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21 pages, 20623 KB  
Article
Development and Ex Vivo Evaluation of a Thermoreversible Silver Nanoparticle-Loaded Gel as a Biocompatible Intracanal Medicament
by Shih-Min Hsia, Ming-Gene Tu, Wen-Hao Yang, Tong-Hong Wang, Yin-Hwa Shih and Tzong-Ming Shieh
J. Funct. Biomater. 2026, 17(4), 180; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfb17040180 - 6 Apr 2026
Viewed by 279
Abstract
Inspired by their biocompatibility and thermoreversible gelation—transitioning from room temperature liquids to body temperature gels—Pluronic hydrogels were employed in this study to optimize intracanal penetration and ensure medicament stability. We developed a silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-loaded Pluronic gel (AgNPs-P-gel) as a biocompatible, easily removable [...] Read more.
Inspired by their biocompatibility and thermoreversible gelation—transitioning from room temperature liquids to body temperature gels—Pluronic hydrogels were employed in this study to optimize intracanal penetration and ensure medicament stability. We developed a silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-loaded Pluronic gel (AgNPs-P-gel) as a biocompatible, easily removable intracanal medicament. Following PRILE 2021 guidelines, AgNPs-P-gels (F127/F68) were evaluated for gelation, AgNP release, and antibacterial activity against Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus mutans via minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), and growth curves. Biofilms in bovine teeth were quantified using CFUs and scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging. Biocompatibility was tested in L-929 fibroblasts using MTT assays and RT-qPCR for pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β). Removal efficacy from bovine canals was microscopically scored. The optimized formulation (20% F127, 7.5% F68) gelled at 34 °C with sustained release over 168 h. AgNPs-P-gel showed strong antibacterial activity (MIC: 25–50 µg/mL). In ex vivo models, 100 µg/mL AgNPs-P-gel (AgNPs-100-P-gel) reduced bacterial counts comparably to calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine, but with lower cytotoxicity. Although inducing cytokine expression similar to conventional medicaments, AgNPs-P-gel demonstrated significantly superior removability. Thermoreversible AgNPs-P-gel offers sustained antimicrobial action, favorable biocompatibility, and superior removability, potentially improving endodontic disinfection predictability as a calcium hydroxide alternative. Full article
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11 pages, 14031 KB  
Case Report
Extracranial Metastases in Glioblastoma, IDH-Wildtype: A Case Series
by Valèria Richart, Marta García de Herreros, Juan Andrés Mora, Camilo Pineda, Iban Aldecoa, Estela Pineda, Izaskun Valduvieco, José Juan González, Laura Oleaga and Sofía González-Ortiz
Diagnostics 2026, 16(7), 1094; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16071094 - 5 Apr 2026
Viewed by 197
Abstract
Background: Extracranial metastasis (EM) from glioblastoma (GB), IDH-wildtype (WHO CNS 2021 grade 4) is rare and often under-recognized, yet it has immediate implications for staging and management. We report a case series integrating advanced neuroimaging, whole-body imaging, and pathology/biomarkers to characterize imaging–pathology [...] Read more.
Background: Extracranial metastasis (EM) from glioblastoma (GB), IDH-wildtype (WHO CNS 2021 grade 4) is rare and often under-recognized, yet it has immediate implications for staging and management. We report a case series integrating advanced neuroimaging, whole-body imaging, and pathology/biomarkers to characterize imaging–pathology correlates of EM and highlight practical clinical triggers that should prompt systemic evaluation. Case presentation: We report three patients with adult-type, IDH-wildtype GB who developed EM confirmed by cytology/histology and/or concordant multimodality imaging. Brain MRI (1.5T/3T) demonstrated aggressive primary tumors with qualitative elevation of DSC-perfusion and frequent tumor–surface contact (dural, ependymal/leptomeningeal contact). Intratumoral susceptibility signal reached grade 3 where assessed. All patients underwent surgical resection followed by temozolomide-based chemoradiation; two received fotemustine and bevacizumab, and one underwent re-irradiation. EM presented with clinical triggers including severe axial/back pain, palpable cervical masses, and/or cytopenias. Initial EM sites were bone marrow/vertebrae (n = 1) and cervical lymph nodes (n = 2); staging revealed additional osseous disease in both nodal cases and a small pulmonary nodule in one. Nodal and osseous lesions were FDG-avid on 18F-FDG PET/CT. OLIG2-positive cytology confirmed cervical nodal metastases, and bone marrow aspiration with GFAP/OLIG2 positivity confirmed medullary infiltration. All tumors shared a molecular profile of TERT-promoter mutation, ATRX wild-type, TP53 mutation, and MGMT-promoter methylation. Despite attempts at second- and third-line therapies, disease progression was rapid, and all patients succumbed within 8–16 months of diagnosis. Discussion: This series underscores that EM can occur despite MGMT-promoter methylation and supports the concept of heterogeneous metastatic phenotypes in GB. Our cases reinforce that new axial/back pain or hematologic abnormalities may signal osseous or marrow involvement, and necrotic cervical lymphadenopathy in GB patients warrants dedicated imaging and tissue confirmation with glial markers. Integrating brain MRI features (high perfusion, surface contact, susceptibility burden) with FDG-PET/CT and targeted cytology/pathology can expedite diagnosis and inform multidisciplinary care. Conclusions: EM can arise despite MGMT-promoter methylation in IDH-wildtype GBM. Imaging red flags (high perfusion, surface contact, necrotic/FDG-avid cervical nodes) and clinical cues (axial pain, cytopenias, neck masses) should prompt early systemic staging (CT/PET-CT) and targeted tissue confirmation to advance management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Advances and Applications in Neuroradiology: 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 3840 KB  
Article
Genome-Wide Dissection of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Uncovers Polygenic Determinants Linked to Inflammatory Gastrointestinal Disorder Susceptibility
by Da Miao, Yao Ge, Zhengye Liu, Ziqi Wan, Haotian Chen, Xiaoyin Bai and Jiarui Mi
Biomedicines 2026, 14(4), 814; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines14040814 - 2 Apr 2026
Viewed by 294
Abstract
Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple biomarker that reflects the balance between innate immune response and adaptive immunity. Currently, the genetic basis and clinical implications of NLR in relation to inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases have not been extensively explored. Methods: We carried [...] Read more.
Background: The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple biomarker that reflects the balance between innate immune response and adaptive immunity. Currently, the genetic basis and clinical implications of NLR in relation to inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases have not been extensively explored. Methods: We carried out a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on European individuals from the UK Biobank to detect genetic variants related to NLR, followed by post-GWAS analyses including colocalization analysis, transcriptome-wide association studies (TWAS), and LD score regression. Logistic regression, Cox regression, and gene–environment interaction analysis were used to evaluate the impact of NLR polygenic risk scores (PRS) on inflammatory gastrointestinal disease risks. Results: GWAS of 395,442 Europeans identified 306 genomic regions (731 lead SNPs) associated with NLR, mapping to 1542 genes enriched for immune pathways. Colocalization revealed shared genetic signals with TWAS prioritization of 59, 19, 14, 22 and 28 genes in the whole blood, spleen, terminal ileum, transverse colon and sigmoid colon, respectively. LD-score regression showed significant positive genetic correlations with CD (rg = 0.132), coeliac disease (rg = 0.124), peptic ulcer (rg = 0.138) and duodenal ulcer (rg = 0.220). One-SD increase in NLR PRS predicted higher risk of IBD (OR = 1.05, 95% CI 1.03–1.08), Crohn’s disease (OR = 1.06, 1.02–1.10), ulcerative colitis (OR = 1.05, 1.02–1.08) and coeliac disease (OR = 1.07, 1.03–1.11). Restricted cubic splines demonstrated non-linear relationships of NLR PRS for IBD, CD and UC. Gene environment analyses showed smoking and diabetes amplified the risks, while cardioprotective diet, oily fish intake and polyunsaturated fatty acid level attenuated NLR PRS-associated risk in IBD (mainly CD). Conclusions: Our study delineates the polygenic basis of NLR and establishes its genetic correlation with inflammatory gastrointestinal diseases, offering a genetically informed indicator for disease risk stratification with potential utility in population-level prevention strategies. Full article
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26 pages, 837 KB  
Review
One Health Insights into Pulmonary Hypertension: Bridging Human and Canine Medicine
by Ana Reis-Ferreira, Joana Castanheira-Moreira, Helena Coelho-Pinho, Marta Mendes, Luís Lobo, Carmen Brás-Silva, Mário Santos and Ana Patrícia Fontes-Sousa
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(4), 341; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13040341 - 31 Mar 2026
Viewed by 333
Abstract
Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive syndrome characterised by pulmonary vascular dysfunction, inflammation, maladaptive remodelling, and progressive right-ventricular strain. Translational progress remains limited because experimental models reproduce only selected aspects of the complexity of human disease. This narrative review evaluates naturally occurring canine disease [...] Read more.
Pulmonary hypertension is a progressive syndrome characterised by pulmonary vascular dysfunction, inflammation, maladaptive remodelling, and progressive right-ventricular strain. Translational progress remains limited because experimental models reproduce only selected aspects of the complexity of human disease. This narrative review evaluates naturally occurring canine disease as a comparative and spontaneous model of human pulmonary hypertension within a One Health framework. To achieve this, we synthesise recent human and veterinary literature, international consensus statements, and key registry and imaging studies. We outline current human definitions and diagnostic pathways based on right-heart catheterisation, together with the veterinary probability-based approach centred on echocardiography; compare epidemiology across species; and summarise contemporary mechanisms spanning vascular dysfunction, immune and metabolic signalling, and right-ventricular adaptation. We then examine canine conditions that parallel major human pulmonary hypertension phenotypes, including left-heart disease due to myxomatous mitral valve degeneration, fibrotic interstitial lung disease in West Highland White Terriers, sleep-related airway obstruction in brachycephalic breeds, and rare venous and capillary disorders. When combined, these spontaneous models provide opportunities to investigate disease-modifying techniques other than vasodilation and allow for the longitudinal, real-world evaluation of imaging, functional assessments, and circulating biomarkers. To improve care for both veterinary and human patients, we conclude by outlining priorities for mechanism-based clinical trials, shared outcome measures, prospective registries and biobanks, and harmonised definitions. Full article
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25 pages, 5428 KB  
Article
Optimized Large-Scale Longitudinal Biorepository of Gastroesophageal Adenocarcinoma Patient-Derived Organoids: High-Fidelity Models for Personalized Treatment to Overcome Resistance
by Mingyang Kong, Sanjima Pal, Shuyuan Wang, Julie Bérubé, Ruoyu Ma, Yifei Yan, Wotan Zeng, France Bourdeau, Betty Giannias, Hong Zhao, Nathan Osman, Yehonatan Nevo, Kulsum Tai, Hellen Kuasne, James Tankel, Gertruda Evaristo, Pierre O. Fiset, Xin Su, Swneke Bailey, Morag Park, Nicholas Bertos, Veena Sangwan and Lorenzo Ferriadd Show full author list remove Hide full author list
Organoids 2026, 5(2), 10; https://doi.org/10.3390/organoids5020010 - 30 Mar 2026
Viewed by 370
Abstract
A major limitation in studying gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) has been the lack of reliable models that represent the disease’s complexity. We present lessons learned from a comprehensive large-scale biobanking effort combining traditional sample collection with several in vitro models, including 3-dimensional patient-derived organoids [...] Read more.
A major limitation in studying gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma (GEA) has been the lack of reliable models that represent the disease’s complexity. We present lessons learned from a comprehensive large-scale biobanking effort combining traditional sample collection with several in vitro models, including 3-dimensional patient-derived organoids (PDOs), 2-dimensional cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and/or in vivo xenografts. This initiative started in 2018, integrating multiple advanced ex vivo models such as PDOs, patient-derived xenografts (PDXs), and organoids (PDXOs). This unique resource now includes tumor avatars from over 380 consented patients, making it the world’s largest living GEA biobank. We achieved a >90% success rate in creating per-patient models, including 227 tumor-derived and 203 neighboring normal PDOs. These organoids accurately mirror key features of the original tumors, such as their histology (e.g., microsatellite instability), mutations, and drug response across treatment points. Notably, PDOs can predict individual patient responses to chemotherapy within five weeks, underscoring their clinical relevance. Furthermore, high-throughput drug screening on PDO subsets with known genetic landscapes generates personalized chemosensitivity profiles for 22 drugs. Through a process of continued refinement of culture techniques and tumor sampling approach, our large-scale comprehensive collection of GEA avatars represents a unique and valuable preclinical experimental resource for precision oncology. Full article
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20 pages, 633 KB  
Article
Autophagy-Mitophagy Pathway-Linked Genetic Variants Associate with Systemic Inflammation and Interact with Dietary Factors in Asian and European Cohorts
by Youngjin Choi and Sunmin Park
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3062; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073062 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 218
Abstract
Autophagy-mitophagy pathways are essential for regulating immune homeostasis. However, their contribution to population-level chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (SI) remains unclear. The objective was to investigate the association between variation in the genes related to the autophagy-mitophagy pathways and SI, and to examine whether [...] Read more.
Autophagy-mitophagy pathways are essential for regulating immune homeostasis. However, their contribution to population-level chronic low-grade systemic inflammation (SI) remains unclear. The objective was to investigate the association between variation in the genes related to the autophagy-mitophagy pathways and SI, and to examine whether lifestyle factors modify this relationship. We conducted genome-wide association studies and gene-set enrichment analyses using data from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES, n = 28,102) and UK Biobank (UKBB, n = 343,892). SI was defined as an elevated white blood cell count or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Using Core Longevity State Vectors (CLSVs)—gene sets representing immune-longevity pathways derived from comparative transcriptomic analysis—we tested six pathways and constructed a weighted genetic risk score (GRS) from significant variants. Gene–lifestyle interactions were examined with respect to major dietary and lifestyle factors. Among six CLSVs, only CLSV-2 (mitophagy and autophagy) showed a significant association with SI (β = 0.425, p = 0.008). Six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in autophagy-mitophagy genes (INPP5D, ATG16L1, ATG7, AP3S1, OPTN, and VPS33A) were associated with SI in KoGES (p < 5 × 10−5), and ten SNPs (genes selected in KoGES plus RAB7A, ATG12, VPS33A, BECN1) reached genome-wide significance in UKBB (p < 5 × 10−8). A higher GRS was associated with increased SI in both cohorts and was strongly associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS, OR = 1.91 in KoGES; OR = 1.62 in UKBB). SI was characterized by neutrophilia with relative lymphopenia. In UKBB, significant gene–lifestyle interactions were observed for diet, physical activity, smoking, and alcohol (p < 0.01). Favorable lifestyle factors reduced SI most effectively in individuals with protective genotypes. Among individuals with a high vegetable/fruit intake, SI prevalence was 35%, 36%, and 38% in the negative-, zero-, and positive-GRS groups, respectively, compared with 36%, 45%, and 48% in the low-intake groups. In conclusion, genetic variations in autophagy-mitophagy pathways specifically influence SI. Genetic predisposition substantially modifies the benefits of lifestyle, underscoring the importance of integrating genetic and lifestyle factors in understanding SI susceptibility. Full article
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20 pages, 1673 KB  
Article
Genomic Analysis of Puerto Rican Hispanic/Latino Men with Prostate Cancer
by Jamie K. Teer, Gilberto Ruiz Deya, Sol V. Pérez-Mártir, Jong Y. Park, Jose Oliveras, Julie Dutil and Jaime Matta
Cancers 2026, 18(7), 1091; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18071091 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 413
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Puerto Rican Hispanic/Latino (PR H/L) men experience a heightened incidence and mortality rate of aggressive forms of prostate cancer. The underlying causes of this increased disease burden likely include a complex interplay of socio-economic and biological factors. This pilot study leveraged the [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Puerto Rican Hispanic/Latino (PR H/L) men experience a heightened incidence and mortality rate of aggressive forms of prostate cancer. The underlying causes of this increased disease burden likely include a complex interplay of socio-economic and biological factors. This pilot study leveraged the first cancer tissue biobank at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (Puerto Rico BioBank) and aimed to provide an initial description of the genomic features of prostate cancer in 35 PR H/L men. Methods: Whole-exome and RNA sequencing were performed on prostate adenocarcinoma tumor samples to investigate the genomic features associated with prostate cancer. Results: Our analysis suggests that mutation profiles and gene expression pattern differences are observed in this population and may be associated with disease aggressiveness and progression. Notably, mutations in TP53 and TMPRSS2-ERG gene fusions, which are common in broader populations, were less prevalent in the PR H/L cohort. Conclusions: While this study contributes to the understanding of ethnicity-specific genetic factors in prostate cancer, underscoring the need for inclusive genomic studies, continued expansion to larger cohorts of patients under-represented in large genomic studies will be needed to more robustly characterize the full range of genomic features of prostate cancer. A broader understanding of the genomic features of prostate cancer in PR H/L men may lead to future opportunities for delivering more personalized prognoses and treatment options, helping to ensure that treatment advances and better outcomes are available to all patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Biomarkers)
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17 pages, 763 KB  
Review
Mapping the Extended Pain Pathway: Human Genetic and Multi-Omic Strategies for Next-Generation Analgesics
by Ari-Pekka Koivisto
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 3035; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27073035 - 26 Mar 2026
Viewed by 296
Abstract
The 2025 approval of the selective NaV1.8 blocker suzetrigine for acute pain marked a pivotal advance in analgesic drug development. Yet the subsequent failure of Vertex’s next-generation NaV1.8 inhibitor VX993 to demonstrate clinical analgesia underscores enduring challenges in translating mechanistic promise into patient [...] Read more.
The 2025 approval of the selective NaV1.8 blocker suzetrigine for acute pain marked a pivotal advance in analgesic drug development. Yet the subsequent failure of Vertex’s next-generation NaV1.8 inhibitor VX993 to demonstrate clinical analgesia underscores enduring challenges in translating mechanistic promise into patient benefit. This review examines why promising targets and compounds, spanning NaV and TRP channels, often falter and outlines a path toward more reliable target selection and validation. I first summarize the pain pathway, from nociceptor transduction through spinal processing to cortical perception, emphasizing how inflammation and peripheral sensitization reshape excitability. Historically serendipitous, pain drug discovery now prioritizes molecular precision. Most approved chronic pain therapies act in the CNS and are limited by modest efficacy and adverse effects. Nociceptor-enriched targets (NaV1.7/1.8/1.9; TRP channels) remain attractive, yet redundancy among NaV subtypes and the necessity of blocking targets at the correct anatomical sites complicate translation. Human genetics and multi-omics provide a powerful, unbiased engine for target discovery. Rare high-impact variants offer strong causal hypotheses, while common polygenic contributions illuminate broader susceptibility. Large biobanks increasingly reveal a mismatch between legacy pain targets and genetically supported candidates across neuronal and non-neuronal cells. Human DRG transcriptomics highlight NaV channel redundancy. Human in vitro electrophysiology and PK/PD analyses show suzetrigine achieves ~90–95% NaV1.8 engagement, yet neurons can still fire unless additional channels are blocked. Species differences and drug distribution (including BBB/PNS penetration and P-gp efflux) critically influence efficacy; centrally accessible blockade (e.g., for NaV1.7 or TRPA1) may be necessary to achieve robust analgesia, challenging peripherally restricted strategies. Osteoarthritis illustrates how obesity-driven metabolic inflammation, synovial immune activation, subchondral bone remodeling, and specific nociceptor subtypes converge to drive mechanical pain. Multi-omic integration across diseased human tissues can pinpoint causal processes and cell types, enabling more selective and safer target choices. I propose a practical framework for target validation that integrates: (i) rigorous human genetic support; (ii) cell-type and site-of-action mapping; (iii) human-relevant electrophysiology and PK/PD with verified target engagement; (iv) species-appropriate models; (v) consideration of modality (small molecule, biologic, RNA, targeted protein degradation). Advancing genetically and anatomically aligned targets, tested at the right sites and exposures, offers the best path to genuinely effective, better-tolerated pain therapeutics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pain Pathways Rewired: Moving past Peripheral Ion Channel Strategies)
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19 pages, 642 KB  
Article
Enhancing Type 1 Diabetes Polygenic Risk Prediction Through Neural Networks and Entropy-Derived Insights
by Antonio Nadal-Martínez, Guillermo Pérez-Solero, Sandra Ferreiro López, Jorge Blom-Dahl, Eduard Montanya, Marta Alonso-Bernáldez, Moises Shabot, Christian Binsch, Lukasz Szczerbinski, Adam Kretowski, Julián Nevado, Pablo Lapunzina, Robert Wagner and Jair Tenorio-Castano
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(7), 2966; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27072966 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 272
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease with a strong genetic component (~70% heritability). Early identification of individuals at risk is crucial for early intervention or risk assessment. Although polygenic risk scores (PRS) have shown promise in risk assessment, most current approaches [...] Read more.
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease with a strong genetic component (~70% heritability). Early identification of individuals at risk is crucial for early intervention or risk assessment. Although polygenic risk scores (PRS) have shown promise in risk assessment, most current approaches remain constrained by linear assumptions and limited generalizability. We aimed to develop a neural network-driven classifier using T1D-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In addition, we explored the inclusion of an entropy-derived feature as a complementary variable, representing the degree of genetic variability within an individual’s genotype profile across the 67 T1D-associated SNPs, to evaluate its potential additive contribution to the model performance. We analyzed genotype data from 11,909 individuals in the UK BioBank (546 T1D cases and 11,363 controls). Sixty-seven well-known SNPs associated with T1D were utilized as inputs to the model, using two distinct allele-encoding strategies. A feed-forward neural network was evaluated under varying case–control ratios through five-fold cross-validation. Performance was assessed using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) on a held-out test set and on an external European cohort as a validation cohort. Across five-fold cross-validation, the best configuration achieved a median AUC of 0.903. On the held-out UK Biobank test set, the model generalized well, with an AUC of 0.8889 (95% CI: 0.8516–0.9262). A probability-based risk framework, constructed using five risk groups (“very low”, “low”, “intermediate”, “high”, and “very high” risk), yielded a negative predictive value (NPV) of 98.9% for the “very low” risk group and a Positive Predicted Value (PPV) of 61.9% with a specificity of 97.3% for the “very high” risk group, assuming a 10% T1D prevalence. External validation in the German Diabetes Study reproduced clear case–control separation; for individuals with recent onset diabetes and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA+) vs. controls, specificity reached 91.9% in the “high” risk group (PPV of 94.3%) and 97.6% in the “very high” risk group (PPV of 95.7%). The proposed neural network reliably predicts T1D genetic risk using a compact SNP panel of 67 SNPs and maintains accuracy in both internal and external European cohorts. Its probabilistic output enables clinically interpretable risk thresholds, while entropy features contributed modestly to performance. These results demonstrate that a neural network-based approach achieves discriminative performance that is comparable to established T1D genetic risk models, while offering flexible probability-based risk stratification and architectural extensibility for future integration of additional features. Full article
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20 pages, 3217 KB  
Review
Investigating the Inflammatory Link Between Vitamin D and Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Systematic Review and Causal Inference Analysis
by Jasmine Spiteri, Laura Grech, Dillon Mintoff and Nikolai P. Pace
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(6), 2895; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27062895 - 23 Mar 2026
Viewed by 452
Abstract
An inverse correlation between serum vitamin D levels and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) severity is frequently reported, yet the causal nature and direction of this association remain unresolved. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, identifying 12 relevant studies. A two-sample Mendelian randomization [...] Read more.
An inverse correlation between serum vitamin D levels and hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) severity is frequently reported, yet the causal nature and direction of this association remain unresolved. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines, identifying 12 relevant studies. A two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method was subsequently performed using genetic instruments for vitamin D from the UK Biobank (n = 417,580) and HS summary statistics from FinnGen (n = 1420). The systematic review confirmed a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng mL−1) among HS patients (weighted mean 17.90 ng mL−1) and identified inverse correlations between vitamin D levels and disease severity, active lesions, and C-reactive protein (CRP), while supplementation improved clinical outcomes. A null MR estimate consistent with the absence of a detectable average linear causal effect of lifelong genetically predicted 25(OH)D levels on HS risk in the analyzed population was observed. Sensitivity analyses yielded consistent null results with no significant horizontal pleiotropy. The results suggest that hypovitaminosis D is likely a marker of the systemic inflammatory state rather than a direct causative factor. The observed clinical benefits of vitamin D supplementation warrant further interventional studies to define its potential therapeutic role. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Genetic and Epigenetic Research in Skin Diseases)
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19 pages, 2175 KB  
Review
EPCR in Wound Healing: Mechanisms of Action and Therapeutic Potential
by Hui Wang, Lyn March, Christopher J. Jackson, Marita Cross and Meilang Xue
Cells 2026, 15(6), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15060567 - 22 Mar 2026
Viewed by 380
Abstract
The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is an important component of the protein C (PC) system, recognised for its diverse roles in blood coagulation, inflammation, and stem cell regulation. Wound healing is a complex physiological process that can be divided into four distinct [...] Read more.
The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) is an important component of the protein C (PC) system, recognised for its diverse roles in blood coagulation, inflammation, and stem cell regulation. Wound healing is a complex physiological process that can be divided into four distinct but overlapping phases: haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling. Recently, EPCR has emerged as a key regulator in wound repair and regeneration. During haemostasis, EPCR enhances the conversion of PC to its activated form (APC) to optimise local and systemic anticoagulation. In the inflammatory phase, EPCR modulates immune cell activity, inhibits inflammatory factors, and maintains tissue barrier integrity. As the process transitions to the proliferative phase, EPCR promotes endothelial and epithelial cell proliferation, migration, neovascularisation and re-epithelization, and mediates the expression of matrix metalloproteinases to facilitate tissue reconstruction. Finally, during the remodelling phase, EPCR exerts a potential antifibrotic effect by regulating fibroblast activation and collagen deposition via the Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad3 pathway, ensuring functional repair. While therapeutic potential has been shown in animal models, translating EPCR-mediated therapies to clinical application faces many challenges, including wound heterogeneity, dosage control, targeted delivery, and potential bleeding risks. Studies have shown that local drug delivery strategies, non-anticoagulant APC variants, and individualised treatment based on EPCR expression will be the key directions for future development. Additionally, EPCR may serve as a potential biomarker for assessing wound severity and guiding personalised interventions. Full article
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8 pages, 552 KB  
Article
Leveraging Large and Diverse Biobanks to Evaluate Gene–Disease Associations in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
by Saif F. Dababneh, Kevin Ong, Darwin Yeung, Nathaniel M. Hawkins, Andrew Krahn, Zachary Laksman, Rafik Tadros and Thomas M. Roston
J. Pers. Med. 2026, 16(3), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm16030171 - 21 Mar 2026
Viewed by 453
Abstract
Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited disease and a leading known cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young adults and athletes. While genetic testing has advanced rapidly in the past decade, the yield of genetic testing remains low. The Clinical Genome [...] Read more.
Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common inherited disease and a leading known cause of sudden cardiac arrest in young adults and athletes. While genetic testing has advanced rapidly in the past decade, the yield of genetic testing remains low. The Clinical Genome Resource (ClinGen) initiative has become a leading resource for defining the clinical relevance of genetic variants with expert groups focusing on evaluating the strength of evidence for each HCM implicated gene. With the rise of large biobanks and population databases, genetic discovery has been significantly advanced. However, whether these databases can be used to validate gene–disease associations curated by ClinGen and provide evidence for novel gene–disease associations remains unclear. Objectives: Here, we utilized a publicly available database containing 748,879 individuals across three large biobanks (All of Us, UK biobank, Mass General Brigham biobank). Methods: We tested the association of rare coding variants in each gene in the HCM ClinGen panel with HCM. In total, 38 genes were tested, and Bonferroni correction was applied accordingly. Results: Of the 12 genes with definitive evidence for HCM (e.g., MYBPC3, MYH7, TNNT2, ALPK3), 8 (67%) demonstrated nominally significant association with HCM on a population level, and 5 (42%) remained significant after Bonferroni correction, further supporting the validity of these genes in HCM panels. Several definitive genes which are much less commonly affected in HCM (CSRP3, MYL3, ACTC1, TPM1, FHOD3, MYL2, and TNNC1) did not pass our Bonferroni corrected-significance threshold, but all had positively associated effect sizes with HCM. No genes deemed to have moderate or limited evidence had any significant associations with HCM even before Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: Altogether, we show that large biobanks and population databases generally recapitulate established gene–disease associations for HCM and support the ClinGen group’s gene curations. The utilization of such publicly accessible databases represents an additional tool for assessing gene validity in monogenic cardiac disorders with an established phenotype, although it may have limited sensitivity and should not be solely relied on. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalized Medicine and Surgery in Cardiovascular Disorders)
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23 pages, 1139 KB  
Article
Pharmacometabolomics Detects Unreported Clopidogrel Metabolites in the Urine of Kidney and Liver Transplant Recipients
by Cassandra Piccolotto, Stephan J. L. Bakker, Vincent E. de Meijer, Gérard Hopfgartner, Peter Fodran, Frank Klont and TransplantLines Investigators
Metabolites 2026, 16(3), 210; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo16030210 - 21 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Background/Objectives: Clopidogrel is a widely prescribed antiplatelet prodrug that requires bioactivation, primarily by the polymorphic CYP2C19 enzyme. Genetic variation in this enzyme leads to differences in active metabolite formation and has prompted the development of pharmacogenetics-guided prescribing. However, current pharmacogenetic strategies are [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Clopidogrel is a widely prescribed antiplatelet prodrug that requires bioactivation, primarily by the polymorphic CYP2C19 enzyme. Genetic variation in this enzyme leads to differences in active metabolite formation and has prompted the development of pharmacogenetics-guided prescribing. However, current pharmacogenetic strategies are grounded in drug metabolism knowledge derived from mass balance studies conducted in small groups of healthy volunteers. This narrow evidence base may limit the data’s applicability to real-world settings, where factors like polypharmacy or altered organ function may influence drug response. Methods: Pharmacogenetics could benefit from real-world drug metabolism and excretion studies, which we conducted for clopidogrel in 38 kidney and 16 liver transplant recipients from the TransplantLines Biobank and Cohort Study (NCT03272841), utilizing existing LC-SWATH/MS pharmacometabolomic data. Clopidogrel-associated metabolic signals were identified using xenobiotic metabolism knowledge and literature-reported pathways. Results: Across both transplant groups, 26 clopidogrel-associated features were prioritized, of which some matched previously reported urinary metabolites, had previously been observed in plasma, or represented previously unreported metabolites. Clopidogrel carboxylic acid predominated in kidney transplant recipients, whereas its glucuronide form was most abundant in liver transplant recipients. Notably, unmetabolized clopidogrel was consistently detected across all patients. Moreover, our data support a thiol desulfurization route, aligning with emerging evidence of clopidogrel’s role as a hydrogen sulfide-releasing drug. Conclusions: More (putative) clopidogrel metabolites were detected than previously reported, demonstrating the value of pharmacometabolomics in expanding our understanding of drug metabolism. This approach provides novel data that may complement pharmacogenetics research to understand clopidogrel response variability among treated patients. Full article
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12 pages, 1423 KB  
Article
Stability of Nε-Carboxymethyllysine and Nε-Carboxyethyllysine in Canine Urine Under Extended Room Temperature Storage
by Nicole Renée Cammack, Stephanie Archer-Hartmann, Bhoj Kumar, Christian Heiss, Parastoo Azadi and Joseph Bartges
Animals 2026, 16(6), 917; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16060917 - 14 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) such as Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML) and Nε-carboxyethyllysine (CEL) are implicated in chronic disease processes in humans and may serve as biomarkers of dietary exposure and metabolic health. Urinary measurement of AGEs is of interest due to its non-invasive nature [...] Read more.
Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) such as Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML) and Nε-carboxyethyllysine (CEL) are implicated in chronic disease processes in humans and may serve as biomarkers of dietary exposure and metabolic health. Urinary measurement of AGEs is of interest due to its non-invasive nature and relevance to biobanking and field-based sample collection; however, AGE stability in urine under common handling conditions has been poorly characterized. This study evaluates the short-term stability of CML and CEL in canine urine stored at room temperature (20 °C) for up to 168 h prior to −80 °C storage. Midstream free-catch urine samples from eight healthy dogs were aliquoted, stored at defined intervals, and analyzed in duplicate using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) with isotope-labeled standards. Results demonstrate minimal detectable changes in CML and CEL concentrations, as well as in the CML/CEL ratio, over the ambient storage period. Inter-replicate agreement is high, and regression and non-parametric analyses show no association between storage duration and analyte concentration. These findings indicate that urinary CML and CEL measurements may remain reliable despite delayed processing, supporting field-based sampling and retrospective analyses. Evaluation of additional AGE species and storage conditions will further inform best practices for sample handling in veterinary and comparative biomedical research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Small Animal Nutrition and Health)
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17 pages, 354 KB  
Article
Multicenter Analytical Performance Evaluation of the BD Phoenix NMIC-461 Panel for Carbapenemase Classification and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp.
by Jingjia Zhang, Liying Sun, Ge Zhang, Wei Kang, Tong Wang, Jin Li, Haotian Gao, Qiwen Yang, Kuixia Sun, Qian Wang and Hongli Sun
Antibiotics 2026, 15(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15030286 - 12 Mar 2026
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Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate the capability of the BD Phoenix NMIC-461 panel in the detection and classification of carbapenemase production and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 10 antimicrobial agents among Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp. Methods: A total of 714 non-repetitive clinical [...] Read more.
Objectives: To evaluate the capability of the BD Phoenix NMIC-461 panel in the detection and classification of carbapenemase production and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 10 antimicrobial agents among Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp. Methods: A total of 714 non-repetitive clinical isolates from three tertiary hospitals in China were enrolled. Carbapenemase production was confirmed by the modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM), while carbapenemase typing was validated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) for ten antimicrobial agents was performed using broth microdilution (BMD) as the reference method. Results: The sensitivity and specificity of carbapenemase detection were 98.8% (95% CI, 96.6–99.6) and 92.4% (95% CI, 89.5–94.6) separately compared to sequencing. Classification accuracy was compromised by carbapenemase-positive unclassified strains, particularly reducing sensitivity for Enterobacterales. Excluding unclassified strains, the sensitivity and specificity were: for class A, 100% (95% CI, 94.0–100) and 97.3% (95% CI, 95.6–98.4); for class B, 97.1% (95% CI, 89.7–99.2) and 97.6% (95% CI, 96.0–98.6); and for class D, 94.0% (95% CI, 87.9–97.3) and 99.1% (95% CI, 97.8–99.7). The panel was subject to limitations for carbapenemase detection when applied to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The NMIC-461 panel demonstrated excellent performance for ten BMD-evaluated agents across four bacterial categories, with essential agreement (EA) exceeding 95% and category agreement (CA) exceeding 90% except for Levofloxacin, and major error (ME) and very major error (VME) rates below 3% and 1.5%, respectively. Conclusions: The BD Phoenix NMIC-461 panel provides reliable AST results for commonly encountered Gram-negative bacterial isolates. Regarding carbapenemase detection, the panel demonstrates high sensitivity but only moderate specificity in classifying carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO), with a relatively high proportion of positive unclassified isolates among Enterobacterales and low specificity for P. aeruginosa. Overall, the implementation of NMIC-461 testing holds promise for significantly reducing turnaround time in both carbapenemase detection and classification. Full article
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