Tag: pubmed

Int J Hyperthermia. 2026 Dec;43(1):2699379. doi: 10.1080/02656736.2026.2699379. Epub 2026 Jul 14.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded graphene nanoplatform chemo-photothermal therapy (CPT) compared with photothermal therapy (PTT) alone on relative tumor volume (RTV) in breast cancer xenograft models and to summarize reported secondary safety and translational endpoints.

METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for animal studies published from January 2010 to December 2025 investigating DOX-loaded graphene nanomaterial-mediated CPT in breast cancer xenograft tumors. Hedges’ g was used as the effect size measure, and standardized mean differences (SMDs) were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity, publication bias, subgroup analyses, sensitivity analyses, and qualitatively reported secondary endpoints were assessed.

RESULTS: Nine breast cancer xenograft studies were included, involving 46 animals in the CPT group and 46 in the PTT group. The pooled SMD was -2.20 (95% CI: -2.76 to -1.65, p < 0.0001), with negligible heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0%). Subgroup analyses showed no statistically significant differences by cell line, graphene type, or publication period (all p > 0.05). Leave-one-out sensitivity analyses yielded pooled SMDs from -2.09 to -2.37. Funnel plot inspection and Egger’s test suggested mild small-study asymmetry, but Trim-and-Fill correction did not change the direction or significance of the result. Secondary endpoint extraction showed limited survival, toxicity, biodistribution, and clearance reporting, supporting short-term tolerability but not definitive clinical translation.

CONCLUSION: DOX-loaded graphene nanoplatform CPT was associated with significantly greater suppression of RTV than PTT alone in breast cancer xenograft models. The evidence supports a robust preclinical antitumor association while highlighting the need for standardized survival, long-term toxicity, biodistribution, and elimination studies before clinical application.

PMID:42449201 | DOI:10.1080/02656736.2026.2699379

Chem Biodivers. 2026 Jul;23(7):e71481. doi: 10.1002/cbdv.71481.

ABSTRACT

A series of newly designed 1,3,4-oxadiazole derivatives demonstrated highly effective inhibitors against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) and exhibited significant antiviral and anti-biofilm properties. To further explore the structure-activity relationships of these compounds and develop novel molecules with higher activity, this study systematically analyzed the relationship between the structure and activity of a series of 1,3,4-oxadiazole compounds using computational methods including 3D-QSAR, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations. Based on a dataset containing 39 compounds, two reliable 3D-QSAR statistical models were established: CoMFA (q² = 0.729, SEE = 0.075, r² = 0.960, F = 103.183) and CoMSIA/ADH (q² = 0.805, SEE = 0.059, r² = 0.978, F = 157.574). A 3D contour plot analysis revealed key structural factors influencing molecular activity. Molecular docking studies explored the interaction mode between the small molecule and the target protein 3E5U, identifying important residues such as ARG300. Based on model predictions and results comparison, we designed eight new molecules with inhibitory activity superior to the template compound. Molecular dynamics simulations further confirmed the stability of the binding between new molecules and protein complex. Pharmacokinetic evaluation indicated that these new molecules have promising clinical application prospects.

PMID:42449195 | DOI:10.1002/cbdv.71481

Alzheimers Dement. 2026 Jul;22(7):e71631. doi: 10.1002/alz.71631.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The study aim is to investigate whether blood biomarkers (BBMs) of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology are associated with postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after cardiac surgery.

METHODS: Cognitive performance was assessed before and 12 months postoperatively using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and categorized into stages-minimal (1), notable (2), and substantial (3) decline-in the FIND DElirium RIsk factors (FINDERI) study of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. BBMs were measured preoperatively (amyloid beta [Aβ]1-42, Aβ1-40, phosphorylated tau 181 [p-tau181], p-tau217, apolipoprotein E ε4 [apoE4] and apoE).

RESULTS: A total of 394 patients completed follow-up investigations. POCD Stage 1 was observed in 105 (26.6%), POCD Stage 2 in 52 patients (13.2%), and POCD Stage 3 in 30 patients (7.6%). The AT²¹⁷term (ratio Aβ1-40/1-42 * p-tau217) was significantly associated with POCD stages in multiple logistic regression.

DISCUSSION: Early Alzheimer’s BBMs are associated with POCD in patients, suggesting that our exploratory findings assessing BBMs may support risk stratification, inform decision-making, and contribute to strategies aimed at preventing POCD.

PMID:42449187 | DOI:10.1002/alz.71631

Orthop Surg. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1111/os.70362. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Spondylolisthesis is a frequently encountered condition in orthopedics, requiring dynamic stability maintained primarily by the paraspinal muscles. This systematic review evaluates the cross-sectional area (CSA) and fat infiltration (FI) of paraspinal muscles-specifically the multifidus, erector spinae, and psoas major-in lumbar spondylolisthesis (LS) to understand their roles in spinal stability and progression in degenerative and isthmic forms.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched as of September 2024. Fourteen retrospective studies using MRI/CT imaging met inclusion criteria, focusing on CSA and FI in LS. Data were extracted from studies that assessed spinal instability through vertebral slippage measurements or comparisons with asymptomatic controls.

RESULTS: The findings indicate that reduced CSA and increased FI in paraspinal muscles, especially the multifidus, are associated with spinal instability and progressive vertebral slippage. Several studies reported reductions in CSA and increases in FI in patients with spondylolisthesis, although methods and anatomical levels varied across studies. Compensatory hypertrophy of the erector spinae and psoas major was observed, particularly in isthmic cases.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the potential role of muscle health in maintaining spinal stability and suggest that targeted rehabilitation strategies addressing paraspinal muscle alterations may improve clinical outcomes in patients with LS.

PMID:42449184 | DOI:10.1111/os.70362

Commun Biol. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1038/s42003-026-10647-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Conserved fecal microbiome signatures of intestinal diseases across domestic mammals offer a non-invasive avenue to monitor animal health and advance One Health, yet systematic meta-analysis with cross-study, cross-disease, and cross-host validation remains lacking. We present a leave-one-dataset-out meta-analysis defining generalizable intestinal disease signatures in mammalian hosts. Analyzing 512 samples from four bovine diarrhea and three canine IBD studies, we identified 12 bovine and 8 canine stable signature genera marked by depleted short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) producers and enriched pathobionts through a compositional random-effects framework with per-study covariate-adjusted effect sizes. A minimal signature set matched full-feature models across five machine learning models, and study-aware transfer learning improved cross-study generalization. Across 367 samples, signatures outperformed for intestinal versus non-intestinal phenotypes in cross-disease prediction. Cross-host validation across equine, feline, caprine, swine, and human datasets (533 animal and 1,182 human samples) revealed canine IBD-associated signatures outperformed in feline intestinal disease prediction, while bovine diarrhea-associated signatures generalized better to herbivorous hosts and human intestinal diseases. These findings may support the existence of conserved microbial signatures across veterinary and human medicine, warranting further investigation toward diagnostic applications.

PMID:42449164 | DOI:10.1038/s42003-026-10647-5

Sci Rep. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-61589-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Interprofessional education (IPE) prepares medical and dental students for collaborative, team-based care, yet little is known about how students perceive IPE within integrated academic environments in the Gulf region. A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and April 2025 at RAK Medical & Health Sciences University and RAK College of Dental Sciences in the United Arab Emirates. A printed, structured questionnaire adapted from validated tools was distributed to undergraduate medical and dental students. The survey evaluated interdisciplinary knowledge, teaching content, interprofessional value, and attitudes toward IPE using a five-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23, with descriptive statistics, Shapiro-Wilk normality tests, unequal variance t-tests, Cronbach’s alpha, and Spearman’s correlation utilized to evaluate group differences and internal consistency. Ethical approval was obtained (Ref: TAKMHSU-HEC-51-2023/24-F-D). A total of 273 students participated (157 medicals, 116 dentals; 50.2% female). Clinical-phase students reported significantly more favorable perceptions across domains of interdisciplinary knowledge, teaching content, and interprofessional value (p < 0.01). The internal consistency of the questionnaire was high (α > 0.85 for most domains). Strong inter-domain correlations were observed, especially between teaching content and perceived value. No significant differences were found based on gender. Clinical exposure was associated with more favorable perceptions of IPE. These findings support embedding structured, experiential IPE from the preclinical years onward-through shared case-based teaching, interprofessional simulation, and co-facilitated clinical activities-rather than relying on clinical contact alone. For curriculum developers and institutional policymakers, the results highlight the value of integrating IPE across both preclinical and clinical curricula and of targeting attitudinal development specifically. Longitudinal and intervention-based studies are needed to confirm whether such exposure produces durable gains in collaborative competence.

PMID:42449157 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-61589-1

Sci Rep. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-61846-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study addressed a critical challenge in higher education informatization, where the evaluation of teaching resource allocation and management process efficiency has traditionally relied on subjective judgment and lacked unified quantitative criteria. To overcome these limitations, a Resource Configuration and Business Coordination (RCBC) model-based evaluation framework was developed. The study utilized data from the National Higher Education Statistics published by the Ministry of Education of China and the University of California, Irvine (UCI) educational resource dataset. An evaluation index system was constructed across four dimensions: resource distribution balance, utilization efficiency, coordination effectiveness, and process bottlenecks. The collected data were cleaned, normalized, and subjected to feature extraction to ensure analytical consistency and reliability. To capture the nonlinear relationships among multidimensional indicators, a multi-objective optimization framework based on the RCBC model was established. Model parameters were determined through a hybrid weighting strategy that integrated the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Entropy Weight Method (EWM), thereby improving the robustness and rationality of parameter assignment. The effectiveness of the proposed framework was assessed through regression analysis and sensitivity testing in teaching resource allocation and process management scenarios. The results demonstrated that the optimized allocation strategy improved overall resource utilization by 14.2%, increased management process efficiency by 10.5%, and enhanced prediction accuracy by 37.3% under cross-validation conditions compared with conventional approaches. These findings indicate that the proposed RCBC model provides superior performance in evaluating and optimizing educational resource allocation and operational processes. Overall, this study offers a data-driven framework for higher education informatization and provides both theoretical support and practical guidance for the development of intelligent teaching management systems.

PMID:42449155 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-61846-3

Nat Genet. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1038/s41588-026-02668-x. Online ahead of print.

NO ABSTRACT

PMID:42449151 | DOI:10.1038/s41588-026-02668-x

Sci Rep. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-62137-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM), defined as the coexistence of two or more cardiometabolic diseases, poses a growing global health burden. However, few studies have jointly evaluated the risk of CMM using indicators of both insulin resistance and frailty. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), we constructed a composite index integrating the metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS-IR) and the frailty index (FI) and investigated its association with incident CMM among 2,968 middle-aged and older Chinese adults. During the follow-up period, 230 participants (7.75%) developed CMM. In fully adjusted Cox regression models, each 1-SD increase in baseline and cumulative METSIR-FI was associated with a 35% (HR = 1.35, 95%CI: 1.22-1.49) and 45% (HR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.31-1.61) higher risk of CMM, respectively. Participants in the highest tertile of baseline METSIR-FI had a significantly higher risk of CMM (HR = 2.78, 95%CI: 1.79-4.30), with even stronger associations observed for cumulative METSIR-FI (HR = 4.29, 95%CI: 2.63-6.98) and the highest-risk cluster (HR = 3.69, 95%CI: 2.46-5.55). Restricted cubic spline analyses revealed significant nonlinear dose-response relationships with threshold effects. Incorporating METSIR-FI into conventional risk models improved the C-statistic from 71.32% to 77.47%, with significant net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement. These findings suggest that a joint metabolic-frailty burden indicator provides incremental prognostic value beyond conventional risk factors and may serve as a practical composite indicator for CMM risk stratification among middle-aged and older adults.

PMID:42449137 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-62137-7

Sci Rep. 2026 Jul 14. doi: 10.1038/s41598-026-61429-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fluvial terraces preserve critical records of Quaternary tectonic uplift and river incision, yet their regional-scale identification remains hampered by the subjectivity and spatial discontinuity of conventional methods. This study presents a convolutional neural network (CNN) framework, built on a modified U-Net encoder-decoder architecture, for automated, multi-level terrace sequence recognition along the approximately 600-km Yichang-to-Wuhan corridor of the middle Yangtze River. The model ingests six-channel DEM-derived morphometric inputs-elevation, slope, profile curvature, planform curvature, topographic wetness index, and topographic position index-computed from the ALOS AW3D30 DEM, with training labels derived from 46 RTK-GNSS-surveyed terrace cross-sections. Spatial block cross-validation was employed to partition the dataset, ensuring geographic isolation between training and test tiles. Evaluated against independent test data, the CNN achieves an overall accuracy of 92.3%, a Kappa coefficient of 0.896, and a macro-averaged F1 score of 89.0%, outperforming slope-threshold, object-based image analysis, and Random Forest benchmarks-all of which underwent equivalent hyperparameter optimization-particularly for higher, more fragmented terrace levels. Four terrace levels (T1-T4) were mapped across the study corridor, revealing a systematic west-to-east decline in terrace completeness that mirrors the regional tectonic gradient from the Huangling anticline to the subsiding Jianghan Basin. Quantitative analysis of terrace deformation yields tectonic uplift rates ranging from 0.28 mm/year near Yichang to 0.06 mm/year in the basin interior, with localized elevation offsets of 8-15 m across major fault zones. A tectonic activity intensity index (TAI), supported by spatial buffer statistics, highlights the Yichang and Wuhan sub-reaches as the most actively deforming segments. We acknowledge that climatic oscillations modulate terrace formation and that the current framework cannot fully decouple tectonic from climatic signals; nonetheless, the spatially coherent deformation patterns localized along fault traces favor a predominantly tectonic interpretation. These findings demonstrate that CNN-assisted terrace mapping can provide spatially continuous neotectonic insights unattainable by field methods alone.

PMID:42449136 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-026-61429-2