Ko NT et al. · Jul 1, 2026
In humans, the ligamentum mucosum (LM) is described as a ligamentous structure originating from the femoral intercondylar notch and inserting into the infrapatellar fat pad. Proposed clinical implications include knee stabilization, contribution to post-operative revascularization of adjacent structures, and causation of anterior knee pain if inflamed. Published reports of the LM are rare in dogs and, to our knowledge, none exist for cats. Because common veterinary gross anatomy texts omit the LM from their descriptive anatomy of the stifle, students sometimes mistake the LM for the cranial cruciate ligament. Therefore, a description of the LM in the feline and canine stifle would serve as an important veterinary anatomy learning resource. The aim of this project was to characterize the LM in the cat and dog. Stifles were dissected from 62 cat hindlimbs (n = 24 preserved, n = 38 fresh) and 47 dog hindlimbs (n = 9 preserved, n = 38 fresh). The presence or absence of the LM was determined and described. Representative samples were processed for haematoxylin and eosin staining. Grossly, the LM was found bilaterally in 95.2% of cats and in 83.0% of canine limbs, appearing as an elastic, friable band of white-to-pink tissue tethering the infrapatellar fat pad to the femoral intercondylar notch. Histological samples revealed collagen fibrils, vascular structures and neural tissue. These data provide evidence of the LM in the cat and dog, and bolster currently available anatomic educational resources. The presence of the LM in the canine and feline stifle merits further investigation into its function in health and disease states.
Veterinary
Cruz BOD et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Introduction The transcription factor BTB and CNC homology 1 (Bach1) represses the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), which controls antioxidant gene expression, and its role in chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains unclear. Methods CKD was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy in rats. Kidney fibrosis and oxidative stress markers were measured. The gene expression of Nrf2, Bach1, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was assessed. Results CKD increased oxidative stress markers in plasma, kidney, and heart, as well as promoted kidney fibrosis. Moreover, CKD reduced cardiac Nrf2 expression. However, Bach1, Nrf2, and NF-κB remained unchanged in the kidney. Conclusion CKD did not modulate Bach1 mRNA levels in the kidneys of 5/6 nephrectomized rats.
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology
Gotine AREM et al. · Jul 1, 2026
To conduct a pragmatic clinical trial with multiple micronutrient powders (MNPs) for anaemia prevention during the first year of life in primary care in Nampula, Mozambique. A total of 275 infants, aged 6-8 months, were randomly assigned to intervention (IG, n = 145) and control (CG, n = 130) groups. The IG received 90 sachets of MNP for daily use up to 180 days; the CG received standard care. Haemoglobin (Hb) was measured at baseline and after 6 months. Analysis used linear regression adjusted for child and maternal variables (p < 0.05). At baseline, mean Hb (95% CI) was 102.2 g/L (100.4-104.0) in the IG and 103.8 g/L (102.0-105.7) in the CG, with corresponding anaemia rates (Hb < 105 g/L) of 55.2% (47.1; 63.0%) and 47.7% (39.3; 56.2%). After intervention, IG had 106.2 g/L (104.2-108.1) vs CG 99.5 g/L (97.3-101.8), with anaemia rates of 36% (27.8; 45.1) and 67.3% (57.9; 75.4), respectively. Adjusted mean intra-group difference of haemoglobin (g/L) from baseline to follow-up was +2.8 in IG and -4.3 in CG. MNPs improved haemoglobin levels, supporting their potential for anaemia control in vulnerable populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://ensaiosclinicos.gov.br/rg/RBR-4r37q7z. Registered 11/11/2024.
Medicine
Durrwachter R et al. · Jul 1, 2026
In people, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with high-resolution, high T2-weighted (T2w) contrast-balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) pulse sequences and 3D fast spoiled gradient-echo (FSPGR) pulse sequences can improve visualization of cranial nerves (CNs) and associated osseous foramina. This prospective, observational study aimed to determine whether the addition of b-SSFP and FSPGR sequences improves confidence in the identification of canine CNs compared to the standard imaging protocol at 1.5 T. The head of 10 canine cadavers was imaged, including transverse T1-weighted (T1w) and T2w fast spin echo (FSE); sagittal T2w FSE; 3D Fast Imaging Employing Steady-State Acquisition with Cycling (FIESTA-C); and 3D Liver Acquisition with Volume Acceleration (LAVA). Board-certified radiologists rated their confidence in identifying CNs II-XII using a four-point scale. Observers evaluated standard sequences alone, then with the addition of transverse FIESTA-C, and finally with the inclusion of FIESTA-C and transverse LAVA. Scores between protocols were compared with the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test. Interobserver agreement was measured with weighted kappa. Median score increased when adding FIESTA-C for all observers for nerves VII, VIII, IX, and X, and for two observers for nerves III and XI. Matched-pairs comparison revealed significant differences for nerves VII and VIII for all observers, and for nerves III, IX, X, XI, and XII for two observers. Further addition of LAVA generally did not improve confidence. Interobserver agreement was overall moderate to substantial, but slight to fair for some nerves and pulse sequences. Addition of a 3D b-SSFP sequence may improve identification of some CNs, especially VII and VIII, which are somewhat commonly affected by middle ear pathology in dogs.
Medicine
AlSedairy SA et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Adipocyte hypertrophy is an obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, which is frequently associated with decreased mitochondrial activity during adipocyte development. The current study aimed to assess the potential of epoxy clerodane diterpene (ECD) (IUPAC: 5R, 10R)-4R, 8R-dihydroxy-2S, 3R:15, 16-diepoxycleroda-13(16), 17, 12S:18,1S-dilactone) extracted from Cassia tora on adipocyte differentiation, lipid accumulation, mitochondrial function, and inflammation. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were stimulated into adipocytes using the standard differentiation medium. The methodological design included the evaluation of ECD cytotoxicity, lipid accumulation, mitochondrial membrane potential, qRT-PCR, and ELISA. ECD didn't significantly reduce the cellular viability; however, it decreased lipid accumulation by 65%, 87%, and 87.5% at doses of 2, 4, and 8 μM, respectively. Also, at 4 µM of ECD, it decreased adipocyte hypertrophy, increased mitochondrial membrane potential, raised the expression of thermogenesis-related genes (UCP-1, PPARγC1α, SREBP1c), decreased the expression of adipogenic proteins (C/EBPα, PPARγ), increased adiponectin levels, and reduced inflammatory markers (IL-4, TNF-α) compared to untreated controls. Thus, ECD may hold tremendous promise as a natural agent for controlling adipogenesis, and its impacts on lipid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and inflammatory responses demonstrate its potential for therapeutic use in the treatment of obesity and associated metabolic diseases.
Agricultural and Biological Sciences
Goble SR et al. · Jul 1, 2026
An ICD-10 code specific for hepatic encephalopathy (HE), K76.82, was introduced in October of 2022. We aimed to assess changes in HE documentation following the introduction of this code. Using the National Inpatient Sample, we compared utilization of ICD-10 codes historically used to identify HE before and after K76.82. From 2016 to 2021, 20.0% of cirrhosis hospitalizations included a non-specific HE code, decreasing to 4.7% in 2023. K76.82 was used in 20.3% of hospitalizations in 2023. The introduction of K76.82 has dramatically changed the documentation of HE, and future studies assessing HE trends and outcomes need to account for these changes.
Medicine
Silva BBRD et al. · Jul 1, 2026
The study was conducted in Brazil and aimed to systematically review empirical research examining the association between maternal indicators of anxiety, stress, and depression and the developmental outcomes of preterm children. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Scopus, LILACS, and SciELO. Sixteen studies were analyzed. The systematic review revealed a significant association between maternal anxiety, depression, and stress indicators and poorer developmental outcomes for children born prematurely. This association was observed whether it was considered a single indicator of maternal mental health or a combination of two or more indicators. The systematic review affirms the impact of maternal mental health on the development of preterm children in early childhood.
Medicine
Olar-Pop L et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Antinutrients like phytic acid and oxalates reduce mineral bioavailability by forming insoluble complexes with iron, zinc, and calcium. Probiotic supplementation may counteract these effects through enzymatic activity (e.g., phytase, oxalate decarboxylase) and microbiota modulation. This PRISMA-based meta-analysis evaluated 27 in vivo studies (chickens, mice, rats) published between 2005 and 2025. Controlled trials assessing probiotic effects on mineral absorption under antinutrient-rich diets were analyzed using random effects models, expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Probiotic supplementation may enhance selected markers of mineral bioavailability across animal models (broiler, mouse, and rats), although the certainty of evidence was low and between-study heterogeneity was substantial. In broiler chickens, probiotics increased hepatic iron (SMD = 2.05; CI: 0.91-3.20) and liver ferritin levels (SMD = 2.85; CI: 0.90-4.80). In rat models of hyperoxaluria, probiotics reduced renal calcium oxalate deposition (SMD = 0.77; p = 0.0001), though the impact on urinary oxalate levels was not significant (SMD = 0.20). In mouse models, the interventions demonstrated improved gut microbiota diversity without significant alterations in total body weight (SMD = 0.02). Based on low-certainty evidence from heterogeneous animal studies, probiotic supplementation may improve selected mineral-bioavailability outcomes and may reduce calcium oxalate deposition under antinutrient-rich conditions. These findings should be interpreted cautiously. Further well-designed, species-specific studies using standardized interventions and outcome measures are needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.
Medicine
Vogelsang DA et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Studies in animals have robustly shown that exposure to novelty can promote memory for information presented in the temporal vicinity. In humans, however, evidence for such novelty-related memory benefits has been mixed. In this EEG study, we investigated the neurobiological mechanisms underlying effects of novelty on memory and whether individual differences in exploration patterns help explain these inconsistencies. We examined the role of theta oscillations in exploring a novel or familiar environment as well as whether spatial exploration behavior can modulate the beneficial effects of novelty on memory. Participants first explored one of two virtual environments and subsequently explored the same (familiar condition) or a new environment (novel condition). After exploring novel and familiar environments, participants performed a word learning task followed by a free recall and recognition memory test. Neurologically, exploration of the familiar rather than novel environment increased theta power, which may reflect environment-related memory processes. However, we did not observe any differences in theta power associated with successful encoding of words after exploring a novel versus familiar environment. Behaviorally, no main effect of novelty on free recall was observed. Crucially, when accounting for variance in spatial exploration patterns, words encoded after exploring a novel environment were recalled better than words encoded after exploring a familiar environment. Furthermore, an interaction effect between the condition and exploratory behavior revealed that increased exploration benefitted free recall specifically in the familiar condition. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the way in which individuals explore a virtual environment when examining novelty effects on memory.
Neuroscience
Sharma L et al. · Jul 1, 2026
Maintaining mitochondrial integrity and function is fundamental to cellular homeostasis. Cells rely on coordinated protein quality control (QC) systems-including intricate chaperone-protease networks, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and cytosolic surveillance pathways-that together form a dynamic, cell-wide mitostasis network governing the import, folding, synthesis, and degradation of mitochondrial proteins. Disruption of mitochondrial homeostasis, for example, by impairing mitochondrial protein import, induces proteotoxic stress and contributes to human disease. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics has established itself as an indispensable method to dissect mitostasis at unprecedented depth by enabling systematic quantitative analysis of protein abundance, localization, interactions, stability, and dynamics. In this review, we highlight state-of-the-art MS technologies and multifaceted proteomics approaches used to study mitostasis on a proteome-wide level. These functional analysis approaches build on quantitative MS methods employing label-free, metabolic, and chemical labeling strategies, which allow precise tracking of proteome dynamics in response to different cellular conditions including stress. Spatial and interaction-based approaches, such as affinity purification-MS, proximity labeling, and complexome profiling, provide detailed insight into the organization and regulation of the complex mitochondrial organizing system, chaperone networks, and protein QC pathways. Furthermore, we discuss advanced methodologies such as nascent chain and dynamic proteomics strategies, which offer a proteome-wide comprehension of early stress responses and fast regulation. The skillful integration of temporal, spatial subcellular, interaction, nascent, and dynamic proteomics approaches now enables a systems-level assessment of mitostasis, paving the way for a holistic while nuanced understanding of this essential cellular process and the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Chemistry