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Comparative fecal microbiome analysis of the endangered Volcano rabbit (Romerolagus diazi) reveals a microbial core in contrasting habitats of Central Mexico

Herbivores show a larger microbial diversity in their guts than omnivores or carnivores. Bacterial symbionts expand the host digestion capacity by fermenting cellulose and hemicellulose. Comparisons between populations in different distribution areas can reveal how environmental conditions affect microbiota, helping to design conservation strategies. The Volcano rabbit ( Romerola gus diazi ) is the smallest lagomorph in Mexico. It is classified as endangered by Mexican legislation and as critically endangered by the IUCN, in the Red List. Here we extend our previous microbiome study to another region in Mexico from a high site near an active volcano, the Popocatépetl. In both areas, the most abundant bacterial genera included Acinetobacter , Enterobacter , Streptomyces , Bacteroides , Pseudomonas , Janthinobacterium , Flavobacterium , and Duganella . Among Archaea, Methanosarcina , Halobaculum , Thermococcus , Halorubrum , and Methanobrevibacter were prevalent. Fungal genera such as Fusarium , Ascochyta , Pyricularia , Aspergillus , and Colletotrichum were also identified. Potential functions were identified including carbohydrate, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism. The most abundant enzymes were transferases, hydrolases and oxidoreductases. The PERMANOVA test between areas for Bacteria (p = 0.26), Archaea (p = 0.21) and Fungi (p = 0.48) indicated no significant differences in the taxonomic composition or coding sequences (p = 0.5), although there were differences in relative abundances. Additionally, for archaea, genera that had not been reported previously in Volcano rabbit fecal microbiomes such as Halomicroarcula , Halomicrobium , Haloplanus , and Sulfolobus were identified, with Sulfolobus found exclusive in Izta-Popo. The Volcano rabbit fecal microbiome showed unique bacterial and archaeal profiles. Overall, these microbial communities are likely to contribute to the digestion of plant fibers, phenolic compounds, and other dietary components, underscoring their importance for the health and conservation of these endangered species.

Clinical outcomes in Caroli disease and Caroli syndrome: a longitudinal observational cohort study

Abstract Caroli’s disease (CD) and Caroli’s syndrome (CS) are rare congenital fibropolycystic liver disorders. While CS is known to be associated with more severe hepatic complications than isolated CD, direct longitudinal comparisons between the two entities remain limited due to their rarity. This single-center, retrospective, longitudinal observational cohort study descriptively compared clinical features, complications, and long-term outcomes in 19 patients diagnosed with CD ( n  = 7) or CS ( n  = 12) between November 2015 and December 2022. Diagnoses were confirmed by magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. Patients underwent standardized clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, and imaging assessments during follow-up. Outcomes included recurrent cholangitis, portal hypertension–related complications, hepatic decompensation, cholangiocarcinoma, and all-cause mortality. Statistical analyses were descriptive and exploratory. Patients with CS exhibited more frequent portal hypertension, lower platelet counts, higher bilirubin and international normalized ratio levels, and lower serum albumin compared with patients with CD. All cases of esophageal varices, hepatic decompensation, cholangiocarcinoma ( n  = 3), and death ( n  = 3) occurred exclusively in the CS group. Exploratory analyses demonstrated monotonic associations between adverse outcomes and higher aspartate aminotransferase levels, increased frequency of cholangitis episodes, thrombocytopenia, and elevated CA 19 − 9 levels. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed shorter median survival in CS compared with CD (45.0 vs. 59.0 months; log-rank p  = 0.020), which should be interpreted descriptively given the limited sample size. In this descriptive longitudinal cohort, Caroli’s syndrome was associated with a more severe clinical course and poorer outcomes than isolated Caroli’s disease, consistent with existing literature. These findings provide detailed comparative outcome data and highlight clinically relevant patterns that may inform surveillance strategies and guide future multicentre, hypothesis-driven studies. Graphical Abstract

Study protocol: A randomized controlled trial of chemoradiotherapy versus chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy for resectable pancreatic cancer (CSGO-HBP-027)

Despite advances in multimodal treatment, the long-term survival of patients with resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains poor. In Japan, neoadjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine and S-1 (GS) has demonstrated a survival benefit compared with upfront surgery. The addition of radiotherapy to chemotherapy may further improve outcomes by enhancing local tumor control and increasing R0 resection rates; however, no randomized trial has directly compared GS alone with GS plus radiotherapy (GS-RT) in patients with resectable PDAC. The CSGO-HBP-027 trial is a multicenter, randomized phase II/III study designed to evaluate whether neoadjuvant GS-RT improves survival compared with GS alone. This trial will enroll 200 patients with resectable PDAC, who will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either two cycles of GS or two cycles of GS with concurrent radiotherapy (50.4 Gy in 28 fractions), followed by surgery scheduled 3–8 weeks after completion of neoadjuvant therapy. The primary endpoint is overall survival, and secondary endpoints include resection rate, R0 resection rate, histological tumor response, progression-free survival, and safety. Overall survival will be compared between the two treatment arms using the stratified log-rank test, with adjusted hazard ratios estimated using the Cox proportional hazards model. This trial was registered with the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs051250150). The CSGO-HBP-027 trial will provide evidence on whether neoadjuvant GS-RT improves survival in patients with resectable PDAC compared with GS alone. The results of this study are expected to clarify the optimal neoadjuvant treatment strategy for resectable PDAC and to provide high-quality evidence regarding the clinical value of adding radiotherapy to GS-based neoadjuvant therapy.

Salt lakes are shrinking and expanding, causing havoc in conservation

Enhanced stability and reusability of metagenomic laccase via immobilization on functionalized mesoporous silica for antibiotic contaminant removal

Abstract The extensive application of tetracycline antibiotics in agriculture and medicine has led to persistent contamination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, disrupting microbial communities and contributing to the spread of antibiotic resistance. Conventional treatment methods often suffer from poor efficiency, limited stability, and high environmental costs, underscoring the need for robust and sustainable alternatives. Here, we present a biocatalytic platform in which a metagenome-derived laccase (PersiLac1) is covalently immobilized onto imidazole-functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica to overcome the limitations of free laccase, including low stability and high leaching. Immobilization markedly enhanced thermal stability, reusability, and catalytic efficiency toward the degradation of doxycycline (DC) and tetracycline (TC). The optimized system exhibited minimal enzyme leaching (9.6% at 25 °C; 22.0% at 80 °C) and achieved removal efficiencies of 76.7 ± 2.8% for DC and 53.7 ± 2.1% for TC within 24 h. High removal performance was maintained even at elevated antibiotic concentrations (200 mg L⁻¹), with 43.9% and 42.8% removal for DC and TC, respectively. The immobilized laccase retained over 83% (DC) and 73% (TC) of its initial activity after 10 consecutive reuse cycles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of integrating a metagenomic laccase with an imidazole-functionalized SBA-15 support for antibiotic degradation, offering a unique combination of enhanced stability, high reusability, and environmentally relevant performance. These findings highlight the potential of this immobilization strategy as a sustainable and high-performance solution for the remediation of antibiotic contaminants in water systems.

Computational analysis of tongue reconstruction surgery: The impact of donor site and flap volume on post-operative anatomy and biomechanics

Tongue reconstruction requires a series of decisions tailored to patient needs to restore anatomy and preserve speech and swallowing. The impact of these interdependent choices is difficult to evaluate, as clinical outcomes depend on case-specific factors. However, computational analysis offers a method for analyzing these interdependencies in a controlled fashion. The present study systematically quantifies the impact of key surgical decisions, namely donor site selection (radial forearm vs. anterolateral thigh) and flap volume on the final anatomical and biomechanical outcomes. To achieve this, we developed an automated framework that simulates free flap tongue reconstruction. The framework leverages biomechanically optimized flap design to generate a multi-component virtual flap, which is then computationally sutured to the resection site, and its long-term tissue atrophy is simulated to predict the final neotongue state. Using this platform, we conducted a 120-simulation factorial study for the systematic analysis. Four clinically plausible tongue reconstruction scenarios, six levels of flap stiffness, and five levels of flap overbulking (intentional excess volume) were simulated. The results reveal a fundamental, physics-based trade-off: while increasing flap overbulking was the dominant factor in restoring pre-operative anatomy, it came at the cost of a predictable increase in biomechanical strain imposed on the native tongue. Furthermore, stiffer flaps induced significantly higher baseline strain. The anatomical benefit of overbulking was significantly modulated by tissue properties. These findings provide a biomechanical rationale for clinically observed functional trade-offs. This work presents an open-source, physics-based, and robust computational testbed for systematically evaluating interdependent surgical variables. Ultimately, the framework’s automation and scalability offer a pathway toward personalized, simulation-informed surgical planning for tongue reconstruction.

YOLO-MFD: a multi-scale feature and dynamic head framework for prefabricated shoreline underwater object detection

Clinical presentation and management outcomes of pediatric lung abscess: A retrospective cohort study

Background Pediatric lung abscess is an uncommon but potentially serious complication of pneumonia. Limited data exists on its clinical features, diagnostic workup, and outcomes in otherwise healthy children. Objective To describe the clinical characteristics, management strategies, and outcomes of children diagnosed and treated for lung abscess in Jordan. Methods We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 23 pediatric patients diagnosed with and managed for lung abscess in Jordan. Data collected included demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory findings, treatment regimens, and outcomes. Results The mean age was 7.2 years (SD 3.1), with 60.9% male and no underlying chronic diseases in any patient. Systemic symptoms such as fever (91%) and hypoactivity (91%) were common. Cough was reported in 87% of cases, with varying patterns (dry, wet, or both). Imaging confirmed that 56.5% of abscesses were located in the left lung and 43.5% in the right lung. TB was systematically excluded using PPD and PCR testing. All patients received initial broad-spectrum antibiotics; 87% required escalation to include piperacillin–tazobactam combined with aminoglycoside (either amikacin or gentamicin). The mean duration of antibiotic use was 4.8 weeks. Only one patient (4.3%) underwent surgical intervention, and two patients (8.7%) required ICU care. Follow-up imaging 1–2 weeks after completion of therapy showed full resolution in 91% of cases. Conclusions Pediatric lung abscess in otherwise healthy children presents with significant systemic and respiratory symptoms but responds well to prolonged, escalated antibiotic therapy. Conservative management is effective in the majority of cases, with excellent clinical and radiological outcomes and low surgical intervention rates.

UK scraps airborne lab that tracks climate, pollution and weather systems

Efficient genome editing in a Mozambique tilapia cell line using CAS ribonucleoprotein complexes

Abstract Genome editing using the CRISPR/Cas system makes it possible to rapidly characterise gene function in vitro and in vivo, and provides a powerful platform through which the genetics of farmed fish can be altered to improve traits such as resistance to important pathogens. Tilapia is one of the most important farmed fish globally; however, its farming is heavily impacted by Tilapia lake virus (TiLV). The Mozambique tilapia ( Oreochromis mossambicus ) brain (OmB) cell line is susceptible to TiLV, making it an ideal in vitro model for studying host-pathogen interactions and mechanisms of disease resistance. To establish OmB cells as a model for gene editing in Tilapia, it is essential to optimise genome editing protocols. In this study, we optimized a CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing system for OmB cells using ribonucleoprotein complexes. With the optimized protocol, we successfully edited two endogenous genes with efficiencies ranging from 67% to 70%. In conclusion, we establish a highly efficient CRISPR/Cas9 RNP based gene editing workflow optimized for OmB tilapia cell lines. This optimized platform will facilitate future functional genomic studies in tilapia and support the development of TiLV-resistant tilapia.

Population-based incidence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of shigellosis among children and adults from rural and urban Kenya, 2010–2019

Backgroun Shigella is an important cause of diarrheal morbidity and mortality globally. Data on disease burden across age groups, in different epidemiologic settings, and over time are needed to guide preventive strategies. We examined shigellosis in two sites in Kenya over a 10-year period. Methods We used data from the Population-Based Infectious Disease Surveillance (PBIDS) platform in a rural (Asembo, population ~35,000) and urban (Kibera, population ~23,000) setting. PBIDS participants presenting to surveillance clinics with diarrhea (≥3 loose stools in 24-hour period) had stool collected and cultured; Shigella isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We estimated incidence by dividing Shigella cases by person-years- observation, adjusting for the proportion of diarrhea cases with stool collected and for care-seeking outside surveillance clinics. Results From January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2019, we isolated Shigella from 23% and 15% of 2,017 and 4,074 stool specimens collected in Asembo and Kibera, respectively; S. flexneri accounted for 61% and 67%, respectively. In Asembo, the adjusted shigellosis incidence was 684/100,000; it was highest in ages 12–23 months (1,873/100,000) and ≥50 years (1,502/100,000). In Kibera, the adjusted incidence was 647/100,000, highest in ages 12–23 (2,828/100,000) and 24–59 months (936/100,000). Incidence declined significantly in Asembo (p = 0.009), but not in Kibera (p = 0.53). Overall, ≥ 97% of isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Conclusion The shigellosis burden was greatest among young toddlers in both urban and rural areas and was high among older adults in the rural setting. Although resistance to first-line antibiotics was infrequent, continued susceptibility monitoring is warranted.

Predictive analysis of student engagement in university physical education courses based on a multimodal transformer algorithm

High phenotypic and phytochemical diversity of Bactris gasipaes (Arecaceae) fruits in Ecuador

Climate change has negatively impacted food availability and nutritional quality. To address this challenge, it is essential to emphasize species that, despite their longstanding use by indigenous communities, remain underutilized or neglected. Integrating these culturally domesticated species into local food systems offers a promising strategy to improve access to healthy and sustainable foods. One such species is Bactris gasipaes Kunth, whose domesticated variety holds significant but largely untapped nutritional potential. Nevertheless, substantial gaps persist in our understanding of the morphological and phytochemical characteristics of its fruits. In the present study, 110 fruit samples of different Bactris gasipaes var. gasipaes individuals were analyzed to assess the proximal and biochemical composition of the mesocarp. Particular attention was given to the relationship between compositional traits and phenotypic characteristics, especially exocarp color. The results showed substantial intraspecific variation in fruit morphology and coloration, alongside notable nutritional values: crude protein (3.0–10.2%), crude fiber (0.2–3.0%), total oil (3.4–27.3%), tocopherols (<2.1 mg/g), β-carotene (<27.3 mg/100 g), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (4.7–44.1%). These results highlight the nutritional potential of B. gasipaes and its relevance for diversifying healthy food sources. Furthermore, results showed noticeable phytochemical differences and no strong correlations between specific components and phenotypic traits among fruit types in proximal parameters, nutritional content, and primary exocarp color, reinforcing the species’ value for food system integration. The observed diversity underscores the nutritional relevance of B. gasipaes from Ecuador and highlights the need for further research to classify fruit diversity for targeted use in food systems.

Marine life is a silent casualty of armed conflicts

Relationship of oxytocin and cortisol response to psychosocial stress in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders

Abstract Anxiety disorders are the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood and represent a high risk for adult mental disorders. The neurocircuitries of anxiety are known to interact with the neurocircuitry of stress. The neuropeptide oxytocin is known for its anxiolytic and antistress effects. This study is the first to examine oxytocin release in response to psychosocial stress in children and adolescents with anxiety disorders while monitoring the reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Altogether 32 adolescents with anxiety disorders and 32 healthy adolescents (aged 11–18 years) completed the Trier Social Stress Test. We measured salivary oxytocin and cortisol, subjective stress ratings, and heart rate. Salivary oxytocin and cortisol concentrations increased significantly after stress exposure, with no significant group differences. Pre-stress oxytocin levels positively correlated with cortisol levels in all participants during recovery. Healthy adolescents had higher levels of cortisol recovery. At all measurement points, participants with anxiety disorder reported significantly higher subjective stress and anxiety levels than the healthy controls. Across all participants, higher levels of cortisol and oxytocin recovery were associated with lower subjective stress levels during recovery. Oxytocin emerged as a consistent stress marker regardless of the presence of anxiety disorder, indicating its importance in post-stress recovery and subjective stress experience. Future studies are needed on the interactions between oxytocin and HPA axis in the context of psychopathologies.

Bot fit: A novel approach to assessing lower limb muscular strength

This study introduces Bot Fit, an innovative hip-joint exoskeleton designed for the objective assessment of lower limb muscular strength and exercise performance. A total of 25 participants underwent baseline strength assessments using conventional fitness equipment before performing resistance exercises under two controlled conditions: a 10-second test without speed restrictions and a 30-second test at a constant speed. Bot Fit recorded motor signals and performance metrics, capturing key indicators such as repetitions and movement patterns. To analyze the relationship between muscle parameters and exercise performance, we employed correlation analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and regression analysis. The results demonstrated strong associations between lower limb strength and key exercises, including squats, knee-ups, and reverse lunges, particularly in short-duration and constant-speed conditions. HCA successfully clustered participants based on three exercise-related metrics with an accuracy of 0.89, while the regression model achieved a correlation coefficient of 0.86, indicating high statistical power. These findings suggest that Bot Fit provides a reliable, data-driven method for muscular strength assessment, offering valuable insights for optimizing exercise programs, preventing injuries, and enhancing physical performance. The integration of wearable robotic technology into health and fitness monitoring enables personalized exercise interventions and supports evidence-based decision-making in sports science, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.

How to measure a good life – tips for moving beyond GDP

How can fast-evolving DNA retain a fundamental function in cell division?

In-situ evidence of volcanic ash aggregation during fallout from combined ground- and UAS-based observations

Abstract This study investigates the sedimentation of volcanic particles from low-altitude (< 2 km a.s.l.), near-daily ash plumes and clouds at Sakurajima volcano (Japan). Plume dynamics were monitored using imagery (visible wavelength) and geophysical (ash discharge rates) data. Ash fallout was characterized by using ground-based (disdrometer, particle electrical charge sensor, and sampling) and drone-mounted (optical particle counter, atmospheric sensor, and sampling) instruments. A comparison of particle size distributions and aggregate proportions between samples collected by drone 500 m above the take-off sites and those collected on the ground shows that aggregation develops rapidly during sedimentation. This process involves collisions between coarse ash (up to 1 mm) and fine ash particles (< 63 µm). Particle binding is promoted by electrostatic attraction (forming particle clusters) or high atmospheric humidity (forming accretionary pellets). These results provide innovative in-situ evidence of ash aggregation, offering new insights into its dynamics in natural settings, crucial for improving volcanic ash dispersion forecasting.

Evaluation of the effects of indocyanine green administration dose and speed on blood concentration and fluorescence in thoracoscopic segmentectomy

Intravenous administration of indocyanine green (ICG) is commonly used for visualizing lungs along the intersegmental plane; however, its effectiveness can be limited, as poor fluorescence sometimes leads to suboptimal structural delineation. We aimed to evaluate the effects of ICG dose and injection speed on blood concentration and fluorescence intensity during thoracoscopic segmentectomy. This was a two-stage, single-center study involving 30 patients who underwent segmentectomy. In the first stage, the administration rate was fixed at 300 mL/h and the dose was investigated at 0.1 mg/kg (group L) and 0.2 mg/kg (group H). In the second stage, a rate of 900 mL/h (group F) was added to the dose determined in the first stage and the relationship between the dose, administration rate, and fluorescence was investigated. During the first stage, the blood concentration of ICG at the end of the marking was higher in group H; hence, the dose in group F was set to 0.2 mg/kg. In the subsequent analysis, evaluation was performed by comparing the three groups. The maximum blood concentration of ICG was significantly higher in group F (9.5 mg/L, p < 0.01) than in the other groups. There was no difference in the fluorescence intensity between the groups. The fluorescence intensity of group L at the end of the marking was low (123.4, p = 0.03). The intersegment plane was confirmed in all cases, and there was no difference in the marking rate between the groups. Although injection speed affected blood ICG concentration, it did not significantly enhance fluorescence intensity. The administered dose of ICG determined the duration of fluorescence. Results suggest a minimum ICG dose is required to sustain fluorescence, while excessively rapid injections may cause early threshold attainment. Clinically, maintaining blood ICG concentration within the 5–10 mg/L is best achieved with a relatively slow infusion rate of 300 mL/h. Clinical trial registry number: UMIN-CTR No UMIN000047255.