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PubMed2026

A study on the differences in recovery effects of different types of nutritional supplements on competitive performance of esports athletes under mental fatigue.

BACKGROUND: To compare the effects of different nutritional supplements on the recovery of core competitive performance abilities in esports athletes following mental fatigue and to observe changes in the autonomic nervous system during recovery after nutritional supplementation by monitoring heart rate variability (HRV). METHODS: A randomized crossover within-subject controlled experimental design was adopted, including nutritional supplement type (caffeine, nitrate, Ginkgo biloba extract, catechins, placebo) × mental fatigue state (initial, fatigued, post-supplementation). Twenty high-level first-person shooter (FPS) esports athletes were recruited. Mental fatigue was induced using a Stroop task. After ingesting the different supplements and resting for 60 minutes, the participants completed assessments of shooting accuracy, shooting stability, spatial localization, and multitasking ability using the KovaaK's simulation trainer. HRV indices were also recorded to evaluate changes in autonomic regulation. RESULTS: For shooting accuracy, compared with the placebo condition, all four supplements significantly improved shooting accuracy scores following mental fatigue (all p < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed among the effects of the different supplements. For shooting stability, caffeine, nitrate, and catechins produced significant recovery effects on shooting stability (all p  < 0.05); however, no significant differences were observed among the effects of these three supplements. For spatial localization and multitasking ability, the improvements in these two abilities in the post-supplementation state may have resulted from natural recovery, and none of the four nutritional supplements demonstrated a significant recovery effect. The HRV results showed that indices including RMSSD and SDNN changed under some supplement conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Mental fatigue significantly reduced the competitive performance of esports athletes. Four types of nutritional supplements all promoted the recovery of shooting accuracy, while caffeine, nitrate, and catechins promoted the recovery of shooting stability. However, no additional recovery advantages of the nutritional supplements over placebo were identified for spatial localization or multitasking ability. Changes in HRV may reflect changes in autonomic regulation during recovery, but further research is still warranted.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effectiveness and moderators of PE and CPT in adult PTSD treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a prevalent and debilitating condition that challenges mental health services worldwide. Effective psychological interventions are crucial for treatment, among which Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are prominent. Comparative analyses of these treatments, considering moderators such as patient demographics and treatment specifics, are necessary to tailor interventions effectively.Objective: This meta-analysis synthesised findings from 175 treatment arms across 163 studies to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of PE and CPT for PTSD. Effect sizes were calculated as Hedges' g for between-group (treatment vs. control) and within-group (pre-post) comparisons.Results: Using a random-effects model, the overall pooled effect size was large (Hedges' g = 1.67, 95% CI [1.56, 1.79]), suggesting substantial treatment-related symptom improvement. Multivariate meta-regression revealed, across the full sample, none of the main effects or interactions was significant. A sensitivity analysis excluding 10 influential outliers reduced the overall effect size (g = 1.55), indicating that PE was associated with larger effects than CPT among non-military samples, and larger effects were observed in studies with a higher proportion of female participants, military samples, and samples with lower proportions of sexual trauma. Treatment-by-sample-characteristic interactions were not significant in the trimmed model.Conclusions: Findings suggest that PE and CPT produce large effects in reducing PTSD symptoms, with some variation across treatment type and sample characteristics. Results underscore the importance of examining contextual moderators such as treatment setting and population type and highlight the need for transparent reporting of key sample features to improve future meta-analytic precision.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Evolutionary constraints and regulatory plasticity shape host specialization in the Magnaporthe oryzae species complex.

Rice blast caused by Magnaporthe oryzae threatens global rice production, and wheat blast emergence highlights the pathogen's capacity for host shifts. Although numerous studies have described M. oryzae genome organization and infection mechanisms, critical questions remain regarding the evolutionary drivers of stable host specialization. Importantly, the blast pathogen comprises a species complex of genetically differentiated, host-adapted lineages rather than single homogeneous species. To address this knowledge gap, we integrate evidence from evolutionary genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to develop the "Constrained Plasticity" framework. We argue that host adaptation arises from three interacting layers: genomic scaffolding (including epigenetic and noncoding RNA regulation), regulatory networks (enabling transcriptional plasticity), and metabolic compatibility (determining physiological success). This systems-level perspective explains the long-term stability of host-adapted lineages and the rare breakdowns resulting in host shifts, such as wheat blast. This framework generates testable predictions for pathogen emergence and provides a roadmap for developing lineage-aware resistance strategies.

Oryza↗

PubMed2026

The complete chloroplast genomes of Rhamnus arguta Maxim. and R. parvifolia Bunge (Rhamnaceae).

The genus Rhamnus L. (Rhamnaceae) has high medicinal, ecological, and ornamental value, but its infrageneric classification remains unclear. Here, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the complete chloroplast genomes of Rhamnus arguta and R. parvifolia using Illumina sequencing. Both plastomes exhibit the typical quadripartite structure, with lengths of 160,566 bp and 161,243 bp, containing 128 and 129 genes, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses support the monophyly of Rhamnus and its close relationship with Frangula. This study provides genomic resources for further phylogenetic and comparative studies within Rhamnaceae.

Chloroplast genome↗

PubMed2026

Reversibility of Nuclear and 3D Genomic Changes in Non-Cancerous Fibroblasts After Constricted Migration.

Metastatic cancer cells and healthy fibroblasts must traverse constrictive spaces to reach secondary sites. After passing through multiple constrictions, cancer cells often experience stable changes to their nucleus morphology, 3D genome structure, and migratory phenotype. Here, we investigate whether fibroblasts (BJ-5ta), which are non-cancerous and have an inherent ability to migrate to fulfill roles in wound repair, likewise experience nuclear and 3D genomic changes with constricted migration. We find that BJ-5ta cells only slightly increase their migratory capacity after sequential constricted migrations but do experience nuclear deformations and 3D genome alterations at the compartment level after constricted migration. Transient compartment shifts spatially rearranged genes associated with preparation for and response to migration. Unlike the stable changes associated with long term phenotype changes in cancer cells, however, the nucleus deformations recovered back to unmigrated levels following proliferation and cell movement. Some compartment changes persist and might influence responses to future stimuli, but most 3D genome changes revert to the unmigrated state after cell proliferation. Our study shows that non-cancerous migratory cells are not necessarily less susceptible to nucleus and 3D genome alterations caused by constricted migration, but do recover from such alterations more readily than cancer cells. [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text] [Media: see text].

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

The VPS9-family GEF VINE activates Ypt10 in a late endosomal Rab cascade.

Rab GTPase cascades drive endosomal membrane maturation by sequentially activating and inactivating Rab proteins. These transitions in Rab signaling require the coordinated actions of guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs). The yeast VINE complex is an endosomal VPS9-family GEF that stimulates a GAP to inactivate the Rab5 homolog Vps21, suggesting a role for VINE in coordinating Rab transitions. Here we report that VINE acts through its catalytic GEF domain to positively regulate the Rab5-related GTPase Ypt10 and establish a pool of Ypt10 at late endosomes. Ypt10 activation occurs downstream of Vps21 activity, placing Ypt10 within a late endosomal Rab cascade. Genome-wide protein-protein interaction screens revealed a VINE-dependent proximity interaction between Ypt10 and the GEF Mon1-Ccz1. Our data suggest that VINE and Ypt10 regulate late endosomal recruitment of Mon1-Ccz1 to enhance the activation of its substrate, the Rab7 homolog Ypt7. Together, these findings define a Vps21-VINE-Ypt10 regulatory module that adds a layer of control within the late endosomal Vps21-to-Ypt7 cascade and establish VINE as a dual Rab regulator. Through opposing activities on Vps21 and Ypt10, VINE may couple Rab5 inactivation to Mon1-Ccz1 recruitment to provide more precise control of degradative protein traffic to the vacuole.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Phylogenomics reveals persistent gene-tree discordance in the Chenopodium album aggregate.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Complex genomic histories shaped by hybridisation and polyploidy can influence traits related to plant defence, stress tolerance and toxicity, particularly in Amaranthaceae, which includes crops such as quinoa and spinach. Within this family, white goosefoot (Chenopodium album), a widespread agricultural weed and traditional food resource, belongs to a diploid-polyploid aggregate with extensive phylogenetic discordance. Clarifying its evolutionary history provides context for interpreting ecologically and agronomically relevant trait variation across the aggregate. Building on the established genome-lineage framework, we tested whether discordance persists when constituent genome-lineage components are represented separately and whether the remaining signal is compatible with reticulate evolution. METHODS: We analysed 2,298 conserved nuclear BUSCO families across 27 assembly-level terminals using tree- and network-based approaches. Genome-lineage-aware analyses used 2,156 families after separating polyploid Chenopodium into A-H components, with Dysphania ambrosioides as outgroup. HyDe tested site-pattern asymmetry under global false-discovery-rate correction. KEY RESULTS: Assembly-level analyses grouped the Danish C. album aggregate accession Ca6-1 with hexaploid C. album sensu stricto dcCheAlbu1.1, whereas relationships among surrounding Chenopodium taxa were less stable. Genome-lineage-aware analyses recovered the expected B-, C- and D-affinity relationships, but substantial gene-family heterogeneity persisted. Reticulate network models fitted the assembly-level data better than bifurcating models, although inferred patterns differed between methods. HyDe detected significant site-pattern asymmetry in a small subset of loci, with most retained signal shared between the focal assemblies. CONCLUSIONS: Gene-tree discordance persists in the C. album aggregate after genome-lineage separation. The established genome-lineage framework captures the dominant phylogenomic structure, while residual heterogeneity is compatible with both tree-like and reticulate processes without identifying direct progenitors or a unique hybridisation history. This framework supports future analyses of lineage-specific and trait-associated loci related to plant defence, food quality and toxicity in C. album and related Amaranthaceae.

Chenopodium album↗

PubMed2026

Climate Gradients and Habitat Discontinuity Structure Genetic Variation in a Spring-Specialist Plant.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Groundwater-dependent ecosystems support disproportionate biodiversity in arid regions, yet the population genetics of spring-specialist plants remains poorly understood. Here, we present the first species-wide genetic dataset for crimson monkeyflower (Mimulus verbenaceus, Phrymaceae), a spring-specialist plant distributed in seeps, springs, and associated riparian areas across desert regions of North America. We aim to relate landscape features and climate gradients to the spatial genetic structuring within this system. METHODS: Using genome-wide reduced representation sequencing data consisting of 10,760 SNPs from 175 individuals across 17 populations, we characterized the patterns of genetic differentiation and diversity. Population structure was assessed using ADMIXTURE and Principal Component Analysis. We examined the contributions of climate to range-wide genetic variation in crimson monkeyflower using redundancy analysis. KEY RESULTS: Patterns of genetic differentiation were more consistent with those of spring-specialist animal taxa than those of upland plants or generalist riparian plants. We found strong population structure at both broad regional scales and at fine local scales. While geographic and spatial structuring was a primary driver of genetic structure across all scales, riparian connectivity influenced local patterns of diversity, and adaptation to local climatic variation was more influential at regional scales, with temperature, relative humidity, and a monsoon-driven climate gradient contributing to genetic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the distinctive association with isolated perennial groundwater sources, as well as climate gradients, with genetic variation in this spring-specialist plant. These findings suggest that spring-specialist plants deserve special consideration in ecological theory, management, and conservation.

Mimulus↗

PubMed2026

The social behavioral phenotype of Kabuki syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes the social-communication and behavioral profile associated with Kabuki syndrome (KS), including exploratory comparisons between individuals with a pathogenic variant in KMT2D (KS1) versus KDM6A (KS2). METHOD: Thirty-five caregivers of children/adults with KS (25F, Mage = 13.45, SD = 7.60) completed the Social Responsiveness Scale 2nd Edition (SRS-2), Colorado Learning Difficulties Questionnaire, and/or Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Descriptive analyses and non-parametric tests were conducted to examine behavioral trends in the entire cohort and to explore differences in social behaviors and autism characteristics between those with KS1 versus KS2. RESULTS: About a third of the sample have a prior diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder, with rates more elevated in KS2 versus KS1 (67% vs. 23%). In the full cohort, 72% fell in borderline/clinical ranges for Peer Problems, while only 3% yielded atypical scores for Prosocial Behaviors. Those with KS1 were rated to show most challenges in restricted/repetitive behaviors (RRBs), which fell in the moderately severe range, compared to other social domains (social communication, social awareness, social motivation). In contrast, social motivation was the sole area rated within normal limits. CONCLUSION: Those with KS2 showed greater difficulties across all social behavior/cognitive domains than KS1 counterparts, albeit both presented with similar severity in RRB and prosocial behaviors. Prominent features of the KS social behavioral phenotype include pronounced difficulties with inflexible behaviors and restricted interests juxtaposed with strong prosocial tendencies. KS2 may confer increased risk for autism-related characteristics, underscoring the need for more systematic investigations.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Identifying multigenic modules under selection in the tumor genome.

MOTIVATION: Genomic alterations in cancer arise from selective pressures acting on hallmark molecular modules, layered over a background of random mutagenic events. Methods to detect selection at the level of modules, as opposed to genes or nucleotides, are relatively underdeveloped. RESULTS: Here we present CanSRMaPP (Cancer Selection Recovery by Maximum Posterior Probability), a Bayesian model of the cancer genome that infers mutational selection on single genes and multi-genic modules while simultaneously modeling background events. Applying CanSRMaPP to lung adenocarcinoma genomes, we identify positive selection on 63 modules, yielding a model that parsimoniously explains the observed pattern of genetic alterations observed in new cancer cohorts. We further show that CanSRMaPP is adaptable to more tumor types and to alternative module definitions. We show that these modules serve as an effective scaffold for translating the cancer genome to molecular states, with prediction of cancer biomarker status as demonstration. AVAILABILITY: CanSRMaPP is freely available on GitHub. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary Figs. S1-5, Supplementary Tables S1-5, and Supplementary Notes 1 and 2 are available at Bioinformatics online.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Use of Whole Genome Sequencing to Investigate the Risk for Transmission of Clostridioides difficile From Prior Room Occupants: A Single-Center Study.

BACKGROUND: Admission to a room previously occupied by a patient with Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) has been identified as a risk factor for CDI. However, previous studies have not included molecular typing to definitively link healthcare-associated CDI (HA-CDI) cases to prior room occupants. METHODS: In a hospital and affiliated long-term care facility, we conducted a 1-year cohort study to determine if exposure to a room previously occupied by a CDI patient and/or with environmental contamination after cleaning and disinfection in the past 3 months was associated with an increased risk of HA-CDI. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess risk factors for HA-CDI. Whole genome sequencing was used to determine the relatedness of HA-CDI isolates and isolates from prior CDI cases or environmental surfaces. RESULTS: Of 5,746 admitted patients, 55 were diagnosed with HA-CDI. Exposure to a room previously occupied by a CDI patient and/or with a positive post-discharge culture was not associated with an increased risk of HA-CDI (adjusted odds ratio 1.15, 95% confidence interval 0.65-1.98; P=0.62). None of the 21 HA-CDI patients with prior room-level exposures were infected with isolates genomically related to isolates from prior room occupants with CDI or from room surfaces. Five HA-CDI cases were linked to prior CDI patients or environmental isolates on the same ward or without ward-level exposure. CONCLUSION: Despite frequent exposure to rooms previously occupied by CDI patients or contaminated with C. difficile, no HA-CDI cases were linked to prior room exposures in a facility using sporicidal disinfectants in CDI rooms.

Clostridioides difficile↗

PubMed2026

Absence of Evidence, or Evidence of Effective Cleaning? Room-Level Transmission of Clostridioides difficile Under the Genomic Microscope.

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Clostridioides difficile↗

PubMed2026

Atherosclerotic plaque fibroblasts derive from adventitial and medial Pdgfra-lineage-positive cells and predominantly maintain fibroblast identity.

AIMS: Fibroblasts are mesenchymal cells in the healthy vascular adventitia. In atherosclerosis, single-cell sequencing datasets suggest fibroblasts are abundant in plaques. However, their identity, origin, and fate during plaque progression remain unclear, which we aim to unravel here. APPROACH AND RESULTS: To robustly define fibroblast identity, origin, and fate, we employed meta-analyses of 54 single-cell RNA sequencing libraries, including murine smooth muscle cell (Myh11) and endothelial cell (EC) (Cdh5) lineage reporter mice with and without atherosclerosis; human control and atherosclerotic arteries; and murine adventitia and atherosclerotic plaques processed separately from low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout (Ldlr-/-) mice. These meta-analyses showed that murine and human plaque fibroblast identity was robustly defined by Pdgfra, Pi16, Cygb, and Serpinf1 mRNA. Ninety-five percent of plaque fibroblasts do not derive from the Myh11 lineage, while no Cdh5-lineage-positive cells were present in the fibroblast cluster. We identified five murine arterial fibroblast subsets in atherosclerotic murine aorta: progenitor fibroblasts, matrix fibroblasts, inflammatory fibroblasts, an EC-like fibroblast subset, detected in both adventitia and plaques, and Col5a3+ fibroblasts, unique to the adventitia. We next studied fibroblast identity, origin, and fate using pseudotime analysis and Pdgfra-CreERT2/tdTomato lineage reporter mice (Pdgfra Lin+). Healthy Pdgfra Lin+ reporter mice showed predominant adventitial tdTomato expression, and infrequent medial and intimal Pdgfra Lin+ cells co-expressing MYH11 and PECAM1, respectively. The Pdgfra Lin+ plaque area increased with diet duration. Pdgfra Lin+ cells largely maintain fibroblast identity in the plaque, while <10% co-express SMC markers (MYH11, SM22α), or contribute to ACTA2+ cap cells. ECs gaining mesenchymal markers are transcriptionally distinct from Cdh5-lineage-negative fibroblasts gaining EC markers. Plaque-resident EC-like fibroblasts displayed a mesenchymal-to-endothelial transition transcriptome, which was induced in human primary fibroblasts in vitro by starvation, and dampened or reversed by IL1B, TGFB1, TGFB3, and oxidized LDL. Cross-species integration showed that all murine plaque fibroblasts were conserved in human atherosclerosis, with one additional subset partially resembling murine subsets, and three human-specific subsets. Importantly, human fibroblast subsets differentially correlated to human plaque traits, with EC-like fibroblasts correlating to plaque instability. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that 95% of plaque-residing fibroblasts are Myh11 Lin- Plaque fibroblasts have a dual origin, predominantly adventitial Pdgfra Lin+ progenitor fibroblasts, with a minor contribution from medial Pdgfra Lin+  Myh11+ SMCs. Most plaque fibroblasts maintain fibroblast identity. Murine plaque fibroblast subsets were conserved in human atherosclerosis. EC-like fibroblasts are linked to human plaque instability. Intervening in progenitor-to-specific fibroblast transitions could present a new avenue to promote plaque stability in atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis↗

PubMed2026

Genomic separation of Salish Sea and Pacific outer coast populations of the keystone sea star Pisaster ochraceus.

Environmental boundaries shape genetic diversity through the interacting effects of geographic distance, local adaptation, and constraints on gene flow. The ochre sea star (Pisaster ochraceus), an intertidal keystone predator, has long been considered to have limited spatial genetic structure along the North American Pacific coast, likely due to its extended larval dispersal period and high potential for gene flow. Here, we characterize spatial genomic variation in Pisaster ochraceus using whole-genome sequencing data from individuals spanning nearly 3000 kilometers of coastline from Alaska to southern California. Analyses of putatively neutral SNPs demonstrate considerable mixing across the latitudinal range, but also reveal substantial structure between outer Pacific coast populations and those within the semi-enclosed Salish Sea, suggesting restricted gene flow and demographic divergence between these regions. Genomic divergence is further supported by evidence of selection, with outlier loci highlighting extended regions of low diversity in the Salish Sea, consistent with recent selective sweeps and potential local adaptation to distinct estuarine conditions. These findings support the role of oceanographic barriers and environmental heterogeneity in shaping population structure in Pisaster ochraceus, challenging earlier expectations of range-wide homogeneity and providing insight into the persistence of this keystone marine species in a rapidly changing world.

Pisaster↗

PubMed2026

Conference report: the third Bacterial Genome Sequencing Pan-European Network conference.

The third Bacterial Genome Sequencing Pan-European Network conference, held in Engelberg, Switzerland (12-15 January 2026), brought together experts from six European countries to discuss the implementation of bacterial genome sequencing in clinical microbiology and public health. Key themes included regulatory frameworks (In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation, General Data Protection Regulation), standardization, quality control, data sharing, economic evaluation, and the integration of artificial intelligence and long-read sequencing into diagnostic workflows. Across presentations, panel discussions, and workshops, participants emphasized that successful implementation of genome sequencing requires more than technical capacity: it depends on robust validation, sustainable funding, interoperable data standards, ethical governance, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The meeting highlighted that sequencing should remain question-driven and clinically meaningful, balancing cost, turnaround time, and public health impact. Overall, the conference reinforced the need for coordinated European efforts to advance responsible, standardized, and sustainable genomic surveillance and diagnostics.

bacterial genome sequencing↗

PubMed2026

Spore type-specific gene expression profiles underlying development and leaf infection processes of Colletotrichum graminicola.

Colletotrichum graminicola causes significant losses of the staple crop maize worldwide. The fungus produces two distinct asexual spore types, oval and falcate conidia, which show unique processes in development and plant interaction. Based on genome resequencing of our laboratory strain (CgM2/M1.001), we investigated the gene expression profiles of oval and falcate conidia during development and early leaf infection using RNA-seq. Our results reveal specific gene expression profiles between the two spore types, indicating fundamental differences in their developmental programs that reflect different modes of infection. We identified expression patterns discriminating both conidia types from mycelium and spore type-specific ones for genes encoding transcription factors, conserved fungal developmental genes, transporters, genes of secondary metabolite clusters, and pathogenicity-related functions, including effectors and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes). Our study shows that despite the identical genomic basis, oval and falcate conidia show unique transcriptomes across vegetative development and early plant interaction. Taking together, these results provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms determining the biology of C. graminicola and its interaction with the plant host.

Colletotrichum graminicola↗

PubMed2026

Global Diffusion of IncC Plasmid Harboring blaNDM-1in the High-Risk Escherichia coli ST131 Clone.

AIMS: The global expansion of quinolone-resistant Escherichia coli (QR-EC) is increasingly associated with β-lactam resistance and mobile genetic elements that facilitate resistance dissemination. This study investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying fluoroquinolone and β-lactam resistance in clinical QR-EC isolates and explored the plasmid type associated. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 123 non-duplicate QR-EC clinical isolates responsible mainly for gastrointestinal colonization were collected between 2019 and 2021. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), and carbapenemase genes were screened by PCR. Mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) of gyrA and parC were analyzed using sequencing and mismatch amplification mutation assay PCR (MAMA-PCR). Selected isolates underwent multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of a representative extensively drug-resistant strain carrying multiple quinolone resistance determinants, ESBL genes, and carbapenemase genes, was performed. PMQR genes were prevalent among QR-EC, dominated by aac(6')-Ib-cr (60.9% of isolates). ESBL genes were identified in 93.5% of isolates, predominantly blaCTX-M (95.7%). Among ertapenem-resistant isolates (QCR-EC) (n=18), blaNDM-1 and blaOXA-48 were detected in 13 and 11 isolates, respectively. QRDR mutations were highly frequent, particularly gyrA83 (98.4%) and parC80 (30.9%). Major QCR-EC genotypes belonged to sequence types ST167 (n=2), ST1196, ST469, and ST410. High-risk E. coli ST131 clone harboring IncC plasmid encoding blaNDM-1 was described for the first time in Africa, following its emergence, in two continents, Asia and America. Despite the very rare description of these strains worldwide, their description in three continents sign their global diffusion. CONCLUSIONS: This finding highlights the ongoing spread of carbapenem resistance and underscores the urgent need for strengthened genomic surveillance.

Escherichia coli↗

PubMed2026

POU2F3 expression in lung squamous cell carcinoma: transcriptomic and immunohistochemical profiling with prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) lacks well-defined molecular targets. This study investigated the clinical and biological relevance of POU class 2 homeobox 3 (POU2F3), a tuft cell-associated transcription factor, in LUSC. METHODS: RNA sequencing data of patients with LUSC from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA cohort, n = 190) was analysed and compared to a cohort of surgically resected cases analyzed via immunohistochemistry (IHC cohort, n = 137). Prognostic impact was assessed via survival analyses. Transcriptomic features, pathway enrichment, and immune profiles were evaluated via differentially expressed gene analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, and CIBERSORTx. RESULTS: High POU2F3 expression independently predicted poor overall survival in the TCGA cohort (HR = 2.06, 95% CI: 1.04-4.08, P = 0.039). In contrast, POU2F3 expression was not prognostic in the IHC cohort (P = 0.995). Morphologically, POU2F3-positive tumours were enriched for non-keratinizing and poorly differentiated subtypes. Transcriptomic analysis showed suppression of proliferation and immune-related pathways (FDR < 0.001), with suggestive enrichment of the TGF-β (FDR = 0.143) and p53 (FDR = 0.229) signaling pathways. On immune deconvolution, POU2F3-high tumours showed a nominal increase in activated dendritic cells, which did not withstand multiple testing correction. POU2F3 protein was detected in 12.4% of tumours and was significantly associated with p53 or RB1 abnormalities (single or double) (P = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: POU2F3 marks a transcriptionally distinct, early-stage subtype of LUSC with keratinization-related features. Its prognostic relevance appears context-dependent and requires prospective validation in uniformly treated cohorts.

Humans↗