Researchers from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Southeast University, and Wenzhou Medical University have developed a novel microneedle patch that combines MXene hydrogel with nitric oxide (NO) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) plasmid for enhanced diabetic wound treatment. This study, published in the journal Engineering, presents a promising approach to addressing the chronic and non-healing wounds often associated with diabetes. Diabetic wounds are a significant healthcare challenge due to their prolonged healing times and the complications they can cause. These wounds are often characterized by excessive inflammation and impaired angiogenesis, which hampers the formation of new blood vessels and delays the healing process. Traditional treatments have limitations, such as difficulty in penetrating the skin barrier and primarily providing symptomatic relief rather than addressing the underlying pathological mechanisms. To overcome these challenges, the researchers proposed a new strategy using MXene hydrogel microneedles (MNs) that can deliver NO and HIF-1α plasmid nanoparticles in a controlled manner. The microneedles are made from a biocompatible MXene gelatin hydrogel and incorporate gelatin coupled with tert-butyl nitrite (Gel-SNO) polymers. This design allows for the generation and release of NO under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation due to the thermal effect. In vitro experiments demonstrated that the NO released from Gel-SNO achieved potent anti-inflammatory activity, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-α. In vivo studies using a diabetic mouse model showed that the MNs significantly accelerated wound closure, with a wound closure rate of 98% by day 10. The treated wounds exhibited reduced inflammation, increased angiogenesis, and enhanced re-epithelialization. Histological analysis revealed that the MNs promoted the formation of healthy granulation tissues and epithelial layers, crucial components for effective wound healing. Furthermore, the wounds treated with the MNs showed more ordered and dense collagen deposition, indicating enhanced extracellular matrix reconstruction and tissue remodeling. The findings of this study highlight the potential of MXene hydrogel microneedles in wound healing and other related biomedical fields. The ability of these MNs to promote wound closure, reduce inflammation, and enhance tissue regeneration makes them a promising candidate for treating diabetic wounds and potentially other types of chronic wounds. Future research may focus on further optimizing the MNs and exploring their applications in clinical settings to improve wound care and patient outcomes. MXene Hydrogel Microneedles with Nitric Oxide and HIF-1α Plasmid Controllable Releasing for Wound Healing. Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

The findings suggest that state public-health decisions may have been influenced by unexpected budgetary constraints imposed by public-health restrictions. For this study, we looked at a host of state data - and it is important to note that observational studies cannot prove causation. However, we did find a very strong correlation between a state's sources of revenue and its public-health policies during the early days of the pandemic." There is tremendous variability between states in the extent to which they rely on consumption taxes versus income taxes. Oregon, on the other hand, has no sales tax, but has a progressive income tax system that tops out at 9.9%. Specifically, the researchers drew on each state's tax revenue data, as well as three state-level health-related policies that were widespread during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic: stay-at-home orders, restaurant closures and bar closures. "We wanted to account for those variables because they are indicators of conservative political orientation, which could also inform policy decisions on things like stay-at-home orders," Goldman says. "We wanted to see if there was a possible relationship between tax revenue and public-health policy, so we used statistical tools to account for these political proxies." The researchers found that states without a sales tax were associated with longer stay-at-home orders than states that did have a sales tax. "We also looked at county-by-county data for the states of Virginia and Georgia - and, again, the correlation was there. "Studies like this one underscore the complex set of issues that inform public-health decisions and could shed light on how tax policies can constrain or influence policy issues seemingly unrelated to state revenue." The paper, "Is State Tax Policy Associated with State-Level COVID-19 Restrictions?," is published open access in the journal Contemporary Accounting Research. The paper was co-authored by Stephen Lusch, the Deloitte-Touche Professor of Accountancy in the University of Kentucky's Gatton College of Business and Economics and by Luke Watson, an associate professor of accounting and information systems at Villanova University. Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please check the box above to proceed. While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) was not associated with an increased risk for gastric non-cardia adenocarcinoma in a large population-based study spanning five Nordic countries. After accounting for multiple sources of bias that have affected earlier research, the apparent association seen in some prior studies disappeared, leading the investigators to conclude that long-term PPI use may not be associated with an increased risk for gastric adenocarcinoma. The findings “may offer relief for patients who need long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy in the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease or for other clear indications,” wrote Jesper Lagergren, MD, PhD, with Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, and colleagues. Daniela Jodorkovsky, MD, who wasn't involved in the study but reviewed it for Medscape Medical News, agreed. “Because this study was very rigorous in its methodology and had a huge number of patients, the lack of association is very reassuring. I think this puts an end to the worry about risk of gastric cancer and PPI use in the general population,” said Jodorkovsky, director of the Mount Sinai Center for GI Physiology and Motility, Mount Sinai West and Morningside, and associate professor of medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. Concerns about long-term PPI use and gastric cancer have persisted since these agents were introduced in the 1980s. Observational studies and meta-analyses published in recent years have suggested an increased risk for gastric cancer among PPI users, with pooled estimates approaching a twofold increase. Key limitations include low statistical power, short and incomplete follow-up, inclusion of PPI exposure shortly before gastric cancer was diagnosed (protopathic bias), differences in classification of cases, and inadequate adjustment for Helicobacter pylori-related factors. To address these concerns, Lagergren and colleagues did a multinational population-based case-control study using prospectively collected registry data from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. The final analysis included 17,232 gastric non-cardia adenocarcinoma cases and 172,297 matched control individuals, with long-term PPI use in 10.2% of cases and 9.5% of control individuals. In crude analyses, long-term PPI use appeared to be associated with an increased risk for gastric non-cardia adenocarcinoma (odds ratio [OR], 1.16), but this association was eliminated after multivariable adjustment (OR, 1.01), especially for H pylori-related variables. A similar null association was observed for long-term H2RA use (adjusted OR, 1.03). Additional analyses demonstrated how methodological choices could produce misleading positive associations, the authors noted. For example, when the exclusion window before diagnosis was shortened from 12 months to 6 months, an increased risk for gastric non-cardia adenocarcinoma emerged (OR, 1.11). In addition, long-term PPI users had an increased risk for gastric adenocarcinoma when analyses included cardia adenocarcinoma (OR, 1.13), with a similar association for long-term H2RA use (OR, 1.14). While the findings provide reassurance regarding gastric cancer risk for patients who require prolonged acid-suppressive therapy, the authors cautioned that long-term PPI use may cause side effects and increase the risk of some other “potentially serious” conditions, such as Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea, osteoporosis, and nutrient malabsorption — underscoring the need to “balance the benefits and disadvantages” of long-term PPI use and to regularly reassess ongoing indications for therapy. Jodorkovsky said it's important to note that the study was done in Nordic countries, which may have a different ethnic and racial mix than other countries. “Therefore, the results are reassuring on a population level but may not be generalizable to specific patient populations with high rates of H pylori or patients with other risk factors for gastric cancer, such as family history,” Jodorkovsky told Medscape Medical News.

A new study comparing children with autism, ADHD, and both conditions reveals that comorbidity may alter how cognitive abilities relate to emotional and behavioral regulation, offering new insight into why children with both diagnoses may require more tailored assessment and intervention strategies. Study: Cognitive and emotional profiles in children with ASD, ADHD, and comorbid presentations: evidence for a distinct clinical phenotype. A recent study in Frontiers in Psychiatry investigated the cognitive and emotional-behavioral profiles of children with ASD, ADHD, and those with both conditions, to determine whether comorbidity may represent a distinct clinical phenotype requiring tailored assessment and intervention approaches. ASD and ADHD are highly prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders that begin in childhood and persist across the lifespan. ASD is defined by deficits in social communication and restricted, repetitive behaviors, while ADHD is characterized by persistent patterns of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Both conditions are associated with significant cognitive, emotional, and adaptive impairments, often resulting in academic, social, and behavioral challenges. Both ASD and ADHD exhibit executive function (EF) deficits. ASD is associated with broad EF impairments, including cognitive inhibition and planning, while ADHD shows pronounced deficits in inhibitory control, sustained attention, and regulation. ADHD is primarily linked to externalizing symptoms (e.g., aggression, rule-breaking), while ASD is associated with internalizing traits (e.g., social withdrawal, affective flattening). Epidemiological data have revealed that up to 70% of children with ASD meet ADHD criteria, and 30–50% of children with ADHD exhibit autistic traits. Clarifying whether ASD+ADHD is a distinct neurodevelopmental phenotype or an additive syndrome is essential for diagnostic accuracy and targeted treatment. Recent large-scale genomic research highlighted pleiotropy across neurodevelopmental phenotypes, supporting a dimensional model. Methodological shortcomings have limited the understanding of whether the comorbid group is a discrete phenotype or an additive syndrome. Researchers hypothesized that the ASD+ADHD group would display lower working memory, processing speed, and full-scale IQ, alongside broader behavioral-emotional dysregulation with elevated internalizing and externalizing symptoms. They also proposed that cognitive abilities would correlate with behavioral outcomes in ASD and ADHD, but not in ASD+ADHD, indicating a potential disruption in the typical relationship between cognitive abilities and emotional-behavioral regulation in the comorbid group. A total of 207 children and adolescents, between 6 and 16, were assessed using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL 6–18). Demographic analyses indicated comparable sex distribution across all groups, with the ASD+ADHD group exhibiting a marginally younger mean age. In the cognitive profile, no group differences emerged for verbal comprehension or perceptual reasoning. This indicates that on cognitive measures, the comorbid group showed a profile more similar to ADHD than ASD, while behavioral findings showed a broader and more mixed pattern across symptom domains. The largest effect was seen in global cognitive functioning. CBCL behavioral profiles showed that the ASD group had higher withdrawn/depressed scores, reflecting greater social withdrawal and low mood. No significant group differences were found for internalizing or total behavioral symptom severity. On DSM-oriented CBCL scales, ADHD and ASD+ADHD groups had higher ADHD and conduct-related problems than ASD alone. Supplementary scales revealed that Sluggish Cognitive Tempo and Obsessive–Compulsive Problems were more prominent in ASD and ASD+ADHD, compared to ADHD. Correlation analyses demonstrated that in both ADHD and ASD groups, greater cognitive abilities, particularly verbal comprehension, working memory, and overall IQ, were associated with reduced behavioral and emotional problems, especially in the domains of attention, social functioning, and mood regulation. In ASD+ADHD, cognitive functioning showed fewer associations with behavioral symptoms, but moderate links with school performance and overall competence remained; unusually, higher verbal scores were weakly associated with more oppositional symptoms, suggesting unique dynamics in the comorbid group. Children with both ASD and ADHD tended to show cognitive and behavioral characteristics that partly overlapped with those seen in ADHD, particularly in cognitive domains such as working memory, processing speed, and overall IQ. However, contrary to expectations, they did not exhibit the highest levels of externalizing symptoms. While strong cognitive skills appeared to help buffer against behavioral and emotional challenges in ASD and ADHD individually, this protective role was less evident in children with both conditions. These findings suggest that the co-occurrence of ASD and ADHD may disrupt the typical relationship between cognitive abilities and emotional-behavioral regulation, highlighting the need for tailored approaches in assessment and intervention for this potentially distinct clinical group. However, the authors caution that conclusions about a discrete phenotype remain tentative and should be confirmed in larger studies with more comprehensive clinical and demographic data. The researchers also note several limitations, including a relatively small ASD-only sample, a retrospective cross-sectional design, and reliance on parent-reported behavioral measures, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Download your PDF copy by clicking here. Narzisi, A. et al. (2026) Cognitive and emotional profiles in children with ASD, ADHD, and comorbid presentations: Evidence for a distinct clinical phenotype. Priyom holds a Ph.D. in Plant Biology and Biotechnology from the University of Madras, India. Priyom has also co-authored several original research articles that have been published in reputed peer-reviewed journals. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report: Kids with autism and ADHD show different cognition–behavior patterns than single diagnoses. "Kids with autism and ADHD show different cognition–behavior patterns than single diagnoses". "Kids with autism and ADHD show different cognition–behavior patterns than single diagnoses". Kids with autism and ADHD show different cognition–behavior patterns than single diagnoses. Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. To start a conversation, please log into your AZoProfile account first, or create a new account. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please check the box above to proceed. While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. 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LabVantage Solutions, Inc., a global provider of laboratory informatics solutions and services, today announced the launch of LabVantage CORTEX, a next-generation artificial intelligence (AI), analytics, and automation platform. The launch represents a strategic evolution of the company's laboratory informatics portfolio, integrating advanced AI and smarter automation into the core LabVantage LIMS experience to help laboratories operate with greater accuracy, efficiency, and confidence. LabVantage CORTEX provides a customer-centric AI analytics and automation ecosystem that helps laboratories improve efficiency, reduce errors, and deepen data insights to accelerate R&D. This shift is timely, as a recent survey found that more than 75 % of labs plan to implement AI and machine learning technologies within the next two years. LabVantage CORTEX complements and expands the capabilities of LabVantage LIMS, enabling more adaptive, self-optimizing lab environments. LabVantage CORTEX is more than just an upgrade; it is a fundamental reimagining of how laboratories interact with their data and processes, LabVantage CORTEX positions our customers at the forefront of laboratory innovation, enabling autonomous workflows, predictive quality control, and seamless regulatory compliance.” Gary Stimson, Principal Architect and Head of AI Technologies, LabVantage Solutions At the core of LabVantage CORTEX is a marriage between AI-driven innovation and the stable LIMS environment. LabVantage CORTEX is a multi-tenant, cloud-native platform where autonomous AI agents can orchestrate complex laboratory tasks inside the core LIMS. This approach allows laboratories to adopt rapid AI advancements without the downtime or risk of a full system upgrade. By utilizing this cloud-native foundation, LabVantage provides a seamless, low risk migration path for existing customers. Designed as a cloud-native, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)-based platform, LabVantage CORTEX integrates seamlessly with Internet of Things (IoT) devices and digital twin technologies to support real-time environmental monitoring, predictive maintenance, and proactive laboratory management. Together, these capabilities allow laboratories to remain agile, scalable, and prepared for future demands. Mikael Hagstroem, chief executive officer of LabVantage Solutions, described LabVantage CORTEX as a proof point for the company's vision for an autonomous lab ecosystem where agentic AI enables scientists to focus on discovery, not routine tasks. He further stated, “LabVantage is committed to steadily improving LabVantage CORTEX with semantic capabilities, more agentic AI features, and seamless integration with new technologies. Our aim is to help customers speed up discovery and reach the market faster while supporting scientific advancement and operational efficiency.” LabVantage CORTEX introduces a range of AI-enabled features designed to address persistent operational challenges, including: These capabilities are intended to reduce manual effort, minimize errors, streamline workflows, and provide actionable insights across the laboratory lifecycle. To explore how LabVantage CORTEX can optimize your laboratory operations, please visit www.labvantage.com, or meet LabVantage leaders at Pittcon 2026 (March 7-11) in San Antonio, TX (Henry B. González Convention Center, Booth #2837). Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report: News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. To start a conversation, please log into your AZoProfile account first, or create a new account. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please check the box above to proceed. While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

A new study from researchers at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill finds that middle and high school students spend nearly one-third of the school day on their smartphones, checking them dozens of times, often for social media and entertainment, with frequent checking linked to weaker attention and impulse control. The research examined how often adolescents use their phones during school and whether that behavior is related to their ability to focus and regulate attention. By objectively tracking smartphone use every hour over a two-week period, the study generated thousands of real-world data points, allowing researchers to see how phone use unfolds throughout the school day rather than relying on self-reports or daily averages. The study found that students who checked their phones more frequently showed poorer cognitive control, a key skill for learning and academic success. "What surprised us most was the sheer amount of time teens are on their phones during school," said Kaitlyn Burnell, research assistant professor at UNC-Chapel Hill and co-author of the study. This distinction is important, as it suggests that interruptions caused by repeated phone checking may be particularly disruptive to learning. "As states and school districts across the country adopt new phone policies, our findings provide support for limiting access to smart phones during school hours" said Telzer. "Policies that restrict access to highly reinforcing platforms, including social media and entertainment apps, during instructional time may help protect students' attention and academic engagement." The findings provide concrete, objective evidence that can inform future school policies and digital literacy programs, offering a path toward more targeted approaches to managing smartphones in educational settings while preserving the benefits of technology when used intentionally. The research paper is available online in JAMA. Telzer, E. H., & Burnell, K. (2026) Smartphone Use During School Hours and Association With Cognitive Control in Youths Aged 11 to 18 Years. Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease（MASLD） is characterized by excessive accumulation of lipids in hepatocytes and is closely associated with the rapid rise in insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes prevalence, making it one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. Fatty liver can lead to systemic metabolic dysfunction and further progress to steatohepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. However, current clinical interventions are limited to lifestyle and dietary modifications, with no effective drugs or therapies available for MASLD. Hepatic lipid metabolism dysregulation, caused by an imbalance between lipid acquisition and utilization, is a primary driver of MASLD, with fatty acid uptake being a critical step facilitated by fatty acid transporters such as CD36. CD36 can undergo various modifications, including palmitoylation, and dynamic palmitoylation directly regulates fatty acid uptake by altering its membrane localization and endocytic processes. Recently, a study revealed that CD36 expression and palmitoylation are regulated by the tumor suppressor gene EVA1A in hepatocellular carcinoma, making it a key regulator of hepatic lipid metabolism. This study was conducted by the team of Associate Professor Ning Li at Qingdao University. In liver tissue from patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and concomitant fatty liver disease, the expression of the tumor suppressor gene EVA1A was significantly downregulated. Liver-specific Eva1a knockout mice, generated using the Cre/Loxp recombination system, developed marked hepatic steatosis and exhibited disordered fat and fatty acid metabolism, indicating a direct causal role for EVA1A deficiency in hepatic lipid dysregulation. In genetically obese ob/ob mice (a model of hereditary obesity and fatty liver), specific restoration of hepatic Eva1a expression via tail-vein injection of an adeno-associated virus (AAV-Eva1a) significantly improved liver steatosis. EVA1A Regulates Hepatic Lipid Homeostasis by Modulating CD36 Expression and Its Palmitoylation. Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. Please check the box above to proceed. While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

The prevalence of physical activity among the global population has remained low for the last two decades despite a majority of countries making notable progress in developing policies that include physical activity, UTHealth Houston researchers found. The study was published today in Nature Health and led by principal investigator Andrea Ramirez Varela, MD, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in the Department of Epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health. Ramirez Varela, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics at McGovern Medical School, UTHealth Houston According to Ramirez Varela's research, 92% of countries have at least one policy document addressing physical activity. Of those countries, 35% have a policy specifically dedicated to physical activity. While that's a significant increase from the number of countries that had such policies in 2004, researchers found that 1 in 3 adults worldwide are still not meeting the World Health Organization physical activity guidelines. According to WHO, adults should get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity weekly. Using a combination of information taken from interviews, peer-reviewed research, and policy documents from 218 countries between 2004 and 2025, Ramirez Varela and her team sought to propose solutions for how countries can translate physical activity guidelines into action. "What we see in other modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases – like smoking, alcohol, nutrition – they have a lot of prioritization, and there is a lot of activity around putting them first. For physical activity, it has been different," Ramirez Varela said. "We wanted to really understand why after all this apparent improvement in policy development, there was no change or the translation of this into the real world." Ramirez Varela's team proposed that countries take a more proactive approach to defining and framing the issue of physical activity. Physical activity should also be framed as having both individual and population-level benefits, the team said. "Physical activity should be embedded in the way we design our cities, helping create communities where people want to live and move more," Ramirez Varela said. Physical activity spans multiple sectors, yet the conversation has largely been focused on health." "Almost thirty years ago, smoking was far less regulated. People were allowed to smoke on airplanes, indoors, and in most public spaces. Today, both tobacco industry and smoking behavior are subject to extensive regulations," Ramirez Varela said. "We can build that same level of policy commitment for physical activity. The research was published in conjunction with two other population-level studies about physical activity, which Ramirez Varela co-authored. Ramirez Varela's work builds on more than two decades of research into physical activity that was first published in The Lancet in 2012. Subsequent studies into physical activity were also published in 2016 and 2021. The late Harold W. Kohl III, PhD, professor of epidemiology at UTHealth Houston School of Public Health, also co-authored the paper. Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Infectious disease can afflict a population in complex ways. Understanding the varying risks is an equally complex challenge. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offers a general metric for assessing the risk of natural disasters in a region in terms of Social Vulnerability Index (SVI), which includes socioeconomic and cultural factors that impact how a region can adapt to a disaster. Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis wanted to take a more specific approach for assessing a state's risk for influenza-like illness. Their work, now published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology, provides a state-level vulnerability map revealing significant regional disparities between states at higher risk for infection. Unlike previous models that mostly rely on health data for determining a region's disease risk, Chakrabarty's team used machine learning algorithms that can crunch census data and determine the non-linear relationships between socioeconomic factors, health indicators and vulnerability to flu. "Vulnerability does not come from a single factor, but is shaped by urbanization, demographics, healthcare access and economic disparities," Chakrabarty said. Each state has its own unique "fingerprint" of risk factors, neatly mapped out in the research. Policymakers in some places may need to better understand the combined effect of different socioeconomic factors on disease spread, like in more dense metros with a high number of foreign-born populations. All states will likely need to do "all the above" in some form, Chakrabarty said, but they will benefit from putting extra resources where targeted interventions might make the biggest difference. For example, the District of Columbia, is the most "at risk" region in part because it is characterized by high population density and mobility (which allows easy spread of viruses) and increased risks due to a sizable uninsured foreign-born population and longer commute times. In contrast, states with large rural regions, such as New Mexico and Arizona, also exhibit heightened flu vulnerability. But in these states the vulnerability is due to different factors, like the higher numbers of aging, female and Hispanic people - a population more at risk for flu complications. Michigan faces dual challenges - high transmission risks in cities and economic hardships in rural areas - noted Shrabani Sailaja Tripathy, postdoctoral associate in Chakrabarty's lab and lead author of the research. Every state has a complicated picture, but policymakers now have a new tool that they can apply when they consider vulnerability to any infectious disease, Tripathy said. "This can help strengthen our epidemic preparedness and response," Chakrabarty said. Spatial variation in socio-economic vulnerability to Influenza-like Infection for the US population. Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

A large prospective study links specific gut microbes and diet-derived metabolites to future cardiometabolic disease risk, highlighting how the microbiome may reflect lifestyle factors shaping long-term heart health. While a few microbes were linked to increased cardiovascular risk, others appeared protective. Although the microbiota has limited diagnostic value, it shows promise as a potential target for early preventive interventions. Notably, Eubacterium xylanophilum group species remained significantly associated after adjustments. The findings also connect plant-based diets, microbial metabolites, and heart health, highlighting diet and microbiome-focused research as potential preventive strategies. The human intestinal microbiome is strongly linked to cardiometabolic health. Evidence from animal models and fecal microbiota transplantation studies shows that microbial communities can influence atherosclerosis and insulin resistance. Clinical trials further suggest that key microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) help regulate glucose metabolism, blood pressure, and appetite. However, much of the evidence is derived from cross-sectional studies. Although associations between gut microbiota patterns and cardiometabolic risk are established, longitudinal human studies examining sustained effects of microbiome composition and inferred metabolic function remain limited. In this prospective analysis, researchers examined whether gut microbiome composition predicts long-term cardiometabolic outcomes. The researchers included 4,792 adults from the Healthy Life in an Urban Setting (HELIUS) study (2011, 2015) who had not used antibiotics. They analyzed fecal samples collected from these participants at baseline using 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing to characterize microbial composition. Subsequently, they assessed circulating metabolites using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography, tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) in a subgroup of 105 participants. In addition, they linked hospital and mortality registry data from January 2011 to January 2024 to identify major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). The team also assessed an expanded cardiovascular outcome (MACE+) that included angina pectoris and other cardiovascular diagnoses recorded in registries. They used the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) codes to identify these adverse events. The team used logistic regression models to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for associations between microbial features and incident cardiometabolic conditions. In addition, they used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) for MACE in cardiovascular disease among free participants at baseline. Study covariates included age, sex, body mass index, alcohol use, and smoking status. The researchers assessed alpha diversity using the Shannon index and beta diversity using Bray-Curtis distances, stratifying results by ethnic group. They also evaluated potential confounding by dietary factors, including sodium and macronutrient intake. The team analyzed serum data from a subset of 105 participants to identify metabolites linked to MACE and associated microbes. The cohort comprised predominantly middle-aged adults (mean age 50 years), with women representing 53%, primarily of Dutch, African Surinamese, and South Asian Surinamese origin. MACE and MACE+ occurred most frequently among South Asian Surinamese participants. The team found associations between several microbes and cardiovascular disease risk. In contrast, Ruminococcus gnavus group species was associated with increased risk in analyses of the expanded cardiovascular endpoint (MACE+) (HR, 1.10). However, these associations generally became non-significant after adjustment for covariates. Notably, only E. xylanophilum group species remained significant in fully adjusted models (HR, 0.85). Participants who developed diabetes, dyslipidemia, or hypertension showed slightly lower microbial diversity, although diversity differences were modest and not strong predictors of disease risk. In general, Lachnospiraceae taxa, Colidextribacter, and Christensenellaceae species showed protective associations. Metabolomic analyses linked risk-associated microbes with bile acids and acylcarnitine-related metabolites. Protective taxa correlated with plant-derived microbial compounds, including xenobiotics such as 3-phenylpropionate, cinnamoylglycine, and enterolactone sulfate. These metabolites, likely reflecting microbial metabolism of plant-derived dietary compounds, underscore potential diet-microbiome interactions in cardiovascular protection. The findings demonstrate that the composition of the gut microbiome is longitudinally linked to cardiometabolic disease and may serve as an early indicator of cardiovascular risk shaped by lifestyle. Protective microbes were associated with plant and diet-derived metabolites, highlighting important diet-microbe interactions. Notably, Eubacterium xylanophilum group species remained significantly protective after full adjustment, making it a candidate organism for further investigation rather than a confirmed therapeutic target. Future studies should include repeated microbiome sampling, larger metabolomics datasets, external validation cohorts, and experimental work to guide microbiome and dietary strategies for cardiovascular risk reduction. The authors also note that microbiome profiles were measured at a single baseline time point, which may limit causal interpretation. Her academic background is in Oral Medicine and Radiology. 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Current tests often measure the levels of two proteins-amyloid beta (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau)-in the blood or spinal fluid, but these markers may not fully capture earlier biological changes linked to disease progression. Now, scientists at Scripps Research have developed a blood-based approach that examines how proteins are folded in the bloodstream rather than simply measuring their concentrations. Their study, published in Nature Aging on February 27, 2026, reports that structural differences in three plasma proteins are associated with disease status and can distinguish cognitively normal individuals from those with Alzheimer's and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) with high accuracy. The new test could help move diagnosis and intervention to an earlier stage. Many neurodegenerative diseases are driven by changes in protein structure. The question was, are there structural changes in specific proteins that might be useful as predictive markers?" Alzheimer's has long been associated with amyloid plaques and tau tangles in the brain. But growing evidence suggests the disease reflects a broader breakdown in proteostasis, the system that keeps proteins properly folded and removes damaged ones. To test whether structural changes in blood proteins could serve as disease markers, the team analyzed plasma samples from 520 people across three groups: cognitively normal adults, individuals with mild cognitive impairment and patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Using mass spectrometry, the researchers measured how exposed or buried specific protein sites were-an indicator of structural change-and used machine-learning algorithms to identify patterns associated with disease stage. The results revealed a consistent trend across all patient groups: as Alzheimer's progressed, certain blood proteins became less structurally "open." These structural changes provided a stronger signal for distinguishing disease stage than measuring protein levels alone. Among hundreds of candidates, three proteins stood out: C1QA, involved in immune signaling; clusterin, associated with protein folding and amyloid clearance; and apolipoprotein B, which helps transport fats in the bloodstream and plays a role in blood vessel health. "The correlation was amazing," says co-author Casimir Bamberger, a senior scientist at Scripps Research. Structural differences at specific sites within these proteins enabled the researchers to classify individuals as cognitively normal, MCI or Alzheimer's with approximately 83% overall accuracy. In two-way comparisons, such as distinguishing healthy individuals from those with MCI, accuracy exceeded 93%. The three-marker model performed consistently across independent cohorts and remained accurate when tested on follow-up samples months later. In repeat blood samples collected months apart, the panel classified disease status with about 86% accuracy and reflected changes in diagnostic status over time. Together, the findings suggest that measuring protein structure in blood could provide complementary information to existing amyloid and tau tests. By targeting structural changes linked to underlying disease biology, this could help distinguish disease stages, track progression and measure whether treatments are effective. "Detecting markers of Alzheimer's early is absolutely critical to developing effective therapeutics," says Yates. "If treatment can start before significant damage has been done, it may be possible to better preserve long-term memory." The new blood test will require larger validation studies with longer follow-up periods before it's ready for clinical use. Discover how Bruker is helping drive innovation in cosmetic science through advanced AFM techniques. Discover how Thermo Fisher is shaping the future of plant-based foods through texture innovation and cultural relevance. Brain microphysiological systems are reshaping in vitro neurotoxicity testing through functional validation and advanced disease modeling. News-Medical.Net provides this medical information service in accordance with these terms and conditions. Please note that medical information found on this website is designed to support, not to replace the relationship between patient and physician/doctor and the medical advice they may provide. Hi, I'm Azthena, you can trust me to find commercial scientific answers from News-Medical.net. Registered members can chat with Azthena, request quotations, download pdf's, brochures and subscribe to our related newsletter content. A few things you need to know before we start. While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.