估、病史采集及精神状况检查作出的综合判断，在疾病早期、症状表现不典型或需要与其他精神障碍进行鉴别时，易受患者主观表达、症状波动及评估者经验差异等因素影响。呼出气挥发性有机物(volatile organic compounds，VOCs)检测具有无创、快速、可重复采集等特点，可从呼出气代谢层面提供与机体生理病理状态相关的信息。本研究旨在基于高压光子电离飞行时间质谱(high-pressure photon ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry，HPPI-TOFMS)检测平台，结合机器学习分析方法，比较SCZ患者与健康对照者(healthy control，HC)间的呼出气VOCs特征差异，并评估其在SCZ辅助诊断中的判别能力。方法: 采用探索性病例对照研究设计，纳入34例SCZ患者和34例HC。所有SCZ患者均由2名具有执业资质的精神科医师依据《精神障碍诊断与统计手册》第5版(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition，DSM-5)诊断标准确诊。2组研究对象在研究设计阶段按性别、年龄和体重指数(body mass index，BMI)进行匹配。所有研究对象均于清晨起床后30 min内完成呼出气样本采集，采样前一晚予清淡饮食，避免摄入具有强烈气味或刺激性的食物，采样前禁食至少8 h，采样当日晨起不刷牙，仅使用纯净水漱口。HC于采样前一晚在与SCZ患者相同的病区环境下停留≥8 h，以减少短期环境暴露差异对组间比较的影响。采集呼出气末端气体作为主要分析样本，采用聚醚醚酮材质一次性呼出气采样袋进行采集，并在采集后1~3 h内完成HPPI-TOFMS检测。原始质谱数据经去噪、基线校正、峰位置校准、峰检测、峰对齐、背景扣除及数据间隔标准化处理后，构建质荷比(mass-to-charge ratio，m/z)为20~200区间的呼出气VOCs特征矩阵。采用随机森林(random forest，RF)和偏最小二乘判别分析(partial least squares-discriminant analysis，PLS-DA)构建二分类模型。通过受试者操作特征(receiver operating characteristic，ROC)曲线、曲线下面积(area under the curve，AUC)、敏感度和特异度评价模型判别性能;基于蒙特卡洛交叉验证(Monte Carlo cross-validation，MCCV)进行内部评估，并结合重复训练、预测概率分布和置换检验评估模型内部稳定性及非随机性。进一步结合组间差异分析、火山图、层次聚类热图和RF模型特征选择结果，筛选SCZ相关候选VOCs特征，并对部分显著差异峰进行初步定性归属。结果: SCZ组与HC组性别分布一致，均为男21例、女13例;2组在年龄、BMI及吸烟状况方面差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。基于呼出气VOCs特征构建的RF模型在SCZ患者与HC间显示出一定的区分能力，AUC为0.900(95% CI 0.812~0.973)，在相应分类阈值下敏感度为82.4%(28/34)，特异度为82.4%(28/34)。在不同特征数量条件下重复构建模型后，AUC稳定在0.857~0.900，不同特征数量条件下ROC曲线形态较为接近，提示模型判别性能在当前内部验证框架下相对稳定。基于100次交叉验证的重复训练结果显示，RF模型平均准确率为0.816，准确率分布较为集中;置换检验中随机标签模型的分类性能明显低于原始模型，差异具有统计学意义(经验性P<0.001)。PLS-DA模型的AUC为0.816(95% CI 0.696~0.953)，敏感度为82.4%，特异度为58.8%，整体判别性能低于RF模型。通过组间差异分析、火山图、层次聚类热图及RF特征筛选得到10个SCZ相关候选VOCs特征，对应m/z分别为97.1、119.1、78.1、115.1、108.1、73.1、55.1、56.1、75.0和123.1。其中，m/z 78.1、115.1和108.1初步推测分别对应苯(benzene)、2-庚酮(2-heptanone)和对甲苯酚(p-cresol);m/z 97.1和119.1基于现有检测信息尚未获得可靠归属。结论: 呼出气VOCs检测联合机器学习分析可在SCZ患者与HC间识别出具有区分意义的呼出气代谢特征。RF模型在当前样本和内部验证框架下显示出一定的判别能力，其性能优于线性PLS-DA模型，提示SCZ相关呼出气代谢信息可能更多体现为多特征联合模式，而非单一VOCs特征的独立改变。筛选得到的候选VOCs特征及定性结果可为后续SCZ呼出气代谢组学研究提供线索。.
The peach fruit moth, Carposina sasakii Matsumura (Lepidoptera: Carposinidae), is a major internal fruit borer of apple in East Asia, yet its occurrence patterns under contrasting orchard systems and the practicality of pheromone-based decision triggers for insecticide timing remain insufficiently resolved. From 2020 to 2021, we monitored male flight activity using sex-pheromone traps in paired dwarfing (high-density) and traditional (standard tree) apple orchards and quantified fruit infestation. We further tested chlorantraniliprole schedules triggered by the first sustained adult-flight signal, comparing spray timing at 3 versus 7 days post-trigger and application frequency with one versus two sprays at a 10-day interval. Across all four site-year combinations, trap catches showed multi-peaked seasonal dynamics and were consistently lower in dwarfing orchards, with cumulative seasonal catches in traditional orchards being 1.54-2.22 times those in dwarfing orchards. Fruit infestation by C. sasakii was significantly higher in traditional orchards than in dwarfing orchards in Muping in both 2020 and 2021. All insecticide schedules reduced fruit infestation to <3% at 30 days after the first application, but two sprays achieved significantly higher corrected control efficacy (~96-98%) than a single spray, whereas timing had no significant effect. These results indicate that dwarfing orchard systems can experience reduced C. sasakii pressure under the current study conditions and that a simple pheromone-trap trigger combined with targeted chlorantraniliprole applications can provide effective control, offering a practical decision-support approach for integrated pest management in non-bagged apple orchards. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.
Long-duration space missions demand reliable, portable, and autonomous medical diagnostic tools. Lung ultrasound (LUS) is ideal for space exploration due to its safety and versatility, but interpreting LUS images requires training. Artificial intelligence (AI) can assist with image interpretation by detecting lung sliding, an ultrasound sign produced by the movement of lung and chest wall during breathing. The presence of lung sliding helps to rule out pneumothorax, or a collapsed lung, which is a condition that may arise from barotrauma or rapid changes in pressurization. LUS clips were acquired from two healthy volunteers during parabolic flight maneuvers simulating microgravity and lunar gravity, with +1-G clips used as controls. Clips were analyzed using an AI model to classify the presence of lung sliding and model performance and confidence were compared across gravity conditions. All clips were reviewed by an expert to establish whether lung sliding was present, which served as the reference standard for AI model evaluation. From 105 LUS clips, the model demonstrated an accuracy of 94%, with similar performance at +1 G (96%), lunar gravity (94%), and microgravity (92%). Prediction confidence varied by gravity, with median values of 93% at +1 G, 83% at lunar gravity, and 67% at microgravity. Confidence was significantly lower in microgravity compared with +1 G. These findings demonstrate that AI-assisted LUS can reliably detect lung sliding under reduced gravity, supporting its feasibility as an autonomous diagnostic support tool for spaceflight and highlighting the importance of further validation in microgravity environments. Côté M, Smith D, Orozco N, VanBerlo B, Huggard B, Arntfield R, Prager R. Artificial intelligence interpretation of point-of-care lung ultrasound in microgravity. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2026; 97(7):505-509.
The sterile insect technique (SIT) represents an environmentally benign pest management strategy. Spodoptera litura (Fabricius) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), a highly polyphagous pest, poses a significant threat to global agricultural productivity. To enable effective SIT implementation, we determined the optimal X-ray irradiation dose required to induce near-complete sterility across parental and F1 generations while evaluating the cold storage tolerance of irradiated pupae. This study lays a critical foundation for integrating sterile S. litura into field-based suppression programs. Our results establish 105 Gy as the optimal X-ray irradiation dose for 7-day-old S. litura pupae. This dose induced over 84% infertility in parental males, more than 90% infertility in F1 males, and nearly complete infertility in F1 females. However, mating success was reduced to 53.4%, with a control value of 92.5%. Although parental sterile males exhibited a lower average mating times (2.85) relative to the control group (4.95), this dose had no adverse effect on their single-mating duration or flight capacity. Post-irradiation cold storage trials revealed 12°C for 7 days minimized adverse impacts on sterile males. Furthermore, after 7 days of cold storage at 12°C, flight duration and distance decreased by 14% and 17%, respectively. The highest mating competitiveness (C = 0.51) was achieved with a 9:1:1 release ratio (cold-stored irradiated males: normal males: normal females), whereas the 1:1:1 ratio yielded a considerably lower C value of 0.07. X-ray-induced sterility in S. litura demonstrates substantial potential for practical field application. Coupled with an optimized cold storage strategy, this study facilitates the scalable production of competitive sterile males, greatly advancing SIT operational feasibility against this polyphagous pest.
Chronic gastritis is a prevalent global health concern, and there is growing interest in functional foods and nutraceuticals derived from traditional herbs as complementary approaches for gastrointestinal health management. The Fructus Aurantii Immaturus-Bambusae Caulis in Taeniam (FAI-BCT) herb pair exhibits health-promoting effects against chronic gastritis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly of its bioactive constituents, remain unclear. We established an ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) method to identify the blood-absorbed constituents and metabolites of FAI-BCT in rat plasma. Combined with GEO database mining and targeted network pharmacology, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were further performed to explore its anti-gastritis mechanisms. 27 prototype components and 13 metabolites were identified or preliminarily characterized in plasma. Targeted network pharmacology identified 3',4',5,7-tetramethoxyflavone, 5'-methoxynobiletin (M5), naringenin, hesperetin, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and nobiletin as key bioactive compounds. Core therapeutic targets included epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), protein kinase B-α (AKT1), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2). Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses highlighted the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway as a key mechanism regulated by these compounds. Molecular docking verified strong binding affinities, and molecular dynamics simulations validated stable complex formations. This study elucidates the multi-target mechanisms of FAI-BCT in preventing and managing chronic gastritis, emphasizing the role of its highly bioavailable bioactive constituents. The findings provide robust evidence supporting FAI-BCT's potential application in functional foods or nutraceuticals for chronic gastritis and underscore the importance of bioavailability-focused research on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) constituents.
Visible-light inter-satellite communication is a promising physical-layer option for secure and interference-resilient 6G satellite networking. However, most analytical studies still assume Lambertian emission, which limits insight into emitters with asymmetric or multi-lobe radiation patterns. This paper presents a controlled analytical framework for Lambertian, Z-Power, and non-symmetric power-weighted (NSPW) beams using consistent transmitter-receiver modeling, channel-gain, receiver-noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and bit error rate (BER) formulations, including solar-background effects under Fraunhofer-line operation. The analysis considers six design dimensions: link distance, irradiance angle, transmitted optical power, receiver-bandwidth scaling, optical-filter background leakage, and beam azimuth rotation. The results show a clear operating-regime transition: Lambertian emission is competitive for near-aligned links, whereas non-Lambertian beams offer markedly higher robustness at wide irradiance angles. In a representative proximity-case stress point (0.5 km, [Formula: see text] irradiance angle), Z-Power and NSPW links achieve about 4.7 dB and [Formula: see text] dB, respectively, while the Lambertian baseline remains near [Formula: see text] dB, corresponding to gains of approximately 60 dB and 45.7 dB. The bandwidth, distance-scaling, and link-budget discussions clarify that these values are beam-profile sensitivity margins rather than a flight-qualified payload budget. Overall, the findings provide a practical roadmap for beam selection, link-margin interpretation, and attitude-aware adaptation in robust 6G visible-light inter-satellite communication systems.