Search Results (17,056)

The Ziziphi spinosae semen flavonoids (ZSSF) possess significant nutritional value and exhibit a wide range of health benefits, exerting positive effects on diseases related to the central nervous system. Given the excellent bioactivity and limited absorption of ZSSF, elucidating the underlying mechanism of ZSSF is imperative. In this study, in vitro fecal microbial culture fermentation was performed to investigate the metabolism of ZSSF and its effect on the gut microbiota. A total of 45 chemical constituents were identified by Ultra-performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time-of-flight–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), and possible biotransformation pathways were postulated. The degradation rates of spinosin and 6‴-feruloylspinosin were 2.53 ± 0.07 μg/mL/h and 0.79 ± 0.06 μg/mL/h, respectively, with swertisin accumulating to 55.00 ± 3.55 μg/mL at 24 h before declining. The abundance of Firmicutes increased from 8.42% at 0 h to 48.26% in the ZSSF fermentation group at 48 h, while Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria decreased from 60.02% and 30.25% to 23.46% and 20.02%, respectively. Furthermore, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), revealing that ZSSF was associated with higher butyrate concentration at 48 h under the tested batch-fermentation conditions, with significantly higher levels observed in the ZSSF fermentation group compared to the control (1.34 ± 0.03 vs. 1.10 ± 0.05 mmol/L, p < 0.05). This study provides the first integrated analysis of ZSSF metabolism, gut microbiota modulation, and SCFAs production in a single in vitro fermentation model, offering a comprehensive understanding of the gut microbiota-mediated biotransformation of ZSSF and its metabolic consequences. Notably, these findings are derived from an in vitro batch fermentation model, and therefore, in vivo validation is required to confirm the physiological relevance of these observations. Collectively, this study provides insight into the exploration of the metabolic functions and mechanisms of ZSSF. Full article

With accelerating population aging and retirement-policy reforms, post-retirement work participation and its health effects have attracted increasing attention. Using data from the 2013–2020 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study examined the effect of working beyond retirement on changes in cognitive function among the Retirement-Transition Population using a staggered difference-in-differences approach. Cognitive function was decomposed into episodic memory and executive function, and robustness checks were conducted using parallel trend tests and propensity score matching combined with difference-in-differences (PSM-DID). The results showed that working beyond retirement was positively associated with improved cognitive function. This effect was mainly observed in episodic memory, whereas its effect on executive function was limited. Heterogeneity analyses indicated that the cognitive effects were more pronounced among men and urban residents. Individuals without chronic diseases, without depressive symptoms, and with better self-rated health exhibited greater cognitive benefits. Among individuals with work-type change, those experiencing an agricultural-to-non-agricultural transition showed more pronounced cognitive benefits. The findings suggest that the cognitive effects of working beyond retirement are dimension-specific and heterogeneous across population groups. Future delayed retirement policies should recognize the health value of work participation, incorporate health benefits into policy considerations, and promote age-friendly employment through health assessment, job matching, and follow-up service mechanisms. Full article

This decade-long surveillance study (2016–2025) investigates the acquisition of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in South Atlantic cetaceans to evaluate how ecological niches modulate exposure to biological pollution. Analyzing clinical isolates from stranded cetacean carcasses (n = 346), we used Generalized Linear Mixed-Effects Models (GLMMs) to mitigate multi-center analytical biases and compare resistance profiles across coastal and oceanic species. We observed a significant, progressive upward trend in the overall MDR probability over the decade. Although raw MDR was higher in the demersal-feeding Pontoporia blainvillei (58.2%) than in the sympatric, water-column-foraging Sotalia guianensis (22.0%), multivariate modeling revealed that this difference was primarily driven by the geographic stranding location rather than by intrinsic foraging ecology. High gastrointestinal MDR (73.9%) suggests dietary intake as a primary biological gateway. Demographic modeling revealed a significant sex-based association in P. blainvillei, with females facing a higher risk (p = 0.009), although the specific ecological or physiological mechanisms underlying this difference remain unknown. High MDR rates in deep-diving Lagenodelphis hosei (70.8%) and Kogia breviceps (67.9%) suggest that resistant pathogens may reach bathypelagic food webs, potentially via vertical trophic pathways. These findings suggest that spatial environmental contamination, alongside foraging and reproductive ecologies, is a key driver of exposure to the anthropogenic resistome. Because carcass-based sampling inherently targets a diseased or senescent fraction, these high prevalences may overestimate the resistome burden of healthy free-ranging populations. The detection of human pathogens across coastal and offshore habitats indicates persistent deficiencies in terrestrial effluent management, reinforcing cetaceans as One Health sentinels. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are produced primarily by incomplete combustion of organic materials, including biomass burning, vehicle exhaust, and forest fires. Exposure to PAHs can induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress, leading to lipid peroxidation and DNA damage. Biomass burning is a major environmental and public health problem in Chiang Mai province, containing particulate matter linked with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. This prospective observational study aimed to evaluate the association between oxidative stress biomarkers and PAH exposure. A total of 152 participants comprised healthy controls (88), diabetes patients (35), hypertension patients (15) and diabetes + hypertension patients (14). Only participants aged more than 18 years were included. Participants who had acute respiratory infection or malignancies were excluded. This study was conducted in the pre-burning (December) and post-burning (May) periods by measuring biomarkers such as 1-OHP, MDA and 8-OHdG. Urinary 1-OHP increased significantly in the post-burning period from 0.21 ± 0.50 to 0.87 ± 1.25 μmol/mol creatinine (p < 0.001). Serum 8-OHdG increased significantly in all participants from 51.04 ± 24.90 to 66.08 ± 27.82 pg/mL (p < 0.001) and increased significantly in the diabetic and hypertension group. Serum MDA did not show any significant change post-burning (6.09 ± 3.71 to 6.00 ± 3.71 nmol/mL; p = 0.825), but MDA significantly decreased in the diabetic group (p = 0.017). 8-OHdG tended to increase in all clinical groups in the post-burning season compared to the pre-burning season, indicating oxidative DNA damage. 8-OHdG was found to be a sensitive biomarker of oxidative stress, suggesting its potential as an early indicator in haze season in vulnerable populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hypercapnic respiratory failure (HRF) is a serious complication of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilisation. National HRF trends among patients with COPD remain poorly characterised in Lithuania, and the knowledge of prehospital emergency-care professionals regarding oxygen therapy and hypercapnia has not been evaluated. Methods: This study comprised two components. First, a cross-sectional online survey assessed knowledge of COPD, hypercapnia, and oxygen therapy among prehospital emergency-care professionals (EMS physicians, emergency nurses, EMS paramedics, and paramedics); three questionnaire items whose designated correct answers could not be unambiguously supported were excluded from the knowledge score, and the original 10-item score was retained as a sensitivity analysis. Second, nationwide electronic health record data from the Lithuanian national health record system (ESPBI IS, 2020–2023) were analysed retrospectively: patients with COPD and concomitant chronic HRF were identified using ICD-10-AM diagnostic codes, and the number of patients with a recorded J96.11 diagnosis irrespective of underlying disease was obtained as a national denominator. Proportions are reported with 95% confidence intervals and temporal trends as absolute changes in percentage points; multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios adjusted for age group and sex. Between-year differences were tested using the χ² test with Holm-adjusted pairwise comparisons, and the association between sex and chronic HRF was expressed as an odds ratio. All tests were two-sided, and p < 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Among the 65 prehospital emergency-care professionals surveyed, knowledge of hypercapnia was relatively high: 78.5% (95% CI 67.0–86.7) correctly defined it and 72.3% (95% CI 60.4–81.7) identified its symptoms, whereas 58.5% (95% CI 46.3–69.6) identified the recommended SpO₂ target range of 88–92%. Respondents answered a median of 5 of the 7 scored knowledge items correctly (IQR 4–6). Total knowledge scores differed by professional role (p = 0.034) but not by years of experience, sex, or frequency of COPD contact; the sensitivity analysis using the original 10-item score gave the same pattern (p = 0.006). In the national electronic health record data, the COPD population increased from 27,239 to 32,446 (+19.1%) between 2020 and 2023, while the number of COPD patients with a recorded chronic HRF diagnosis rose from 160 to 291 (+81.9%). The proportion rose from 0.59% (95% CI 0.50–0.69) to 0.90% (95% CI 0.80–1.01), an absolute increase of 0.31 percentage points (95% CI 0.17–0.45; risk ratio 1.53, 95% CI 1.26–1.85). Men had higher odds than women after adjustment for age (adjusted OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.28–1.88), and adjusted odds were lowest in patients aged 80 years or older. Across the four annual cross-sections, COPD accounted for 41.5% of patient-year observations with a recorded J96.11 diagnosis nationally. Conclusions: Knowledge of COPD, hypercapnia, and oxygen therapy varied among the prehospital emergency-care professionals surveyed, with one of the lowest proportions of correct responses observed for the recommended target oxygen saturation range. National electronic health record data showed an increase in the proportion of patients with COPD who had a recorded diagnosis of chronic HRF between 2020 and 2023. These components were analysed independently, and no relationship between professional knowledge and temporal trends in recorded diagnoses was assessed. The electronic health record findings support continued monitoring and recognition of chronic HRF in COPD, whereas the survey findings support further evaluation of targeted education on oxygen therapy in the prehospital setting. Full article

Adenomyosis is a chronic estrogen-dependent disorder that may adversely affect reproductive health. Increasing evidence suggests that its reproductive and obstetric consequences may vary according to disease phenotype, including focal versus diffuse forms and inner versus outer myometrial localization. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on adenomyosis, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and maternal–fetal outcomes, with particular attention to phenotype-specific clinical implications. MEDLINE and Scopus were searched for English-language studies from database inception through March 2026, and the selected evidence was qualitatively synthesized according to the main clinical topics. Available evidence indicates that adenomyosis is associated with impaired fertility through defective endometrial receptivity, progesterone resistance, abnormal uterine peristalsis, chronic inflammation, and immune dysregulation. Adenomyosis has also been associated with miscarriage and adverse obstetric outcomes, including preterm birth, hypertensive disorders, placental dysfunction, fetal growth restriction, and postpartum hemorrhage. Emerging data suggest distinct profiles, with internal adenomyosis more closely related to implantation failure, recurrent pregnancy loss, and placental complications, whereas external adenomyosis is more frequently associated with endometriosis and primary infertility. However, phenotype-specific associations require further validation. Accurate phenotypic characterization may improve reproductive counseling and individualized management. Prospective studies using standardized diagnostic criteria are needed to confirm phenotype-specific risks and develop targeted therapeutic and obstetric strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Probiotic preparations have attracted increasing attention because of their potential to modulate the gut microbiota and improve health outcomes in a wide range of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal diseases. However, their efficacy and safety are strain-specific and remain inconsistent across many clinical indications. The aim of this review was to evaluate current evidence regarding the efficacy, safety, mechanisms of action, and clinical applications of probiotic preparations. Methods: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases to identify publications addressing the efficacy, safety, and clinical applications of probiotic preparations. The literature search was last updated in July 2026. No publication-year restrictions were applied; the studies included in this review were published between 2000 and 2026. Priority was given to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, international clinical practice guidelines, and mechanistic studies. Results: The reviewed evidence indicates that probiotics may contribute to intestinal homeostasis through modulation of the gut microbiota, enhancement of intestinal barrier function, and regulation of immune responses. The strongest evidence supports the use of selected probiotic strains for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, whereas evidence for the prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis is generally favorable but depends on the specific probiotic preparation, product quality, and clinical setting. Evidence for most other gastrointestinal and extraintestinal disorders remains heterogeneous and strain-specific. Although probiotics generally exhibit a favorable safety profile, rare infectious complications have been reported in high-risk patients. Conclusions: Current evidence indicates that the efficacy and safety of probiotics depend on the specific strain, clinical indication, and patient characteristics. Further high-quality, strain-specific clinical studies are needed to optimize their use in medical practice. Full article

Background: Exercise is a cornerstone of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) management, yet real-world adherence to physical activity (PA) recommendations and patient preferences for exercise delivery remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to compare PA levels, World Health Organization (WHO) aerobic PA guideline compliance, and exercise preferences between patients with axSpA and age and sex-matched healthy controls. Methods: A total of 153 patients with axSpA and 153 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited from a tertiary rheumatology clinic. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. Compliance with WHO aerobic PA recommendations was defined as achieving ≥150 min/week of moderate-intensity PA including walking, ≥75 min/week of vigorous-intensity PA, or an equivalent combination. Disease activity, function, quality of life, kinesiophobia, fibromyalgia, neuropathic pain, psychological status, and exercise preferences (adapted from the Personalized Exercise Questionnaire) were also recorded, and logistic regression identified factors associated with compliance among axSpA patients. Results: Total IPAQ-SF MET-min/week scores were comparable between groups, but vigorous-intensity activity was lower in axSpA (p = 0.012). Fewer patients with axSpA met WHO aerobic PA recommendations than controls (60.1% vs. 71.2%, p = 0.041) and this gap was most evident among women (43.4% vs. 75.5%, p = 0.002) but not among men, with a significant axSpA status × sex interaction (p = 0.008). Among patients with axSpA, female sex and higher kinesiophobia scores were independently associated with lower odds of meeting the WHO aerobic PA recommendations. Patients with axSpA also showed distinct exercise preferences including greater preference for health-professional supervision, home-based exercise, and regular feedback. Conclusions: Patients with axSpA had lower adherence to WHO aerobic PA recommendations than healthy controls. Among patients with axSpA, female sex and higher kinesiophobia were associated with lower adherence. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex-related differences, kinesiophobia, and individual exercise preferences when developing personalized strategies to promote PA in axSpA. Full article

Background/Objectives: Female infertility represents a significant public health issue. Available evidence supports the hypothesis that the gut microbiota may play an essential role in women’s reproductive health and may serve as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker in specific gynecological disorders. A substantial part of current research concerns disturbed communication between the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and the gut microbiota, providing the basis for analyzing this phenomenon as the gut–ovary axis or the gut–vagina–ovary axis. The primary aim of this scoping review was to map the available evidence on the relationship between gut microbiota composition and female infertility, with particular emphasis on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, currently polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, PMOS) endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched using terms related to gut microbiota, female infertility, PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine leiomyomas. Peer-reviewed publications in English published between 2015 and 2025 were considered. The included studies were descriptively synthesized to identify recurring microbiota patterns and research gaps. Results: The reviewed evidence indicates that gut dysbiosis may be associated with selected gynecological disorders affecting fertility, including PCOS, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. The gut microbiome may have potential value as a biomarker supporting diagnosis, treatment selection, and prognosis. Conclusions: The gut microbiome represents a promising but still insufficiently validated area in the management of gynecological diseases associated with female infertility. Further high-quality clinical studies are needed to verify the effectiveness of microbiome-based therapies and to develop evidence-based guidelines for managing infertility associated with gut dysbiosis. Full article

Background: Non-communicable disease (NCD) emergencies, including hypoglycaemia, stroke, acute coronary syndrome, and hypertensive crisis, call for prompt action by households and communities. The psychosocial mechanisms associated with emergency management behavior in rural Thailand, however, are not well understood. Objectives: The study pursued three objectives. It described levels of NCD emergency management behavior and the characteristics of emergency events reported during the preceding six months. It examined associations linking knowledge, Health Belief Model (HBM) constructs, social support, participation, self-efficacy, and emergency management behavior. Then, it identified the constructs with the strongest relations to behavior, along with an indirect pathway operating through self-efficacy, via structural equation modelling. Methods: A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 1321 community adults in Sisaket Province, Thailand, drawn from an initial 1407 records after excluding 86 with age below 21 years, incomplete data on SEM variables, or invalid disease-status coding. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire measured knowledge of NCD emergencies, HBM constructs, social support, family and community participation, self-efficacy, and emergency management behavior. Covariance-based SEM with item parcels and maximum-likelihood estimation was conducted; knowledge was treated as an observed variable. Results: Mean age was 58.0 years (SD = 14.3); 15.5% reported a recent emergency event. Knowledge was moderate-to-low (mean = 5.79/10; KR-20 = 0.440). Model fit was acceptable (CFI = 0.980; RMSEA = 0.047; SRMR = 0.049). Discriminant validity was supported by the Fornell–Larcker criterion for all constructs. Participation was strongly associated with self-efficacy (β = 0.858) and with emergency management behavior (β = 0.433); self-efficacy was also associated with emergency management behavior (β = 0.354). Participation had the largest total effect on behavior (0.737), combining a direct effect (0.433) and an indirect, self-efficacy-related effect (0.304). All structural-path variance inflation factors (VIF) were below 5.0 except participation behavior (VIF = 6.19), which remained below the more permissive threshold of 10.0. Conclusions: NCD emergency management behavior in this rural community was most strongly associated with family and community participation and with self-efficacy. Because the design was cross-sectional, these findings indicate association rather than confirmed causal or mediating pathways. Programmes should combine scenario-based knowledge with participatory practice, family role preparation, rehearsal of emergency-service (1669) activation, and confidence-building activities. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a major global public health concern associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Iron metabolism has been implicated, but the storage (ferritin) and functional (soluble transferrin receptor, sTfR) axes are rarely assessed within a single model. We aimed to determine whether both axes are independently associated with glycaemia and MetS and to evaluate their diagnostic value. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 297 adults (72.8% women) from Turkestan, Kazakhstan. Hierarchical regression models with sequential adjustment were applied for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), dietary inflammatory index (DII), HFE H63D genotype, and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT). Path analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis were also performed. Results: Ferritin and sTfR were independently associated with fasting glucose (β = 0.27 and 0.73, respectively) and metabolic syndrome (OR = 1.52 and 4.53, respectively). When analyzed separately, neither biomarker reached statistical significance for MetS (ferritin: OR = 1.20, p = 0.140; sTfR: OR = 1.93, p = 0.072). Ferritin demonstrated no discriminatory ability in men (AUC = 0.500, 95% CI 0.370–0.630) and modest discrimination in women (AUC = 0.652, 95% CI 0.571–0.732). GGT accounted for approximately 28% of the ferritin–glucose association in a path-analytic model. Ferritin, GGT, and HbA1c levels increased progressively even among individuals with 0–2 MetS components. Conclusions: Both the storage and functional axes of iron metabolism provide independent information on glycaemic status, but their associations become apparent only when assessed simultaneously. Ferritin alone is not suitable as a diagnostic marker for metabolic syndrome. Full article

Ebola virus disease (EVD) remains one of the most severe viral hemorrhagic fevers, with recurrent outbreaks challenging global healthcare systems. This narrative review traces the evolving epidemiology of EVD from the first recognized outbreaks in 1976 to the ongoing 2026 Bundibugyo virus public health emergency in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda. Over nearly five decades, the recognized range of Ebola outbreak contexts and amplification mechanisms has broadened considerably: rural zoonotic spillovers remain the predominant mode of emergence, but the scale and reach of subsequent transmission increasingly depend on where introductions occur, on delays in detection, on population mobility, on ecological disruption, on armed conflict, on healthcare-associated transmission, and on viral persistence in survivors. Major advances in molecular epidemiology and genomic surveillance have improved outbreak investigation, enabling real-time transmission reconstruction and detection of survivor-linked resurgence. Vaccination, particularly ring vaccination with rVSV-ZEBOV, has shown high effectiveness against Zaire ebolavirus, yet vaccine equity gaps and the absence of licensed vaccines for Sudan virus and Bundibugyo virus remain critical vulnerabilities, though new candidate vaccines and therapeutics for Bundibugyo virus entered clinical evaluation in mid-2026. Artificial intelligence and digital technologies, including AI-assisted early warning systems, portable sequencing, drones, blockchain, and mobile health platforms, offer promising tools for outbreak preparedness, but robust evidence of their real-world operational impact during filovirus outbreaks remains limited, and their deployment in low-resource settings faces substantial barriers related to infrastructure, literacy, data costs, and governance. Integrated preparedness frameworks that combine ecological surveillance, resilient healthcare systems, community engagement, and international coordination under a One Health umbrella are increasingly viewed as a strategic necessity. The 2026 Bundibugyo outbreak reaffirms that despite decades of lessons, structural weaknesses in surveillance, response timeliness, and community trust continue to recur. Sustainable, multi-year financing, diversified vaccine platforms, regional manufacturing, and local co-design of digital tools are essential to translate lessons into lasting change. Preparedness is best understood as a continuous process rather than a reactive state. Full article

Necrotic enteritis (NE), caused by the Gram-positive, anaerobic bacterium Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens; CP), is one of the most economically important diseases affecting the poultry industry worldwide. The pathogenicity of C. perfringens is attributed to the production of more than twenty extracellular toxins and enzymes, with strains classified into seven toxinotypes (A–G) based on their major toxin genes. While the alpha-toxin gene (cpa) is present across all C. perfringens toxinotypes, netB is recognized as the primary virulence determinant of avian NE. However, toxin-gene carriage alone does not establish toxin expression or disease causation. Cpb2 and tpeL have also been associated with virulence in some C. perfringens isolates, although their independent contributions to NE pathogenesis remain less firmly established. The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant C. perfringens strains, including multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pandrug-resistant (PDR) isolates, together with the organism’s ability to form biofilms, has complicated disease prevention and treatment by enhancing environmental persistence and tolerance to antimicrobial agents. Distinct from reviews that primarily address NE pathogenesis or antibiotic alternatives as broad terms, this review integrates antimicrobial resistance with planktonic and biofilm-associated C. perfringens. Furthermore, it critically evaluates alternative interventions based on their activity against these bacterial states and the strength of supporting in vitro, in vivo, and field evidence. In conclusion, this review highlights the urgent need for sustainable, antibiotic-free strategies to combat NE. Advancing the development and field validation of these alternative approaches may contribute to reducing antimicrobial resistance, limiting biofilm-associated persistence, and improving poultry health and productivity. Full article

Ticks are hematophagous arthropods that parasitize livestock, humans, and wild animals, posing serious threats to public health worldwide. Diverse pathogens have been discovered in ticks, including viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and filarial nematodes; however, ticks also harbor a variety of fungal microbes, which remain largely unexplored. In this study, we isolated and identified culturable fungi associated with ticks collected on cattle and goats in Yunnan Province, China. Of the 1730 ticks obtained, 1690 were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus, and only 40 as Haemaphysalis longicornis via morphology and 16S rRNA gene analysis. A total of 90 fungal strains were isolated from the ticks and identified by morphological examination and ITS sequencing, representing 25 species across 20 genera, with Fusarium being the most prevalent. Among these isolates, Fusarium verticillioides (19 isolates) poses a threat to grains, animals, and humans; Cladosporium cladosporioides (six isolates) and Sarocladium zeae (one isolate) are primarily pathogenic to plants, while Schizophyllum commune (eight isolates), Rhizopus arrhizus (two isolates), Diaporthe phaseolorum (two isolates), and Purpureocillium lilacinum (two isolates) are recognized animal-associated pathogens. The diversity of isolated fungi with documented pathogenicity suggests that ticks may serve as potential vectors for fungal transmission, raising concerns about their role in cross-kingdom disease spread across agriculture and livestock. Furthermore, fungi with entomopathogenic potential, such as P. lilacinum, offer valuable resources for developing biocontrol agents against ticks. Our findings highlight the dual role of ticks as both potential vectors of phytopathogenic fungi and reservoirs of entomopathogenic biocontrol agents. This necessitates a paradigm shift in tick surveillance, integrating mycological monitoring to mitigate agricultural losses and exploring tick-borne fungi for sustainable vector control strategies. Full article

Background: Short-video platforms (e.g., Douyin, TikTok) have gained immense popularity among young adults, yet their addictive potential and health consequences remain understudied. Unlike gaming addiction, which has been linked to myopia and mental distress, short-video viewing may pose distinct risks due to its fragmented, high-frequency, and pre-sleep usage patterns. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between short-video viewing and multifaceted health outcomes in Chinese young adults, with a focus on dose–response relationships. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 328 young adults aged 20–33 years. Participants were categorized into a non-addicted group (daily short-video viewing < 0.5 h, n = 164) and a short-video viewing group (daily viewing ≥ 1 h, n = 164), further divided by duration: 1–2 h (n = 96), 3–4 h (n = 29), 5–6 h (n = 22), and >6 h (n = 17). Outcome measures included the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Van Dream Anxiety Scale (VDAS), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), Internet Addiction Test (IAT), Chinese Internet Addiction Scale—Revised (CIAS-R), and Mobile Phone Addiction Index (MAPI). Linear regression, one-way ANOVA with Tukey post hoc comparisons (or Kruskal–Wallis tests with Dunn’s test for non-normal variables), and dose–response curve fitting were applied. Segmented regression was used to explore potential dose–response patterns. Results: Compared with the non-addicted group, the short-video viewing group had significantly shorter sleep duration, higher HADS, VDAS, OSDI, IAT, CIAS-R, and MAPI scores, and lower SF-36 scores (all p < 0.0001). Clear dose–response relationships were observed: as daily viewing duration increased, sleep duration decreased linearly (r = −0.73, p < 0.001), while OSDI (r = 0.89, p < 0.001) and VDAS (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) increased. Among participants viewing >6 h/day, all (100%) had moderate-to-severe dry eye (OSDI ≥ 23), and 71% (12/17) had probable anxiety/depression (HADS ≥ 11). Notably, MAPI showed the strongest correlation with VDAS (r = 0.77, p < 0.001), indicating that mobile phone addiction was closely associated with nightmare-related anxiety. The SF-36 physical component summary (PCS) was negatively correlated with daily short-video viewing duration (r = −0.62, p < 0.001). Exploratory threshold analyses suggested that viewing > 3 h/day was associated with greater severity of sleep and ocular surface complaints. The dose–response thresholds identified in this study are exploratory, as the number of participants in the higher-duration categories was limited (3–4 h: n = 29; 5–6 h: n = 22; >6 h: n = 17). These breakpoints should be interpreted with caution and validated in future large-scale studies. Conclusions: Short-video viewing is associated in a dose-dependent manner with sleep quality, ocular surface health, and psychological well-being, with effect sizes generally comparable to, and in some domains (e.g., dry eye and dream anxiety) somewhat larger than, those reported for gaming addiction. The strong association between mobile phone addiction (MAPI) and dream anxiety (VDAS) highlights the distinctive association pattern of pre-sleep short-video use. Future interventional studies are warranted to determine the optimal duration limit. Our exploratory thresholds (approximately 3.2 h/day for sleep and 4.0 h/day for OSDI) provide preliminary reference points, but the specific target duration remains to be established through adequately powered studies designed to compare multiple cut-off levels. Full article