نقشه موضوعی

علوم پایه پزشکی

علوم زیستی و پایه مرتبط با پزشکی و سلامت

جست‌وجوی دقیق

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تازه‌ترین رکوردها

شواهد علوم پایه پزشکی

PubMed2026

Keratin 17 immunocytochemistry in urine cytology for urothelial carcinoma detection: Diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement in a prospective real-world cohort.

BACKGROUND: Urine cytology is recommended for noninvasive detection of urothelial carcinoma (UC) but shows limited sensitivity, particularly in low-grade disease. Keratin 17 (K17) has emerged as a promising immunocytochemical marker. This study evaluated the diagnostic performance and interobserver agreement of K17 in a routine setting. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study included 184 urine samples from patients undergoing diagnostic evaluation for suspected UC. K17 immunocytochemistry was performed with a fully automated platform and independently evaluated by two blinded raters. Cytology was classified according to The Paris System for Reporting Urinary Cytology. UC status was determined by histology when available or by follow-up and multidisciplinary assessment. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis; interobserver reliability was assessed with the Cohen κ and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Multivariable logistic regression evaluated combined diagnostic approaches. RESULTS: K17 expression was significantly higher in UC than in non-UC samples (p < .001). Across raters, area under the ROC curve (AUC) values ranged from 0.68 to 0.71. Sensitivity was 52.9%-65.9%, with a specificity of 73.7%-82.8%. Sensitivity ranged from 45.5% to 54.5% for low-grade tumors and from 57.7% to 73.1% for high-grade tumors. In stage-based analyses, sensitivity was 49.2%-61.5% for non-muscle-invasive UC and 65%-80% for muscle-invasive UC. Combining K17 with cytology numerically improved diagnostic discrimination (AUC value, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.69-0.83). Interobserver agreement was moderate to substantial (κ = 0.684; ICC, 0.653). Limitations included single-center design, partial histological verification (81%), and post hoc optimized cutoffs. CONCLUSIONS: K17 immunocytochemistry is a reproducible adjunct to urine cytology, with moderate diagnostic performance. It may warrant further evaluation as an adjunctive marker, particularly in low-grade and cytologically equivocal cases.

PubMed2026

Immune-guided calibration of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) results in a pregnant patient with Listeria infection: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Listeriosis during pregnancy is a rare but life-threatening infection that often presents with nonspecific symptoms, making timely diagnosis difficult. This article reports a case in which the clinical presentation and immune profile were highly consistent with Listeria monocytogenes infection, leading to a presumptive clinical diagnosis. The patient was successfully treated following a diagnostic approach that integrated host immune profiling with AI-assisted decision-making, despite dual interference from Ureaplasma urealyticum detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) and Staphylococcus capitis detected by blood culture. CASE PRESENTATION: A 25-year-old female patient, at 37+6 weeks of gestation, presented with persistent high fever following induced labor due to intrauterine fetal death. External hospital blood culture and our hospital's reproductive tract mNGS suggested Staphylococcus capitis and Ureaplasma urealyticum, respectively. However, intensified treatment targeting these pathogens was ineffective. DIAGNOSTIC PROCESS: Further investigation revealed a characteristic immune imbalance in the patient: a concurrent significant elevation of IFN-γ and IL-10, accompanied by activated CD8+ T cells. With AI-assisted analysis, this immune profile was found to be highly consistent with Listeria monocytogenes infection. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: After switching to ampicillin combined with gentamicin, the patient's body temperature rapidly normalized, and she recovered and was discharged. CONCLUSION: When etiological diagnosis reaches an impasse, integrating host immune characteristics with AI-assisted decision-making can provide crucial diagnostic clues for infections caused by rare pathogens when microbiological confirmation is unavailable.

PubMed2026

Dysregulated proteins in plasma distinguishing Loeys-Dietz syndrome from other heritable thoracic aortic disease - an explorative study.

Objectives. Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) are often found in younger individuals and approximately 20% may be associated with heritable thoracic aortic disease (HTAD). There are some data on genomic biomarkers reflecting inflammation and extracellular matrix remodelling in HTAD. However, data that accurately reflect the corresponding protein changes are scarce. Our aim was to quantify proteins by using targeted proteomics in HTAD patients versus healthy controls, to better understand the underlying pathophysiology. Methods. Patients with Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS, n = 8), Marfan syndrome (MFS, n = 11), and familial TAA 6, i.e. actin alpha 2 (ACTA2, n = 7) pathogenic variants were recruited at our outpatient clinic. For comparison, blood samples were drawn from 16 healthy controls. Plasma samples were analysed by targeted proteome analysis of 276 proteins using immunoaffinity proteomics. Results. Whereas oncostatin M and pentraxin 3 levels appeared generally higher in HTAD patients, after adjusting for several confounders, significantly higher levels for these markers as well as TNF receptor superfamily member 9 (TNFRSF9), granulysin (GNLY), CD5, vasorin and glycoprotein 1b-α (GP1BA) were only observed in LDS patients compared to healthy controls. Levels of TNFRSF9, GNLY, GP1BA and CD5 correlated positively with Th17 and platelet counts. Conclusions. This discovery study suggests that LDS could represent a particular inflammatory subgroup of HTAD patients potentially reflecting the involvement of Th17 and platelet related mechanisms in the progression of TAA. Larger studies are needed to evaluate if the identified proteins could be used as biomarkers in these patients.

PubMed2026

A case report of primary prostate intravascular large B-cell lymphoma.

RATIONALE: Primary intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare and aggressive extranodal lymphoma that rarely affects the prostate. Its nonspecific clinical and laboratory features often lead to misdiagnosis as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatitis, delaying appropriate treatment. We report a case of primary prostatic IVLBCL initially misdiagnosed as BPH, highlighting the diagnostic challenges and the importance of comprehensive pathological evaluation. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 75-year-old male presented with a 1-year history of a weakened urinary stream, dribbling, increased nocturia, and urinary urgency. Symptoms transiently improved with self-medication of the α1-blocker tamsulosin but later recurred. DIAGNOSES: Histopathological examination revealed clusters of atypical tumor cells within the prostatic vasculature. Immunohistochemistry showed positivity for leukocyte common antigen, Vimentin, CD20, and CD79a, with a Ki-67 index > 90%. A final diagnosis of primary intravascular large B-cell lymphoma of the prostate was established. INTERVENTIONS: Following diagnosis, the patient and his family declined any antitumor therapy (including chemotherapy) and opted for best supportive care and were discharged against medical advice. OUTCOMES: The patient died 5 months after diagnosis without receiving any subsequent antitumor therapy. LESSONS: Prostatic IVLBCL is a diagnostic mimic of BPH and requires a high index of suspicion. Immunohistochemistry and molecular studies are essential for accurate diagnosis. Early recognition and appropriate chemotherapy can improve outcomes in this rare malignancy.

PubMed2026

An immunohistochemical based assessment of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) in jaw osteosarcoma and benign osseous lesions.

UNLABELLED: The diagnosis of primary bone tumours of the jaw often presents as a diagnostic dilemma. Overlap in clinical, radiological, and histological features between benign lesions like juvenile trabecular ossifying fibroma (JTOF); osteoblastoma (OB) and malignant tumours like low-grade osteosarcoma (LGOS) makes the diagnosis challenging. While osteosarcoma is a malignant tumour with poor prognosis requiring aggressive treatment, benign lesions have generally favourable outcome. This study aimed to assess the immunohistochemical expression of murine double minute 2 (MDM2) and Cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) in low-grade osteosarcoma and benign osseous lesions. METHODOLOGY: Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on tissue samples from diagnosed cases of LGOS, JTOF, and OB. The expression levels of MDM2 and CDK4 were analysed and compared across the three groups. RESULTS: We found significantly higher expression of MDM2 and CDK4 in low-grade osteosarcoma compared to JTOF which showed negative expression in all of the cases. Osteoblastoma showed inconsistent and focal positivity contrary to OS where strong and diffuse expression of both the markers was observed. A strong co-expression of both the markers was also noted in 94% of OS cases. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemistry for MDM2 and CDK4 is a valuable diagnostic tool in differentiating low-grade osteosarcoma from benign mimics. This approach provides a cost-effective, reliable, and accurate means for diagnosing jaw bone tumours, particularly when tissue samples are insufficient or on small incisional biopsies where accurate diagnosis is of prime importance.

PubMed2026

The human trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (TROP-2) expression on metastasized breast cancer.

PURPOSE: The antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) sacituzumab govitecan (SG) and datopotamab deruxtecan target trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP-2) and have shown significant efficacy in HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer (mBC). As TROP-2 may serve as a target across multiple treatment lines, detailed information on TROP-2 expression over time is of great interest. METHODS: TROP-2 expression was analyzed in breast cancer (BC) samples from patients treated at the University Hospital Würzburg between 2004 and 2025 at clinically indicated biopsy time points (TP), and, in a subset, before and after SG treatment. Expression was assessed immunohistochemically using the H-score (range 0-300). RESULTS: We evaluated 229 samples from 76 patients. Overall, patient-level TROP-2 expression was high (mean H-score 241.3 ± 73.2) and largely stable over time (TP1: 235.7 ± 60.8, n = 76; TP2: 244.6 ± 77.4, n = 72; TP3: 245.3 ± 84.4, n = 39; TP4: 244.9 ± 95.6, n = 8). However, 21 patients exhibited a decline in TROP-2 expression during disease progression, defined as a decrease of ≥ 50 H-score points between two consecutive TPs. Among 13 patients with paired biopsies obtained pre- and post-SG treatment, the mean TROP-2 H-score decreased from 227.0 ± 74.6 before SG to 202.9 ± 99.4 after SG (mean change - 24.1 ± 86.0; median 1.7, range - 170 to 110; Wilcoxon p = 0.542). TROP-2 H-score decreased in 6/13 patients and increased in 7/13 patients. Exploratory PFS analysis showed no statistically significant difference by post-SG TROP-2 change (log-rank p = 0.526). CONCLUSION: TROP-2 expression was generally high and relatively stable; however, some patients showed declining levels over time.

PubMed2026

Mucin expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cell lines in 2D and 3D cultures: A proteomic and immunocytochemical analysis.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits diverse phenotypes, including epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics, yet these features have not been effectively translated into clinical applications. Mucins are implicated in tumor progression and therapeutic resistance and are considered potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. In this study, five epithelial and three mesenchymal PDAC cell lines were cultured under two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) conditions to investigate mucin expression. Proteomic analysis identified five mucins (MUC1, MUC4, MUC5B, MUC19, and MUC20) in 2D culture and eight (including MUC2, MUC5AC, and MUC13) in 3D culture. Candidate mucins were further validated by immunocytochemistry with H-score assessment. MUC1 was consistently expressed in all PDAC cell lines and showed marked upregulation in several lines under 3D culture. In mesenchymal PDAC cell lines, mucin expression was largely restricted to MUC1, whereas epithelial lines displayed broad 3D-induced reorganization. Notably, MUC5AC was absent in 2D culture but robustly induced in all epithelial PDAC cell lines under 3D conditions. Other mucins, including MUC2, MUC4, MUC5B, MUC13, MUC19, and MUC20, were variably upregulated, with epithelial lines demonstrating higher diversity and intensity of expression. These findings demonstrate that 3D culture effectively reveals the plasticity and heterogeneity of mucin expression in PDAC, highlighting its potential as a platform for biomarker discovery and the development of therapeutic strategies.

PubMed2026

Evaluating knowledge acquisition, confidence, and cognitive workload in immersive virtual reality anatomy education: a prospective study of medical students.

BACKGROUND: Immersive virtual reality (VR) allows learners to interact with anatomical structures in three dimensions, potentially improving spatial understanding compared to traditional instructional methods. While VR is increasingly incorporated into medical curricula, prospective studies evaluating both learning outcomes and experiential measures remain limited. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a single immersive VR anatomy session on knowledge acquisition, learner confidence, cognitive workload, and perceived immersion among first-year medical students. METHODS: In this prospective educational intervention, first-year medical students at Kansas City University completed a standardized immersive VR anatomy module. Anatomy knowledge was assessed using a 20-item multiple-choice examination administered pre-session, immediately post-session, and at a 20-day follow-up. Learner confidence was measured using a 5-point Likert scale. Cognitive workload was assessed using the NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX), and immersion was measured using validated presence and usability items. RESULTS: Anatomy knowledge improved significantly from pre- to post-intervention (mean increase 7.2% points, 95% CI [3.9, 10.6], p < 0.001). However, scores declined at delayed follow-up (mean change - 15.3% points from post, 95% CI [-19.8, -10.7], p < 0.001), falling below baseline mean levels. Confidence demonstrated a significant upward shift in distribution (p = 0.018), although change in confidence was not associated with knowledge gain (p = 0.863). Cognitive workload was not significantly associated with learning outcomes, while small negative correlations were observed between knowledge gain and both presence (r = -0.31, p = 0.022) and usability (r = -0.28, p = 0.034). CONCLUSION: Immersive VR produces significant short-term improvements in anatomy knowledge and learner confidence but does not sustain retention following a single exposure. While effective for enhancing short-term anatomy knowledge and learner engagement, these findings suggest that immersive VR may be most effective when integrated as a complementary component within a multimodal anatomy curriculum rather than used as a standalone instructional modality.

PubMed2026

Multi-omic modelling of body mass index response to a dietary weight loss intervention.

Obesity is a multifactorial condition, and there is wide heterogeneity in responses to weight loss interventions. Although it remains challenging, modeling responses to weight loss interventions can help tailor treatments, increase weight loss success, or improve our understanding of underlying pathophysiology. We leveraged multi-omic (genetics; gut microbiota: taxonomy, inferred gene pathways and metabolite dynamics; blood metabolomics) and clinical data (e.g., lipids, blood glucose) from a 12-month behavioral weight loss trial of adults (n = 150) with overweight/obesity, to forecast longitudinal body mass index (BMI) and BMI change (ΔBMI) using Mixed Effects Random Forests (MERF) and GLMM-Lasso. Across modeling approaches and outcomes, routinely available clinical variables and blood metabolomics consistently improved prediction over basic demographics, and metabolomics added value beyond clinical information. Across models, the combined omic risk score most improved models of longitudinal BMI trajectories, explaining 20.5-26.0% marginal variance (R2m), whereas metabolomic risk scores most improved BMI change prediction (R2m = 52.9-59.3%). Gut microbial taxonomy and inferred gene pathways offered modest but significant gains for some models and outcomes, while metabolite dynamics consistently failed to enhance performance. The most important features in the models included insulin, glycoprotein acetyls, lipoprotein sizes, and certain amino acids, aligning with known inflammatory and metabolic mechanisms. These findings support that select blood-based biomarkers correlate with individual responses to weight loss efforts.

PubMed2026

Stress and the Immune System: Insights From Psychoneuroimmunology.

Stress profoundly impacts the immune system, functioning as both an enhancer and suppressor of immune responses. The ultimate outcome depends on a combination of individual characteristics, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors, and the nature of the stressor. Stress hormones influence leukocyte trafficking, activity, cytokine production, and the overall immune function, leading to immune dysregulation. This review offers a comprehensive perspective on the physiology of the stress response and its effects on immunity, particularly stress-induced alterations in immune cell function. It explores how stress contributes to immunodeficiencies, allergies, and autoimmune diseases, thereby impacting vaccine efficacy, increasing susceptibility to infections, and promoting cancer development. Stress is implicated in the onset and exacerbation of specific autoimmune disorders and contributes to allergic conditions, intensifying allergic responses in both adults and children, particularly in the context of parenting stress and domestic violence. This review also investigates immune changes associated with specific stressors, including bereavement, intimate partner violence, childhood maltreatment, caregiving stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder. This work addresses the multifaceted dimensions of psychoneuroimmunology, shedding light on the significant health consequences of stress-induced immune dysfunction, and emphasizes the need for integrative therapeutic approaches. Key words Fight and flight " Cortisol " T cells " Antibodies " PTSD.

PubMed2026

Evaluating the clinical significance of tumor-expressed C-reactive protein in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma.

C-reactive Protein (CRP) has been established as a prognostic biomarker in various malignancies, with elevated serum levels correlating with poorer outcomes. However, the significance of tissue-based CRP expression specifically in chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (chRCC), remains inadequately characterized. This study investigates the potential prognostic relevance of intratumoral CRP expression from a substantial cohort of chRCC patients. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical intervention for chRCC. Comprehensive clinical data was collected, and immunohistochemical evaluation of tumor specimens was performed to assess intratumoral CRP expression patterns. The study included 81 chRCC patients, with intratumoral CRP expression identified in 35 cases (43.2%). Statistical analysis revealed no significant correlation between CRP expression status and clinical parameters. While 5-year overall survival (OS) analysis showed no statistically significant difference between CRP-positive versus CRP-negative tumors (86.4% versus 100.0%; p = 0.106), overall follow-up demonstrated a significantly higher mortality rate in patients with CRP-positive tumors compared to those with CRP-negative tumors (22.9% vs. 2.2%; p = 0.013). Our findings suggest that intratumoral CRP expression in chRCC is not clearly associated with parameters of aggressiveness or survival. Further studies should assess the possible correlation between CRP tissue expression and blood levels. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution given the limited sample size, low event rate, and high loss to follow-up, and are best considered hypothesis-generating.

PubMed2026

Intravascular injection of colored molding materials for human anatomy teaching: a literature review.

PURPOSE: Intravascular injection of colored molding materials used either alone or in combination with radiological contrast agents is increasingly used to enhance vascular visualization in cadaveric specimens for anatomical education and surgical training. Published studies remain scattered and show substantial methodological variation. This structured literature review summarizes current practices regarding specimen preparation, injection techniques, casting materials, contrast agents, and imaging modalities, with particular emphasis on their educational applications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (1975-August 2025) using English, French, and German keywords. Reference lists were screened manually. After removal of duplicates, 702 records were screened, 145 full-text articles assessed, and 78 studies included. RESULTS: Included studies demonstrated variability in casting materials (primarily latex, with silicone, epoxy, and acrylic resins also reported), contrast agents (iodinated and barium-based compounds and lead oxide for CT, with gadolinium-based formulations predominantly used for MRI), perfusion pressures, flushing strategies, and specimen conditions (fresh-frozen, formalin-fixed, and Thiel-embalmed). However, methodological heterogeneity and inconsistent reporting limited direct comparison between approaches. The review nevertheless identifies representative reported technical protocols and highlights the main practical variables influencing protocol selection. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced vascular casting provides valuable tools for anatomy education and surgical training by enabling direct correlation between radiological datasets and anatomical dissection. Beyond summarizing the literature, this review also offers practical protocol-selection guidance according to educational, research, and imaging objectives. As such, it may serve as a useful reference for teams implementing or refining these techniques in modern teaching environments.

PubMed2026

lncRNA MEG3 and Beclin-1 as diagnostic biomarkers in serous ovarian carcinoma: molecular and immunohistochemical insights.

Serous ovarian carcinoma (SOC) is frequently diagnosed at advanced stages and is associated with poor clinical outcomes, highlighting the urgent need for reliable diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Long non-coding RNA MEG3 and the autophagy-related protein Beclin-1 are recognized tumor suppressors; however, their combined diagnostic relevance in SOC remains insufficiently explored. This case-control study included 24 patients with histopathologically confirmed SOC. Paired tumor and adjacent non-tumorous ovarian tissues were analyzed for lncRNA MEG3 expression using quantitative real-time PCR and for Beclin-1 protein expression using immunohistochemistry. Serum CA-125 levels were assessed by ELISA. Associations with clinicopathological parameters were evaluated, and diagnostic performance was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Both lncRNA MEG3 and Beclin-1 were significantly downregulated in SOC tissues compared with adjacent non-cancerous tissues (P < 0.0001). Reduced expression was significantly associated with tumor grade and ascites. The relationship with FIGO stage was not uniform in this cohort and should be interpreted cautiously because of the small sample size and unequal distribution of early and advanced cases. Beclin-1 expression was notably higher in premenopausal patients and in well to moderately differentiated tumors. A strong positive correlation was observed between lncRNA MEG3 and Beclin-1 expression (r = 0.96, P < 0.001), indicating a strong statistical association rather than a proven regulatory interaction. ROC curve analysis suggested diagnostic potential for lncRNA MEG3, Beclin-1, and serum CA-125. The concurrent downregulation of lncRNA MEG3 and Beclin-1 in SOC tissues suggests that these markers may serve as promising complementary biomarkers. However, their clinical utility should be considered preliminary and requires validation in larger, multicenter cohorts with functional studies before routine clinical application can be recommended.

PubMed2026

Porcine submandibular glands as potential salivary gland experimental models: histological, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural characterization.

Salivary glands play an essential role in oral homeostasis by producing saliva, which protects oral tissues and maintains the oral environment. Despite growing interest in porcine models for translational biomedical research, the immunophenotypic characterization of porcine salivary glands remains limited in the literature, with few studies addressing their cytokeratin and contractile protein expression profiles. This gap constrains the ability to directly compare porcine and human glandular phenotypes and hinders the establishment of the pig as a validated salivary gland experimental model. This study evaluates the histological, immunophenotypic, and ultrastructural features of porcine submandibular glands as potential experimental models. Submandibular glands from 11 pigs aged 3 to 6 months (average weight: 20 kg) were examined histologically using hematoxylin and eosin staining and ultrastructurally by transmission electron microscopy, and phenotypically via immunohistochemistry for key markers such as CK5, CK7, CK19, SMA, calponin, caldesmon and S-100. Porcine submandibular glands exhibit a lobular organization akin to human glands, with mucous acinar cells, intercalated and excretory ducts, and rich vascularization. Immunohistochemistry revealed cytokeratins in epithelial cells and contractile proteins in myoepithelial cells, mirroring human glandular markers. Ultrastructural analysis highlighted robust cellular junctions, myoepithelial support, and intricate nerve fiber networks essential for glandular function. The structural and phenotypic parallels between porcine and human submandibular salivary glands provide a descriptive basis supporting their potential use in comparative salivary gland research.

PubMed2026

Temporal dynamics of thermal warming in brown trout hepatocyte spheroids: ultrastructural and immunocytochemical evidence of cellular remodelling.

Temperature is a key environmental driver of hepatic physiology in ectotherms, and three-dimensional (3D) fish liver models may serve as an ethically advantageous platform to investigate warming effects under controlled conditions while reducing the need for experimental animals. Despite their increasing use in toxicology, their application to assess climate-relevant temperature effects on liver function remains limited. This study investigated the temporal effects of a warming scenario on primary hepatocyte spheroids from juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta), a bioindicator species. The study explores how a + 3 °C increase can affect spheroid development and maintenance, as well as its impact on metabolic activity, cell proliferation and death, and morphology over time. Spheroids were maintained at 18 °C and 21 °C for 25 days and analysed at five time points using metabolic, morphometric, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural approaches. Mitochondrial metabolic activity, assessed by resazurin reduction, showed no significant temperature-related differences. In contrast, warming accelerated spheroid formation and produced larger spheroids. Proliferative activity, assessed by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunostaining, was significantly reduced at 21 °C, while caspase-3 levels remained unchanged, indicating no increase in apoptosis. The autophagy marker microtubule-associated protein 1A/1B-light chain 3 (LC3A/B) showed lower immunoreactivity at 21 °C, with no temporal variation. Ultrastructural analysis revealed preserved hepatocyte integrity at both temperatures and abundant cytoplasmic dense bodies consistent with autolysosomal structures, which increased over time. Overall, a realistic warming scenario altered growth dynamics and cellular morphology. Further, this data reinforces that 3D fish liver models are viable alternative systems for assessing climate-driven effects.

PubMed2026

N6-methyladenosine modification of mRNAs in retinal ischemia-reperfusion in mice.

Retinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIR) is the main pathogenic mechanisms of acute glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, central retinal vein occlusion. As a common post-transcriptional modification of eukaryotic RNAs, N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is associated with the pathogenesis of different diseases, including angiogenesis, through the regulation of RNA metabolism and functions. The aim of this study was to identify the potential relevance of m6A RNA methylation in pathogenesis of RIR. A total of 10,851 mRNAs and 23,270 associated m6A methylation modified peaks were identified in the RIR group. Similarly, 10,391 mRNAs and 22,935 associated m6A methylation modified peaks were detected in the Sham group. MeRIP-seq identified 3,871 RIR-specific m6A peaks and 3,624 Sham-specific m6A peaks, in addition to 19,399 shared peaks between groups. Gene ontology (GO) analysis showed that hypermethylated mRNAs were enriched in cellular process, cellular anatomical entity, and binding, while hypomethylated mRNAs were enriched in synaptic signaling, synapse, and gated channel activity. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis indicated that hypermethylated mRNAs were involved in tight junction, hippo signaling pathway, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, while hypomethylated mRNAs were involved in Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, glutamatergic synapses, cholinergic synapses. Joint analysis identified mRNAs with differential m6A methylation and expression simultaneously. Among them, the expression patterns of Irx4, Kdr, and Lyz2 were confirmed by RT-qPCR to be consistent with the sequencing results. The results revealed an altered m6A epitranscriptome in RIR retinas. These methylated RNAs may act as novel modulators and targets in RIR.

PubMed2026

Antimicrobial resistance and molecular epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae in China: a 14‑year serial surveillance study across age groups.

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae poses a significant health threat with rising antimicrobial resistance. In China, long-term, age-stratified data on its molecular epidemiology remain limited. This study investigates resistance trends and serotype distribution across pediatric, adult, and elderly populations over 14 years. METHODS: A total of 1312 clinical isolates collected during seven two‑year surveillance phases (2007-2020) from 24 hospitals across China were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing for serotype prediction, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and Global Pneumococcal Sequence Clustering (GPSC); antibacterial susceptibility was performed using agar dilution method. RESULTS: Serotypes 19 F and 19 A consistently accounted for the largest proportion of isolates throughout the study period. PCV13 serotype coverage was highest in children (85.8%) and increased nationally from 64.5% to 77.9% over 14 years. MLST identified ST271 and ST320 as the most prevalent clones, often associated with serotypes 19 F and 19 A, respectively. AMR was severe, with > 90% macrolide resistance nationwide. Penicillin non-susceptibility (using non‑meningitis oral breakpoints) increased markedly, especially among pediatric isolates, which also showed higher β-lactam resistance. Fluoroquinolones retained high susceptibility (>97% of isolates susceptible). The resistance gene erm(B) was detected in 96.3% of isolates. CONCLUSION: S. pneumoniae in China exhibits persistent high resistance to macrolides and increasing β-lactam non-susceptibility, particularly in children. Dominant clones and serotypes showed no statistically significant change in proportional trends over the 14 years. PCV13 serotype coverage remains high, yet actual vaccine uptake is low; this suggests a missed opportunity for preventing infections caused by vaccine serotypes, highlighting the potential benefit of increased immunization efforts.

PubMed2026

Effects of captopril and losartan on early wound healing in hypertensive rats.

PURPOSE: To compare the effects of captopril and losartan on inflammatory response, angiogenesis, and fibroblast activity during the early phase of wound healing in hypertensive rats. METHODS: Twenty-seven paraffin-embedded skin wound samples from hypertensive rats were analyzed: control group (n = 8), losartan-treated group (n = 9), and captopril-treated group (n = 10). Histological and immunohistochemical analyses were performed on postoperative day 4. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate general wound structure, and immunohistochemistry with anti-leukocyte common antigen, anti-CD34, and anti-smooth muscle actin was performed to assess inflammatory cells, angiogenesis, and fibroblast activity, respectively. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in angiogenesis (p > 0.05) or fibroblast number (p > 0.05) between groups. However, the inflammatory reaction was significantly higher in captopril-treated (p = 0.0459) and losartan-treated (p = 0.0452) groups compared with the control group, with no significant difference between the two treated groups. CONCLUSION: Neither captopril nor losartan influenced angiogenesis or fibroblast proliferation in the early healing phase. However, both drugs increased inflammatory cell infiltration.

PubMed2026

Altered EEG in Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Improving Diagnostic Accuracy Using American Clinical Neurophysiology Society 2021 Criteria.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by significant changes in EEG and structural alterations on MRI. Both are integrated in the current World Health Organization (WHO) surveillance criteria of CJD. We aimed to re-evaluate the EEG recordings, along with clinical and MRI data, in patients with different subtypes of definite CJD by applying the adapted American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS) criteria, 2021. METHODS: Fifty-one routine EEG recordings in 16 patients with sporadic CJD were reanalyzed. RESULTS: Generalized slowing, according to standard terminology, was present in 94% of patients. Generalized periodic discharges (GPDs) and generalized rhythmic delta activity (GRDA), as defined by the 2021 ACNS criteria, occurred frequently (31% and 38%, respectively). The differentiation from ictal activity may be challenging because 25% (4/16) of the patients fulfilled the criteria of the recently proposed ictal-interictal continuum (IIC) in at least 1 EEG. By contrast, no status epilepticus (SE) was observed. The EEG alterations varied among the different CJD molecular subgroups: more cortical involvement in MM/MV1 and mixed MM/MV1 + 2C histotypes was associated with periodic discharges (PDs) (57% and 80%) and also IIC (43% and 20%). We could not detect any PD or IIC in patients with the VV1 or MV2K (predominant subcortical pathology) histotype. DISCUSSION: Assessing the EEGs according to the 2021 ACNS criteria may help prevent misdiagnosis of nonconvulsive status epilepticus, and repetitive recordings may help in earlier diagnosis of CJD.

PubMed2026

Molecular epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii in impala (Aepyceros melampus) from the Greater Kruger in South Africa: Detection of the Africa 4 lineage.

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a widespread zoonotic disease. Despite the clinical significance of this zoonotic parasite, little is known regarding its prevalence in South Africa, particularly in wildlife. Considering the possible presence of the parasite in wildlife species and the popularity of South African game meat, in a 'One Health context', the consumption of undercooked game meat by people could represent a public health issue. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii and any genotypes in impala from the Greater Kruger region destined for game meat. METHODS: Serum and seven different tissue samples were collected from 138 impala (Aepyceros melampus) from the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was determined using the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). The presence of T. gondii DNA within the impala tissues and possible tissue tropism were determined using a quantitative PCR (qPCR). For strong qPCR-positive samples, T. gondii DNA was genotyped using a panel of 15 microsatellite markers. RESULTS: The seroprevalence was determined to be 8.7%. The qPCR identified T. gondii DNA in at least one tissue type of 7.2% of the impala. The T. gondii DNA was detected in the brain and tongue samples from two impala respectively, and were genotyped as belonging to the Africa 4 lineage. To place the two genotypes identified in this study within the broader context of the genetic diversity of T. gondii in Africa, a genetic tree was constructed using all African strains genotyped with 15 microsatellite markers. CONCLUSION: These results shed light on serological versus molecular techniques in determining infection of T. gondii in impala, and also point to possible tissue tropism during infection. The results identify Africa 4 strains circulating in South African wildlife intended for human consumption, and the importance of genotype and phenotype characterisation to assess the potential public health risks.

PubMed2026

Phylo-Plex: a phylogenetically informed, low-cost amplicon sequencing platform for deployable high-resolution genomic epidemiology.

Genomic pathogen surveillance is a powerful tool for public health and research, but is costly and unachievable in low-resource settings. Most sub-genomic typing methods sacrifice resolution whilst remaining costly. We developed "Phylo-Plex", a novel approach that identifies information-rich genomic regions to maximise phylogenetic information whilst minimising the number of regions. Applied to Treponema pallidum and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, we designed a high-resolution multiplex PCR sequencing scheme for lineage tracking pathogens with different extremes of genome variation. For Treponema pallidum, we also designed and evaluated the Phylo-Plex scheme in the laboratory and field settings by sequencing 72 clinical samples using MinION Flongle cells. Our T. pallidum scheme comprising 59 multiplex amplicons achieved high discrimination of fine-scale sublineages comparable to those defined using whole genomes, and demonstrating a qPCR detection limit ≤Ct 32. Variant calls from MinION amplicon sequencing were highly correlated with Illumina whole genome sequencing. We successfully deployed the method in a low-resource laboratory in Zimbabwe, costed at <£300/24 samples (£12.47/sample). Phylo-Plex enables low-cost tracking of priority pathogenic lineages in low resource settings and at scale.

PubMed2026

Clonal diversity and trend of methicillin-resistant/susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA/MSSA) from a tertiary care hospital in Myanmar: Increase in ST6-IVa/t304 and identification of notable clones ST22-PT, ST2885-ETA, and ST2990-ETE.

OBJECTIVES: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. This study aimed to clarify the recent trend of molecular epidemiological features of methicillin-resistant and susceptible S. aureus (MRSA/MSSA) isolates from a tertiary care hospital in Myanmar. METHODS: S. aureus clinical isolates from various specimens were genetically classified by the schemes of MLST and other genotypings. Antimicrobial resistance determinants and virulence factors were detected by uniplex/multiplex PCR, along with antimicrobial susceptibility testing by broth microdilution method. RESULTS: A total of 319 S. aureus (65 MRSA and 254 MSSA) and 7 S. argenteus isolates were collected during a 19 month-period (Sep. 2023 to Mar. 2025), with an MRSA rate of 20.4%. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes were detected in 30.4% of all the isolates, with almost similar rates in MRSA and MSSA. Among MRSA, ST6 (CC5) with SCCmec-IV (ST6-IV) was the most dominant (31%), followed by ST772 (CC1)-V, ST2885 (CC1)-IV, ST22 (CC22)-IV, and ST672 (CC361)-V. PVL-positive rate was highest in ST22 (75%) and ST121 (84%) among MRSA and MSSA, respectively. PVL-positive ST22 MRSA also harbored TSST-1 gene (ST22-PT clone). Characteristic virulence factors were detected in other MRSA clones; enterotoxin A (SEA) in ST6, exfoliative toxin A (ETA) in ST2885, and exfoliative toxin E (ETE) in ST2990. PVL-positive ST22 and ST772 MRSA showed multiple antimicrobial resistance harboring some resistance genes. MSSA isolates were differentiated into 33 STs, among which ST2990 (CC1) was the most common (24%), followed by ST121, ST1156 (CC12), ST6 (CC5) and ST1930 (CC96). All the S. argenteus were mecA-negative and belonged to ST2250. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed the recent clonal trend and change of MRSA/MSSA isolates in Myanmar, identifying some notable clones with characteristic virulence factors (ST6-SEA, ST22-PT, ST2885-ETA, and ST2990-ETE).

PubMed2026

Integrative immunoinformatics and structural modeling for the rational design of a multi-epitope vaccine candidate against human cytomegalovirus.

Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a globally widespread pathogen associated with significant morbidity in immunocompromised individuals. Despite its clinical importance, no licensed vaccine is currently available. This study aimed to design a rational multi-epitope vaccine candidate targeting CMV using an integrative approach combining immunoinformatics and structural biology. Viral proteins were screened to identify epitopes with high affinity for B cells, cytotoxic T cells (CTLs), and helper T cells (HTLs) using the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB). Selected epitopes were filtered according to their antigenicity and toxicity and then assembled into a chimeric construct incorporating an immunostimulatory adjuvant. The designed vaccine was evaluated for its physicochemical properties, validated by Ramchandran and ERRAT analyses. Molecular modeling demonstrated strong and stable interactions with key innate immunity receptors, including TLR7 and TLR9, interactions confirmed by molecular dynamics simulations. In silico immune simulation predicted a robust and durable immune response, characterized by high levels of IgM and IgG, as well as significant activation of CD4 + and CD8 + lymphocytes and innate immunity components. These results highlight the potential of the proposed multi-epitope construct as a promising vaccine candidate against HCMV. However, experimental validation is essential to confirm its immunogenicity, safety, and translational applicability.

PubMed2026

Shuyu Wan Potentiates PD-1 Inhibitor Efficacy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Integrated Bioinformatics and Experimental Evidence for Gut Microbiota-Tumor Immune Crosstalk.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic heterogeneity limits the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Shuyu Wan (SYW), a classic TCM formula, has shown potential in modulating gut microbiota (GM) and enhancing immunotherapy, yet its synergistic mechanism with PD-1 inhibitors remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: SYW components were identified by UPLC-MS. NSCLC-related targets were integrated with SYW targets for pathway enrichment, and molecular docking validated component-target binding. NSCLC syngeneic mice were treated with SYW and/or PD-1 inhibitor (RMP1-14). Tumor growth, histopathology, serum cytokines, tumor-infiltrating CD8+T cell subsets (flow cytometry), PD-1/PD-L1 expression and co-localization (immunofluorescence), GM composition (16S rRNA), and metabolomics were assessed. FMT verified the role of GM-TME crosstalk. RESULTS: SYW monotherapy showed no significant tumor inhibition, whereas SYW combined with PD-1 inhibitor dose-dependently suppressed NSCLC growth. The combination reduced PD-1 expression and PD-1/PD-L1 co-localization, elevated serum IL-12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, increased total tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells, decreased PD-1+ and TIM-3+ exhausted subsets, and expanded IFN-γ+ and Granzyme B+ effector subsets. Concurrently, it reshaped GM (increased Bacillota, decreased Patescibacteria) and altered metabolites (L-glycine, L-proline). These effects were abolished in antibiotic treated mice and restored by FMT, suggesting GM-TME crosstalk as essential. CONCLUSION: SYW acts as a microbiota-dependent immune sensitizer that potentiates PD-1 inhibitor efficacy in NSCLC by remodeling GM and enhancing effector CD8+ T cell infiltration while reducing exhaustion. GM-TME crosstalk is the potential mechanism, supporting SYW as an adjunct to PD-1 blockade in NSCLC therapy.

PubMed2026

AI-driven neoantigen identification: a comprehensive review from somatic variant calling to T cell recognition.

BACKGROUND: Neoantigens-tumor-specific peptides generated by somatic mutations-are central targets of effective anticancer T cell immunity and underpin the clinical success of immune checkpoint blockade and personalized cancer vaccines. Advances in high-throughput sequencing, immunopeptidomics, and artificial intelligence (AI) have transformed neoantigen discovery from tailored experimental workflows into scalable, computational pipelines. However, accurately identifying the small subset of tumor mutations that yield processed, presented, and immunogenic epitopes remains a major bottleneck. METHODS: This review summarizes how AI is reshaping neoantigen discovery, from somatic variant calling, HLA typing, and peptide processing to peptide-MHC binding, presentation, and T cell recognition. We first outline the immunobiological foundations of antigen presentation, emphasizing class I and II peptide-binding grooves and their allele-specific motifs, then describe AI workflows that integrate somatic mutation calling, HLA typing, transcriptomics, and immunopeptidomics to nominate candidate neoepitopes. We highlight recent AI-driven tools for presentation and immunogenicity prediction, integrative pipelines that support personal and shared neoantigen targeting, and early clinical applications in vaccination and T cell therapies. RESULTS: AI-driven models trained on eluted ligand datasets substantially outperform affinity-only predictors for peptide presentation across diverse HLA alleles and populations. Consortium-scale benchmarking demonstrates that integrating features of antigen processing, presentation, and TCR recognition can eliminate the majority of non-immunogenic candidates while retaining clinically relevant neoepitopes. Immunopeptidomics provides essential ground truth, revealing that only a small fraction of genomically predicted candidates are naturally presented and uncovering noncanonical antigen sources, including splice variants, post-translational modifications, and noncoding regions. Integrative pipelines now support both personal (private) and shared (public) neoantigen prioritization, enabling translational applications such as personalized vaccines and TCR-based therapies. CONCLUSIONS: AI-guided neoantigen discovery is now clinically actionable, enabled by immunopeptidomics and deep learning models. Despite significant progress, key challenges remain, including limited class II prediction accuracy, incomplete coverage of rare HLA alleles, tumor heterogeneity, and the need for standardized benchmarking and validation. Anchoring computational predictions to mass spectrometry-derived ligands and incorporating tumor evolution and immune escape mechanisms will be critical for improving target selection. Continued integration of AI, proteogenomics, and clinical data is poised to accelerate the development of effective, precision neoantigen-based cancer immunotherapies.

PubMed2026

Next-generation vaccine adjuvants: Integrating nanotechnology, systems immunology, and computational approaches for precision vaccinology.

Vaccines based on purified antigens, recombinant proteins, and nucleic acid platforms increasingly depend on adjuvants to induce robust, durable, and appropriately polarized immune responses in humans. While classical adjuvants such as aluminum salts and oil-in-water emulsions have enabled the success of many licensed vaccines, their largely empirical design limits adaptability to emerging pathogens and population-specific needs. This review presents a translational framework for next-generation vaccine adjuvant development by integrating nanotechnology-based delivery systems, innate immune signaling mechanisms, and systems-level computational strategies relevant to human vaccination. We summarize the mechanisms and clinical relevance of licensed and advanced adjuvants, including alum, MF59, AS01/AS04, saponins, toll-like receptor agonists, and lipid nanoparticles, with emphasis on influenza, HPV, herpes zoster, and COVID-19 vaccines. By linking immunological mechanisms with delivery engineering and predictive modeling, this review highlights rational strategies to support safer and more effective human vaccines.

PubMed2026

Identification and profiling of HLA-A*02:01-restricted Toxoplasma gondii peptides through immunopeptidomics in HLA-A2.1 transgenic mice.

HLA class I presentation of pathogen-derived peptides is essential for CD8+ T-cell recognition of Toxoplasma gondii. While in vitro MHC ligands have been documented, the in vivo ligandome during infection progression remains poorly characterized. Here, we employed an MS-based immunopeptidomics approach to directly profile the T. gondii immunopeptidome presented by HLA-A *02:01 in transgenic mice. By employing a hierarchical discovery funnel, our analysis identified a comprehensive repertoire of 3,744 unique T. gondii-derived peptides. Subsequent filtering for canonical 8-12mers, matching the typical binding length for HLA-A *02:01 ligands, established a high-confidence foundational ligandome of 3,433 peptides. Source protein analysis revealed that these peptides originate from diverse parasite proteins, including a substantial proportion of previously uncharacterized hypothetical proteins. Notably, specific ligands were consistently detected across both acute and chronic stages, suggesting stable MHC-I presentation throughout the infection cycle. By integrating in silico predictions with experimental validation, we prioritized 73 high-affinity candidates, five of which exhibited robust HLA-A *02:01 binding capacity in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, we identified a novel ligand derived from glycogen synthase (PGS) and determined its co-crystal structure with HLA-A *02:01, revealing favorable binding architecture. Overall, these findings expand the known HLA-A *02:01-restricted ligand landscape of T. gondii and provide a high-priority list of candidates for future functional validation of CD8+ T-cell immunogenicity.

PubMed2026

A comparative and exploratory analysis of computational methods for TCR structural prediction and antigen-specific TCR discovery.

Reliable structural prediction of T-cell receptors (TCRs) is essential for dissecting antigen recognition and accelerating TCR-based therapeutic development, yet the performance of emerging computational structure prediction models for this task requires further systematic evaluation under practical usage conditions. Here, we assembled a manually curated dataset of TCR crystal structures and compared five state-of-the-art predictors-AlphaFold2 (v2.3.1), TCRmodel2, AlphaFold3, ESMFold, and tFold-TCR-in both single-chain and paired-chain modes. Using pLDDT and model confidence scores (pTM/ipTM), we defined optimized quality thresholds for assessing model reliability. Our analyses revealed a pronounced context dependence in model performance: AlphaFold3 achieved the highest accuracy for paired-chain TCR predictions (excluding the α-FRs domain), while tFold-TCR excelled in single-chain modeling (excluding Vα, CDR1α, CDR1β, and CDR2β domains), indicating that their performance varies significantly depending on the prediction mode and specific structural domains. We further showed that, under our evaluation conditions, structure-guided clustering of predicted CDR3β loops showed improved sensitivity and achieved higher conformational consistency for certain antigen-specific TCR groups compared with conventional sequence-based methods. Applying this framework, we successfully identified two functional SARS-CoV-2-specific TCRs using a TPS (TPSGTWLTY)-reactive TCR template. Our study establishes a practical comparative framework and highlights the translational potential of structure-guided computational workflows for antigen-specific TCR discovery.

PubMed2026

Deciphering soybean-microbiome interactions: from rhizosphere dynamics to sustainable yield enhancement.

The soybean plant (Glycine max L.) is an important crop for valuable food source because of its high levels of protein and oil, thus contributing greatly to a sustainable system for producing food through biological nitrogen fixation. Recent research supports the theory that the soybean-associated microbiome located in the rhizosphere is a crucial regulatory mechanism governing plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and stress tolerance. Additionally, advances in metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics, and root exudate profiling via LC‒MS have shown that soybean roots alter the microbial communities found in their rhizosphere by utilizing dynamic chemical signaling and targeted microbial recruitment, thereby enhancing the ecological interpretation of the processes that drive microbiome assembly. Microbial consortia (AMF & PGPR) assess cycling through nutrients, phytohormones, suppressing diseases, as well as having a legacy effects on the productivity of agroecosystems. Factors such as plant genotype, physical and chemical soil properties, and environmental conditions greatly affect the assembly and functioning of the soybean microbiome, thus this is difficult to transfer this information to field applications. Unlike previous reviews focused primarily on biological nitrogen fixation, this review integrates recent advances in multi-omics technologies, species-level microbiome characterization, root exudate chemistry, microbiome-assisted breeding, and translational microbiome engineering approaches to provide a systems-level perspective of soybean-microbiome interactions. while also identifying significant knowledge gaps and future areas of research within this aspect of agriculture.