Tag: pubmed

J Hazard Mater. 2026 Apr 7;509:142004. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142004. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Polycyclic aromatic nitrogen heterocycles (PANHs), also known as azaarenes, are common co-contaminants at sites contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Recent non-target analysis of PAH-contaminated soil samples has revealed an unexpected abundance and diversity of PANHs, with acridine standing out as a predominant compound within this group. Despite its known toxicity and prevalence in contaminated soils, the microbial communities and biochemical mechanisms responsible for acridine degradation remain poorly understood. We conducted DNA-stable isotope probing (DNA-SIP) using newly synthesized uniformly labeled ¹³C-acridine to comprehensively assess the bacterial taxa and functional genes involved in acridine biodegradation in a creosote-contaminated soil. Metagenomic analysis of ¹³C-enriched DNA from soil incubations identified a member of the genus Sphingobium as the primary acridine degrader. Transcriptomic analysis based on its 16S rRNA gene expression demonstrated a strong correlation with acridine removal from the soil. Shotgun metagenomic sequencing enabled the reconstruction of one metagenome-assembled genome (MAG). Functional annotation of this MAG revealed five gene clusters potentially involved in acridine biodegradation, and their actual contribution was assessed by gene expression analysis in soil incubations. Based on these findings, we reconstructed the metabolic pathway for putative acridine degradation in PAH-contaminated soil.

PMID:41966559 | DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142004

Oral Oncol. 2026 Apr 10;177:107969. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2026.107969. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the expected losses of life expectancy (LE), quality of life (QoL), lifetime employment duration (LED), and lifetime productivity (LP) among workers with oral cancer (OC) in Taiwan.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We linked five nationwide administrative databases in Taiwan and collected data on 22,908 pathologically verified OC workers from 2010 to 2019. Using a rolling algorithm, we estimated lifetime survival functions to obtain LEs. We abstracted each OC patient’s employment status and insured salaries to estimate LEDs and LP. Using the EQ-5D-3L QoL questionnaire repeatedly measured in 383 workers with OC at a single medical center, we multiplied the mean utility by survival rates to calculate quality-adjusted life expectancy (QALE). Finally, these estimates were compared with age-, sex-, and calendar-year-matched referents from vital statistics to estimate expected losses of LE, QALE, LED, and LP among workers with OC.

RESULTS: The earlier the stage, the lower the losses of QALEs and LP, with losses of 12.2 ± 4.3, 13.7 ± 2.5, 17.7 ± 2.3, and 21.4 ± 0.6 QALYs, respectively, for stages I-IV. The LED for stages I-IV were 8.4 ± 0.4, 6.9 ± 0.2, 5.6 ± 0.3, and 3.6 ± 0.2 years, respectively, corresponding with loss-of-LED -0.2 ± 0.4, 1.1 ± 0.2, 2.8 ± 0.3, and 4.4 ± 0.2 years, respectively. The LP for stages I-IV were US$122,929 ± 6440, 98,521 ± 2206, 77,636 ± 4625, and 48,887 ± 2170, respectively, which were equivalent to LP losses of 15.8 ± 4.7%, 31.0 ± 1.5%, 48.6 ± 2.8%, and 65.8 ± 1.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The earlier the stage of OC diagnosis and treatment, the lower the losses of QALE, lifetime employment years, and LP. The above evidence would be useful for improving the incentive to screen among the target population.

PMID:41966555 | DOI:10.1016/j.oraloncology.2026.107969

Rev Esp Patol. 2026 Apr 10;59(3):100872. doi: 10.1016/j.patol.2026.100872. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: High-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) is the most common and aggressive subtype of ovarian cancer. Although tumour stage and complete cytoreduction are key prognostic factors, the tumour immune microenvironment also influences prognosis, with CD8+ T lymphocytes representing the main effector component.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical relevance of quantifying intraepithelial (ieTILs) and stromal (sTILs) CD8+ tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes using digital image analysis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 74 patients with stage III-IV HGSC treated with cytoreductive surgery and chemotherapy. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed, and dual immunostaining for cytokeratin and CD8 was performed. Sections were analysed using supervised machine-learning algorithms to quantify ieTILs and sTILs. These parameters correlated with age, cytoreduction status, platinum-free interval (PFI), overall survival (OS), neoadjuvant therapy, and BRCA mutation status.

RESULTS: Patients with higher intraepithelial CD8+ T-cell infiltration showed longer overall survival and a trend toward a longer platinum-free interval, whereas stromal density was not associated with prognosis. In multivariate analyses, ieTILs remained as an independent prognostic factor for both OS and PFI.

CONCLUSIONS: Digital quantification of intraepithelial CD8+ TILs using dual immunostaining and machine-learning analysis provides an accurate assessment of the lymphocytic infiltrate and represents an independent prognostic factor in HGSC. The lack of prognostic value of stromal CD8+ density highlights the importance of assessing the spatial localisation of effector cells in tumour-immune interactions.

PMID:41966548 | DOI:10.1016/j.patol.2026.100872

Am J Emerg Med. 2026 Apr 5;105:56-62. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2026.04.002. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pediatric orthopedic injuries represent a significant proportion of emergency department (ED) visits and are closely tied to physical activity, particularly organized sports. The COVID-19 pandemic imposed substantial disruptions on children’s routines and healthcare utilization, offering a unique opportunity to examine changes in orthopedic injury patterns across different pandemic phases. The objective of the current study was to evaluate temporal shifts in pediatric orthopedic injury characteristics and ED management before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS: This retrospective observational study included ED visits from two freestanding pediatric hospitals between January 2019 and December 2023. Patients aged 0-18 years with chief complaints related to upper or lower extremity injuries were analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and ED resource utilization variables were compared across pre-pandemic (2019), pandemic (2020-2021), and post-pandemic (2022-2023) periods using non-parametric statistical tests and trend analyses.

RESULTS: Among 29,777 encounters, orthopedic ED visits declined sharply in 2020, with relative increases in upper extremity and decreases in lower extremity injuries. ED length of stay peaked post-pandemic, and procedural sedation use increased during COVID but became more efficient over time. Imaging use dropped among low-acuity patients in 2020 and rebounded afterward. Public insurance coverage rose, while uninsured rates declined. Racial/ethnic representation also fluctuated during the pandemic.

CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly influenced pediatric orthopedic ED presentations and management. While some trends have normalized, others – such as improved procedural efficiency – suggest enduring shifts in clinical practice. These insights can guide future preparedness and resource planning in pediatric emergency care.

PMID:41966546 | DOI:10.1016/j.ajem.2026.04.002

Infect Dis Health. 2026 Apr 10;31(3):100424. doi: 10.1016/j.idh.2026.100424. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess the current IPC practices at private-sector drug retail outlets in Southern Punjab, Pakistan, and to explore the facilitators and barriers to effective IPC implementation in these settings.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to October 2025, where data were collected from the pharmacists and pharmacy assistants working at private-sector drug retail outlets located in Southern Punjab, Pakistan. A structured questionnaire was designed following IPC guidelines from the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and United States and National Institutes of Health, Pakistan. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to find the independent factors associated with IPC practices. p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: Out of total 187 drug retail outlets, 134 (71.7%) participated in the study. The majority of outlets exhibited suboptimal IPC practices (n = 112; 83.6%) and insufficient essential IPC resources (n = 71; 53.0%). Primary barriers associated with suboptimal IPC measures included staff non-compliance (n = 120; 89.6%), lack of formal monitoring mechanisms (n = 119; 88.8%), absence of IPC training opportunities (n = 118; 88.1%) and insufficient supervision (n = 117; 87.3%). Multiple linear regression analysis identified male gender (beta = -0.249, p = 0.005) and availability of IPC resources (beta = 0.217, p = 0.004) as significant factors associated with IPC practices.

CONCLUSION: Suboptimal IPC practices were observed at drug retail outlets due to staff commitment and regulatory deficits. Context-specific IPC policies were needed to explicitly address these gaps.

PMID:41966540 | DOI:10.1016/j.idh.2026.100424

Span J Psychiatry Ment Health. 2026 Jan-Mar;19(1):11-15. doi: 10.1016/j.rpsm.2021.12.007. Epub 2022 Jan 11.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Bipolar disorder, especially Bipolar II disorder, is a mental disorder with high risk of fatal suicide behavior (FSB). The aim of this study was determine rate and risk factors of FSB in a cohort of Bipolar II patients followed after their first hospitalization.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited all Bipolar II patients according DSM-IV criteria who were hospitalized for first time in our Psychiatric unit between 1996 and 2016 (N=59). We collected clinical variables during their first hospitalization and identified all patients with FSB during follow-up until 31st December 2020. We compared baseline variables between Bipolar II patients with FSB and the ones without FSB.

RESULTS: The average age at FSB was 45.5 years old and there was a 2-year gap on average between the first psychiatric hospitalization and completed suicide. FSB was characterized by a violent act (83% of cases). When we compared Bipolar II patients who died by suicide with who died by other causes or they are alive, only a history of previous violent suicide attempt (p<0.05) was detected as a risk factor significantly associated with FSB. 10% of Bipolar II inpatients died by suicide, all of them in the first five years after the first hospitalization and usually by a violent method.

CONCLUSIONS: Bipolar II disorder has a high rate of completed suicide. History of a previous violent suicide attempt is a predictor of completed suicide.

PMID:41966061 | DOI:10.1016/j.rpsm.2021.12.007

J Environ Manage. 2026 Apr 10;405:129606. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129606. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) wastewater treatment biotechnology offers several advantages over the conventional activated sludge process, providing a promising platform for recovering polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), a high-value biopolymer. This study used statistical analyses of published data to identify key operational parameters influencing PHA production in AGS systems. Spearman’s correlation analysis (p < 0.05) showed that shorter feeding periods (10 – 20 min) and larger granule sizes (>1 mm) significantly improved PHA accumulation. In contrast, influent COD, aeration time, organic loading rate (OLR), and volumetric exchange ratio (VER) exhibited weak or insignificant correlations. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated that influent COD, aeration time, and granule size were the primary variables associated with PHA accumulation. Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis identified aeration time as the most influential parameter and VER as the least. Granule size, influent COD, and feeding time each had relative importance values exceeding 50% compared with aeration time. Regression modelling identified optimal conditions for maximizing PHA content: influent COD of 4500 mg/L, feeding time of 60 min, aeration time of 359 min, granule size of 2.64 mm, and an OLR of 3.64 kg COD/m³·d; valid within the dataset values used in the current study. Despite the strong potential of AGS for PHA recovery, large-scale adoption remains constrained by technical and economic challenges, emphasizing the need for further research on process optimization and scale-up.

PMID:41966006 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.129606

J Mol Graph Model. 2026 Apr 8;146:109403. doi: 10.1016/j.jmgm.2026.109403. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) is a pyridoxal-5′-phosphate (PLP)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the rate-limiting step of polyamine biosynthesis, a pathway closely linked to cell proliferation and cancer progression. Frequently upregulated in tumors through MYC activation, ODC is an attractive target for anticancer drug discovery. In this work, a library of 412 phytochemicals from 52 medicinal plants with documented anticancer properties was screened in silico for drug-likeness, pharmacokinetics, and binding affinity against the ODC homodimer. Of these, 130 compounds advanced to molecular docking and ADMET analysis, yielding 13 top candidates with favorable affinity. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations over 100 ns confirmed stable interactions for nine compounds, while MM-PBSA free energy and per-residue decomposition analysis identified five phytochemicals with favorable binding. Notably, Withanone, Withaferin A, and Withanolide D (Ashwagandha), Arjunic Acid (Haritaki), and Digitoxigenin (Tilpushpi) demonstrated higher affinity than the natural inhibitor Myricetin. These ligands engaged critical active-site residues and showed stable binding supported by RMSD, Radius of gyration, hydrogen bond persistence, PCA, and FEL analysis. Furthermore, statistical analysis of binding free energies and three independent 100 ns MD simulations for the two best-performing inhibitors were performed and compared with the reference compound which, confirmed the reproducibility and reliability of the binding results. The study is based on an established CADD approach with a significantly large library of natural compounds to screen specific ligands for the potential inhibition of the ODC. Furthermore, it revealed that water-mediated interaction and PLP-cofactor-associated binding mechanism stabilizes the ODC catalytic pocket. Overall, these results highlight selected phytochemicals as promising potential reversible ODC inhibitors, warranting experimental validation to establish their therapeutic potential in cancer treatment.

PMID:41965992 | DOI:10.1016/j.jmgm.2026.109403

Mar Pollut Bull. 2026 Apr 10;229:119714. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119714. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Predicting the fate of microplastics (MPs) in the environment and assessing their potential environmental hazard is crucial in defining effective mitigation strategies. This paper presents a novel approach for a comprehensive understanding of stressing factors controlling the distribution of MPs, their degradation and physicochemical transformation, by coupling spectroscopic techniques with multivariate analyses. Samples of floating MPs were collected from three transects of four coastal-port areas with different hydrodynamic characteristics and level of anthropogenic pressures (one industrial port, one commercial port and two tourist port areas). Polyethylene (PE) MPs fragments were analysed by Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), then Orthogonal Partial Least Square-Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) was applied on the registered spectra. This approach revealed specific spectral differences between PE samples collected near industrial/commercial ports and those collected near tourist ports. The spectral regions most responsible for that distinction were the vinyl (1200-900 cm^-1) and carbonyl (1800-1600 cm^-1) regions, and to a less extent those used to calculate the crystallinity index (729 cm^-1 and 719 cm^-1). In contrast, the hydroxyl region (3500-3000 cm^-1) was somewhat less effective for discrimination. Samples from tourist port areas exhibited higher chemical index values, suggesting greater exposure to photodegradation processes due to prolonged UV light exposure. Conversely, PE MPs originating from industrial port areas exhibited lower vinyl and carbonyl indices and a less pronounced crystalline phase, despite being more polluted: we hypothesize that distinct transport pathways might have favoured prolonged residence time in water, and/or significant fouling resulting in both cases in mitigated photo-oxidation phenomena.

PMID:41965988 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119714

Mar Pollut Bull. 2026 Apr 10;229:119618. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119618. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Phytoplankton are tiny drifting photosynthetic organisms that support marine food webs and help control the global carbon cycle. However, it remains unclear how ongoing environmental changes are altering their cell size, species diversity, and chlorophyll a concentration in coastal seas. In this study, we investigated changes in phytoplankton cell size, species diversity, and chlorophyll a concentration along the Yellow Sea coast of China from 2021 to 2024, based on fourteen research cruises conducted at twenty-six coastal stations. We then employed statistical models to explore how individual and combined environmental factors were related to those biological features. We observed a clear shift to predominance of smaller cells, a reduction in species diversity, and an increase in chlorophyll a concentration. pH and reduced dissolved inorganic nitrogen were strongly associated with smaller cell size, while higher salinity and higher oxygen were associated with lower diversity. Lower surface water temperature and higher dissolved oxygen were associated with higher chlorophyll a concentrations. Overall, our findings suggest that interacting changes in pH, nutrient supply, temperature, salinity, and oxygen are associated with a simpler phytoplankton community structure, smaller mean cell size, and higher biomass levels in the Yellow Sea coastal region, with potential consequences for local food webs and carbon cycling.

PMID:41965987 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2026.119618