Search Results (2,213)

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may contribute to variation in economically important body traits in yak, but variants near calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CALCRL) and mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 1 (MPC1) have not been characterized in Tianzhu white yak. We evaluated two downstream SNPs in 536 yaks (351 females and 185 males; 2–6 years old) using polymerase chain reaction amplification and Sanger sequencing. Associations with body height, body oblique length, chest circumference, and body weight were analyzed separately using general linear models adjusted for sex and age. The CALCRL gene chr 2:140178268 A > T locus was associated with body weight (p = 0.001). Individuals with AA and AT genotypes had significantly greater body weight than individuals with the TT genotype. The MPC1 gene chr 10:98419837 C > T locus was associated with body height (p = 0.002), chest circumference (p < 0.001), and body weight (p < 0.001), but not body oblique length (p = 0.072); CC individuals generally showed greater values than TT individuals. Both SNPs are downstream non-coding variants. These loci are candidates for further investigation, but independent population validation and functional studies are required before their potential use in breeding programs. Full article

The thyroid ima artery (TIA) is an uncommon arterial variation, with reported prevalence varying substantially among anatomical studies, which primarily supplies the isthmus and inferior portion of the thyroid gland. Its variable origin and midline location in the neck make it susceptible to injury during surgical procedures like tracheostomies. During a routine cadaveric dissection, a TIA was observed in an 83-year-old white South African male, associated with an absent left inferior thyroid artery. The artery originated from the brachiocephalic trunk, measured 5.93 mm in diameter at its origin, was 18.43 mm in length, and bifurcated into two terminal branches. This case contributes to the limited anatomical literature describing the TIA in African populations and reinforces the importance of recognising this variation during anterior neck surgery. A thorough knowledge of its prevalence, location, and course can help clinicians prevent surgical complications and haemorrhage during anterior neck procedures. Full article

Background/Objectives: Thyroid cancer incidence has risen in recent decades, with emerging evidence that social determinants of health and environmental exposures contribute to geographic and population-level disparities in risk and outcomes. This study applies a social exposome perspective to characterize how community-level social and environmental factors shape thyroid cancer patterns. This work aims to examine how geospatial social exposome factors and environmental exposures influence thyroid cancer incidence and outcomes in a population-based context. Methods: Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry data were analyzed to estimate thyroid cancer incidence by demographic and pathological characteristics. Multivariate regression and decision tree models were used to assess associations between social and environmental risk factors and thyroid cancer rates. Results: The age-adjusted thyroid cancer incidence was 15.5 per 100,000, with higher rates among younger adults, females, and white populations. Incidence was elevated in metropolitan and higher-income communities (p < 0.001). American Indian/Alaska Native individuals had a lower overall incidence but were more likely to present with advanced disease, whereas Black individuals had the lowest incidence but the poorest survival. Socioeconomic disadvantage was positively associated with thyroid cancer burden, while smoking cessation, fruit consumption, and higher ultraviolet (UV) exposure were protective. Conclusions: Thyroid cancer incidence is highest in affluent, metropolitan, predominantly white communities, likely reflecting greater access to screening and diagnostic services. At the same time, socially and economically underserved groups experience more advanced disease at diagnosis and worse survival. These findings underscore the importance of community-level, targeted prevention and early detection strategies that address social exposome factors and structural inequities in thyroid cancer care and outcomes. Full article

Population-associated molecular variation in breast tissue may contribute to differences in tissue biology and disease susceptibility. Still, the extent to which such variation is shaped by underlying tissue state remains unclear. We performed a pilot RNA-seq and lipidomic analysis of histologically normal breast tissue from African American (AA) and Caucasian White (CW) individuals. Unsupervised transcriptomic analysis identified two baseline tissue states, G1 and G2, representing the dominant axis of molecular variation and associated with epithelial-enriched and vascular-enriched tissue contexts, respectively. Across the full cohort, AA and CW samples showed minimal transcriptomic differences. However, within G1, 191 genes were differentially expressed between AA and CW samples, with coordinated enrichment of extracellular matrix organization and proliferative/cytoskeletal processes in AA samples; these patterns were consistent across enrichment methods and sensitivity analyses. No comparable population-associated transcriptional signal was detected in G2. Lipidomic profiles showed limited separation and no robust population-associated differences after correction for multiple testing. Together, these pilot findings suggest that population-associated molecular variation in histologically normal breast tissue may be state-dependent, becoming detectable within a specific baseline transcriptional context rather than uniformly across the cohort. These results further underscore baseline tissue state as a major source of variation in small, heterogeneous bulk-tissue cohorts and provide a framework for future cell-resolved studies of tissue variation and disease susceptibility. Full article

This study evaluated the microbial strain Bacillus VWC18, isolated from waste vegetable compost, as a plant growth-promoting rhizobacterium (PGPR) for two high-value ornamental crops: poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) and cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum). Identified as Bacillus haynesii, the strain VWC18 showed robust phosphate, potassium, and zinc solubilization, siderophore production, and indole-3-acetic acid synthesis, with γ-hemolytic biosafety confirmation. Greenhouse trials evaluated its biostimulant activity by comparing control plants (three cultivars of each species) under standard commercial protocols with those receiving B. haynesii VWC18 via sub-irrigation. Treated poinsettias exhibited 90% greater fresh foliar weight in white cultivars and over 50% increased root biomass, while red varieties produced twice as many pigmented bracts. Cyclamen nearly doubled fresh leaf and root weight. Photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, and carotenoids) approximately doubled in both species. Anthocyanin content increased significantly in red and orange poinsettia bracts and red/violet cyclamen flowers. Quantitative PCR, targeting soil eubacteria, confirmed an increase of rhizosphere communities, with bacterial populations rising from ~5 × 10⁵ to 1–2.6 × 10⁷ CFU g⁻¹ soil. B. haynesii VWC18 enhances vegetative growth and aesthetic quality through phytohormone production, nutrient mobilization and rhizosphere modulation, offering a strategy for sustainable input solutions in greenhouse floriculture while maintaining marketable quality. Full article

Identifying genetic markers for economically important egg traits is essential for advancing marker-assisted and genomic selection in poultry breeding. Here, a genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using genotyping-by-sequencing data to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and candidate genes associated with egg weight (EW) and its constituent components. We evaluated 102 laying Japanese quails from an F₂ resource population generated by crossing divergent Japanese and Texas White breeds. Phenotypic traits included EW, eggshell weight (ESW), albumen weight (AW), thick albumen weight (TAW), yolk weight (YW), and albumen-to-yolk ratio (AYR). We identified 16 significant SNPs and 88 candidate genes. Notably, seven prioritized candidate genes (NTN4, CLDN10, AGAP3, DUSP19, STAB1, SFMBT1, and RNF130) overlapped with significant SNPs associated with EW, ESW, AW, YW, and AYR. Three pleiotropic SNPs (12:309207, 12:335220, and 12:470023) were associated with multiple traits, while the AGAP3 gene harbored two SNPs linked to AW. Our data offer insights into the polygenic regulation governing egg component development in quails. These newly detected genomic regions and candidate loci offer valuable targets for downstream replication studies aimed at enhancing avian breeding programs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nutrient deficiencies associated with progression from obesity to metabolic dysfunction are poorly characterized. Using electronic health records (TriNetX Research Network), we evaluated the association between key nutritional deficiencies and metabolic outcomes among patients with obesity. Methods: Deficiencies assessed included protein–energy malnutrition, deficiencies in vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B12, and prior underweight status. Outcomes included severe obesity, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). After matching propensity scores, cohorts with the double burden of malnutrition (DBM) were compared with a reference cohort of patients with obesity but no history of nutritional deficiencies. Results: The most prevalent types of DBM were vitamin D deficiency (10.6%), protein deficiency (8.9%) and calcium deficiency (7.5%). Incidence rates of obesity and all types of DBM increased from 2023 to 2025. Although middle-aged White and Black/African American patients represented the largest demographic groups, adults aged >70 years exhibited higher incidence rates of protein, calcium, magnesium, and B12 deficiencies. Vitamin D deficiency (median hazard ratio [HR] 3.09; IQR 2.32–5.66), vitamin B12 deficiency (median HR 2.49; IQR 2.16–6.08), and prior underweight (median HR 2.23; IQR 1.76–3.98) were associated with the highest burden of metabolic diseases. Conclusions: These findings underscore the interplay between nutritional deficiencies and metabolic disease risk in obesity and support targeted interventions for populations affected by DBM, especially older adults, and in the context of racial and socioeconomic disparities. Full article

Background: Accurate interpretation of neonatal complete blood count (CBC) parameters is vital for managing life-threatening conditions in newborns. However, clinical decisions in Eastern Sudan frequently rely on non-local Western-derived or manufacturer-provided reference intervals (RIs), thereby risking diagnostic errors. Therefore, this study aimed to establish the local neonatal hematological RIs for healthy, term newborns in Eastern Sudan. Methods: This hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at New Halfa Hospital. Umbilical cord blood samples were collected from 250 healthy term singleton neonates born to mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries. Samples were analyzed using a Sysmex KX-21 hematology analyzer (Sysmex, Kobe, Japan). In accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines, sex-specific 95% RIs were initially estimated, followed by assessment of whether sex-specific partitioning was warranted by calculating the central 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles. Differences in the distributions of hematological parameters between males and females were evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Of the total 250 newborns (123 males, 127 females), no statistically significant differences were found between male and female newborns for any of the eleven evaluated hematological parameters, justifying the pooling of data to establish unified RIs. The established 95% pooled RIs and medians were as follows: white blood cell (WBC) count: 6.33–20.90 × 10³/µL (median: 11.15 × 10³/µL); red blood cell (RBC) count: 2.91–5.04 × 10⁶/µL (median: 4.02 × 10⁶/µL); hemoglobin: 11.20–16.52 g/dL (median: 13.90 g/dL); hematocrit: 36.30–55.30% (median: 43.70%); mean cell volume (MCV): 93.41–127.53 fL (median: 109.70 fL); platelets: 49.20–438.68 × 10³/µL (median: 251.00 × 10³/µL); mean platelet volume (MPV): 7.36–11.55 fL (median: 9.30 fL); platelet distribution width (PDW): 16.10–19.37% (median: 16.90%). Conclusions: The results of this study provide preliminary locally derived neonatal CBC RIs for Eastern Sudan. The absence of statistically significant sex differences in this sample supports consideration of pooled neonatal RIs. The lower reference boundaries for hemoglobin, leukocytes, and platelets identified here differ markedly from Western-derived values and those reported in high-altitude cohorts, underscoring the critical clinical need to use these population-specific intervals, which may reduce inappropriate classification arising from the use of non-local reference intervals. Full article

Exposure to hydrochloric acid (HCl) can provoke severe chronic pulmonary injury. Children are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller airways, higher respiratory rate, and stronger inflammatory response; yet no countermeasures exist for HCl-induced chronic lung injury in the pediatric population. We have previously demonstrated the involvement of HSP90 during HCl-induced lung injury in pre-pubertal (p24) mice, who develop stronger persistent inflammation with higher NLRP3 inflammasome activation, but less pulmonary fibrosis compared to adults. Here, we tested the hypothesis that post-treatment with the second-generation HSP90 inhibitor AT13387 (Onalespib), administered subcutaneously beginning 24 h after HCl instillation, would prevent HCl-induced chronic lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis in young (p24) C57BL/6J mice. Pre-pubertal (p24) C57BL/6J mice received a single intratracheal instillation of 0.1 N HCl and were treated with AT13387 (10 mg/kg, s.c., 3×/week for 30 days) beginning 24 h post-exposure. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis, lung function measurements, histological assessment (Ashcroft fibrosis score), and Western blot analysis of key signaling mediators were performed. Additionally, publicly available single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-Seq) data from a cohort of 13 infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and 11 age-matched controls were analyzed to evaluate HSP90 isoform expression in human pediatric lung disease. AT13387 significantly reduced BALF white blood cell concentration without affecting total BALF protein levels. Importantly, AT13387 did not impair normal weight gain or development over the 30-day observation period. AT13387 abrogated HCl-induced expression of TGF-β1, phosphorylation of HSP90, ERK1/2, SMAD2, IκBα, and upregulation of the inflammasome NLRP3. Additionally, AT13387 prevented changes in lung function dynamics and reduced the Ashcroft fibrosis score. Analysis of the human snRNA-Seq BPD dataset revealed a widespread pan-overexpression of all three HSP90 isoforms, i.e., HSP90AA1, HSP90AB1, and HSP90B1. These findings suggest that the HSP90 inhibitor AT13387 exhibits strong antidotal properties against HCl-induced chronic lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis in a pre-clinical pediatric model and identify HSP90 as a conserved therapeutic target in pediatric chronic lung disease. Full article

Barrett’s esophagus (BE), the intestinal metaplasia arising from chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease, is the principal identifiable precursor of esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), whose incidence rose from 0.4 to 2.8/100,000 person-years between 1975 and 2017 and whose prognosis, once symptomatic, remains poor. Because outcomes depend on intercepting the metaplasia–dysplasia–carcinoma sequence, diagnostic accuracy is decisive. White-light endoscopy with Seattle-protocol biopsy remains the reference standard, yet it is constrained by the following three interrelated weaknesses: sampling error, as random forceps biopsies interrogate only about 3.5% of the Barrett’s mucosa; poor reproducibility of dysplasia grading, with interobserver agreement of only κ 0.24–0.27 for the pivotal distinction of low-grade dysplasia; and a substantial burden of missed disease, with roughly one-quarter of EACs diagnosed within a year of an index endoscopy reported as nondysplastic. This review synthesizes the technologies converging to address these gaps. Advanced imaging, encompassing high-definition endoscopy, narrow-band imaging, acetic acid chromoendoscopy, and the optical-biopsy platforms confocal laser and volumetric laser endomicroscopy, raises dysplasia yield by approximately 34% over standard white-light examination. Image-enhanced endoscopy improves targeted detection while remaining complementary to structured biopsy sampling. Molecular, genetic, and epigenetic biomarkers, notably DNA-content abnormalities, p53 immunohistochemistry, and multi-gene methylation panels, add an objective read on progression risk. Their pairing with non-endoscopic sampling, including Cytosponge-TFF3, capsule endoscopy, exhaled volatile organic compounds, and circulating microRNA liquid biopsy, is reshaping screening at population scale, while artificial intelligence standardizes interpretation and narrows the expert–nonexpert gap. Together these advances point toward a risk-stratified, multimodal paradigm, though prospective validation and cost-effectiveness evidence remain prerequisites for guideline adoption. Full article

In the post-pandemic era, identifying children who are most susceptible to severe illness and COVID-19-related mortality is essential for guiding public health policies. This study examined the risk factors for COVID-19-related severe illness and mortality from 2023 to mid-2025. We conducted a population-based cohort study using nationwide Brazilian data from patients aged <18 years with laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between January 2023 and June 2025. The primary outcomes were COVID-19-related severity and death. Separate binary multivariable logistic regression models were developed for each of the outcomes. Among 465,689 children, 1.3% (n = 5963) developed severe illness, and 0.18% (n = 847) died. Factors associated with an increased risk of severe illness included age < 2 years, presence of comorbidities, Indigenous ethnicity, and lack of vaccination. Neurological disorders conferred the highest risk among the clinical conditions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 34.1; 95% CI: 27.9–41.8). Regional differences were also observed; the North and Northeast regions showed higher mortality (aOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.8–3.0) than the Central-West region. Compared with White ethnicity, non-White ethnicities had higher mortality: Indigenous (aOR = 23.5; 95% CI: 13.5–39.3), Black (aOR = 1.95; 95% CI: 1.29–2.92), and Brown (aOR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.18–1.73) ethnicities. Lack of any vaccine dose was associated with a significantly increased risk of severe illness (aOR = 1.39; 95% CI: 1.15–1.67. p < 0.001) and death (aOR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.3–3.5; p < 0.001). In the post-pandemic era, younger age, comorbidities, sociodemographic disparities, and lack of vaccination were associated with an increased risk of severe illness and COVID-19-related death in the pediatric population. Full article

Genetic testing plays an important role in the diagnosing of liver diseases, but its diagnostic performance varies across patient populations. By analyzing diagnostic yield across patient subgroups, this study aims at defining age-tailored diagnostic workflows for a more effective integration of genetic testing into clinical practice. We retrospectively analyzed 203 patients (145 children, 58 adults) with acute or subacute liver disorders of suspected genetic origin who underwent next-generation sequencing, categorized them by clinical diagnosis, and evaluated diagnostic yields to develop age-tailored testing workflows. The median age was 8 years; 65.5% were male, 84.7% White, and 27.6% had undergone liver transplantation. Cholestatic liver disorders (30%) and unexplained liver dysfunction (20.2%) were the most common indications for testing. Overall, genetic testing achieved a definitive diagnosis in 35.5% of patients, with a higher yield in children than adults (41.4% vs. 20.7%). Metabolic disorders had the highest diagnostic yield (83.3%), while PFIC/BRIC and Alagille syndrome were the most frequent genetic diagnoses. Age-specific diagnostic workflows retrospectively enriched the overall diagnostic rate by approximately 11% across age and disease categories. These findings demonstrate that tailoring genetic testing strategies to patient age and clinical presentation can improve diagnostic efficiency and support a standardized integration of genetic testing into hepatology practice. Full article

L-proline (Pro) is a conditionally essential amino acid that has been reported to exert protective effects on intestinal health. This research investigated whether Pro supplementation reduces intestinal inflammation in weaned rabbits, and whether this effect involves the maintenance of the intestinal mucosal barrier and the composition of gut microbiota. A total of thirty weaned New Zealand White rabbits were randomly divided into five groups: a control group, an LPS-challenged model group, and three LPS-challenged groups receiving 0.5%, 1% or 2% Pro in their drinking water. Following the overall results of the study, 1% Pro was chosen for further investigation. Notably, 1% Pro supplementation significantly decreased the spleen index, alleviated colonic histopathological injury, enhanced the expression of the tight junction proteins Occludin and Zonula Occludens-1 (ZO-1), restored the population of goblet cells, decreased the colonic mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1B and IL6, and increased the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL10. Microbiome analysis revealed that Pro supplementation was associated with alterations in the dysbiotic gut ecosystem, including increased relative abundances of potentially beneficial genera such as Ruminococcus, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and Lachnospiraceae_NK4B4_group, and decreased the relative abundance of opportunistic pathogens like Escherichia–Shigella. Overall, these results suggest that Pro functions as a microbiota-modulating immunonutrient that mitigates intestinal inflammation and supports the integrity of the mucosal barrier, likely through changes in gut microbial composition. Full article

European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) hematology is widely used in nutrition, welfare, stress and health studies, yet results from different laboratories are often difficult to compare. This critical narrative review examines how preanalytical handling, analytical procedure and biological context affect that comparability. It is written for researchers, diagnostic laboratories and aquaculture health teams that collect or use D. labrax blood data. Primary European seabass studies are discussed directly where they provide quantitative operating conditions, method comparisons or measurable biological changes. Manual microscopy, automated analyzers and flow cytometry are considered separately because nucleated erythrocytes and thrombocytes create different sources of error in each approach. The review distinguishes practical quality-control checks from the fuller reporting required for reproducibility and separates published operating conditions from numerical limits that have not been validated for the species. Seasonal studies show large coordinated shifts in red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct), whereas white blood cell count (WBC) and thrombocyte results remain particularly dependent on cell definition and analytical method. Published pooled estimates are useful for broad comparison but not as universal diagnostic limits. The most defensible use of European seabass hematology is therefore within a defined population, a stated sampling protocol and a method whose performance is known for the intended measurement. Full article

Background/Objectives: Periodontal infection has been associated with ischaemic stroke, usually as a matter of burden: more pathogens, more vascular risk. That framing derives from stroke-free populations and rests largely on surrogate endpoints, chiefly carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). Whether it holds once stroke has occurred is unclear. Methods: We concurrently recruited 50 patients with ischaemic stroke and 48 stroke-free controls in western Poland. The subgingival microbiome was quantified for nine periodontal taxa and the total bacterial count, analysed on the log10 scale, with carotid IMT and standard biochemistry recorded in parallel. Associations with stroke were assessed by univariable and multivariable logistic regression with backward elimination, validated by optimism-corrected bootstrap. Results: Stroke patients had fewer teeth, deeper pockets, poorer oral hygiene, higher carotid IMT, white cell count and C-reactive protein (all p < 0.001). Treponema denticola and Tannerella forsythia were higher in cases and Fusobacterium nucleatum lower. Total bacterial load was lower in cases (mean 9.3, SD 0.9 versus 10.2, SD 0.9 log10, p < 0.001) and remained independently and inversely associated with stroke after adjustment (adjusted odds ratio 0.09 per ten-fold increase; 95% CI 0.02–0.38). This was not explained by tooth loss: load was uncorrelated with tooth number (rho 0.12, p = 0.26) and the association persisted after normalisation per tooth. Discrimination was high (c-statistic 0.970; optimism-corrected 0.940). Conclusions: The subgingival microbiome shifted with stroke in a taxon-specific manner, yet total bacterial load was lower, not higher, in stroke patients. Because microbial and inflammatory markers were measured after the event, these associations most plausibly reflect peri-stroke change and case–control structure rather than a forward-causal signal, marking a boundary on the periodontal-burden paradigm. Full article