Search Results (3,987)

Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), remains a leading cause of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) worldwide. Patients with renal edema, including those with nephrotic syndrome and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and critical illness, are particularly susceptible because of barrier dysfunction, immune impairment, and altered antimicrobial pharmacokinetics. This narrative review examines the mechanisms linking renal edema to increased susceptibility to cutaneous S. aureus infection and discusses their diagnostic and therapeutic implications. Three interconnected pathophysiological pathways appear central to this susceptibility: disruption of the cutaneous barrier, nephrotic and uremic immune dysfunction, and impaired lymphatic immune surveillance. These abnormalities facilitate bacterial colonization, and invasion, while S. aureus further exploits the renal host through adhesins, toxins, biofilm formation, and immune-evasion mechanisms. The review also highlights the challenges of managing severe staphylococcal infections in patients with kidney disease and critical illness, where augmented renal clearance, expanded volume of distribution, extracorporeal renal support, and fluctuating renal function may substantially influence antimicrobial exposure. Current management requires early recognition, source control, individualized antimicrobial selection, renal-adapted dosing, therapeutic drug monitoring, and antimicrobial stewardship. Although emerging anti-virulence and immunomodulatory strategies show promise, most remain at the preclinical or early translational stage. Overall, renal edema should be regarded as a biologically active modifier of host–pathogen interactions that contributes to increased susceptibility to cutaneous S. aureus infection across the spectrum of kidney disease. Full article

In this study, an exploratory transcriptomic investigation was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of using feather transcriptomics to detect sex differences and gene responses to physiological changes in chickens. Feathers represent a promising non-invasive biological source of RNA, as the feather pulp of growing feathers contains living cells capable of active transcription. Growing feathers were collected from 150-day-old male and female chickens (Bionda Piemontese, a slow-growing breed) raised under a free-range system and fed two finisher diets differing in lipid content: low-lipid (LL, ether extract 3.6%) and high-lipid (HL, ether extract 9.3%) diets. RNA was extracted from feather pulp, and 12 pools were subjected to whole RNA-Seq analysis. The study was designed as 2 × 2 factorial experiments investigating the effects of diet and sex on gene expression. A total of 17,360 transcripts were detected and used for downstream analyses. Differential gene expression and functional enrichment analyses were performed. The main effects of diet and sex were estimated with an additive design using the DEseq2 package, while for the sex-specific diet analyses, subgroup comparisons were conducted on the RaNA-Seq platform. The analysis of the main effect of diet reveals that three genes associated with ether lipid metabolism (PLA2G10, PLA2G4F, and ENPP6) were upregulated in chickens fed the HL diet. In roosters, HL feeding significantly altered the expression of APOA1 and SLC27A4, suggesting an effect on lipid transport and metabolic regulation within the PPAR signaling pathway. In contrast, hens showed differential expression primarily in pathways related to apelin signaling, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cardiovascular function, rather than classical lipid metabolism pathways; additionally, gene set enrichment analysis indicated a limited enrichment of linoleic acid metabolism, suggesting secondary involvement of lipid metabolic processes. These findings are consistent with those in the literature reporting sex-related differences between males and females. The results further suggest that transcriptomic responses to dietary lipid supplementation can be investigated through the expression of selected candidate genes in feather pulp. Among the genes identified, PLA2G10, PLA2G4F, ENPP6, APOA1, and SLC27A4 emerged as potential molecular markers associated with dietary treatment, and the importance of sex-dependent transcriptional responses was highlighted. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the potential of feather pulp as a viable source of RNA for transcriptomic analyses in live chickens, providing a minimally invasive alternative to conventional tissue sampling. These preliminary results also support the hypothesis that feathers represent a practical and ethically favorable tissue for future nutrigenomic and genetic improvement studies, ultimately supporting more sustainable poultry production. Full article

Flood-driven hydrological connectivity in managed floodplain wetlands can create transient opportunities for fish dispersal, yet direct field observations of such events remain limited. In Lake Izunuma–Uchinuma, Japan, a rapid water-level rise and temporary backflow from a downstream river were recorded during a flood event, followed by the first detection of the bagrid catfish Tachysurus nudiceps. Its occurrence outside its natural range may pose significant conservation concerns, particularly habitat competition with native congeneric species. The temporal coincidence between the flood and species detection is consistent with potential passive transport into the lake via temporary backflow. Subsequent routine surveys, including stationary net sampling and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, did not detect the species, suggesting either a transient occurrence or an abundance below the detection threshold of conventional monitoring. These findings indicate that short-lived occurrences or low-abundance inflow events may escape conventional, pre-scheduled monitoring, potentially undermining local conservation efforts. We therefore propose that invasion surveillance in managed wetlands should include hydrological information and event-based sampling, especially after extreme rainfall, to enhance conservation strategies and prevent early-stage biological invasions. Full article

Coastal dune ecosystems of the Moroccan Atlantic coast are among the most threatened environments of the western Mediterranean basin, yet the ecological preferences of their constituent psammophilous flora remain poorly documented. Using the ecological profile method, corrected frequencies, species and descriptor entropy, mutual information and ecological barycentres were calculated for three environmental descriptors, distance to the tidal fluctuation zone, topographic position and soil organic matter content, applied to a presence–absence matrix of 53 vascular taxa across 123 plots distributed among three dune facies. Of the total taxa inventoried, 41 were retained as ecologically active. Topography and soil organic matter emerged as the most efficient descriptors, both exceeding the 5% activity threshold. Cross-referencing of ecological groups identified three phytoecological assemblages: characteristic psammophytes of embryonic dunes, species of the primary foredune and species of the enriched backdune. The dominance of intermediate ecological amplitudes and the convergence of introduced species towards organic matter-rich backdune conditions signal chronic anthropogenic disturbance. This study provides a quantitative characterisation of psammophilous species ecological preferences and phytoecological assemblages along the coast–inland gradient of the Haouzia Bay SBEI, constituting an operational reference framework for targeted conservation and restoration management of this threatened coastal site. Full article

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and significant neuropathological changes. Early and accurate diagnosis remains a major challenge, highlighting the need for reliable, minimally invasive biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression, have emerged as promising candidates. Their expression is altered in the brains of AD patients, reflecting disease-specific pathological processes, and they are detectable in peripheral biofluids. However, discrepancies in miRNA profiles between the brain and the circulation, and between patient populations remain a significant limitation, raising questions about their origin, transport across the blood–brain barrier, and their reliability in reflecting central nervous system pathology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current research comparing miRNA expression profiles in brain tissue and blood in AD, with a focus on their biological relevance, mechanisms of release and transport, and diagnostic potential. We also discuss the challenges associated with cross-tissue variability, methodological inconsistencies, and the need for standardized approaches. Finally, we highlight future directions, including multi-tissue analyses and integration with other noninvasive modalities, to improve the clinical utility of miRNA-based biomarkers in AD. Full article

Coptodon zillii and Oreochromis niloticus are dominant invasive fish species that have successfully established and coexisted in the Jinghong Reservoir of the lower Lancang River, Southwest China. To explore the mechanisms underlying their invasion and coexistence from the perspective of reproductive traits, we conducted monthly sampling from January to December 2025 to compare key reproductive parameters, including size at first sexual maturity, sex ratio, breeding season, spawning pattern and fecundity. The results showed that the predicted sizes at first sexual maturity for females and males of C. zillii (83.4 mm and 81.7 mm, respectively) were significantly smaller than those of O. niloticus (127.7 mm and 125.8 mm, respectively). Both species exhibited early sexual maturation. The sex ratio of C. zillii was approximately 1:1, whereas that of O. niloticus was significantly female-biased. The breeding season of C. zillii lasted from April to September, peaking in May and June, while O. niloticus spawned from May to November, with a peak in August, showing a staggered temporal distribution. Both species were batch spawners; however, O. niloticus had significantly larger egg diameters than C. zillii. Absolute fecundity, length-relative fecundity and weight-relative fecundity were significantly higher in C. zillii than in O. niloticus. Moreover, the absolute fecundity of C. zillii showed stronger correlations with body length, body weight, net weight and gonadal weight. C. zillii adopted a more r-selected strategy, while O. niloticus exhibited a more K-selected strategy. The two species displayed clear divergence in their reproductive strategies, including size at maturity, breeding season, egg diameter and fecundity, which reduced interspecific competition and promoted niche separation and coexistence in the Jinghong Reservoir. Full article

Sustainable management of the invasive tree Hovenia dulcis (H. dulcis) in the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (MOF) is crucial for reconciling biodiversity conservation with income generation for smallholders. This study developed a species-specific predictive growth model for H. dulcis and simulated management scenarios across three properties with contrasting invasion intensities. By integrating stem quality, phytosanitary status, and individual growth rates into tree selection criteria, we evaluated trade-offs between timber yield and structural recovery under Continuous Cover Forestry (CCF) principles. The mixed-effects growth model demonstrated high predictive performance (marginal R² = 0.89, RMSE = 2.05 cm), confirming H1 and validating its application as a decision-support tool for long-term silvicultural planning. Results confirmed H2: no single standardized management approach proved appropriate across all sites, as invasion intensity, stand density, and diameter distribution varied substantially among properties and directly determined the most suitable harvesting strategy. In highly invaded stands (Property I), intensive harvesting of 61 trees yielded the highest commercial volume (Vc = 21.84 m³), while in more preserved forests (Property II), conservative selection of 26 trees (Vc = 9.53 m³) prioritized structural quality. Structural recovery periods ranged from 1 to 7 years depending on harvesting intensity, with removal of stagnant large-diameter trees reducing passage time for remaining individuals. Targeting sawlog-quality trees (dbh > 25 cm) was 3.35 times more profitable than firewood production, providing a significant economic incentive for smallholders. These findings demonstrate that property-specific H. dulcis management can transform a biological threat into a productive resource, fostering MOF restoration through active and sustainable use. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiac troponin I (TnI) is the reference biomarker for detecting myocardial injury. Saliva has recently emerged as a potential non-invasive diagnostic fluid; however, evidence regarding the clinical utility of salivary TnI remains limited. This study aimed to compare serum and salivary TnI concentrations in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and to evaluate their relationship during the perioperative period. Methods: A prospective longitudinal observational study included 54 adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass and cardioplegic arrest. Serum and unstimulated saliva samples were collected 18–20 h before surgery, 18–20 h after surgery, and 42–44 h after surgery. TnI concentrations were measured using a high-sensitivity chemiluminescent immunoassay. Salivary pH, salivary flow rate, renal function, and fluid balance were also recorded. Results: Significant perioperative changes in TnI concentrations were observed in both serum and saliva (p < 0.001). Median salivary TnI increased from 3.0 ng/L preoperatively to 9.2 ng/L at 18–20 h postoperatively and decreased to 6.4 ng/L at 42–44 h. Median serum TnI increased from 10.2 ng/L to 2593.1 ng/L and subsequently decreased to 1204.5 ng/L. Despite similar temporal trends, no significant correlation was found between serum and salivary TnI concentrations at any time point. Ischemic time was positively associated with postoperative serum TnI concentrations (ρ = 0.347, p = 0.01), whereas no such association was observed for salivary TnI. Salivary TnI concentrations were not significantly associated with salivary flow rate or pH. Conclusions: Salivary TnI concentrations increased significantly following cardiac surgery, indicating measurable perioperative changes within the salivary compartment. However, no significant association was observed between salivary and serum TnI concentrations under the conditions investigated in this study. Therefore, the present findings do not support the use of salivary TnI as a surrogate marker of circulating troponin concentrations. Further analytical validation of high-sensitivity troponin assays in saliva and additional clinical studies are required before definitive conclusions regarding the biological significance and potential clinical utility of salivary troponin measurements can be made. Full article

This study represents the first comprehensive characterization of fish biodiversity in the Sonche Canyon (northeastern Peru) using environmental DNA (eDNA), revealing a community of 19 taxa whose detection depended critically on a multi-marker approach. The analysis demonstrated that the use of both Metafish and Mifish-U PCR primer pairs generated a high complementarity index (0.53), allowing the capture of divergent biological signals; Metafish was essential for identifying characiformes; while Mifish-U revealed the presence of specific gymnotiformes and loricariids. The findings, supported by rarification curves confirming sampling saturation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed co-variation between the biodiversity “hotspot” in Tingorbamba and elevated nitrate concentration (6.1 mg/L), as well as the ubiquitous presence of the invasive species Oncorhynchus mykiss. In conclusion, the utility of the molecular markers and the observed co-variation between physicochemical variables and species distributions underscore the need for standardized protocols for the monitoring and conservation of fauna in the vulnerable lotic systems of the Peruvian Andes. Full article

Studies on chimpanzees suggest that some plants are consumed for their biological properties. Low frequency of consumption, small ingested quantities, complex food processing for a low nutritional value, and local ecological knowledge from human populations can serve as useful indicators for detecting self-medicative behavior. Since 2008, wild chimpanzees have been monitored in Sebitoli, Kibale National Park, Uganda. This study focuses on a plant locally called “Angel’s trumpet,” selectively consumed by chimpanzees but previously botanically unidentified. Across 890 observation days, 25 consumption events were recorded involving 18 chimpanzees, each ingesting about 10 g of pith. The plant was botanically identified as Acnistus arborescens, a species native to Central and South America and not previously reported in Africa. The plant is known to contain withanolides particularly studied in mice and humans for their anxiolytic effects. Chemical analysis of leaves and pith conducted during this survey revealed diverse withanolides and cinnamides, with some compounds unique to the pith. This finding highlights a chimpanzee-guided discovery of a non-native plant with known bioactive properties. This study opens avenues for further research on its distribution, potential invasiveness, and potential uses for its biological effects by both humans and wildlife in Africa. Full article

Cancer and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) represent two of the leading causes of death worldwide. Increasingly, these two are being recognized as biologically related conditions rather than entirely segregated disease states. In addition to traditional risk factors such as aging, smoking, and obesity, chronic inflammation may be a key factor connecting the two illnesses. Endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, plaque progression, and thrombosis are all facilitated by inflammatory signaling in ASCVD. Similar pathways are known to contribute to cancer growth and invasion. Emerging epidemiologic data demonstrate increased cancer incidence among patients with cardiovascular disease, while cancer survivors and recipients of cardiotoxic therapies exhibit accelerated vascular disease. This narrative review aims to describe the bidirectional relationship between ASCVD and cancer. Targeting shared pathways using statins, colchicine, canakinumab, IL-6 inhibition, and lifestyle modification may provide dual benefits. Future biomarker-guided trials with integrated cardiovascular and oncologic endpoints are needed to clarify causality and optimize prevention and management. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains the third most common malignancy worldwide and a leading cause of cancer mortality, largely driven by metastatic dissemination. Among metastatic routes, lymphatic spread is crucial to determine the prognosis and establish an adequate therapeutic strategy. Lymph node metastasis (LNM) defines stage III disease in the TNM classification, guiding adjuvant chemotherapy and surgical planning. However, nodal staging based on lymphadenectomy and histopathology is invasive, time-consuming, and may lead to overtreatment. Conventional imaging modalities, including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and endorectal ultrasound, show limited sensitivity and specificity for small or micro-metastatic nodes. Despite multimodal progress, no non-invasive technique reliably identifies malignant nodes in real time. PET–MRI, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, photoacoustic and fluorescence approaches, ICG mapping, and sentinel node biopsy improve detection but remain limited by specificity, cost, or availability. Extranodal extension (ENE) and tumor deposits (TDs) carry major prognostic value, reflecting aggressive biology and association with distant spread. Meanwhile, phylogenetic studies challenge linear dissemination models, indicating that some metastases arise directly from the primary tumor or TDs rather than LNMs. These data support refinement of staging and surgical strategies according to tumor biology rather than purely anatomical criteria. High-frequency quantitative ultrasound (HF-QUS) enables real-time, operator-independent, three-dimensional nodal assessment with reported sensitivity and specificity exceeding 85%. Combined with artificial intelligence and molecular profiling, it may support biologically informed staging, reduce unnecessary surgery, and foster precision oncology. Lymphatic dissemination in CRC offers a platform to merge tumor biology with technological innovation, where advanced imaging, molecular insight, and artificial intelligence may redefine nodal staging toward precision, non-invasive care. Full article

Chronological age tells us how long a person has lived—but not how well. Two individuals of the same age can differ dramatically in their cellular health, disease risk, and functional capacity. This gap between calendar age and biological age has driven growing interest in biomarkers that reflect true cellular aging rather than years lived. Mitochondria sit at the heart of this problem. Far more than cellular power plants, these organelles govern energy production, oxidative stress, immune signaling, and programmed cell death. As the body ages, mitochondria deteriorate in consistent and measurable ways—and crucially, these changes can be detected in circulating blood cells, offering a minimally invasive window into the body’s biological age. This narrative review synthesizes two decades of research (2005–2025) on three blood-based mitochondrial markers: mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) in plasma. Across 68 carefully selected studies, we evaluate the strength, consistency, and clinical relevance of each marker, alongside their associations with cardiovascular disease, metabolic dysfunction, cognitive decline, and mortality. The evidence is promising but still maturing. Significant methodological variation across studies limits direct comparisons, and robust prospective outcome data remain limited. We propose a four-phase framework for responsible clinical translation and identify specific research investments needed—from measurement standardization to large cohort studies and intervention trials—before these markers can responsibly inform patient care. Full article

Global climate warming has intensified in recent years, with extreme weather events occurring more frequently and severely impacting ecosystems and social production. According to the “China Climate Change Blue Book (2023),” China’s temperature rise rate exceeds the global average, with increasingly significant impacts on ecosystems. Hyphantria cunea, an invasive forest pest first discovered in China in 1979, has spread widely, causing serious damage to forestry and agriculture and posing a significant threat to China’s ecological security. To address this threat, this study employed seven modeling algorithms (GLM, GBM, CTA, ANN, SRE, FDA, MARS, RF, and MaxEnt) from the R Biomod2 package to develop an ensemble model. The core research objective of this work is to quantify climate-driven range shifts of H. cunea under ongoing global climate change. Previous nationwide SDM studies on invasive forest pests have consistently demonstrated that climatic variables dominate broad-scale nationwide suitable habitat patterns at the macro-regional level. Supplementary topographic, vegetation cover, and human land-use disturbance layers were incorporated to capture fine-scale habitat filtering effects and long-distance pest dispersal facilitated by human activities, which together fully characterize the suitable regional environments of this pest. By integrating climate, topography, vegetation, and human disturbance data, we predicted the potential geographical distribution of H. cunea in China under four future climate scenarios (SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, SSP3-7.0, and SSP5-8.5). The ensemble model achieved excellent performance with TSS and ROC values of 0.901 and 0.984, respectively. Currently, highly suitable areas for H. cunea are concentrated in 12 provinces, including Shandong, Jiangsu, Hebei, Henan, and Anhui, covering 56.33 × 104 km², with Shandong showing the highest proportion (25.48%). The suitable habitat range is projected to expand northeastward, with significant increases under high emission scenarios (SSP5-8.5). Analysis of environmental variables reveals that nighttime light brightness, precipitation in the warmest season, the seasonal temperature variation coefficient, and average temperature in the driest season are key factors influencing H. cunea distribution. Nighttime light brightness shows the highest contribution (27.7%), indicating significant human impact on species spread. Response curves suggest that H. cunea favors warm, humid areas with pronounced seasonal changes. This study demonstrates that climate change will increase H. cunea expansion risk, necessitating strengthened cross-regional monitoring and biological control techniques. These findings provide a scientific foundation for understanding H. cunea spatiotemporal distribution patterns under future climate scenarios and for developing effective prevention and control strategies. Full article

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are multifactorial musculoskeletal conditions frequently associated with chronic pain, inflammation, and functional impairment. Increasing evidence suggests that oxidative stress may contribute to the pathophysiology of TMD, and salivary biomarkers have emerged as a promising non-invasive approach for evaluating these biological alterations. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate and quantitatively synthesize the available evidence regarding salivary oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with temporomandibular disorders compared with healthy controls. Materials and Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines and prospectively registered in PROSPERO. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Observational studies and clinical trials evaluating salivary oxidative stress biomarkers in patients with TMD were included. The primary biomarkers assessed were malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and catalase activity (CAT). Data extraction and risk of bias assessment were independently performed by two reviewers using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and RoB 2 tool when applicable. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using weighted or standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. Included studies demonstrated substantial methodological variability regarding TMD diagnostic criteria, saliva collection protocols, biomarker assays, and sampling conditions. Results: Pooled analyses showed significantly elevated salivary malondialdehyde levels in patients with TMD compared with healthy controls, suggesting increased lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress activity. In contrast, total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity demonstrated inconsistent and non-significant findings across studies. Considerable heterogeneity was identified among studies, limiting the comparability and interpretability of pooled estimates. Salivary oxidative stress biomarkers, particularly malondialdehyde, appear to be associated with temporomandibular disorders and may reflect underlying oxidative and inflammatory mechanisms. Conclusions: However, substantial methodological heterogeneity and lack of standardized protocols currently limit their clinical applicability. Future well-designed longitudinal studies using harmonized diagnostic and analytical methodologies are required to clarify their translational value in TMD assessment. Full article