Tag: pubmed

Front Sports Act Living. 2026 May 19;8:1761170. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1761170. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: This study compared the efficacy of whole-body electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) vs. traditional resistance training (RT) in overweight adults.

METHODS: Forty overweight adults were randomized to WB-EMS (n = 14), RT (n = 14), or a control group (n = 12). Five participants withdrew during the intervention; consequently, and 35 participants completed the study and were included in the final analysis: WB-EMS (n = 12; age = 30 years, BMI = 29.12 kg/m²; 20-min sessions, 30 Hz, 350μs), RT (n = 12; age = 30 years; BMI = 29.14 kg/m²; 3 × 10 reps at 55%-70% 1RM), or control (n = 11, age = 29 years; BMI = 29.17 kg/m²). The intervention lasted 8 weeks with biweekly training sessions. Outcome measures included muscular performance tests, ultrasonographic muscle thickness measurements, and serum biomarkers (IL-15, myostatin, and follistatin). Between-group differences were analyzed using ANCOVA with baseline values as covariates.

RESULTS: Findings demonstrated significantly greater improvements in selected performance and biomarker outcomes in the WB-EMS group compared to other groups. Performance tests revealed significant enhancements in sit-ups (η _p ² = 0.35), push-ups (η _p ² = 0.54), and strength measures (η _p ² = 0.46) compared to RT and control groups. Biomarker analysis showed WB-EMS induced a 15.88% increase in IL-15 vs. 8.27% with RT and -4.92% in controls (p < 0.001). Myostatin decreased by 21.22% (WB-EMS) vs. 10.84% (RT), while increasing 5.08% in controls (p < 0.001). Follistatin levels rose by 17.96% (WB-EMS) and 8.92% (RT), with minimal change in controls (0.03%, p < 0.001). All between-group differences were statistically significant (p = 0.016-0.039) with large effect sizes (η _p ² = 0.35-0.63).

CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-minute WB-EMS sessions twice weekly elicit significantly greater improvements in muscular performance and favorable myokine profiles compared to conventional RT in overweight individuals. These findings suggest that WB-EMS may represent a time-efficient alternative for improving metabolic-muscular health in time-constrained populations.

PMID:42239744 | PMC:PMC13226195 | DOI:10.3389/fspor.2026.1761170

Front Sports Act Living. 2026 May 19;8:1804002. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1804002. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Against the backdrop of deepening regional economic integration and the rapid development of the sports industry in China, this study systematically investigates the impact of the sports industry on regional economic development. Specifically, it identifies the industry’s direct effects and spatial spillover effects while analyzing regional heterogeneity in influence mechanisms, thus addressing an existing research gap related to spatial connectivity.

METHOD: Based on panel data from 21 provincial-level regions in China spanning 2015-2024, this study employs fixed-effects panel models and spatial Durbin models to analyze the relationship between the sports industry and regional economic development, while testing the underlying mechanisms.

RESULTS: First, the development of the sports industry significantly promotes regional economic growth, and this conclusion remains robust across multiple model specifications and robustness tests. Second, the impact of the sports industry on regional economic development shows clear regional heterogeneity: it is significant in the eastern region but not statistically significant in the central and western regions; Third, the spatiotemporal evolution of the sports industry and regional economic development shows similar patterns, characterized by low-value clustering and high-value polarization in eastern regions. Fourth, regional economic development exhibits a significant positive spatial correlation. Fifth, results from the spatial Durbin model indicate that while the sports industry promotes local economic growth, it produces significant negative spatial spillover effects on neighboring regions, forming a pattern characterized as “local promotion and neighboring suppression.”.

DISCUSSION: Empirical findings confirm the endogenous driving role of the sports industry as an emerging service sector in regional economic growth; however, its spatial effects are not uniformly positive. Negative spatial spillover effects may arise from the concentration of resources and associated “siphoning effects” during sports industry development, as well as interregional competition over event hosting, industrial layout, and factor allocation. This finding indicates that, in promoting the high-quality development of the sports industry, greater emphasis should be placed on enhancing regional coordination mechanisms and cross-regional industrial specialization systems. Such an approach would enhance local economic benefits while offsetting negative impacts on surrounding areas, thereby fostering coordinated regional economic development.

PMID:42239740 | PMC:PMC13226622 | DOI:10.3389/fspor.2026.1804002

Front Nutr. 2026 May 19;13:1811665. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1811665. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the dose-response associations of serum vitamin D levels with metabolic parameters and microalbuminuria (ACR) in diabetic patients, to identify the critical clinical threshold of vitamin D for renal and metabolic benefits, and to clarify the population heterogeneity of these associations stratified by microalbuminuria status.

METHODS: A total of 485 diabetic patients were retrospectively enrolled and divided into four groups according to vitamin D quartiles: Q1 (≤32.37 nmol/L, n = 121), Q2 (32.38-45.70 nmol/L, n = 121), Q3 (45.71-59.98 nmol/L, n = 122), and Q4 (≥59.99 nmol/L, n = 121). Spearman’s correlation analysis, multivariate linear regression analysis, and restricted cubic spline (RCS) modeling were used for statistical analyses, with a stratified analysis performed by microalbuminuria status.

RESULTS: The median serum vitamin D level was 45.7 nmol/L in this cohort, with a vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency rate of 75.1%. Serum vitamin D levels were significantly inversely correlated with HbA1c (ρ = -0.425), fasting glucose (ρ = -0.386), triglycerides (ρ = -0.358), BMI (ρ = -0.302), and ACR (ρ = -0.286) (all p < 0.001). Compared with Q4, Q1 patients had a 1.95% higher HbA1c (95% CI: 1.52-2.38) and a 68.95 mg/g higher ACR (95% CI: 50.12-87.78). RCS analysis revealed a linear dose-response relationship between vitamin D (20-50 nmol/L) and reductions in HbA1c (0.32% per 10 nmol/L) and ACR (12.75 mg/g per 10 nmol/L), with a plateau effect observed above 50 nmol/L. The inverse association between vitamin D and ACR was significantly stronger in patients with microalbuminuria (β = 75.68 vs. 43.52, interaction p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION: Vitamin D levels are negatively associated with metabolic abnormalities and microalbuminuria in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that patients with microalbuminuria may have a stronger association, warranting further investigation in prospective studies.

PMID:42239714 | PMC:PMC13229412 | DOI:10.3389/fnut.2026.1811665

Pest Manag Sci. 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.1002/ps.70987. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Migratory locusts threaten grassland productivity and transboundary biosecurity in arid Central Asia, but climate-driven changes in suitable habitats remain unclear. This study quantified the historical and future habitat suitability of Calliptamus italicus and Locusta migratoria migratoria in the China-Kazakhstan border region, identified key environmental factors linked to critical developmental periods, and analysed habitat shifts and centroid migration under future climate scenarios.

RESULTS: Model performance was high for both species (mean area under the curve/true skill statistic (AUC/TSS): 0.964/0.854 for C. italicus and 0.967/0.823 for L. migratoria migratoria). For C. italicus, eclosion-period wind speed and overwintering relative humidity were the main historical drivers, whereas future suitability was driven mainly by overwintering relative humidity and slope. Low-suitability habitat declined from 206 900 to 139 400 km² during 2000-2020, while future expansion was concentrated in Almaty, Ulytau, Tacheng, and Ili, with moderate-suitability area increasing by up to 522 000 km². For L. migratoria migratoria, eclosion-period normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was the main historical factor, whereas future suitability was driven mainly by wind and precipitation. Its habitat showed a stable-core-expanding-edge pattern, extending into east Kazakhstan, Abai, and Altay, with moderate- and high-suitability areas increasing by up to 469 900 and 128 700 km². Habitat centroids shifted mainly northeastward for C. italicus and northwestward for L. migratoria migratoria.

CONCLUSION: Climate change is likely to intensify habitat redistribution and transboundary invasion risk for both locusts. Integrating developmental-period environmental controls with dynamic habitat-shift analysis improves risk assessment and supports earlier warning, cross-border monitoring, and coordinated locust management. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

PMID:42237061 | DOI:10.1002/ps.70987

Mem Cognit. 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.3758/s13421-026-01901-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Structural priming effects within language (e.g., Bock, 1986) have guided theory and research on structural representation for several decades. Structural priming has also been observed across domains, such as from mathematics to language (e.g., Scheepers et al., 2011), suggesting highly abstract structural representation within the global cognitive system. Experiment 1 investigated how this effect is impacted by a mathematical structural prime that lacks an overt operator, as is the case with exponents. A weak numerical trend toward a math-to-language priming effect was not found to be statistically significant. Experiments 2-3 sought to replicate Scheepers et al.’s (2011) original math to language priming effects in online and in-person settings, respectively. Separately and combined, these experiments failed to yield significant math to language priming effects, despite robust sample sizes. Bayes factor estimates suggest a null effect was more likely than a priming effect in the combined dataset. These results highlight the fact that cross-domain structural priming is understudied and underspecified, leading to difficulty planning and implementing the types of studies needed to establish when and how abstract structural representations persist across cognitive domains. Recommendations for future research include increasing item numbers and exploring methodologies that measure processing as well as behavioral responses.

PMID:42237051 | DOI:10.3758/s13421-026-01901-6

Eur Spine J. 2026 Jun 4. doi: 10.1007/s00586-026-10039-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Clinical manifestations of aging spine, such as lumbar spinal stenosis, intervertebral disc degeneration, osteoporosis and sciatica, frequently co-occur, yet their shared genetic basis remains unclear.

METHODS: We assembled large-scale GWAS summary statistics for telomere length, osteoporosis, intervertebral disc degeneration, lumbar spinal stenosis and sciatica, and applied Genomic structural equation modelling to model their SNP-based heritability and genetic covariance structure. A latent aging spine factor was fitted to capture common genetic liability, followed by mvGWAS of the factor, fine-mapping, MAGMA, SCCA-TWAS with FOCUS, pathway, cell-type and functional enrichment analysis.

RESULTS: All five traits showed non zero SNP based heritability and a coherent pattern of genetic covariance, and were well summarized by a single latent aging spine factor that loaded most strongly on lumbar spinal stenosis, sciatica and intervertebral disc degeneration. GWAS of this factor identified 273 independent lead variants, and fine mapping highlighted a focused set of putatively causal SNPs, such as rs61981103, rs111736973 and rs963278. Integrative TWAS and MAGMA analysis converged on susceptibility genes such as LRRC34, MYNN, SAMHD1 and EEF1A2. Enrichment analysis consistently implicated telomere biology, chromosome maintenance and genomic stability pathways.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the aging spine as a biologically meaningful construct with a shared genetic basis, and provide an initial map of its polygenic architecture that extends previous single-trait studies.

PMID:42237046 | DOI:10.1007/s00586-026-10039-7

World J Pediatr. 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.1007/s12519-026-01046-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Screen viewing time is associated with children’s academic and cognitive outcomes, but longitudinal studies are scarce, hindering identification of the most sensitive age periods. We assessed the associations of single and cumulative average screen viewing time with academic performance and working memory.

METHODS: In the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes birth cohort, parents reported their child’s screen viewing time at ages 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 6 and 8 years. At ages 9 and 10.5, trained psychologists assessed academic performance (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test-Third Edition) and working memory (Letter-Number Sequencing task; Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth Edition). Associations of single and cumulative average screen viewing time with psychological outcomes were examined by multivariable linear regression (N = 502 children).

RESULTS: Mean (standard deviation) screen viewing time ranged from 2.1 (2.0) hours/day at age 1 year, to 3.0 (2.2) hours/day at 8 years. In unadjusted models, higher screen viewing time from age 1 to 8 years was consistently associated with poorer academic performance at age 9 years and working memory at 10.5 years. After adjustment, effect sizes were reduced, but higher screen viewing time at ages 1 year [β = – 1.47, 95% confidence interval (CI): – 2.37 to – 0.57 standard points per additional hour per day], 1.5 years (β = – 0.95, 95% CI: – 1.85 to – 0.06), and 6 years (β = – 0.88, 95% CI: – 1.55 to – 0.21) had persisting associations with poorer academic performance at age 9 years. Greater screen viewing time at ages 1 year (β = – 1.12, 95% CI: – 2.07 to – 0.17) and 6 years (β = – 1.01, 95% CI: – 1.71 to – 0.31) was associated with poorer working memory at age 10.5 years. Cumulative average exposure models showed that screen viewing time over childhood was consistently associated with poorer academic performance but not working memory.

CONCLUSION: In this longitudinal study, cumulative average screen viewing time was associated with lower academic performance but not working memory, with the strongest effect sizes seen for single screen viewing time occurring in early infancy.

PMID:42237043 | DOI:10.1007/s12519-026-01046-1

Eye (Lond). 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.1038/s41433-026-04575-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Our previous validation studies indicated that automated best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) testing using the DigiVis web application is comparable to standard testing. Here, we evaluate real-world experience of digital BCVA self-testing (DVA) and remote consultation (RC) in a paediatric ophthalmology service.

METHODS: Electronic records of children assigned follow up RC with home DVA testing for their routine clinical care between March 2021 and October 2024 were reviewed. Demographic and clinical features, test duration and usability scores were analysed. Serial BCVA and DVA results were compared using Bland Altman statistical methods. Clinical outcomes and service adaptations were assessed.

RESULTS: 205 RC appointments with DVA testing were scheduled for children (aged 4-14, median 6 years). DVA results were available for 192 (93.7%) RCs, with 166 (86.5%) tests undertaken without clinical supervision. The mean bias between serial BCVA and DVA was 0.005 logMAR (p < 0.001) with upper and lower limits of agreement of +0.182 (95%CI: 0.169 to 0.195) and -0.173 (-0.186 to -0.160) logMAR respectively. Expedited follow-up face-to-face consultations (f2fC) were arranged for 13 families unwilling or unable to self-test, 5 children with poor concentration and 9 with self-detected deterioration of BCVA. Informative DVA results were available for 187 (91.2%) encounters. 116 (81.7%) of 142 families voluntarily completing Likert scoring rated the application good/excellent.

CONCLUSION: In this real-world evaluation, 91.2% of offered DVA tests were informative and contributed to clinical decision making. DVA correctly identified unexpected deterioration in 9 children supporting the utility of this innovative service model.

PMID:42237023 | DOI:10.1038/s41433-026-04575-1

Dig Dis Sci. 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.1007/s10620-026-10014-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA)-based minimal residual disease (MRD) is an emerging biomarker, but its utility in resectable gastric cancer remains incompletely characterized.

METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of eight studies (520 patients) to evaluate the prognostic value of ctDNA-based MRD for recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in resectable gastric cancer.

RESULTS: In localized resectable gastric cancer (Stage I-III), the setting in which postoperative ctDNA most coherently represents true molecular residual disease after curative-intent surgery, postoperative ctDNA positivity was associated with diminished recurrence-free survival (RFS: HR 12.26, 95% CI 3.30-45.52) and overall survival (OS: HR 8.57, 95% CI 3.06-23.98). The test for subgroup differences between localized and mixed-stage cohorts was not statistically significant (P = 0.57), and the numerically higher HR in the localized subgroup should therefore not be interpreted as evidence of a quantitatively stronger prognostic effect. Postoperative ctDNA detection demonstrated substantially stronger prognostic value (overall RFS: HR 10.00, 95% CI 4.53-22.10) compared to preoperative assessment (HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.10-4.28). Both tumor-informed and tumor-agnostic strategies effectively stratified high-risk patients. However, these effect sizes should be interpreted cautiously given the small number of studies and substantial heterogeneity (I² = 65-72%). Results from mixed-stage cohorts including Stage IV disease are supportive but should not be considered equivalent to localized-disease findings, as ctDNA in metastatic disease reflects persistent systemic burden rather than minimal residual disease in the postoperative sense.

CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative ctDNA-based MRD shows a consistent adverse prognostic association in resectable gastric cancer, with localized disease (Stage I-III) representing the most biologically and clinically coherent setting for interpretation. However, the large pooled hazard ratios (HR 10.00-12.26) should be interpreted as a directionally consistent signal rather than precise quantitative estimates, given the small number of studies, wide confidence intervals, and substantial heterogeneity (I² = 65-73%). This heterogeneity is largely driven by substantial variation in postoperative sampling timing (4 days to 16 weeks) and ctDNA assay characteristics (platform, sensitivity, coverage, variant filtering, and positivity thresholds), which require standardization in future studies. While ctDNA is prognostically valuable, its clinical utility remains unestablished. Prospective randomized trials are needed to determine whether ctDNA-guided strategies improve patient outcomes before routine clinical implementation can be recommended.

PMID:42236991 | DOI:10.1007/s10620-026-10014-8

Sci Rep. 2026 Jun 3. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-56432-6. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a heterogeneous condition with variable prognosis across World Health Organization (WHO) subtypes. The fasting blood glucose to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (FBG/HDL-C) ratio has been suggested as a metabolic predictor of adverse outcomes in critically ill patients, but its prognostic value in PH remains unclear. This retrospective cohort included 281 ICU patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) from MIMIC-IV (2008-2022). Patients were divided into tertiles based on ln(1 + FBG/HDL-C). The primary endpoint was 90-day all-cause mortality, which was assessed using Cox proportional hazards regression, with exploratory subgroup analyses by WHO PH groups. In fully adjusted models, patients in the highest tertile of ln(1 + FBG/HDL-C) had higher 90-day mortality than those in the lowest tertile (HR = 3.30, 95% CI: 1.82, 5.97; p < 0.001). Elevated risk was observed across WHO PH Groups 1, 2, and 5, with the most statistically robust and clinically interpretable association in Group 2 (HR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.40, 5.05; p = 0.003). Elevated FBG/HDL-C ratio was independently associated with 90-day mortality, with the association in Group 2 being the most statistically stable and clinically interpretable.

PMID:42236962 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-56432-6