Schatz M et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Introduction Phosphate plays a critical role in numerous metabolic processes, and sex-specific differences have been identified in its concentrations in the general population. However, such differences have not been investigated in the context of CKD, in which additional factors may exert a more pronounced impact on these levels. Methods This retrospective study was conducted in an outpatient nephrology clinic and included data from 632 patients with CKD stages 1-5. Results Serum phosphate was negatively associated with age (r = -0.08; p = 0.04) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = -0.23; p Conclusion Even in the presence of CKD, women have higher serum phosphate (P) levels than men. This sex difference should be considered in the management of CKD-mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD).
Medicine
Chandler SF et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Almost all cellular processes are influenced by ubiquitination. A large family of enzymes known as E3 ligases provides the specificity for ubiquitination, with the largest class among them, the Really Interesting New Gene (RING) E3s, comprising over 600 members in humans. RING E3s facilitate transfer of ubiquitin (Ub) to substrates by constraining the highly dynamic E2-Ub thioester linkage to be primed for attack from the substrate nucleophile. We have established a workflow that uses an N-maleimido diazirine (NMD) photoactivatable cross-linker attached to ubiquitin that, once stably linked to the active site of an E2, creates an activity-based probe (ABP) to monitor interactions with E3 ligases. Cross-linking mass spectrometry using the NMD-Ub-E2 ABP identified regions of interaction between ubiquitin and a selection of different RING E3s, which not only agreed with existing crystal structures, but was also used to evaluate in silico structural models of complexes yet to be resolved by conventional means. The cross-linking data also provided insight into domains of conformational flexibility which likely adopt multiple configurations in solution and which are challenging to monitor by other methods. NMD-Ub-E2 ABPs offer great potential to explore the ensemble conformations of E2-E3 complexes in solution and have scope for applications beyond the ubiquitin system.
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Pavlovich K et al. · Jul 1, 2026
The Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) is a widely used measure of psychopathology in developmental research and serves as the primary measure in the landmark Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study (N = 11,861; 8-11 years). However, its psychometric properties in this sample have not been assessed in detail. Analyses using a multi-method framework (CFA, B-CFA, FMM, IRT, ESEM) indicate that a commonly used bifactor structure of the CBCL does not fit the data and instead the scale can be adequately described as unidimensional. Moreover, seven of eight subscales demonstrate insufficient construct validity and are not valid indicators of any higher-order models. All exhibit poor measurement precision below the mean of the latent traits, and item-level exploratory methods produce unstable factors with weak discriminant validity. These findings suggest caution in using the CBCL for dimensional measurement in this dataset and highlight the need for measures explicitly developed and validated for dimensional psychopathology in population-scale research. SUMMARY: The CBCL is a widely used measure of child and adolescent psychopathology, but its psychometric properties in the ABCD study cohort remain unclear. Using a multi-method approach we show that the CBCL is unidimensional and is not well represented by the commonly used bifactor model. CBCL subscales demonstrate insufficient construct validity and demonstrate poor measurement precision across the latent trait continuum. In combination, our findings caution against the use of the CBCL for dimensional measurement of developmental psychopathology in the ABCD study cohort.
Decision Sciences
Nabhani R et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Background Antioxidants have gained significant attention for improving sperm parameters. Green tea and catechin, known for their potent antioxidant properties, are particularly interesting in this context. Objective This study investigated the in vitro effects of green tea extract (GTE) and (+)-catechin on semen quality parameters of Arabi rams during chilled storage. Methods The pooled and diluted semen was divided and supplemented with GTE and (+)-catechin (50, 100, 150 and 200 µg/mL levels). The control group did not receive any supplements. Sperm quality and semen pH were evaluated at 1, 24, 48 and 72 h after storage. Seminal plasma MDA level was measured at 72 h of semen storage. Results Supplementation with GTE and (+)-catechin improved sperm motility more than control (p Conclusions GTE and catechin enhance semen parameters during chilled storage, with optimal effects at specific concentrations. High levels of GTE may negatively impact sperm quality, underscoring the importance of precise dosing in semen preservation.
Medicine
Akimoto Y et al. · Jul 1, 2026
The prosodic characteristics of a native language greatly influence early language acquisition. Yet, Japanese mothers are known to use a specific prosodic structure in infant-directed vocabulary (IDV)-specifically, three-mora, two-syllable words with a heavy-light pattern-which, crucially, differs from the standard prosodic rhythm of adult vocabulary. This study used near-infrared spectroscopy to examine hemodynamic responses to the Japanese IDV form in 5-month-old (n = 31) and 9-month-old (n = 34) Japanese infants, targeting the period before and during the emergence of this preference. The results revealed that oxygenated hemoglobin was greater for the IDV form than for the non-IDV form in the left superior temporal gyrus (STG) for both age groups, consistent with the advantage of the IDV form observed in previous behavioral studies. Furthermore, this effect was localized to the left middle and left posterior STG in 5- and 9-month-old infants, respectively, highlighting early sensitivity to its prosodic structure followed by the emergence of phonological representation. This cortical shift, along with an observed trend toward adult-like patterns, may suggest a broader transition from perceptually accessible IDV structures to the more diverse patterns of standard adult vocabulary. Although 5-month-old infants who have not yet exhibited a preference for the IDV form may not have developed specific phonological representations, their brains' ability to process its prosodic pattern could serve as a foundation for subsequent learning. These findings demonstrate that the specific structure of Japanese IDV acts as a foundational scaffold, guiding the transition from initial prosodic tuning to mature word-level processing. SUMMARY: Early sensitivity to prosodic structure was observed in 5-month-old Japanese infants. Emerging phonological representation was observed in 9-month-old Japanese infants. Japanese infant-directed vocabulary form serves as a prosodic template.
Psychology
Hadarics M. · Jul 1, 2026
A growing body of evidence shows that national identity is positively related to attitudes toward societal and political systems. Yet much less is known about contextual factors that may modify this relationship. Distinguishing two facets of national identity-attachment and pride-and focusing on perceived democratic quality as a core system attitude, we test whether the links between these identity dimensions and system attitudes vary with the actual quality of democracy. Using data from 92 countries in the combined World Values Survey/European Values Study (N = 156,658), augmented with country-level indicators, multilevel structural equation models show that the association between national pride and perceived democratic quality is stronger in less democratic countries, whereas the effect of attachment is context-invariant. These findings suggest that national pride is associated with a positively biased perception of democratic quality that diverges from reality in illiberal or weak democracies, thereby complicating the predominantly positive framing of national pride in the social psychological literature on national identity.
Psychology
Cao S et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Research shows that spreading conspiracy theories impacts leaders' reputations; yet, it remains unclear how leaders are viewed when their theories are debunked. Across four studies (N = 1437), we explored whether conveying a conspiracy theory, regardless of its accuracy, influences followers' impressions of leader dominance, competence and warmth. Participants evaluated leaders who either incorrectly perceived (false-positive) or incorrectly misperceived (false-negative) a conspiracy about the cause of a simulated crisis. During intergroup conflict, false-positive leaders were seen as less warm, similarly competent, yet more dominant than false-negative leaders. The dominance gap grew when the consequences of overlooking a conspiracy were more severe. Conversely, in the absence of conflict, false-positive leaders were perceived as less warm and competent than false-negative leaders. These findings support an error management approach to conspiracy theories: Leaders who spread conspiracy theories, even if later debunked, are still perceived as strong leaders, particularly in conflict settings.
Social Sciences
Herrera-González A et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Context Obesity and micronutrient deficiencies in the pediatric population of Mexico pose significant public health challenges. However, the relationship between these two conditions is still being studied. Objective To systematically review evidence on the association between overweight and obesity and micronutrient deficiencies among Mexican children and adolescents. Data sources A systematic search was conducted in 13 databases and one search engine. Data analysis Sixteen studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. A total of 20 043 participants were included across the included studies, and the results were highly varied, as not all micronutrients showed a significant deficit in the presence of obesity. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin E deficiencies were noted among participants with obesity; however, these did not significantly differ from those of individuals with normal weight. Current evidence suggests that Mexican children who have overweight or obesity are more likely to have zinc, iron, and vitamins D and B6 deficiency. A random-effects meta-analysis of 4 studies showed that children who have overweight or obesity were significantly more likely to have a deficit of vitamin D (odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% CI, 1.46-2.32), which was stronger for school-aged children (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.56-2.55). Conclusion Current evidence suggests that Mexican children and adolescents who have overweight or obesity are more likely to experience vitamin D deficiency, and some evidence suggests that they are also prone to zinc, iron, and vitamin B6 deficiencies. For this reason, health-promotion and -prevention efforts must be comprehensive and address micronutrient deficiencies, common risk factors, and broader social determinants linked to noncommunicable diseases. Systematic review registration PROSPERO registration no. CRD42019154132.
Nursing
Willowson KP et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Both hardware and software developments have seen single photon emission CT (SPECT)/X-ray CT technology grow at a rapid rate. Such growth has been fuelled by the need for clinical applications and has provided inspiration for clinical developments, particularly with the expanding role of theranostics. Developments such as whole-body quantitative reconstructions, digital detectors, and recent multidetector 3D geometry have allowed SPECT to become comparable to PET on a number of fronts, with a particularly powerful role in biodistribution and dosimetry studies for both planning and evaluating radionuclide therapy. Whilst there remain fundamental challenges for SPECT such the limited spatial resolution and sensitivity, the unique opportunity to image long-lived radioisotopes and simultaneous multi-tracer studies, together with easily accessible equipment, makes SPECT/CT a valuable clinical asset. This review discusses developments in SPECT/CT technology and their clinical impact.
Medicine
Zhang Y et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Aging is characterized by progressive physiological decline and age-related pathologies, yet the molecular determinants underlying lineage- and species-specific aging traits remain poorly understood. Although protein-coding regulators have dominated aging research, the contribution of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), particularly primate-specific lncRNAs, has not been systematically explored. Here, through evolutionary screening and cross-species aging-associated analyses, we identified a set of primate-specific lncRNAs (including LINC01021, CTC-575 l10.1, CTA-150C2.13, and RP11-305F18.1, etc.) associated with human aging, and we functionally characterized LINC01021 as a representative candidate to assess their causal involvement. In human cells, LINC01021 promotes cellular senescence, whereas its silencing attenuates senescence-associated phenotypes. Mechanistically, LINC01021 is predominantly located in the nucleus, where it facilitates DAZAP1-dependent destabilization of RBMX mRNA, leading to activation of the P53 pathway and induction of canonical senescence features. At the organismal level, ectopic expression of human LINC01021 in mice contributes to aging-like phenotypes, including increased frailty and impaired motor coordination. Together, these findings implicate primate-specific lncRNAs in lineage-restricted aging and highlight an evolutionarily recent regulatory layer that may modulate aging trajectories.
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology