BACKGROUND: Elite sailing performance depends on the interaction of anthropometric features, strength–power capacities, postural control, and physiological fitness. However, sex-specific neuromuscular and physiological profiles in competitive sailing remain insufficiently characterized. Therefore, this study aimed to examine sex-related differences in the physical, physiological, and neuromuscular attributes of elite sailors using an integrated laboratory-based test battery. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 26 national- and international-level sailing athletes (14 men, 12 women). Participants completed standardized assessments of anthropometry and body composition, isometric strength, static and dynamic balance, bimanual visual reaction time, anaerobic power (30-s upper- and lower-limb Wingate tests), and maximal aerobic capacity (treadmill VO₂max, Bruce protocol). Sex differences were analyzed using multivariate general linear models (MANOVA/MANCOVA), with fat-free mass (FFM) included as a covariate. Pearson correlations were calculated separately for men and women. RESULTS: A significant multivariate effect of sex was observed. Male athletes demonstrated higher VO₂max, greater lower-limb peak power, stronger handgrip and trunk extension strength, and greater sitting height and arm length (p < 0.05, partial η² = 0.18–0.81). No significant sex differences were found for Wingate fatigue indices, upper-limb peak power, reaction time, or static/dynamic balance measures. After adjustment for FFM, sex differences in handgrip and trunk strength remained significant, whereas the difference in lower-limb peak power became borderline, indicating that muscle mass partly, but not fully, explained the performance gap. Correlation analyses further suggested sex-specific relationships between body composition and performance variables. CONCLUSIONS: Elite sailing performance appears to reflect the combined contribution of anthropometric characteristics, body composition, strength–power output, and postural control rather than a single dominant factor. These findings support the importance of sex-specific profiling and may help inform individualized, role- and class-specific training strategies in competitive sailing.
Understanding how motivational orientations shape flow experience is central to sport and performance psychology, particularly in competitive contexts characterized by high task demands and environmental uncertainty. Although motivation has long been regarded as a key antecedent of flow, limited empirical research has examined how different motivational orientations differentially influence flow experience in sailing regattas. This study investigated the relationships between participation motivations and flow experience among competitive sailing regatta participants. Flow experience was operationalized through three core experiential dimensions: concentration, perceived control, and time distortion. Data were collected from 192 sailors with recent regatta experience and analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results reveal that competition motivation and novelty-exploration motivation exert significant positive effects on all three dimensions of flow experience. In contrast, relaxation motivation demonstrates a consistent and significant negative association with concentration, perceived control, and time distortion. Challenge motivation does not show a significant direct effect on any flow dimension, suggesting that perceived challenge may be normalized within highly competitive sailing environments. Environmental experience and social interaction motivations exhibit selective positive effects on specific flow dimensions. These findings highlight the context-dependent nature of motivational influences on flow experience in competitive sailing. While achievement-oriented and novelty-driven motivations facilitate deep immersion and optimal engagement, relaxation-oriented motives appear psychologically incompatible with the heightened attentional and control demands of competition. The study contributes to sport psychology by clarifying how distinct motivational orientations differentially shape flow experience in competitive maritime sport settings, offering practical implications for event design, participant segmentation, and performance-oriented sport management.
Rare skeletal disorders (RSDs) cause lifelong functional impairment, chronic pain and reduced quality of life. Evidence-based rehabilitation strategies remain underdeveloped, particularly for adolescents and young adults. We previously demonstrated preliminary feasibility of a 5-day adapted sailing intervention but observed benefit attenuation at 3-month follow-up. This pilot trial evaluates feasibility, acceptability and safety of intensive adapted sailing therapy followed by home-based telerehabilitation maintenance versus telerehabilitation alone. This is a prospective, randomised, assessor-blinded, parallel two-arm pilot feasibility trial. 24 participants aged 12-30 years with confirmed RSDs will randomise with a 1:1 allocation ratio to: (1) 5-day adapted sailing therapy followed by 3-month telerehabilitation (n=12) or (2) 3-month telerehabilitation alone (n=12). Primary outcomes assess feasibility through recruitment efficiency (≥80% eligible patients enrolled), intervention adherence (≥75% sessions completed), participant retention (≥80% at 6-month follow-up), and safety (zero serious adverse events attributable to interventions). Secondary outcomes include sensor-based motor function (balance, gait, upper extremity mobility via inertial measurement units) and patient-reported outcomes (health-related quality of life, functional capacity, kinesiophobia, pain), measured at baseline, 3-month and 6-month follow-up. Exploratory analyses will estimate preliminary between-group effect sizes. Statistical analysis uses intention-to-treat principles with linear mixed-effects models. The study received approval from the Area Vasta Emilia Centro Ethics Committee (363/2025/Sper/IOR) on 7 July 2025. The study is ongoing, and data collection is expected to be completed by March 2026. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed open-access publications, conference presentations, patient organisation partnerships and plain-language summaries. NCT07102875.
As telemedicine becomes a core component of modern healthcare, its effective application involves more than just the use of digital tools. An evolving skill set is required for current and future clinicians to adapt to this environment. Telementoring is a subset of telemedicine that involves clinician-to-clinician interaction, providing remote expert guidance in clinical care and medical education, with the potential to reduce global disparities. Yet, how trainees and mentors adapt to this virtual setting for effective learning remains unclear. To generate transferable insights across contexts, research on technology-enhanced environments must use designs that are both practice-oriented and theoretically grounded. Therefore, to investigate how telementoring shapes clinicians' competency development, this study adopts a theory-informed case study of a telementoring Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) program in a resource-limited setting. We applied a design-based research approach to bridge educational theory and practice and to enhance understanding of complex learning in authentic environments. This project took place in two healthcare centers in Uganda. Three design principles (authentic learning, deliberate practice, and scaffolding complexity) guided a two-cycle iterative design, evaluation, and re-design of telementoring sessions following initial in-person POCUS training, attended by 24 clinicians. Data sources included field notes, observations, and semi-structured interviews with seven POCUS trainees, two department heads, and two POCUS mentors collected over the twenty-one-month project duration. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Our findings capture the adaptive, iterative learning trajectories of clinician trainees and mentors engaged in telementored POCUS training in real-world contexts, characterized by participants as "building a boat while sailing." Their adaptive capacity developed through (1) cultivating an enhanced situational and socio-cultural awareness, (2) refining feedback and mentorship practices, and (3) scaffolding technological and task complexities. Our project also showed a limit to adaptability and competency development via telementoring in relation to task complexity. We introduce the concept of 'telementoring literacy' as the adaptive capacity of clinicians -- at both ends of the digital connection -- to effectively engage with clinical skill training and patient care through telementored interactions. Refining the components of telementoring literacy will further enable trainees and mentors to enhance telementoring implementation across different settings.
The variables determining performance under different wind conditions in Olympic RS:X class sailors have not yet been fully clarified. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between race performance (final ranking) and GPS-derived variables, including velocity made good (VMG), distance covered, and number of maneuvers, under different wind conditions in Olympic RS:X class sailors. Fifty-four Olympic RS:X class sailors (26 women and 28 men) who competed in a World Cup event were analyzed. Using GPS devices, the first-leg ranking, VMG, number of maneuvers, and distance covered in each segment (upwind, beam reach, and downwind) of every race were evaluated under three wind conditions (light wind: ≥8 to ≤12 knots; moderate wind: >12 to ≤15 knots; strong wind: >15 knots). A total of nine races were analyzed for both the men's and women's groups. For both groups and under all wind conditions, first-leg ranking was the variable most strongly associated with overall performance. VMG in upwind and downwind legs was among the most decisive variables in moderate wind conditions for both men and women. In strong wind conditions, VMG during the beam reach was a key variable influencing performance in both groups. In the women's group, regardless of wind speed, VMG during the first upwind leg was the determining factor for achieving a better first-leg position. In the men's group, particularly in medium wind conditions, a favorable first-leg position was mainly determined by VMG during the first upwind leg.
While virtual exercise is emerging as a new approach for clinical application, little is known about its roles in mental health management and neuroplasticity. We conducted the first exploratory investigation evaluating the multimodal effects of a virtual sailing (VSail) program in healthy adults with the long-term goal of establishing its feasibility for mental health management. Here, we conducted a single-arm clinical trial in 24 healthy adults (18-64 years) who completed one 30-min VSail session weekly for 6 weeks using the VSail-Trainer® simulator. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included motor function (hand grip strength, balance, and inertia) and mental health and clinical functioning self-report questionnaires (Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Flanagan Quality of Life, Global Assessment of Functioning, and Health of the Nation Outcome Scales). Magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis was performed in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex to evaluate the response of key neurometabolites [gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate] to the VSail exercise program. We found that the VSail program significantly enhanced grip strength in both dominant and non-dominant hands, and body balance. Hand inertial measurements across three axes showed no significant changes, indicating stable motor control and complexity. Mental health, clinical functioning, and neurometabolite levels remained stable, reflecting ceiling effects typical of healthy populations. Together, the results demonstrate that VSail effectively enhances motor performance while maintaining psychological and neurometabolic stability in healthy adults. Our findings indicate that virtual reality (VR)-based exercise, such as VSail, possesses strong potential as a safe, engaging, and scalable digital exercise strategy for future clinical applications, paving the way for understanding the role of virtual exercise in the muscle-brain axis.
This article explores how metaphor-based frameworks can enrich understanding of health system resilience and stimulate preparedness imagination, a reflexive practice aimed at generating innovative approaches for facing unknown threats. Observing that uncertainty is narrowly defined in resilience discussions, this study uses an abductive research approach to navigate surprises and creatively adapt knowledge. We propose four metaphors-sailing turbulent seas, zen-like fencing, evolving species, and jazz orchestras-as lenses to view resilience, each bringing unique insights into managing unforeseen crises. In a two-stage process, we began with associative writing, drawing on diverse experiences to question how resilience might manifest in contexts outside healthcare. This was followed by theoretical interpretations, inspired by Dewey's pragmatist learning theory, complexity thinking, and resilience literature. To conclude, we argue that metaphors challenge conventional thinking, detaching from established concepts and definitions to reveal fresh perspectives. The article offers theoretical and practical suggestions for advancing health system resilience, with relevance for training professionals in crisis preparedness and leadership. By treating metaphor development as a form of abductive theorizing, the study positions creative reframing not as an artistic supplement but as a systematic mode of conceptual inquiry essential for advancing resilience scholarship. This conceptual contribution expands the theoretical foundations on which future empirical research, operational models, and preparedness assessments can be built, thereby strengthening the scientific understanding of how health systems can navigate profound uncertainty.
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) offer precise movement analyses based on distance and speed in open-water sports. Despite the influence of swimming in triathlon, its performance analysis remains underdeveloped due to methodological limitations in capturing continuous data in aquatic environments. This review aimed to: (1) systematically analyse and compare the sensor-based technologies applied to open-water movement analysis, and (2) propose a framework for continuous GNSS-based assessment of triathlon swim performance. A systematic search was conducted prior to the 14 August 2025 across four databases (Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, PubMed, and SPONET). Studies were eligible if they analysed open-water sports using GNSS-based technologies for continuous movement or performance analysis. Studies limited to indoor swimming, inertial sensors, or non-sporting applications were excluded. Methodological quality and potential sources of bias were evaluated using a custom scheme based on GNSS reporting guidelines, as methodological heterogeneity precluded the application of standardised tools. Following screening and eligibility assessment, articles were analysed qualitatively. In total, 20 articles were included and focused on surfing, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, stand-up paddling (SUP), and swimming. Most studies focused on board- and sail-based sports, employed sampling frequencies between 1 and 15 Hz, and demonstrated substantial variability in device specifications and reporting quality. Different sensors and GNSS-derived variables were central to discipline-specific performance analysis. The strength of evidence is limited by the heterogeneous methodologies, and variable reporting quality. The proposed framework provides methodological guidance for implementing high-resolution GNSS-based monitoring in triathlon swimming to improve pacing analysis and race strategy development.
Visual-spatial information processing demands in sports can be understood along two key dimensions: intrinsic versus extrinsic and static versus dynamic. Different sports require varying intersecting combinations of these dimensions, often emphasizing one aspect more than another. This study aimed to classify 20 commonly practiced sports based on perceived visual-spatial demands along these dimensions. Participants rated each sport using two separate continuous scales assessing intrinsic-extrinsic orientation and static-dynamic task demands. A total of 250 participants (143 female, 107 male) completed the 40 ratings. For the intrinsic-extrinsic dimension, team sports, such as soccer or basketball, were classified as relying more on extrinsic visual-spatial skills, while technique-oriented individual sports, like dancing or gymnastics, were rated as requiring more intrinsic visual-spatial abilities. Sports such as judo and canoeing received intermediate scores along the intrinsic-extrinsic dimension. For the static-dynamic dimension, cycling, horse riding and gymnastics demonstrated intermediate scores. Except for golf, shooting, and sailing, which were rated as more static, all other sports were rated as more dynamic. Hierarchical classification and k-means clustering indicated that sports could be grouped into four clusters demonstrating intersection of intrinsic/static, intrinsic/dynamic, extrinsic/dynamic and intermediate intrinsic-extrinsic/static-dynamic dimensions. The results aligned with Uttal's framework and further supported a possible extension of it by indicating that visual-spatial demands in sports are organized along a graded continua rather than dichotomous categories, reflecting complex dimensional interactions. Future research in cognitive training and sport psychology may benefit from conceptualizing visual-spatial information processing demands in sports along continuous dimensions rather than discrete categories.
The movement of fouled leisure craft is recognized as a major vector for the spread of sessile marine non-indigenous species (NIS) along coastlines. Datasets are presented on the taxa found in the biofouling of the external wetted surfaces of recreational boats (sailing yachts and motor cruisers) in one coastal marina in Devon (SW England) and four coastal marinas in western Brittany (NW France). Visual inspections of the hull surface and 'niche' areas (rudder, propeller etc.) for sessile biota were carried out on 71 Devon and 50 Brittany boats immediately upon their removal from the water for maintenance, with field recording of suitable taxa and collection of specimens requiring laboratory identification. Twenty-four sessile NIS (23 invertebrates and one brown alga) were recorded. The distribution of fouling taxa between open-hull surfaces and niche areas was documented. Information was gathered on the recent maintenance regime of the boats studied, particularly with regard to hull cleaning and antifoul treatment, and on the usage patterns of the boats. The fouling dataset characterizes typical loads of NIS carried by marine recreational boats and indicates which particular NIS are colonizing leisure craft, and at what frequency, in the western English Channel. This information can contribute to understanding patterns and mechanisms of the spread of marine NIS, particularly when combined with data on actual leisure-craft traffic volumes and patterns. Knowledge of typical patterns of cleaning and antifouling and their efficacy will help to shape biosecurity advice to marinas and boat owners.
Cardiac troponin (cTn) is a critical biomarker for diagnosing myocardial injury; however, intense physical activity can transiently elevate cTn concentrations, creating diagnostic challenges in athletic populations. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin assays (hs-cTn) further complicate discrimination between physiologic and pathologic elevations. This study characterized baseline high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) distributions in collegiate athletes and evaluated associations with sex, time since exercise, sport type, and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB). We analyzed baseline hs-cTnI values from 173 elite collegiate athletes (98 women, 75 men) representing 21 sports. The median hs-cTnI concentration (<4 ng/L) was identical between sexes, but divergence emerged in the upper distribution tail, with hs-cTnI values exceeding population-derived 99th percentile upper reference limits occurring at lower percentiles in men than women (73rd vs 85th percentile), resulting in a higher prevalence of abnormal classifications in men (28% vs 17%, P < .01). Ninety-fifth percentile values were similar between sexes, whereas divergence was confined to the extreme upper tail (99th percentile). Abnormal hs-cTnI values were more frequent when samples were collected <48 hours after exercise compared with ≥48 hours (29% vs 16%, P = .04). No association was observed between hs-cTnI and CK-MB (P = .37). Significant differences emerged between sports (P = .02), with the highest proportions of abnormal hs-cTnI observed among cross-country (80%), sailing (44%), and rowing (35%) athletes. These findings support athlete-focused interpretation of hs-cTnI incorporating sex-specific thresholds, standardized postexercise sampling, and sport context. Such tailored approaches may reduce false-positive results and unnecessary evaluations while preserving diagnostic accuracy for true myocardial pathology.
This paper presents a research protocol of a randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the feasibility and the cost-effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for depressive symptoms, quality of life, depression-related conditions, and cognitive function among patients with cancer. Specifically, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and virtual reality-based cognitive remediation (VR-COG) will be analyzed, alongside standard treatment as usual (TAU), in comparison to TAU alone. 100 participants will be enrolled: 60 from the Health Trust of Ferrara randomized 1:1:1 to (a) TAU, (b) rTMS + TAU, and (c) VR-COG + TAU, and 40 from the University Hospital of Cagliari randomized 1:1 to (a) TAU and (b) VR-COG + TAU. The inclusion criteria will be as follows: patients aged 18 years and older, both sexes, a diagnosis of oncological disease within the last 5 years in a non-advanced stage, a diagnosis of major depressive disorder according to DSM-5 criteria, and a score of≥14 on the 17-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D-17). The VR-COG program will include a series of exercises in virtual sailing scenarios using the software CEREBRUM. The rTMS program will be delivered at 50% of the resting motor threshold. Personalized targets created for each individual will be located at various cortical depths. TAU will include psychiatric visits and psychological counseling. All the interventions will last 3 months, with pre-post evaluation for outcomes of interest and 3-6 months of follow-up. The results of the trial will be published in international peer-reviewed journals and will be disseminated at international meetings and congresses. The results of this study will be useful for obtaining knowledge for clinical practice regarding the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of innovative therapeutic approaches aimed at treating depression in individuals suffering from oncological pathologies. The monitoring of the program's cost-effectiveness, encompassing both the screening and intervention phases, will enable policymakers to inform the implementation of this evidence in routine clinical practice. The study has been registered on the ClinicalTrials.gov website with ID no. NCT06589544.
Depression is a common and early non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) with significant sexual dimorphism, yet its underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to elucidate the sex-specific plasma proteomic profiles of depression in patients with PD (DPD) and to investigate the role of complement-mediated synaptic pruning in its pathophysiology. Plasma proteomic analysis was performed on data from the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) and an independent validation cohort, stratified by sex. Functional enrichment analyses identified dysregulated pathways. A chronic MPTP/probenecid-induced mouse model of PD was used to validate findings. Behavioural tests assessed motor and depressive-like phenotypes. Proteomic, biochemical, and imaging techniques were used to evaluate protein expression, synapse density, and microglial phagocytosis. The therapeutic mechanism of Botulinum Neurotoxin A (BoNT/A) on DPD was investigated in wild-type, C3-/- and C3aR-/- mice and in microglial cultures. Proteomic profiling revealed both conserved complement-driven immune dysfunction and profound sex-divergent molecular perturbations underlying PD and DPD. Complement and coagulation cascades were consistently upregulated in both sexes. In MPTP-treated male and female mice, hippocampal complement components (C1Q, C3, C3aR) and downstream signalling (p-STAT3, p-P65) were elevated, accompanied by microglial synapse phagocytosis and depressive-like behaviours. Genetic deletion of C3 rescued both MPTP-induced motor and depressive-like behavioural deficits and prevented hippocampal synaptic loss associated with microglial synaptic engulfment. BoNT/A treatment alleviated depressive-like behaviours and reduced microglial synaptic engulfment in an MPTP model; these therapeutic effects were abolished in C3-/- and C3aR-/- mice. Single-cell RNA sequencing and in vitro phagocytosis assay confirmed that BoNT/A modulated phagocytosis-related microglial subclusters. DPD exhibits distinct sex-specific immune signatures, with convergent complement pathway activation driving microglial synaptic pruning and depressive symptoms. The antidepressant effect of BoNT/A is mediated through inhibition of the C3-C3aR signalling axis. These findings highlight the potential for sex-stratified diagnostics and complement-targeted therapies for depression in patients with PD. A key limitation is that our clinical analyses were constrained by limited validation cohort sizes, and mechanistic studies were limited to male mice, which may restrict the generalisability of our findings to female populations. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Key Project of the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Provincial Higher Education Institutions, Project of Biomedical Basic Research Center (BBRC) of Jiangsu, Clinical Research Center of Neurological Disease in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Project of MOE Key Laboratory of Geriatric Diseases and Immunology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Discovery and Translational Research for Brain Diseases; The Lingang Laboratory fund; Shanghai Science and Technology Innovation Sailing Special Project, and Shanghai Municipal Science and Technology Major Project; Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China.
The Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT) is a global scientific community effort to collate and provide additional quality control and standardisation for surface ocean carbon dioxide (CO2) data. Each year the international marine carbon community submit any new measurements collected on research vessels, ships of opportunity, moorings, uncrewed surface vehicles and sailing yachts for inclusion in the annual update of the SOCAT database. The data synthesis effort, which published its first data product in 2011, includes a variety of systems, sampling strategies, maintenance cycles and instrument calibrations. Each in-water CO2 gas measurement is paired, and linked, with a sea surface temperature (SST) measurement. However, the differences in measurement systems means that data pairs from different platforms are representative of differing depths in the ocean, whilst SST measurements can suffer from warming within the observation platform. These complexities can limit the accuracy and precision of any atmosphere-ocean CO2 assessments that use the SOCAT products. Here the SOCATv2025 database with an estimated uncertainty in the fugacity of CO2 in seawater (fCO2 (sw)) of less than 5 µatm is recalculated to a reference temperature at a consistent depth of 0.2 m using the European Space Agency (ESA) Climate Change Initiative (CCI) SST climate data record. This recalculation process of the fCO2 values does not assume isochemical conditions and so temperature driven carbonate speciation is captured. The data pairing is maintained so the resulting dataset is well suited for the analysis of atmosphere-ocean CO2 exchange. The synthesis cruise data and gridded data products, that include both the original and recalculated data, are provided and consistency with the original SOCAT data products and format is confirmed. The importance of robustly accounting for the observed warm bias is demonstrated as removing this signal by recalculation to a climate data record temperature shows a ~0.4 Pg C yr-1 (~12%) increase in the 2024 ocean CO2 sink (3.4 Pg C yr-1). These recalculated data products are needed for annual carbon assessments therefore these will be routinely provided each year following each annual SOCAT dataset release.
Persistent upper limb deficits after stroke necessitate reliable candidate biomarkers to support precision rehabilitation. While electroencephalogram (EEG) provides a highly accessible tool to characterize post-stroke neurophysiology, its clinical translation is hindered by fragmented evidence. This systematical review critically synthesizes the directional associations between EEG biomarkers and upper limb outcomes, and introduces a novel functional framework to classify these biomarkers into assessment, prognostic, and monitoring roles for natural upper limb recovery under conventional rehabilitation. A systematic search was conducted in MEDLINE, SCOPUS, EMBASE, EBSCO CINAHL, and IEEE Xplore up to March 10, 2026. Studies investigating associations between quantitative EEG measures and upper limb motor outcomes in stroke adults were included. Two reviewers independently screened studies and assessed risk of bias. Data extraction classified EEG biomarkers by assessment, prognosis, and monitoring roles. Forty-two studies were included, comprising 23 cross-sectional and 19 longitudinal designs. We categorized the evidence into three biomarker roles: (i) assessment, where measures like the brain symmetry index (BSI), β-band interhemispheric connectivity, and network efficiency correlated with impairment severity; (ii) prognostic, where baseline asymmetry and functional connectivity showed predictive potential; and (iii) monitoring, where longitudinal changes in oscillatory power, connectivity, and network topology paralleled functional gains. Across roles, the BSI emerged as one of the most frequently reported candidate metrics. EEG-derived metrics, particularly the BSI, serve as frequently reported candidate biomarkers for potential clinical application in stroke rehabilitation. However, their immediate clinical translation is currently limited by the predominantly fair methodological quality of the underlying evidence. Our proposed framework helps to bridge the gap between current observational findings and future clinical utility. Future progress hinges on standardizing protocols and validating these biomarkers in large-scale rehabilitation trials to facilitate their transition toward potentially clinically useful tools.
We investigated the relationship between metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype 5 (mGluR5) availability and plasma biomarkers in individuals with cognitive impairment. Seventy-one subjects were included (17 cognitively unimpaired [CU], 10 early-onset cognitive impairment [EOCI], and 44 late-onset cognitive impairment [LOCI]). Amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology was quantified using 18F-Florbetapir, and mGluR5 availability by 18F-PSS232. The associations of mGluR5 availability, plasma biomarkers, and age were explored using partial correlation, mediation, and interaction analyses. In individuals aged over 65 years and the LOCI group, mGluR5 availability was positively associated with plasma glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP). This positive relationship of mGluR5 with plasma GFAP in LOCI only survived in the Aβ-positive subgroup (r = 0.475, p = 0.011). Increased mGluR5 availability is significantly associated with elevated plasma GFAP levels dependent on age in individuals aged over 65 years and the LOCI group.
Round-the-world ocean races such as The Ocean Race and the Vendée Globe expose sailors to some of the planet's most remote and extreme marine environments, creating a unique opportunity to study both environmental conditions and human responses to them. In this comment we highlight how these events can function as mobile climate laboratories, enabling the simultaneous collection of oceanographic and atmospheric data alongside human biometric information, including physiological, psychological, and cognitive indicators. Integrating disciplines such as climatology, oceanography, ecology, and human health sciences enables investigation of how humans adapt to environmental stressors while also improving environmental monitoring. Establishing coordinated interdisciplinary research programs could strengthen climate resilience research, enhance ocean and human health monitoring, and support more sustainable engagement with marine environments.
Women around the world are troubled by life-threatening cervical cancer. It is urgent to identify a biomarker to improve the prognosis of cervical cancer patients. Based on gene expression profiles and single-cell sequencing data obtained from public databases, we performed dimensionality reduction and clustering analyses, Scissor analysis, WGCNA, and machine-learning modeling using 10 base algorithms and their 101 individual or combined strategies. We finally screened 24 consensus prognostic genes to develop a novel model artificial intelligence-derived prognostic signature (AIDPS), based on C-index which was detected in six validation datasets (TCGA_Test, TCGA_Entire, CGCI-HTMCP-CC, GSE39001, GSE44001, and GSE52903). AIDPS demonstrated modest but consistent prognostic performance across multiple independent cervical cancer cohorts, with an average C-index of 0.665.The accuracy of AIDPS in predicting CESC was significantly better than that of other clinical characteristics including age, pathological TNM stages, and grade. In conclusion, our study developed a consensus model AIDPS, an effective strategy to further guide the clinical management and individualized treatment of cervical cancer.