Fusarium, an omnipresent fungus is known for its pathogenic potential. Pathogenic fungi like all other organisms need iron and are known to produce siderophores for iron acquisition. Siderophore producers possess transporters for their own siderophore as well as for siderophores secreted by other organisms known as xenosiderophore. Although iron is an essential nutrient it can also cause oxidative stress and cell-death at high concentrations. While siderophore utilization is employed by the fungi for efficient iron acquisition, it can be exploited against them by supplying xenosiderophore exogenously in turn increasing iron uptake that might prove lethal. A xenosiderophore-iron transporter MirA has been identified earlier in Aspergillus nidulans for the transport of bacterial siderophore enterobactin. MirA has not yet been identified in Fusarium spp. Present study is a computational analysis that focuses on searching possible orthologs of MirA in Fusarium and predicting its structure using deep-learning-based structural prediction and validation approaches. Docking confirmed binding of predicted Fusarium MiRA transporters with the enterobactin-Fe complex, and the most stable complex was further analyzed by molecular dynamics simulations. RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and SASA analyses demonstrated that interaction with the enterobactin-Fe complex stabilizes the MirA structure, supporting its functional adaptation for siderophore-chelated iron binding. In silico findings are further supported by experimental validation that shows growth inhibitory effect of catecholate siderophore produced by Escherichia coli on Fusarium sp. through anti-fungal plate assay, dry weight estimation and morphological changes through microscopy using LPCB staining. The results suggest possible involvement of MirA in xenosiderophore-mediated biocontrol via siderophore-iron uptake.
Hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (HPND), which was linked to infections by the microsporidian Hepatospora eriocheir, was a disease of high mortality and prevalence that had caused significant losses in Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) aquaculture. In this study, two molecular detection methods, TaqMan quantitative PCR and multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification (MIRA) , were successfully established after designing specific primers and probes targeting the H. eriocheir CHI4 gene. The developed standard curve for TaqMan qPCR was y = -3.1654x + 43.925 (R2 = 0.9977), with an amplification efficiency of 107%. After optimization of the reaction conditions, MIRA was able to detect H. eriocheir in 25 min. Specificity tests confirmed that TaqMan qPCR and MIRA targeting H. eriocheir had no cross-reactivity with Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Spiroplasma eriocheiris, white spot syndrome virus, and decapod iridescent virus I. The sensitivity detection result revealed that the minimum detection limit of TaqMan qPCR and MIRA was 4.6 × 101 copies/μL and 4.6 × 100 copies/μL, respectively, while the minimum detection limit of PCR was 4.6 × 103 copies/μL. TaqMan qPCR and MIRA detection methods of H. eriocheir were established in this study and could be used for early diagnosis of HPND.
Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most diagnosed cancer among men globally and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality. However, current conventional prostate diagnostic methods fail to meet the growing demands of clinical practice in terms of speed, simplicity, sensitivity, and specificity. To address these limitations, we established a molecular detection system based on MIRA-CRISPR/Cas12a technology. Using reverse transcription-multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification (RT-MIRA) to amplify minute PCA3-specific fragments in samples, we employ CRISPR/Cas12a to detect the fluorescence signal released by these fragments, enabling the detection of trace PCA3 molecules in urine. Methods: PCA3 standard strain cultivation and total RNA extraction; establishment and optimization of the MIRA amplification system using primers designed for the PCA3 molecular marker; design of crRNA targeting optimal sites within the detection sequence, combined with CRISPR/Cas12a technology to establish the detection system; preliminary validation of the technology's sensitivity and specificity. Results: the MIRA-CRISPR/Cas12a technology was successfully established for visual detection of PCA3 molecules in prostate cancer. Primer and crRNA sequences within the reaction system were determined. The detection sensitivity for PCA3 molecules in urine reached 1 × 100 copies per µL with excellent specificity. Conclusion: the MIRA-CRISPR/Cas12a technology enables specific detection of PCA3 molecules in urine. This technique features high sensitivity, high specificity, visual results, and simple operation. It does not require specialized laboratory UV imaging equipment; results are visible to the naked eye under LED blue light. Following further optimization, it offers a feasible technical solution for rapid molecular screening of prostate cancer.
Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) is an important freshwater-cultured species in China. M. salmoides rhabdovirus (MSRV) is a devastating pathogen that causes high mortality (exceeding 90% in acute outbreaks) in largemouth bass fry, posing a severe threat to the global largemouth bass aquaculture industry. To address the urgent demand for rapid, on-site MSRV detection, two multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification (MIRA)-derived methods-multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification with fluorescence detection (MIRA-FLU) and multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification with lateral flow dipstick (MIRA-LFD)-were established and optimized targeting the conserved nucleoprotein (N) gene of MSRV. The performance of both methods was systematically evaluated, and their practical applicability was verified using clinical samples collected from diseased fish farms. The results demonstrated that both methods exhibited high sensitivity, with a detection limit of 9 copies/μL for the standard plasmid. Both detection methods demonstrated high specificity and showed no cross-reactivity with other common aquatic viruses, indicating their high specificity for MSRV detection. MIRA-FLU completed amplification within 25 min at 42°C, while MIRA-LFD achieved amplification within 12 min at 37°C. MIRA-FLU is used for real-time fluorescent quantitative detection, whereas MIRA-LFD enables visual, instrument-free reading via lateral flow test strips. In comparative analyses of clinical samples, the diagnostic results of MIRA-FLU and MIRA-LFD were compared with those of the standard conventional PCR test and showed nearly 100% consistency. Therefore, our MIRA-FLU and MIRA-LFD detection methods demonstrate excellent specificity and sensitivity, providing two simple, rapid and reliable approaches for large-scale field surveys of MSRV in resource-limited settings.
The expeditious and precise diagnosis of dengue virus (DENV) and chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is paramount for effective patient management and the control of outbreaks. In this study, a duplex reverse transcription multi-enzyme isothermal amplification (RT-MIRA) assay was established for the simultaneous detection of DENV and CHIKV, followed by a nested RT-MIRA assay for DENV serotyping (DENV-1 to -4). Specific primers and probes targeting the DENV 3'-UTR, CHIKV E1 gene, and four DENV serotypes were designed. The duplex RT-MIRA and nested DENV RT-MIRA serotyping reaction systems were optimized at 39 °C with portable fluorescence or lateral flow dipstick readouts. For methodological validation, specificity was evaluated against 35 related pathogens, and the 95% limit of detection (LOD95) was determined via probit regression. For clinical validation, serum samples from 236 suspected patients were tested, benchmarking against RT-qPCR and serology. Statistical analyses included the Wilson score method for calculating 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and Cohen's kappa (κ). For external verification, 12 CHIKV-positive clinical samples and 5 artificially simulated co-infection samples were retrospectively analyzed to validate assay accuracy. The duplex RT-MIRA assay exhibited no cross-reactivity with other pathogens. The LOD95 values were 13.47 copies/μl for DENV and 10.49 copies/μl for CHIKV. Clinical validation demonstrated sensitivities of 96.15% (95% CI: 89.28%-98.67%) for DENV and 88.89% (95% CI: 67.20%-96.90%) for CHIKV. Specificity was 100% (95% CI: 92.87%-100%) for both. Agreement with RT-qPCR was strong for DENV (κ = 0.96) and CHIKV (κ = 0.92). The nested RT-MIRA serotyping assay showed high sensitivity (LOD95: 1.6-18.7 copies/μl) without cross-reactivity, accurately differentiating 75 DENV-positive samples into 71 DENV-1 and 4 DENV-2. In the external verification, the assay accurately detected 10 CHIKV mono-infections and 2 CHIKV/DENV co-infections, and distinguished four DENV serotypes in simulated matrices. A rapid and sensitive integrated method has been developed that combines duplex RT-MIRA for detecting DENV and CHIKV, and nested RT-MIRA for serotyping DENV. The simplicity and speed of the amplification and detection steps demonstrate this platform's potential for use in point-of-care testing and surveillance in areas with limited resources, particularly when used alongside portable extraction methods.
Purpose To develop a fine-tuned large language model (Medical Imaging Report Assistant [MIRA]) and evaluate its performance in generating radiology impressions from multicenter data with respect to accuracy, reporting efficiency, and clinical applicability. Materials and Methods A retrospective multicenter dataset comprising 1.87 million radiology reports (including CT, MRI, and digital radiography data) from 42 hospitals across 22 provinces in China (January 2019-August 2024) was compiled. The dataset was used to fine-tune a large language model via a prompt-based strategy. The evaluation framework incorporated both automated and human evaluation metrics. Radiologists evaluated internal and external datasets and three open-source datasets to compare impressions generated by the fine-tuned large language model and GPT-4o (Open AI). Twenty-four radiologists from six centers performed blinded comparisons of MIRA-generated and reference impressions to assess interrater consistency and drafting efficiency. Data were analyzed using appropriate parametric and nonparametric tests and χ2 tests, with Holm-Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons. Results The internal test set included data for 78 544 reports (median age, 52 years; IQR, 35-65 years; 39 351 male), and the external test set included data for 27 471 reports (median age, 53 years; IQR, 37-66 years; 13 955 male). Site- and modality-aware prompting improved similarity (internal BERTScore F1 and sentence similarity, 0.92 and 0.92, respectively; external BERTScore F1 and sentence similarity, 0.82 and 0.80, respectively, under optimal settings; P < .001). Human evaluation (n = 2327) showed MIRA beat GPT-4o on both similarity and F1 score (P < .001). MIRA-generated impressions were rated as at least as good as the reference impressions in 69.0% (1657 of 2400) of blinded comparisons, reduced draft time by 0.46 minutes per report, and increased interradiologist agreement (P < .001). Conclusion MIRA, a fine-tuned large language model using a prompt-based strategy, generated clinically aligned radiology impressions in multicenter settings, improving accuracy, efficiency, and reporting consistency. Keywords: Computer-aided Diagnosis, CAD, Supervised Learning, Transfer Learning, Conventional Radiography, MRI, Computer Applications-General Informatics, Statistics Supplemental material is available for this article. © The Author(s) 2026. Published by the Radiological Society of North America under a CC BY 4.0 license.
Nepal has significantly improved maternal health service coverage, including antenatal care (ANC), with a growing focus on quality care. The mobile health Integrated Rural Antenatal care (mIRA) project evaluated an electronic decision support system (EDSS) to improve ANC quality in primary healthcare facilities. This sub-study was undertaken within the context of a mixed-method evaluation. It aimed to explore how auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs) implemented the EDSS and to provide insight into the real-world challenges and processes of the mIRA implementation project. We conducted a focused ethnography in four primary health facilities, where ANMs implemented the EDSS. Data were collected between December 2021 and January 2023 and involved repeat ethnographic observations, informal conversations, formal interviews (n = 16), and validation workshops for participants to respond to and reflect on findings. The data were analyzed thematically, drawing on street-level bureaucracy theory. ANMs verbalized they valued the EDSS, but this was not reflected in their use of it. ANMs adopted the EDSS primarily for recordkeeping and did not comply with care recommendations that conflicted with their usual way of working. ANMs viewed themselves as providing care for normal pregnancies and believed that quality was not an issue, as they felt they were already delivering good care at their level. This perception, coupled with a risk-averse attitude, led them to refer cases to doctors or higher centers rather than implement the EDSS recommendations. The EDSS recommendations to improve the quality of ANC did not align well with ANMs' usual practices, which were influenced by contextual factors and the complexities of organizing ANC in primary health facilities. By triangulating longitudinal data collected through multiple methods, the study provided a comprehensive insight into ANC provision in Nepal, revealing the challenges associated with improving quality, unpacking the realities of intervention implementation, and highlighting the disconnects between rhetoric and practice.
The Par complex regulates cell polarity in diverse animal cells, but how it is restricted to a specific membrane domain remains unclear. The tumor suppressor Lethal giant larvae (Lgl) is thought to inhibit Par complex membrane binding, yet in metaphase Drosophila neural stem cells (NSCs), Lgl is cytoplasmic while the Par complex is apically polarized, raising the question of how Lgl controls Par localization when it is not on the membrane. Using live imaging, we found that Lgl and atypical Protein Kinase C (aPKC) exhibit tightly coordinated, opposing membrane dynamics: aPKC displaces Lgl at mitotic entry, while Lgl displaces aPKC at mitotic exit. In Lgl-depleted NSCs, aPKC is not fully cleared from the membrane after mitosis, and this residual aPKC persists into the subsequent division, disrupting Miranda polarization. Apical aPKC recruitment still occurs, indicating that Lgl is not required for Par polarization per se, but rather for ensuring aPKC absence from the basal membrane before mitosis. These findings reveal a temporal mode of mutual antagonism between Lgl and the Par complex that may license proper asymmetric division.
Methylphenidate (MPH) is a psychostimulant widely used to enhance attention and executive functions through increased dopaminergic and noradrenergic transmission. Although its effects on cognitive performance are well documented, its acute influence on cortical oscillatory activity, particularly α power, during tasks requiring simultaneous motor and cognitive processing remains poorly understood in healthy adults.To investigate the acute effects of 10 mg MPH on absolute α power (8-12 Hz) in frontal regions during a visuomotor task in healthy subjects.A total of 13 right-handed healthy adults (7 men; age 25.6 ± 4.5 years) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. A 20-channel electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded before and after execution of the MIRA visuomotor task (joystick response when a moving target crosses a previously memorized position) under placebo and MPH (10 mg) conditions, with sessions 1 week apart. Absolute α power was compared using two-way ANOVA (condition vs. moment: pre- vs. post-joystick press), followed by paired t-tests when appropriate.Significant condition versus moment interactions were observed at F3 (p = 0.006), F4 (p = 0.003), and F8 (p = 0.023). The main effects of condition and/or moment occurred at Fp1, Fp2, and Fz (all p < 0.05). The use of MPH attenuated or reversed the typical task-related α desynchronization seen under placebo, especially in right frontal regions.A single 10 mg dose of MPH homogeneously modulates frontal α power during a visuomotor task, promoting sustained cortical activation. This paradigm emerges as a sensitive tool for studying motor-cognitive coupling and may contribute to understanding MPH mechanisms in both healthy and clinical populations.
Seijas Naya, F. Bernabeu Mira, J., C. Pérez Jardón, et al. "Influence of Abutment Shape on Implant Marginal Bone Remodeling: A Double-Blind, Randomized 24-Month Clinical Study." Clinical Oral Implants Research 1-11; https://doi.org/10.1111/clr.70085 DESIGN: A 24-month follow-up of a split-mouth randomised clinical trial with two parallel experimental groups: straight aesthetic antirotational abutments (Nueva Galimplant, Sarria, Spain) and concave antirotational abutments (Nueva Galimplant, Sarria, Spain). This continuation study, with 24-month post-loading data, re-analysed the 8 week post-placement and 6 month post-loading data, from the original study1. The primary outcome defined in the protocol was stability, measured as Implant Stability Quotient (ISQ), and secondary outcomes were Marginal Bone Loss (MBL), and Probing Depth (PD). 30 partially dentate patients (n = 80 implants) who required at least two posterior implants to be restored with single-unit crowns, were recruited at a secondary care academic department. Adults over 20 years old, who smoked less than 5 cigarettes per day, were at least 6 months post-extraction with healed bone able to accommodate 4 mm diameter and 10 mm length implants, without hard or soft tissue augmentation, were considered. Implants were placed transmucosally 4 mm from the future gingival margin, 1 mm below the alveolar crest, utilising 2 mm or 3 mm height abutments. Healing caps were removed at 8 weeks and outcomes measured, the implants were then loaded with crowns and outcomes measured again at 6- and 24-months post-loading. A per-protocol analysis was done using independent-sample t-tests for dichotomous variables and paired-sample t-tests for intra-group bone level changes. Mixed linear regression models were used to assess the impact of abutment type and height on MBL, with individual variations weighted based on implant count per patient. Generalised Additive Models were also constructed. There was no statistical difference in stability, measured through ISQ, between groups at 24 months. There was no statistical difference in PD, bleeding and plaque scores either. At 8 weeks post placement, prior to loading, there was a statistically significant (p = 0.002) difference in MBL: straight abutments had an average of 0.54 mm (95% confidence interval 0.35 to 0.73) and concave abutments of 0.18 mm (95% confidence interval 0.05 to 0.31). A linear mixed-effects regression model was used to evaluate changes in marginal bone levels. Overall, implants restored with concave abutments showed significantly less MBL than those with straight abutments. The model also indicated that this difference appeared early after loading and remained consistent over the follow-up period. In addition, greater abutment height was associated with reduced MBL, suggesting a protective effect of increased abutment height independent of abutment type. Two implants 'failed' and one abutment fractured. Of the 12 implants excluded from the analysis, two had abutment fractures and four crown fractures, the rest were lost to follow-up. Concave abutments in this cohort had the same MBL at 24 months compared to straight abutments and had no effect on implant stability (ISQ) or periodontal indices such as, bleeding on probing, and PD. At 8 weeks there was a small disparity, less than 0.5 mm difference in MBL, but this appears to be clinically insignificant regarding the final 24-month MBL value.
The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF), titanium-prepared platelet-rich fibrin (T-PRF), and 0.8% hyaluronic acid (HA) gel compared with a naturally healing control group on gingival wound healing and epithelialization following gingivectomy and gingivoplasty in plaque-induced gingival enlargement. Secondary objectives were to assess clinical periodontal parameters and patient-reported outcomes during a 28-day follow-up period. The study included four groups: a control group and three test groups treated with I-PRF, T-PRF, and 0.8% HA gel. All patients underwent gingivectomy and gingivoplasty after the first step of periodontal therapy. Pain and burning were recorded using VAS during the first postoperative week, and analgesic consumption and bleeding were also recorded. Oral health–related quality of life was assessed using OHIP-14. Wound healing was evaluated using Mira-2 Tone staining with digital image analysis, the Landry, Turnbull, and Howley (LTH) wound-healing index, and the H₂O₂ foaming test at days 7, 14, 21, and 28, while clinical periodontal parameters were reassessed at day 28. A total of 60 systemically healthy patients were included in the study: I-PRF (n = 15), T-PRF (n = 15), 0.8% HA (n = 15), and control (n = 15). Significant intergroup differences were observed in several clinical and wound-healing parameters. At day 28, the HA group showed significantly lower gingival inflammation and bleeding compared with the I-PRF, T-PRF, and control groups (p < 0.05). All intervention groups demonstrated improved wound healing compared with the control group. On day 7, the control group exhibited a significantly larger non-epithelialized area (169,440 ± 23,583) than the HA group (122,262 ± 18,363), representing a mean reduction difference of 47,178. LTH wound-healing scores were significantly higher in the intervention groups than in the control group across all time points (all p ≤ 0.005). Pain, burning, and oral health–related quality of life improved significantly over time in all groups (p < 0.001), with the HA and I-PRF groups reporting lower discomfort scores. I-PRF, T-PRF, and HA enhanced epithelial wound healing and patient comfort compared with control, with HA providing superior reductions in gingival inflammation and bleeding. However, due to the subjective nature of some measures and the lack of histological/molecular analyses, further long-term studies are necessary to confirm these clinical outcomes and understand the underlying biological mechanisms. Adjunctive use of HA, I-PRF, and T-PRF may improve soft-tissue healing and patient comfort after gingivectomy. HA may be particularly practical in routine clinical settings because it does not require blood collection or centrifugation. Therefore, the choice of adjunctive treatment may depend on clinical logistics and cost considerations. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00784-026-06860-5.
Environmental pollution caused by persistent chemical compounds, particularly heavy metals, poses a significant global challenge. Current strategies focus on eco-friendly and sustainable approaches, such as the application of microorganisms, to mitigate this issue. In this study, four strains of Bacillus and Pseudomonas were phylogenetically identified and assessed for their resistance to three heavy metals: copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), and cadmium (Cd) up to 500 µg/mL. Various tolerance mechanisms related to heavy metal resistance were elucidated, including salinity tolerance, antibiotic resistance, production of exopolysaccharides (EPS), and biosurfactant synthesis. The antifungal activities of these strains were evaluated against the fungal isolates Fusarium oxysporum fs. phaseoli (Fop) and Stemphylium botryosum (St-bt) using dual culture assays. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that three strains belong to the genus Bacillus, while one strain is classified under Pseudomonas. Additionally, these strains exhibited diverse mechanisms for heavy metal tolerance, including salinity tolerance (up to 600 mM), multi-antibiotic resistance (to imipenem, ampicillin, and sodium fusidate), and the production of viscous, slimy colonies indicative of EPS synthesis. Biosurfactant production led to a significant reduction in surface tension, ranging from 10.51 ± 3.87% to 82.89 ± 5.01%. The antifungal assays demonstrated that the strains effectively inhibited the mycelial growth of the fungal isolates, with inhibition percentages varying from 0% to 83.34 ± 2.22%. The strains characterized in this study exhibit considerable potential for application in the bioremediation of metal-contaminated soils and as biocontrol agents.
We demonstrate an exceptional radiation hardness of thin films of pristine fullerene C60 and its organic derivative phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PC61BM) in lateral resistor and field-effect transistor device geometries under exposure to ultra-high doses of 60Co gamma rays approaching 5-8 MGy (5-8 MRad). The obtained results exhibit the great promise of organic semiconductors for the development of radiation-hard electronics for outer space exploration and other extreme environments.
The African Star Apple (Chrysophyllum albidum, ASA) is an underutilized tropical fruit indigenous to West and Central Africa, known for its rich nutritional profile and phytochemical diversity. Traditionally consumed fresh, the pulp, peel, and seed contain substantial amounts of carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, including catechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin and related polyphenols. Despite its widespread cultural acceptance and documented therapeutic potential, large-scale utilization of ASA remains limited due to rapid postharvest losses, inadequate processing infrastructure, and fragmented scientific data on its functional and health-promoting properties. This review consolidates current evidence on the nutritional composition, phytochemical profile, biological activities, and food applications of ASA and its by-products. It critically examines conventional and emerging green extraction technologies for bioactive recovery, including maceration, Soxhlet extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, and pulsed electric field processing. The techno-functional properties of ASA components, antinutritional factors, and their implications for gut health modulation are also discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the incorporation of ASA into value-added products such as juices, jams, yogurts, and nutraceutical formulations, alongside strategies for improving postharvest stability and enabling industrial-scale processing. Across its pulp, peel, and seed, ASA is rich in essential nutrients and phenolic compounds and has demonstrated a broad spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive effects, as evidenced by both in vitro and in vivo studies. Functional assessments demonstrate favorable water and oil absorption capacities, emulsifying behavior, and starch modification potential, supporting its application in diverse food systems. Green extraction technologies consistently enhance bioactive yield while preserving compound stability and functionality. In addition, the fermentable fibers and polyphenols present in ASA show promise in modulating gut microbiota composition and promoting short-chain fatty acid production. Nevertheless, the presence of antinutritional factors such as tannins and oxalates necessitates appropriate processing and formulation strategies. Overall, ASA emerges as a sustainable and versatile candidate for functional food development and nutraceutical innovation.
Frailty is a complex trait that significantly increases the risk for negative health consequences, including hospitalization and disability. However, the evidence regarding the genetic basis of frailty phenotype (FP) is very limited. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on FP using the data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA). We classified the participants as non-frail, pre-frail, and frail, and performed a GWAS utilizing the ordinal logistic regression adjusted for sex, number of chronic conditions, and 10 principal components. Several post-GWAS analyses, including cis-eQTL analyses, were conducted to investigate the potential functional significance. In total, 23,105 participants and more than 8 million imputed SNPs were included in the analysis. The average age was 63 years, and 50.35% of the participants were female. Most participants were non-frail (11,297; 48.89%) or pre-frail (10,261; 44.41%), whereas only 1547 (6.70%) were frail. One novel genomic variant (rs147311617) at the 12p22 locus was found significant at the level of genome-wide significance (p = 4.98×10 -8). This variant was identified near the PLXNC1 gene. The eQTL analysis identified the role of the SOCS2 gene. Our study demonstrated the role of genes, PLXCN1 and SOCS2, that contribute to frailty through neurological and immunological pathways.
The purpose of this retrospective study was to describe the CT features of presumed normal canine palatine tonsils. Pre- and post-contrast head CT studies of 140 dogs without tonsillar disease were included. Subjective evaluation of palatine tonsils included contrast enhancement pattern, differentiation from surrounding soft tissues and presence of gas or mineral within the tonsillar fossae. Quantitative measurements included pre- and post-contrast attenuation, width, height and length. Relationships between palatine tonsillar size and age, bodyweight, brachycephalic versus normocephalic conformation and concurrent regional disease were investigated. Bodyweight-based ranges (≤10.0 kg, 10.1 to 25.0 kg and >25.0 kg) for tonsillar sizes were established to assess differences in tonsillar size across weight categories. Palatine tonsils were identified on CT examination in all dogs. 52.9% palatine tonsils were poorly differentiated from adjacent soft tissues in post-contrast series, 86.1% tonsillar fossae contained gas and 7.9% contained mineral. Mean palatine tonsillar width was 6.9 mm (SD 2.2 mm), height 6.5 mm (SD 2.0 mm) and length 19.1 mm (SD 4.5 mm). Median attenuation pre-contrast was 50.8 HU (range 22.6 to 82.1 HU), significantly increasing to 89.4 HU post-contrast (range 49.7 to 128.0 HU). Tonsillar size was negatively correlated with age and positively correlated with bodyweight. There were statistically significant increases in tonsillar size with each ascending bodyweight range. No statistically significant size differences were found between brachycephalic and normocephalic breeds, nor between dogs with or without concurrent regional disease. These findings may serve as informative references for evaluating palatine tonsils on CT examinations in healthy dogs and provide comparisons for assessing tonsillar pathology.
The optimal intake of artificial nutrition in critically ill patients remains unclear. While calorie and protein intakes affect glomerular function in patients with chronic kidney disease, their relation to renal function at the acute phase of intensive care is insufficiently documented. We aimed to study associations of a low-calorie and low-protein diet with renal outcomes in critically ill patients. This post hoc analysis of the NUTRIREA-3 randomized-controlled trial included 3036 mechanically ventilated patients with shock. Calorie and protein intakes during the first 7 days were either low (6 kcal/kg and 0.2-0.4 g protein/kg/d) or standard (25 kcal/kg and 1.0-1.3 g protein/kg/d). The primary outcome was the incidence of acute kidney disease (AKD) during the ICU stay (up to ICU discharge or day 90 after inclusion, whichever occurred first). AKD during the ICU stay occurred in 669 (44.6%) low-group patients and 691 (46.1%) standard-group patients (hazard ratio, 0.97; 95% CI 0.88-1.07; P = 0.53). The highest urea level and the urea level at ICU discharge were significantly lower in the low group (P = 0.002). No differences were found for renal replacement therapy requirements or other renal outcomes. The results were similar in patients with early kidney dysfunction, severe organ failures, or end-stage chronic kidney disease. In critically ill patients with shock, early low-calorie and low-protein nutrition for 7 days was not associated with worse renal outcomes or mortality compared to standard feeding, even in patients with preexisting renal dysfunction.
Synanthropic cockroaches, especially Blattella germanica and Periplaneta americana, are persistent pests of human dwellings, healthcare facilities, food establishments, farms, and transport infrastructure. Accumulating field and laboratory studies indicate that synanthropic cockroaches carry clinically important bacteria, fungi, and parasites, including multidrug-resistant strains harbouring extended-spectrum β-lactamase, carbapenemase, and other antimicrobial-resistant determinants. Cockroaches acquire these organisms from sewage, waste, food residues, animal excreta, and contaminated clinical environments, and retain them on the cuticle and within a complex gut microbiota. Dissemination is predominantly mechanical, via contact transfer and deposition of regurgitate and faeces on food, equipment, and surfaces, but may be amplified by gut colonisation, microbial interactions, and horizontal gene transfer within the cockroach microbiome. In hospitals, cockroaches can connect high-burden reservoirs (drains, waste areas, kitchens) with vulnerable units, including intensive care units (ICUs), neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), burn units, and haemato-oncology wards. In food and livestock systems, they may contaminate housing, ingredients, and finished products, enabling spillover along supply chains and at ports. This review synthesises current evidence and highlights the following priorities: integrate cockroaches into infection prevention, food safety, and biosecurity; incorporate cockroach sampling into antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and genomic surveillance; and advance mechanistic research on cockroach-microbiota-pathogen interactions to improve pest management and safely explore cockroach-derived antimicrobial compounds. In this review, we distinguish external mechanical carriage (cuticular contamination) from internal gut carriage; we use "gut colonisation" only when persistence/replication or prolonged shedding is demonstrated.
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